Podcasts Archives - Ultrarunnerpodcast.com: Recent Episodes
Eric Schranz
Jim Sweeney runs primary on the technical trails around upstate New York and New England, still loves a good old road marathon, and even ran the fastest hundred miler (13:09) in 2018. He’s also the Lead Brewer at a brewery you’ve heard me talk a lot about…Athletic Brewing in Connecticut.
It was high time I had Jim on the show to talk about his life (he’s got a degree in forensic psychology, whaaa?), his love of brewing beer, and what races he’s got on the horizon.
Fun talk with a guy sounds like he’s living the dream. I hope you enjoy this episode.
Jim Sweeney on some non-technical trails! Jim Sweeney Episode Notes Here’s a link to the Escarpment Trail Run that Jim mentioned. Mighty technical.
And here’s a link to the race I couldn’t remember…Manitou’s Revenge.
And here’s a link to Athletic Brewing. If you need any suggestions, ask away. I’m what they call, I believe, a prolific drinker. (Here’s my story about when and why I stopped drinking and the role Athletic played.)
Intro and outro music used with permission from David Rosales.
The post Jim Sweeney | Running and Brewing on the Beast Coast appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Trivia with Lydia Episode Notes: Intro/outro music used with permission from David Rosales.
Here’s more on The Tunnel race.
More on Yiannis Kouros’ incredible feats on Davy Crockett’s Ultrarunning History Podcast.
More on The Spine Race in the UK.
And more on The Dipsea Race in Northern California.
Here’s the NATHAN pack Lydia has fallen in love with.
And here’s the handheld she’s been using.
Here’s the Drankful hydration pack I’ve been trying out.
The post Ultramarathon and Trail Running Trivia with Lydia appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
I was DFL at #hr100
Not the result I was hoping for, but I think I learned even more this way. Been trying to get here for about 10 years. pic.twitter.com/DFWkR6zhdk
— Terry Miller (@Terrysrunning) July 19, 2021
Intro/Outro music used with permission from David Rosales.
The post Terry Miller | Lessons from DFL at Hardrock 100 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Alek Simpson was diagnosed with narcolepsy and cataplexy at 18 years old and has continued running ultramarathons and trail races. He’s on a combination of drugs to keep him “normal”, never gets hungry, has extreme light sensitivity, and has experienced sleep paralysis…but none of this is changing his love and passion for the trails and racing.
In this interview, I ask Alek about the disorders and how they affect his personal and running life. We talk about where he grew up, his upcoming races, and we talk about everything from falling porcupines to a new route from San Diego to Mexico that I didn’t know existed. Alek is very candid about this mysterious disorder and hopes to bring some attention and light to it.
Alek Simpson and Baz Hawley Alek Simpson, his sister Katie Burns and her husband J.K. Lundberg at Dick Collins 100k in 2019.
Gear Review with Ben Zuehlsdorf Nathan Pinnacle 4L Hydration Vest ($175 | Affiliate link.) And the women’s version right here.
Ben says: “A vest I actually don’t mind wearing. Doesn’t heat me up or chafe. Would be great for Hardrock.”
Hoka ONE ONE Clifton 8 ($130)
Ben says: “Excellent update to an already great shoe you can wear on the road or firetrail.”
Hoka ONE ONE Zinal ($160)
Ben says: “Great go-fast trail shoe that you can wear from the doorstep to the trail.”
Hoka ONE ONE Zinal Women’s model We also spoke about SOAR Running. Here’s more on the new company from Europe.
Episode Notes: More on the Baja Divide Trail
More on Diane VanDeren
Follow Alek on Twitter.
Intro/Outro music used courtesy of David Rosales.
The post Alek Simpson | Running Ultramarathons with Narcolepsy appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Torsten Heycke is an endurance athlete who’s participated and competed in a panoply of outdoor sports. From ultramarathons like UTMB-CCC and Western States to field hockey, surfing, MTB racing, tennis, XC ski racing and triathlon, today, Torsten and I drill down and discuss our joined passion for paddle sports.
He and I both competed in a paddle race last month in Northern California, me in the 25 mile race on stand up paddleboard, he in the 100 mile race on a Surfski. (Torsten won his event.)
In this interview, we talk about paddling and discuss the similarities and differences between it and trail running. We talk about gear, “terrain”, the overall scene, and where to find good races. If you’ve thought about taking your SUP past the point of casual paddling, this is the episode for you.
Additionally, Torsten lives in Ashland (Southern Oregon) with his wife where he’s a member of a group looking to put Ashland back on the map for outdoor endurance sports. Since it’s heyday (hello Rogue Valley Runners?!?) a decade ago, Ashland has unfortunately seen its share of catastrophic fires that dealt a big blow to its running and tourism industry. We talk about races coming up and why you should consider Southern Oregon as a destination for your adventures.
Finally….Torsten Heycke is a bit of a mapping geek and we talk about how he came to design the official maps for Western States and he answers a few of my gripes/questions about Strava.
Paddlers’ equivalent of a black toenail. Torsten Heycke Episode Notes: Paddling Resources:
Paddleguru is the paddler’s version of Ultrasignup. Nowhere near as comprehensive, but it’s the best I can find.
California River Quest is the race Torsten and I competed in.
The 22nd Annual, 440 mile Yukon River Quest starts this week n Northern Canada.
Torsten Heycke’s depiction of the importance of blade angle. Ashland Resources:
Ashland Woodlands and Trails Association
Mt Ashland HillClimb
Lithia Loop Trail Marathon (Nov 21)
2021 Pine to Palm 100
Ashland Trail Finder Map (very cool!)
The post Torsten Heycke | Running, paddling, mapping, and more. appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Noah Brautigam is a Salomon sponsored trail and ultra runner who started life as a xc skier and instructor in Vermont who bounced to the West Coast and has spent the last few years in Salt Lake City. Now he and his wife are living the van life as they prepare for a big move to her native Sweden later this summer.
We talk about xc ski training, coaching, his recent 3rd plan at Canyons 100k, some drastic diet challenges, and the mindset Noah has going into races. This was a fun interview with a really neat guy. Keep an eye on him this summer then we’ll see what he’s up to in Europe later this year.
Canyons 100k: Anthony Costales (1st), Max King (2nd), Noah Brautigam (3rd.) Pic by me. Gear Review with Ben Zuehlsdorf TOPO Athletics Mtn Racer 2
Skecher Performance Go Run RAZR Trail
Salomon S-Lab Phantasm
Noah Brautigam Episode Notes: Follow Noah on Instagram right here.
Intro/Outro music used courtesy of David Rosales.
Here’s the SUP race I’m doing in a few weeks.
The post Noah Brautigam Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Annie Hughes is a 23 year old runner living in Leadville Colorado who hasn’t finished off the podium in nearly two years. She likes big vert, technical terrain, and long hauls that push her abilities. Haven’t heard of her? Listen to this interview and keep an eye on Annie…she’s got big plans and all the components to make them come true.
Annie loves the mountains, she loves pushing herself, and we’ll really get to see what she’s got after a series of races this summer…Speedgoat, Mace’s Hideout 100 high up in Colorado, then Moab 240. Yowza, how’s that for variety?! Go Annie!
Annie Hughes Episode Notes: Here’s Annie’s supported FKT info for the Collegiate Loop.
Follow Annie Hughes on Instagram right here.
Intro and outro music courtesy of David Rosales. (Here’s our interview with David.)
The post Annie Hughes | Young Gun in Colorado appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Lucas Simon Drake joins me to share his experience of running a 50 mile trail ultramarathon tripping on acid. Why did he do it? How did it go? Does he see it as a PED or did in hinder his performance?
Please, listen to this interview with an open mind. It’s pretty damn interesting.
If you’re going to try something like this, please do it on your own and don’t put the RDs at risk of liability and/or losing their permits.
The look of pure bliss: 150 micrograms of LSD during a 10k. Lucas Simon Drake Episode Notes Here’s his book on Amazon: Runner’s High or: Can LSD Make You Gay? How I Ran an Ultramarathon Tripping on a Psychedelic Drug: The Easy Guide to Doing What You Should Not
Here’s the reddit thread that caught my attention.
Intro and outro music by David Rosales.
Lucas Simon Drake on the Tongariro Alpine crossing in New Zealand. “Just like Norway but with better weather!” Gear Review with Lydia
Tracksmith Offroad Packable Jacket and Shorts
rabbit Waffle line
The post Fifty Miles on Acid | Interview with Lucas Simon Drake appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Nicole Monette started running competitively in high school and moved to ultramarathons a few years ago. She won Yeti 100 in 2020 and then last month participated in the Hoka Carbon X2 event in Arizona. During that event, Nicole finished second.
She doesn’t race a lot, but instead Nicole focuses on and enjoys the rigors and structure of training. In this chat, we talk about her childhood, kids, her fierce competitiveness, and how she got wound up racing 100k in Arizona last month. How will that event be different than her next trail ultramarathon? In about every way possible.
We also talk about parenting active kids, keeping them motivated and engaged, and what it’s like having little kids with glasses. Lots to cover here!
Nicole Monette Episode Notes Nicole’s next race is Canyons 100k.
Follow Nicole Monette on Instagram.
I talked about using Zenni Optical for my son’s and wife’s glasses.
Intro and outro music used with permission from David Rosales.
The post Nicole Monette Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Austin Bogina is an Olympic Trials Qualifier in the Marathon, a member of the USA 50k team, and a Ph.D candidate in the field of sports management.
In this interview, we talk about growing up in small town Kansas, finding his legs in Colorado, and working his butt off to get where he is now.
(Austin is) just a farm boy from Kansas who made his dreams happen.
Matt Daniels
Austin and I could have spoken for hours about his academic focus and how small groups of runners affect the overall running scene and about how money affects the sport. I’ll likely ask Austin to be on the show again to dig even deeper about how our sport is growing and how that growth will affect athletes from casual ultramarathon runners to sponsored athletes.
Austin Bogina (r), Matt Daniels (shirt) and Matt’s wedding. Austin Bogina Episode Notes Here’s our interview with Austin’s good friend Matt Daniels.
Follow Austin Bogina on Instagram or his (mothballed) blog.
Intro/Outro Music used with permission from David Rosales
Austin Bogina and family at Olympic Trials Gear Chat with Ben Two products Ben reviewed were the North Face Vectiv and the Naked Running Vest and we raved about the new waffle line from rabbit.
Austin Bogina on the slopes. The post Austin Bogina Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Sarah Biehl ran track and XC in both high school and college, ran an Olympics Trials Qualifying marathon, then set her eyes on her first ultramarathon. With guidance from friends in the ultra world, she ran an impressive 5th place, but most importantly, had a great time and smiled the entire time.
Sarah Biehl enjoying the cold water! In this interview we talk about the importance of collegiate running and friends, the MUT atmosphere and scene, dogs, IPAs, and why in the hell she eats noodles for Thanksgiving. Sarah’s got a great attitude and outlook on the sport and her career and I’m anxious to see what she does next.
Sarah Biehl Episode Notes Here’s an interview with Sarah Biehl and friend Michael Owen.
I mentioned the Escape From Tennessee race. Here’s the link. Hope to see some of you there!
Sarah is sponsored by the Columbus Running Company. Brick and mortar, check em out!
Full results from JFK50.
Intro music | David Rosales
Outro music | AJ LeGrand
Follow Sarah Biehl on Social Media
Gear Chat with Ben Zuehlsdorf
Topo Ultraventure Pro . ($145 available on Amazon affiliate link.)
HOKA Mach 4 ($130) Spring 2021 release
Tracksmith Brighton Baselayer ($88)
Gore R5 GORE-TEX Infinium tights
Tracksmith Offroad Shorts ($98)
Specs for the upcoming Naked HC Vest. Spring ’21 release.
Topo Ultraventure 2 (Spring ’21 release)
Disclaimer: URP receives most of these products free for review purposes. All opinions are ours with zero expectations or requests for positive reviews.
The post Sarah Biehl Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Clint Welch grew up playing football and riding bareback rodeo in California’s Central Valley and Texas. He also ran with his mom occasionally through childhood, but that bug ultimately caught up with him and now he’s an accomplished ultramarathon runner with numerous hundred milers under his belt.
So how’d that transition happen? And what inspired him to start coaching a kids XC team? In this interview we talk about the vibe of the MUT scene, the importance of a supportive partner, the fun times at Born to Run events, and the heartbreak of DNFing at the biggest race of his life.
Clint Welch Episode Notes Sac Valley Endurance
Metalachi
That skate rock in Tahoe – Gotta keep it on the DL, sorry.
Folsom Lake Ultra Trail
Yeti 100
The Born to Run Ultra is organized by Luis Escobar/AllWeDoIsRun.
Music (intro and outro) used with permission from David Rosales
The post Clint Welch Interview | From Rodeos to Running appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Sebastian Salsbury is only fourteen years old–he’s a freshman in high school–but has already run 20 ultramarathons and 30 trail races. He’s qualified for Western States, considers Max King and Luis Escobar his friends, and recently went on an epic run in the Grand Canyon.
Sebastian Salsbury running trails in the Grand Canyon. There’s no doubt that I’d swallow my teeth on that terrain.
All pics courtesy of Sebastian and Michael Salsbury
I’ve been following Sebastian for awhile, both from an interested media perspective, and from the eye of a parent and a kids running coach. Up until this point, I’d been hesitant to have him on the show because I didn’t want to risk exploiting him. I’ve seen too much attention given to kids by overzealous parents or teenagers driven to be influencers. Luckily, those concerns were alleviated after our talk this week. This kid loves pushing himself, is passionate about the trail/ultra community, and understands what it takes to succeed more than most people twice his age.
In this interview, we talk about:
- How he got into running.
- How does he respond to people who question whether he’s pushed by his parents?
- Is he planning on running XC in high school?
- How does he balance being a normal HS kid and have a life as a trail runner?
- The impact trail running camps had on his life.
- And how in the world he ended up in the Grand Canyon with Max, Jim, and Jim’s girlfriend Jess this past weekend.
- Beer? Nope, halloween candy.
Jessica Brazeau, Sebastian Salsbury, and Max King at Bright Angel Trailhead. 6:30am. Sebastian Salsbury Episode Notes Here’s more info on Max King’s Running Camp (no financial interest) and here’s a video that shows the incredible opportunities afforded to these kids.
Follow Seb on Instagram right here and check out some of the videos of his Grand Canyon adventure.
My favorite Mt. Marathon video.
2015 interview with two other teenagers, Ashley Erba and Jared Hazen.
Intro music | David Rosales
Outro music | AJ LeGrand
Sebastian Salsbury and Jim Walmsley after Santa Barbara Nine Trails, 2019. Gear Chat with Ben Follow along on our Instagram to see all the new products Ben is checking out, including the new TOPO shoe he mentioned.)
Fall Jackets
Gore Wear R5 Infinium Insulated Jacket
Cotopaxi Monte Hybrid Jacket
Headlamps
Biolite 750
Petzl IKO Core
(The products were provided to URP for testing purposes. All words are our own. The above links are Amazon affiliate links. We’d prefer you purchase these products from your local, independently owned run specialty store, but if those aren’t available, using the links will drop a few nickels into the URP coffers and we’d appreciate it.)
The post Sebastian Salsbury Livin’ the Dream at Fourteen appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Anna Frost joins URP again to talk about how life has changed over the past fifteen years. From a full time athlete driven by social media likes to an adventure mom taking clients on exotic running adventures, Anna Frost has special insight into what it takes to make a living as an MUT athlete and how athletes need to lead an authentic life outside of running.
Anna Frost and her daughter Skyler. Anna Frost Episode Notes Here’s our interview with Anna from 2015 when she and Missy Goseny set out to conquer Nolan’s.
Here’s Anna’s coaching, jewelry, and blog site.
Here’s her trailrunadventures site.
Follow her on Instagram right here.
Anna mentioned the Rushing Women book for both men and women constantly on the move. Check it out at this link. (It’s an affiliate link which means it’ll drop a few nickels into the URP coffers should you keep the book. Thanks!)
Intro music | David Rosales
Outro music | AJ LeGrand
Gear Review with Lydia (Whoa! These shoes look alike!) Her go-to trail shoe: Brooks Catamount
Her go-to road shoe: Skechers Go Run Razor +
Episode Sponsor Listen to this episode with Meredith June Edwards to hear how Access Nutrients helped her overcome serious GI issues.
The post Anna Frost 2020 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Francesca Muccini has run—and won–Vol State before but her performance this year at the Lazarus Lake event has been called one of the greatest multi day performances of all time.
Chart showing pace and distance between Francesca Muccini and 2nd place Bob Hearn. (Borrowed from Facebook) In this interview, Francesca–originally from Italy–describes her meticulous training on the roads and the gym and how she focused for a full year on breaking four days to complete the 500km course.
Francesca fought extreme heat, a hard-charging-though-consistent Bob Hearn and ultimately extreme delirium, confusion, and hallucinations to cut nearly 24 hours off her previous best. Described as a “perfect race” by others and something resembling Dante’s Inferno with Bob as a “relentless war machine” by Francesca, this was the strongest ultra performance all year.
L-R Greg Armstrong, Francesca Muccini, Francesca’s husband Mark Francesca Muccini Episode Notes: Be sure to read this report from her closest competitor Bob Hearn. Bob was also on URP and his interview on pacing theory is a must listen.
Definitely read this report from Francesca’s crew chief (and course record holder) Greg Armstrong.
Here’s another interview with Francesca Muccini from Jason Friedman’s The Pain Cave podcast. Jason was on URP in 2014.
Here’s the list of ultramarathon world records for Italy. Toggle away to sort by country, age, distance, etc.
More on Italian runner Marco Olmo.
Intro music | David Rosales
Outro music | AJ LeGrand
Francesca Muccini Gear Reviews with Ben In this episode, Ben spoke about:
Hoka Clifton Edge
Skechers Go Run Razor Plus Hyper (no public info yet)
Biolite 700 lumen headlamp. Here’s a selection of their headlamps. No mention of the 700 lumen yet.
Coros Apex 2: Here’s DCRainmaker’s info and review.
The post Francesca Muccini – Overall Champion at Vol State appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Pam Reed has run ninety six 100 milers and finished 50+ Ironman triathlons. She’s set the record for 24 hours on the track, and won–outright–Badwater two times. Most impressive to many was her 2015 Western/Hardrock/Badwater triple. All three of those events occur within one month. Woof!
Pam Reed on the trails in Yellowstone National Park In this interview, we talk about everything from Courtney Dauwalter (and candy!) to what it’s like directing a large marathon in the age of Covid. Has Pam learned anything during her races over the last few months? We talk about trail blindness, beer, eating disorders, and the insane article written about her in 2005.
Pam Reed (r) and her friend Holly during one of Araivapa’s virtual 100 milers this summer. Gear Chat with Ben Shoes:
Brooks Catamount
Inov8 TerraUltra G270
Here are the Adidas Terrext ProtoHype trail shoes we talked about.
TrackSmith Run Cannonball Run shorts
rabbit EZ shorts 7″
Swiftwick Pursuit merino socks
Pam Reed Episode Notes Here’s the Outside Magazine article
Here’s Pam Reed on David Letterman
Here’s the interview with Courtney where we talk about trail blindness.
Pam is the director of the Tucson Marathon.
Intro music | David Rosales
Outro music | AJ LeGrand
The post Pam Reed Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Leah Yingling has been tearing up trail races in the Wasatch for a few years. From podiums at The Grand Traverse, North Face, Bear, Squaw Peak, and Telluride Mountain Run, she’s also reached out to put on a popular fatass that traverses 40 miles across some incredible terrain.
Leah Lingying in the La Sal Mountains in Utah, 2018. Leah grew up in Pennsylvania, one of four girls in a very competitive family that saw all siblings on the same high school cross country team at the same time.
From there, you’ll have to hear her story about college, trauma, training, diet, and her love for the trail community in the Wasatch Range.
Pretty much the coolest race shirt ever. Pic courtesy Leah Lingying. Leah Yingling Episode Notes Here’s Jeffrey Stern’s excellent piece on Leah in Ultrarunning Magazine.
Here’s the Melvin 2×4 IPA she raved about.
Intro and outro music used with permission by David Rosales
AC/DC Live at River Plate, Argentina. The concert I missed. And I dare you to slow your pace when any of these tracks come on.
Connect with Leah!
Gear Reviews with Lydia! Lydia reviewed the following garments from rabbit.
rabbit Tops: Lighting tank top
Bunny hop tank top
Flash trail top
rabbit Shorts: Surf n turn short 2.5in
Catch me if you can short
Mountain climbers short
As always, a disclaimer: We receive(d) complimentary products in exchange for honest, unbiased reviews. This site receives no payment or other compensation for reviews of products or services. All words are ours.
The post Leah Yingling Interview and New Female Gear Reviews appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jason Hardrath has been raging FKTs on routes all over the West Coast, with a focus on the PNW. Recently he realized he was in striking distance of catching the King of FKTs Ben Nephew and is loving the challenge of chasing big solo routes in the mountains.
In straight numbers, Jason is currently at 51 FKTs versus Ben’s 56. For reference, the third place guy has 27. Anton has 23, Kilian has 21.
Jason Hardrath In this episode, we talk about how and why Jason transitioned from a solid triathlete and marathoner to a guy going after solo pursuits in the mountains. We talk about some of the similarities and differences between races and FKTs and the added elements of the former. Gear choices, route setting and finding, and FKT confirmation are all extra quirks that the athlete must bring to the table and Jason explains how he handles each.
Jason Hardrath Jason Hardrath Episode Notes Here’s the interview with Ben Nephew.
I mentioned Leor Pantilat. Here’s our chat with Leor from a few years ago.
I used this Adventure Sports podcast as a source for this episode.
Here’s the current list on the FKT website.
Here’s a video of the Kalaupapa Trail I referenced. And here’s a writeup I did a few years ago about running on Moloka’i.
Here’s more on Athletic Brewery.
Gear Chat with Ben Disclaimer: All of these products were supplied to URP for gear testing purposes. No money was exchanged and all words and thoughts are our own. The Altra Timp link is an Amazon affiliate link and will put a few nickels into the URP coffers should you decide to keep the shoes.
rabbit EZ Tee Perf – $45
Ben says: “Light polyester with some spandex. Very breathable and light and it doesn’t cling to the skin when wet. Forty five bucks is a lot for a shirt, but it’s worth it.”
(And here’s the tank I was referring to.)
HOKA One One Torrent 2 | Summer 2020 release | $130
Ben says: “This is my Goldilocks shoe…it does everything well. It’s got a 23/18mm drop but feels like more cush.. Breathes much better and has better configured lugs than the first version.”
Skechers Go Run 7+ | $130
Ben says: ” This plus version has a different upper and is a lightweight and neutral shoe. The Skechers Go Fun 7+ has a 29/25mm drop and I wear it for everything…from long and slow to speedwork. This is my go-to road shoe and I love it.”
Altra Timp 2 | $140
Ben says: “This is an entirely different shoe than the original Timp. It’s much lighter, has a newer and tighter midsole and 29mm of cush front and back. But be weary, if you’re used to the original Timp, you’ll definitely want to try this one on first. It’s very different.”
The post Jason Hardrath | The Art of FKTs | Gear Reviews with Ben appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
If you heard our last episode with Meredith Edwards, you know that she lives for the mountains. Whether it’s running, scrambling or skiing, Meredith travels the world looking for the biggest peaks and races and takes them all hard.
Meredith Edwards on the trails So naturally it was a surprise to many when she laid low from the competitive circuit last year while she was fighting an energy, iron, and GI issue that threatened to derail her career, livelihood, and main source of joy.
View this post on Instagram Just getting ready and training for the zombie apocalypse. All you have to do is not give up. This is me finishing and winning the @montreuxtrailfestival 35k. 2 weeks prior I had just raced @eigerultratrail 100k which is a burly mountain course. Which seems to be theme in Europe because @montreuxtrailfestival was no different even for a short race. I was in 4th place most of the day till the final descent The last downhill was around 4000 ft and I just said screw it let’s see what I got. Well I found out. With 5k to go I fell and split my eyebrow open. Best scar of my life and good reminder you are always stronger than you think. Only 27 days left of #quarantine #ihope #letsgetthroughthis #coronavirus #happyweekend #zerolimits #altrarunning #springenergy #natureup #bestracephotoever #finishphoto #savage #bleedforspeed PC @outdoorandnewsA post shared by Meredith June Edwards (@merejune) on Apr 3, 2020 at 7:07pm PDT
In this episode, we learn about her symptoms, her multiple diagnoses from physicians, and ultimately, what finally worked for her. We also talk about the race where she nearly busted her orbital socket, her secret desire to run more track events, kombucha, the Covid shutdown, and more.
Meredith Edwards and Jason Schlarb running around the world Gear chat with Ben Patagonia Endless Run Shorts
Loose on the front, tight on the back. Big, tight pockets for essentials.
$79
Tracksmith Session ShortsMens and womens info.
Mens and women’s cuts and colors. Two pockets, one of them internal.
$64
Womens
Mens
Patagonia Long Sleeve Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt
Mens and women’s info.
Super lightweight shirt that washes well.
$55
Womens
Mens
Tracksmith Harrier Long Sleeve
Mens and women’s info
89% merino wool, 11% spandex.
$78
Women’s
Mens
Tracksmith Twilight TeeWomen’s and mens info.
Micromesh polyester
$58
Womens
Mens
Meredith Edwards Episode Notes
Here’s the Ultra Virus 12 hour race I’m doing this weekend.
Here’s more on =Access, the product Mere used to help her absorb iron and feel better.
Intro music used with permission from David Rosales
Outro music used with permission from Matt Flaherty
Connect with Mere June:
Follow Mere June on Insta
Follow Mere June on Facebook
The post Meredith June Edwards | She’s back and stronger than ever. appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Ellie Pell played team sports in high school then really took up running when she accidentally won a half marathon a few years ago. Since then, she’s lowered her marathon PR to 2:41, finished third at the competitive JFK50, earned a ton of attention with an outright win at a trail 50k, and most recently–just last weekend–ran in the Olympic Trials for the marathon.
Ellie’s stoke level is on HIGH and you’ll hear her smile through your headset. She met a ton of runners in Atlanta, ran with joy and no pressure, grabbed a free pair of shoes that might pay for her next vacation, and now has her sights set on Lake Sonoma 50 miler next month. And hey Saucony, you hearing this???
Anyone going to Lake Sonoma wanna go halfsies on my AirBnB? Retweet to save the planet
— Ellie Pell (@gazzellie) March 4, 2020
Connect with Ellie Pell Ellie runs for Red Newt Racing through the Finger Lakes Running Company.
Here’s her website.
Here’s her podcast.
Here’s her Instagram.
And here she is on Twitter.
Gear Reviews with Ben Socks:
Runderwear
Swiftwick
Wigwam
Rockay
Shoes:
Brooks Caldera 4
Saucony Peregrine 10
The post Ellie Pell | Trails and Trials appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
For those who use Twitter to get their ultramarathon and trail news, you’re likely familiar with SteeltownRunner. He adds to conversations with civil, salient, and smart commentary about some of the obscure races, records, and athletes from our sport.
Unmasked. Steeltown Runner Paul. Pic by Doug Freese. Behind the online moniker is Paul, a guy originally from Pennsylvania who now lives in New York City, and has become obsessed–in the true student of the sport sense–with ultramarathons from past and present. In this interview, we also discuss the future: Who are the true elites of today, where are they racing, and what kind of mark are they leaving on the sport.
This is a different type of URP episode. Rather than digging into the guests’ own running, we talk primarily about Jim Walmsley, Camille Herron, Courtney Dauwalter, and a few other elite runners, as well as notable races from around the world. In short: We geek out about the top runners and put them in context.
L-R: Phil McCarthy, Nick Marshall (photo caught him by surprise), SteeltownRunner Paul, and Alan Kirik at a Ted Corbitt memorial at New York Road Runners. Episode Notes: Follow Paul on the Twitter here.
Want to hear the URP interview with the people we discussed?
- Here’s the interview with Courtney Dauwalter where she discussed finishing Run Rabbit Run after losing her vision at mile 88.
- Here’s Camille’s first podcast interview that we recorded as she’s first getting into trail scene five years ago.
- Here’s the URP interview with Jim Walmsley where he first opens up about the pivotal few years in the military that helped shape who he is today.
- And here’s the interview with Jim where he first dives into road events, half marathons, and more.
That list of ultramarathon longevity Paul was talking about? Here it is. Set some time aside to really dig into it.
Pretty good piece on Pedestrianims from the early part of the last century.
Paul’s favorite soprano slash runner, Lisette Oropesa performs an aria from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.
Intro music used with permission from David Rosales
Outro music used with permission from AJ LeGrand
The post Steeltown Runner Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Ryan Haebe dominated D2 Cross Country and Steeplechase in 2011 and 2012, earning himself and his tam National Champion titles and nearly every award in collegiate athletics. He then earned himself a spot at the Olympic Trials. Ryan was firing on all cylinders and according to those who raced against him, he was a fierce competitor, hard worker, and above all, a good guy and great teammate.
During Ryan’s time at Colorado Western State University (yes, that’s a place), he ran with Tyler Pennell, David Goodman, Ian Butler, and Gabe Proctor a group of guys with varied backgrounds who all coalesced into a truly incredible team. Additionally, a notable college friend and competitor was Matt Daniels who attended rival Adams State.
Ryan Haebe winning the 2011 D2 XC Championships. This XC championship race from 2011 and this from 2012 (jump to 6:30 with 2 laps to go) are some of my favorite collegiate races to watch. Check them out. Dude was a beast.
Within two weeks of qualifying for the trials, he made a decision that nearly cost him his life and he’d spend the next four months in the hospital, much of it a coma and the ICU. Ryan had to relearn life, one step at a time.
Ryan Haebe in the hospital. So what’s he been up to? Ryan popped up on my radar last year when he won Canyon de Chelly ultra in Arizona, and I’ve been curious if we’ll be seeing him line up at any other races. Where’s his head? What’s his relationship with running and racing? Does he remember running collegiately? And is he a different person and/or runner than he was prior to the accident?
Ryan Haebe in the Navajo Nation, 2019. Ryan Haebe Episode Notes Here’s a short film on Shaun Martin. Cool guy.
Here’s our interview with Travis Macy.
Intro music by David Rosales
Outro music by AJ LeGrand
Fighter. Gear Talk with Ben Below are some of the products mentioned in our extended gear chat. Some are affiliate links that’ll kick a few nickels into the UPR coffers, some are just links. Thanks everyone.
Icebreaker Merino wool long sleeve Icebreaker Merino wool long sleeve rabbit Polartec Delta tops.
The North Face Futurelight Jacket
Kahtoola MICROspikes Footwear Traction GORE WEAR C5 Thermo Gloves Ultimate Direction Ultra Flip Glove, Convertible Running Glove with Stowable Mitt for Men & Women, Medium ALTRA Men’s King MT 2 Trail Running Shoe BUFF Unisex Original Multifunctional Headwear, Black, OSFM Salomon Agile 5 set
Kogalla light
NATHAN Terrafire handheld light
Aftershokz/Optishokz glasses
Favorite everything shoe: Salomon Sense Ride 3
Topo Athletic Terraventure 2 Running Shoe – Men’s Olive/Red 12 …and here’s Fegy’s recent post about the Terraventure.
ALTRA Men’s Superior 4 Trail Running Shoe Road: HOKA CarbonX
Road: Skechers Unisex GOrun Razor 3 Hyper Running Shoe Road: HOKA Mach 3
Long roads: Hoka Rincon
Waistpack: Vapor Krar
The post Ryan Haebe Interview | From Collegiate Success to a Tragic Accident and Back to the Trails on his Terms appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Bethany Patterson started her running career when she took David Horton’s ultramarathon class back in 1999. (Here’s our interview with the good doc from 2013.) From his class, she learned where to run, how to run, and he supported her throughout her upcoming races around the country. Here’s a great video that shows her time at Liberty University and how she’s grown.
After graduation, Bethany had a meteoric rise in the sport which saw her run and win some of the biggest ultramarathons in the country. She was picked up by the OG Montrail/Pagagonia Ultra team, and was putting her hyper-competitive drive to good use.
In 2004 Bethany headed to Western States where she had a DNF caused by what she described by mental pressure and took some time to reflect.
