Singletrack

Leah Yingling returns to the podcast to discuss her new partnership with Lululemon, the FURTHER initiative, as well as her training and expectations heading into the Western States 100.

Timestamps:

• (0:51) - Lululemon partnership announcement and details
• (2:38) - backstory on how the opportunity came about 
• (6:07) - Lululemon's "whole human" approach to athlete sponsorship
• (9:51) - rollout week in Vancouver
• (13:40) - research for women's ultrarunning
• (19:33) - FURTHER initiative, world record attempts
• (26:14) - Western States 100 training, race strategy
• (34:08) - thoughts on a possible Western States-UTMB double

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Links:

• Lululemon Trail Athletes
• Lululemon FURTHER Initiative
• Lululemon Strava Challenge
• Follow Leah on Instagram and Strava
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

Abby Levene returns to the show to discuss all things trail running media. 

Timestamps:

• (2:35) - perspective from pro athlete background and working in outdoor media
• (7:48) - reflecting on the norms and the line for outspokeness among pro athletes
• (16:50) - athlete rivalries in endurance sports
• (20:32) - outsourcing athlete social media
• (34:21) - analyzing trail running films and storytelling, being critical of content creators
• (52:50) - athlete experiments in going social media dark 
• (57:28) - whether the state of outdoor media is bleak
• (69:01) - running media tradeoffs

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Links:

• Freetrail Memorial Day Fundraiser
• Tempo // Movement In The Mountains - Kyle Richardson
• Follow Abby on Instagram, Strava

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Doug Mayer is an author, journalist and founder of the trail running tour company, Run the Alps and past producer of the NPR show Car Talk. Doug lives in Chamonix, France, has run the UTMB race twice, and recently wrote a book titled “The Race The Changed Running: The Inside Story of UTMB".

In this conversation, we discuss the nature of soul sports, the founding story of the UTMB, the background and ambitions of the Polettis, common criticisms about the race, the power it has over athletes, operators, and other organizations in our world, and whether there is such a thing as a “trail running industrial complex”.

Timestamps:

• (1:08) - trail running is a soul sport
• (9:05) - man in the arena quote, UTMB origin story
• (19:04) - background of the Polettis
• (33:01) - Mike Ambrose story, influence of content
• (43:21) - the jump of UTMB and the Polettis to international influence
• (52:35) - financial misunderstandings about UTMB and the Polettis
• (59:30) - Ironman partnership
• (66:59) - concerns about monopolization, etc
• (82:11) - the real or imagined power of UTMB over pro athletes
• (94:29) - feasibility of being a global and local event

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Links:

• The Race That Changed Trail Running: The Inside Story of UTMB
• Run The Alps
• Doug Mayer's Trail Runner Magazine Archive
• Man In The Arena Quote
• Follow Doug on Instagram

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #210 - Catherine and Michel Poletti | UTMB World Series, Ironman Partnership, Future of Trail Running
• #183 - Caleb Efta - High Lonesome 100 | UTMB Policy, Trail Running Values, Grassroots Races

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Matt Feldhake is the Marketing Director for Aravaipa Running. Matt joins the podcast to discuss visions for Cocodona 250, the progress made around live-streaming events in our sport, and pitching trail running to different audiences.

Discounts:

• Aravaipa Running - use code Singletrack10 at checkout on Ultrasignup for 10% off registration to one of their Flagstaff Sky Peaks races on 10/7.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (1:37) - vision for the Cocodona 250
• (7:44) - fan interest in 200+ mile race
• (15:44) - early lessons from the Cocodona 250 livestream
• (21:32) - Flagstaff livestreaming scene
• (30:31) - the rewards, complexity of Cocodona 250 livestream
• (34:28) - why Aravaipa is excied about and invested in livestreaming events
• (44:29) - guessing at the future of trail running livestreams
• (48:53) - trail running media inspiration
• (53:01) - UTMB discussion, trail running events landscape
• (60:50) - marketing the sport of trail running

Links:

• Connect with Matt on LinkedIn
• The Long Way Home ft Eric Senseman
• Flagstaff Sky Peaks race series

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #184 - Fred Abramowitz - Run Rabbit Run | Casual Ultrarunning Fans, Prize Money, Sponsorship Blueprint
• #60 - Chris Chavez | Citius Mag, Building A Running Media Company, Creating Running Fans
• #26 - Sam Parsons | How To Build A Trail Running Team

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This is the first episode in a series called Eurotrack where I’m joined by Katie Schide and Brett Hornig to analyze key races on the European ultra-trail running circuit.

In this inaugural episode, we talk about the athletes that American fans might overlook, the key training hubs in the region, the races that matter most on the continent, and differences in training, racing, and sports media over there before previewing Transvulcania at the end of the conversation.

Timestamps:

• (2:29) - European trail running training hubs
• (11:30) - European trail athletes that fly under the radar
• (37:08) - Key races on the European ultra trail running circuit
• (51:03) - Transvulcania preview

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Additional Links:

• Follow Katie on Instagram, Strava, Website
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon
• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and The Feed

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #128 - Katie Schide | 2022 UTMB Champion

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Cole Watson and Brett Hornig join the podcast to recap Cole's win at the Canyons 100K this past weekend.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)

Additional Links:

• Follow Cole on Instagram, Strava, Personal Website
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon
• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and The Feed

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #192 - Cole Watson | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview
• #77 - Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview

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Catherine and Michel Poletti are the Co-Founders of the UTMB race series in Chamonix, France. They join the podcast to discuss their vision for trail running over the last two decades, their history with ITRA and the Ultra Trail World Tour, partnering with Ironman and building the UTMB World Series, and their opinions on where our sport is heading in the years and decades to come.

