Singletrack

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Tom Evans is a Professional Mountain Ultra Trail Runner for Adidas Terrex and Red Bull based in the Birmingham, UK area. Over the last 3-4 years, Tom has become one of the best athletes in our sport with notable performances at some of the most important races including a win at the 2018 CCC and a sub-15 hour podium finish at the 2019 Western States 100. What stands out to me, however, is his level of commitment to the sport and the depth to which he prepares for each event. I believe his all-in, full-time approach represents the cutting edge that will become the norm for professional athletes in our sport by the end of the decade. Timestamps(3:02) - knee injury and recovery process(11:55) - how to approach the day to day of recovery(14:35) - the role of sponsors in the recovery process(24:21) - what professional ultra running looks like(34:04) - the competitive advantage of training full-time(41:14) - creating an environment to make success inevitable(46:35) - benefits of training groups(49:27) - thoughts on trail running teams(53:27) - preparing for the 2022 UTMB(61:46) - whether pro ultra runners will need to specialize in distances and terrain(64:16) - learning from athletes in other sportsLinksFollow Singletrack on InstagramFollow Tom Evans on InstagramTom Evans' "Road to recovery" Episode #1Knees Over Toes GuyTom Evans on the Sweat Elite PodcastAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#26 - Sam Parsons | How To Build A Trail Running Team#19 - Ask Me Anything | Golden Ticket Series, Professional Trail Runners, Ultra TrainingSupport Singletrack:PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!In this episode, we meet with Reid Coolsaet, a Professional Trail Runner for Salomon based in Hamilton, Ontario.Reid burst onto the mountain ultra trail running scene in 2021 with a win at the Quebec Mega Trail 110K, competed at the Black Canyon 100K earlier this month, and will be lining up for the Canyons 100K in April and the Western States 100 in June. Prior to his venture onto the trails, Reid had an extremely successful career in road marathoning. He holds a 2:10:28 marathon PR and represented Canada in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. It’s been talked about recently to no end, but indeed our sport is only getting more competitive and professionalized and Reid’s entrance is just the latest proof point.  One thing that struck me about Reid was his openness and willingness to talk about any issue in the sport whether it was related to compensation as a professional athlete, training methodology, drug testing, or anything else. It made for an interesting and engaging conversation and I hope that shines through here. Timestamps(2:58) - Reid's running background(10:59) - The lifestyle of a full-time professional marathoner (17:21) - How Reid became interested in mountain ultra trail running(31:10) - The perceptions of trail and ultra running among runners in other disciplines (36:54) - What it will take to recruit more elite road running athletes to our sport (40:40) - Reid's experience in the mountain ultra trail running world so far(54:09) - Drug testing conversation (57:02) - How Reid will prepare for the Western States 100 in June LinksReid's blogReid's coaching businessFollow Singletrack on Instagram hereAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#26 - Sam Parsons | How To Build A Trail Running Team#22 - Nick Coury | Negative Splitting Ultramarathons, 24 Hour American Record, Aravaipa RunningSupport Singletrack:PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!In this episode, we talk with the 2nd place male finisher at the 2022 Black Canyon 100K, Scott Traer. Scott is based in the Phoenix, AZ area via Boston, MA and not only punched his ticket to Western States this coming June, but also ran the 4th fastest time in course history at the age of 40. In addition to race analysis, we also talk about the New England trail running scene, his recent media work with Aravaipa Running, his Run Fastah coaching business, and more. Timestamps(1:01) - Scott explains his unusual running apparel (2:30) - Scott talks about the "Chasing Gold" interview series he hosted for Aravaipa Running(5:09) - Scott's background in ultra running and his trail running beginnings in New England(13:00) - Scott reflects on running the 4th fastest time ever on the Black Canyon 100K course and securing a golden ticket to the Western States 100(26:52) - Scott's coaching philosophy and how he got into the profession(30:04) - What's exciting Scott most about ultrarunning right nowLinksScott's coaching businessChasing Gold Interview SeriesWatch the full interview on Youtube hereFollow Singletrack on Instagram hereAdditional Episode You May Enjoy:#45 - Golden Ticket Talks | Trueheart Brown, Black Canyon 100K 1st Place Male#44 - Golden Ticket Talks | Jeff Colt, Black Canyon 100K 3rd Place MaleSupport Singletrack:PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!In this episode, we talk with the 3rd place female finisher at the 2022 Black Canyon 100K, Anne-Marie Madden.Anne-Marie is a Salomon-sponsored trail runner based in Vancouver, BC. In addition to race analysis, we talk about how she got into Mountain Ultra Trail Running, life in Vancouver, opportunities to grow our sport through better urban planning, the influence of social media, and much more.Timestamps(1:53) - How Annie-Marie started trail running(6:37) - Why Vancouver, BC is a great place to be a trail runner(12:28) - Would Anne-Marie ever entertain being a full-time ultra runner?