The next year, Bethany married and soon after started a family with her husband. Now faced with raising a family, her training changed and she’s adapted through the years to roads, treadmills, and using what mom energy she’s got to tear up the trails in Virginia and around the country
In this interview, we talk about her recent podium at Hellgate, what it’s like running with frozen eyeballs, her return to Western in 2016, and why she’s confident her best years are still ahead of her.
Bethany Patterson Episode Notes: Here’s more on Hellgate 100k.
Here’s more on ultramarathon-associated visual impairment and here are two URP episodes that detail the phenomenon: Courtney Dauwalter and Chuck Radford.
Bethany mentioned the interview with Sabrina Stanley as an example of someone who is competitive like she is. Here it is.
Here’s the Gingerbread Stout from Hardy Brewery.
Episode Sponsor: XOSkin Socks and Compression Gear
Use these discount codes for great deals during the holidays:
XOHoliday = 25% off*
XOtop = Buy any shirt at full price, get a free pair of socks or leg sleeves (retail value of socks varies from $22 – $54)*
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XOsocks = Quantity discount on socks on the same style/color/size of sock*
1-2 pair = 20% off
3-4 pair = 25% off
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*While supplies last. and only valid on in stock items
Music
Intro music used with permission from David Rosales
Outro music used with permission from AJ LeGrand
The post Bethany Patterson | Finding Time For the Trails appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Grayson Murphy (Saucony) has yet to run past 26.2 miles, but she’s got everything it takes to make a big impact in this sport. She’s a former collegiate track/xc runner who also ran steeple. She finished 2nd at Bridger Ridge Run, one of the more technical trail runs in the country. She trained with NAZ Elite but quit to focus on family and trails. She works hard in training and has a long-term plan, and yeah, she just won the World Mountain Running Championships in Argentina followed a week later by X-Terra Trail champs in Hawai’i.
Grayson Murphy after winning X-Terra Trail Championships in Hawaii. In this interview, Grayson talks about her life growing up as a soccer player with a twin sister, how she found running, what’s brought her to the trails, and when she might make her ultra debut. We also talk about body image issues and expectations and how those affect us.
Grayson Murphy Episode Notes Here’s a cool article about Grayson’s mentor and coaching team Emma Bates and Kameron Ulmer.
And here’s a track from Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Definitely adding to my running playlist.
Here’s the Bridger Ridge Run website. and here’s our 2018 interview with 2019 men’s champ David Ayala.
Episode Sponsor: XOSkin Socks and Compression Gear
Grayson Murphy winning World Mountain Running Championships in Argentina in October.
Gear Reviews with Ben
The North Face Flight Futurelight Jacket
Highlight: Breathable and rainproof
GORE WEAR R7 Men’s Hooded Running Jacket Partial Gore-TEX INFINIUM (affiliate link)
Highlight: 100% windproof.
Ultimate Direction Moonlight Jacket
Highlight: Super packable at a great price point.
Lake Sonoma: Don’t forget to get your name in the lottery for 2020! (Hint, hint, Grayson!)
Connect with Grayson Murphy Here’s her blog and her post about body image and running.
And you heard Grayson talk about her journals…find them right here. Great gift idea!
Follow Grayson on Instagram right this way.
Music
Intro music used with permission from David Rosales
Outro music used with permission from AJ LeGrand
The post Grayson Murphy | Movin on up in the Trail Scene appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
No American has even stood on the podium at Grand Raid Reunion Island (and Diagonale des Fous.) The notoriously difficult hundred miler in the India Ocean has seen greats like Andrea Huser, Nathalie Mauclair, Nuria Picas, Kilian Jornet, and Francois d’Haene work for wins, but Americans have had a tough time performing well.
Sabrina Stanley, Crew Chief Daf, and Sabrina Stanley. Pic by Avery Collins. Then there’s Sabrina Stanley. When we had her on the show last year she talked about not being happy with second place…she wanted the win every single time. In a recent interview with Chase Parnell, she spoke about her plans for Grand Raid:
“I didn’t travel (literally) half way around the world to finish in any other place but first. An American has never won this race. I plan on being the first.”
And a quick glance at Sabrina’s last year of racing gives her some credence, right? She’s the current Hardrock Champion (her win in 2018 still stands since there was no race in 2019), she won HURT in January, Cruel Jewel in May, and a handful of other races…all wins except for one.
In this interview, we hear about how she chose this race, what her training looked like leading up to it, and how she overcame an insanely tough first half (stage diving?!? vomiting? stranded crew? Sh*tty pants?!? lost gear!) to fight hard for the win.
This is a story of training and preparation, but more importantly patience.
Sabrina Stanley Episode Notes Here’s our first interview with Sabrina.
She mentioned Lee Conner as an inspiration for some of her training. Here’s that interview.
Here’s my version of HOKA recovery sandals.
Follow Sabrina on Instagram here.
Intro music: David Rosales.
Outro music: AJ LeGrand.
Photo used with permission from Oliver Pesaresi. The post Sabrina Stanley | Surviving a Tough First Half to Win at Grand Raid appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Inspired and motivated by his late brother, Michael Ortiz set off on an audacious goal last year…run a hundred miler each weekend for a year. Could it be done? Could he handle not just the running, but the logistics and travel of such a big project?
Michael Ortiz Now throw in a big job in New York’s financial district and you’ll begin to understand the complexity of what Michael Ortiz is doing…He’s run 48 hundreds since November, each requiring travel, accommodations, gear, course knowledge, at a cost of around $1k each. Throw in the daily stresses of life and his requirement that he’s back in his office every Monday morning, and it starts giving me anxiety.
Michael Ortiz Episode Notes Follow Michael on Instagram right here.
Here’s our interview with Walt Handloser…he’s trying to complete fifty hundred milers in 2019.
Intro music by David Rosales. Outro music by AJ LeGrand.
The post Michael Ortiz | A 100 Miler Each Week for a Year appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jessica Hewitt recently went through an experience most of have endured: The strange conundrum when he have a passion like trail running, but our minds tire of it, our bodies get run down, and we focus our energies either elsewhere or towards doing nothing. It’s then that we find ourselves trying to convince ourselves to do something that we truly love to do. If you think about it, it’s a pretty strange predicament, right?
In this interview, we try to differentiate between mojo and motivation, address some reasons for losing focus, fears of sidelining ourselves, and discuss what steps can be taken to get back at it.
Jessica Hewitt and her husky Jessica Hewitt Episode Notes: Here’s Jessica’s post in Trail Sisters: Loss and Rediscovery of Running Mojo.
Here’s our interview with licensed therapist Drew Mikita when he tried to walk me through the fine balance of mojo, burnout, and excessive enthusiasm.
And here’s our interview with Traci Falbo from last year where she spoke at length about losing her mojo and desire to race. Good stuff from an elite perspective.
Intro music by David Rosales. Outro music by AJ LeGrand.
Jessica Hewitt and her other passion. The post Jessica Hewitt: Mojo Lost and Found appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Chase Parnell was working an attorney job that was eating his soul, drinking too much, and not spending quality time with his family. He yearned for more trail time, more time with his two young kids, and simply wanted to live his best life with his wife Nikki.
Two weeks ago he stopped drinking, quit his job, and started a website about ultra trail running, parenthood, and the outdoors. Many of us wish we could take that proverbial jump…Chase and Nikki did it and are living it right now. Here’s their story.
Chase Parnell and Nikki Parnell Chase Parnell Episode Sponsor: XO Skin Looking for quality compression gear and ultra socks that don’t chafe, don’t burn, and don’t stink? How about 20% off (use URP at checkout) and a 30 day money back guarantee?
Chase Parnell Episode Notes: Here’s Chase and Nikki’s website Treeline Journal.
I erroneously attributed a tweet to Tim Tollefson at the end of the episode. It was actually posted by Scott Fauble right here. My mistake and apologies.
Here’s the Wookie Kim interview I referenced about surviving HACE and changing his lifestyle.
And here’s David Ayala’s interview where we talk about Bridger Ridge Run.
Here’s the Lagunitas Hop Refresher and here’s the THC-infused version.
Intro music by David Rosales. Outro music by AJ LeGrand.
Chase Parnell Gear Chat with Ben: In our talk, Ben discussed the following products. Disclaimer: We recieved the first four items on a review basis with zero editorial expectations or payment. Ben purchase the Patagonia jacket with his own money.
- Skechers Go Run Speed Trail Hyper
- Skecher Go Run Ride 8 Hyper
- Petzl Swift RL Headlamp
- GORE Shakedry Jacket
- Patagonia Fleece TechFace R1 and R2
Chae Parnell and his son. Connect with Treeline Journal:
Support URP on Patreon!
The post Chase Parnell | Taking Big Steps Towards his Best Life appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Michael Carson lives and works in Phoenix Arizona and trains on flat canal paths, treadmills, and an indoor spin bike. Two weeks ago he took this training to the notoriously tough Mogollan Monster 100 miler and came away with a podium win. So how’d he do it?
I asked Michael to join me on the show because of an Instagram post he shared where he stated that he really focused on mental training and mental strength to make up for the lack of hill training, and we discuss that at length. What can the rest of us do to channel this strength when our legs and hips are telling us “no!”
Michael Carson at Leadville Michael Carson Episode Topics * Running in India. * The importance of music while running and racing. * Trail running scene in Phoenix. * His role in Mountain Outhouse and the role of media in the growth of MUT running. * Drones and new technology. * What are the trends we’re seeing in the sport and where are we headed.
From left, I see Derrick Lytle, Amanda Basham… Michael Carson Episode Notes Here’s Michael’s website, and you can also find him on Instagram.
Here’s the downhill Mt. Lemmon marathon we were discussing.
This Michael Carson episode was sponsored by XOSkin. Check out their line of compression bottoms and socks that are all designed and manufactured in the US and worn thoughout the world on some of the toughest trails. in our sport. Use URP for 20% off your order.
Michael is the (former?) editor for the popular Mountain Outhouse News.
Mt. Marathon coverage.
Here’s the Brooks Caldera 3 that Michael wore at MM100.
Intro/outro music used with permission from David Rosales.
Michael Carson shooting live at Black Canyon. The post Michael Carson | Mental Strength and Physical Training appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Author Jared Beasley joins me to chat about his upcoming book, In Search of Al Howie. Howie was not only an accomplished mega-distance runner, but a person who’s life was full of stories and extreme highs and lows: He used fake names to evade law enforcement, couldn’t afford a simple bus ticket to races, and worked itinerant jobs, all while setting running records that still stand today.
Al Howie For those not familiar with Al Howie, you’re in for quite an awakening. Howie was a Scotsman-turned-Canadian whose ultrarunning exploits in the 80s and 90s are hard to fathom:
- He ran across Canada in a still-world-record of 72 days (that’s just over 100k/day), then two weeks later, ran 1300 miles to break his own world record.
- Howie (ahem) still holds the world record for longest run without stopping by running 360 miles around a standard track.
- He ran from England through France to the island of Sardinia to compete in a marathon.
Al Howie cross training with a beer on a bike. In this interview, author/biographer Jared Beasley talks about how he came across Al Howie and what he learned from talking to him over the last few years of his life. How severe was the mental illness Howie suffered? What did he think his own accomplishments, and which races stood out? And what about that cancer diagnosis that was cured with a macrobiotic diet?
Al Howie during his 1,000 mile run at Sri Chimnoy Al Howie Episode Notes Here’s info and purchasing info for the book. It’ll be released in October 2019.
Your author and guest, Jared Beasley. Here’s Jared’s site.
Here’s the Dinkelacker beer he was talking about.
Here’s a link to the only race in which Al Howie and Yiannis Kouros competed head to head.
Intro and outro music used courtesy of David Rosales. Find his music and tour schedule right here.
The post Author Jared Beasley | In Search of Al Howie appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Wookie Kim started out his weekend like many of us do. He’d planned a fun run in Colorado’s Maroon Bells with a buddy and they’d given themselves 12 hours to finish the 27 mile loop.
All was going well, until fit hit the shan.
Wookie and Will earlier in the day. First Pass. Faced with an excruciating headache that spiraled into loss of balance, vision, and ultimately consciousness, Wookie was dealing with severe High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), two conditions that often lead to death.
This interview is about that weekend run and how he was ultimately rescued from the trails and the recovery process—both physically and emotionally—that followed.
Wookie Kim in the ICU after his rescue. Wookie Kim Episode Notes: Here’s the HURT running group.
Here’s our interview with Kyle Pietari.
You must read Wookie’s blog post about his ordeal and watch the videos.
Here’s a Spot 3 Satellite GPS Messenger for less than a hundred bucks on Amazon. It’ll keep you safe AND it’ll drop a few bucks into the URP coffers.
Here’s some research by Wookie’s neurologist Dr. Philip Yarnell where he writes about HACE.
Intro/Outro music used with permission from David Rosales.
Wookie Kim finishing HURT (Pic courtesy Augusto Decastro) Episode Sponsor: XO Skin
Head on over to xoskin and use URP at checkout for 20% off. Socks and compression gear made in the US with patented technology and a full money back guarantee. I use this stuff and love it.
Gear Talk with Ben: HOKA ONE ONE Evo Speedtoat: More info here.
Salomon X Alpine Pro | More info here.
Altra Olympus 3.5| More info here
Follow and Connect with Wookie: Instagram Wookie and his fiancee Gillian after the marriage proposal on Haleakala. The post Wookie Kim | Fighting For His Life in the Maroon Bells appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Earlier this summer, Zach Violett ducked away to Andorra for a month–his goal being a good finish at the notoriously difficult and beautiful Ronda dels Cims 105 miler.
Zach Violett. Somewhere in Andorra. In this interview, we talk about his training and execution of the race (he, ahem, negative split the darn thing) and he and I discuss what we thought of Andorra, the trails, and the organization.
We also talk about what it’s like being married to an elite athlete. How he and his wife Stephanie Howe Violett balance schedules, how they support each other, and what it’s like crewing and pacing your spouse.
Finally, we talk about bow hunting and Brazillian Jujitsu and why BJJ is the wrong sport for stubborn ultrarunners.
After the chat, I talk a bit more about my race in Andorra, my family’s trip to Europe, and a controversial issue that popped up while I was away.
It’s good to be back.
Zach Violett Episode Sponsor: XO SKIN
I’ve been wearing XO Skin socks and compression gear since last year and highly recommend this company. XO Skin apparel will keep you comfortable, chafe free, blister free, and hot spot free or your money back. Check them out and give them a thanks for sponsoring this episode.
Use code URP at checkout for 20% off your order.
Zach Violett Episode Notes: More on Zach’s ski career.
More on Tor des Geants: Nickadeums Hollon | Doug Strachan (don’t miss this one) | Stephanie Case
Here’s the Ultra Trail Andorra race site.
Here’s the Altra King MT we were talking about.
Intro/outro music by David Rosales.
The post Zach Violett | Ronda and Stephanie appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Carol Seppilu lives in Nome Alaska, a town 500+ miles north of Anchorage where residents celebrate their Eskimo heritage and culture.
Carol participating in her other passion: Traditional Eskimo dancing. When she was a teenager, Carol attempted suicide after drinking, then went through 15 years of surgeries, therapy, weight gain, and depression. We talk about her attempt and what could have been done to prevent it and the miraculous change of events in her life over the past few years.
Heads up: You’ll have to be patient with the audio. Between her remote location and tracheotomy, John and I struggled to understand some of Carol’s answers and conversation and you’ll have to listen hard to understand portions. I did my best to clean up the audio file, but there are parts that couldn’t be improved.
Then, inspired by a friend a few years ago, Carol started running and has found the ultra trail community a group that helps her push her limits, brighten her life, and ultimately, accept her for who she is. She wears a medical mask to cover the facial injuries and breathes through a tracheotomy, but like many others out on the trail, Carol’s not allowing her past to define who she is now. Hers is a powerful story.
Butchering a seal mid-run. Badass, defined. 2013 vs 2019 Carol shares stories of freezing temperatures (and frozen tracheotomies!), animal encounters (grizzlies!), and what it’s like butchering a seal mid-run. She’s also attempting an ultramarathon in all fifty states and shares her goals and reasoning behind this project.
“Every pain I’ve felt (while running) is a lot less painful than what I’ve been through.”
After our talk, Gear Editor Ben joins us to talk about some of his new favorite trail shoes. I’ve linked to those below.
Carol Seppilu finishing Broken Arrow Skyrace. Carol Seppilu Episode Notes: Here’s Carol’s blog. Definitely check it out.
Connect with Carol on Instagram
Intro and Outro music used with permission from David Rosales.
Suicide Prevention Resources American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
National Alliance on Mental Illness
More about my cohost John Onate, MD
Here’s John’s blog and contact info.
John also joined me for our talk with Nikki Kimball where we dove deep into depression and endurance sports.
Gear Review with Ben! Ben reviews the following trail shoes towards the end of the show. Below are links to their manufacturers.
HOKA ONE ONE EVO Mafate 2
Salomon Sense Ride 2
TOPO MTN Racer
Altra Superior 4
La Sportiva Kaptiva
The post Carol Seppilu | From Tragedy to Trails appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Ever wondered what it takes to start a podcast? What kind of equipment is needed, what level of tech knowledge is necessary, and how and why guests are booked? Some hosts focus on accomplishments, some on deeper stories, and some avoid controversy while others take on big issues.
This past weekend I sat down with Jonathan Levitt, a runner from Massachusetts who started his own show earlier this year. We talk about finding a format, buying and learning about technology, how and why we book certain guests, advertisers, why there are still so few women in the medium, and more.
Best location EVER, but we forgot to take the pic with all of our audio gear. Oops. We talk about why Jonathan’s friend Jeremy is an inconsiderate jerk, and I learn a bit about Inside Tracker and we finish up with some chat about Broken Arrow and our predictions for Western States Endurance Run.
Correction/Addition:* In our discussion about women in the podcast medium, we somehow forgot about one of the fastest growing MUT podcasts in the space: Candice Burt’s Humans of Ultrarunning* podcast.
That’s what happens when free flow a conversation without notes.
Jonathan Levitt Episode Notes Here’s Jonathan’s podcast: For the Long Run
Jonathan uses Anchor.fm for his show.
This is Auphonic.
Here’s Tina Muir’s interview with me from last year. Good range of subjects!
Here’s the Doug Strachan interview I mentioned.
Here’s the RODE Rodecaster Pro mixing board I use and recommend.
This interview was recorded on a 10 year old TASCAM DR-40 recorder ($125) using the RODE Podcaster ($200) and PodMic ($100) microphones. I should have adjusted my levels better.
After recording, I dumped the .wav file onto GarageBand and immediately ran it through Auphonic to get levels and mono right (it’d been recorded on two channels). The first pass thru Auphonic cleared up a nasty clicking that’d been present from the funitel operating directly above us. I then dragged the new file into Garageband, added the music and clipped out/in the teaser for the opener. Ran that new file though Auphonic again where I added the cover, notes, and tags. Took that file and uploaded it onto my server via FileZilla. Took that new URL and got it to you via PowerPress, an excellent plug-in on WordPress.
Here’s more on the fire relief run Jonathan and friends organized in November.
This is Inside Tracker
Here’s Jonathan on: Instagram | Twitter
Intro/Outro music used with permission by David Rosales.
The post Jonathan Levitt: Podcasting and Predictions appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Sarah joins me again to talk to the woman responsible for getting her into running 25 years ago.
Sarah Lavender Smith and Jennifer O’Connor on Mt. Diablo in Northern California. Jennifer has lined up at Western before but had a bad day and was carried out on horse back. She’s also finished with less than an hour to spare, and has moved into the position of Course Marking Captain for the race.
Chris and Jennifer O’Connor marking the course. In this interview we learn about the indignities of being hoisted onto a horse after a DNF, what she’s learned in terms of what type of mileage works for her, and she talks about her and her husband Chris’ role as Course Marking Captains at the Big Dance. How many flags are used, how many pounds of flour, and what kind of thought goes into material and color of ribbons…this is all stuff that goes into putting on a big race!
We finish up the chat with a discussion about which five or six we’ll each be keeping our eyes on…Sarah will be watching remotely from Colorado, I’ll be at the race, and Jennifer will be running it. Who’ll YOU be watching?
Jennifer at Vermont 100 with Tropical John Medinger Jennifer O’Connor Episode Notes: More on Jennifer’s coach right this way…the incredible Meghan Laws.
Here’s the book Jennifer mentioned: Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why (affiliate link)
I mentioned that I’ve started wearing compression shorts…Got mine from XO Skin and you can save 20% if you use URP at checkout.
Ultimate Direction “nipple bottle.” I noticed in post production that I referred to Stephanie Violett by her maiden name…my apologies.
Hey, join the URP Patreon crew and I’ll choose one of the first ten $5+ members to get a copy (autographed and personalized!) of Sarah’s The Trail Runner’s Companion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trail Running and Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras. Thanks for the support.
Here’s the band Jennifer and I were talking about: Greta Van Fleet. They won the Grammy for best Rock Performance last year.
Intro and outro music used with permission from David Rosales
Jennifer O’Connor marking the course with her friend Keith. The post Jennifer O’Connor | Lessons from Western States and Marking the Course appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Tim Lambert has had his name in the Western States lottery for six years and every year he’s come up short. He’s been to The Big Dance two times, crewing elite runner Jez Bragg and soaking up as much information and wisdom as possible.
Then in December of last year, his name was drawn for the 2019 race and Tim is stoked. He’ll finally be lining up in Squaw and doing his best to avoid the cutoffs and finish with a smile.
Tim Lambert crewing Jez Bragg (yellow) at Western States. In this interview we talk about what he’s learned from crewing an elite runner, we talk about advice he’s gleaned from AJW, and what he learned from watching Jason Schlarb at UTMB.
We hear more about the organization in place to help foreign runners at WS100, the freedom of mandatory gear requirements in the US, as well as why he chose to run Brazos Bend 100 a few years ago.
Tim with his first 100 mile buckle. I finish up the chat with some incredible stories from aid stations that YOU all shared via twitter and possible plans for a 50mile record attempt later this year.
Tim Lambert Episode Notes Here’s Tim’s blog and here’s Tim’s company Rockstar Sport.
Here’s the interview with Pam Smith from her hot hot hot win at the 2013 Western States Endurance Run. If you’re running Western this year, definitely give it a listen (heat training starts at the 32:00 mark.)
Tim Lambert with Victory Sportdesign founder Victor Ballesteros More on Tim’s relationship with Lon Lomas and why he ran Brazos Bend 100.
Yep, we’ll be keeping an eye on Beth Pascall at WS100 this year.
Want to talk more about a 50 mile attempt this year? Here’s my chat with Zach Ornelas from last month.
Intro music by David Rosales.
Outro music by Hunter Copeland. Check out his site here for more info on his music and his support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
The post Tim Lambert | From the UK to Squaw Valley appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Amanda Basham has lined up at Western States three times in the past three years. Two of those were fourth place finishes and one was a DNF with a pulled ankle. So what’s her strategy this year? Harder? Faster? More intense?
Or did she pick up some tips from one of her competitors about staying easy, light, and relaxed before and during the race? Amanda is a natural closer and has dreams of racing well, then stepping onto the track with her friend Lucy Bartholomew and racing it out to the finish. Hold hands and tie? Not a chance.
In this chat, we talk race strategy and whether it’s “good sleep” if you share a bed with three dogs. We talk about her six hour marathon win, her natural muscular strength, and we dig deep into an eating disorder that affected her from 9th grade through college and how she dealt with it. She’s honest and open and brought up some issues I’ll need to look out for as a father and a coach.
This was a fun interview with someone who has a very strong chance of standing on the podium in just over three weeks. Thanks Amanda!
Amanda Basham Episode Sponsor: XO Skin
I’ve been wearing XO Skin socks since last year and am stoked to find out they just released a line of compression bottoms. XO Skin apparel will keep you comfortable, chafe free, blister free, and hot spot free or your money back. Check them out and give them a thanks for sponsoring this episode.
Use code URP at checkout for 20% off your order.
Connect with Amanda Basham Here’s her website with coaching and racing info.
The post Amanda Basham Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Adam Kimble finished Western States right behind Courtney Dauwalter in 2018, good for 12th place. The next month he won a 5k, then a 68 miler, then a few months later he won a 250k…then a few more 5k’s. The guy likes to diversify his talents, and he does this to keep running and racing exciting.
We should probably mention that he also won the Showcase Showdown on The Price is Right. Adam Kimble, come on down!!!
In this interview we talk about what keeps Adam motivated and excited to run, how he handles injuries, and which of Kilian’s US FKT’s he’ll be going after this fall.
Adam Kimble Adam Kimble Episode Sponsor: XO Skin
I’ve been wearing XO Skin socks since last year and am stoked to find out they just released a line of compression bottoms. XO Skin apparel will keep you comfortable, chafe free, blister free, and hot spot free or your money back. Check them out and give them a thanks for sponsoring this episode.
Use code URP at checkout for 20% off your order.
Adam Kimble Adam Kimble Episode Notes: Here’s Adam’s website.
Vote for Adam here!
Here’s his coaching site.
Here’s the TRT supported FKT Adam is targeting.
Intro/outro music by David Rosales
Connect with Adam Kimble
The post Adam Kimble | Keep it Exciting and Keep it Positive appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Zach Ornelas won American River 50 miler just over a year ago. Then he represented the US at the IAU Trail Championships in Spain, then he won the USATF 50 Mile Trail Championships at Tussey Mountainback. Less than two months later he finished California International Marathon (CIM) with a three minute PR and an Olympic Qualifier.
In March of this year, he clocked a 2:50 50 at Caumsett 50k Championships in New York, then cracked the top ten at the insanely competitive Two Oceans in South Africa. You’ll have to hear Zach’s description of racing strategy and mindset when he lined up against a couple thousand Africans for an ultramarathon!
Zach Ornelas breaking the tape at 50k championships. Zach’s done this while teaching high school full time and coaching the distance squad at his school. What has he learned running with teenagers and what do they think of “Mr. O’s”. accomplishments?
What records is he looking forward at attempting and what are his plans for an attempt? And stick around for his Emma Coburn story…It’s a good one!
Zach Ornelas with his students Episode Notes Zach is coached by David Roche.
Here’s the Run Detroit store he mentioned.
Here’s our interview with Ben Gibbard.
We discussed the women’s 50k record and didn’t have the details in front of us, so here they are…Janice Klecker set the 3:13:51 mark in 1983. in Florida. I can’t find any recent attempts at it…anyone have info?
Intro music by David Rosales. | Outro music by Matt Flaherty
Zach Ornelas hitting some gravel. Connect with Zach Ornelas
The post Zach Ornelas Interview | What a Year! appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jimmy Elam has been running competitively since he was nine years old. He was an All American in college, ran his first and only marathon in 2:21, and has had tremendous success in the MUT scene, setting a CR at the wild and competitive Broken Arrow Skyrace, pushing Walmsley hard at Nine Trails last month, and this past weekend, grabbing an Altra Golden Ticket at The Canyons 100k.
Jimmy Elam midrace Did he go into Canyons aiming for a ticket to the Big Dance? With TDS also on his calendar, would he do both? And with many of his races being largely technical vert, is Western States Endurance Run even his type of race?
In this interview, we talk about the pressures of running as a youth and what he learned while running as a teammate of Tim Tollefson at Chico State.
We talk about his training in the mountains outside Salt Lake City and how/if that skillset translates to flat and downhill courses. We talk race strategy when it comes to nutrition and how he’s able to pee while running 6:30 mpm pace.
Jimmy Elam (c) at the Broken Arrow Skyrace, 2018. Jimmy Elam Episode Notes Jimmy runs for rabbitPro. Here’s the rabbit site.
Here’s the Altra Duo Jimmy was talking about.
Here’s the 50 mile trail around Mammoth Lakes I referenced. It’ll be a few years, but worth the wait.
Here’s the Melvin IPA.
Jimmy and I both share a love for The War on Drugs. Try not to up your tempo when this song comes on.
At the end, I spoke about my run at Mendocino 50k. Here’s the race site.
Intro music: David Rosales |. Outro music: Matt Flaherty
Jimmy Elam in the redwoods Follow Jimmy Elam:
Jimmy Elam knee deep in the snow. The post Jimmy Elam | Golden Ticket to the Big Dance appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Anna Mae Flynn had an incredible performance at Lake Sonoma on Saturday, finishing it off by overtaking race leader YiOu Wang in the final 1/4 mile of the race.
At the finish line she was offered a Golden Ticket to Western States Endurance Run and she told RD Craig Thornley that she’d need a few days to think about it. Well here we are…
In this interview–Anna Mae’s first on URP–we talk about how she grew up in the Appalachian Mountains, found her passions in ballet dancing and running, and what made her choose running. We talk about her move to snowy Colorado, her incredible training grounds, and what she does in the off season. Anna Mae also shares her ‘aerobically deficient’ diagnosis last year and how she adapted and fought back to a healthy balance of fitness and strength.
Anna Mae Flynn approaching turnaround at Lake Sonoma 2019. Pic by me. For her Lake Sonoma report, she tells us about her strategy going into the race and how she and Addie Bracy ran together, helping one another, throughout the second half. We hear firsthand what was going through her mind in the final miles as she broke away from Addie and chased down YiOu on the final climb.
What’s next for Anna Mae? Will she take the Golden Ticket and give Western States another go after her DNF in 2016?
As we talk about her future plans (living in Tahoe for a month, traveling to Portugal during the school year, etc), I ask how she plans on doing all this with her teaching schedule…and…well…Anna Mae’s got some big plans that will open up her schedule and allow her to share her MUT knowledge with the rest of the world.
Episode Sponsor: The North Face Endurance Challenge – Massachusetts Use URP20 at checkout for 20% off. Anna Mae Flynn Episode Notes Here’s Anna Mae’s blog.
—–>Here’s Anna Mae’s brand spanking new coaching site.
Here are some more pics from Lake Sonoma.
Here’s more on Swim Run events and here’s a race series in the US.
Connect with Anna Mae Flynn
Ben’s Gear Corner After Anna Mae and I finish up our convo, I have URP Gear Editor Ben on to talk about some of the gear he’s checking out—and to catch up on his recent foray into fatherhood! Below are the products he mentioned. Some are affiliate links that will drop a few pesos into the URP coffers should you choose to keep the gear. Thank You!
Packs * Ultimate Direction Halo Ultra Running Vest. Here’s the women’s version. * Salomon Advanced Skin Set 5 v2 (2019) * Nathan Vapor Krar 2.0 12L Race Vest
Shoes * Altra Superior 2 * HOKA Evo Mafate * HOKA One One Sky Tor (men) and Sky Toa for women
Music Intro by David Rosales | Outro music by Matt Flaherty
Anna Mae Flynn leaving turnaround. Lake Sonoma 2019.
The post Anna Mae Flynn | Sonoma Strategy and Future Plans appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Last weekend Gabi Maudiere lined up at American River 50 miler and felt off from the start. She battled stomach issues the whole way, never able to shake the nausea and finally throwing in the towel at mile 42.
Gabi Maudiere before the gun. So what happened? She’s run the distance before. Heck, she’d won a 100 miler on the same course two years ago. Is it a GI issue or it nerves or menstrual issues or is it a psychosomatic problem that goes along with a string of DNFs?
Gabi Maudiere at aid station. In this interview, Gabi analyses her training, her mental buildup and struggle on the trail, and ultimately her decision to call it quits and look for another race. Could she have made it the whole race?
We’ve all had DNFs—OK, most of us–and we all know that this silly sport is as much a mental game as it is a physical challenge, so what will Gabi do when she lines up at her next race? Can she change her diet in hopes of finding the right balance? Do more mental exercises to get past this struggle? Smash up Imodium and mainline it at the start?
Gabi Maudiere Episode Notes Here’s Gabi’s blog.
Here’s Gabi’s ultra signup.
Intro music: David Rosales | Outro music: AJ LeGrand
The post Gabi Maudiere | Another Tough DNF. Now What? appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Guillaume Arthus joins me to talk about an acronym he’s been using to describe alt-format events in this wacky sport of ours. MEAN stands for Mind – Endurance – Autonomy – Navigation and describes events with increased mental strain, abnormally long distances, many, many hours of alone time, and map reading and/or navigation requirements.
Col de Taglangla – India 2016 – 5359m In this interview, we talk about ten events around the world that satisfy one or all of those demands. Some are proper races, some are fatass-style events, and there’s one in particular I really really want to see stateside.
Guillaume has participated in many of them, and he’s used the experience to take on some serious fastback pushes, from 14 days crossing the Pyrenees unassisted to his current project that’ll take him from Slovenia to Monaco—acrosss the entirety of the Alps–later this year.