Timestamps:

• 0:55) - similarities and differences between American and European racing
• (4:43) - shaping American events in the image of UTMB versus maintaining their historical elements
• (8:57) - reflecting on how well the UTMB World Series experiment has worked so far
• (10:36) - how the vision for UTMB has changed or stayed the same over the last 20 years
• (13:26) - incentives for growing UTMB
• (19:21) - history with ITRA, Ultra Trail World Tour
• (23:46) - genesis of partnership with Ironman
• (31:44) - UTMB’s perspective on independent races
• (36:10) - perspective on equality and sustainability issues in trail running
• (45:54) - the independence of trail running
• (52:46) - future of ultra trail running
• (65:38) - final thoughts

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

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In this episode, I am joined by Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to preview the 2023 Canyons 100K. We analyze the course, talk about what it's going to take to be successful, note some of the interesting storylines around the event, and make our predictions for the female and male top-3 finishers this year.

Timestamps:

• (0:32) - excitement and context for this race
• (8:40) - course analysis 
• (23:14) - women’s field preview, picks
• (43:50) - men’s field preview, picks
• (60:18) - 100 mile and 50K race discussions, final thoughts 

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Links:

• Follow Brett on Instagram and Strava
• Follow Leah on Instagram and Strava
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

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Welcome to "Point to Point", a recurring episode of Singletrack  recapping the news that came across my radar in the world of trail and ultra running in the last week.

Timestamps:

• (0:30) - Golden Trail Series - Eurosport media deal
• (2:10) - Ethics of running contracts
• (4:10) - Canyons by UTMB, Sunapee Scramble
• (5:40) - UTMB pregnancy policy
• (6:40) - Personal updates

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Links:

• UTMB Pregnancy Policy
• Ethics Of Running Contracts
• The Golden Trail World Series - Eurosport Partnership
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

Eric LiPuma is a professional trail runner based outside of Burlington, VT preparing for the Canyons 100K later this month. In this conversation, we talk about the intersection of running and design, what "making it" looks like in our sport, the rising popularity of the trail running world championships, and receiving inspiration from other sports to make our community even greater.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (1:05) - thoughts and feelings running full-time right now
• (3:23) - intersection of running and design, making sport cooler
• (9:24) - east coast versus west coast trail scene, Boulder versus Burlington
• (25:02) - influence of world championships experience
• (30:03) - Western States versus Worlds versus UTMB
• (37:57) - Canyons 100K outlook
• (42:45) - outlook for "making it" in the sport
• (47:07) - inspiration from action sports

Additional Links:

• Follow Eric on Instagram, Strava, Website, Coaching
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon
• Epicly Later'd

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #156 - USA Men's 80K Team | 2022 World Trail Running Championships Gold Medal Recap

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I am joined by Brett Hornig to recap the Lake Sonoma 50, discuss the new UTMB-Outside live-streaming partnership, and debate the practicality of gambling, leagues, and agents in pro trail running.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)

Timestamps:

• (0:29) - perfect trail running towns
• (6:43) - Lake Sonoma 50 recap
• (25:28) - Outside/UTMB livestream partnership
• (31:32) - is gambling coming to trail running?
• (43:45) - Marvin Bracy Citius Mag interview
• (65:18) - should pro trail runners have agents?
• (78:49) - Michael Johnson’s tweet on future of pro running

Additional Links:

• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon
• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and The Feed

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• Long Run Archives #11 | Trail Running Scams, Breaking 14 Project, Hologram Pacers

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6 spots for the USA 80K Mountain & Trail Running Team are on the line in a certified barn burner of a race this coming Saturday at the Lake Sonoma 50 and I’m joined by Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to break it all down. 

We analyze the course, talk about success factors, note the interesting storylines, and make predictions for the female and male top-3 finishers this year.

Who’s making the USA 80K team and racing at Innsbruck, Austria in June?

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)

Timestamps:

• (2:44) - what makes Lake Sonoma interesting this year
• (15:17) - women's field analysis, predictions
• (37:32) - men's field analysis, predictions
• (63:01) - final thoughts 

Links:

• Follow Brett on Instagram and Strava
• Follow Leah on Instagram and Strava
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

Brian Metzler is an award-winning sports journalist, writer, and photographer from Boulder, Colorado, who has produced storytelling content for publications like Outside, Trail Runner, Runner’s World, Competitor, and Sports Illustrated, as well as several books, including “Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture and Cool of Running Shoes”  and “Trail Running Illustrated”.

We discuss the value of endurance sports journalism, how sports marketing is changing, creating trail running fans, and the evolution of UTMB.

Timestamps:

• (1:06) - the content preferences of trail running fans
• (12:39) - marketing trail running to a broader audience
• (29:19) - “trail running is the future” for some shoe companies
• (37:11) - concerns about the growth of the sport
• (44:32) - shakeups in the trail running event landscape
• (56:00) - it is better for a few athletes to dominate or have more mystery in the results
• (62:16) - doping in trail and ultra running
• (82:08) - if and when we’ll see a media outlet dedicated to pro trail running
• (88:54) - the value of trail running journalism

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)

Links:

• Brian's website, Instagram, and Strava
• Follow Finn on Strava, Instagram, and Twitter

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John Kelly is a professional endurance athlete and now 2-time finisher of the Barkley Marathons.

In this conversation, we get his thoughts about the media attention and public perception surrounding Barkley, what draws the general public to our sport, his views on using intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation for high performance, creating the ideal Barkley athlete, and why he’s interested in going after the Appalachian Trail FKT in the future.