(14:44) - Why Anne-Marie chose the Black Canyon 100K(18:56) - Her strategy and execution to secure a golden ticket(28:20) - Initial thoughts on training and expectations for Western States(30:08) - The progress we've made increasing the number of female trail runners(36:06) - The connections between urban planning and trail running(38:47) - What she's changed her mind about with ultrarunning (41:21) - How our sport will look different in 2030, social media issuesLinksFollow Singletrack on InstagramWatch the episode on YoutubeFollow Anne-Marie on InstagramThe Happy City by Charles MontgomeryA Philosophy of Regional Planning by Benton MacKayeAdditional Episodes You Might Enjoy#39 -  Hillary Allen | Brooks Running, Out And Back, Recovery Process Mindset, 2022 UTMB#37 - Corrine Malcolm | State Of The Sport, Ultra Running Commentary#31 - Dani Moreno | Sub Ultra Trail Racing, Golden Trail Series, Overcoming Burnout, Female ParticipationSupport Singletrack:PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!In this episode, we talk with the 4th place female finisher at the 2022 Black Canyon 100K, Taylor Nowlin.Taylor is a Professional Trail Runner for Adidas Terrex based in Spokane, WA. In addition to race analysis, we talk about how she got into Mountain Ultra Trail Running, life in Spokane, WA, how she organizes training and races alongside her other career in nursing, advice she has for female athletes entering the sport, and way more.Timestamps(2:44) - introduction to trail running(4:53) - multi-year golden ticket journey(7:23) - Spokane, WA is a trail running city(10:38) - balancing running and nursing careers (14:16) - Black Canyon 100K recap(25:35) - preparation for Western States(29:50) - advice for up and coming female trail runners(38:44) - you don't have to always run trail to be a trail runnerLinksWatch the full episode on YoutubeFollow Taylor on InstagramFollow Singletrack on InstagramAdditional Episodes You Might Enjoy#39 -  Hillary Allen | Brooks Running, Out And Back, Recovery Process Mindset, 2022 UTMB#37 - Corrine Malcolm | State Of The Sport, Ultra Running Commentary#31 - Dani Moreno | Sub Ultra Trail Racing, Golden Trail Series, Overcoming Burnout, Female ParticipationSupport Singletrack:PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!In this episode, we talk with the 3rd place male finisher at the 2022 Black Canyon 100K, Jeff Colt. Jeff is a Professional Trail Runner for On Running based in Carbondale CO. In addition to race analysis, we talk about his entry into the sport while working in the hut system of New Hampshire ’s White Mountains, his multi-year path to a golden ticket which included near misses at the 2018 and 2019 Bandera 100Ks, his unorthodox training philosophy, his thoughts on the East coast trail scene, and much more.Timestamps(3:55) - introduction to trail and ultra running(6:01) - working in the White Mountains Hut System(9:49) - White Mountains Hut Traverse FKT(15:04) - describing New England trail running scene(21:04) - training in Carbondale, CO(26:48) - his unorthodox approach to training for ultras(30:14) - missing golden tickets in 2018 and 2019(37:36) - Black Canyon 100K race strategy and execution(54:51) - ranting against coaching culture in ultra runningLinksWatch the full episode on Youtube hereFollow Singletrack on InstagramFollow Jeff on InstagramAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#38 - Taggart VanEtten | Road Ultrarunning, Midwest Scene, 100 Mile World Record Attempt#29 - Sabrina Stanley | Madeira Island Reflections, UTMB 2022, Adidas Trail Team#12 - Jack Kuenzle | FKT Scene, Sponsored Trail Runners, Brand RelationshipsSupport Singletrack:PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!The Golden Ticket Talks are back! In this episode, we talk with the 1st place male finisher at the 2022 Black Canyon 100K, Trueheart Brown. Since Trueheart is likely a new name to most ultrarunning fans, we cover a lot of ground in this episode including his background in the sport, his home and training base in Flagstaff, AZ, how he prepared for Black Canyon, his expectations leading into the race, his execution on race day, his current thoughts on Western States and more. Timestamps(2:29) - endurance sports background(6:32) - wildland firefighting(8:43) - training in Flagstaff, AZ(11:00) - training philosophy(12:29) - Black Canyon preparation and execution(28:34) - initial thoughts on Western States(36:54) - connecting dots between cycling and runningLinksWatch the