Eiger Switzerland We also talk about the European MUT scene (Guillaume is based in Paris), the lack of FKTs, why most trail videos suck, and what in the hell he did to toughen up his feet.
Barkley 2017 MEAN events, in order of discussion; 1. Terminorum, Dead Sheep, and the Revanent. All Barkley-esque events outside of the US. 2. Big’s Backyard Ultra and it’s 25 sister (crazy uncle, more like it?) races around the world. 3. The Triple Crown of 200s, Tor des Geants, and UTMB’s Petite Trotte à Léon (PTL.) 4. The Viking Way and the Spine Race. (Note, we erroneously named Nicky Spinks as the winner of The Spine Race this year…it was Jasmin Paris. My apologies.) 5. The Hill and the Ultra Trail Mont Martre. 6. Paris by Night. (80k thru Paris that hits 100 monuments in a single night.) Contact Guillaume thru his site for more info. 7. Escape from Meriden (24hr) and Escape from Great Britain (48hr.) 8. The Hell Race in India. 120 hours to run 480k with an avg elevation of 4400m (14, 400ft.) Here’s the movie I referenced. 9. Fastpacking. Here’s a link to Guillaume’s trans-Alps project. 10. Piece of String Race. 11. The Tunnel Ultra in England. More info here.
Here’s Guillaume’s website and here’s a link to his YouTube channel.
Intro music: David Rosales | Outro Music: AJ LeGrand
Guillaume Arthus during the Celtic Traverse, May 2016 – 20min after 250km Comments: Have you done any of these events or are there others that satisfy the MEAN acronym that we missed? Will we continues to see a rise past 100M, and will the European FKT scene ever take off?
The post M.E.A.N. events with Guillaume Arthus appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
RunBum RD Sean Blanton joined me for a discussion about a call he made this past weekend that I have serious disagreements with. What better way than to discuss the issue on a live call, agree to disagree, then move on to better topics like Barkley, media, sponsors, Anton, podcasts, skydiving, and the East Coast ultra scene?
Sean Blanton, hanging. Sean Blanton Episode Notes Uncensored and raw, this is not an episode meant for children or sensitive ears.
Here’s Sean’s podcast: East Coast Trail and Ultra Podcast
Here’s our chat with Liz Canty, 2nd female at GDR this weekend.
Updated: Here’s a post by Gary Robbins from the 2011 Mountain Masochist in which he took a loop the wrong way and was made to return to the course and run it the correct way because everyone must run exactly the same course.
Here’s a post by Stephen Kersch where he writes about getting DQed for following the wrong trail.
Here are the results from GDR this year.
Here are the rules for GDR and here are the rules for Western States Endurance Run. Whether or not the course was not followed intentionally is not mentioned.
Sean Blanton, hanging out. Here’s the Disgraceland podcast I mentioned. Listen to the Motely Crue episode…it’s nuts.
Here’s a piece from ultrarunning magazine about the ponies at Grayson Highlands 50k.
Here’s our interview with Jason Green.
Here’s the site for Run Bum Tours.
Follow Sean: Twitter | Instaram
Intro music: David Rosales. Outro Music: AJ LeGrand
The post Sean Blanton | Rules and the State of the Sport appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Where Ryan Lange lacks in raw leg speed or a monster VO2 max, he makes up for in enthusiasm for the trails. Ryan’s 21, lives in Jersey, and besides running 200s, also likes to DJ at EDM events and hunt white tail deer. In a sport made of people with myriad other passions, Ryan fits right in.
In this episode, Sarah and I chat with him about how he got into running in the first place, what he’s learned during his short career, how Generation Z’ers view the outdoors, and more. We also talk about being crewed by a parent and how hunting and DJing have both worked out to be pretty damn good cross training activities. Who knew?
Ryan Lange at the start of Ultra Trail Guadalupe Ryan Lange Episode Notes Here’s Ryan’s company launch page.
We talked about Kogala lights. They’re incredible.
This is the best site I could find for info on the Ultra Trail Guadalupe.
Follow Ryan on Instagram right here.
This RODE RODEcaster Pro is the new podcast mixing board I bought, thanks to the Patreon crew! It is without a doubt the best piece of tech I’ve ever bought. This was our first episode using it and I’ve got some fine-tuning to do, but what’d you think? More fart button?
Intro music | David Rosales Outro music | AJ LeGrand
The post Ryan Lange | Generation Z on the Trails appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Kami Semick won every race she entered in 2009, podiumed at Comrades twice, won UROY for two years, and had an epic battle with Nikki Kimball and a freaking bear at Western States, then moved to Hong Kong and faced some serious burnout that had her quit running completely for a few years.
Kami Semick pic at 2018 Elkhorn Crest. Pic used w permission from Trevor Lyden But recently we’ve seen Kami re-enter the sport and wondered what her role and relationship with the sport was ten years after her incredible 2009 season.
Now back in Bend, Oregon with her husband and daughter, Kami shared what she’s been up to, how running fits into her life now, and what she’s got going on in the future.
Remember this North Face ad with Kami Semick and her daughter? Kami Semick Episode Notes Sarah just wrote an excellent piece on Kami Semick for Ultrarunning Magazine. Check it out here.
Something happened and the bear episode from 2011 has been lost. The episode page points to an interview we did a few years later where we talked about the USATF team scoring idea...I’m looking for the original recording but can’t find it and it’s killing me. My apologies.
Sarah’s recent blog post about her recent race at Napa Valley Marathon.
I mentioned the Lithia Loop Trail Marathon as my favorite race in Oregon.
Here’s the company Kami runs that provides software for farmers: Food4All.
Intro music | David Rosales Outro music | AJ LeGrand
Kami and husband Tyson Pardue and their daughter Baronie. The post Kami Semick | Ten Years Later and a Fresh Outlook on Running appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Not many people have had the opportunity–and responsibility–of pacing one of the best ultrarunners in the world. Miguel Ordorica has paced Kaci Lickteig for the past five years, he’s trained with her nearly every day, he’s crewed for her, and in this interview, we get a look at how the Pixie Ninja (a term he coined) does what she does.
Miguel Ordorica and Kaci Lickteig * First we get to learn a bit more about his running. What brought him to this point in his life and how did he meet Kaci? * Does his significant other have anything to say about him spending an inordinate amount of time with a younger (and single) woman? * What makes his and Kaci’s relationship so important—and so effective? * To what does Miguel attribute Kaci’s success? * What advice does he have for other pacers? * What’s the worst he’s seen her bonk and what did he do to pull her her back into the race? * What kind of music does the Pixie Ninja listen to? (Big surprise on that later in the interview!)…and what type of music does he listen to? * What’s harder for a pacer? Dealing with physical breakdown or a mental bonk?
It’s fine to tell people they can drop in places where they can not drop.
–Miguel Ordorica
Kaci Lickteig and Miguel Ordorica Miguel Ordorica Episode Notes I referenced this interview with Kaci from post-WS 2017. Definitely check it out. She’s got an incredible story of redemption with Stephanie Case.
Pixie Ninja, the Norwegian prog rock band.
I mentioned this race but butchered the name: Booneville Backroads Ultra.
Follow Miguel on Twitter here.
Be sure to watch this video of Kaci with fellow (former) Altra teammates Amanda Basham and Meredith Edwards where the three women discuss mental health and disordered eating issues.
Intro music: David Rosales Outro music: AJ LeGrand.
Miguel Ordorica running his own race. The post Pacing Kaci | The Miguel Ordorica Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Dani Moreno (HOKA/rabbit) lined up for her first trail ultramarathon last week and ran away with the USATF 50k Trail Championship title. Nice work for her first ultra! Want to hear more about her training and whether we’ll see her at more ultras?
Dani Moreno after FOURmidable 50k Championship Make no mistake, Dani Moreno’s no newbie to the trails or to competition. She had a successful collegiate career (UCSB) in the 10k and has been racing sub-ultra distances on the trails for a few years, finding success in X-Terra races and events that require a lot of climbing. However, Dani and her coach have been patient in moving up in distances too quickly. Smart move on her part, but frustrating for those of us who want to see her crush some ultras!
So how does this former collegiate 10k runner use her legspeed on the trails? How does she train for altitude when she lives on the beach? How does she bomb the downhills so effectively? (Answer: Just run down them fast!) And what’s her strategy when she lines up against other top women? While many people associate coastal Santa Barbara as a lazy beach town, Dani’s running with a group of speedsters in some of the toughest mountain trails in the country.
Episode Sponsor: Use URP at checkout for a free trial. Dani Moreno Episode Notes Here’s Dani’s site.
Here’s the registration list for Santa Barbara Nine Trails. Wow!
Connect with Dani: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook| Strava | Ultrasignup ATRA’s coverage of FOURmidable. That front pack of women are truckin.
Intro music: David Rosales Outro music: Matt Flaherty. Here’s Matt’s campaign page.
Dani Moreno
Dani Moreno Skyrunning The post Dani Moreno | Patience and Speed on California’s Central Coast appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Matt Daniels will be the first sub 4 minute miler to line up for Western States Endurance Run this June.
In his first 100k last weekend, Matt won a Golden Ticket by leading from early on in the race and he’s ready to bite off even more this summer. With leg speed, World Mountain Running Championship credentials, and a true love of the sport, I had to find out more about this guy.
Matt Daniels In this interview we talk about how he’s transitioned from tracks and roads to trails and from shorter trail races to longer ultramarathons, but also about how he’s gone from someone apprehensive about performing to someone who savors tough competition.
Show Sponsor: Visit Strava and enter the code URP at checkout.
And follow Matt while you’re at it.
Next up for Matt is Lake Sonoma, where he’ll line up against a veritable who’s who of speedy trail guys. What are his plans there and what type of team is he putting together for Western States? This should be fun to watch.
Matt Daniels and unidentified runner. Matt Daniels Episode Notes: Here’s Matt’s coaching site.
Here’s Matt’s interview from Ginger Runner Live on Monday night.
Another good (written) interview with Matt from 2017.
Follow Matt: Instagram | Twitter | Strava And follow Matt’s wife Lauren on Instagram right here.
Here’s more on Unived.
Here’s David and Megan Roche’s coaching site.
More on Matt Flaherty’s campaign: Here and here.
Opening music: David Rosales | Closing music: Matt Flaherty
The post Matt Daniels | Taking a Sub 4 Mile to the Big Dance appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
A podcast without a guest! I run down some of the top MUT stories from the week. Links: Jeff Browning’s strength routine.
Ethan Newberry’s new race in Washington…Tiger Claw!
Ryan Sandes’ Tarawera Report
Kelly Agnew’s latest problem: Stealing from his employer. More on his problem cheating in ultras.
More on the Piece of String race.
This Week in Running, Feb 11, 2019.
Ultra Trail Andorra
Outro music by Matt Flaherty.
The post MUT News Update | Feb 14 2019 | Results, Predictions, Cheaters, New Events, and More! appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Sometimes the best training in the world isn’t enough to reach your goal. Amy Puzey found this out easier this month when she lined up at Houston Marathon and struggled from the starting gun.
Amy Puzey and husband Jacob Puzey So how’d she handle the situation? Did she panic? Did she take a DNF? Looking back, did she have the strength to keep up the pace if she’d tried just a little bit harder? And what was the cause, considering every indicator showed that she’d have a successful time, taking her below the three hour mark for the first time?
In this episode, we talk about what caused her to keep going, rather than just calling it a day. What does Amy think caused her epic bonk? What can she do next time to hit her goal? Anything? And what’s it like to be married to a fellow elite MUT runner who rarely has a bad race? And we talk about balancing family obligations (she’s got six kids!) and training while recognizing the inherent guilt of taking time for yourself. We finish up with diet talk and a fun Fartlek round.
Amy Puzey and husband Jacob and Rivers Puzey Amy Puzey Episode Notes Here’s our interview with Jacob from a few years ago.
Intro music by David Rosales. Outro by AJ LeGrand.
Follow Amy Puzey: Strava | Instagram | Facebook Amy is National Race Director for 5Peaks Adventures. (NFI)
Below is Amy Puzey’s post from her Facebook page:
Houston Marathon recap for those who are interested:
I can see it now. I couldn’t a few days ago. But looking at this picture it has all become razor clear. Noah’s telling me: “Mom, we love you. No matter what. All we want are your cuddles, your love, your time. We don’t give a shit about the difference between a 2:45 and 3:10 marathon. We love You.
These are words that Jake has repeated to me over and over for the past three months, but it didn’t change my goal. I was determined and I was sure I had it in me.
The goal was always to break 3. Two other marathons of 3:01, or 3:00.51 in the past ten years. Surely I could do this with a little more focus, some higher mileage and dedication. My body seems to break around 100k/ week so I can’t ever go much higher than that and I realize that’s not the best way to try to hit an Olympic Trials qualifying time when other athletes are doing double that mileage. And Jake was realistic about this with me as my coach. And the reality was that I only had two weeks over 90k.
But somewhere along the way, I started feeling good, confident. Workouts were going so well. I was smashing the predictor runs and they were hard but not impossible. So I adjusted. Maybe I can hold sub 6:30 pace. And then it kept going down to where I had actually convinced myself that there was a remote possibility that I could make a sub 2:50 marathon a reality.
I read all the books, listened to the podcasts. I was drinking the Kool-aid big time. All or nothing. Just do this and don’t look back.
Even training through my achilles injury, when I wanted to give up, when Jake wouldn’t let me, and coming back after those two weeks of swimming, biking and skiing, and feeling even stronger. I held this little shred of hope that maybe I had been holding back all these years.
So I had confidence going into Houston, something I haven’t always had a lot of in my life. It was cautious optimism, but it was still optimism. Do the work, embrace the pain, it will come together. You’ve put the work in Amy, trust it.
But the thing is, it just didn’t. None of it came together. When the gun went off,the pace didn’t feel easy like it had in past marathons or even like it did in workouts. It felt too hard, right from the gun. It felt like the 6:15s I was running in workouts were impossible. I was barely able to hold 6:30s. So I backed off and let the miles roll for a while, trying not to panic or focus on the watch.
I couldn’t find a rhythm. And when the gels did nothing to boost my energy and the miles continued to feel like a struggle, the doubt crept in. Actually it didn’t creep. It punched me right in the face at the halfway point when I came through 5 minutes slower than my goal of 1:23. “That’s it. It’s over. I didn’t come here to run over 3 hours again. Not again. I didn’t put all this time in, time that could have been spent with my family, money that could have been spent on my family, for a F*ing 3 hour marathon.” Mama guilt reared it’s ugly head and sat it’s ass down firmly on my shoulder for the duration of the race. “This is not what you worked for Amy, get moving.” But I couldn’t. My legs just wouldn’t cooperate. My watch taunted me with 7:45, 7:10, who knows. I’m sure it was off but I let it get to my head, something I had promised Jake I wouldn’t do. My calves started to seize almost immediately after that. So much that the knots felt like spiky grapefruits had implanted themselves in my lower legs. Good old mind body connection. By 30k I was standing on the side of the road planning my phone call to Jake: “I’m done, I can’t finish it, I’m going to wait for the sag wagon”. I walked to the bathroom and sat down and took a breath before trying to find a phone.
And there in the dark, stinky shitter, the reality of the shame that would stay with me if I quit really hit me.
See the thing with my husband is that he doesn’t quit. He doesn’t know what quitting is, and I’m not sure he even identifies with pain. I don’t think it has ever registered in his body or if it has, he has some serious mind control and refuses to identify with it. He bleeds and doesn’t notice. He breaks his leg and keeps running and barely complains. And he had done so much to support me every step of the way that quitting now felt like throwing it all in his face. An affront to him, to my kids, my parents who were home with them, and to God. To the gift I have been given of even getting to come to this race healthy and fit. The first world opportunity to train for and fly to a marathon. I’m not delusional. I know that my running is selfish. It’s not like I make a living at it. It’s purely for me and it takes time and resources away from my family. Sure there are benefits, but there are also days where I’m exhausted and broken from long runs. Where I give most of my energy to a run and then don’t have the energy to take the kids swimming or to the park. Or to ask the right questions and really listen to my teenagers who so badly need guidance at this stage. And if all of that was for nothing, then I was spitting in my kids faces as well. The shame of quitting now was just not on the table.
I opened the door, walked back out into the sunlight and jogged the last 12k to the finish.
And that’s really the end of the story. It’s not pretty. It’s just shit. It just didn’t come together and I don’t know why. I don’t know if it’s all the treadmill running, the lack of sleep, the shoes, the wrong nutrition, not enough miles. I don’t know. I won’t know. It will be waking me up for weeks. But if I’m going to walk away with even a shred of dignity from this race it’s that I didn’t quit. I may not be walking for a week, but I didn’t quit.
I don’t know why we put this pressure on ourselves as women, as moms, as humans. It’s not like I don’t feel like I’m enough. I’m incredibly grateful for my life and my family and it’s really all that matters to me but I do love to challenge myself, to push my limits, to see what’s possible. It’s something I do for me. It keeps me honest and holds me accountable.
chaseyourdreams #antiquit #motherunner #iamenough
The post Amy Puzey | When Perfect Training Isn’t Enough appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Easier this month, Brittany Peterson lined up at Bandera 100k in Texas in hopes of earning a Golden Ticket to Western States Endurance Run. Just less than nine and a half hours later she stood on a podium with a ticket to The Big Dance.
Brittany Peterson challenges TSA to do the right thing. In this interview, we talk about her Skyrunning experience and her leg speed–not a common combination–and how that will translate to both Lake Sonoma 50 and Western States.
Brittany also shares her unique relationship with the race. She’s dating Cody Lind and coached by his dad Paul Lind, who’s the son of the original Medical Director at WS100, Dr. Bob Lind. She’s spent a lot of time on the course and is primed and ready for June.
Brittany Peterson and Cody Lind Brittany Peterson Episode Sponsor: Strava Summit
For the price of a couple gels a month, you’ll open up access to the Strave Summit upgrade features. Not ready to commit? Use URP at checkout for a free trial.
Brittany Peterson Episode Notes * Much more on skyrunning right this way. * We referenced Jason Koop’s post about what it’ll take to win big ultramarathons from now on. * Here’s the brewery Brittany talked about: Bertram’s Brewery in Salmon Valley, Idaho. * Follow Brittany on social media: Strava | Instagram | Twitter * Here’s our interview with Skyrunner Sarah Keyes where she discusses transitioning that skillset to domestic ultras. * Intro and outro music courtesy of David Rosales.
Brittany Peterson at Way Too Cool 2018. Pic by Eric Schranz/URP. The post Brittany Peterson | Golden Ticket Time! appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jim Walmsley had a pretty awesome week. He was named Ultrarunner of the Year for the third year straight, he celebrated his birthday, then he lined up at the Houston Half Marathon and clicked off just over 13 road miles at 4:52 pace, earning him a qualifier to the Olympic Trials in Atlanta.
Over the past decade, we’ve seen a number of road runners transition to trail ultras, but rarely do we see a top ultrarunner step off the trail and onto the road. As we talk about in the interview, Max King, Jim Howard, Ann Trason, and others have enjoyed multi-discipline/surface success, and as Jim mentions in the interview, even being talked about in the same conversation as those runners means he’s doing something right.
Jim Walmsley Jim Walmsley Episode Sponsor: Strava Summit
Are you using the Summit upgrade on Strava? For a few bucks a month, you’ll have increased functionality for tracking, analyzing, and marking your runs. Use URP for a free trial.
In this interview, we talk about why and how he targeted Houston for his road half debut and how it fit into his overall ultramarathon training. Twenty miles at sub six pace at 7k feet? Sure, that helps, but how else did he train his mind to run at lactate threshold for an hour? How important was race strategy in an event that allows for very very few mistakes? Did he learn anything about pacing that he’ll take to trail ultras?
Coconino Cowboys from left: Eric Senseman, Jared Hazen, Jim Walmsley We also talk about the internet and issue over whether this sort of transition has been done before. Does Jim listen to the naysayers on LetsRun? Not really. Sounds like he’s busy writing his own training plans that work around his life.
And what’s next? He’s got a 100k in Hong Kong in a few weeks where he’ll line up with Rob Krar, a shootout in Santa Barbara in March, then he’s heading back to Squaw in June to defend his title at Western States. Can he or anyone beat 14:30?
And what in the holy heck is this other project he’s talking about? The long-rumored attempt to take down either Klecker or Fordyce’s 50M record?
Jim Walmsley Episode Notes Here’s Jim’s site with his schedule.
Here’s the Fast 100 Ultra in Hong Kong in February.
And here’s the site for Santa Barbara 9 Trails in March. Want to win a trip to the race and go home with a ton of HOKA and rabbit gear? Head on over this way.
Past URP interviews with Jim Walmsley 2015 |Post-wrong turn 2016 | Pre-WS 2017
Here’s his UROY bio.
In our discussion about internet conversations, I did my best to summarize a tweet by Joe Gray about specializing in events. Here’s his tweet.
Jim mentioned Ken Cormier…here’s his incredible and fascinating story on LetsRun. (To note, I love the site but dislike most of the vitriol in the forums.)
Here’s the Tahoe Rim Trail FKT we talked about.
Here’s the SweatElite site Jim mentioned. I wasn’t familiar with it.
Here’s Here’s The Self-Coached Runner book Jim mentioned. (Amazon affiliate link.)
Intro/Outo music by David Rosales.
Follow Jim Here: Strava | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
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You’ve heard a lot over the last few years about FKTs. Whether you’ve seen them mentioned online or heard them on URP, or maybe you read the Proboards site or tune into the new fastestknowntime podcast, Buzz Burrell and Peter Bakwin are the guys to talk to because they started the FKT craze. They’re the two who started the trend when they tired of traditional races and wanted to learn more about the natural aspect of where they were running.
Buzz Burrell (l) and Peter Bakwin (r) We asked Buzz to come on the show and talk about FKTs from the basic ideas and ethos to more complex issues with who decides when a route is a route and how commercialization might affect the sport.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How FKTs are established by runners and verified by Peter with help from the community.
- What constitutes an FkT and what was the hubbub about Jim, Tim, and Eric’s R2r2R about?
- At what point do we stop going after FKTs and big adventures? (Buzz is 67 and not there yet. Doesn’t know answer.)
Buzz Burrell Episode Sponsor: Strava For the price of a couple of gels each month, you can have access to the Summit upgrade features: Check them out here, head on over to Strava.com/summit and use URP at checkout for a free trial.
Buzz Burrell Episode Notes Here’s the FastestKnownTime website. Be sure to check out the “Super Classic” FKTs for a laugh.
Here’s the team that makes it all happen: Peter, Buzz, and Jeff.
Here’s Buzz’s FKT podcast.
Follow FastestKnownTimes on the Twitter machine right here.
Buzz Burrell in Zion Buzz is Brand Manger for Ultimate Direction. Check out their packs, poles, and garments right this way. Here’s a link to the kids hydration pack he mentioned. More kids gear! Let’s keep this bubble going!
Here’s a recent write up in TrailRunner Magazine.
Articles mentioned: Here’s his R2R2R alt route report | And here’s the Twitter post about Coconino Cowboy’s R2R2R route | On the Flatiron project and aging
FKTs aren’t just a domestic thing. Here’s an open letter to Ryan Sandes re the Great Himalayan Trail about his FKT claim.
If you liked this interview, you may like this chat we had with Leor Pantilat a few years ago. Leor gave up his incredible racing career (count the wins) to focus 100% on FKTs and hasn’t looked back.
Intro/outro music by David Rosales. Used with permission.
My race calendar. Mendocino50k | Miwok 100k | Yeti 100
Buzz Burrell in Aconcagua Buzz Burrell and Peter Bakwin on the JMT.
The post Buzz Burrell | Understanding FKTs appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
I’ve been semi-obsessed with trail running in the Himalayas since my race in India two years ago. I found the trails, the people, the exchange rate, and the culture perfect for getting in some big miles, so I asked an expert to join me on this episode to talk about running in Nepal.
Jimi Oostrum trail running in Nepal Jimi is a Dutch runner who works for UNICEF and has lived in Kathmandu for the past decade. During the weekday he works on education campaigns, but with any extra time, you’ll find him exploring the incredible trails around the area and leading running groups.
In this episode, I ask Jimi a ton of questions:
- How to travel and where to travel.
- Go solo, use porters, or go deep and fastback the whole thing?
- How are the prices?
- Is it safe? How about for solo women?
- Are there races?
- Are there running stores?
- Aren’t there leopards in the area?
- And what’s with the sherpas?
Jimi Oostrum and Mira Rai Whether you’ve got the travel bug or not, this is a good episode to learn more about the international running scene and the myriad cultures and countries that support our silly sport. If you’ve got extra airline miles and a light fall season at work, this sounds like an incredible place to visit.
Jimi Oostrum at PTL
Jimi Oostrum Episode Notes Here’s an excellent site with more info on races in the area.
Follow Mira Rai on Instagram.
Here’s a recap from my run in the Indian Himalayas.
Here’s the Khumbu Kolsch we spoke about.
Probably the coolest sounding musical festival we’ve talked about in eight years: Jazzmandu.
More on the Jire Kursani pepper.
Follow Jimi on Strava here.
Here’s the Kathmandu Running Club on Strava. Will someone please slap a watch on a Sherpa and let us lurk?
I referenced The Snowman Trek movie and the frustration the runners had with local customs.
Episode Sponsor: Himalayan Adventure Labs (HAL)
You heard Jimi talk about the myriad options available for adventurers. If you’re looking for a company that specializes in trail running in Nepal, HAL is for you. They’ve got a mix of western and local guides (here’s one), they keep their groups small, don’t use porters, and have an impeccable reputation. Check them out right this way.
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Let’s finish up 2018 with something different, shall we? Ultras and trail running are two sports that normalize all of us…we all step up to the same line and finish in the same place, but often times our fellow competitors are coming from all over the place. Doctors, hippies, CEOs, rock stars, you name it. We’re all part of the big ultra tribe.
Ms. Monday Jones is part of this tribe, and comes from a profession that has some overlap with our sport. She’s a professional BDSM dominatrix who describes herself as a sadomasochist and as someone who’s searching for limits and is comfortable in the outer reaches of her own.
Monday Jones In this episode, we talk openly about what it is she does for a living and where the parallels may lie with running. How does a dominatrix handle pacing, for example? She considers herself a sex worker…what does that mean? Does pushing her limits on the trails have an erotic component? And the basic…what did she learn at Zion 100 last year that she’ll take into her next big race in 2019?
aka Simon This obviously a NSFW episode where we cover adult material, but I’m hoping that you find we did so in a respectful way. I’ll admit to being well out of my wheelhouse with this interview, but on reflection, I learned a lot about what she does and why it is we do what we do.
Ms. Monday Jones Episode Sponsor: Ancient Redwood Run Fest in May in Northern California
Bring your running friends and family for a weekend of celebration in the Mendocino Redwoods, north of San Francisco. Choose between multiple race distances that’ll all be run on the same looped course, keeping you close to camp and activities. Tents will fill up fast, so get your name on the list for reservations. The race is in May and coming up soon…More info right this way.
Mark this down as the first time I’ve posted a picture of a guest taking a bong hit out of a giant phallus.
Ms. Monday Jones Episode Notes Here’s her website. NSFW.
Stay connected with Monday Jones on Twitter | Instagram. Both NSFW
Here’s the Davinci vaporizer she likes and here’s the PAX vaporizer I like.
I referenced this interview with Ben Gibbard. Check it out.
Here’s her coach Dana Katz’s website.
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Bob Hearn set out at Desert Solstice to run 154.5 miles and came within a few hundred yards of doing so. That’s pretty incredible planning and precision, and it’s nothing to new to the guy known as the Prince of Pacing.
Bob Hearn (l), Pete Kostelnick (r) and Oswaldo Lopez (rear.) Pic by Howie Stern. Bob’s unique background includes an insatiably curious mind and a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science, then he takes that knowledge and performs experiments until he’s figured out that particular aspect of running. Is it pacing? Bob’s building a computer model that will work to predict outcomes of races. Is it diet? You’ll hear him talk about mixing his own powders in his kitchen for a week until he got the right combination. Is it sleep? He compares Coke to No-Doze to caffeine. To Bob Hearn, racing ultramarathons is one giant experiment in optimization.
Bob Hearn after Burning Man 50k. But Bob’s not just a science geek. He’s also got the record for the naked 50k at Burning Man and is heavily into yurt design and construction. We talk about how his varied interests all follow one overriding theme: Figuring out the puzzle of how something works.
Bob Hearn Episode Sponsor: Strava
Strava is the best app for runners and cyclists as it combines functionality, safety, analysis (and hey, the ability to geek out on others’ workouts.) For a few extra bucks a month, you can unlock some incredible new features that’ll help optimize your workouts and keep you safe. Go to www.strava.com/summit and enter the code URP at checkout.
Bob after Spartathlon 2018. Bob Hearn Episode Notes Here’s Bob’s blog with his mort recent report on Desert Solstice. Block off some time for these. They’re worth your full attention.
Here’s the interview with Burning Man 50 RD/Founder Cherie Yanek.
New word/term I learned: Ab initio.
Here’s more on Maurten hydration/energy drink.
Intro/Outro music by David Rosales. Our interviw with David is right here.
Bob Hearn at Burning Man 2015 Gear in Review with URP Gear Editor Ben Zuehlsdorf Shoes * Review: HOKA One One Torrent * TOPO Athletics Ultraventure Video | Review | Purchasing *
Tech/Wearables * Garmin 935 Review | Purchasing * Suunto 9 Purchasing
Apparel * Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts Purchasing * The North Face Better Than Naked Shorts Purchasing * Ice Breaker Cool Lite Merino Wool Shirt Purchase * Ultimate Direction Moonlight Jacket Review | Purchase * Gore Shake Dry Purchase * BUFF Info and Purchase
Packs * Naked Running Band Review | Purchase * Nathan Vapor Zach Video Review | Purchase
Lighting * Petzl Bindi Purchase * Kogalla RA Info and Purchase
Bob Hearn Badwater Finish
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Patsy Ramirez-Arroyo loves to run ultras and will not be stopped.
She wasn’t stopped when Hurricane Maria ravaged her island of Puerto Rico. Instead, she used her fitness to traverse washed out roads as she carried aid to her family and friends.
Patsy Ramirez-Arroyo She wasn’t stopped when she showed up for Hennepin Hundred without any of her regular gear and on a “modified” training schedule (see above.) She ran a personal best and finished 2nd female.
She wasn’t stopped when she lined up in Death Valley in July and finished Badwater 135 in fifth place in a stacked field. She had a job to do and she got it done.
Patsy Ramirez-Arroyo And she wasn’t stopped when she found a lump in her breast two days later. Yep, cancer. After a bilateral mastectomy this Fall, Patsy is itching to get back to training as she’s got a full calendar of races for 2019 and she’s not planning on letting anything slow her down.
This is an interview with a pretty remarkable woman who simply loves to run and live and is not going to let anything get in her way.
Patsy Ramirez-Arroyo Episode Sponsor: The Transelkirks Run
Enjoy three or five day stage runs in Revelstoke, British Columbia.
Transelkirks answers the question, “Why travel to Europe to run when you could run through wild, pristine mountains in Canada at a fraction of the price?”
Registration: Remember to use URP at checkout for $100 off registration.
Patsy Ramirez-Arroyo Episode Notes Here’s a story about Patsy’s run at Hennepin in UltraRunning Magazine.
Follow Patsy here on Instagram.
More on screening and early detection.
Patsy is Partner in a firm that brings organic food to Puerto Rico. Here’s more.
One week and counting… Don’t miss our gear guides that spotlight great stuff for gift giving or for yourself. Here’s Sarah’s and here’s Ben’s.
Intro and outro music by David Rosales.
The post Patsy Ramirez-Arroyo Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
It’s that time of year again. Each December, the URP crack team of historians (Sarah and I) put together a list of fun categories that look back at the year of ultramarathon and trail results and trends and make bold predictions for the coming year.
We also talk about personal goals and accomplishments and while DBo is laser focused on Hardrock, mine are a bit more mellow and Sarah has her own plans that she details here.
Jim Walmsley en route to his CR at Lake Sonoma 50 miler in April. In 2014, Tropical John Medinger joined Sarah and I, and 2015, Ultrarunning Magazine Publisher Karl Hoagland sat down and shared his views. In 2016, we had Mario Fraioli for his opinions and last year in 2017 Jamil Coury shared his perspective. Go back and give them a listen. I’ll be honest, some of them are pretty embarrassing as we were SO OFF on our predictions.
