🏃‍♀️5K Victories & Viral Chickle Madness: A Nacho Fitness Coach Catch-Up

Ever wondered what happens when you wrap a pickle in cheese and crust it in Flaming Hot Cheetos? Neither had we—until Instagram served up a spicy surprise that stopped Sara mid-scroll.

In this episode of Nacho Fitness Coach, hosts Sara and Caleigh dive into the mysterious viral “chickle,” laugh about digestive consequences, and actually get around to updating us on a 5K they ran (and crushed). From spicy food debates to road race encouragement, this one’s packed with fun, fitness, and a little fire.

Let’s unpack it.

What Is a Chickle? And Why Are We Talking About It?

Caleigh introduces Sara to the “chickle”—not a baby bird, not gum, but a viral snack made of:

• A dill pickle
• Provolone cheese
• Flaming Hot Cheetos (smashed into a coating)

Yes, that’s real. And yes, the internet had thoughts like:

🗨️ “What in the heartburn hell is this?”
🗨️ “I don’t know what will explode first—my arteries or my toilet.”

The general consensus? A bowel bomb in snack form. Caleigh’s never even tried a Flaming Hot Cheeto (wait, what?!), and Sara is both shocked and mildly concerned for her friend’s spice-free existence.

Sara: “Sometimes you eat Flaming Hot Cheetos just to feel something.”

Caleigh: “I’m good, thanks.”

Moral of the story: Not everyone wants to burn their insides for fun.

Flashback: That Time We Ran a 5K and Totally Forgot to Mention It

In the whirlwind of fitness routines and podcast episodes, Sara and Caleigh realized something shocking—they completed a 5K race in 2023 and barely talked about it.

• 🏃‍♀️ They trained (well, Caleigh was “encouraged” by Sara)
• 🏁 They ran the entire race—no walking!
• ⏱️ Finish time: around 36 minutes (~11:30 min/mile pace)

It wasn’t a marathon, but it was a milestone. And they’re both proud of showing up, sticking to a plan, and crossing that finish line.

Caleigh: “We ran the whole damn thing!”

Sara: “And didn’t even brag about it—until now.”

Why Road Races Are For Everyone (Not Just Superhumans)

Sara shares her realization: not all race participants are elite athletes sprinting to the podium. In fact:

• Many people walk 5Ks, 10Ks, and even half marathons
• The vibe is usually inclusive, energetic, and fun
• It’s a great way to set a goal and get moving, even if you're new to running

There’s something powerful about being surrounded by people with a shared purpose—whether that’s finishing fast or just showing up.

Fitness Memories: When Racing Was Their Travel Plan

Back before kids and tight schedules, Sara and her now-husband signed up for races across the U.S.—as a form of fitness and travel combined.

🗓️ Every other month, they picked a city and a race:

• Austin: LiveStrong Half Marathon
• San Jose, Kansas City, and Chicago half marathons
• Each race offered a unique way to explore a city on foot

From packet pick-ups to post-run endorphins, it became a tradition with built-in goals and movement motivation.

Why You Should Add a Race to Your Calendar (Even a Fun One)

Whether it’s a 5K or a fun run, setting a date-specific goal can:

✅ Keep you accountable
✅ Add structure to your training
✅ Make fitness feel like a shared adventure
✅ Give you a fun memory that’s not just about numbers or scales

Caleigh reflects on how good it felt to have a tangible goal—and how she hasn’t had one since.

Time to bring that race-day energy back, maybe?

Track Workouts and Why You Can’t Just Quit Mid-Run

Sara and Caleigh chat about the mental shift between gym workouts and road running. The difference?

At the gym: "I’ll just skip this last set and leave."

On a track or road: "If I’m 2 miles from home, I have no choice but to finish."

It’s an unexpected perk: built-in commitment.

Also, tracks are everywhere, free to use, and great for both beginners and seasoned runners. Bonus points if you're brave enough to share space with high school football teams (Caleigh got over that too).

And Finally… Triathlons and Flaming Hot No-Nos

Sara confesses she’s always had a triathlon on her bucket list. Caleigh is... less convinced.

Triathlon = Swim + Bike + Run. And that sounds like a lot.

But it’s not about commitment—yet. Just like trying the chickle isn’t happening anytime soon. Unless it’s without the Flaming Hot Cheetos. Then maybe.

Caleigh: “If it burns your esophagus and your… exit path… that’s a hard no from me.”