Singletrack

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Max Jolliffe joins the show to talk about his thrilling come-from-behind win at last week's Moab 240, his journey to sobriety, and the dedication and intensity that has contributed to his rapid ascension in the ultrarunning world.Timestamps:06:56 Preparing for Moab 24010:05 Overcoming Adversity in TDS14:02 The Influence of Jesse Haynes16:53 The Beauty of the Moab Course19:57 The Hail Mary Moment at Mile 20033:37 The Role of Pacers in Ultra Running36:20 The Competitive Dynamics of the Race38:04 Navigating Extreme Conditions42:12 Crossing the Finish Line: Emotions and Reflections44:44 Future Aspirations in Ultra Running47:19 Personal Growth and Transformation56:24 Harnessing Addictive Personalities for Success01:03:18 Journey to Sobriety 01:08:15 The Shift from Skating to Running01:13:32 Cultural Crossovers: Surfing, Skating, and Running01:18:48 Building a Career in Apparel DesignPartners: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.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.shop/) to get 15% off your next order.Links:Follow Max on Instagram, YouTube, StravaFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Leah Yingling provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition at this year’s Javelina Jundred.Timestamps:(0:00) - course strategy, weather conditions, historical performance data, competitive race context(15:40) - women's field preview, storylines, analysis, predictions(49:09) - men's field preview, storylines, analysis, predictionsPartners: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.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.shop/) to get 15% off your next order.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!Jason Schlarb is a professional athlete sponsored by Norda and Ultimate Direction, based in Durango, CO.If American ultrarunning had All-Decade teams, Jason would undoubtedly be a starter for the 2010s, boasting impressive victories at races like Hardrock and Run Rabbit Run, along with a top-five finish at UTMB, among numerous other accolades.Even in his 40s, Jason continues to deliver outstanding performances. Earlier this year, he was the top American finisher at both TDS and Hardrock, placing 9th and 3rd, respectively.In this conversation, we cover a wide range of topics in a wonderfully organic way. If you enjoyed our episodes with Michael Versteeg or Anton Krupicka earlier this year, you'll find this discussion similarly laid-back yet rich in insights.Partners: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.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.shop/) to get 15% off your next order. Related Episodes:#340 - The Return of Anton Krupicka#324 - Scott Jurek | Western States 100 Reflections, Ultrarunning History, Next Steps#313 - Michael Versteeg | Reflections On The Soul Of UltrarunningAdditional Links:Follow Jason on Instagram, Strava, CoachingFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Last month, Tara Dower achieved a monumental fastest-known time on the Appalachian Trail. In a follow-up interview, she emphasized the importance of teamwork in this accomplishment. To delve deeper into that aspect, we spoke with her Crew Chief, Rascal.In our conversation, we explore the learning curve of supporting multi-week efforts, the physical and emotional challenges involved, and what a typical crew stop and pacing section entailed. We also discuss various logistical considerations and Rascal's advice for future crew teams taking on this ambitious project, along with other insightful topics!Timestamps:(1:47) - Rascal's thru-hiking and crewing background(6:16) - the learning curve to crewing this FKT attempt(13:27) - mental aspects of crewing(19:57) - criticism of the style(23:37) - what crew stop execution looked like (31:42) - how taxing this was on the crew(41:45) - miscellaneous logistical considerations(50:14) - future storytelling about this achievement(53:43) - advice to future crew teams, next steps for RascalPartners: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.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.shop/) to get 15% off your next order. Related Episodes:#339 - How Tara Dower Shattered The Appalachian Trail Record#335 - Will Peterson | Inside The Fastest Known Time On Vermont’s Long Trail#329 - Exploring Appalachian Trail History and Endurance Records with Warren Doyle#284 - Jennifer Pharr Davis | Appalachian Trail Reflections, State of FKTs, Pursuits of EnduranceAdditional Links:Follow Rascal on InstagramFollow Tara on Instagram, YouTube, Website, Girls On The RunFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Brett Hornig joins the Singletrack Podcast for another edition of the Long Run Archives. We talk about some personal life updates before offering up our takes on Tara Dower's FKT on the Appalachian Trail, the Camille Herron Wikipedia Controversy, Mammoth Trail Fest, and "Way-Too-Early" Western States 100 Picks.   