My highlight: Ladia Albertson Junkans and Sunny finishing Broken Arrow. This year we asked Dylan Bowman to join us. Dylan’s not only a top athlete, but the guy is a real student of the sport and watches, studies, and loves to talk about results, training, trends, and what he thinks will happen in such and such race. He turned out to be the perfect co-host for us, offering a unique perspective and sharing some interesting answers.
Jenny jurek trail running ultramarathon pic by Luis Escobar 2018 Ultramarathon and Trail Running Year in Review Categories 1. Most significant overall trend of the year. 2. Most influential person in the sport. Male, female. 3. Most influential thing in the sport. 4. Your favorite m/f to watch. 5. Biggest surprise of the year. Overall. Could be person or event. 6. Favorite non-trail performance of the year. Male, female. Any distance. 7. Your favorite book, post, or podcast episode of the year. 8. Performance of the year. Male/female. 9. UROY. Male/female.
Predictions for 2018: 1. If runners were IPO’s, who would you put money on? 2. What are your running goals for 2019? 3. What do you think will be the big trend in the MUT scene. 4. What do you hope will be the big trend in the MUT scene. 5. What are your non-running goals for 2019?
Pictures from the year in no particular order: Camille Herron in the early hours. Kelly Wolf Courtney Dauwalter in the early stages of the race. Chris Hammes, first US male at UTMB
The post 2018 Year in Review and Predictions for 2019 | Sarah, Eric, and Dylan Bowman appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Before we get into the Spartan Trail Series…Spartan has a long history of success in Obstacle Course Racing and has built an incredible organization around the world. Led by Spartan and competitor Tough Mudder, the sport of OCR catapulted into the mainstream and really hit it’s peak around 2012 and has stayed strong since. Reality shows, big prize purses, 250 races, and possible Olympic talk have made it an exciting sport to watch from both the athletic perspective as well as a business model.
Recently, Spartan launched a Trail Racing series of a dozen events that would run concurrently with the OCR races. These would be around 10 miles each and be traditional trail races–no barbed wire, no flaming spears, no deliberate mud pits to navigate. The series garnered a fair amount of attention in the MUT world because icons Charlie Engle and Luis Escobar were hired as race directors for the series. Loosely, Charlie would cover the east coast, Luis the west coast.
The problem arose when people noticed that spectators at the trail races would charged $20. Spartan and other OCR races have charged spectator fees for years, and that’s their right and decision to do so. As RD Charlie Engle told me, most of the particiants are millennials, and they don’t mind paying the extra money to get, what he describes, a “festival atmosphere.”
But the fit hit the shan when they decided to continue this practice for trail running. In this interview, we learn that the OCR events also charge for insurance, drop bags, parking, and more. Let’s hope the Spartan Trail Series doesn’t try for that money grab as well as they make a mark in trail running.
Matt B. Davis at Spartan Iceland. We talk about the Spartan Trail Series. So what makes us different? Why don’t we feel that our loved ones should have to pay to come and support us? And shouldn’t we just let the market decide? All good questions, and all topics that Obstacle Racing Media’s Matt B. Davis and I dug into in this episode. To be sure, Matt and I don’t agree on everything but do agree that spectator fees suck.
Matt runs Obstacle Racing Media, a site dedicated to OCR events, interviews, gear, and opinion pieces about the industry. I asked Matt on the show because he’s supremely knowledgeable about the industry and is not afraid to pull punches.
We also talk about the growth and plateau of the sport and the million dollar prize Skyrunning Champ Jonathan Albon is going after this weekend. Different from a traditional award, this million dollar grab has not been without its own controversy. Will he get it this weekend? We’ll wait and see.
Top Spartan competitor and Skyrunning champ Jonathan Albon Spartan Trail Series Episode with Matt B. Davis | Episode Notes Here’s the site for the Spartan Trail Series.
Here’s Matt B. Davis’ site: Obstacle Racing Media.
Here’s our interview with Charlie Engle and here’s our chat with Luis Escobar. Both are a couple years old, but definitely worth listening to.
Here’s the first time Matt was on the show, and here’s the time I was on his.
Here’s more on the Spartan One Million Dollar Trifecta Challenge and here’s Jonathan Albon’s website.
Intro and outro music by David Rosales.
The post Spartan Trail Series | Spectator Fees for Trail Races? appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Katie Grossman got pregnant earlier this year and fully expected to stay in perfect shape, have a flawless pregnancy, bounce back, and continue to crush the trails like she has for years. She documented much of her journey in some honest and poignant essays for her TrailSisters column.
Katie and Lindy Grossman Like many things in life, expectations and reality didn’t line up and Katie’s been unable to return to running as quickly as she wanted due to some hip problems and overall new parenting duties. How’s she doing now and when will she return to the podium? Katie’s honest and real about expectations.
How has Dominic dealt with it? He’s supported Katie, felt guilty for running when she can’t, watched Lindy when Katie works out, and DNFed races because he missed his little girl. As any parent knows, the range of new parent emotions is unlike any other power in the universe.
Dominic and Lindy Grossman at the “Frightwood 5k.” (Note the shoes.) So what are there plans for the future? Lotteries, lotteries, lotteries! Katie and Dom Grossman are both anxiously awaiting the results from early December’s draws that will dictate their schedule next year…schedules that hopefully include a trip to Silverton in July.
Katie and Dom Grossman Episode Notes Here’s Katie’s column for Trail Sisters. Mandatory reading for anyone (friends, husbands, etc) going through pregnancy.
Here’s Dom’s interview from 2016 where he discussed overtraining syndrome.
I referenced the interview Sarah and I had with Michele Yates where she discussed her hip issues and surgeries. Here’s that interview.
Episode Sponsor: Broken Arrow Skyrace | June 21-23
Registration opens Monday, December 3, 2018. Get on this, folks!
Broken Arrow is a three day, European style inspired race festival in Lake Tahoe’s north shore that features a VK, 10k, bands, movies, a 26k and the 52k SkyRace. Top talent, superb organization, blissful alpenhorn music, and an ideal backdrop make this a race you don’t want to miss.
Here’s my story about Sunny’s run at Broken Arrow last year.
The post Katie and Dominic Grossman | Expectations, Reality, and the Future appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Liz Canty won the Barkley Fall Classic last year, won Pinhoti 100, and just last month, podium at Bear 100. Look through her results list and you’ll see an overall trend towards difficult and challenging events that test the will of the runner.
So hearing that she grew up in the North East kickboxing, wrestling, and playing rugby through college didn’t really come as much of a surprise. Liz likes to push herself outside of her comfort zone and explore her limits while also focusing on long term goals like Barkley.
In this interview, we talk about:
- Her vegetarian lifestyle and how her family dealt with it.
- Her growing collection of tattoos and her love for Standard Poodles.
- Her childhood playing “boy sports” and how that transitioned to MUT running.
- The impact that a dedicated and positive coach has had on her performances.
- How long term planning for a race like Barkley is the way to go.
Liz Canty crushing a bean burrito. Liz Canty Episode Notes Here’s Liz’s ultrasignup page.
Liz is coached by and runs with Team SWAP.
Here’s Liz’s Instagram page.
Liz and Luke Canty Here’s Liz and Luke’s website with coaching info and product reviews. (A sports bra phone holder? Never knew it existed!)
Here’s our interview with Bev and Alan Abbs after their Barkley adventure in 2012.
Don’t forget to signup for the Lake Sonoma lottery!
Here’s a Trail Runner Magazine article about Liz from this summer.
I mentioned Ailsa Macdonald as one of the toughest female runners out there. Here’s our interview with her from last year.
Liz runs for rabbit Elite Trail Team. I’m a big fan of their stuff too!
If you’d like to help guide VI/blind runners, check out United in Stride. It’ll match you up with a local runner and provide best practices for guiding.
Intro and outro music by David Rosales.
Liz Canty at Barkley, 2017. The post Liz Canty | Rugby, Trail Running, and Barkley Dreams appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
David Ayala grew up in mountains and desert of Utah with dreams of being a theoretical physicist. Running outside for fun and pouring over books, David was an only child and kept himself busy.
David Ayala, live from his living room in Bozeman, MT.
Now a Professor of Mathematics (here’s his CV and field of work), David has also found his feet on the trails in some burly, technical, and grinding races around the West. While his ultimate dream is a start at Hardrock, David Ayala has racked up some impressive wins at tough events from IMTUF 100 in Idaho to the notoriously challenging Bridger Ridge Run outside Bozeman.
We talk about Halloween costumes (wish I had a pic!), the fine art of juggling, and what he looks for in a race. Though David has been running since he was a kid, he had no structured training or identity as a runner until grad school, and since then, he’s been putting up some big numbers.
David Ayala Episode Notes Here’s David’s abbreviated CV and here’s his ultra signup page.
Here’s a writeup in Trail Runner mag about the Death Valley fatass he did in 2012.
David mentioned his friend Kyle Ormbsy as influential in his running career. Turns out he’s a bit of a mathematician himself.
Joggling beer mile in 8:48.
Here’s more on the Bridger Ridge Run.
Here’s a video of David’s ~~run~~ win at IMTUF from a few years ago. Looks like a great course!
Intro/outro music by David Rosales.
The post David Ayala | Big Vert and Big Math appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
College kids get a bad rap sometimes. No direction, no plans, they don’t appreciate their situation and they’re not willing to work for results, right? Jackson Brill is here to change your mind. Jackson is a twenty year old junior at CU Boulder who’s been tearing up the trails and has plans for a long and sustained career in this silly sport of ours.
Jackson Brill loving the trails. Pic courtesy Elliot Whitehead. In the past year, Jackson finished third at San Juan Solstice 50 miler, he won Run the Rut 50k, and won the Quad Rock 25 miler. He was all set to run North Face Championship this past weekend, appearing on numerous prediction lists as the dark horse who could walk away with a win.
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In this interview, we talk about starting at such a young age and how his running career has differed from his friend and coaching mentor Melody Fairchild’s and what type of races he’s going after. We talk about his hesitation at jumping into 100s and what it’s like to line up against really fast dudes. When will he take on bigger distances? When he’s comfortable with his current training and is ready to move up. (Remember? Smart kid.)
Jackson Brill. Pic courtesy of Gnar Runners. Jackson Brill Episode Notes Here’s our interview with Ford Smith, age 17, here’s our interview with 20yo Patrick Caron, and here’s an episode with a very young Jared Hazen and Ashley Erba.
Here’s the page for the Camp Fire fatass.
Jackson coaches with the Boulder Mountain Warriors. I would’ve loved to chat more about this but we were out of time.
Intro/Outro music used with permission from David Rosales.
Episode Sponsor: Alpha Therapeutics
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Jackson Brill…stoked. Pic courtesy Cordis Hall. The post Jackson Brill | Boulder’s Young Gun appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Keely Henninger has had a great year with wins at Chuckanut 50k and Lake Sonoma 50 miler, podiums at other big races, and a monster win at Tussey Mountainback championships. Next up? She’ll toe the line with the fastest ultra trail runners in the country at The North Face Championships 50 miler in Marin County, California.
In this interview we talk about her plans and training for TNF, but we also talk about how she got into this silly sport. She didn’t run in high school, instead focusing on team sports… she had a few reasons for doing so that we discuss in this episode. We also talk about her fears, how they were hindering her performance, and what the catalyst was for getting past that mental block of tough competition. A very good look into the physical as well as psychological aspects of an elite runner.
Stay in Touch with Keely: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Strava We also talk dogs, science, her predictions for TNF, and why her day at Sonoma went so right this year…it’s advice that every single one of us can use.
Intro/outro music by David Rosales.
Elite list for North Face Endurance Championships.
Here’s the paper Keely coauthored regarding vertical Ks.
Keely is coached by David Roche at Team SWAP
Keely Henninger Episode Sponsor: Lake Sonoma 50
Lake Sonoma and North Face…the two fastest trail 50 milers in the country, and Keely’s already won one of them!
Race date is April 13th of next year, but the lottery opens on December 1 in just a few weeks. Make sure your name’s in the hat to run a gorgeous course with top competition and a relaxed wine country race vibe. See you there!
Here’s the site with all the info.
Keely Henninger and her dog Jade. The post Keely Henninger Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Think back to the last hundred miler you ran and the amount of planning and logistics it took. Walter Handloser is planning on doing that nearly every single weekend in 2019 in his quest to run 50 hundred mile races in one year.
But let’s back up a bit. Up until just a few years ago, Walt struggled with weight and decided to start running, lifting weights, and boxing, ultimately losing over 100 pounds. He picked up ultras and went in full force, finding his place in the community and balancing his disordered eating with a healthier lifestyle.
Walter Handloser, pre weight loss. This year alone, Walt has run nine hundred milers or two hundred milers and fourteen sub 100 ultramarathons. Next year, he plans on doubling that number, but exclusively with hundred mile races. Wow.
and Walter Handloser, post-weight loss. Walt Handloser Episode Notes Here’s the spreadsheet Walt put together to track races, distances, travel, cost, etc. Be sure to check out the tabs and let him know if you’re aware of any races on/around January 7 or May 12.
Here’s his ultrasignup. Incredible.
And here’s the FB page dedicated to the Half Hundreds Hundreds.
Here’s Sarah’s article from 2011 that Walt used to help plan his adventure.
Walt’s award for best vibe goes to the Crown King Scramble. Sounds awesome!
Walter handloser Gear: Walt uses INOV-8 wide shoes (I referenced this twitter account in the talk…she’s asked about wide trail shoes many a time) and the Women’s Osprey Dyna pack.
Here’s the book Sarah referenced: Educated: A Memoir
Here’s the book series Walt mentioned. (updated from original posting)
Sarah met Walt at Ouray, where he finished third. Here’s Sarah’s account of her not-so-perfect race, but hey, had she finished the whole 100, she may have not met Walt and we may have never had the chance to talk with him!
I mentioned Lake Sonoma…the lottery is opening soon!
Here’s our interview with another prolific hundred miler, Ed “the Jester” Ettinghausen.
Intro music by David Rosales. Outro music by Matt Flaherty.
The post Walter Handloser | Fifty Hundred Milers in One Year appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Courtney Dauwalter is having one hell of year. Her 2018 resume includes an outright win at the Coldwater Rumble, then a win at the competitive Sean O’Brien 100k. She followed that up with a 2nd at Black Canyon 100k, then a win at Behind the Rocks 50 miler in Moab. After that, she bagged a win at Ultra Trail Mt Fuji, then a big win at Western States where she ran the 2nd fastest time ever. She then toed the line–and won–Squamish 50 miler, then, after leading the entire race for 180 miles, took a 2nd place overall (1st female) at Tahoe 200. Then last week, she ran 279 miles at Big’s Backyard Ultra, ultimately conceding the win to the incredible Johan Steene.
Courtney Dauwalter at Big’s Backyard Ultra It’s the opinion of your host that Courtney is on a different level than nearly every runner out there. She’s running world-class times in any format she signs up for: Distance events, timed events, or those that give the win to the last person standing. Sarah and I discuss the level of her performances after the interview, and I’d love to hear your opinion about my assertions.
In this interview, we talk about: * The finer points of Big’s. What did she, Gavin, Johan, and Maggie talk about while waiting for the gun, and what did she say when she finally conceded victory? What was Kevin’s (her husband) role, and when did he sleep? Will she hit 300 miles next year? What type of hallucinations she had over those 67 hours? * The cool friendship and partnership she formed with Maggie Guterl over the first 36 ~~miles~~ hours at the race. * International races. Will we see Courtney run TDG? Spine? Ronda dels Cims? UTMB? * Whether we’ll see Courtney at Six Days in the Dome next year and what she thinks of Traci Falbo‘s 48 hour record. * What percentage of her races are all out efforts, or whether she holds back. * Her relaxed training schedule (no plan, no GPS, no real goals) and how that jibes with her analytical science teacher mind. * How she’s able to have so much fun and find so much joy running up front, while others seem to be struggling. * Candy and burgers. Lots and lots of food talk.
Courtney Daulwater Episode Sponsor: Muir Energy
Big thanks to Muir Energy for sponsoring this episode. Muir is all natural, vegan, nutritionally dense and portable food (not gel) made in small batches in San Diego, California. Use ULTRAPOD for a 20% discount at checkout. I use this stuff on my adventures and highly recommend it.
Courtney Dauwalter at Soochow 24 Hour Race Finish, 2017. Courtney Dauwalter Episode Notes Here’s our first interview with Courtney. It’s in this interview where she describes running the final 12 rocky and hilly miles of RRR100 completely blind. (She won.)
Here’s an excellent film that shows Courtney and Kevin.
Intro music by David Rosales, Outro music by Courtney’s Salomon teammate Matt Flaherty.
Jelly Belly flavors, ranked.
It’s nice to have Sarah back! If you’re interested in her book The Trail Runner’s Companion for you or for a gift (xmas is fast approaching!), check it out right this way. It’s got lessons and advice about training, racing, gear, and the overall culture of this ridiculous sport.
Top five most clicked on links from the URP Daily News:
- Arnstein/Fruitarian sentenced for forgery.
- Five reasons people DNF at Javelina.
- Joe Chick’s post about his love/hate relationship with ultramarathons right now. Great post.
- REI article about Big’s.
- Race tracker for Big’s. Kudos once agin to Mike Melton and crew for the excellent tracking.
Courtney giving my daughter Sunny a high five on her way to her win at Tahoe 200. The post Courtney Dauwalter | Big’s Backyard in the Past and Big Plans for the Future appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Ellie Fox is living the life many of us envy. She grew up in an MUT family and now lives in a tricked-out van with her husband and their pets, traveling from trailhead to trail race whenever they want.
Ellie recently won Cloudsplitter 100k and we talk about what she learned on the course and other lessons from the past few years. She grew up watching her dad run (and finish Hardrock), and how his influence got her to where she is today. Why did she follow in his footsteps while other kids rebel against their parents’ activities?
Ellie has an infectious attitude and laugh and sounds like someone who’d help click off an eight hour run with fun and dynamic conversations about baby goats and ice cream and why she has so much gratitude.
Ellie Fox Episode Notes Here’s her blog.
Here’s the site for Sean O’Brien 100k.
This is the Trail Running Film Festival I went to this week. Check the calendar for your city.
Intro and outro music by David Rosales
Connect with Ellie Fox Instagram | Facebook
Episode Sponsor: Splats Sunscreen Looking for quality sunscreen that fits right into your hydration pack? Enter ULTRA at checkout for a 10% discount.
The post Ellie Fox | Second Generation Adventure Enthusiast appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
If you’ve opened up a trail or ultramarathon magazine or been on social media in the past few years, you’ve seen Derrick Lytle’s work. He specializes in time lapse photography and desert scapes, but he’s also frequently found clinging to the side of a trail getting a shot of your favorite runner.
Derrick Lytle – Ultimate selfie on the Arizona Trail. In this interview, we talk first about his own running. Derrick has recently returned from an attempt at the 800 mile Arizona Trail, but came up short after Mother Nature forced him to change plans. This was his second attempt, and he sounds like he’ll be back at it again.
Click there and use ULTRA at checkout for 10% off your purchase. As someone who has zero–nil, zilch, nothin–skill behind a lens, I asked Derrick about the art and craft of filmmaking a bit and we talked about the industry and how he goes about pitching projects and getting hired to make films. I’m fascinated by different roles in this industry and Derrick has an important one…and one I’ve often wondered about.
Derrick Lytle shooting in the sand. Pic by Matt Brown. We talk about the low low female representation in outdoor photography (and filmmaking and podcasting) and what some of the causes may be. We also dive into a subject I wrote about last year, and that’s the increased (and dangerous) number of cameras on the course and how it takes away from the natural feeling of our sport. Is there a solution? Likely not.
Lots to talk about!
Derrick Lytle Episode Notes * Here’s Derrick’s most recent film with Cory Reese, Nicole Bitter, and Kyle Pietari. I think we can all agree that the part at 14:47 is the best portion of the film. * Here’s my post about cameras on the course. * Big thanks to SplatS Suncreen for sponsoring this episode. Whether you’re a runner or a parent who needs on-the-go sunscreen, check them out and enter ULTRA in checkout for a discount. * Here’s the movie about Mt. Marathon I referenced. * Here’s the Trail Running Film Festival I’m going to next week. * Here’s the lineup for Desert Solstice. Anyone got a couch or want to share a room? Let me know. * Here’s my Nerf site. Anyone want to play? * Alfredo’s A gets a solid five stars from Trip Advisor. * Intro music by David Rosales. Outro music by Matt Flaherty.
Connect with Derrick Lytle Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | YouTube
The post Derrick Lytle | Outdoor Photography, Filmmaking, and Running appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Annie Weiss ran her first ultramarathon on the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin and won the 50k division. Since then, she’s gone on to run Kettle Moraine, North Face (Wisconsin and San Francisco), Black Canyon, Gorge Waterfalls, and Leadville three times.
Annie Weiss Ice Age Trail In 2017, Annie set out with an audacious plan to set a new FKT on the 1,200 mile Ice Age Trail–a trail that, if stretched end to end, is the same distance as running from Milwaukee to Orlando, Florida.
That attempt lasted nine days until she succumbed to a bacterial infection on her foot and leg and she went back to the drawing board. Decisions had to be made about races and seasons and much of the scheduling was dependent on lotteries for big races.
This year she spent some time in the Alps, practiced hiking, and went over the logistics with her husband Brian and about three weeks after she started, she’d run 1200 miles, eaten dozens of bowls of cereal, slept in countless cheap hotels, and set a new record for both men and women.
Annie Weiss’ purple jacket. Annie Weiss Episode Notes * Be sure to read Annie’s husband Brian Frain’s day by day on his blog. * And be sure to read Annie’s site here where she documents her time in Iten, Kenya. * Annie is coached by Rivers Puzey at Peak Run Performance * Follow Annie on social media: Twitter | Instagram * The Nathan Vapor Mag hydration pack that Annie raved about. (affiliate link) * Music! Intro by David Rosales. Outro by AJ LeGrand.
A team effort. The post Annie Weiss | 1200 Miles on the Ice Age Trail appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Sabrina Stanley is on a streak right now. In the last 18 months she’s won Orcas Island 50, the Marathon Trail Lago di Como in Italy, and Hardrock 100. She’s also podiumed at HURT, Jemez Mountain, Golden Ticket race Sean O’Brien 100k, and the Western States Endurance Run.
Sabrina Stanley kissing the rock. by Tommy Danger. But it’s those podium races that bug her the most. Sabrina has a competitive drive that’s served her well and helps drive her passion. She throws herself into training for one big push each year and will not feel satisfied until she leaves with a win. Course record? Not good enough. Personal best? Nope. She wants other runners to fear her and she wants to win.
In this interview, Sarah and I talk to Sabrina about the genesis of this drive, the family atmosphere of growing up with five siblings, and how she still competes with her huge family. We talk about crewing for Avery during Tor des Geants and her subsequent race and gelato fest in Italy. We discuss her relationship with Avery and what it’s like to run together, coach together, and live together in a truck, and we talk about how sponsors have dealt with their advocacy for cannabis use.
Lots to cover, but Sabrina was ready for the challenge! Turns out she’d been training for this interview for the past few years.
Sabrina Stanley runs for Altra. by Altra Sabrina Stanley Episode Notes * Here’s a great article about Sabrina by Henry Howard. * Here’s more on the Marathon Trail Lago di Como. * Here’s our interview with Avery Collins. * Here’s the Power Couple Coaching website. * Here’s our interview with Rich Hunter and here’s the United in Stride website in case you’d like to get involved in guiding. * Here’s Sarah’s blog that she’s promised to update soon. * Intro music by David Rosales. | Outro music by Matt Flaherty.
The post Sabrina Stanley | An Unbridled Competitive Spirit appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
When Stephanie Case (interview here) tells me that someone she met has a good and compelling story, my ears perk up and I pay attention. In this episode, Kiwi Doug Strachan tells a story about a life changing experience ten years ago that set him up for the extraordinary training regimen he uses now.
Clean Doug Strachan Doug just finished the 205 mile Tor des Geants in the Alps, and his training for the 80,000 of vert was certainly unique: Doug works in a coal mine, one thousand feet underground in Australia, and used the climb out to prepare for TDG. His endurance training? Running barefoot through the hottest part of Australia, dodging venomous snakes and spiders and doing his best to avoid wild dogs and pigs.
But how did he get to this place? Was Doug a life long runner who’s now realizing the ultimate dream of competing in the Alps? Hardly.
His story of his past ten years involves a midlife crisis, a coma, and a lot of unanswered questions that he’s still working through.
Doug also shares the details of his run at TDG–how his “Aussie Girls” anticipated his every move and deserve massive credit, and how he’s learned to fight hallucinations in endurance events. For more on hallucinations and the race, check out this interview with Nick (Hollon) DeLaRosa from a few years ago.
Dirty Doug Strachan Doug Strachan Episode Notes Margaret River Ultramarathon in Australia, and here’s the Little Creatures Brewery tour in Freemantle.
The old Italian guy at UTMB: Marco Olmo.
Outro music by The Black Seeds
The post Doug Strachan | Training for Mountain Races 1,000 feet Underground appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Since I failed to produce the regular URP Daily News this morning, I’m making this episode available to everyone. This is a show format that’s been exclusive to the Patreon crowd for the last few months, and one that I’ve received positive comments about.
It’s a rundown of the top stories from the past week with a bit of extra commentary from yours truly. They generally run 15-20 minutes and have no sponsor messages. All of the links are available on the Patreon page.
If you’d like to continue to hear these weekly shows, please consider signing on to become a Patron in the link below. For the price of two gels a month, you’ll be helping out the show and the site a lot.
The post URP Daily News | September 27 | Audio Format appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Josh Ritter started running ultramarathons in 2012 and in that first year lined up at Hal Koerner’s Pine to Palm 100. He wouldn’t finish the race, taking a DNF around mile 70.
This is an episode that follows Josh’s journey from 2012 through three DNFs on the same course and multiple wild fires, until he eventually earned his buckle just two weeks ago. What was the magic secret, and what did he do to balance family commitments with his running goals? If you’re someone who’s struggled with cutoffs or persistent, you’ll want to pay attention to this episode.
Josh Ritter Josh Ritter Episode Notes Josh mentioned Shasta Trail Runs. (NFI for me.)
This is the olive oil place we were talking about.
Outro music by David Rosales.
The post Josh Ritter | The 4th Time’s a Charm appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
When Katie Arnold crossed the finish line at the Leadville 100 last month, many in the ultrarunning world recognized her name from her Outside Magazine column Raising Rippers.
Katie Arnold at Mile 76 of Leadville. But there’s a lot more to Katie’s incredible story. It starts with a nasty rafting accident two years ago that left her on crutches for 14 weeks following surgery…You’ll have to listen to the show to hear the details of the accident.
“I was at mile 80, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’ve never run this far. How did I get here?’I mean, the miles just dissolved. And it was all mental. It was just chipping away at it, and then I got emotional. How did I get here? I mean, literally, how did I get here, after a broken leg and being on crutches? It was definitely magical.
—From this article in the Santa Fe New Mexican.
Katie talks about the ensuing physical therapy and how the caregivers’ energy and attitude affected her so strongly. We ask how she maintained fitness throughout her recovery both from a physical and emotional standpoint. Many of us have had sustained tough injuries, but very few runners come out of it like Katie did: Winning her first race back.
Katie Arnold on Mt Sherman in Colorado Katie Arnold’s Leadville Story: Smile and Flow Katie shares with us her strategy for her first 100 miler and how it paid off with a first place. Her training had been fantastic and her pacers and crew were on point. Katie’s attitude was relaxed and in the moment, and she executed her race plan just like she’s planned. Even with elite women like Addie Bracy and Gina Slaby in the mix, Katie was patient, smiled, and let it flow all the way back to Leadville.
Katie Arnold, Leadville mile 76, with daughter Maisy dressed as a whoopee cushion. Katie Arnold Episode Notes Here’s a link to Katie’s column Raising Rippers in Outside Magazine.
Here’s a link to Katie Arnold’s upcoming book Running Home: A Memoir.
Here’s the pub that got the story right. Nice work, Santa Fe New Mexican!
And here’s Sarah’s book on Amazon. If you haven’t read it yet, you should check it out! It’s got everything you need to know to train for your next trail race, graduate to ultras, and gain understanding and appreciating for the spirit (and silliness) of our sport. Plus, Sarah’s funny stories make it fun as well as informative.
And here’s some info on her book signing with Dakota Jones today at Between the Sheets bookstore in Telluride.
Here’s the Vista Verde 50k Sarah recommended to me.
Follow Katie on social media Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Family affair at Leadville The post Katie Arnold | Just Smile and Flow appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Pam Smith has run on multiple National teams, she’s won Western States Endurance Run, she’s run Spartathlon, dozens of marathons, and most recently, the “hardest footrace on earth”, Badwater 135 in Death Valley.
Note: It’s been eight years, and I still haven’t figured audio engineering. Something went awry during the interview and limited my volume while simultaneously increasing the gain on the guest channel. What that means is that I had to greatly increase my audio while greatly limiting the ambient noise in the recording. In ultramarathon parlance, it’s like trying to run fast AND run slow at the same time. Luckily, Pam gave a great interview, so we can let the content speak for itsself. Sorry for the poor quality.
Decent weather runner? Sarah and I chatted with Pam about what surprised her about Badwater, why and how her skillset benefited her, and what advice she has for those looking to toe the line in the future. Sarah and I both admit to having a long-standing desire to run the storied race, and who knows, maybe one of us will cough up the dough one day.
Weight work with Pam Smith. Episode Sponsor: Bigfoot 200.
Interested in pushing your limits into the new dimension of ultramarathon distances? RD Candice Burt is credited with being one of the prime influencers in women’s trail running and has blazed a new trail by organizing iconic 200s around the country, including Bigfoot200. Click here for more info or check out the link below.
“There’s only so much I’m willing to do for a free pair of shoes.”
Also discussed in the Pam Smith Episode:
-Hamstring injuries and what treatments Pam Smith, MD has tried out.
-How to follow up on a successful year. Same training, or mix it up?
-The state of the sport and how self-appointed self-help gurus are changing the landscape.
-How athletes are responding to staying relevant in social media and what they’re willing to do for a sponsor.
-And how much of this attempt to stand out causes problems when we’re talking about gender issues in our sport.
-Pam cites a statistic that a large portion of ultramarathon runners have been in the sport for three years or less. When you look at the sport solely based on the last three years, you see a wildly different sport than someone who’s been at it for a decade or more.
Pam Smith’s other hobby: Gardening. Pam Smith Episode Notes:
Relavent posts by Pam Smith: Cost of Badwater | Pringles to the Rescue | On Sponsorships
Here’s Sarah’s report from Ouray 100.
Wanna run with Sarah Lavender Smith high up in the San Juans in Colorado? Camp info right this way…but you better hurry up!
Follow Pam on Twitter right here or Instagram right here.
Pam Smith and Family The post Pam Smith | Badwater, Injuries, Social Media, Avocados, and more. appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jeff Ball lined up at Kodiak 100 last weekend in his second attempt at a hundred miler. His first was Western States last year, and he earned that spot by nabbing a Golden Ticket at Bandera 100k.
So what was he expecting at Kodiak? Jeff was in great shape. His mental game was strong, his gear checked out, and he’d run a few test races that showed him dialed and ready for the mountains east of Los Angeles.
Jeff Ball cooling himself off at Western States. Unfortunately, his day didn’t go as planned. Jeff struggled with a stomach issue mid race that ultimately caused him to sit at an aid station for over two hours and eventually pulled his bib.
In this interview, we hear about the power of “just get to the next aid station” strategy” and how it worked.
We also hear about what he learned at his first hundred miler last year. Jeff had earned a Golden Ticket to Western and he tells us about how his training squared up for the storied trail from Tahoe to Auburn and what he’d do different next time.
We also explore the issue of whether it’s possible to mentally prepare for bonking and how we can train ourselves to fight extreme fatigue.
Jeff Ball is sponsored by: Trail Racing Over Texas, Publicis Hawkeye, Altra Running, Nathan, Victory SportDesign, Drymax and Aftershokz.
Jeff Ball, his wife Tracie, and a dog I’m assuming is theirs. Jeff Ball Episode Notes:
Here’s the interview with Ruperto Romero from last year. I’d urge you to listen to it.