interview on YoutubeFollow Singletrack on InstagramAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#21 - Dave Stevens | Run Rabbit Run, Winter Training, Canadian Trail Running Scene#5 - Karl Meltzer | UTMB, Utah 100 Miler, Making A Career From Mountain Ultra Trail RunningSupport Singletrack:PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!This episode is part of a brand new mini-series we are calling the "Long Run Archives" in which I am joined by Brett Hornig, a fellow ultra runner and coach at Trails and Tarmac to riff on some of Ultrarunning’s most intriguing news, ideas, and questions. You know those highly entertaining long run conversations you have with friends you wish you could have hit the record button on? These episodes will attempt to recreate those moments. Timestamps(4:13) - Is it a competitive advantage to be a full-time professional ultrarunner?(17:31) - What if Jim Walmsley had never missed that mile 93 turn at the Western States 100?(33:46) - Black Canyon 100K preview(69:52) - Ultrarunning hot takes(73:18) - Big trail running news(78:31) - Great Strava finds LinksWatch the episode on YoutubeFollow Singletrack on InstagramGet coached by Brett at Trails and TarmacAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy:#37 - Corrine Malcolm | State Of The Sport, Ultra Running Commentary#19 - Ask Me Anything | Golden Ticket Series, Professional Trail Runners, Ultra Training#17 - Ryan Ghelfi | Post Sponsorship Athlete Life, Trail Running Teams, UTMB, FKT SceneSupport Singletrack:PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Sarah Cummings is a Professional Trail Runner for Brooks based in Park City, Utah.We talk about her introduction to the trail world after a significant collegiate and post collegiate career on the roads, her experience and lessons learned rehabbing from a traumatic hamstring injury that could have ended her running career altogether, how she landed in Park City, her thoughts on the Wasatch trail running scene, her 2022 racing plans and more.As you all know, I think the Wasatch has the potential to be the next American cultural hub for trail running. In fact, one of my big predictions is that by 2023 this will be the place in the same way that Mill Valley carried the banner in the mid 2010s and how Flagstaff did the same in the late 2010s. I think there’s been a gap to fill for a few years, especially since the pandemic started. And I think its anyones for the taking, so why not Salt Lake? I mention that here because I think Sarah is becoming one of the great ambassadors for our region and her influence (along with others) will help make it happen fast.Timestamps(1:44) - running background(6:02) - choosing Park City, UT to lifestyle and training(9:47) - training philosophy(11:37) - hamstring injury, recovery process, healing mindset (22:17) - JFK 50 victory(27:17) - Brooks sponsorship(31:29) - the question of full-time running(35:21) - excitement about SLC/PC running scene(39:30) - subjectivity of trail running(44:46) - increasing access to trail runningLinksFollow Singletrack on InstagramFollow Sarah Cummings on InstagramFollow Sarah on StravaAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy#39 -  Hillary Allen | Brooks Running, Out And Back, Recovery Process Mindset, 2022 UTMB#37 - Corrine Malcolm | State Of The Sport, Ultra Running Commentary#31 - Dani Moreno | Sub Ultra Trail Racing, Golden Trail Series, Overcoming Burnout, Female ParticipationSupport Singletrack:PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!This is the second episode in a monthly series we are calling the “Coaching Call”.For context - In April, I will be lining up for the Canyons 100k. Ryan Ghelfi, the Head Coach at Trails and Tarmac, is going to help me prepare.  We decided to take it a step further by working in total transparency. Our calls will be recorded and the training log will be viewable 24/7 for you to analyze. Be sure to listen to our first episode in this series, if you haven't already.In this conversation, we recap the first month of our athlete-coach relationship and talk specifically about goal setting, training partners, and what we are doing to prepare for the demands of the course. Towards the end of the conversation, we also dive into some coaching industry-specific topics like athlete load and what it would look like to coach a co-located trail team. Timestamps(2:25) - stating goals for the Canyons 100K(11:46) - reviewing January training and forecasting February training(34:59) - the ideal number of athletes to coach(45:12) - what it would look like to coach a trail running teamLinksGet coached by Trails and TarmacEmail Ryan (info@trailsandtarmac.com)Follow Ryan Ghelfi on InstagramFollow Singletrack on InstagramWatch the episode on YoutubeFollow Finn on StravaSee the Canyons 100K training log hereAdditional Episodes You May Enjoy: #30 - Coaching Call #1 | Setting The Table For The Canyons 100K#17 - Ryan Ghelfi | Post Sponsorship Athlete Life, Trail Running Teams, UTMB, FKT SceneSupport Singletrack:PatreonSupport the show