Timestamps:(8:55) - Tara Dower Appalachian Trail Record(50:25) - Camille Herron Wikipedia Controversy(82:19) - Mammoth Trail Fest(95:40) - Way Too Early Western States 100 Picks(100:26) - Coolest Stuff We Found On The Internet This Week 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 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!Anton Krupicka is back on the podcast! Few athletes in ultrarunning generate as much excitement as Anton, and he’s returned with a bang—recently setting a fastest known time on the iconic LA Freeway route and securing second place finish at the Grindstone 100 this past weekend.Beyond his impressive athletic achievements, which notably helped shape the ultrarunning culture in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Anton is a thoughtful and generous conversationalist. He shares plenty of insights in this episode.While the FKT and race results provide a backdrop, we also dive deeper into nostalgic ultrarunning memories (his friendships with Scott Jurek, Geoff Roes, and Kyle Skaggs), engaging discussions on philosophy (athlete personalities and bike culture), current events (Leadville 100), and his aspirations (UTMB and Hardrock goals). Timestamps:(1:30) - LA Freeway (19:04) - Grindstone Performance, UTMB + Hardrock Goals(39:00) - Leadville 100, Matt Carpenter(57:36) - The Kids Are Alright(67:58) - New Balance, La Sportiva Stories(76:14) - Scott Jurek Stories(80:37) - Bike Culture(91:58) - Kyle Skaggs StoriesRelated Episodes:#157 - Anton Krupicka | 2022 Ultra Trail Cape Town Pre-Race Interview#51 - Anton Krupicka | Trail Running Culture, Pro Athlete Lifestyle, Influence, Self-ReflectionPartners: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.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.shop/) to get 15% off your next order.Additional Links:Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and PatreonFollow Anton on Instagram, Strava, SubstackSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!This past Saturday night at 11:53 PM, Tara Dower set the fastest known time on the Appalachian Trail in 40 days 18 hours 5 minutes, besting Karel Sabbe's 2018 mark by 13 hours and 32 minutes.Starting August 12th at 5:47 AM, Dower averaged 54+ miles per day over 2,197.4 miles of rugged and relentless terrain from Maine to Georgia to set the mark.In masterfully riding a fine line of passion, grit, faith, and resourcefulness, Tara and her crew have set a new standard on this trail. I said this on an Instagram post shortly after the news broke, but I’ll say it here as well - it’s easy to get caught up in the moment, especially in a year that has seen the likes of the first female Barkley finisher, a UTMB course record, and a Hardrock course record - but is this the female performance of the year? Or better yet, is this the overall performance of the year regardless of gender? This is an amazing time to be in the sport. With all that said, we were fortunate to have Tara on the podcast shortly after her feat. In this conversation, we cover topics all about the Appalachian Trail record around her background, preparation, strategy, execution, mindset, and processing of this monumental achievement. If you want more long-distance hiking trail or Appalachian Trail trail-specific content, be sure to check out our interviews with Will Peterson, Warren Doyle, and Jennifer Pharr Davis from the past year. Hope you enjoy this one!Timestamps:00:00 - How Tara Is Feeling Post-Appalachian Trail FKT, Expressions of Gratitude05:06 - Worry About Falling Too Far Behind Karel Sabbe's Mark Early On14:00 - Tara's Thru-Hiking And Ultrarunning Background21:21 - Preparation For The Appalachian Trail Record33:00 - Appalachian Trail FKT Strategy45:23 - Daily Schedule57:59 - Highlights From Various Sections Of The Appalachian Trail 68:15 - Making A Statement For Female Athletes, Mindset, Launching PointsPartners: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.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.shop/) to get 15% off your next order. Related Episodes:#335 - Will Peterson | Inside The Fastest Known Time On Vermont’s Long Trail#329 - Exploring Appalachian Trail History and Endurance Records with Warren Doyle#284 - Jennifer Pharr Davis | Appalachian Trail Reflections, State of FKTs, Pursuits of EnduranceAdditional Links:Follow Tara on Instagram, YouTube, Website, Girls On The RunFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!After reading her book, "The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike's Elite Running Team", I was eager to connect with Kara Goucher for an in-depth conversation.For those less familiar with the road running scene, Kara was one of the top American distance runners of the 2000s and 2010s, achieving podium finishes at prestigious events like the Boston and New York City Marathons, as well as the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials. She also claimed victory at the US Half Marathon Championships the same year, among numerous other accolades. In 2004, she joined the Nike Oregon Project, led by distance running legend Alberto Salazar. Behind the scenes, however, Salazar was pushing the boundaries