Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Drew Holmen is a professional trail runner for Nike based in Boulder, CO returning to the Western States 100 after a breakthrough 3rd place performance at last year's event.Timestamps:(1:57) - ultimate frisbee background(5:29) - influence of the SFRC running community(8:52) - willingness and excitement to go the well again at Western States(10:54) - preparation this time around(13:44) - race day gearLinks:Follow Drew on InstagramFollow Drew on StravaDrew's interview on the Freetrail PodcastThis episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#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!Lucy Bartholomew is a professional trail runner for Salomon based in Australia preparing for this year's Western States 100 after two notable finishes at the race in 2018 and 2019.Timestamps:(1:41) - what it's like being back in the United States(3:46) - managing a large social media following as an elite athlete(9:04) - running full-time for Salomon(12:26) - reflecting on past Western States experiences and objectives for this year(17:03) - quick preview of "Running Out" movieLinks:Follow Lucy on InstagramFollow Lucy on StravaLucy's New Movie "Running Out"This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#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!Tessa Chesser is a professional trail runner for Craft Sportswear based in Flagstaff, AZ who is preparing for the Western States 100 after securing a golden ticket at the 2021 Javalina Jundred.Timestamps:(1:42) - what attracted her to ultras, her why for being so invested at this point(5:02) - how important Flagstaff is in her training equation(7:15) - respecting the mind as much as the body in training(9:34) - keeping the fire burning since Javalina last year(11:35) - expectations for race day(14:22) - race day gearLinks:Follow Tessa on InstagramFollow Tessa on StravaTessa's Sponsors: Craft, Buff, Leki, Drymax, SpringThis episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#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!Emily Hawgood is a professional trail runner for Adidas Terrex based in Idaho who is returning to the Western States 100 after a 7th place finish in 2021.Timestamps:(2:02) - her 2021 racing season which included 3 golden ticket races and top 10s at Western States and UTMB(3:24) - energized after 2021 season(4:08) - growing up in Zimbabwe(5:23) - graduate school work in high altitude physiology and coaching(7:46) - what she's done differently this year preparing for Western States(10:03) - expectations for race day(12:33) - race day gearLinks:Follow Emily on InstagramEmily's Sponsor: Adidas TerrexThis episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#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!Brittany Peterson is a professional trail runner for Nike based in Pocatello, ID who returns to the Western States 100 this year after a 2nd place finish at the 2019 event and 4th place finish at the 2021 event.Timestamps:(1:51) - mindset heading into this year's Western States 100(2:14) - what she's done differently in preparation this year(3:03) - spending time training on the course(4:59) - racing style(6:05) - lessons from previous years racing at Western States(7:05) - being coached by AJW this year(8:14) - living and training in Pocatello, ID(9:38) - having a partner who is also elite and racing Western States(11:14) - mental health awareness in ultrarunning(13:26) - mantra for race day(14:22) - gear for race dayLinks:Follow Brittany on InstagramFollow Brittany on StravaGet coached by BrittanyBrittany's Sponsors: SNB, Leki, Nike, Naked Sports, Petzl, InsideTrackerThis episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#76 - Katie Asmuth | 2022 Western States Pre-Race InterviewSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Adam Kimble is a professional trail runner for Hoka based in Tahoe City, CA returning to this year's Western States 100 looking to improve upon a 13th place performance at the 2018 event.Timestamps:(2:23) - experience in game shows, alternative ultra endurance events, etc(6:39) - making it work from a lifestyle standpoint as a professional ultrarunner(7:57) - lessons from a strong Western States finish in 2018(10:34) - how the race will play out with fewer "time trialers", more "racers" competing(11:54) - how Adam is training and thinking about execution differently this time around(13:32) - training as a local in the Lake Tahoe area(16:33) - recovery from his Tahoe Rim Trail FKT(17:02) - gear he is using on race dayLinks:Follow Adam on InstagramFollow Adam on StravaGet coached by AdamAdam's sponsors: Hoka, Rabbit, Buff, CorosThis episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#77 - Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race InterviewSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Cole Watson is a professional trail runner for Hoka based in Folsom, CA lining up for his first Western States 100 this year.Timestamps:(1:57) - experience running for the University of Oregon(3:23) - whether collegiate running inspired or dissuaded him from continuing to compete post-collegiately(5:16) - inspirations for trail running(6:33) - taking ownership of performances(8:00) - response to and lessons from 3 golden ticket misses in the