Singletrack

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Trail Tea is back! In this edition, I am once again joined by Jack Kuenzle, Dan Curts, and Abby Levene. There is a fair bit of profanity used in this episode, so you are forewarned on that front. And one issue to be aware of before listening - I neglected to catch an audio issue with Dan’s microphone early in the episode that persists and ultimately, gets worse through the end of the conversation. I looked into possible fixes in post-production, but could not find an adequate solution.  We will make sure the 3rd edition (and all future editions of TT, for that matter) have immaculate audio quality. Timestamps:(2:33) why Jack is not racing UTMB next year, general thoughts on whether to opt out of the UTMB system(62:06) doping in trail running, genetic predetermination of success in the sport(81:05) debating the value of trail running media 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.Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% 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).Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.Links:Follow Jack on Strava and InstagramFollow Abby on Strava and InstagramFollow Dan on Strava and InstagramFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!I am joined by co-hosts Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to recap the year in mountain ultra trail running. We cover our favorite storylines, biggest changes in the sport, the rookie athletes that burst onto the scene, runners that had "comeback" type seasons, our thoughts certain candidates inside TROY and UROY voting, unsung performances and runners of the year, personal highlights, and our predictions for 2024. Timestamps:(1:44) - top storylines of 2023(11:02) - rookies of the year(18:18) - comeback runners of the year(24:03) - unsung performances of the year(40:01) - internal TROY and UROY placement debates(47:48) - biggest changes in ultra-trail running this year(57:31) - predictions for 2024Sponsors: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.Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% 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).Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.Links:Follow Leah on Instagram,  Strava, TwitterFollow Brett on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Jennifer Pharr Davis is perhaps best known in our community for her two fastest known times set on the Appalachian Trail in 2008 and 2011. The latter record, in my humble opinion, stands as one of the most important and influential feats in the ultra-endurance community during the 2010s.Jennifer is also the author of an excellent book called 'The Pursuit of Endurance', which profiles well-known athletes from the long-distance Fastest Known Time (FKT) scene, including Scott Jurek, Heather Anderson, David Horton, and Warren Doyle. During this conversation, we gain insights from Jennifer on the state of the FKT world. We discuss whether the current media attention, regulations, and styles that drive many modern athletes are a net positive for this space. And Jennifer also shares how she approached the trail and provides updates on what she's currently involved in.Sponsors: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.Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% 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).Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.Links:Follow Jennifer on Instagram, Personal Website, Pursuit of Endurance BookFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and special guest Jeff Colt talk about UTMB parting ways with Corrine Malcolm, the latest, Hardrock 100 and Black Canyon 100K start lists, reactions to the new Strava messaging feature, race performances that defined the 2010s, and lower-key races that we want to see gain popularity.Timestamps:02:00 - Introduction and UTMB Parting Ways with Corrine Malcolm06:47 - Speculating UTMB's Future in North America27:43 - Discussion on Hardrock 100 and Black Canyon45:26 - Discussion on Shoe Innovation and Replication52:35 - Introduction of Strava Messaging Feature59:41 - Memorable Race Performances from the 2010s01:05:02 - Impact of Media on Trail Running01:19:18 - The Role of Storytellers in the 2020s01:21:19 - Up and Coming Races in the Next 3-5 Years01:28:52 - Race Ideas: Starting Point and Distance ChallengeSponsors: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.Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.Additional Links:Follow Jeff on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and PatreonFollow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and CoachingSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Spike Eskin is the VP of programming for WFAN and CBS Sports Radio and the host of a popular basketball podcast called “The Rights to Ricky Sanchez”. Given the proliferation of ultra-trail running media coverage in recent years, I figured this would be a good time to talk with an expert in sports programming and commentary from the major sports world that we can take lessons and insights from to bring back to our growing world. Whether you’re an athlete, a fan, a race director, a brand manager, or a media operator yourself, I think you’ll have many takeaways from this one. And as always, I’d love to continue the conversation and hear those thoughts. Shoot me a message @runsingletrack on Instagram. Sponsors: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.Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.Links:Follow Spike on Twitter and LinkedInListen to Spike on Stratechery and Making Media Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Christina Henderson serves as the Executive Director for the Running Event, the premier trade show for the running industry which takes place annually at the end of November in Austin, TX.At the time of this recording, we were just a few weeks away from the 2023 edition, so I figured this would be a good time to chat with Christina and get a better understanding of how the event serves our community, what's new for this year, and the implications of the social and commercial trends she's noticing.Timestamps:(2:44) - Running Event backstory(12:58) - Running Event business model(28:04) - running industry trends(51:04) - Running Event expansionsSponsors: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.Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.Links:Register for the Running EventFollow Christina on LinkedInEmail Christina (chenderson@divcom.com)Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Sam Renouf is the Founder and CEO of the Professional Triathletes Organization. In this conversation, we talk about the challenges of professionalizing and mainstreaming endurance sports, pro athlete welfare, generating more casual fans for sports like trail running, and we get into some of the details of the PTO’s relationship with Ironman.  Sponsors: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.Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.Links:Follow Sam on LinkedInListen to Sam on the Triathlon HourSam's interview on SlowTwitchPTO WebsiteFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Seth Ruhling is a professional trail runner for The North Face based in Boulder, CO. Seth joins the podcast fresh off his 2nd win at the JFK 50 this past Saturday and we spend a fair bit of time breaking down the performance, but we also get into some good discussion around his overall racing style, his career progression towards the upper echelon of ultra-trail, the highs and lows of his 2023 season which include rebounding from a heart condition to take 6th at CCC this past August and much more. Timestamps:(1:47) - JFK 50 Analysis(30:49) - Career Progression and 2023 Year In Review(53:40) - Future Plans Sponsors: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.Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.Links:Follow Seth on Instagram, StravaFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Lindsey McDonald is a trail runner for the Aravaipa Racing Team based in Flagstaff, AZ preparing for the 2023 Ultra Trail Cape Town 100K.Sponsors: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.Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.Links:Follow Lindsey on Instagram, StravaFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Marianne Hogan is a pro trail runner for Salomon based in Montreal, Quebec preparing for the 2023 Ultra Trail Cape Town 100K.Sponsors: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.Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.Links:Follow Marianne on Instagram, StravaFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show