Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!This conversation with Warren Doyle might need a bit of context if you’re not well-versed in the long-distance thru-hiking scene in North America. Warren is a prominent figure in the Appalachian Trail community. While there's some debate about the exact beginning of the modern fastest known time (FKT) scene on the AT, Warren's impressive 1973 record of 66 days and change is widely considered a significant milestone.Warren’s contributions to the trail are extensive. Over a 45-year period, he led eight large-group “circle” expeditions with near 100% completion rates. He founded the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association and established the Appalachian Trail Institute, which has helped thousands of hikers achieve their thru-hiking goals. He has also played a key role in preparing notable figures like Jenn Pharr Davis and Liz Derstine for record-setting endurance attempts, and has advised many other prominent endurance athletes, including Karel Sabbe.I’m excited to have Warren on the show for several reasons. First and foremost, my deep love for the AT and my ongoing quest to understand its history. Warren has been a central figure in shaping the trail’s scene over the past 40 to 50 years. In our conversation, we’ll explore topics like the nature of endurance records on long trails, the purpose of the AT, social change, the impact of the outdoor industry on thru-hiking culture, the relationship between government and nature, and much more.Regardless of your familiarity with the scene, I think you’ll find this episode engaging. Warren is a vibrant and generous conversationalist, and I’m sure you’ll gain a lot from our discussion.Timestamps:02:00 Introduction and Backlash on the AT10:34 The Commercialization of the Outdoor Industry17:48 The Relationship Between the Trail and the Government25:22 The Importance of Substantive Conversations on the Trail40:10 Regulations and Policing of Mount Katahdin44:39 The Amateur Aspect of Endurance Hiking47:26 The Role of Support Crews in Endurance Record Attempts01:03:36 Challenges of Reintegrating into Society after the AT01:11:54 Embracing a Wilderness State of Mind01:17:04 Supporting Dreams and Moving Forward01:24:05 The Role of a Social Change Educator01:31:55 Concerns about the Future of the Appalachian Trail Sponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack10 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 10% off your next order.Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.shop/) to get 15% off your next order.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order. Additional Links:Warren's Website, Outside FeatureSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Brett Hornig and Jeff Colt join the Singletrack Podcast for another edition of the Long Run Archives. We talk about the prospect of the backyard ultra format being added to the Olympic games, insights for trail runners from the Tour de France, a Western States 100 with no automatic returning top-10 runners, the value of increasing popularity in fastest known time attempts, and speculate where top runners like Zach Miller and Courtney Dauwalter might race next.   Timestamps:00:00 Imagining the Backyard Ultra Format in the Paris Olympics08:28 Tour de France Nutrition Strategies for Trail Running27:29 Training Partners vs. Crew Service39:40 Changing the Invitation System for Western States44:40 The Impact on Race Dynamics and Strategies48:04 The Role of Team Support and Camaraderie53:51 Improving the World Trail Majors' Team Format1:15:09 Harnessing the Power of Self-Talk in Sports Performance1:31:50 The Strava Pro Badge Purge1:35:34 The Worth of Increasing the Popularity of the FKT Scene Sponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack10 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 10% off your next order.Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.us/) to get 15% off your next order.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order. Additional Links:Follow Jeff on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and CoachingFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!This episode was recorded live at Singletrack’s Olympic Valley studios ahead of the 2024 Western States 100.We were joined by Nick Bare and even though this was technically a pre-race interview, so much of what we talked about was only peripherally related to the event, so similar to the Scott Jurek and Sally McRae conversations from that week I wanted to save it for a stand-alone podcast a few weeks on.Specifically, we talk about creating portals online for people to find the sport of trail running, what it means to be a hybrid athlete, some of his favorite books about mental and physical strength, how to make our sport cooler or more memorable, his advice for athletes and creators from a content marketing standpoint, and what’s exciting him about a race like Western States.Sponsors:Brooks - check out their new Cascadia 18 shoe and High Point apparel collection (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack)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.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.   Additional Links:Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!This episode was recorded live at Singletrack’s Olympic Valley studios ahead of the 2024 Western States 100.We were joined by Sally McRae who probably needs no introduction. Sally is another person I've wanted to talk with since the inception of this podcast and even though this was technically a pre-race interview, so much of what we talked about was only peripherally related to the event, so similar to the Scott Jurek conversation I wanted to save it for a stand-alone podcast a few weeks on.Specifically, we talk about the trajectory of her career starting with her Nike trail contract signing in the mid-2010s, how to think about the business side of trail running as a creator or athlete, and some of her favorite Western States 100 stories dating back to some of those great Billy Yang films a few years ago.Sponsors:Brooks - check out their new Cascadia 18 shoe and High Point apparel collection (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack)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.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.   Additional Links:Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling join Singletrack to recap the 2024 Hardrock 100. We talk about the amazing performances from athletes like Courtney Dauwalter and Ludovic Pommeret, Leah's experience working on the livestream, Brett’s fan experience, Finn’s time creating content around the lead runners, the history and culture of this race, top storylines and insights from the weekend, and what the future of this race might look like after such another historic year of individual and cumulative performances.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.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.    Additional Links:Follow Leah on Instagram,  Strava, TwitterFollow Brett on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Renowned ultrarunner Scott Jurek discusses his history in the sport, mental and emotional aspects of elite athleticism, and favorite stories with competitors. Topics include enduring extreme heat at Western States, ultrarunning strategy evolution, financial sacrifices, competitive races, and reflections on racing experiences.

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Brett Hornig and Dani Moreno join Singletrack to recap the 2024 Western States 100. We talk about the amazing performances from athletes like Jim Walmsley and Katie Schide, Brett's experience working on the livestream, Dani and Finn's experiences crewing top runners, whether there's a definitive training and racing playbook for this event, noticeable innovations in crewing, nutrition, and topical cooling, and what the future of this race might look like after such a historic year of individual and cumulative performances.Sponsors:Brooks - check out their new Cascadia 18 shoe and High Point apparel collection (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack)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.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.   Additional Links:Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Brett on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Dani on Instagram, SubHub, WebsiteSupport the show

Elite ultrarunners Katie Schide and Heather Jackson chat about preparing for the Western States 100 race, strategies for race day, ultrarunner mindset, and play a fun game of Kiss, Marry, Kill with carb intake, heat management, and super shoes. They also discuss Heather Jackson's race preparation and strategy, selecting pacers, and share a humorous exchange before wishing good luck for an upcoming race.

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!These conversations with Dani Moreno (Predictions Show) and Jamil Coury and Matt Feldhake (Livestream Insights) were livestreamed on the Singletrack YouTube a few days before the 2024 Western States 100.  Special thanks to Brooks, the presenting sponsor of this week's race coverage.Sponsors:Brooks - check out their new Cascadia 18 shoe and High Point apparel collection (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack)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.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.  Additional Links:Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Professional ultra runner Hayden Hawks, endurance athlete Leah Yingling, and participant Ryan Montgomery share their final thoughts and preparations before the 2024 Western States 100 race. Topics include race strategies, mental fitness, unique clothing, community support, and reflections on training and racing histories.