Timestamps:

• (1:02) - why you have to be intrinsically motivated to finish Barkley
• (6:42) - what John wrote in his application essay for Barkley
• (9:23) - automated Twitter race narrations
• (12:06) - changing ideas about how to prepare for Barkley
• (19:26) - goldilocks zone of difficulty
• (24:36) - why he returns to Barkley
• (28:50) - mildly fulfilling successes versus stretch efforts
• (32:16) - ideal Barkley athlete
• (37:51) - why Barkley gets so much fanfare, why it appeals to the general public
• (49:10) - addressing Barkley criticisms
• (58:53) - Appalachian Trail FKT interest

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)

Links:

• Follow John on Instagram, Twitter, and Strava

Support the show

This is the first episode of a new series we are calling "Trail Tea". These episodes take the candor of group chats and pull them into the audio realm.

In this edition, I am joined by Jack Kuenzle, Dan Curts, and Abby Levene. We discuss pro runner social media, boring trail running media, exclusive trail races, faith in the gear review industry, pro runners on Strava, and whether we should be elevating people who focus 100% of the sport.

Buckle up because this is a fun episode.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)

Timestamps:

• (2:11) - pro runner social media 
• (25:40) - boring trail running media
• (48:00) - exclusive trail races
• (56:48) - gear review industry
• (67:25) - Strava discussion
• (79:31) - elevating "all-in" athletes

Links:

• Follow Jack on Strava and Instagram
• Follow Abby on Strava and Instagram
• Follow Dan on Strava and Instagram
• Follow Finn on Strava and Instagram

Support the show

Sabrina Little is a Philosophy Professor and Professional Ultrarunner based in Newport News, VA. Sabrina is also a regular columnist for IRunfar and we spend the majority of this conversation discussing a recent post she wrote about what it might look like to be a good fan, as well as a bad fan, of ultra running during this era of significant change in our sport.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)

Timestamps:

• (1:32) - connecting running and philosophy
• (10:15) - whether academia or running has had a bigger influence on philosophy
• (14:18) - motivation to reflect on ultrarunning fans
• (25:34) - gossip, escapism, anonymity, rooting for vice
• (39:45) - whether negative in-sport characteristics translate to other areas of life
• (48:54) - how fan behavior impacts the future of ultrarunning

Links:

• The Vices Of Fandom
• Follow Sabrina on Instagram
• Follow Sabrina on Strava

Support the show

I am joined by Brett Hornig to debate whether the culture has groomed elites to be passive about their career prospects, the biggest scams in our sport, whether it's harder to get to the top or stay at the top as a pro athlete, and why fans fixate on fast times instead of good competition.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)

Timestamps:

• (2:31) - content creation goals for 2023
• (8:28) - whether trail running culture has conditioned aspiring pro athletes to be passive about their career prospects
• (21:37) - the biggest scams in trail running
• (29:57) - hypothetical race where the 5 winners get guaranteed six-figure contracts 
• (35:20) - running technology everyone will be using 5 years from now
• (47:20) - fixation on fast times over good competition
• (64:03) - is it harder to get to the top or stay at the top as a pro runner
• (80:22) - ultrarunning television ideas
• (88:45) - pro athlete salary report 

Additional Links:

• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon
• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and The Feed

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #195 - Long Run Archives #10 | Black Canyon Reflections, Western States Storylines, Prize Money, Future Of Crewing
• #182 - Long Run Archives #9 | True Fans Of Trail Running, 100 Mile Hot Takes, UTMB World Series

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Dani Moreno is a professional trail runner for Adidas Terrex based in Mammoth Lakes, CA. She returns to the Singletrack Podcast to discuss sponsorship changes, her history and insights from navigating the athlete brand relationship over the course of her career, and her racing schedule for 2023.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (1:11) - sponsor change announcement, reflections on change
• (9:09) - what went into the decision to switch sponsors
• (17:01) - holistic athlete-brand relationships, working with an agent
• (24:47) - 2023 racing schedule, Boston Marathon, return to OCC

Links:

• Follow Dani on Instagram, Strava, and her personal website
• Follow the Subhub Podcast 

Additional Links:

• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

Allie Ostrander is a professional runner for Nnormal based in Seattle, WA.

Allie has notched many accomplishments on the track winning 3 national collegiate titles in the steeplechase, running professionally for the Brooks Beasts, and winning the 3K event at the 2020 Millrose Games among accolades while also demonstrating impressive versatility winning the famous Mount Marathon race in 2017.

Allie recently announced her signing with the trail running brand NNormal and her focus on trail running for 2023. We have a wide-ranging conversation about her background, being a public figure and professional athlete while being transparent around her struggles with injuries and eating disorder, as well as outlook on her investment in trail running.
 
Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (1:47) - how growing up in Alaska influenced running identity
• (4:18) - collegiate and professional running resume
• (6:31) - being certain about pro athlete path
• (12:14) - unsustainable paths to pro running
• (20:14) - broader sport discussion around eating disorders
• (27:40) - the value of being transparent about struggles
• (31:51) - how brands have responded
• (36:45) - how the media influences athletes
• (41:00) - influence of Emelie Forsberg and Kilian Jornet, signing with NNormal
• (48:57) - trail running interests, training, race schedule 
• (58:01) - final thoughts 

Links:

• Follow Allie on Instagram, Youtube, and Strava

Additional Links:

• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

Jason Koop is the Head Coach of Carmichael Training Systems Ultrarunning.