of anti-doping regulations while fostering a toxic culture of misogyny and athlete abuse. Despite the risk of losing everything and facing immense pressure, Kara found the courage to speak out and successfully advocate for meaningful change.In our discussion, we explore various themes from The Longest Race, and we also discuss current events, including her podcast with Des Linden - "Nobody Asked Us", and the challenges with today’s anti-doping investigative models.Before we dive in, please note that this episode is a crossover from my guest-hosting stint on the Run To The Top podcast earlier this spring. Be sure to check out Run To The Top for their excellent coaching resources and content here: https://runnersconnect.net/running-podcast/Timestamps:02:00 Introduction and Podcasting, Creative Freedom and Speaking Freely10:05 Lack of Change at Nike, Perception of Nike and Possibility for Change13:39 Support for Athletes and Career Transitions, Effects of Pregnancy Clause19:36 Impact on Career and Olympic Trials, Taking Responsibility and Speaking Up23:32 The Appeal of the Oregon Project, The Motivational Climate of the Group25:31 Staying Silent in an Abusive System, The Charisma of Alberto Salazar34:38 Healing and Reconciliation, Moving On and Confronting the Past, Trusting in the Sport38:40 The Challenge of Catching Dopers, Need for an Investigative Model, Future of Anti-DopingPartners: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.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.shop/) to get 15% off your next order. Additional Links:Check out RunnersConnectFollow Kara on Instagram, Podcast, BookFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!In this episode, I'm excited to welcome Matt Trappe to the show. If you’ve been following ultrarunning media over the past decade, Matt’s name might ring a bell. He’s been behind some fantastic content over the last decade, including Jim Walmsley’s "Lighting The Fire" series, "Droddy," and "Leadman: The Dave Mackey Story," among other influential projects.Matt has recently launched a new brand called Auteur Sportif, which we’ll link to in the show notes below. He’s also an insightful follow on LinkedIn, where he shares valuable commentary on the latest news inside the creative and business realms of endurance sports.In our conversation, we dive into a range of topics, such as the role of storytelling in brand marketing, the significance of context and human connection in athlete narratives, and how the digital age is reshaping marketing in the trail running space. We also discuss the fragmentation of cultural conversations and the need for brands to engage with their audiences in new ways. Additionally, we explore the potential split between professional and participant markets in ultrarunning, and have some fun exploring open job roles in the sport, like the PR position at UTMB and the Global Creative Director role at Salomon.Timestamps:02:24 The Power of Filmmaking in Athlete Narratives07:45 Balancing Brand Marketing and Performance Marketing15:01 The Rise of Niche Brands in the Digital Age19:08 Navigating the Fragmented Cultural Conversation21:12 The Value of Long-Term Brand Marketing27:38 The PR Opportunity of a Lifetime at UTMB37:19 The Power of Storytelling44:52 The Evolution of Races54:14 Marketing Activations and Moments58:08 Decoupling Athletes from RacesPartners: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.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.shop/) to get 15% off your next order. Additional Links:Follow Matt on LinkedIn, Personal Website, Auteur SportifFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Katie Schide returns to the show a week removed from her historic, record-setting win at the 2024 UTMB. Given that Katie will be on the media circuit fielding many interviews over the next few days and weeks, we focused on some unique angles in this conversation - getting the inside scoop on what the immediate aftermath looks like for pro runners finishing at the front of this race, the psychology of handling near constant media attention from start to finish on this course, whether it makes sense to separate start times for the men’s and women’s races at UTMB, what to do once you’ve succeeded at the pinnacle of the sport, and more. It’s always great to have Katie on the show and stay tuned because our "Eurotrack" series will be returning in early October when we get together to preview the high-profile races at Les Templiers and Grand Raid. Timestamps:02:00 The Challenges of the UTMB Finish Line06:49 Navigating the Livestream Spotlight and Performative Expectations12:24 The Increasing Competitiveness of the Women's Field18:59 Constantly Striving for Improvement30:44 Contemplating Hardrock, Trail World ChampionshipsPartners: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.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.shop/) to get 15% off your next order. Additional Links:Follow Katie on Instagram, Strava, North FaceFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and PatreonSupport the show