Singletrack

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Kilian Jornet joins the Singletrack Podcast to talk about how mountain sports have evolved - with motivations shifting from scientific exploration to nationalism to self-centeredness in modern times, how the concept of the impossible is debated in mountaineering and trail running - with some questioning the impact of technological advancements, the idea of reducing consumption and rethinking business models to help minimize the outdoor industry’s footprint, and his involvement working to secure a better relationship between pro athletes and race organizations like UTMB.Timestamps:00:00 The Evolution of Motivations in Mountain Sports04:08 The Influence of Society and Culture on Athletes07:02 The Debate on the Concept of the Impossible13:56 Contrasting Philosophical Aspects of Mountaineering and Trail Running50:13 The Positive Role of Competition56:22 The Importance of the Pro Trail Runners Association, UTMB ObservationsSponsors: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.Links:Follow Kiilian on Instagram, Strava, Website, NnormalFollow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Candice Burt is the Founder of Destination Trail, a trail running events company that puts on popular races like the Moab 240, Tahoe 200, and Bigfoot 200.Timestamps:1:37 - Arizona Trail, interest in long trail FKT scene, remarking on Heather Anderson’s recent unsupported FKT23:15 - athlete sponsorship discussion, working with brands, content angles on the social platforms, spring energy comments45:30 - being a female business owner in the ultra community, evolution of the 200 mile scene, recruiting influencers to eventsSponsors: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.Links:Follow Candice on Instagram, Destination Trail Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, Youtube"The Last American Man" by Elizabeth GilbertSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Michael Versteeg joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation about ultrarunning. Timestamps:(0:52) - the story behind 2021 Cocodona 250 race report, Arizona trail running ambassadorship, countercultural tendencies(15:11) - more Cocodona 250 discussion - the direction the race is headed in, popularity, what makes it special, 2024 experience racing the likes of Harry, Jeff Browning, Arlen, Joe McConaughy, etc(34:26) - discussion about the sustainability of a competitive mindset and whether it interferes with mental health(59:57) - Saddles 100, philosophy about ultrarunning events, sponsorship, etc(94:26) - overall philosophy of living and building(141:20) - experience at the 2015 Ultramarathon Caballo Blanco (152:18) - experience at the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic(170:44) - inspiration from John Wesley Powell(180:09) - takeaways from the conversation, race directing ideas(200:01) - influence of parenthoodSponsors: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.Links:Follow Michael on Instagram, Saddles 100, Blog, Run Steep Get HighFollow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeKetone StudySupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Caley Fretz is the Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Escape Collective, a member-funded independent cycling media company.  As Caley says in his LinkedIn bio, he's “used everything learned over a decade in journalism to build a more sustainable media company”. And that’s what we discuss in this episode - whether his experiences in the cycling space translate over to what current operations and the future of media look like in the trail running world. If you’re interested in the business of sports and have enjoyed our conversations on these topics in the past, you’ll enjoy this one too.Timestamps:(0:58) - Escape Collective backstory, Caley's sports journalism background(10:05) - explaining how we got to the current state of endurance sports media(23:38) - pros and cons of owned versus rented media channels(33:03) - pros and cons of alignment with fans versus versus partners, advertisers(39:11) - what happens next for the middle of the media market(43:03) - replicating parts of the Athletic business model(53:38) - future of endurance sports media, possible business modelsSponsors: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. Links:Follow Caley on LinkedInEmail Caley (editor@escapecollective.com)Escape CollectiveEscape Collective Transparency ReportKetone StudyFollow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!This episode is dedicated to my crew: Julia Campanelli, Sherman, Ned Melanson, Jeremiah Mullane, Joey Campanelli, Caleb Olson, Morgan Olson, and Scott Hickenlooper. Without you all, this wouldn't have been possible. I'm forever grateful. - Finn Timestamps: 02:02 - The Physical and Mental Challenges of a 200-Mile Race09:06 - The Importance of Crew Support and Nutrition23:29 - Overcoming Isolation and Low Moments in the Race33:42 - Strategic Use of Live Tracker and Pacers41:31 - Celebrating Checkpoints Instead of Fixating on the Finish Line52:31 - The Evolving Competitiveness of 200-Mile Races57:00 - Streamlined and Minimalist Gear Choices in the Future01:26:35 - The Promising Future of The Cocodona 250Sponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Gorewear - use code Singletrack30 at checkout on their website (https://www.gorewear.com/us/en-us/home) to get 30% off your next order.Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order. Links:Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Ansel Dickey joins the show to talk about his experience making “Walmsley”, what it was like getting to know and work with Jim, what it’s like working as a creative in the endurance sports industry, and his role as a Race Director for Vermont Overland. 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.Links:Follow Ansel on Instagram, LinkedInOverland Studio, Overland RacesWalmsley FilmFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and PatreonSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Brett Hornig and Jeff Colt join Singletrack to riff on the latest news in the ultra-trail running world.Timestamps:(1:42) - Canyons 100K Highlights(32:35) - Regional Trail Team Competitions (Like Boulder vs Salt Lake)(52:36) - UTMB Americas Major Moving From Canyons To Kodiak In 2025(63:49) - Merrell's Campaign To Get Trail Running In The Olympics(78:39) - Jim Walmsley Returning To UTMB In 2024?(93:31) - Spring Energy Gel ControverseySponsors: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 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!Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Leah Yingling provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition at the 2024 Canyons 100K.    Timestamps:(0:00) - course strategy, weather conditions, historical performance data, competitive race context(30:22) - women's field preview, storylines, analysis, predictions(66:07) - men's field preview, storylines, analysis, predictionsSponsors: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.Links:Follow Leah on Instagram,  Strava, TwitterFollow Brett on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Jeff Browning joins the show to talk about his history in the sport, competitive relevance over the last two decades, and insights on his training and preparation leading into the 2024 Cocodona 250. Timestamps:(0:00) - Wasatch 100 Reflections(11:49) - Competitive Relevance of Older Ultrarunners(29:19) - Patagonia Days(36:55) - 200 Mile Racing Discussion, 2024 Cocodona 250 SpecificsSponsors: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.Links:Jeff's Personal Website and Coaching BusinessFollow Jeff on Instagram and StravaFollow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, Youtube Support the show

Text us your thoughts about this episode or ideas for future episodes!Simon Freeman is the Co-Founder of Like The Wind Magazine. In this episode, we talk about differences in running culture across the globe, the nuts and bolts of building and maintaining a media brand in the sport, and conclude with some of his insights on the professional scene in Iten, Kenya. Timestamps:(0:26) - US Tour, Differences In Running Cultures Across The World(9:03) - Inspirations for Like The Wind Magazine, Fulfilling Content Creation(25:12) - Taking A Point Of View In Running Media(35:47) - More Discussion Of Running Media Trends(68:41) - More Like The Wind Magazine Discussion(74:50) - 70s and 80s US Marathoning Scene, Duel In The Sun, Iten, KenyaSponsors: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.Links:Like The Wind MagazineConnect with Simon on LinkedInPeople vs Algorithms PodcastPodcast Graveyard PodcastFollow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeSupport the show