In this conversation, we talk about whether and how the increasing professionalization of ultrarunning is changing the ways athletes train and race and generally commit their livelihood to the craft, the potential for professional co-located trail running teams, doping and the policies that should be put into place as soon as possible among many more topics.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (1:36) - insights from traveling to races with athletes
• (9:53) - what's changed the most in the way elite athletes races ultras
• (15:35) - why it's insufficient for elite athletes to marginally improve year over year
• (30:19) - when ultrarunners reach their performance peaks
• (40:45) - creating the ideal mountain ultra trail runner
• (47:04) - biggest advances in the athlete-coach relationship
• (55:36) - feasibility of trail running teams
• (64:41) - media coverage of ultrarunning
• (69:41) - doping in ultrarunning
• (96:20) - training theories for 200 mile races, long trail FKTs
• (105:04) - how coaching for ultras looks different in 2030
• (110:00) - final thoughts

Links:

• Follow Jason on Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, and Strava
• Listen to the Koop Cast
• Training Essentials For Ultrarunning
• Anti Doping 101

Additional Links:

• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

Michael Brandt is the CEO and Co-Founder of HVMN, a nutrition company that makes exogenous ketone products for endurance athletes. We talk about what exogenous ketones are, how they benefit endurance athletes, how they can be incorporated into daily nutrition schedules, and what the future looks like for their usage in the trail and ultrarunning scene.

Timestamps:

• (2:13) - Running a 50K at Burning Man
• (7:53) - Starting a business in the performance nutrition space
• (10:45) - Department of Defense research on exogenous ketones
• (16:04) - explaining exogenous ketones
• (18:53) - differences between endogenous and exogenous ketones
• (24:47) - stacking exogenous ketones with carbs, proteins, etc
• (27:50) - supplementing with exogenous ketones on a long run
• (32:38) - benefits of exogenous ketones
• (48:00) - timing intake of exogenous ketones
• (49:16) - how long exogenous ketones work for
• (51:48) - safety issues with exogenous ketones
• (54:19) - what critics say about exogenous ketones
• (59:09) - scientific literature on exogenous ketones
• (71:31) - loading phase for exogenous ketones
• (72:41) - tolerance or dependence on exogenous ketones
• (73:37) - measuring ketone levels
• (77:29) - HVMN products

Discounts:

• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Links:

• Follow Michael on Instagram, Twitter, Strava and his Personal Website
• Burning Man Ultramarathon

Support the show

I am joined by Brett Hornig to talk about some of our takeaways from Black Canyon, prize money and professional support in ultrarunning, emerging storylines for Western States, the future of live-streaming, the future of pacers and crew at race, and which sports outside of trail running produce the best athletes for our world.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)

Timestamps:

• (4:35) - recapping Black Canyon 
• (12:11) - what makes a race so competitive 
• (18:27) - livestream hypotheticals
• (27:03) - competitive fluidity of ultra races outside of Western States
• (34:00) - prize money debate, supporting professionals
• (48:31) - Western States golden ticket discussion, emerging storylines
• (82:32) - getting rid of pacers and crews
• (95:42) - future of livestreaming discussion
• (111:12) - which athletes from other sports make the best ultrarunners

Additional Links:

• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon
• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and The Feed

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #182 - Long Run Archives #9 | True Fans Of Trail Running, 100 Mile Hot Takes, UTMB World Series
  
  

Support the show

In this episode, I am joined by Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to preview the 2023 Black Canyon 100K. We analyze the course, talk about what it's going to take to be successful, note some of the interesting storylines around the event, make our predictions for the female and male top-5 finishers this year, and respond to listener comments, questions, and hot takes around the event.

Timestamps:

• (1:12) - catching up, excitement for Black Canyon, stature in the golden ticket series and greater American ultra trail running scene
• (10:22) - course knowledge, analysis, how runners should prepare, livestream strategy
• (25:08) - women's field analysis, storylines, fantasy picks
• (57:33) - men's field analysis, storylines, fantasy picks
• (95:51) - listener comments, questions, hot takes

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Links:

• Follow Brett on Instagram and Strava
• Follow Leah on Instagram and Strava
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

Anthony Costales is a trail runner based in Salt Lake City, UT preparing for the 2023 Black Canyon 100K.

Guest Links:

• Follow Anthony on Instagram
• Follow Anthony on Strava

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #191 - Cole Watson | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview
• #188 - Tim Freriks | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview
• #187 - David Laney | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview
• #186 - Ryan Miller | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview
• #185 - John Raneri | 2:12 Marathoner Making Ultra Debut At The Black Canyon 100K

Show Links:

• Follow Singletrack on Instagram
• Watch Singletrack on Youtube
• Become A Singletrack Patreon
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

Cole Watson is a professional trail runner based in Folsom, CA preparing for the 2023 Black Canyon 100K.

Guest Links:

• Follow Cole on Instagram
• Follow Cole on Strava

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #187 - David Laney | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview
• #186 - Ryan Miller | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview
• #185 - John Raneri | 2:12 Marathoner Making Ultra Debut At The Black Canyon 100K

Show Links:

• Follow Singletrack on Instagram
• Watch Singletrack on Youtube
• Become A Singletrack Patreon
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

Sarah Biehl is a trail runner based in Columbus, Ohio preparing for the 2023 Black Canyon 100K.

Guest Links:

• Follow Sarah on Instagram
• Follow Sarah on Strava

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #190 - Keely Henninger | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview
• #189 - Hannah Allgood | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview

Show Links:

• Follow Singletrack on Instagram
• Watch Singletrack on Youtube
• Become A Singletrack Patreon
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

Keely Henninger is a professional trail runner for Altra based in Portland, OR preparing for the 2023 Black Canyon 100K.

Guest Links:

• Follow Keely on Instagram
• Follow Keely on Strava
• Freetrail Experts
• Trail Society Podcast

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #189 - Hannah Allgood | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview

Show Links:

• Follow Singletrack on Instagram
• Watch Singletrack on Youtube
• Become A Singletrack Patreon
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

Hannah Allgood is a professional runner for Dynafit based in Colorado Springs, CO preparing for the 2023 Black Canyon 100K. In this conversation we talk about her relatively late entry into the sport, where she draws confidence from as a pro trail runner, the level of preparation she puts into each event, and her motivation to get to the start line at Black Canyon.

