Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Ryan Atkins is a multi-endurance sport world champion athlete based in Sutton, Quebec.  Perhaps best known for his success in obstacle course racing, Ryan has also demonstrated incredible range with success on mountain biking circuits and the FKT scene in ultra trail running just to name a few other disciplines as well.  Timestamps:(2:53) - being a full-time athlete, pros/cons, etc(22:28) - obstacle coursing racing discussion(31:00) - multi-sport training philosophy(45:25) - FKT scene discussion(54:10) - miscellaneous questions Links:Follow Ryan on InstagramFollow Ryan on StravaGet coached by Ryan Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#75 - Andrew Drummond | Northeast Trail Running Scene, Pacing Scott Jurek on AT FKT, Running Content Creation#58 - Buzz Burrell | Modern FKT Movement, FKT.com Sale To Outside Mag, Trail Running Business#57 - Sarah Keyes | Northeast Trail Running Scene, Whiteface Mountain Races Directing, ITRA#45 - Golden Ticket Talks | Jeff Colt, Black Canyon 100K 3rd Place Male#12 - Jack Kuenzle | FKT Scene, Sponsored Trail Runners, Brand RelationshipsSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Frequent co-host Brett Hornig returns to the podcast to go wicked in-depth into everything about this race. 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 yes, make our predictions for the female and male top 10 finishers this year.Timestamps:(1:53) - catching up with Brett after his weekend at the Broken Arrow Skyrace series(4:59) - whether Western States coverage is too saturated this year(8:21) - setting up the content for the episode, apologies for content cut(9:18) - hydration strategies at Western States(12:29) - top storylines(23:05) - women's field top 10 predictions(41:54) - men's field top 10 predictions(72:53) - influence of carbon-plated shoes in this race Links:Get coached by Brett at Trails and TarmacFollow Brett on InstagramThis episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#72 - Long Run Archives #4 | Cocodona 250, Mammoth Trail Fest, Super Shoe Influences, Strava Finds#63 - 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 UltrarunningSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Jeff Colt is a professional runner for On based in Carbondale, CO. Jeff is lining up for this years Western States 100 after securing a golden ticket at the 2022 Black Canyon 100K.Timestamps:(2:30) - northeast trail running scene talk(4:41) - rehashing thoughts on training strategy(6:13) - training for Western States to date(9:01) - whether Western States plays to his strength, expectations(14:40) - race goals(18:30) - race gearLinks:Follow Jeff on InstagramFollow Jeff on Strava#45 - Golden Ticket Talks | Jeff Colt, Black Canyon 100K 3rd Place MaleAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#90 - Reid Coolsaet | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#89 - Kyle Curtin | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#87 - Alex Nichols | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#84 - Tyler Green | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#83 - Drew Holmen | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#78 - Adam Kimble | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#77 - Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race InterviewSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Reid Coolsaet is a professional trail runner for Salomon based in Hamilton, Ontario who is lining up for this year's Western States 100.Timestamps:(2:24) - ultrarunning lessons(3:57) - confidence levels heading into Western States(5:51) - inspiring more road marathoners to enter the sport(7:24) - race strategy and expectations(8:47) - race gear Links:Follow Reid on InstagramFollow Reid on StravaReid's blogGet coached by Reid This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#89 - Kyle Curtin | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#87 - Alex Nichols | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#84 - Tyler Green | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#83 - Drew Holmen | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#78 - Adam Kimble | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#77 - Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race InterviewSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Kyle Curtin is a professional trail runner for Altra based in Durango, CO. Kyle is lining up for the Western States 100 following a 9th place finish at last years event.Timestamps:(1:49) - Durango, CO trail running scene(3:40) - intro to ultrarunning(6:15) - leaving no training stone unturned(9:10) - long trail stuff(12:11) - reflecting on last year's Western States(14:52) - stoke is at an all-time high(16:06) - race day gearLinks:Follow Kyle on InstagramFollow Kyle on StravaThis episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#87 - Alex Nichols | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#84 - Tyler Green | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#83 - Drew Holmen | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#78 - Adam Kimble | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#77 - Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race InterviewSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Ailsa MacDonald is a professional trail runner for Saucony based in Alberta, CA. Ailsa is lining up for the Western States 100 this year after securing a golden ticket at Bandera 100K back in 2020.Timestamps:(1:40) - athletic and work background(5:14) - intro to ultrarunning(6:54) - part time living and training in Arizona(9:10) - comparing/contrasting current and previous Western States training blocks(11:12) - race goals and expectations(13:45) - race day gearLinks:Follow Ailsa on InstagramThis episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#85 - Keely Henninger | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#81 - Lucy Bartholomew | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#80 - Emily Hawgood | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#79 - Brittany Peterson | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#76 - Katie Asmuth | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Alex Nichols is a professional trail runner for Scott based in Colorado Springs, CO. Alex is lining up for the Western States 100 following a 10th place finish at last years event.Timestamps:(1:42) - lessons from prior Western States races(2:54) - fitness now compared to previous two years racing the event(4:19) - what he attributed long-term racing consistency in the sport to(6:13) - race plan(7:26) - background, work experience, collegiate years(8:58) - other racing goals(10:02) - race day gearLinks:Follow Alex on InstagramFollow Alex on StravaThis episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#84 - Tyler Green | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#83 - Drew Holmen | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#78 - Adam Kimble | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#77 - Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race InterviewSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Ruth Croft is a professional trail runner for Adidas Terrex based in New Zealand. She returns to the Western States 100 following a 2nd place finish at last year's event.Timestamps:(1:55) - training and racing and traveling during the pandemic(3:37) - incorporating road training into the Western States block(4:22) - training in Flagstaff, AZ(5:49) - motivations for this year's Western States(7:07) - goals and expectations for race day(7:58) - race day gearLinks:Follow Ruth on InstagramGet coached by RuthThis episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#85 - Keely Henninger | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#81 - Lucy Bartholomew | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#80 - Emily Hawgood | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#79 - Brittany Peterson | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#76 - Katie Asmuth | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Keely Henninger is a professional trail runner for Altra based in Portland, OR returning to this year's Western States 100 after a 9th place finish at last year's event.Timestamps:(2:21) - applying emerging ultrarunning science to this training block(5:46) - overtraining in ultrarunning discussion(7:30) - situations where ultrarunning can be detrimental to mental health(9:01) - Western States preparation(13:34) - new sponsorship(15:08) - advocating a new narrative for female athletes Links:Follow Keely on InstagramFollow Keely on StravaTrail Society PodcastThis episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#81 - Lucy Bartholomew | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#80 - Emily Hawgood | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#79 - Brittany Peterson | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#76 - Katie Asmuth | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview Support the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Tyler Green is a professional trail runner for Nike based in Portland, OR returning to this year's Western States 100 following a 2nd place performance at last year's event.Timestamps:(1:52) - reflecting back on 2017 and 2018 golden ticket attempts for Western States(3:25) - ultrarunning side hustle(4:31) - benefits of having a partner who's also an elite athlete in the sport(7:57) - making room for high-performance ultrarunning(9:07) - comparing this year's training block to last year's training block for Western States(11:59) - motivations for this year's event(13:40) - race day gearLinks:Follow Tyler on InstagramFollow Tyler on StravaGet coached by TylerThis episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#83 - Drew Holmen | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#78 - Adam Kimble | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview#77 - Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race InterviewSupport the show