Here’s the link to the Kodiak 100.
Meredith Terranova interview.
I asked at the end of the show (yeah, the part with the bad audio..ugh) if anyone has any connections for shirts or bottles for the kids trail running team I’m putting together. If you do…please email me at eric@ultrarunnerpodcast.com. THANK YOU!
The post Jeff Ball | First 100 DNF appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Good Morning! This is John Onate, I am an Internist-Psychiatrist and ultrarunnerpodcast and I am bringing you the Daily News today!
It is hard for me to not to post a video of Kilian crushing a Skyrace. This clip in particular shows how relaxed his form is throughout transitioning from climbing, descending and terrain changes. Enjoy!!
Killian at Comapedarosa 2018
While, Mount Marathon rules the July crazy hard local mountain running races. Japan seems to have its own version in August with the Mount Fuji Ekiden!! Plus it is hard to help Eric out and not find room for an Ekiden
Mount Fuji Ekiden
As both a Internal Medicine Doc and Psychiatrist, helping people when they feel everything has gone wrong is a common situation. I try to help them sort through what is actually connected, what is not related and support them as the learn to accept what they have no control to change at all. The old cliche about a X-Race (marathon, ultramarathon or other epic journey) is “life in a day” is true in regards to being in the present, being mindful and adapting your process to deal with the curve balls the event throws at you. Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness use non-running examples in their essay to expand on this topic.
What to do when it all goes wrong
Using a personal coach for ultra marathoning is all the rage now, I think around 25% of the Western States racers this year used some form of coaching. I benefited greatly from the coaching and guidance I received from Chris and Alicia Vargo, not only during active coaching but additionally from learning their approach and philosophy to running that I will forever be grateful. If you have not subscribed to the Science Of Ultra Podcast, I highly recommend it especially if you like to geek out on data and metrics along with some great advice on running. In the first video version of the podcast the host interviews some of the top Mountain Trail Ultra Coaches in a very insightful discussion.
Science Of Ultra-Coaches Corner #1
I had no idea who Michelle Wolf was until the 2018 White House Correspondence Dinner. Since then I was surprised to find out her first long distance race was a 50 miler!
Michelle Wolf Ultrarunner
What does running, meditation and magic mushrooms have in common? They all seem to deactivate your Default Mode Network! An overactive Default Mode Network may be associated with rumination and depression.
Running’s effect on the brain
Sacramento’s ultrarunners know and are in awe of the legendary power-hiking skills of Roxanna Pana (2nd place Quicksilver 2016). Coach David Roche gives some advice for us mortals when we take on the hills!!
Power Hiking
We all know the talented videographers and Youtuber’s Ethan Newberry, Jamil Coury and Billy Yang. I want to introduce you to a relative newcomer from The Land Down Under: Dan Whitehead. I discovered him while researching the CCC for Makiko last year. He is able to make very succinct, focused narratives in his vlogs that also incorporate absolutely beautiful photography. Here is his latest entry…enjoy!
Dan Whitehead-Vlog
Have you been wondering where in the world has YiOu Wang been this year (and last year)? A better question perhaps is where hasn’t she been in the world this year. Mario’s podcast interviews get better and better with this current episode!
YiOu Wang Morning Shakeout Interview
Finally a logical reason to take a hot yoga class: Boost Your Plasma Volume!
Boost Your Plasma Volume with Hot Yoga!
Alyssa Godesky improved the FKT set by my friend Nikki Kimball by 5 hours!! If you have not watched it yet, add Nikki’s Movie Finding Traction on your Netflix watchlist, to see how gnarly and difficult the Long Trail is!
Long Trail Women’s FKT
Thanks Eric for letting me guest post! I hope you all have a great day!!
The post Ultramarathon Daily News |08/08/18 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
We all have our own stories of finding our place in this silly sport. Some move seamlessly from collegiate track to the trails, while some have been running their whole lives. Then there are people like Neal Collick from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Neal didn’t run in high school and only ran during his time in the Marine Corps to pass tests…certainly not for fun.
Neal Collick en route to his win at Superior 100. After a tough few years adapting back to civilian life, Neal found solace in running, then quickly discovered his love for the trails and eventually trail ultramarathons. In this interview, Neal shares his story about how he got to where he is now–over the physical barriers and mental blocks–and how he compares to his former self.
Neal Collick experiencing non-snowy conditions at Javelina Jundred. Neal Collick hasn’t just found himself on the trails though…he’s won eight of twelve races entered and is heading back to Minnesota Voyageur 50M this weekend to defend his title from last years win. He shared with us his unconventional racing diet, struggles with an intestinal disease, and the love he’s got for the thriving UP trail scene.
This interview really shows the transformation that takes place when someone uses trail running and the MUT community as a guide and throws their heart and mind into this silly sport. Please find links mentioned in the interview below:
Neal Collick Episode Notes Cover pic by Amy Broadmoore. The rest of her pics are right this way.
Here’s a video featuring Neal a few years ago.
Here’s the site for BandofRunners. Check them out and donate if you can. It’s a great cause!
Here are the links for the Tevis Cup, Pioneer Spirit 50 and for White River 50
Outro music by David Rosales.
Gain access to the Daily News Briefing and support my work for the price of a couple of gels. Thanks to everyone who’s supporting URP on Patreon!
The post Neal Collick Interview | From the Marines to a Biker Gang to Trail Ultras on Michigan’s UP appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jessa Hackman graduated law school two years ago, them immediately set off for a solo trek of the Appalachian Trail. After a chance encounter with an ultrarunner on the AT, Jessa signed up for her first ultra trail race less than a month after reaching Katahdin, and with no run training, no watch, and absolutely no idea what she was doing, blew away the field at the North Face 50k in Wisconsin.
Jessa Hackman A few months later, Jessa ran her second race in Arizona–Araivapa Running’s Whiskey Basin 57k–and beat the women’s 2nd place finisher by two hours. Still not stopping at aid stations (she’s got a road/track background) and sketchy on hydration, she used that race as a warm up to her first fifty miler, the famous Ice Age 50 in Wisconsin. Results? Sixth overall, first female.
In this interview, we talk about how a control freak/planner mindset fares in ultras, and why it feels positively wrong to slow down at aid stations. Jessa’s got a great attitude and is making some smart decisions with her training and racing, though she admits she’s got a lot to learn.
So what’s next for Jessa? She’s being smart and not jumping into too many races immediately, but has here eyes on longer challenges next year. In the mean time, she’s busy training, climbing, practicing law, and planning a massive summer wedding.
Jessa Hackman at Northern terminus of Appalachian Trail. Jessa Hackman Episode Notes Here’s Jessa’s blog from the Appalachian Trail.
I mentioned an article about how Jessa met her husband on Tinder. Here it is.
Kelly Wolf is another former gymnast and current ultrarunner. Here’s our chat with Ms. Lobo.
Beer talk: Spotted Cow by New Glarus and more on Radlers right this way.
More on the URP Daily News Briefing podcast right over here.
Outro music by David Rosales
Jessa Hackman – Training on the roads too! Boston Marathon next year and JFK50 on the horizon. Episode Sponsor: North Face Endurance Championships | Wisconsin Use URP20 at checkout for a 20% discount off registration.
The post Jessa Hackman | Positive Vibes from the Midwest appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Traci Falbo is one tough and accomplished runner. She holds the indoor 48 hour record (remember this crazy video?), she’s been named to the top 10 list for Ultrarunner of the Year, she held the 100 mile trail record, has completed the Grand Slam, and has countless ultramarathon finishes and wins to her name.
Listen to her first interview on URP from a few years ago where she talks about losing 80 pounds in a year and how running changed her fitness, health and life…it’s quite a story.
Traci Falbo’s Western Mugshot. A few weeks before Western States Endurance Run this year, Traci posted this about a recent race that made her question her relationship with running and the trails. Although she was in great physical shape, she was hating racing, didn’t want to be there, and was feeling burned out. Still, she planned on lining up at Squaw after some serious thought.””
In this interview, she talks about her running mojo and what her plans were for The Big Dance. Traci shares the story of trying to DNF, but was helped out of the aid station by her crew and husband and what she learned on the trails. She eventually finished in her 2nd slowest 100 mile time ever in 28:36.
“I’ve been in ultrarunning since 2011…and have had huge goals every year and really haven’t taken much time off. I thankfully don’t get injured much, so I just set a goal and go after it, set a goal, go after it. And I haven’t taken enough down time, and this is my body’s way of saying, you know, you need to take a break.”
So what’s next? Jump back into racing? Take some time off? Follow along below.
Similar Episodes Here’s an episode from last year where we talk about the loss of running motivation, mojo, and burnout.
Here’s our first interview with Traci Falbo.
Dominic Grossman and Overtraining Syndrome
Connect with Traci Falbo Here’s her blog.
Here she is on the twitter machine.
Traci Falbo along with pacers Cindy Lynch and Christy Baker. Gear Chat with Sarah Bradham Sarah covered three long-run packs, two of which are specific to women. These packs are meant for long runs…50+ miles, and could also do well for fastpacking. If you’d like to purchase any of these, please visit your local, independently-owned run specialty store first. If that’s not an option, please consider using the below links. They are affiliate links to Amazon and your purchase will put a few bucks into the URP coffers. Thanks!
- Ultimate Direction Adventure Vesta 4.0 (female specific)
- Orange Mud Adventure Pack (universal fit)
- RaidLight Responsiv 10L (female specific)
Want to hear the Daily News Podcast and support the site?
Non-Running Plans for Summer My secret life is exposed: NERF warrior. That’s my custom NERF gun. And while I don’t have a picture of Sarah’s horses poop, here’s her post on how homebuilding is going.
The post Traci Falbo | Running Mojo, Western States, and the Power of a Positive Pacer appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Bob Shebest lined up for Western States this year in prime shape. He’d put in solid training with a high mileage block timed just right. He’d podiumed at other races in the past year and had specific experience racing from Squaw to Auburn before. He had a quality race plan that he’d thought through a million times. This would be a big day.
Looking good! And it was all going well during the race. Feeling good, joking with other runners, hitting his splits about as expected. Bob breezed through Foresthill (mile 62) ready to turn on the jets and execute his race plan to the Placeer High track in Auburn.
Social Media approves: Bob’s day was going well. And unfortunately, this is about where the fun ended and where he started showing tremendous grit and tenacity. Throwing up for hours, sleeping, threatening to quit the race. Many of us have been to this dark spot before, and while many of remove the bib and call it a day, many of us–including Bob on Saturday–persevere and learn lessons.
And one of Bob’s less than shining moments. Bob Shebest Episode Notes Here are our previous interviews with Bob.
Sarah’s website is right this way, complete with blog, book, and coaching info.
San Juan Solistice 50.
Here’s the audio version of the URP Daily News.
Outro music by David Rosales
Things Mentioned: The AltoLab altitude simulator.
BUFF arm sleeves that keep Bob’s body temp down. Stay tuned for a fun giveaway!
The Castle Peak 100k. Beautiful trails with top notch organization.
Two books by Ryan Holiday: The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph and Ego Is the Enemy. (Affiliate links to Amazon. Make a purchase, and it’ll drop a few nickels into the URP bucket. Thanks for the consideration.)
Super Chavez Market in Ukiah.
Gear talk with Ben Be sure to check out Ben’s review of the Suunto 9 at the end of the interview. Geared towards ultramarathon runners and endurance athletes, Ben dives deep into the new functions and functionality of the most recent offering from Suunto.
Connect with Bob Shebest:
The post Bob Shebest | Everyone Has a Plan Until it Falls Apart appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
In addition to the URP Daily News that’s published each morning, I’ll be recording the URP Daily News Briefing each day (maybe?) that’ll go into a bit more depth with some of the issues covered in the online edition.
Please let me know what you think of the audio format below. I’d like to still direct comments about the actual topics to the Daily News page.
Thanks,
Eric
The post URP Daily News Briefing Monday, June 25 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Diana Fitzpatrick has experienced a lot in her running career. She’s won the storied Dipsea Race two times, she’s qualified for the Olympic Trials in the marathon, she’s coached a high school running program for years, co-RD’ed a popular trail 50k with her husband Tim, earned four silver buckles at Western States, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the first hundred mile trail race in the country. When it comes to institutional knowledge and perspective, Diana is someone you want to listen to.
In this interview, we talk about her upcoming (now past) race at Dipsea, advice on finishing fast on the trails, staying fit at sixty years old, the trials and tribulations of directing races, and a few hot topics like female inclusion and lottery logistics in this wacky sport of ours. She’s also lining up in Squaw next weekend in hopes of breaking the 60+ record and being the first 60+ female to earn a Silver Buckle.
Diana Fitzpatrick I’ve included time marks (chapters?) in the mp4 file in case you want to skip around, but will likely forego this practice next time and include only major sections (reviews, top 5, etc).
“There are going to be those times when it’s going to suck and I’m going to be hating it and wondering why I’m doing it and all that..but it’s surprising how you can recover.”
Diana Fitzpatrick (2nd from left) and friends from training camp. Diana Fitzpatrick Episode Notes (2:25) Dipsea chat
(7:50) The importance of track workouts
(14:30) Gender issues in ultramarathon and trail running
(17:25) Specific workouts Diana uses to stay fit and fast
(28:45) The importance of smart pacing
(38:30) Lessons for and from Western States Endurance Run
(40:00) DNF’ing and running together.
(47:00) The difficult situation of the WS lottery
(51:30) Roles of runners, pacers, and crew members
(59:30) Predictions for the Big Dance
(1:01:40) Fartlek questions
(1:06:20) Reflections, site notes, and close
Here’s an excellent bio on Tim and Diana Fitzpatrick in iRunFar.
Results from 2018 Dipsea. Fifth.
Here’s the movie Survival Run about visually impaired runner Harry Cordelios’ incredible run on the Dipsea. I’m amazed at not just the awesome grit, dedication, and fearlessness (and speed!) of Harry, but check out that cinematography from 1979! No GoPros, no steadi cams or gimbals, no drones, and it’s amazing!
Diana’s training and racing site: Impala Racing Team
Here’s more on the Dipsea handicapping system.
Here are our other interview with Western States Board Members: John Medinger | John Trent | Karl Hoagland | Tim Twietmeyer
Fitzpatrick family
The post Diana Fitzpatrick | Ultra Trail Wisdom from a Legend appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Kate Elliot won herself an Altra Golden Ticket to the Western States Endurance Run just four months ago. With her 2nd place finish at Sean O’Brien 100k (her first try at that distance), she suddenly found herself on the registrants list for her first hundred miler on the biggest stage in the world.
Kate Elliot In this interview, we learn about how Kate was in the right place at the right time when Melody Fairchild coached her HS team in Connecticut, then how a move out west (for better weather) and an unfortunate injury drew her closer to the trails.
Now, with just weeks to go, Kate is training her body and her mind to take on other top women at Western States. With coaches Sage and Sandi providing direction and training, she’s in good hands and has an incredibly positive attitude to match her training and competitive drive.
Kate Elliot Kate Elliot Episode Notes [NOTE: I added chapter marks to the audio file for the first time. Since I don’t listen to podcasts, I’m not really sure if they’re necessary or not. Let me know if you’d like me to add them in the future.]
We talk about:
- Course knowledge (7:00)
- Growing up the east coast (11:45)
- Ankle Injury and surgery, part 1 (15:00)
- Recovery (17:00)
- Competitive strategy and visualization (24:30)
- Diet and nutrition (32:40) Here are the Bobo’s Bars Kate mentioned.
- Ramping up training for Western States (35:15)
- Ankle injury, redux (36:30)
- Balancing competitive drive and recovery (45:00)
- The Santa Barbara running scene (48:00) Here’s our interview with Kris Brown.
- Working at Santa Barbara Running Co and what people are buying (49:30)
- rabbit apparel (51:00…One note of correction/clarification: I said in the interview that “I’ve never received a dime from rabbit”, and while that’s true, I have received comped product from them. I get a ton of gear and have no reason to let it effect my opinion, but I want to be totally transparent.)
- Fartlek questions (52:30)
- My reflections on the interview (1:03:00)
- Gear Reviews with Ben (1:04:15)
Kate Elliot and Radar the dog. Gear Review with Ben Ben reviewed the COROS Pace and the Garmin 645M. Ben made quite a few references to his love of the Garmin 935. Here’s that review.
COROS Pace Garmin 645M Interested in purchasing either? Please visit your local, independently owned specialty running store. If that’s not possible, please consider using these affiliate links for Amazon. Thanks!
Coros PACE GPS Sports Watch with Wrist-Based Heart Rate Monitoring | Includes Running, Cycling, Swimming and Triathlon Features and Barometric Altimeter
Garmin Forerunner 645 Music, GPS running watch with Garmin Pay contactless payments, wrist-based heart rate and music, Black band, 010-01863-20
Kate Elliot Episode Sponsor: Chicago Lakefront 50M/50K
Looking for a fast course? The two fastest 50 milers in the US for 2017 were both run here. (Geoff Burns’ report is here.) Perfect for a first timer or someone looking for a blazing fast PR. Five (or three) loops on pavement along Lake Michigan, this is a flat, flat, flat ultra that’s got a finish line ready for big appetites.
The 19th Annual Chicago Lakefront Ultra will take place Saturday, October 27, 2018. More info right this way,
Follow Kate on instagram | Twitter | Strava
Outro Music by David Rosales. More music and tour info right this way.
The post Kate Elliott Interview | Positive Attitude for Her First Hundred Miler appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Lee Conner has been stacking up finishes, podiums, and wins at trail ultramarathons across the country for a number of years. In the past 18 months, Lee has run HURT 100 (5th female), Orcas Island 100, Miwok 100k, Bighorn 100 (2nd female), UTMB, Chatanooga 100 (win), the Georgia Death Race (3rd female), then this past weekend she took the win at Cruel Jewel 100 miler. That’s just a sampling…there are another 10 races not listed.
Lee Conner at mile 80 of Cruel Jewel. Pic by Dumass Events. In this interview, we talk about how she trains for mountain races while living in Cleveland Ohio, she offers her experience and advice about stomach acids and NSAIDs, and we get into a good discussion about the mental aspect of overcoming dark spaces and bonks, and what she tells herself to keep moving forward.
You want to trash your legs the day before your long run. Just ruin them. And then, learn how to manage your tired legs because in your race your running form changes.
Lee’s athletic history includes a number of sports not commonly found in ultrarunners (hint: they involve combat), and she compares those skillsets to the skills that make a successful runner.
Lee Conner at finish of Cruel Jewel 100 Episode Highlights: 6:50 Training for technical terrain in the snow.
9:40 Specifics of short hill training.
16:10 Importance of resting during intervals and why you’re probably doing it wrong
18:55 Trail intervals
21:16 Stomach acid and throwing up bloody coffee grounds.
24:00 NSAIDs and why Lee doesn’t use them.
26:40 Other sports she’s been involved in.
31:10: One and done and no regrets.
33:10 Keeping a positive attitude during a bonk.
35:10 “Trail shoes are nonsense and unnecessary.”
38:15 Lee Conners’ credentials and education.
42:50 Advice for Western States Endurance Run entrants
44:17 100 mile pacing and why you need to yell at yourself
50:18 Gear talk with Lee Conner. What does she wear?
57:40 Fartlek questions
1:05:28 Top five stories from the URP Daily News
1:09:40 Patreon gifts
Lee Conner Lee Conner Episode Notes Here’s the site for Cruel Jewel 100.
Here’s the site for Carson Shoes.
Here’s the Sugarstride podcast we talked about.
Intro/outro music by David Rosales. I interviewed David at the end of this podcast with Scotty Mills.
Support URP on Patreon right here:
The post Lee Conner Interview | How She Trains for Mountain Ultras Without Any Mountains appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
When seven time Western States champion Scott Jurek decided to take a crack at the 2,189 mile Appalachian Trail in 2015, he knew it would be a team effort with his wife Jenny. This interview is with Jenny Jurek and gets her perspective on the 46:08:07 FKT. Scott and Jenny Jurek After the six weeks on the road and trail, Jenny and Scott decided to sit down and chronicle the adventure. In their new book North: Finding My Way While Running the Appalachian Trail, Scott and Jenny take turns sharing their experience from the run. Scott writes about the run, while Jenny writes about the challenges of managing his run, from finding the trail heads to fending off well-meaning fans to accommodating a colorful cast of characters who were there to help Scott. There are a lot of running books out there. From memoirs to extended reports to guides, and this one is special. From the characters to the drama, North is reminiscent of Chris McDougall’s best seller Born to Run and will likely have a huge impact on our sport. I get a ton of books and don’t often make it past the first few chapters…this one’s different. And hey, if you’re interested in purchasing either the book or audio book, please consider using the Amazon link below. It’ll drop a few bucks into the URP bucket and help offset costs. Thank You!
This all took place at a time when Jenny and Scott were trying to start a family, had suffered through miscarriages and medical procedures, and were mourning the loss of a rock climbing friend. There’s a lot here: Running, family, friends, despair, strength, redemption, and rebirth. Scott and Jenny Jurek Scott and Jenny Jurek in “Castle Black.” This book and interview by Jenny Jurek will appeal to you if you: * Have crewed or paced a mountain hundred miler and wondered what it would be like to do that for six weeks straight. * Have or are experiencing a mid-career crisis. Scott and Jenny are sharply honest about Scott’s place in the sport and whether “the flame has burned out.” * Enjoy reading about a colorful cast of characters. If you’ve been listening to URP for more than a few years, you’ll recognize: + David Horton + Scott Jurek + Jenn Shelton + Speedgoat Karl Meltzer + Krissy Moehl + Kim Gaylord + Luis Escobar
Jenny Jurek Episode Sponsor: North Face Endurance Challenge Massachusetts Wachusett Mountain plays host to an incredible weekend of NE trails with distances from 5k to 50 mile. Click the image (left) and use URP20 in the checkout for a nice discount. Thanks! Krissy Moehl and Jenny Jurek Jenny Jurek high high up on a rock face. Gear chat with URP Gear Editor Ben Zuehlsdorf Ben shared his knowledge and experience with a few different pairs of running sunglasses. For ophthalmic lenses, I prefer Rudy Project. (I wear the Intuition to see and to run.) They’re well made, the lenses transition well, and as my wife says “don’t look too sporty.”
Below are the glasses discussed. If you’re interested in purchasing them and your local independently owned run specialty store doesn’t carry them, please use the affiliate link. Amazon has great prices and a superb return policy. Thanks!
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One Year Anniversary of Sarah’s Book!
To celebrate the anniversary of her book release, The Trail Runner’s Companion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trail Running and Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras, Sarah is doing a drawing to give away a coaching consultation. Buy the book here and fill out this form to enter. Jenny Jurek and the mobile aid station “Castle Black.” Jenny Jurek Episode Outro Music by David Rosales. More music and tour info in the link. Raven and Jenny Jurek at Leadville Half Marathon, 2017.
The post Jenny Jurek | Running, Writing, and Adapting to Life Along the Appalachian Trail appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jared Hazen will line up at Lake Sonoma 50 in two days with one goal: Earn an Altra Golden Ticket to the Western States Endurance Run in June. His fellow Coconino Cowboys are in, but for he and fellow Cowboy Eric Senseman, this is their last chance for 2018. Jared Hazen. Pic courtesy Myke Hermsmeyer In this interview, we talk about what has passed since his last interview on URP. At that time (2015), Jared was 19 years old, working at a Subway in Colorado, and though he had an impressive string of wins, he seemed to lack direction. In this latest episode, we discuss how he’s grown, how his training has become more targeted, and how he’s changed mentally and emotionally. One thing hasn’t changed: He’s fiercely competitive and is going for the win at every race. Stay in touch with Jared Hazen: –Twitter –Instagram –Strava Jared Hazen pic by Mike Hermsmeyer Jared Hazen tells me about weight routines he does with Jim Walmsley and the other cowboys and how mile repeats on the track at 7k feet at 5mpm pace have helped him get in shape for Lake Sonoma. In his words, he’s “confident, in good shape…and has a feeling (he’s) had before.” While I wrongly assumed he’d be hoping Jim could help pace him during the race, Jared made it clear that regardless of who’s toeing the line, he’s going for the win and thinks he can get it. Get ready for fireworks on Saturday! (bang bang) Jared Hazen pic by Ty Lohr Jared Hazen Episode Notes Here’s our first interview with Jared Hazen from 2015. Here’s our interview with fellow Coconino Cowboy Eric Senseman. Here’s the drink mix Jared was talking about: Maurten Drink Mix. More on Mother Road Brewery right here. Here’s iRunFar’s Lake Sonoma predictions for 2018. Like the outro music: Check out more by trailrunner/singer/songwriter right this way.
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Mike Strzelecki isn’t fast, but he’s been running trails and ultramarathons for the better part of thirty years. This guy loves single track. He loves timed events. He loves road races and trail races. And he loves the heck out of the ultramarathon community.
It’s one thing to hear advice from a top runner, but it’s also good to remember to keep it real and to listen to someone with a different perspective. In this interview Mike drops advice, wisdom, and lessons that runners of all ages and abilities can relate to.
Mike is 53 years old, works and lives in Balitmore, MD, and is married with two kids.
Mike Strzelecki and a llama. Below are Mike’s Eighteen Tips.
1. Running a distance longer than a marathon is easier than people think.
It’s the dirty secret of the ultrarunning community- these things are very doable. You just have to slow down a bit, walk some the steeper hills, eat and drink along the way, and they are more manageable to get through than you could ever imagine. Running a casual trail 50k is much easier than running a paved marathon, in my opinion.
2. Running a 100-miler is exponentially more difficult than most people think.
I am not sure what happens between the miles of 50 miles and 100 miles, but there seems to be some esoteric barrier that must be broken that is challenging beyond belief. Respect the Distance is one of the truest running mantras out there. Be humble.
3. Move slowly up the distance scale from 50ks through 100s and beyond.
The 100-miler may be the new marathon, but it should be treated with the utmost of respect. Otherwise, you could really do damage to your body. Your muscles, your joints, your endocrine system – they all need to be stepped up through the distances slowly so that they can adapt to the unbelievable stresses being placed on them. The conventional wisdom is to run three 50Ks before you try your first 50, and three 50s before you try your first 100. I agree with this rule. I understand lots of people don’t follow this – I just think it’s wise. You can usually bull your way through a 50K and even a 50. You need to be totally dialed in to have your best shot at finishing a 100, and stepping up slowing will allow you to dial in correctly your gear, your hydration, your energy, your shoes, etc.
4. Don’t limit your involvement in the sport and community to just running.
Experience the sport from a different perspective – from that as a crew member, volunteer, race director, group run leader. Get a feel for all facets of trail and ultrarunning. And I am not necessarily talking about “giving back” per se. I am talking about garnering a full understanding of the sport from every angle possible. It will help you gather a much greater appreciation for the sport.
5. Don’t get caught up in technology or the newest shiny energy gel or toy.
There is nothing wrong with keeping the sport pure. There is nothing wrong with eating fig newtons over gels, drinking sweet tea over Tailwind, using Vaseline over some new-fangled pricey product. I get asked if you need trail shoes to run a trail race. People started running trail ultras in Chuck Taylors, wearing flannel shirts and cotton shorts. If you have a basic pair of shorts, a pair of old ratty shoes, and a shirt – you have a trail party.
Mike Strzelecki 6. Don’t get in a race rut.
While it’s comfortable and fun to run the same string of races year after year, cast your race line a bit longer once in a while and reach for new experiences. There are so many trails to explore, runners to meet, mountain towns to overnight in.
7. Think of longer ultras (like 100s and multi-days) as really just a series of problem-solving events.
You can sometimes get through a 50K, and maybe even a 50, without addressing immediate needs like blisters or rubbing packs or dehydration – just bulling your way through them. Not in longer ultras. Each little niggle in a longer race could blossom into a race-ending issue. Identify all potential problems early and address them immediately and continue with the practice.
8. For your first ultra race, do whatever it takes to make it an enjoyable experience for you.
Finishing time is not the important parameter here; having fun is. Craft the experience so it is one that you will want to repeat again and again. Move at a manageable pace, walk the hills, make new friends, stop to take a picture of that blue heron, take full advantage of the aid stations, keep your pulse at a level so that you can chat with others. If you are running your first ultra correctly, you will already be planning your second ultra before you even finish.
9. For your first 100, just finish.
A friend told me he had signed up for his first 100. He told me about his training and he was very well-prepared for the task. He had an amazing trail spirit and I knew he would thrive on pushing through the tough trail miles and spending long hours in the woods. He was a smart guy who knew how to pace and how to nourish and hydrate. He had young legs with little wear-and-tear. I was sure he would finish. And then, at the end of our conversation, before departing, he added one last tidbit: “Oh, and I would love to get under 24 hours.” In my opinion, he just undermined a year’s worth of training and experience by setting this goal. In the actual race, he went out too fast, and dropped after mile 70. For your first 100, just finish. No needless setting of time goals. There will be lots of subsequent 100s for trying to hit benchmarks.
Mike Strzelecki 10. This may be the most important bit of advice of all: You do you, and don’t worry about anyone else, or let anyone else pressure you.
Run YOUR pace. Walk as much as YOU prefer. If you want to stay on roads while your friends are pushing for you to try trails…stay on asphalt. The sport of running has always been about finding your own comfort zone and being your own person. If you want to complete your first 50 miler or 100 miler by walking it….outstanding. Do not let anyone diminish your effort by minimalizing or trivializing what you are doing. Google Yolanda Holder (and better yet, facebook friend her). She walks 100s and she walks the toughest multi-day courses and she beats many of the runners. She catches criticism from other competitors for not running, but outright dismisses it, as she should. She found her joy, she found her pace, and she found her happiness. Find yours, regardless of pace, terrain, or distance.
11. Support small companies that cater to the runner and have great one-on-one customer service.
Trail running is a nice cottage industry and there are more and more runners moving into the business side of things. Not runners looking to maximize profits, but to offer products to benefit runners. Running is one of the least expensive activities to be involved in (think sailing, biking, backpacking, etc.) and these places are worth supporting. Runners helping runners.
12. Don’t run to impress others.
The only person you should be trying to impress is yourself. I took an 8-year hiatus from running to raise kids, and got to view the sport from the outside looking in. People on the outside of the sport are not as nearly impressed at your accomplishments as you think they may be. From my experience on the outside, most just think it’s a rather odd endeavor. Run for yourself.
13. Put the GPS away once in a while.
Run for nothing more than joy with no regard to distance or time or pace or heart rate. Be a 12-year-old.
14. Don’t dismiss timed races.
As boring and unpopular as they MAY seem, they are actually the most social of ultras. Timed races are about sharing trail with runners slower than you, faster than you – runners you would never meet in a traditional trail race. You can cheer for the leaders throughout the event and encourage the back-of-the-packers. You will make more running friends than you could ever imagine. After each timed race, my facebook friend list grows by a handful of new runners.
15. Treat trail running as a form of meditation.
It’s about immersing yourself in the natural world and forming a relationship with the rocks and trees and sky. It’s not about “conquering” a course or kicking a race’s ass. You are not a warrior; you are a student of zen. It’s about having the honor and privilege of spending time in beautiful places and understanding your place in the outdoors and appreciating and respecting the experience.
16. Try adventure runs.
Sometimes a solo run or personal challenge is prefect salve for the frustration of vying with hundreds of other runners for trail space. And the sense of accomplishment you will get can be unique and special. (Could get some good street cred as well.)
17. Find your own Barkley.
I know many people watch the new Barkley documentary and think, “I may go and try that thing next year.” The reality is that the race is not only a near-impossibility to finish, it’s also a near-impossibility to get into. That does not mean you cannot find another race that will challenge you to an extensive degree, push you to your outer limit, require in you new levels of training. Find that race, sign up a year in advance, and cater your training to that race. There is only one Barkley, but there are scores of more-accessible races out there that will push you to a degree almost unfathomable. Find your own Barkley experience.
18. It’s all about the human connection.
One day, the running will be gone. Your back may give out, or you will be spending your days prune juicing at Shady Acres Senior Home. The miles may be over, but the friends you made sharing those thousands of miles over your lifetime will still be by your side. And in the end, your running memories will reflect the smiles and hugs of friends as much as the rocks and mud. Cherish the connections you are making on the trails and roads.
Mike Strzelecki Episode Notes Intro/outro music by David Rosales. Find out more here.