Guest Links:

• Follow Hannah on Instagram
• Follow Hannah on Strava

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #188 - Tim Freriks | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview
• #187 - David Laney | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview
• #186 - Ryan Miller | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview
• #185 - John Raneri | 2:12 Marathoner Making Ultra Debut At The Black Canyon 100K

Show Links:

• Follow Singletrack on Instagram
• Watch Singletrack on Youtube
• Become A Singletrack Patreon
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

Tim Freriks is a professional runner for Craft Sportswear based in Flagstaff, AZ preparing for the 2023 Black Canyon 100K. In this episode, we talk about his career to date, what it takes to compete at a high level, racing alongside fellow Coconino Cowboys, and Western States ambitions.

Guest Links:

• Follow Tim on Instagram
• Follow Tim on Strava

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #187 - David Laney | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview
• #186 - Ryan Miller | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview
• #185 - John Raneri | 2:12 Marathoner Making Ultra Debut At The Black Canyon 100K

Show Links:

• Follow Singletrack on Instagram
• Watch Singletrack on Youtube
• Become A Singletrack Patreon
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

David Laney is a professional trail runner for Craft Sportswear based in Bellingham, WA preparing for the 2023 Black Canyon 100K. In this episode, we talk about golden ticket aspirations, his history with Western States, and his thoughts on nomadic training.

Guest Links:

• Follow David on Instagram

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #186 - Ryan Miller | 2023 Black Canyon 100K Pre-Race Interview
• #185 - John Raneri | 2:12 Marathoner Making Ultra Debut At The Black Canyon 100K

Show Links:

• Follow Singletrack on Instagram
• Watch Singletrack on Youtube
• Become A Singletrack Patreon
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

Ryan Miller is a professional trail runner based in San Antonio, TX preparing for the 2023 Bandera 100K.

Guest Links:

• Follow Ryan on Strava
• Follow Ryan on Instagram
• Maverick Running Community

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (hhttps://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #185 - John Raneri | 2:12 Marathoner Making Ultra Debut At The Black Canyon 100K

Show Links:

• Follow Singletrack on Instagram
• Watch Singletrack on Youtube
• Become A Singletrack Patreon
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

John Raneri is a professional runner based in Flagstaff, AZ. John is coming off a 2:12 marathon performance at the California International Marathon last December and will be lining up for his debut ultra at the Black Canyon 100K next week.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Links:

• Follow John on Strava
• Follow John on Instagram

Show Links:

• Follow Singletrack on Instagram
• Watch Singletrack on Youtube
• Become A Singletrack Patreon
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

Fred Abramowitz is Co-Race Director of the Run Rabbit Run series held every mid-September in Steamboat Springs, CO.

In addition to race directing, Fred is the author of “A Blueprint for Sponsors of Ultrarunning” and we use that document to riff about prize money in our sport, why to make ultrarunning more interesting to the casual sports fan, the state of sponsorship, race directing issues, and more.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (2:30) - background in ultrarunning, Run Rabbit Run history, blueprint motivation
• (14:59) - marketing our sport beyond the "diehards" to the participants, rest of the community, and casual sports fans
• (25:58) - prize money and race directing discussion
• (36:10) - Geoff Roes discussion, the ceremony of elite athlete phase shifts
• (44:30) - European racing scene, what it means fro American fan base
• (49:13) - why we can learn from Nascar, poker, etc to grow our fan base
• (59:42) - final thoughts on ultrarunning blueprint, why more of these shoudl exist
• (69:50) - the role of live coverage in ultrarunning

Links:

• A Blueprint For Sponsors Of Ultrarunning
• Leadville 100 - 1994 Race Across The Sky Video
• How To Run 100 Miles
• Ultra Crew Hub
• Run Rabbit Run 100
• Email Fred: info@runrabbitrunsteamboat.com

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #183 - Caleb Efta - High Lonesome 100 | UTMB Policy, Trail Running Values, Grassroots Races
• #179 - Peter Abraham | Athlete Sponsorship, Live Race Coverage, Fan Creation In Trail Running
• #135 - Kelly Newlon | Real Athlete Diets, Crewing FKT Projects, Athlete Sponsorship Thoughts

Show Links:

• Follow Singletrack on Instagram
• Watch Singletrack on Youtube
• Become A Singletrack Patreon
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

Caleb Efta is one of the Race Directors for the High Lonesome 100 in the Sawatch Range of Colorado.

He joins the show to discuss why UTMB races have been excluded from the qualifying process for High Lonesome, the values of our sport, the nature and purpose of community events, and the increasing commercialization and professionalization taking shape in this space.

Timestamps:

• 3:30 - introduction, trail runner magazine article quote
• 6:13 - explaining UTMB stance, reasons for exclusion from qualification process
• 25:45 - how these issues should be hashed out by the greater ultrarunning community 
• 34:41 - whether corporate races are a threat to grassroots races
• 59:14 - commercialization and professionalization of the sport
• 64:59 - how community values are decided 

Links:

• High Lonesome 100
• Ultrarunning Magazine Podcast
• Trails and Tarmac - Get Coached

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #179 - Peter Abraham | Athlete Sponsorship, Live Race Coverage, Fan Creation In Trail Running
• #135 - Kelly Newlon | Real Athlete Diets, Crewing FKT Projects, Athlete Sponsorship Thoughts

Show Links:

• Follow Singletrack on Instagram
• Watch Singletrack on Youtube
• Become A Singletrack Patreon
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

I’m joined by co-host Brett Hornig and special guest Tim Tollefson to riff pretty much free-form about the world of mountain ultra trail running for 2 hours. It's a good one. 
 
