Singletrack

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Mary Kate Shea, serving as the Senior Director of Pro Athletes for road race events at the Boston Athletic Association, holds a pivotal role in recruiting and facilitating the experience of hundreds of professional runners at marquee events like the Boston Marathon, BAA 10K, and BAA 5K annually. With her extensive expertise in pro athlete recruitment, event management, sponsorship, and sports marketing, I found it compelling to invite her to discuss the merits of her position and explore how the implementation of (more) dedicated, full-time roles like hers could benefit the world of mountain ultra trail running on a larger scale. Our conversation delves into the essential elements of building and maintaining world-class running events, highlighting the critical role she plays in the process. We also explore how pro athletes are researched, recruited, compensated, and supported at races such as the Boston Marathon, offering valuable insights and takeaways for athletes, event operators, and media personnel in the trail running community.Timestamps:(1:17) - ultrarunning origins, Ann Trason story(8:59) - building a world-class running event, the importance of elite athlete recruitment(21:12) - the traits of a good athlete recruiter and manager, ecosystem of athlete recruiters(40:19) - what the position looks like from a year-round standpoint, how athletes are supported Sponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).Links:Follow Mary Kate on LinkedInBoston Athletic Association WebsiteFollow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Leah Yingling provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition at the 2024 Black Canyon 100K.  Timestamps:(1:09) - course strategy, weather conditions, historical performance data, competitive race context(34:01) - women's field preview, storylines, analysis, predictions(68:51) - men's field preview, storylines, analysis, predictionsSponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).Links:Follow Aid Station Fireball on TwitterFollow Leah on Instagram,  Strava, TwitterFollow Brett on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Adam Merry is a professional trail runner for Saucony based in Boulder, CO ahead of his race at the Black Canyon 100K on February 10th. In this conversation, we catch up on the second half of his 2023 season, all the details around his race prep, the state of the Boulder boys and the new podcast they have dropping today (linked here in the show notes).Timestamps:(1:53) - second half of 2023(9:55) - 2024 Black Canyon 100K(14:30) - Boulder BoysSponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).  Links:Follow Adam on Instagram, Strava, Boulder Boys Podcast, Boulder Boys TrailFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Emkay Sullivan is a professional trail runner for Craft based in Reno NV ahead of her race at the Black Canyon 100K on February 10th. In this conversation we talk about going full-time on trail running, making the jump to the 100K distance, why 2024 represents the start of her versatility era, and some reflections on the Sub Hub Podcast and highlights from covering that part of the sport.Timestamps:(0:32) - full time pro trail running(2:03) - reflecting on 2023 season, moving up in distance, versatility era(14:14) - black canyon preparation, possible race outcomes, golden ticket considerations(19:35) - sub hub podcast, sub ultra scene highlightsSponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).  Links:Follow Emkay on Instagram, Strava, Subhub PodcastFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Rachel Drake is a professional trail runner for Nike based in Portland, Oregon. Ahead of her race at the Black Canyon 100K on February 10th, we talk about using the road marathon as a vehicle for trail speed, the value in collaborating with competitors to reach your potential, the appeal of Black Canyon and a golden ticket to Western States, as well as her experience in the Hong Kong trail scene last month.  Timestamps:(2:07) - marathon as a vehicle for trail speed(5:09) - collaborating with competitors(9:36) - race schedule, staying inspired(14:29) - Hong Kong trail running scene(17:42) - Black Canyon discussionSponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).  Links:Follow Rachel on Instagram, StravaFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Hayden Hawks is a professional trail runner sponsored by Hoka, Coros, and Precision, based in Cedar City, UT. In this conversation, we discuss his recovery from injury and surgery midway through the last season, the tools and knowledge he has incorporated into his ultrarunning routine over the past nine months, his training approach and visualization strategies for the upcoming race at Black Canyon, and some reflections on how his career has developed to date.Timestamps:(0:46) - bounce back from injury and surgery(4:17) - training changes, load management(16:50) - nutrition changes(25:17) - making the choice early in career to go ultra versus sub ultra(31:50) - seasonal racing volume (36:11) - Black Canyon 100K discussion (48:17) - miscellaneous topics, final thoughtsSponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack). Links:Follow Hayden on Instagram, Strava, WebsiteFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!