Former collegiate runner Karen Lesiewicz shares her sense of humor on the standup stage and as co-host of a running podcast. Running in Chicago, she started Nameless Track Club for the motivation that comes with being part of a community.

As the youngest child with three older brothers, Karen Lesiewicz says she had to embrace a sense of humor growing up and be able to banter with the best.

“I think I learned early on I had to either keep up or get dropped,” she explains. “Pretty similar to a hard tempo if you ask me!”

Lesiewicz ran track and cross country for the University of Notre Dame. Her brothers ran collegiately as well, and she doesn’t let them forget that she holds the fastest marathon PR in the family.

Today, Lesiewicz lives and trains in Chicago, with sights set on completing all six World Marathon Majors. The Chicago and Berlin marathons are checked off the list, and the NYC Marathon is on tap this fall.

Her sharp-wittedness and quips have placed her behind the mic of a running podcast and on stage as a comedian. “I definitely have some runner jokes in my back pocket,” Lesiewicz says.

Read on to learn about the running podcast she co-hosts, why Lesiewicz got together with fellow runners in Chicago to start Nameless Track Club, and how travel and friends motivate her to keep logging miles.

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What’s the story behind the “Getting Chicked” podcast?

‘Getting Chicked’ is composed of my friends Megan Connolly and Rachel DaDamio [and me] — three former college runners who just can’t hang up the shoes. We’re a podcast that focuses on running and is purely banter-based.

We realized there are a lot of women-led podcasts in the runner space that focus on interviewing top athletes, and we thought there was an opportunity for a more banter- and conversation-based podcast from a woman’s perspective.

Our show is produced by Citius Mag, a media and news company that has built an incredible running following. We release new episodes every other Tuesday, and you can follow us on Instagram at @gettingchicked.

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How did Nameless Track Club get started?

There was a group of us women who were trying to compete in the sub-elite field post-collegiately. There were limited training options in Chicago, and a lot of us were not finding the right fit. We got together and decided to form our own club where we could build out a team that fit the balance of both a social component and high-level training.

We pitched our team to Nike, and they loved the idea of a sub-elite running group in Chicago that was community-focused. Boom, Nameless was born!

My favorite part about Nameless is the feeling of being a part of a team and working together toward a common goal. It’s what gets me out of bed in the mornings, and I truly would not be motivated to get out the door on my own. I always say it’s easy to let yourself down, but it’s hard to let down 10 girls waiting for you on a street corner at 6 a.m.

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Is anyone welcome to run with Nameless Track Club?

Yes! Our Friday fun runs at Fullerton at 6:30 a.m. are meant to engage with the general running community. As we grow, we welcome all abilities. Typically, the group runs south to Ohio Street Beach and back, around 8:30 to 9:00-minute pace. If weather permits, prepare for a quick jump in the lake afterward!

Follow @namelesstrackclub on Instagram.

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What keeps you inspired and motivated as a runner?

Truly, it’s the social component for me. Some of my best friends and most meaningful relationships have come from running, and I’ve always found a home within the running community. Paired with my love for travel, marathon running gives me the best of both worlds: visiting new parts of the world and spending time with some of my best friends.

One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to find a run club on Instagram and meet up for their fun runs. You get a tour of the city you’re in and meet friends with firsthand recommendations of where to go!

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What’s your favorite city to run in, outside of Chicago?

My favorite place to run is Flagstaff [Arizona], hands down. I’ve gone there a few times to visit friends, and Buffalo Park has earned its place as my favorite running path. You’re also likely to get a pro runner sighting if you’re there on a good day. Just remember you’re at altitude when you’re going up that hill near the end of the loop!

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Who’s a comedian you look up to?

For me, Michelle Wolf is mother. You might know her from her Netflix specials, but she’s also a huge track and field fan. I love the way her brain works and how she structures a joke.

I once saw her walking on the Chicago Lakefront Trail when she was in town for a show and I had absolutely no chill and screamed her name like we were best friends. I’m hoping one day I’ll get to meet her at a major track event that she frequently attends and I can redeem myself by being slightly more chill.

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Speaking of the Lakefront Trail, what part of it do you recommend to visiting runners?

You can’t go wrong with anywhere on the Lakefront Trail! The only major decision you have to make is north or south, and both are the right way. You can hop over the bridge [at North Avenue Beach] to the interior gravel lake path and even get in some crushed gravel running north to Belmont.

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Looking for more running in Chicago insights? Marathoner Erica Agran talks about Chicago’s races and running tours in her Q&A.

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