Timestamps:

• (2:46) - Tim's sponsorship change, being a darkhorse, the latter stages of ultrarunning careers, UTMB aspirations, other goals for 2023 and 2024
• (18:47) - what it means to be a true fan of the sport, whether 100 milers are what matter most in the sport right now, how the sport should be covered 
• (54:34) - UTMB World Series discussion, pro sport narratives, qualifying for top races, fate of the competitive sport
• (69:37) - UROY discussion
• (81:43) - "Buy or Sell" segment
• (107:10) - Final hot takes

Links:

• Mammoth Trail Fest - Register
• Trails and Tarmac - Get Coached
• Follow Tim on Instagram and Strava
• Follow Brett on Instagram and Strava

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #168 - Long Run Archives #8 | Ties In Ultrarunning, Pacers At Western States, Best Free Agent Runners of 2022, ITRA National League Confusion
• #140 - Long Run Archives #7 | Olympic Ultra Running, UTMB World Series, Race Coverage Ideas, Agents
• #104 - Long Run Archives #6 | Future of Trail Running Content, USATF Debates, Unusual Athlete Sponsorships, Joe Gray Versus Kilian Jornet
• #94 - Long Run Archives #5 | Western States Reactions, Zach Miller Return, Arizona Trail Duel
• #72 - Long Run Archives #4 | Cocodona 250, Mammoth Trail Fest, Super Shoe Influences, Strava Finds
• #62 - Long Run Archives #3 | Betting In Ultrarunning, Next Great Trail Running Towns, Golden Ticket Series Ideas
• #53 - Long Run Archives #2 | Ultrarunning Analytics, Elite DNF Debate, 3:47 Downhill Mile, Magda What If
• #43 - Long Run Archives #1 | Jim Walmsley What Ifs, Black Canyon 100K Preview, Full-Time Ultrarunning

Show Links:

• Follow Singletrack on Instagram
• Watch Singletrack on Youtube
• Become A Singletrack Patreon
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

Courtney Dauwalter returns to the podcast to talk about Bandera, the moment she went all in on ultra running, whether she’s interested in returning to Barkley, and for the hometown listeners here in Salt Lake City, whether she will race the Wasatch 100 one day.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (2:00) - whether racing and the pain cave ever get easier, more routine
• (4:56) - challenges at Bandera
• (6:29) - whether improvement is felt in training in addition to race results
• (8:03) - racing intuitively
• (10:52) - Salomon discussion
• (13:06) - what she attributes leveling up in 2016-2017 to
• (17:39) - driving force to go full-time as an ultrarunner
• (20:54) - mentorship
• (22:12) - reducing training, racing load in recent years
• (25:01) - UTMB
• (27:42) - whether she will return to Barkley

Links:

• Follow Courtney on Instagram
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #174 - Courtney Dauwalter | 2023 Bandera 100K Pre-Race Interview
• #54 - Garrett Heath | Switch To Trail Running, Pro Lifestyle, Running Teams, Brooks Beasts

Support the show

Brett Hornig, Leah Yingling, and Mike McMonagle join the podcast to talk about the livestream experience, ideas for future races, and analysis of how everything played out in the men’s and women’s fields at Bandera this past weekend.

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (4:13) - live coverage experience, reflections
• (41:22) - ideas for future livestreams, ultrarunning media
• (61:36) - Bandera 100K race recap, men's and women's fields

Links:

• Follow Brett on Instagram and Strava
• Follow Leah on Instagram and Strava
• Follow Mike on Instagram and Strava
• Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #168 - Long Run Archives #8 | Ties In Ultrarunning, Pacers At Western States, Best Free Agent Runners of 2022, ITRA National League Confusion
• #140 - Long Run Archives #7 | Olympic Ultra Running, UTMB World Series, Race Coverage Ideas, Agents
• #104 - Long Run Archives #6 | Future of Trail Running Content, USATF Debates, Unusual Athlete Sponsorships, Joe Gray Versus Kilian Jornet
• #94 - Long Run Archives #5 | Western States Reactions, Zach Miller Return, Arizona Trail Duel
• #72 - Long Run Archives #4 | Cocodona 250, Mammoth Trail Fest, Super Shoe Influences, Strava Finds
• #62 - Long Run Archives #3 | Betting In Ultrarunning, Next Great Trail Running Towns, Golden Ticket Series Ideas
• #53 - Long Run Archives #2 | Ultrarunning Analytics, Elite DNF Debate, 3:47 Downhill Mile, Magda What If
• #43 - Long Run Archives #1 | Jim Walmsley What Ifs, Black Canyon 100K Preview, Full-Time Ultrarunning

Support the show

Peter Abraham is a content marketing expert who has worked with brands like Nike, ESPN, Red Bull, Lululemon, Hoka NAZ Elite, and the LA Marathon. He joins the Singletrack Podcast to talk about athlete sponsorship, trail running teams, fan creation, live coverage, and event management in the trail running scene.