Thanks again to the Patreon crew for making all this possible. This episode was ad-free because of your generosity. Thanks! If you’d like to support my work, clicky click right here.
The post Mike Strzelecki’s 18 Tips for Trail and Ultramarathon Success appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
The picture below shows it all. With a pulk behind them and hundreds of miles of baren tundra in front of them, it takes a special type of athlete to line up at the Iditarod Trail Invitational. Alaskan transplant David Johnston has won the event six times in the last seven years, but this was Gavin Woody’s first attempt at the 350 mile distance. (There’s a shorter option, then there’s the 1,000 mile version.) For 350 miles. Pic by Gavin Woody. Six weeks prior to toeing the line at ITI, Gavin Woody ran the toughest ultramarathon in Europe….The 268 mile Spine Race in the UK. And two weeks prior to the start of the ITI, David Johnston ran—and won–the freezing cold Susitna 100 miler. At the end of the Iditarod Trail Invitational, both men finished together, tying for the top spot. Gavin Woody David Johnston This podcast episode is a recount of their preparation and a breakdown of their five days out on the tundra. For two guys who barely knew each other when the gun blew, they’ve developed a bond that few share. They talk about what they learned from watching an experienced competitor make a near fatal pacing mistake, and the joys and wonder of blue tarps and Budweiser.
Episode Notes Here’s our original interview with Gavin Woody from January 2017.
Here’s the site for the Iditarod Trail Invitational.
Here’s Gavin’s interview with The Ginger Runner after his The Spine Race finish in 2018.
David Johnston’s ultrasignup. And Gavin Woody’s list.
Here is Yitka’s excellent biography of Gavin’s life and adventures.
More on David Rosales’ outro music right this way.
Dave Johnston: Snow, shortsleeves, Buds, and a pulk. Gear Talk with Ben URP Gear Editor Ben Zuehlsdorf joins me at the end of the show to talk about his introduction to ski mountaineering/skimo. We talk where, why, and how to get into the sport, he fills me in on his gear choices, and he talks about how he thinks it’ll help his trail running. Below is his gear lineup:
Skis: Dynafit Speed 90 ($985)
Boots: Salomon S/Lab X-Alp ($900) Bindings: Salomon MTN + BRAKE ($450)
Skins: Dynafit Speedskin Speed 90 ($250)
Avalanche/Safety Kit: Black Diamond/Pieps Safety Set ($550)
Wanna help? Share this episode online and/or tell a friend! Subscribe to the site or leave us an honest review on iTunes. Visit us on Stitcher, or join the Patreon crew right here for exclusive content. Interested in advertising on the site? Email me here and let’s talk.| Here’s our media kit.
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Brendan Leonard, founder and creative drive behind the popular semi-rad.com website joins Sarah and I for a wide-ranging talk about running, outdoor adventures, media, and more. Brendan’s an interesting guy and leads a multi-fasceted life that many URP listeners will appreciate and relate to…all told through the eyes and ears of a humorist who doesn’t take ultra trail running too seriously. Brendan Leonard from Semi-Rad at RRR100. Pic by Aidan Haley. He and friend Jayson Sime recently appeared in the now-viral “How to Run 100 Miles” about their run at Run Rabbit Run 100 in Colorado last year, and we dig deep into what it was like finishing with just minutes to spare, advice on running with your friend, and what got him through the deep bonks. We talk about funny Instagram accounts, the influence of cameras on the course, why he hates to run, but likes running, and how he got sober in his early 20s. Lots to cover! Brendan and Jayson looking strong at Run Rabbit Run 100. Pic by Josh Perez. Brendan Leonard Episode Notes: Here’s the “How to Run 100 Miles” film by REI. If you’re wondering how a 100 miler differs from shorter distances, this is a great example of what to expect. Here’s Brendan’s website semi-rad.com and here’s his latest Friday Inspiration. Intro music by David Rosales. We interviewed him at the end of this episode with Scotty Mills. How to find Brendan’s writing at Outside Magazine. Favorite Instagram accounts mentioned: * Jake Likes Onions
Favorite Twitter accounts mentioned: * Thoughts of Dog * Nihilist Arby’s * Los Feliz Daycare
Brendan Leonard and Jayson Sime near the finish. Pic by Aidan Haley Speaking of social media, are you following Brendan on Twitter and Instagram? While you’re at it, follow URP right here and here. I’m still learning the latter…please forgive me. More on Chuck Close’s quote about “Inspiration is for amateurs.” Here’s the book Brendan mentioned: Everyone’s a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too: A Book Here’s another podcast Brendan did with another Brendan. Here’s Brendan Leonard’s latest book: The Great Outdoors: A User’s Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Heading into the Wild (and How to Get Back in One Piece) And here’s the book Sarah recently read: Sixty Meters to Anywhere Here’s our interview with Kyle Robidoux where we talk about visually impaired runners. Looking for URP on iTunes? We’re right here! Leave a review and I’ll love ya forever. Semi-Rad print hanging in my studio. Click image for link to store. The post Semi-Rad.com’s Brendan Leonard Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Scotty Mills Episode Notes Scotty Mills has been running Ultramarathon and trail events since 1981 and has racked up a few hundred finishes and made what seems like just as many friends. He’s run UTMB, JFK, Lake Sonoma, Massanutten, Hat Run 50k and Wasatch. He’s run Western States 18 times, Hardrock 100 eight times, and he just this past weekend ran a 50k in Tijuana, Mexico.
In terms of ultra knowledge, wisdom, and humbleness, Scotty holds a special place in this silly sport of ours. After 400 episodes, it was high time we had him on the show.
Scotty Mills (r) at the 2016 Cuyamaca 100 with WS Board Prez and friend John Trent. In this episode, we talk about: * His DNF at Western and how he’s managing the “lean.” * His finish at 2017 Western and why it bothers him. * Lessons he’s learned during races and from friends. * Advice he’s got for people getting into the sport that applies to all runners. * His feelings on “haven’t you run Hardrock/WS100 enough and shouldn’t you let someone else have a go?” question. * The role of the race director. * Ways to stay engaged both physically and mentally over decades of running.
Scotty Mills enters the track at WS 2017. Scotty Mills Episode Notes Here’s the interview with Angela Shartel.
Here’s the site for the San Diego 100.
Did you read Sarah’s piece about Scotty in the new Trail Runner Magazine DIRT edition? If you’re not subscribed, head on over here.
Here’s our interview w David Horton.
Cover photo by Howie Stern Photography.
Here’s more on the Ultramaraton Trail 50k in Tijuana.
Here’s the link to Broken Arrow Skyrace.
Here’s the Cuyamuca 100k.
Scotty and wife Jean at WS100 medical tent, post race. David Rosales Music | New Intro Track is “Good to be Alive.”
Find out more about David’s music and schedule at the links below. ~Insta ~Site/Tour ~Twitter ~YouTube
Episode Sponsor: Highline Running’s 4 Day San Juan Running Camp Interested in running with Sarah for 4 days high-up in the San Juan Mountains in Colorado? Still not clear what the difference is between trail running and mountain running? This camp is your answer! Runs will take place from 9-13k feet while sleeping each night in unique accommodations. Have fun!
The post Scotty Mills | Ultra Longevity, the MUT Community, and New URP Music! appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Ever wanted to put on a trail race or ultramarathon? What does it take to launch your first event and how do you build a community around it? In this interview with Rob Goyen, we hear about how he accidentally started one of the most successful race companies in the country, Trail Racing Over Texas (TROT.)
A few NSFW words didn’t get bleeped. Sensitive ears beware.
In this interview, we discuss:
- Rob’s massive weight loss and transition to healthy eating and living.
- The future of MUT running…while other race companies are adding hundreds, he’s doing less at that distance and focusing on more traditional trail races.
- His deep-seeded and personal reasons for helping others achieve their dreams.
- How he’s adapting to not being able to run and which World Record he’s planning on breaking in the meantime.
- The draw of celeb-runners to events. Do they make a difference?
- His views on drugs in races and what RDs can do to control them.
- If and how a race director should proactively foster racial and gender inclusivity at their events.
- And of course, if he’d prefer to vomit or diarrhea when he’s got the stomach flu.
The truth is that the growth in our sport is in trail running, it’s not in ultrarunning.
Rob Goyen in his natural element. Rob Goyen Episode Sponsor: Spike-Free and S-Fuels Hydration Products: If you’re on a LCHF or Keto diet, be sure to check out the bars and hydration products from Spike-Free. They’ve got free shipping, a 100% guarantee, and took feedback from 3k URP listeners to make their products just right… Help support our sponsors! Thanks.
Episode Notes Here’s the TROT website and here’s Rob’s blog.
Here’s the NoFinePrint shirt site and here’s his podcast.
Here’s the article by Jason Koop about ultramarathon demographics. What do you think of Rob’s prediction that the future of MUT is in the “T”?
We talked about the handicapped timing at Dipsea…here’s how it all works.
Rob mentioned John Paul LaCroix’s races in Colorado. Here’s “Sherpa John’s” website.
Like Rob, I’m subscribed to ultrarunning magazine’s print edition. Great resource, and if you haven’t checked it out in the past few years, you’re in for a nice surprise.
Thanks again to the Patreon crew for not only submitting questions for this episode, but for supporting my efforts by underwriting the podcasts, Daily News, and reviews. THANK YOU.
Outro music by AJ LeGrand.
Other URP Episodes Featuring Prominent MUT Race Directors Gary Cantrell (2011)
Tim Long (2012)
James Varner (2012)
Candice Burt (2014)
Jamil Coury (2017)
The post Rob Goyen | Race Directing and the MUT Industry appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Dr. Hal Rosenberg has lived and run in the trail meccas of Boulder and Flagstaff and currently lives and practices in the running hotbed of Mill Valley, California. He’s an experienced MUT runner, cyclist, and triathlete, who also happens to treat some of the top ultra trail runners in the country.
We start the discussion by hearing about Hal’s experience in outdoor endurance sports and his recent run at Black Canyon 100k, then jump into a discussion about sports chiropractors.
Dylan Bowman and Hal Rosenberg. In this interview, I recount my experience with chiropractors, then Hal details the when and why to see a sports chiropractor. What can chiropractors do to keep you healthy, fine-tune your stride, and ultimately, help you fix your body if you’ve pushed too hard. I learn that they’re not just for backs, but for all around health and wellness.
We talk about the symptoms and signs that it’s time to seek professional help, and what you can do at home to stay on top of your game. He talks about injuries caused by ill-fitting hydration packs, how and when to use active recovery, and why Graston (and similar techniques) work so well.
Dr. Hal Rosenberg Episode Notes: Here’s how to contact Hal.
Follow him on IG here or Twitter right this way.
Many of the questions in the episode came from you! Thanks, Patrons!
Outro music by Pat Reagan‘s now defunct band The Long Goners. (no link available.)
At the end of the interview, URP Gear Reviewer Sarah Bradham joins to me to go over over a few new products she’s testing:
- Under Armout HOVR Sonic Connected.. (This is the same shoe Ben reviewed in this interview, but from another perspective.)
- Ultimate Direction Race Vesta (affiliate link)
- Topo Athletic MT2 Trail Running Shoe. I also offer my brief opinions on the Topo Athletic Runventure 2 . (affiliate links)
Dr. Hal Rosenberg on the famous Dipsea Trail. The post Dr. Hal Rosenberg | When and Why to See a Sports Chiropractor appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Ladia Albertson-Junkans ran the competitive Chuckanut 50k for her first ultramarathon last year and won it. With a stacked field that included YiOu Wang, Camille Herron, and Corinne Malcom, Ladia bonked hard but rallied and came out on top.
I think I’ve learned to focus on joy through the physical discomfort and physical strain, and in some way I derive joy from that, which I think a lot of us do.
She’s represented the US in Mountain Running Championships, she’s won road races, ran as an All-American in collegiate cross country, and recently she’s been turning her attention more towards trail ultras.
Ladia Albertson-Junkans at Way Too Cool. Pic by Quin Stevenson. This past weekend, Ladia Albertson-Junkans lined up at the competitive Way Too Cool 50k and, once again, came out on top and looked like she had a blast the whole way.
But this isn’t an interview about winning races. Ladia shares her stories and feelings about why she loves running and the trail community , what drives her to compete, and what she is truly seeking each time she toes the line.
Ladia Alberton-Junkans and husband Adam on Mt. Pichuck. In this interview, we talk about: * The positive influences of high school and college coaches. * How Ladia transitioned into trail running and ultimately ultra distance events. * The power of a positive attitude and community involvement. * What she learned pacing Kaytlyn Gerbin at Western States 100 and will we ever see her line up at Squaw? * The differences between “cross country running” and “trail running.” Anyone have anything to add to that? * What she learned during her first ultramarathon at Chuckanut and how she applied those lessons to Way Too Cool. * And of course, projectilve vomiting.
Episode Sponsor: Splats Sunscreen Looking for a solution to staying safe in the sun without lugging around a bottle in your pack? Splats Sunscreen makes a single-use packet of high quality sunscreen that’s great for hydration packs and drop bags that you can use to reapply throughout the day. Makes sense, right? Check them out!
Ladia Albertson-Junkans Episode Notes: Here’s the URP interview with Kaytlyn Gerbin.
Here’s the Nike Borderclash XC start I was talking about. Jump to 1:00 for the action!
Here’s the info on Steen’s Mountain High Altitude Running Camp.
We talked about Broken Arrow Skyrace and why it’d be a perfect race for her.
Here’s more on Chip Gaines’ Silo District Marathon.
Here’s more on Ladia’s friend Gabe Grunewald’s fight against cancer.
During Ben’s Gear Talk, we discussed:
- Under Armour HOVR
- Salomon Sonic RA
- Reebok Floatride Run Fast Pro
- Altra Superior 3.5
- Altra King Mountain
- Suunto Spartan Heart Rate Baro
- Garmin 935
- The North Face RKT Shorts
Outro music by Matt Flaherty
Ladia at Way Too Cool 50k, mile 10. Pic by me. Connect with Ladia:
The post Ladia Albertson-Junkans Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Adharanand Finn has lived with the elite Kenyan runners in Iten, he’s trained in Japan while learning about the famously cut-throat Ekiden races, and he’s now turning his attention to the burgeoning ultramarathon scene.
Adharanand Finn working out with Kenyan runners in Iten. In this interview, we talk about: * The cultural and social influences on the Japanese distance running scene. For a country so steeped in the tradition of “work harder“, how do runners adjust to modern coaching techniques of “have fun and take a rest day”? * The incredible depth of Japanese runners and performances. * How does the Kenyan running scene differ from that in the US or Japan? What did he learn from them, and will we see any Kenyans tearing up the international ultra scene en masse? + What does he expect to happen if two Kenyans line up at Lake Sonoma this April. * For a guy who got into ultrarunning less than two years ago (and has already nabbed a ticket to UTMB!), what did he learn during his time with Zach Miller or with the elites in Marin Country, California?
Adharanand Finn running an Ekiden in Kyoto. There are a tremendous amount of topics to cover with Finn, and if you want to dig deeper, check out any of his best selling books below. Please consider purchasing them through these affiliate links on Amazon. Thanks!
Running with the Kenyans: Passion, Adventure, and the Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth
The Way of the Runner: A Journey into the Fabled World of Japanese Running
Episode Sponsor: Mt Baker Ultra A-ha! I figured you’d want to hear more about this unique event! The Mt. Baker Ultra is a kind of race where trail running, ultrarunning, and mountaineering intersect and form an event that picks up where the race dropped off over one hundred years ago. More info right this way.
Articles and Topics Mentioned in the Adharanand Finn Interview: Here’s the recent piece in the Guardian: Why don’t Kenyans Run Ultramarathons
Here’s Jason Koop’s article about the growth of the sport.
Be sure to follow him on the Twitter machine here. He’s the only guy I know who’s got his first name as his twitter handle!
Here’s the Kenyafornia fundraising site. I’m in for $50! Help out so we can see Risper and Francis line up with Jim, Patrick, Kaci, Caroline and other US elites at Lake Sonoma in April.
I took a few questions from the Patreon crowd. If you’d like to support the work on this site, please consider throwing a few bucks my way each month. It adds up and I appreciate it!
Interested in joining the Kenyans and Adharanand at a running camp in Iten? More info here.
Outro music by AJ LeGrand. Find his music and tour info right this way.
Adharanand Finn and Dean Karnazes in California The post Adharanand Finn | Japanese Ekiden, Kenyan Marathoners, and the Rise of Ultrarunners appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Ailsa MacDonald showed up at the Black Canyon 100k–a Western States Endurance Run Golden Ticket Race–and walked away with second overall. Now she’s got to squeeze “The Big Dance” into her already tight racing schedule of marathons, ultras, and Ironman distance triathlons.
So who is Ailsa? She’s got an interesting story of how she grew up to appreciate endurance sports and nature, and and how she’s effectively been training for trail ultramarathons since she was a girl. Ailsa is
Ailsa MacDonald and a red ale. In this interview, we talk about: * Reassessing yourself in the middle of the race, adapting, and pushing through discomoft. Ailsa has the keen ability to do that and it’s proving to be effective. * Her unique work schedule and location. Long hours, hard work, no hills for training. * Adapting to your situation: Getting in hill shape when you live on a flat, petroleum extraction site in the middle of the Canadian Oil Sands. * What she learned at the first 100 miler (that she, ahem, won outright!) and what lessons she’s got for runners training for that distance. * The importance of pacing and diet. * Training and racing for triathlons while also training for ultras. * Her love of dark beer.
Ailsa MacDonald Episode Notes Here’s an article about her Sinister 7 win.
Outro Music: AJ LeGrand site and tour info right here.
Ailsa MacDonald Instagram.
Here’s a link to the Patreon page for the upcoming “Ask the ~~PT~~ Chirpractor” episode.
Ailsa’s Sponsor: The Fast Trax Run and Ski Shop in Edmonton.
Ailsa MacDonald Episode Sponsor: Transelkirks The Transelkirks Run traverses five peaks at the Revelstoke resort in British Columbia and contains as much vert as UTMB or Hardrock 100. Giddyup! Choose between three or five days, and 100k or 100 mile races. Stay in luxury accommodations with meals, a pool, and swim up bar, and spend your trails racing the only permitted ultra in a Canadian National Park! Important: Use TSRURP at checkout for $100 off race entry!
The post Ailsa MacDonald | Midrace Mindset appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Natalie Ghelfi joined me for a conversation about her first 100k. We talk about her training, what she learned in her buildup, and how she executed her race. We also talk strollers, marriages, downhill running, shoes, and more.
In this podcast, we discuss an issue many runners struggle with, and that’s one of self confidence and pain avoidance. Are you the type of person who throws it all out there and lets what happen happen, or are you more reserved with your goals and efforts for fear of failing? I’m the former, while our guest Natalie is the latter and we talk a bit about tempering expectations and how to push oneself if we’re afraid of pushing too hard.
Ryan and Natalie Ghelfi with son Laiken. We also talk about two other main drivers in Natalie Ghelfi’s life. She’s married to HOKA athlete and Trails-and-Tarmac coach/founder Ryan Ghelfi and we talk about what it’s like living with a coach, whether she heeds his advice, and how they manage racing calendars when each wants to run.
The other influence is her infant son, who’s spending lots of time in the running stroller and tempting her with DNFs. Listen to the interview then let me know if you struggle with the same temptations.
Natalie Ghelfi Episode Notes Here’s the link to Broken Arrow Skyrace.
Here’s the site for the Sean O’Brien 100k.
Here’s the stroller we were talking about.
We talked about the Mt. Ashland Hill Climb race. Here’s the site.
The two shoes I talked about: HOKA Cavu and the Topo Athletic Runventure 2 . Full reviews forthcoming. (Affiliate links.)
The pack that Natalie was talking about is the Salomon S/Lab Sense Ultra 5 Set. Here’s Ben’s review of the pack…he loves it too.
Natalie Ghelfi’s husband Ryan coaches and writes at his site right here.
Here’s the Stone Delicious IPA that’s great for the gluten-free crowd.
Outro music by AJ LeGrand. Music and tour info over here.
Episode Sponsor: S-Fuels Looking for a hydration product that can handle the endurance demands of this silly sport? S-Fuels products don’t use sugar and are perfect for those runners who’ve adopted a LCHF diet. No sugar=No gut distress!
Free shipping and a 100% money back guarantee? Hell yes!
The post Natalie Ghelfi Interview | Lessons From Her First 100k appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Angela Shartel has wins at Quad Dipsea, Bear, Cruel Jewel, Massnutten, and San Diego 100 miler. She’s an M9 at Western and recently finished 2nd at Araivapa Running’s Coldwater Rumble in Arizona.
That last result–a podium at a 100 miler–is what we focus on a lot in this interview.
After a few strong years of top results, Angela Shartel had maxed out in the pressure department. She talks about seeking approval through her running and gradually increasing the intensity to ensure her position in the sport, but it quickly turned sour. Running competitively became a destructive activity for her and she pulled back.
Angela Shartel having fun on the trails. In this interview, we discuss: * How Angela dealt with the success and what lessons she learned along the way. * The perils and psychology of self-diagnosing and catastrophizing any symptoms or medical issue. * What she’s learned from pacing and running with the legendary Scotty Mills. Lesson: Take in the beauty. * The mental anguish of physical recovery. How’d she deal with losing her identity and routine while she recovered from spinal surgery last year. * …and how in the heck she podiumed at the aforementioned 100 miler last month.
Angela Shartel, before and after.
“In my mind I had so much self doubt. OK, maybe that podium was a fluke, or maybe that time just luck. I kept making excuses for why I wouldn’t normally be able to do that.”
Not lost on any of this is how Angela ended up here in the first place. After a scary pregnancy, an abusive marriage, weight gain, and subsequent health scares along the way, she needed to make a change and quickly discovered that she was pretty damn good at endurance events. Angela has a fascinating story that I’d urge you to listen to. Below are a few podcasts and articles that dive into that aspect of Angela Shartel’s life:
Here’s the Ink-n-Burn video from Fat Dog 120 that really goes into her background.
Here’s Ginger Runner’s interview with her from last year.
Here’s iRunFar’s interview with Angela Shartel from 2016.
Here’s an interview from TrainingForUltra podcast.
Episode Sponsored by: Yeti Trail Runners
Be sure to check out the Yeti Trail Runners for trail and ultramarathon events, cool shirts, beer talk, and a general relaxed approach to this wacky sport. Looking for a seven hour race or an East Coast Western States qualifier? They’ve got ’em! Want to hear Yeti Founder Jason Green on URP? Here he is from his 2015 interview.
Episode Notes * Here’s more on Mogollon Monster 100. * Here’s Sarah’s recent post about how lessons we learn in ultras can help in real-life struggles. * Here’s the new VOIP program I’m using for recording. What do you think? * Outro music by AJ LeGrand.
Angela leading Scotty Mills onto the track at WS 2017. Pic by Eric Schranz. Connect with Angela Shartel:
The post Angela Shartel Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Natalie Larson won the #4 FKTOY of the year for 2017 for her self supported 1200 mile trek up the California coast. In that adventure, she cussed out a mountain lion, fell in love with Malibu, learned the tidal tables on the Lost Coast, and had to take an Uber through a Naval base. At the end, she set the OKT with just over 44 days on her feet.
“I met this guy and his nephew (on the California Coastal Trail) and they said they saw a human skull up ahead….and then that was also the day I saw the mountain lion [that she cussed out]…”
Natalie has a fascinating story that predates her FKT run, and that includes her joining a monastery, cheerleading, and high-level academics. How many people do you know with a degree in art, masters degrees in math and computer science, and internships at NASA and MIT? Natalie is that type of person, and her persistence and varying interests shine through in her attitude towards running.
Natalie Larson, photo by Chris Thompson In this interview, we talk about: * How and why Natalie got into running marathons, ultramarathons, and FKTs. * Different diets she’s tried, and what works best for her now. * How she decided to finally pull the trigger on her California Coastal Trail FKT. * What she likes about track ultramarathons. * What type of characters (both the human and wild animal variety) she encountered on her CCT journey. * What advice she has for people getting into ultramarathon distance events and what type of training she did for CCT. * What type of shoes and gear she took on her 1200 mile trip. * What she’s got her eyes on for this year, besides, ya know, starting a cyber security job with the Department of Defense. * And here’s something we forgot to talk about. From Natalie: “I forgot to mention Eric Clifton was a great influence on my running, training with him, his belief in me, and his style of going out fast is what took me from mid to front of the pack… So another tip would have been — try going out fast! In all of my best performances people told me I was going out too fast!!
Natalie Larson at REI. Photo by Zachary Jubie. Episode Notes * Here’s an excellent article about Natalie and her past few years. * Here’s Natalie’s entire post about her California Coastal Trail FKT and here’s her announcement on the ProBoards. * Here’s the Ultimate Direction jacket review from Ben. * Here’s the new VOIP program I’m using for recording. What do you think? * Outro music by AJ LeGrand. * Here’s the inspirational book Natalie mentioned: Follow Your North Star by Martha Beck.
Natalie Larson running on the highway on the CCT’s alternate route through Tomales Bay. Pic by David Martinez. Connect with Natalie Larson:
The post Natalie Larson Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Kyle Pietari (Altra/NordicTrack) ran Leadville in 2012 as his first hundred miler and finished in 28th place. Not bad, but since then, he’s been back to finish 2nd two times, has wins and podiums across the country, and ran to a grueling M10 at Western States Endurance Run last year after spraining his ankle at mile seven.
Kyle’s got a big calendar this year (some big ultramarathons, plus one crazy ambitious goal!) and he explains how he plans to train for everything while balancing a family of three kids, wife, and a busy job as a litigator in Denver.
Drug testing fun! (Check out the color of his sample!) Photo by Tim Connelly. “My first hundred miler. Wow. That was the most profound experience I’ve ever had running. It tore me apart down to the very inner depths of my soul.” -Kyle Pietari
In this interview, we talk about: * Why he doesn’t use a coach. * What happened to him at WS100 in 2016 and how adapted to the problems. * What he thinks needs to be done to stop doping and cheating in our sport. * What he did wrong at his first hundred miler, and what he still does wrong. * His role in fecal transplant science and the innovation that’s coming out of studying poop. * How in the world he manages to listen to/read 40 books each year.
Kyle Pietari on the treadmill with his kids. Episode Notes * The Power of Poop website. * Kyle mentioned that he’s been using Jason Koop’s book Training Essentials for Ultrarunning: How to Train Smarter, Race Faster, and Maximize Your Ultramarathon Performance. * If you liked this talk with Kyle, you might also like our episode with Ben Nephew. Wide-ranging, family guy, smart dude, big results. * Here’s a short video about LickSkillet Road, the steepest country road in ‘Merica. Yep, that looks pretty nuts. Jamil, Billy, can you guys keep up? * Here’s more on the Wyss Lab at Harvard and here’s the link to FitBionics. * He also mentioned this book about parenting: Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason * Here’s more on the One Day in Auburn 24 Hour Run. * Outro music by AJ LeGrand. * (the above links to Amazon go to affiliate pages that will drop a few pesos into the URP bucket. Thanks for supporting the site this way!)
Kyle Pietari at Western States Endurance Run, 2017. Connect with Kyle Pietari:
The post Kyle Pietari – Leadville Lessons, Strollers, Run Commuting, and Poop Science appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Soon-Chul Choi grew up in the midwest playing football, joined the military where he trained mine-detecting dolphins and seals, went to Berkeley, thought about joining the CIA, but instead went to work at startups…and here we are.
Soon Chul Choi and “Alex.” Soon-Chul ran his first ultramarathon just over four years ago, then quickly started biting off longer and harder races. He’s finished everything from 50ks to 100 milers, and yep, has his eyes on a particular 200 miler in Utah.
Soon Chul running Javelina 100. During this interview, Sarah and I talk to Soon-Chul about how and why he got into this silly sport in the first place, what he learned while sitting next to Jim Walmsley on a flight, what he’s learned from his coach Liza Howard both on and off the trails, how he plans on training for UTMB while living in San Francisco, and what he’s looking for in an ultramarathon mate. Anyone want to make a love connection???
He also talks about what keeps him going on the trails, how he gives back to the running community, and what Vegas-inspired moniker he’s adopted for himself.
Bright Angel Trail during his Grand Canyon R2R2R run. Soon-Chul Choi Episode Notes Audio quality: We had a major tech meltdown when Sarah and I recorded this interview. (Damn you, Skype!) I’ve tried my best to clean it up, and while Soon-Chul sounds fine, Sarah and I have a robot-like quality to our voices that is unfixable. I apologize. I work hard to publish a quality product, and well, I barfed all over the aid station on this one.
Here’s info on Soon-Chul’s coach, Liza Howard and here’s an interview Sarah and I did with Liza that we still talk about. Give it a listen…it’s a pretty incredible story.
If you’re looking for great gift for your trail running friend, be sure to check out Sarah’s book The Trail Runner’s Companion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trail Running and Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras.
Outro music by AJ LeGrand
Gear Talk with Ben In our gear chat, Ben and I talked about our experience with the Epson ProSense 307. Here’s his comprehensive review. And here’s a brief writeup on the North Face Flight RKT from the guys at Running Warehouse and here’s a mention from iRunFar.
The North Face Flight RKT. The “Rob Krar” shoe. Episode Sponsor: Tarawera 100 miler. If you’re looking at running an iconic race with a new distance (100 miles!), better move quick and get over to the website. The race is next month…or start preparing for next year. Set on the North Island of New Zealand, the Tarawera is 100 miles of point to point lush trails around lakes and mountains and organized by one of the neatest guys in the sport, RD Paul Charteris. I’m hoping to be there next year!
The post Soon-Chul Choi | Enthusiasm, Lessons, and a Ticket to UTMB appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
The last time we had Michele Yates on URP was in early 2014 right after she’d been named Ultrarunning Magazine’s Ultrarunner of the Year alongside Rob Krar. In 2013, Michele won nearly every race she entered, including Bandera 100k, North Face 50M and Run Rabbit Run 100 miler.
Since then, Michele has faced some serious physical issues. From a thyroid problem to a hip pain she describes as worse than childbirth and subsequent surgery, 2016 left Michele unsure whether she’s ever compete–or even run–again. If I’m being honest, I think most people felt she was done with, another victim to the demands of this ridiculous sport.
“The reality is I have to have full hip replacement…we’re tying to buy time so they can maybe create hips that would be good for (me and other) ultra endurance runners…”
Michele and her husband Wyatt welcomed their first baby in 2015, she found the right set of docs, and she’s been on the road to partial recovery since, culminating with a surprise 2nd place at Bandera 100k this past weekend. That finish earned her a Golden Ticket to Western States Endurance Run, but as she wrote after the finish
Michele Yates and daughter Maya. In this interview, we talk about: * The unfulfilled feeling of winning without being able to give it your all. * Which elite women she wants to race. (Answer: All of them!) * Why she gave up her Golden Ticket to Western States. * Miscarriages and thyroid problems. * The importance of strength training. * How she deals with the lack of engagement while injured. * The destination for her first possible stage race.
Michele Yates’ Contact Info
Episode Notes I’m assuming this is the choke cherry wine Michele was talking about. Never had it!
Here’s more info on the Lost Island Trail Ultra in Fiji. Yes, please!
Michele runs and coaches at Rugged Running.
Outro music by AJ LeGrand. Correction: In the episode, I referred to AJ as “Tommy and Rivers Puzey’s little brother.” I meant Jacob and Tommy “Rivers” Puzey’s little brother. Oops.
Episode Sponsor: S-Fuels Ultra Endurance Drink Mix Looking for a fueling option that helps you hydrate and fuel muscles without sugary drinks and gels? S-Fuels makes it easy with sugar free products like bars and drink mixes that won’t cause spikes, crashes, gut issues, or inflammation. Check out the free shipping and money back guarantee right this way.
The post Michele Yates Interview | 2018 | Recovery and Resilience appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
I sat down with Una Beaudry to talk about running, strength, sickness, positivity, and what she’s got planned for her future.
Una ran three 100ks in three months, she and her husband went on a self-guided run/eating/drinking tour through the Cinque Terra region of Italy, and she fills me in on the “tour de France of running” in Canada…a race I knew little about.
Una Beaudry and her husband Steve at UTHC 2016. Then we get serious.
Una battled heart and anxiety issues as a young woman, then was dealt a hefty blow when she discovered a lump in her breast last year. How would this change her life? Was she really that sick? Would she get to run in Italy with her husband again?