🗣️ “The more I’m exposed to better athletes and better people and their unique things, the more obsessed they are. The more it drives their day-to-day, it drives their minute-to-minute, and nothing else kinda matters.”Widely recognized as one of America’s best middle-distance runners in the 2010s, Ben Blankenship joins the Singletrack Podcast to talk about his move into ultra-trail running, racing the Rabid Raccoon 100 miler in March, the nature of obsession and the willingness to push limits at the top of the sport, the allure of the dirtbag runner lifestyle, and his experience at the 2015 UTMB watching the likes of David Laney, Tim Tollefson and Zach Miller throw down.Timestamps:(1:21)  - witnessing the 2015 UTMB with Nike Trail (5:17) - running background, the opportunities he seized to build a career(9:46) - the psychological builds of elite runners, bougie versus dirtbag distinctions(17:02) - how to watch running (21:10) - grappling with a running career at a crossroads(24:03) - being coached by Ryan Hall, trail running training (30:04) - Rabid Raccoon 100, testing the ultra scene, Grayson Murphy's influence(36:47) - Endless Mileage ProjectSponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack). Links:Follow Ben on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Endless Mileage ProjectFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Sam Parsons returns to provide an update on Tinman Elite, a professional running team based out of Boulder, CO. We get into the challenges of building, maintaining, and growing the team, influencing the greater professional culture in running, and reflections on Sam’s athletic mortality and what the future might hold for him. Note - Earlier this month we reposted a conversation with Sam from November 2021 that queues this one up nicely. Go check it out, if you haven't already.  Timestamps:(0:48) - there's still no co-located ultra-trail running team (3:24) - the wins and losses for Tinman Elite over the last 2 years(9:06) - why it's still worth it(11:54) - the dark side of discipline(19:26) - the requirements to keep at it in yours 30s(29:20) - changing the culture of pro running(34:38) - rivalries in running, recruiting runners with fire(44:34) - stock up or stock down, the next road runner to go to trail, next stepsSponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack). Links:Follow Sam on Instagram, StravaFollow Tinman Elite on Instagram, YouTube, Website Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Zach Miller is a professional trail runner for the North Face. In this conversation, we cover this latest thoughts on training, racing, and UTMB.Timestamps:(1:06) - UTMB Thoughts(35:56) - Training, Racing, Career Thoughts(89:53) - Miscellaneous Topics, Next StepsSponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).Links:Follow Zach on Instagram, Strava, IRunFarFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Way back in November 2021 when this show was just getting off the ground, we did an episode with Sam Parsons - a professional runner and cofounder of the Tinman Elite team based in Boulder, CO. At the time, I was surprised that we had not seen the formation and widespread existence of a truly professionalized, co-located team in the trail running world. So I reached out, he gave me an hour, and I tried to fit in as many questions as I could about how they operate, what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what it would take to create something similar in our community.I have never done an episode re-run before, but I’m doing it now because (a) it’s been over 2 years and we’re in a similar position to where we were in 2021, (b) the show didn’t have many listeners when the original episode aired so there was little to no reach for the message, and (c) this re-run may queue up a potential part 2 later this winter.Lastly, I’m well aware of the unique challenges that our sport presents for this idea to work, but I’m still convinced it’s a good idea. So, I hope that in the coming months and years a band of motivated people run with this idea and make something happen.  Timestamps(1:46) - the story of Tinman Elite(4:01) - speculating on the potential for trail running teams (7:09) - the Tinman playbook for recruiting team members(12:17) - how Tinman coordinates training, racing schedules(17:34) - why aspiring pro runners still default to the roads and track(22:54) - how Sam would grow the sport of trail running(26:47) - Adidas internship(32:17) - brand marketing inspirations for running teams(34:08) - how Tinman creates content for social media(46:08) - lessons from Tinman for the next trail running teamSponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack). LinksFollow Sam Parsons and Tinman Elite Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show