Timestamps:

• (1:54)  - biggest pain points in the athlete-sponsorship landscape
• (7:48) - examples of athletes that have embraced having a point of view
• (10:27) - importance of asking brands why they're sponsoring athletes
• (19:58) - why endurance sports teams have a hard time creating fans 
• (28:06) - how endurance sports should think about live coverage
• (36:09) - importance of building a season-long narrative in pro endurance sports
• (41:06) - hyper professionalization of endurance sports event management
• (47:15) - how endurance sports media should adjust to changing consumption habits, values
• (53:41) - making the American trail running mecca

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Links:

• Follow Peter on Instagram
• Subscribe to Peter's blog
• Peter's website
• Peter's appearance on the Freetrail Podcast

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #137 - Tyler Clements | Should Professional Trail Runners Have Agents?
• #136 - Scott Dunlap | Adidas Runtastic, Strava “GOAT” Program, Future of Connected Athletes
• #60 - Chris Chavez | Citius Mag, Building A Running Media Company, Creating Running Fans

Support the show

Amanda Basham is a professional trail runner for Altra based in Boulder, CO lining up for the 2023 Bandera 100K later this week.

Sponsors:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/)  to get 15% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (0:41) - outlook on professional trail running right now
• (8:34) - Bandera discussion

Guest Links:

• Follow Amanda on Instagram
• Follow Amanda on Strava
• Relentless 

Support the show

Ryan Montgomery is a professional trail runner for Altra based in Wanship, UT lining up for the 2023 Bandera 100K later this week.

Sponsors:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/)  to get 15% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (0:41) - multi-year golden ticket, Western States odyssey
• (3:54) - non-binary policies at golden ticket races
• (12:27) - Bandera discussion

Guest Links:

• Follow Ryan on Instagram
• Follow Ryan on Strava
• Out Trails

Support the show

Joe McConaughy is a professional trail runner for Brooks based in Seattle, WA lining up for the 2023 Bandera 100K later this week.

Sponsors:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/)  to get 15% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (1:10) - athlete sponsorship discussion
• (11:40) - FKT world discussion
• (17:46) - Bandera discussion

Guest Links:

• Follow Joe on Instagram
• Follow Joe on Strava
• Joe's Website

Support the show

In this episode, I am joined by Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to preview the 2023 Bandera 100K. We analyze the course, talk about what it's going to take to be successful, note some of the interesting storylines around the event, and make our predictions for the female and male top-3 finishers this year.

Sponsors:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/)  to get 15% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (1:29) - course, conditions, race history, success factors
• (20:36) - women's field analysis
• (39:28) - men's field analysis

Links:

• Follow Brett Hornig on Instagram
• Follow Leah Yingling on Instagram
• Follow Finn Melanson on Instagram

Support the show

Courtney Dauwalter is a professional trail runner for Salomon based in Leadville, CO lining up for the 2023 Bandera 100K later this week.

Sponsors:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/)  to get 15% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (0:39) - career to date, training and racing mentality, current outlook on the sport
• (9:44) - thoughts on being a public figure, career investments, legacy
• (16:17) - Bandera, Western States, Hardrock

Guest Links:

• Follow Courtney on Instagram

Support the show

Andy Wacker is a professional trail runner for Salomon based in Boulder, CO. The focus of our conversation is on Andy’s new organization called the “Trail Team”, which is launching in 2023 to support and develop rising American athletes into the best professional trail runners in the world.

Sponsors:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/)  to get 15% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (1:04) - Andy's background in trail running, what it was like trying to make it as a pro in the sport in the late 2000s and early 2010s
• (7:21) - reflecting on the drop-off in talent pipeline for post-collegiate athletes in the trail scene
• (11:21) - where our sport is at now for emerging/aspiring professional athletes
• (15:31) - assessing the talent gap or opportunity gap for American athletes compared to European and other international trail runners
• (17:49) - explaining the concept of Andy's "Trail Team" and the services offered (mentorship, skill development, media exposure)
• (27:30) - business model for the team, interest from potential partners
• (32:14) - where brands and existing institutions fall short and why Trail Team is well-positioned to solve these problems
• (36:19) - athlete recruitment to the Trail Team, what they're looking for, goals for 2023
• (42:55) - whether it's easier to make it professionally as an ultra or sub-ultra trail runner in 2023

Guest Links:

• Follow Andy on Instagram
• Follow Trail Team on Instagram
• Trail Team Website

Support the show

In our last episode of 2022 we are talking with Dan Curts, a professional trail runner based in Norwich, VT. 

This is a wide-ranging conversation in which we talk about the disillusionment that can come about in the collegiate and post-collegiate track and road running worlds, how Dan ultimately landed in the sub-ultra trail racing scene, building a running team in the Northeast and the pros and cons of being an aspiring pro trail runner in this part of the country, and the highs and lows of the  past year trying to make it in the sport.

Sponsors:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (1:55) introduction to the trail running scene, specialities, career highlights to date 
• (4:55) running as a vehicle for educational and career opportunities 
• (9:26) pros and cons of collegiate running 
• (13:22) motivations to continue pursuing competitive running post-collegiately 
• (20:57) trail running inspirations
• (23:04) Northwoods Athletics running team
• (29:26) the pressure for aspiring east coast trail runners to head west to make it professionally
• (41:43) lessons of building a running team, reflecting more on the northeast trail scene
• (52:46) the highs and lows of the last year trying to make it as a pro trail runner
• (61:21) whether brands are more interested in ultra or sub ultra trail athletes right now
• (65:23) interesting relationships, conversations with contemporaries in the sport
• (70:01) racing culture differences across running disciplines
• (75:41) 2023 racing plans

Guest Links:

• Follow Dan on Strava
• Follow Dan on Instagram
• Northwoods Athletics 

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #54 - Garrett Heath | Switch To Trail Running, Pro Lifestyle, Running Teams, Brooks Beasts
• #26 - Sam Parsons | How To Build A Trail Running Team
• #12 - Jack Kuenzle | FKT Scene, Sponsored Trail Runners, Brand Relationships

Support the show

Rod Farvard is a professional trail runner based in Mammoth Lakes, CA. He returns to the podcast to reflect on his racing, training, and life events in the second half of 2022.