Oh wow, I look like cancer. It’s kind of shocking and I forget…
This interview is about a runner and we discuss how the sport is weaved into her every day life, but we discuss health issues, mindset, and adaptability primarily.
Valley of Fire in Nevada. February 2017. Everyone deals with news differently and Una’s attitude and outlook is an example of how I hope I’d handle myself in her situation: A mix of humor, enthusiasm, positivity, and grace. Whether you’re someone who’s dealt with cancer, knows someone who’s going through it, or have a history in your family, this will be an important episode for you.
Una, Steve, and the dogs. Episode Notes Connect with Una: Blog | Instagram | Facebook
Here’s the site for Endurrun.
Here’s more on Ray Zahab and here’s our interview with him from 2011
Outro music by AJ LeGrand.
Thanks to This Week’s Sponsor: Himalayan Adventure Labs Himalayan Adventure Labs leads light and fastpack run adventures on some of the most epic trails in the world. Organized by a group of experienced guides, you’ll hit some high peaks and navigate multiple ecosystems on each run. HAL differs from other outfitters in Nepal by keeping groups small and not using porters. Looking for a fun and challenging trip? Check out Himalayan Adventure Labs.
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The post Una Beaudry | Health Scares, Breast Cancer, and a Positive Attitude appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
2017 was a big year in ultrarunning. Between Jim Walmsey’s bold predictions on huge stages, the rise in popularity and performances of women road and track times, and the overall growth of the sport, these have been an interesting and fun twelve months.
Just like years past (here’s 2015 and 2016), we put our thinkin’ caps on and got together to discuss the standout performances, overall leaders, best gear, silliest trends, “Field of Dreams” matchups, and more. Trying to compare Camille and Courtney, Jim and Tim, and also guess who’ll be pushing the pace in 2018 was no easy task!
Scotty Mills “leaning” onto the track at Western with a few minutes to spare. This year co-host Sarah Lavender Smith and I were joined by Mountain Outhouse alter ego slash race director slash filmmaker slash elite runner Jamil Coury to get a broad range of perspectives and opinions.
In terms of preparation, we considered similar categories as years past, then added a few as recommended by the Patreon crew. The three of us decided on the categories 10 days before recording and had not seen each others answers.
Below are the categories. Feel free to respond with your answers to this difficult list.
2017 Year in Review 1. Best Trail Performance (M/F) 2. Best Road/Track Performance (M/F) 3. Best Overall Year (M/F) 4. Favorite Race of the Year 5. Biggest Story of the Year 6. Story of the Year that Exemplifies the Sport 7. Most Influential Person or Thing in MUT Running 8. Gear (Trends we like/Trends we don’t like.) 9. Media (Trends we like/Trends we don’t like.) 10. Personal Running Milestone of the Year.
Ultra/Trail Predictions for 2018 1. Who will be the standout athlete (M/F)? 2. If runners were IPO’s, who would you put money on? 3. What do you think will be the big trend in the MUT scene? 4. What do you hope will be the big trend in the MUT scene? 5. What would be your dream showdown? (A few runners and a course.)
Runners (King, Bracy, Wacker, Wang) getting ready for USATF trail champs at Fourmidable 50k. Links Mentioned: More on Teague O’Connor
My post about cameras on the course.
Here’s Katie Grossman’s article on Guillaume Calmette’s run at Big’s Backyard Ultra.
Here’s Sarah’s interview following her run at Mauna to Mauna.
Here’s the Patreon-exclusive Zach Miller episode from February.
Here’s Myke Hermsmeyer’s Instagram site.
Here’s Jamil’s site for Araivapa Running.
Here’s a link for Sarah’s book: The Trail Runner’s Companion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trail Running and Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras
Outro music by The Lloyd Dobbler Effect
Sarah and Eric recording EOY episode. Gear Review Notes: URP Gear Editor Ben Zuehlsdorf reviewed the trends and shared his favorite items out of each category. Note: Some of these links are affiliate links and will drop a coupla nickels in the URP bucket. Should you choose to purchase this way, thank you. Every little bit helps.
Shoes mentioned in the discussion: Salomon Sense Pro Max (review here)
HOKA ONE ONE Speed Instinct 2 (review here)
Altra Escalante (review here)
Saucony Freedom ISO
On Cloudcruiser
Apparel mentioned in the discussion: Patagonia Nano Air Light Hybrid
The North Face Ventrix Hoodie
Icebreaker anything
Patagonia Airshed Pullover
Gear/Tech mentioned in the discussion: Garmin Forerunner 935
Suunto Spartan Trainer (review here)
The Naked Running Band (review here)
Salomon Adv Skin 5 Set (review here)
Katadyn Befree Water Filter With Hydrapak 0.6L Collapsible Flask
Episode Sponsored by: Castle Peak 100k Looks like a fun profile, eh? If you’re looking for a challenging, mountainous, and fun point to point 100k in Lake Tahoe, be sure to check out Castle Peak 100 presented by Salomon. This is a tough course and would be an excellent trainer for a 100 miler. Register for the race and you’ll be getting superb, experienced race management and a breathtaking course, courtesy of Mother Nature. Kickass finish line food, beer by Alibi Ale Works, and lots of support make this race a must do for endurance trail runners. Race date: Aug 18, 2018. Registration is open now.
Don’t wait until next summer to regret not signing up!
The post 2017 End of Year Review and Predictions for 2018 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Anthony Costless just clicked off a 2:13:12 marathon at CIM, a mere four weeks after finishing 2nd at the USATF Trail Championships to Mario Mendoza in Moab. While Anthony hasn’t yet crested 26.2, we talk a lot about sub-ultra distances and what he’s doing to train for his first trail ultras in 2018. Keep your eye on this guy! Anthony Costales and his heeler on a training run. In this interview we talk about: * How he coaches himself and handles “off days.” * Running with his wife and dog on cold days in Utah. * Marathon race strategy and why CIM was so perfect. * Which elite MUT runner he’s looking to for ultramarathon advice. * How he plans on handling nutrition during an ultramarathon. * Which races he’s eyeing for his debut in the upcoming year.
(outro music by The 88)
Anthony and his wife and Moab Trail Marathon. Episode Sponsor: Broken Arrow Skyrace Watch this video from last year’s race then head on over here and sign up for the 26k, 52k, or VK at the 2018 event. Ya gotta trust me (and the video!)…this is a rad event that exemplifies mountain running and adventure.
June 15-17, 2018 in Squaw Valley…three days of racing, talks, beer, expos, film festivals, and more! See you there!
The post Anthony Costales Interview | Preparing for Ultra Distances appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Ben Nephew is considered one of the Kings of (b)east coast trail running and racing. Over his 17+ year career, he has or held multiple FKTs on some iconic trails and has over 110 MUT results on UltraSignup The vast majority of those are for outright wins. Professionally, Ben is a Ph.D scientist who studies stress physiology on humans. If you’re looking for answers from a knowledgeable runner, grab a pen and take notes. In this interview, we cover: * The best way to acclimatize to altitude…from a scientific perspective. * How the USATF MUT Council is improving. * How to set your calendar for a busy year. * How being a coxswain helped him prepare for endurance running. * Cross training with kids. * What he think he needs to do to get one of his FKTs back. * Doping and what real steps need to be taken. * Navigating the gnarly terrain on east coast trails.
Ben Nephew floating above the gnar in New England. Ben Nephew Episode Notes Here’s Ben’s coaching and sponsor website. Here’s the video from Manitou’s Revenge from 2014. Interested in being a sighted guide? Click over here and get connected with a runner in your area. I can’t recommend this enough, folks: Help out others while doing what you love doing…it’s pretty simple. Outro music by Pat Reagan‘s (now defunct) band The Long Goners. Jayson Robidoux, Sablle Sheppmann, Kyle Robidoux, Eric Schranz. Ben Nephew Episode Sponsor: C&O Canal 100 Looking to lower your 100 mile PR or run your first time at the distance? Here’s a great opportunity: Two loops on smooth trail along the C&O Canal Path on the Patomac. Great aid stations, low key vibe, and it’s only $150. Registration opens Dec 16. The post Ben Nephew Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Kelly Wolf spent much of her childhood thru high school competing as a gymnast. Fatigued from the pressure and some physiological concerns, she stepped away from that sport and found rock climbing in college. Kelly Wolf A bit burned out from climbing, Kelly discovered the trails and hasn’t looked back. She ran her first ultra less than two years ago and has already picked up a sponsor and made her mark by nabbing a 2nd at Speedgoat and wins at both Flagstaff Skyrace and Broken Arrow Skyrace. Episode Sponsor: Carmichael Training System CTS is the leading endurance coaching company in the country and you’ve undoubtedly heard them mentioned on URP before. Over the past 17 years, they’ve helped over 17,000 athletes reach their goals and now it’s your change. Get your first month of training for 99 cents when you enter URP at checkout. Even better? You get access to the URP Patreon page for as long as you’re a member and if you were lucky enough to have your name drawn, CTS coaches (including Jason Koop (URP interview right here) will be on hand at Western States Endurance Run in June to help with support.
In this interview, we discuss: * Life and pressure of a young gymnast and the effects of eating disorders. * How snowboarding helped her conquer the wacky conditions she was faced with at Broken Arrow. * What she learned about nutrition and fueling by bonking hard. * How she started working with Koop and what she’s learned from having some structure. * Why the San Juan Range is in fact the best range. * Women’s comfort in the MUT scene.
Episode Notes * Kelly mentioned Spring Energy as her fuel of choice. (Full disclosure: Spring Energy is one of Kelly’s sponsors.) * Interested in the Epson ProSense 307 watch I was talking about at the close? I was a bit off in price (it’s $250, not $250) but for someone like me who struggles with technology, it’s worth it. * Here are the top five links from the URP Daily News: + Here’s the video with Anton dishing advice on 100 milers. + Here’s an article about Kaci. + Here’s the article by Kaci. (And if you haven’t listened to her WS recap here, I’d recommend doing so.) + Here’s the ultrawire.com site. It’s a clearinghouse for race reports and has tons of great info. + Here’s more on the Salomon Golden Series trail races.
Kelly Wolf Contact Info
The post Kelly Wolf | From Gymnastics to Massive Vert on the Trails appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Eric Senseman ran JFK50 two times before nailing it last month. What did he do differently this time that failed to do his first two attempts. Different workouts, different gear, or was it a different mindset? When you’ve got 20+ time finisher Ian Torrence and three time champion Jim Walmsley offering you advice on how to win, Eric was all set to stand atop the podium.
Coconino Cowboys celebrating after Gorge Waterfalls. Eric Senseman, 3rd from left. In this interview we talk about the runners’ ability to trick ourselves into believing that we can do what we’ve never done before, and how that ability is used to our advantage. We talk about what it’s like training with the Coconino Cowboys, our mutual admiration for Mike Wardian, why the MUT media is lite on female representation, and how Eric is planning on earning a coveted Golden Ticket to the Big Dance at Squaw Valley.
Eric Senseman, girlfriend Jacky, and other friend Eric celebrating a successful Turkey Trot. * We mentioned Patrick Reagan a few times on the show. Here’s our recent interview with him. * We also discussed Mike Wardian a number of time. Here’s our most recent chat with Iron Mike. * And finally, here’s our chat with Ian Torrence from 2012. * We mentioned his girlfriend Jacky does web design. Here’s her site...yeah, it’s awesome.
Episode Sponsor: C&O Canal 100
Looking for a first hundred or interested in lowering your PR? This is the race Caroline Boller won outright by 2+ hours this year! The C&O Canal 100 is a quick, two loop course along the Patomac River in Knoxville, Maryland with excellent aid station, low key vibe, and a great price ($150 includes a Patagonia singlet and a buckle!) Race date is April 28-29, 2018. More info right this way.
Eric Senseman Web Contacts
The post Eric Senseman Interview – Running, Racing, Media, and More! appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Kris Brown finished 4th at the hyper-competitive North Face 50 championship earlier this month, begging a lot of people to ask “who was that guy?” I wondered the same thing, so I invited him on the show to learn more.
Kris running strong at North Face What I learned is that Kris Brown has been running ultras for a few years and has really started performing well for the past 18 months. Why the sudden change? What’s he doing differently that is helping him win San Diego 100 and place so well at North Face?
Kris Brown hugging his girlfriend after his 4th place finish at North Face 50. I found out that Kris has been running his entire life…USATF events as a kid, a state-ranked runner in high school, D3 track and XC in college, and now post collegiately for rabbit apparel as he’s living in Santa Barbara.
Kris Brown on Hope Pass In this interview we also talk about:
- Advice he’s received from Chris Vargo.
- How he plans on winning a Golden Ticket to the Western States Endurance Run before he turns 30 years old.
- Why he respects Clare Gallagher so much.
- Scott Jurek‘s influence on the running scene and who represents it now.
- What Paddy O’Leary told him at the finish line in San Francisco.
Kris Brown after Santa Barbara 9 Trails Kris Brown Episode Notes Here’s Kris’ page from the rabbit website.
Kris mentioned he likes running Luis Escobar’s races. Here’s our interview with Luis, and here’s his website.
Outro music by Matt Flaherty. The song was recorded in Boulder Colorado at an event two years ago with a number of ultrarunners in attendance.
Cool coincidence: Here’s Luis Escobar (r) with Muir Energy founder Ian at the Santa Barbara 9 Trails race that Kris won earlier this year. Episode Sponsor: Muir Energy
Here’s a great review of Muir Energy compared to similar products.
Use ULTRA15 for 15% off your next order at muirenergy.com.
#MuirEnergy #FuelYourAdventure The post Kris Brown | A Fookin Animal on the Hills appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Timothy Olson on the trails. Pic by Jaybird. It’d be easy to look at Timothy Olson’s career and focus on the past. He’s got some big wins (current course record at Western States Endurance Run, anyone?), plenty of highlights, and has run at the top of the field for years, but I wanted to have Tim on to talk about what’s going on now and what sort of plans he has for the future.
What I found is some squeezing the most out of life. He’s traveling the world with his family, living for months at a time in exotic locations with nearby trails, training and teaching locals, racing, and putting on retreats that extol his mindful approach to life and trail running. Amidst all the activity is his love for the trails and for competition, a real passion to give it his all.
Timothy Olson and sons Kai (in arms) and Tristan at finish of Penyagolosa in Spain. Pic courtesy Penyagolosa Ultra. In this interview, we talk about: * What he thought of the competition at the recent North Face Championships. * How he’s transitioned from running for fun to running as a career and how his family fits into that equation. * Overtraining and how to avoid it. * What’s on his calendar for 2018 both internationally and domestically. * The state of our sport and what it may look like in a few years. * The realities of reality shows and why he can never see TV the same again.
Pic courtesy Emma Hussey. Tim Olson Episode Notes Tim mentioned he’d been to a Brother Ali show recently. Here’s more. Strong message.
Tim’s 2012 URP interview
Tim’s 2016 URP interview
Here’s more on Tim and Krista’s Run Mindful Retreats.
Outro music by AJ LeGrand.
Cover image courtesy Emma Hussey.
Olson clan on the beach. Pic courtesy Emma Hussey. Timothy Olson Web Contacts
Timothy Olson Episode Sponsor: Broken Arrow Skyrace Get ready for three days of epic mountain running, speakers, film screenings, expos, social events with craft beer and a whole lot more. With 52K, 26K and VK (Vertical Kilometer) events, there is truly something for everyone. Here’s a great video of the race that shows the terrain you’ll be encountering in California’s first and only SkyRunning event.
Join me and a few hundred other adventurers in mid June of 2018 for true alpine running and tons of fun.
Broken Arrow Skyrace: Where the Mountains Meet the Sky.
The post Timothy Olson and Mid Career Optimism appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Larisa Dannis joined us in 2014 to discuss her mountain training in Vermont and subsequent move to Northern California. During that year, she finished 2nd at Western, ran a 5:59 fifty miler, and racked up wins across the country only to break her fibula at 100k championships in Qatar.
So what happened? What caused the injury, and how did she process it all? How had the move affected her emotionally, and did it have any bearing on her injury? Larisa opens up about her unabating desire to return to Western, how she’s worked hard to establish balance in life, and we get into the nitty gritty of what helped propel her to a recent win at Javelina Jundred.
Larisa Dannis after her Javelina hundred win, 2017. Episode Notes Here’s our original interview with Larisa from 2014. And here’s another one from right before Western.
Here’s the article by John Trent in ultrarunning magazine.
Here’s her report on Javelina with some great lessons you can use on your next run.
Here’s the Polar D800 that Larisa uses for HRM training.
Larisa talked about two FKT’s she’s interested in. Here’s the Hut Traverse (she had the FKT and wants it back!), and here’s more on the Pemi Loop.
Outro music by AJ LeGrand
Larisa Dannis Social Media
Larisa Dannis, at home in the mountains. Episode Sponsor: Twisted Branch Trail Race Looking for a tough point to point 100k that ends at a lake with a brewery, local food, and a complimentary masseuse? Be sure to check out the Twisted Branch Trail Race in the Finger Lakes of Upstate New York. Run on gnarly singletrack along the FKT, this feels more like a 100 miler and is just as fun. Registration opens on Black Friday, so get ready to sign up!
Et cetera
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Subscribe to the site or leave us an honest review on iTunes.
Visit us on Stitcher, or join the Patreon crew right here for exclusive content.
Interested in advertising on the site? Email me here and let’s talk.| Here’s our media kit.
The post Larisa Dannis | Back to Her Roots appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Mae Barker and Zach Hanna are a couple from Florida who’ve been running together for a few years while also busy at home with two kids and demanding jobs. Let’s hear from a couple who train on flat roads but race on mountain trails.
Mae, Zach, and their two kids. I wanted to interview them for URP to have them explain how they managed to run Rio Del Lago 100 miler together–from the start, every step of the way–and end the race while still happily married. Did they plan on running together or did it happen along the trail? What are the benefits and drawbacks of staying side by side for 24 hours, and would they do it again?
Mae and Zach after Rio Del Lago 100. Pic by me. We also hear about:
- How hats and other little incentives can help performance.
- What to do when you’re signed up for a race but a hurricane is bearing down on your house? (Answer: Find childcare and go to the race.)
- Running with your coach.
- Great advice about handling negativity while running with someone.
- Fidget spinners and kids.
- Mae’s awesome idea in the fartlek round of the interview about running camps. Seriously, someone needs to make this happen. You’ll have to listen to hear it all.
Mae and Zach in Telluride, 2017. Episode Notes Here’s more info on the Fort Clinch 50/100…sounds like Caleb might be getting a new co-RD?
Here’s more on the Rebecca Mountain 50 Miler.
Outro music by AJ LeGrand.
Here’s more on Sarah’s coaching.
Here’s the John Kelly (Barkley) episode they referenced while discussing negativity.
Mae and Zach can be found at Intuition Brewery and Bold City Brewery in Jacksonville, Florida.
Zach, Mae (and her giant buckle), and me! Episode Sponsor: Transelkirks | Revelstoke, BC Run Five days (100 miles) or three days (100k) while staying in the luxurious Revelstoke Resort in Revelstoke, BC. Alpine singletrack, lush rainforest, and beautiful weather await you at the only trail ultramarathon permitted in a Canadian National Park. Join Race Director Jacob Puzey for a fun week of tough running and fun times. More info right this way.
The post Mae Barker and Zach Hanna and How to Run 100 Miler Together appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Chris Mocko Interview Chris Mocko last joined us in May of this year to talk about his goal of becoming a sponsored athlete. He’d strung together a great running resume, had a strong social media presence with The Mocko Show, and was ready to make his big splash at Western States Endurance Run as a newly-minted Nike Trail Elite athlete.
Chris Mocko at Western States 2017. That race didn’t go as planned. Sometime after Foresthill, it all unraveled and Chris had an epic bonk that threaten to derail his entire run. After some tears and a pep talk by his pacer, he finished in a tad under 24 hours. So what was the status of his new sponsor? Could he still be an “influencer” with such a bad race on such a big stage?
Chris and his mom at UROC. In this episode, we talk about:
- The behind-the-scenes details of sponsorships, what he did right, and what he’d change about his approach.
- My (and many in the MUT world) questioning of him signing with Nike and the real reason behind the relationship.
- Where he’s been for the past few months after States.
- What his strategy is for North Face Endurance Challenge next week.
- His plans for racing in 2018.
Mocko Episode Notes Here’s our first interview with Chris Mocko.
Outro music is by Matt Flaherty. Here’s his music page and here’s our interview him from 2014.
Chris Mocko Social Media
Chris Mocko Episode Sponsor: EPIC5 Challenge Looking for an epic adventure for the new year? Check out the EPIC5 Challenge in Hawaii in March of 2018. Run a 50k each day for five days on Hawaii’s big five islands (Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Big Island, and Kauai). You’ll be being immersed in the natural wonder and beauty of the Hawaiian Islands and its rich culture and history, and at the end you’ll earn a koa wood belt buckle hand made on the Big Island. More info right this way.
Chris Mocko, pre Western States 2017. Et cetera
Wanna help? Share this episode online and/or tell a friend!
Subscribe to the site or leave us an honest review on iTunes.
Visit us on Stitcher, or join the Patreon crew right here for exclusive content.
Interested in advertising on the site? Email me here and let’s talk.| Here’s our media kit.
The post Chris Mocko | New City, New Outlook, New Energy appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Patrick Reagan and His 100 Mile Debut Patrick Reagan (HOKA One One) ran his first hundred miler at Javelina this year and was two minutes away from breaking thirteen hours. He says he felt fine, loves the distance, and can’t wait to run more. He also wants to be smart, not over-race, and stay healthy.
Patrick Reagan. Pic w/ permission by Howie Stern. http://www.howiestern.com While Patrick hasn’t filled his calendar with mountain ultras over the last few years, he’s earned solid results at Comrades, World 100k championships, the Olympic Trials, and more. As a NCAA D2 All American, Patrick ran competitively in college, then took a few years off to play in a ragtime jug band before finding running again. A stint as a pedicab driver in Savannah helped his rehab his legs, and the rest is history!
Patrick Reagan at Comrades. In this interview, we talk about: * His background and the incredible list of successful runners from Pennsylvania. * Collegiate track and xc experience. * How pedicabbing got him back in shape for running. * Playing washboard in a gypsy ragtime band. * Training for ultras vs training for marathons. * The Comrades experience and how he managed to keep his cool despite it all. * The rumor about Jim Walmsley targeting the 50M American Record and who he thinks could also give it a shot. * How he trained and executed his first 100M at Javelina last month. * His calendar going forward and how he plans to remain healthy and engaged in the sport.
Patrick Reagan Episode Notes: Patrick’s band was a called The Long Goners. They’re broken up, but you may find some tunes online.
Here’s the Morgan Elliot interview we referenced.
Savannah pedicabs.
Patrick at Javelina. Pic w/permission by Howie Stern. http://www.howiestern.com Episode Sponsored by: Tahoe 200 Endurance Run Interested in getting into the 200 game? Be sure to check out Destination Trail’s Tahoe 200. Registration opens this week and it’ll sell out quick. Experience the grandeur of the crystal clear Lake Tahoe as Candice Burt and crew take care of runners on this 205 mile journey. You’ve got a 100 hour cutoff and 11 months to train…Now’s the time to sign up!
Patrick Reagan Online
Gear Talk with Ben URP Gear Editor Ben Zuehlsdorf and I spoke about gear we use on a daily basis. Here’s a sampling of items we covered:
- Patagonia Wind Chaser shirt.
- Patagonia Air Shed Pullover
- Ultimate Direction Ultra Jacket V2.
- Hoka Speed Instinct 2
- Altra Escalante
- Katadyn BeFree Filter with 600mL soft flask.
- Dry Guy Shoe Dryer.
Et cetera Wanna help? Share this episode online and/or tell a friend! Subscribe to the site or leave us an honest review on iTunes. Visit us on Stitcher, or join the Patreon crew right here for exclusive content. Interested in advertising on the site? Email me here and let’s talk.| Here’s our media kit. Stump/Jump 50k. The post Patrick Reagan | Hundred Mile Debut, Pedicabs, Jugbands, and Training Tips appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Katie Graff ran competitively in college, burned out, and took some time off before creeping back into the sport. She ran recreationally for a few years, then, looking for a new challenge, discovered 200 milers and found her niche. This past year, under the coaching of Jason Koop, Katie entered the Triple Crown of 200s and completed them all.
Katie Graff at a low point around mile 86. Photo courtesy Howie Stern. (http://www.howiestern.com) In this interview, Sarah Lavender Smith and I ask Katie about
- Training and preparation
- Gear
- Sleep
- Recovery
- What she’s looking for in a partner
- We ask her how she explains to her Physical Therapist that she’s injured, but that she’d really like to finish a few more races this year.
- She shares stories about hallucinating with cows on the trail.
- We discuss lesson learned, the mental game, and what she’s got planned for next year.
Coach Jason Koop, Katie Graff, Shaun deCasas Katie Graff Episode Notes Here’s more on the Triple Crown of 200s.
Here’s a piece Sarah wrote about training for stage races that has a lot of similarities to 200 mile training.
Here’s Koop’s site.
Katie is a proud member of Team TROT.
Here are the recovery boots Katie was referring to.
Katie’s works with Back on My Feet to help raise funds that help homeless people use running to get back on their feet
Outro music by AJ LeGrand
The post Katie Graff Interview | Triple Crown of 200s, Sewing, Cryotherapy, and More! appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Chris Jones has had a busy summer. Aside from helping to raise his newborn daughter, he’s also served in the National Guard, fought wild fires, raced nearly every weekend and managed to squeeze in six mountainous hundred milers around the country.
Western States Mug Shot Did Sarah and I want to get him on the phone to hear about what he learned? Of course! We asked him questions about the logistics of getting into, planning, preparing, training, running, and recovering from his busy race schedule, along with finding out more about serving in the Army in South Korea, fighting wild fires in his hometown, and dealing with a bleeding ulcer in his esophagus. Whaaa?
Chris, Chelsea, and baby Skye I took a lot away from this interview, especially the relaxed and unaffected way Chris looked at all of these adventures and accomplishments on his table. He didn’t freak out once, and that’s certainly a trait that helps us in races.
AC100 Chris Jones and Ace Ewing Chris Jones Episode Notes Chris mentioned the AltoLab altitude simulator. Here’s more info.
Here’s the TOPO Athletics shoes I was talking about.
Here’s more on the grand slam of ultrarunning.
Here’s the google doc of the 100 milers I referenced.
Here’s Sarah’s site.
Outro music by AJ LeGrand
Episode Sponsor: Upper Left Distance Training Be sure to check out Upper Left Distance Training. These guys excel in unlimited personal communication, use a popular app instead of a spreadsheet, and really focus on the process of training over huge results. And…and…they’ve got a lower price point than most other coaching services! Be sure to check them out and thank them for supporting URP.
Upper Left Distance Coach Korey Konga The post Chris Jones | Six 100 Milers in One Summer, Wild Fires, Military, and the Rest of Life appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Patrick Caron just ran the 3rd fastest 100 miler in the world for 2017. He’s 20, has big plans for his future, a positive outlook, super quick lets, and a pretty solid head on his shoulders.
Patrick is the high school kid who scored straight A’s, but is passing on college. Unsure what he’ll be doing in two years, but has a running streak planned that lasts forty four years. Patrick wants to run everything, but has a hard time choosing one race he’d like to target. Here’s his ultrasignup.
What were you doing when you were 20? Running an average of 16 miles/day? Volunteering for a 501(c)3 to help those affected by addiction? Patrick is doing this along with trying to find a way to make a living in this silly sport of ours and we have a good talk about becoming a professional ultrarunner in the digital age.
Patrick Caron Patrick Caron Episode Notes Here’s more about the Salomon Running Academy (Young Guns).
Here’s the Boston Bulldogs Running Club site.
Outro music by AJ LeGrand.
Patrick Caron on the trails. Patrick Caron Episode is Brought to You by: Click here to receive a free sample of S-Fuels. Specializing in low carb, high-fat ultra fuel, S-Fuels, their bars come without the typical sugar spiked gastric distress. Here’s their new YouTube channel with plenty of info about the LCHF diet. Check them out for sure…you guys had lots of positive feedback earlier this year!
Patrick Caron is sponsored by
Patrick Caron Online
Gear Talk with Ben URP Gear Editor Ben Zuehlsdorf and I talked about a few products either on the market or coming out soon. Stay tuned for more comprehensive reviews of the items below.
- Salomon Fast Wing Hoodie
- Salomon Bonati Waterproof Jacket
- Ultimate Direction Ultra Jacket v2.
- Here’s Ben’s original review of the Naked Running Band.
- BONX Bluetooth headsets.
Et cetera Wanna help? Share this episode online and/or tell a friend! Subscribe to the site or leave us an honest review on iTunes. Visit us on Stitcher, or join the Patreon crew right here for exclusive content. Interested in advertising on the site? Email me here and let’s talk.| Here’s our media kit.
The post Patrick Caron Interview | Boston’s Young Gun appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Andy Gohlich won an FKT grant earlier this year and announced his intent: He aimed to connect 13 of California’s 15 fourteeners in under 60 hours, an homage to Colorado’s Nolan 14.
Testing out the new Ultimate Direction FK Tarp with a bottle of bourbon, Mt. Baldy. Photo by Annie Hsu I asked Andy about finding possible routes on maps, how he trained, what he brought for gear and fuel, and how his support team would be taking care of him. That all went fine just before the race and his pacer and crew couldn’t make it and Andy had to adapt to this being a fastback with little planning.
So how did it go? What did he learn, and who does he think is capable of running such a route?
Andy Gohlich: Mid flash attempt on “Caustic Cock” 5.11b, Red Rock Canyon, NV. Photo by Suzanna Zak Episode Sponsor
Click here to receive a free sample of S-Fuels. Specializing in low carb, high-fat ultra fuel, S-Fuels, their bars come without the typical sugar spiked gastric distress. Check them out for sure…you guys had lots of positive feedback earlier this year!
Episode Notes We takled about Leor Pantilat’s JMT record. Here’s our interview with him from a few years ago.
Here’s the FKT Grant info.
Here’s more from TrailRunner mag.
Matt Flaherty’s music can be found here.
Cover photo by Evans Wittenberg
The post Andy Gohlich – Establishing a First Route on Norman’s 13 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Welcome to the inaugural MUT Synchrocast! Six MUT-related podcasts have teamed up to tackle one issue, offering multiple opinions and perspectives on a topic that affects runners of all abilities and experience levels: How to Make Your Race Day Perfect. In this episode, Sarah and I break down the definition of a “perfect ultramarathon” and all the factors that go into it.
- Physical training
- Mental training
- Race strategy
- Course knowledge
- Gear and nutrition
- Fun and sense of humor
So go ahead, click the links below and find out what other podcast hosts think about a “perfect” day on the trails and feel free to leave feedback about what you think. What did we miss? Would you like to hear another synchrocast like this?
And you’ve heard her sit shotgun with me for years on URP, now check out her book and coaching services! Sarah Lavender Smith weaves her story telling, coaching knowledge, and vast personal running experience into her first book about this ridiculous sport of ours: The Trail Runner’s Companion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trail Running and Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras.
The post Synchrocast: How to Make Your Race Day PERFECT appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Outside of a very few people, Sean Nakamura has one of the most intense race schedules in this ridiculous sport of ours. This year he’s run seven 100 milers, four 100ks, a bunch of “normal” ultras, and a then earlier this month he won Tahoe 200, after which he took a nap, headed back out on the trail and paced a buddy for another 20 miles.
Sean’s only been running a few years, but in the immortal words of fellow San Diegan Ron Burgundy, “that escalated quickly.” You’ll have to hear how he got into the sport and what’s kept him around, healthy, and engaged.
Sean and his wife Jenny Sean describes in this 90 minute interview what drives him to train and race and the immense pleasure and friendships he’s made from the trail community. We also talk about gear, food, foot pain (and numbness), and importantly, how one handles sleep when racing for more than 48 hours. His answer will surprise you.
Sean Nakamura Episode Notes Check out Sean’s ultrasignup page.
Here’s the interview I referenced from corgimamarunner.com
In this interview with RRR100 winner Courtney Dauwalter, we talked about her fear of sleep plans and deprivation during 200s. Sean discusses his strategy in the interview.
Yep, this is a long interview, but 200 milers take a long time to get out!
Huge thanks to the Patreon Crew for supporting myself and other content creators. I appreciate the heck out of it.