last 2 years(10:02) - not straying too far from strengths during the training block(13:20) - whether he has enough intel about the 100 mile distance to be successful this year at Western States(15:54) - what Cole is wearing and using on race dayLinks:Follow Cole on InstagramFollow Cole on StravaGet coached by Cole at Trails and TarmacCole's Sponsors: Hoka, Spring Energy, Suunto, Drymax, SRA EliteThis episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#17 - Ryan Ghelfi | Post Sponsorship Athlete Life, Trail Running Teams, UTMB, FKT SceneSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Katie Asmuth is a professional trail runner for Saucony based in Mammoth Lakes, CA. Timestamps:(1:50) - reflecting on the journey to this year's start line(4:30) - identifying areas of improvement for this year's race(7:37) - primary motivations for this year's race(10:05) - race plan versus race environment(11:12) - race day mantra(12:47) - race day gear(14:42) - investing in the ultra community for lifeLinks:Follow Katie on InstagramFollow Katie on StravaKatie's Sponsors: Saucony, Nathan, XO Skin, Fluid NutritionThis episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order. Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:#69 - Golden Ticket Talks | Leah Yingling, Canyons 100K 2nd Place Female#46 - Golden Ticket Talks | Taylor Nowlin, Black Canyon 100K 4th Place FemaleSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Andrew Drummond is a runner, skier, mountains sports retail store owner, and overall great ambassador for the White Mountains based in Jackson, NH.We cover a lot of ground. We talk about his experience pacing Scott Jurek during the final stretch of his Appalachian Trail FKT in 2015, being a content creator in the sport, we have a wide ranging conversation about the northeast trail running culture, and we also dive deep into his experience running a ski and run speciality store. Timestamps:(2:10) - experience pacing Scott Jurek during 2015 Appalachian Trail FKT(13:34) - White Mountains Direttissima(18:52) - creating running content for social media, promoting the northeast scene(26:22) - where elite ultrarunners are concentrated and why(35:10) - why mountain sports brands don't highlight the northeast scene(41:40) - northeast trail running events scene, building a UTMB-style event(49:49) - pitching the northeast trail scene over the mountain west scene(57:14) - coolest routes, FKTs, and races in the northeast(66:42) - getting into retail with Ski The Whites(69:05) - balancing athletic and business endeavors(75:38) - proof of concept for mountain sports retail store(78:28) - unintended business benefits of running and skiing content(80:51) - whether a purely trail/ski/run speciality store is possible these days(83:44) - advice and lessons from ski/run retail, UTMB media experiences(90:27) - miscellaneous questionsLinks:Follow Andrew on InstagramFollow Andrew on YoutubeSki The WhitesSanctity of SpaceWhite Mountains 100Ragged Mountain 75 Stage Race and 50KSupport Singletrack via PatreonAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#57 - Sarah Keyes | Northeast Trail Running Scene, Whiteface Mountain Races Directing, ITRA#52 - Mike Foote | Race Directing, Skyrunning Speculation, Future Of Ultrarunning Events, UTMB Influences#12 - Jack Kuenzle | FKT Scene, Sponsored Trail Runners, Brand RelationshipsSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Barry Dana is an Ultra Runner and former Chief of the Penobscot Nation currently based in Solon, ME. I was introduced to Barry after reading an article in Downeast Magazine detailing his numerous adventure runs through the 100 Mile Wilderness, which you might recognize as the last section of the Appalachian trail before the northern terminus at Mount Katahdin.In this conversation, Barry and I talk about his upbringing on the Penobscot Reservation, how his nation's history influenced his entry into trail and ultra running, the Katahdin 100 event, his experiences in the 100 Mile Wilderness, his thoughts on the Appalachian Trail, environmentalism in the trail running community, politics, and more.Timestamps:(1:00) - background(4:10) - Katahdin 100(5:48) - pre-contact Penobscot world(8:42) - the role of trail and ultra running in the culture(10:50) - the significance of Andrew Sockalexis(13:10) - role as Penobscot nation chief(15:44) - pinpointing when and how he got into ultras(19:26) - 100 Mile Wilderness(25:43) - the meaning of the word "sagama"(30:14) - making gear and food(33:39) - Mount Katahdin, AT FKT controversies(44:51) - other thoughts on the Appalachian Trail(48:52) - land back initiatives(53:42) - national parks discussion(56:06) - the value of formal events versus personal vision quests(61:06) - environmentalism discussion, flying(72:32) - thoughts on being politically active(79:16) - miscellaneous questionsLinks:For Barry Dana, Running The 100 Mile Wilderness Is More Than A SufferfestLandbackDiscovery DoctrineAndrew SockalexisAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#36 - Adam Merry | Bandera Reflections, Representation In Trail Running, State Of The Sport Talks#19 - Zoe Rom | Trail Runner Magazine, Running Journalism, Diversity Talks#18 - Moe Lauchert | Outdoor Entrepreneurship, Representation In Trail Running, Growing The SportSupport the show