Sponsors:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (0:53) - reflections on UTMB performance
• (5:25) -  perspective change on ultrarunning
• (12:36) - traumatic events leading into Doi Inthanon
• (27:53) - what Rod is hungry for in 2023

Links:

• Follow Rod on Instagram
• Follow Rod on Strava

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #123 - Rod Farvard | 2022 UTMB Pre-Race Interview
• #167 - Golden Ticket Talks | Rod Farvard, Canyons 100K 4th Place Male

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I am joined by co-hosts Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to recap the year in mountain ultra trail running.

We cover our personal highlights, favorite storylines, biggest changes in the sport, the rookie athletes that burst onto the scene, runners that had "comeback" type seasons, our thoughts on all the voting systems out there for ultra runners and trail runners, how we made our own decisions when it came to ranking top athletes, our men's and women's top-10 picks for UROY, and predictions for 2023. 

Timestamps:

• (1:29) - personal highlights from 2022
• (4:53) - favorite storylines of 2022
• (12:23) - big changes in the sport this year
• (19:22) - newcomer/rookie athletes that stood out this year
• (25:07) - comeback runners of the year
• (27:17) - thoughts on the Ultrarunner of the Year (UROY) system and the new "Trail Runner of the Year" (TROY) award
• (42:03) - what factors influenced our rankings for UROY
• (57:03) - picks for 2022 top-10 women's UROY
• (74:54) - picks for 2022 top-10 men's UROY
• (89:26) - predictions for 2023

Sponsors:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Links:

• Follow Leah Yingling on Instagram and Strava 
• Follow Brett Hornig on Instagram and Strava
• Follow Finn Melanson on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

What if there was a dedicated event series where brands like Hoka, Salomon, North Face, and Adidas Terrex had the opportunity to showcase the strengths of their teams and exclusively compete against each other across the primary mountain ultra trail running distances?

In this episode, I am joined by Dani Moreno, as well as frequent co-hosts Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling, to reflect on Dani's idea for a regular "Battle of the Brands" in our sport. We discuss how teams would be organized, the race distances that would be included, how scoring would work, which teams appear to be the strongest right now, whether athletes, fans, and brands would be interested in this idea, and what we learned about our sport through the research process for this idea.

Timestamps:

• (1:09) - explaining the idea of "Battle of the Brands - the number of runners, events, and brands, how you win, etc
• (5:52) - what makes this idea exciting
• (9:30) - brand teams that have the best chance of winning in 2022
• (18:51) - discussion of proposed Salomon, Hoka, North Face, and Adidas Terrex teams
• (48:34) - whether athletes would be interested in racing this event
• (62:48) - whether fans would be interested in following this event
• (69:09) - what we learned about the sport in the research process for this hypothetical event

Sponsors:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Links:

• Battle of the Brands Athlete Spreadsheet
• Follow Dani Moreno on Instagram and Strava
• Follow Leah Yingling on Instagram and Strava 
• Follow Brett Hornig on Instagram and Strava
• Follow Finn Melanson on Instagram and Strava

Support the show

We talk about Brett’s new Youtube channel, the first place tie at Ultra Trail Cape Town, UTMB Thailand, the timing of the 2023 World Trail Championships, the idea of no pacers at Western States, and contract season for pro runners.

Sponsors:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (1:04) - introducing Brett’s new Youtube channel
• (11:49) - whether Ultra Trail Cape Town has become the premier end of season ultra 
• (22:58) - golden tickets up for grabs at UTMB Thailand
• (29:48) - discussing the tie at Ultra Trail Cape Town 
• (44:04) - trying to make sense of the newly announced “ITRA National League”
• (52:39) - next year’s World Mountain Running Championships 
• (63:50) - talking about contract negotiation season for professional ultrarunners
• (72:35) - impressive  free agents that could be signed by brands for 2023
• (73:48) - Strava find of the week 
• (77:15) - debating pacers at Western States

Links:

• Check out Conversational Pace on Youtube
• Check out Conversational Pace on Instagram
• Follow Brett on Instagram
• Follow Finn on Instagram

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #140 - Long Run Archives #7 | Olympic Ultra Running, UTMB World Series, Race Coverage Ideas, Agents
• #104 - Long Run Archives #6 | Future of Trail Running Content, USATF Debates, Unusual Athlete Sponsorships, Joe Gray Versus Kilian Jornet
• #94 - Long Run Archives #5 | Western States Reactions, Zach Miller Return, Arizona Trail Duel
• #72 - Long Run Archives #4 | Cocodona 250, Mammoth Trail Fest, Super Shoe Influences, Strava Finds
• #62 - Long Run Archives #3 | Betting In Ultrarunning, Next Great Trail Running Towns, Golden Ticket Series Ideas
• #53 - Long Run Archives #2 | Ultrarunning Analytics, Elite DNF Debate, 3:47 Downhill Mile, Magda What If
• #43 - Long Run Archives #1 | Jim Walmsley What Ifs, Black Canyon 100K Preview, Full-Time Ultrarunning

Support the show

This is a special episode where I am on the other side of the microphone, so to speak. Joe Corcione from the Everyday Ultra Podcast had me on his show about a month ago and I agreed to repost the conversation here as well. We talk about how I got into trail running, how I got into the media corner of our sport, the pitch for Salt Lake City, and  end on some philosophical notes. 

Discounts:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
• HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:

• (4:03) - my story getting into trail and ultrarunning
• (23:39) - how and why I started Singletrack
• (58:59) - pitching the Salt Lake City trail scene 
• (65:11) - self-actualization, final thoughts

Links:

• Everyday Ultra Podcast

Support the show