Outro music by AJ Legrand
The post Sean Nakamura | Serial Ultra Racing, 200s, and the Trail Community appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Courtney Dauwalter already holds the 24 hour record (155 miles) as well as numerous course records on mountain ultramarathons in the US. She won (outright) Javelina Jundred 100k last year and bagged a nice win when she won Run Rabbit Run 100 miler in 2016. Along with other runs, she’s had an incredible 18 months.
So this past weekend, Courtney Dauwalter lined up against a who’s who of tough runners at RRR100 with the goal of winning the race. Tough goal, considering Michele Yates, Sabrina Stanley, Emma Roca, and Kerrie Bruxvoort (just to name a few) would also be chasing down the fat prize purse.
Courtney Dauwalter at Riverbank 24 Hour In this interview, Courtney tells us (Sarah’s back!) a great story about how the race unfolded and how she felt when she realized she was in the lead. Shortly after that, everything went haywire. While her body was feeling OK, she slowly started losing her vision and ended up running completely blind for the final 12 miles, a tough, technical part of the trail with rocks, turns, and obstacles.
Start of Run Rabbit Run. So what in the world happened? Similar to Chuck Radford’s story from last year (he, too, went blind on the same course), how does a runner prepare and deal with the loss of sight? Each runner fell numerous times, injuring their face, knees, hands, and body, but persevered until the finish, and both Chuck and Courtney regained their vision within a few hours.
This is one helluva story of determination, strength, grit, and perseverance. We can’t wait to see how Courtney does at Moab 200 next month!
Episode Sponsor: San Joaquin River Trail 50k and 100k Looking for a great low key, but challenging race in mid November? The San Joaquin River Trail 50k and 100k. Come out and run some of the best trails (95% of the course is on singletrack!) in Central California along Millerton Lake and the San Joaquin River. Both the 50k and 100k distances will challenge even the most experienced runners with 5500′ elevation gain for the 50k and 15,000′ for the 100k distance it won’t be easy, but that’s why the 100k is worth four UTMB points! There’s plenty of great SWAG for finishers and a really cool
interacitve map on the website to give you an idea of what you’re getting into. Click here for more info.
Courtney Dauwalter Episode Notes Here’s the episode with Chuck Radford from last year. Similarities are amazing.
Here’s Matt Flaherty’s interview with Courtney from last year.
Here’s Sarah’s report from her run at RRR this year.
Cover shot by Paul Nelson.
Outro music by Matt Flaherty.
Courtney Dauwalter, post RRR 2017. Pic by Paul Nelson. The post Courtney Dauwalter | Blind Perseverance at RRR100 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Earlier this month, Joe McConaughy stepped off the trail in Maine after demolishing the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the 2,200-ish mile Appalachian Trail. He averaged about 50 miles a day and completed the journey in an unsupported fashion.
https://www.instagram.com/thestring.bean/ So really, how much actual running did he do? (A lot.)
How heavy was his pack? (Pretty darn heavy.)
How did he document it? (Really really well.)
What did he eat? (Lots of Snickers bars.)
When’s he running another ultramarathon? (Hopefully soon.)
And plenty of other topics!
In this talk we cover the above issues, along with the different mindset it takes to run Gorge Waterfalls 100k or Lake Sonoma 50 miler (Joe finished in the top 10 of both of those this year), and why he thinks he’s so good at long term suffering. It’s certainly a unique skill set, and Joe does a great job describing what it takes to excel at each.
Pics by https://www.instagram.com/thestring.bean/ Episode Sponsor: Destination Trail Runs 100 isn’t quite long enough for you, but 2,200 miles a bit too daunting?
Bigfoot 200 Endurance Run: A point to point 206 mile race through the cascade mountains beginning at Mt St Helens and running past WA’s biggest volcanoes. Registration is open for 2018!
Tahoe 200 Endurance Run: 205 miles circumnavigating Lake Tahoe on trail in an alpine environment featuring the Tahoe Rim Trail through the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Moab 200 Endurance Run: Registration is open and there are 19 spots left in the October event. The Moab 200 is a 238 mile single loop through desert, canyons, mesas, two mountain ranges, by Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. This race course is so unique, you might as well be on another planet!
Check DestinationTrailRun.com for more info.
https://www.instagram.com/thestring.bean/ Joe McConaughy Episode Notes Here’s the film about his double at Gorge 100k and Sonoma 50M.
Follow Joe’s instagram account here: @thestring.bean
Here’s the interview I referenced with Hal Koerner after his JMT adventure.
Want to geek out on FKT info? See you on the ProBoards.
Outro music by AJ LeGrand.
The post Joe McConaughy | Appalachian Trail FKT and Ultrarunning appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Tim Tollefson returned to UTMB this year and ended up with a similar race as 2016. Fast Europeans, an enthusiastic American charging out front, and plenty of vert before the finish line.
Like last year, Tim played it smart. He ran conservatively and strong throughout the race, worked with friend Dylan Bowman through some rough patches, and finished on the podium right behind the two best mountain runners in the world…Francois D’Haene and Kilian Jornet.
Tim nearing finish of UTMB 2017. Pic by @peigneeverticale, courtesy of Hoka. In this interview, we talk about:
- How his training and preparation changed from 2016.
- What he thought of the competition and course changes.
- His pre-race predictions for Jim Walmsley.
- Why he hates the beach.
- Whether he’d be a better runner if he didn’t have a full time job.
Kilian Jornet, Francois D’Haene, Tim Tollefson. Pic by @peigneeverticale, courtesy of Hoka. Tim Tollefson Episode Notes Here’s our interview with Tim from last year.
Here’s Dylan Bowman’s report from the race.
During Gear Review with Ben, we discussed three packs:
- Raidlight Responsiv 10L
- Camelbak Nano (available soon for Spring 2018)
- Ultimate Direction Signature Series v4.0 (Scott Jurek / Ultra Vest; Peter Bakwin / Adventure Vest; both available for Spring 2018)
- The updated Naked Running Band. One correction to the podcast is the 3 pocket setup can be used with three 500ml softflasks, not three 1L soft flasks.
Outro music by AJ LeGrand.
Episode Sponsor: Ultrarunning Magazine This episode was brought to you by ultrarunning magazine, the voice of the sport since 1981. Published 10 times per year; each issue is packed full of Race Reports, Photos and Articles from contributors like Ann Trason, Cory Reese, Gary Cantrell and Ian Sharman. Every subscription includes 10 issues delivered to your door and digital access to the entire 36 year archive of the magazine, with the most recent issues available as a PDF. The price of annual subscription is less than the cost of a handful of gels….Find out more info at ultrarunning.com for the special URP promo.
Tim Tollefson Social Media Channels
Tim Tollefson’s Sponsors
Et cetera Wanna help? Share this episode online and/or tell a friend! Subscribe to the site or leave us an honest review on iTunes. Visit us on Stitcher, or join the Patreon crew right here for exclusive content. Interested in advertising on the site? Email me here and let’s talk.| Here’s our media kit. The post Tim Tollefson | UTMB 2017 Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Clare Gallagher made her debut podcast on URP at this time last year–she’d just crushed Leadville and we got to hear about her training, eating, collegiate running, and studies in Thailand. Lots of energy, lots of fun, and the potential for a big career was obvious.
Clare Gallagher at finish of CCC. Photo by her dad. In this most recent interview, we talk about
- Her win at UTMB-CCC this year, and how it all came about.
- What happened during her DNF at mile 90 of Western States.
- How she approached CCC mentally and emotionally.
- Running with a core group of girlfriends in Boulder.
- Clare guides us through the landscape, cuisine, and culture of Latvia.
- Being an outspoken political/social activist while balancing responsibilities to sponsors.
- Best bands to listen to while running. (And apparently how good interviews stick in your head if the workout is tough.)
Episode Notes Here’s our original interview with Clare from last year.
Here’s the article about her training.
Here’s her top five bands/songs:
- Future Islands: Ran
- Ariel Pink: Round and Round
- LCD Soundsytem: Drunk Girls
- Sylvian Esso
- Spoon: The Underdog
Clare and North Face team mate Stephanie Violett. Episode Sponsor: The North Face Endurance Challenge
Be sure to check out the North Face Endurance Challenge – Utah-held on September 23-24 at Park City Mountain Resort. Mutliple distances over two days on beautiful trails! I love these races!
Use URP15 during checkout for a hot deal!
Clare Gallagher Social Media Channels
Clare and her crew chief extraordinaire, her dad. Here’s Clare’s blog. Clare Gallagher’s Sponsors
Wanna help? Share this episode online and/or tell a friend! Subscribe to the site or leave us an honest review on iTunes. Visit us on Stitcher, or join the Patreon crew right here for exclusive content. Interested in advertising on the site? Email me here and let’s talk.| Here’s our media kit.
The post Clare Gallagher | One Year Anniversary and a Big Win appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Ruperto Romero Interview Ruperto Romero breaks the mold for the modern day ultramarathon stud. No sponsor, no GPS, no shoe contract, no Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Strava. He’s never heard of URP and doesn’t pay attention to most ultra news. But damn….Rupert can throw down when he hits his favorite trails.
1 Ruperto Romero 50 Huntington Park, CA 19:28:01
2014 AC100 finish line portraits. Loma Alta Park, Altadena CA. Pic by Larry Gassan.
In this interview, we hear about how he grew up in Mexico without enough money for shoes, then came to America with a pair of pants, shoes, and had to be given a jacket. From there he started running marathons out of a machismo challenge (and no training), found them awful, and didn’t run again for 15 years.
Ruperto and his kids. Fast fowrard to his foray into the trails, and he fell in love. Through massive amounts of trial and error, Team Romero (his wife, kids, and grandkids and close friends), figured out how to use nutrition and training to find success while running. 50ks turned into 50milers, which turned into a string of strong performances at iconic southern California race Angeles Crest 100, including a win in 2014.
Ruperto Romero training in the San Gabriel Mountains. Ruperto Romero details his training plan with us, how he manages time with family, his views on gear, and what races he wants to add to his calendar. We hear about Kodiak 100 this past weekend, and what he did to ensure his win. Protip: Have a strong finish.
Ruperto at finish line of Kodiak 100 with friend and pacer Oswaldo Hurtado. Ruperto Romero Episode Sponsor: Bay Ridge Endurance Runs Bay Ridge Endurance Runs stand on the shoulders of giants. This race inherits the grand legacy of the Dick Collins Firetrails 50, following the classic 50 mile course and adding to it a signature 100k race and a new out-and-back marathon. Bay Ridge is a new event on the traditional date and we still run in Dick’s memory and respect both the traditions and records of the Dick Collins Firetrails 50.
Registration is right this way. Ruperto Romero Episode Notes Here’s the site for Kodiak 100.
Ruperto’s weekly workout schedule for 100 mile training:
Mon: 10M flat
Tue: Speed/Tempo at 6:50mpm
Wed: 10M easy
Thurs: 15M of hills in Griffith Park
Fri: Run/Rest
Sat: ~30 miles
Sun ~30 miles
Outro music by AJ LeGrand.
Ruperto Romero and grandkids Wanna help? Share this episode online and/or tell a friend! Subscribe to the site or leave us an honest review on iTunes. Visit us on Stitcher, or join the Patreon crew right here for exclusive content. Interested in advertising on the site? Email me here and let’s talk.| Here’s our media kit. THANK YOU!
The post Ruperto Romero Interview – 100 Mile Champ at 53 Years Old appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Runner and writer Yitka Winn joins me just a few days after her win at Fat Dog 120 to talk about her first big win, how it happened, and the feeling of running “up front” and getting chased.
George Orozco running Yitka Winn into the finish at Fat Dog. Photo by Glenn Tachiyama. We also discuss the importance of good communication between runners and pacers. Have they discussed beforehand what information is appropriate and what details the runner does not want to know? If you’re pacing someone and haven’t had that conversation, listen up.
Post-race/sleep/shower and chilling at the Fat Dog finish line in the award given to podium finishers: super sweet, glow-in-the-dark capri jammies. Photo by Glenn Tachiyama. We also talk about Yitka’s “other” life as a professional writer/editor/journalist. How’d she land such a sweet gig at TrailRunner Magazine, why’d she leave it, and how has going back to a 9-5 schedule improved her running?
And if you have fears of night-time running, you’ll get chills hearing Yitka’s stories about her scary encounters on the trails. They all turned alright, but….yikes!
Yitka Winn at the Pasayten River crossing at mile 39 of Fat Dog 120. Brian McCurdy Photography. Yitka Winn Episode Notes Here’s Yitka’s site.
Here’s the Fat Dog 120 site.
Here’s the article I referenced about the Issy Alps.
We referenced George Orozco numerous times, who’s not only Yitka’s boyfriend, but coach and pacer too. George also coaches past URP guest Jess Mullen.
Outro music by AJ LeGrand.
Yitka Winn hut trippin’ last year. The post Yitka Winn Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Elisa Laverty Interview Elisa Laverty has had a big year! In January, she and husband Keith welcomed their first child into the world. A few months later, she attempted a 50k, then this past weekend, she ran her first 50 miler at White River.
Everyone’s got a story, and Elisa’s is one that many people can relate to: Trying to figure out where running fits into pregnancy and your new life with a baby.
In this interview, we discuss:
- How she got into this sport in the first place.
- How an eating disorder helped shape her years as a young woman.
- Who she listened to and what steps she took to continue running through her pregnancy.
- How quickly after giving birth she started training again.
- Running strollers!
- And we get to hear about her first 50 miler. Ran this past weekend at White River, Elisa persevered through some tough times and has a fun story to share.
Episode Sponsor: ultra-stickers.com
High quality and weatherproof stickers with over 350 designs, ultrastickers allows you to share your passion on your car, laptop, scooter, or segway. Whether you’re a trail runner, ultrarunner, or outdoor enthusiast, ultra-sticker’s has got you covered.
Mentioned in the Episode Here’s more on Bob Bondurant. I attended his high speed school in the mid 90s.
Here’s more on the Transistor IPA.
Here’s my favorite performance from KEXP.
Here’s the Chariot stroller I prefer over the BOB. Find it used on craigslist!
Outro music by AJ LeGrand. (Yep, he’s Jacob and Tommy Puzey’s brother!)
Gear Editor Ben Zuehlsdorf gives a full recap on his visit to Outdoor Retailer, including new gear from Raidlight, Ultimate Direction, Salomon, Camelbak, The North Face, and more!
Elisa Laverty Social Media Channels
Wanna help? Share this episode online and/or tell a friend! Subscribe to the site or leave us an honest review on iTunes. Visit us on Stitcher, or join the Patreon crew right here for exclusive content. Interested in advertising on the site? Email me here and let’s talk.| Here’s our media kit. The post Elisa Laverty | New Mom and Her First 50 Miler appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Joe Gray Interview Joe Gray running mountains.Joe Gray is a well accomplished, multi-medaled, and openly opinionated guy who’s got a great perspective on this silly sport of ours. Joe is perhaps the most accomplished and decorated mountain runner in the United States and has the stats to prove it. He won the World Mountain Running Championships in 2016, the world snowshoe running championionship this year, has run on almost 10 straight national teams, seven time USA mountain runner of the year, Skyrunning champion, Olympic qualifier, Mt Washington Road Race winner…the list goes on and on across multiple discipines. You want an ultra stat? How’s a 2:55 for a 50k on the trails in New York? Team support and a smile from Joe Gray.In this interview, we cover some training aspects, but really dig into other issues surrounding our sport and Joe’s adventures: * Why he doesn’t run more ultramarathon distance events. * The beauty of steeplechase. * Why MUT runners switch sponsors so often. * Racial disparities in our sport. * An ode to Bulgarian yogurt and Norwegian conversations. * Drugs in the sport and the quickly approaching issue of genetically engineered athletes. * Ludefisk. * Beer, whiskey, and more.
Outro music: Here is Matt Flaherty’s music page. And here’s his interview with us.
Episode Sponsor: The North Face Endurance Challenge
Be sure to check out the North Face Endurance Challenge – Wisconsin-held on September 16-17 in Kettle Morain State Park. Mutliple distances over two days on beautiful trails! I love these races!
Use URP15 during checkout for a hot deal!
Joe Gray Social Media Channels
Here’s Joe’s blog. Joe Gray’s Sponsors
Wanna help? Share this episode online and/or tell a friend! Subscribe to the site or leave us an honest review on iTunes. Visit us on Stitcher, or join the Patreon crew right here for exclusive content. Interested in advertising on the site? Email me here and let’s talk.| Here’s our media kit. The post Joe Gray Interview | Sponsorships, Racial Disparities in MUT, Treadmill Training, Food, and More appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Sarah Lavender Smith joins me give a fun and informative Speedgoat recap–she ran the tough 50k for the first time and has some great advice if you plan on running one day. Is it really as tough as we’ve heard? (Answer: yes.)
Sarah also talks about pacing Hardrock and the mystique that goes with the run. Just like runners, when there’s a problem on the course–in this case, her runner was behind schedule–you adapt to the situation and move forward. We referenced Mark Tanaka (her runner) numerous times….here is his URP interview from 2015. What the vibe like last year and who’d she see out on the course?
Speedgoat 50k course. Pic by Sarah Lavender Smith We also chat about her time at Outdoor Retailer (OR) in Utah. Sarah’s not a gear junkie, but she did make some observations about what gear she saw, which companies caught her eye, and the entrepreneurial spirit of this ridiculous sport. Here’s the article featuring the billionaire founder of Patagoina Yvon Chouinard we spoke about.
Top runners Anna Mae Flynn and Dylan Bowman at Speedgoat 50k. At the end of the show, we discussed some ultra marathon coaching questions posed to Sarah on the URP Patreon Page: Mental strength, altitude, build-up races and more. Sarah chose one of the questions and sent a signed copy of her fantastic book The Trail Runner’s Companion to Julie Koepke (here’s Julie’s blog) from Texas. Cool! Interested in learning more about it? Here’s Jade’s review.
Drymax’s Bob MacGillivray and sponsored athlete Zach Bitter. Outro music by David Stango.
The post Sarah Lavender Smith – Speedgoat, Hardrock, Outdoor Retailer, and Ultra Training appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Kaytlyn Gerbin nabbed one of the final Golden Tickets to Western States Endurance Run this April with her win at Gorge Waterfalls 100k. Admittedly, I didn’t have her on my top five radar at The Big Dance, so I asked her to come on the show and tell us about her running and life.
What I found is a compelling woman who didn’t start running until college, ran her first ultra in 2014 (and didn’t do well at it!) and is living a great life as she combines mountaineering, running, and seemingly every other outdoor pursuit available all while pursuing a Ph.D in biotech and a transition to a “real” job.
So with so much overlap between endurance sports and hard sciences, does she view her time on the trails as an escape, an experiment, or some blend of both? How does she balance time between the two to keep them both interesting?
Kaytlyn Gerbin’s Western States crew and pacers Kaytlyn Gerbin Episode Sponsor: Territory Run Company Be sure to check out te new All Day Tee from Territory Run Company. It looks and feels like a casual tee, but performs like a high-tech athletic shirt I’ve been waiting for a shirt like this and now it’s here! Responsible sourced from recycled coffee grounds, it repels odor, looks great…check it out and consider supporting the URP sponsors.
Kaytlyn Gerbin Episode Notes Here is Kaytlyn and Ely’s blog about their adventures in the PNW.
Article: Why are so many hard scientists hard-core endurance athletes?
Ben reviewed the TOPO Terraventure, the Hoka One One Speed Instinct 2, and the Altra Timp.
Outro music: Find more of Matt Flaherty’s music right this way.
Western States mugshot The post Kaytlyn Gerbin Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
When we spoke with Kyle Robidoux one week ago, he was preparing for his first hundred miler.
He’d trained, prepared, planned, and analyzed, put together a team of crew, pacers, and sighted trail guides, and was of to Vermont 100 to execute his strategy.
Kyle with sighted trail guides Maggie Guterl (l) and Amy Rusiecki (r). In this interview, we find out how it went! Was his training adequate? How did his trail guides work out? What would he have done differently in the race? What did he think of the course? There are a few pieces of great advice in this interview that any ultrarunner can take away and use at their next race.
Buckle! Kyle Robidoux – First 100 Miler Episode Notes Here’s our original interview with Kyle.
Here’s the site to Vermont 100.
Here’s Kyle blog. Not sure if he’ll write a race report.
Outro music by Matt Flaherty. Check it out here.
The post Kyle Robidoux | First 100 Miler Follow Up appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Kyle Robidoux is like many people we know. He’s in the taper week of his first 100 miler, he had a ho-hum 50 miler a few weeks ago, but he’s confident in his crew, pacers, and mental strength and he’s ready to get through the whole race.
Kyle and guides at Pineland Farms 50. The difference is that Kyle will be competing in the inaugural AWD division–that’s the Athletes with Disabilities–division, because Kyle is legally blind. He described his vision as “seeing out of a toilet paper roll” and is unable to see trail textures or obstacles, making him dependent on trail guides for his training and racing.
Guides Ray and Dane guiding Kyle Robidoux to finish at VT50. In this interview we discuss:
- How does he find a trail guide, and what is their exact role and responsibility? Are they like pacers?
- How has he trained for a rolling 100 miler while living in the middle of Boston?
- Perspective. Sometimes races don’t go as planned but we still find positive outcomes. What has he learned recently?
- How the AWD was conceived and expectations of growth. I bring up some concerns.
- The beer scene in NE and Boston and where it might be in 5 years.
- What sighted runners can do to help blind runners spend time on the trail.
Kyle Robidoux Episode Sponsor: The Butte Meadows Trail-A-Thon Looking for a fun Northern CA trail run that you can finish in less than a day? Be sure to check out the Butte Meadows Trail-a-Thon. Race is on Saturday, Oct 14 in the Lassen National Forest north of Chico, CA. (And yes, it’s well clear of fire danger!)
Half marathon, full marathon, and relay divisions, the races are fully staffed with great volunteers, organized by seasoned pros, and climb to a 6k’ lookout station with incredible views of Northern California. Find out more here and use URPBMT in the discount box for a special price on Ultrasignup.
Kyle Robidoux Episode Notes Here’s Kyle’s organization United in Stride. I’m signed up as a volunteer, you should too!
Here’s the Vermont 100 Athletes with Disabilities page.
Here’s our interview with Richard Hunter from four years ago.
Here’s Kyle blog: BlindBeerRunner
Here are the TOPO shoes we were talking about.
Here’s our interview with Kyle’s friend and VT100 RD Amy Rusiecki.
Outro music by David Stango. Here’s his site and here’s our interview with him.
The post Kyle Robidoux – 100 Milers and Athletes with Disabilities appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Kaci Lickteig has a solid history at Western States, winning the storied trek from Squaw Valley to Auburn last year, and starting the race this year in tip top shape and ready to race hard.
Considered one of the best trail ultramarathon runners in the country, Kaci was odds on favorite to stand atop the podium on Sunday, and that all seemed to go as planned for the first 30 miles. She went into the race in perfect shape physically and had her regular crew to help her along the way, no sign of impending problems.
Magda and Kaci making their way towards the Escarpment in first few miles of race. Pic: Jenelle Potvin But then, somewhere in the Canyons section of the course, Kaci fell apart. Anxiety, heat, headache, fears of passing out…all symptoms she was experiencing when there were still 60 miles to race. Rally? Lay down on the trail? Take a DNF?
Kaci Lickteig, Stephanie Howe, and Magda Boulet (tucked behind Steph) coming into Lyon’s Ridge Aid Station (mile 10.) Pic used w permission from Peter Fish. Encouraged by her crew and eventual pacer/friend Miguel, Kaci walked and cried most of the way to the river crossing at mile 74. There, she sat down for an hour, threw an epic pitty party, and tried to quit. Broken. Defeated. Stubborn and done for the day, Kaci said she didn’t want to go on.
That’s when her crew (including AJW), coach Koop, and friend and competitor Stephanie Case stepped in and got Kaci back on the trail where she walked, prayed, ran, cried, and eventually sprinted to a 24:02 finish, just outside the clock for a silver buckle.
AJW tending to Kaci Lickteig at Devil’s Thumb. Kaci’s got a great story of determination, perseverance, and grit that we can all relate to, and I’m thankful she shared it with URP.
Kaci Lickteig Episode Notes Here’s Anna Frost’s book I was talking about.
Here’s the Stephanie Case interview. Definitely give it a listen, if not just for the first 22 seconds.
Outro music by David Stango. We interviewed David about Eastern States right here.
Kaci and Stephanie Case right after finish. Miguel in green on left. Larry Gassan on right. Pic by Krissi Polentz. The post Kaci Lickteig | Western Grit appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Amy Sproston has 50 results on her ultrasignup, and 49 of them are top ten results. She’s won the IAU 100k Championships and finished 2F last year at Western. How has she been able to perform at such a high level for over a decade?
In this interview (her 2nd on URP), we dig into what attributes her consistency. Is it diet? Training? Genetics? Her answer is refreshing and will give many of us hope.
How does she train so consistently, effectively, and efficiently, with a travel schedule that’s already taken her to eight exotic countries this year?
We also talk about the secrets to Western. How to handle the heat, the canyons, the competition, hype, and who’s the best person to have on your crew.
Amy Sproston Episode Sponsor Episode sponsored by Camelbak. Check out their lineup of packs, handhelds and waistbelts, featuring the only insulated softflask on the market.
Amy Sproston Episode Notes Here’s our first interview with Amy from 2013.
Outro music by AJ LeGrand.
Follow and Support URP:
The post Amy Sproston | Consistency is Key appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jackie Merritt has been tearing up the trail and ultra scene on the (b)east coast for a number of years. She’s racked up top performances at the USATF Trail Championships, nabbed the overall win at Ice Age 50k, set a new course record at Pinhoti 100 in November, then won the Georgia Death Race this year. That win earned her a coveted Golden Ticket to the Western States Endurance Run.
Pic by Jobie Williams How will this east coaster handle the deep field and the hot dry temps in the Sierra Nevada? We’ll see on Saturday, but Jackie’s been putting in the training, heat acclimation, and talking to enough WSER experts to give the ladies race a good jolt!
Jackie is 29, she’s a Physical Therapist with a PhD in biomechanics and neuroscience and studies at Emory University in Atlanta Georgia.
In this interview we talk about:
- Crazy east coast races that she claims she doesn’t like.
- Training for heat in the stifling Atlanta summer.
- Standard poodles.
- What she expects to happen this weekend.
- Hoppy IPAs. (She’s coached by AJW, after all.)
- Transitioning from a basketball player and triathlete to a dirty trail ultra runner.
- Her next races.
Pic by Jay Baker Jackie Merritt Episode Sponsor You’ve heard her sit shotgun with me for years on URP, now check out her book! Sarah Lavender Smith weaves her story telling, coaching knowledge, and vast personal running experience into her first book about this ridiculous sport of ours: The Trail Runner’s Companion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trail Running and Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras.
Jackie Merritt Episode Notes Here’s the site for the Canoctin 50k.
Here’s the site for the Yeti Trail Runners and here’s our interview with leader Jason Green.
Outro music: Here’s the site for AJ LeGrand.
Follow and Support URP:
The post Jackie Merritt – #BeastCoast to Squaw Valley appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jim Walmsley is a fearless runner who’s been known to target other runners, records, and FKTs with abandon. His performances have backed up and sustained this confidence as he’s only “lost” one race in over two years–that the infamous “wrong turn heard ’round the world” at last year’s Western States Endurance Run.
Jim Walmsley Photo: Myke Hermsmeyer / myke.hermsmeyer@gmail.com / @mykehphoto But there’s another side of Jim that we weren’t aware of. What is it that fuels this need to win and control his destiny? What is he trying to prove by putting down the training and making audacious claims for high profile records? And what exactly happened during his time in Montana to fuel all of this? In this new film by Myke Hermsmeyer and Matt Trappe, we learn a lot more about Jim than just his running exploits.
In this interview, we get into all of that–specifically a few pivotal moments in his Air Force career that spun out of control, but that eventually brought him to where he is today–one of the best ultramarathon runners in the world.
Jim Walmsley Episode Sponsor Episode was sponsored by the Last Man Standing Ultramarathon. Held on September 2 in New Gloucester Maine, the race uses a unique format to test which runner is able and willing to run the longest without quitting. Do you have what it takes to stay in the game mentally? Find out!
2015 Montana Cup Jim Walmsley Samples. Photo: Myke Hermsmeyer / myke.hermsmeyer@gmail.com / @mykehphoto Jim Walmsley Episode Notes Here’s our original interview with Jim. Here’s our next interview with him from his screaming-fast Bandera time, and here’s our interview from last year right after the wrong turn at Western States.
Here’s the movie we based the interview around. It’s produced by Myke Hermsmeyer and Matt Trappe and it’s fantastic.
Here’s a link to Matt Flaherty’s music site.
URP Linkage
The post Jim Walmsley – Lighting the Fire for Western States 2017 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Andrew Chapello Interview
In 2016, Andrew Chapello ran a Western States qualifier at Canyons 100k. He finished the race and threw his only ticket into the pot for the lottery in December.
Andrew Chapello at Modesto Marathon 2017. His name didn’t get drawn, but he was added to the wait (#36) list as a possible starter. Would 35 lottery winners DNS by June 24? What should he do? Train like he’s going to run it? Take it casual and assume that he might not…or that maybe he will toe the line? Register for a backup run? And how long does he train until he ends his quest?
Andrew near the Dead Sea in Jordan In this interview, we speak about the physical and emotional roller coaster of getting into the “Big Dance”, but not really getting in. How did he and his coach (David Roche) prepare? What type of training did he do, and how did that all coincide with his road marathon training?
Not only was he balancing the “maybe/maybe not” scenario, but if this would be Andrew’s first crack at a hundred miler. What did he fear about the race, and what was he looking forward to. In our chat, Andrew let me know that he’d been volunteering for the past few years and has seen 100 miler aid stations up close, so we know he’s fine in that department, but what aspects of the big day are troubling him? How does he cobble together a crew and pacer in less than two weeks?
Andrew’s got a great story that was fun to hear.
Andrew Chapello Episode Sponsor
Will you be on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe for Broken Arrow or Western States? Is your crew looking to stay busy, or maybe you’re looking to cure your taper? Yoga, SUP, trail running, and other outdoor adventures available at a 9 day festival with other runners, beer, elites, and good times. Most events are free and have limited space, so click link for more info and to register. Alpenglow Mountain Festival is June 17-25.
Andrew Chapello Episode Notes Interested in grabbing a signed copy of Sarah’s new book? Sign on to Patreon for $12/month and you’re eligible. First contest will start tomorrow!
Here’s Andrew’s blog. Check it out.
Outro music by David Stango. Here’s my interview him from last year and here’s his music page.
The post Andrew Chapello – Training For a 100 Miler He Might Not Run appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
The last time we spoke with original URP host Scotty Sandow was in February of this year. At that point, Scotty had (re)committed to running his first hundred miler after taking an extended absence away from the trails and was fully dedicated to push through life and making it happen.
Scotty Sandow, early days of URP uploading pics to site live from Foresthill. In that interview (listen here), we spoke about having a coach, finding solace on the trails, reconnecting with his running friends, and having a big goal on the calendar to work towards. Scotty has run plenty of ultras, but Rio Del Lago 100 will be his first buckle-worthy race.
Well, life got in the way and seems to be testing Scotty’s resolve right when he intended to be focusing on training for Rio. So how is he responding to the adversity and emotional pulls of breakups, family issues, cancer, and other curveballs?
Well, yesterday, Scotty and I got together and he told me about his life now. How’s his running going? What obstacles is he dealing with when trying to focus more on fitness, and how does he deal with adversity and pain in his “non-running” life. Is he still on a positive trajectory of getting faster and stronger, and how has all of that affected his diet and overall fitness?
Of course we also talk about extreme yoga injuries (huh?), which prominent ultrarunner he ran into at the Taco Tree in Auburn, and he gives his explanation of what happened at the Canyons 100k. (On that: That was an unexpected conversation and I’d just as well leave it alone, but hopefully his explanation provides some context and finally puts this particular incident to bed.)
In a world where we often only see the perfect life through the obscured lens of social media, Scotty lays it out there and shows the “real life” side of the equation.
Enjoy the show.
Scotty Sandow and Frank Bozanich in Squaw Valley, 2012. Scotty Sandow Episode Sponsor: North Face Endurance Championship – Wisconsin With distances from 5k to the GoreTex 50 miler, the North Face event in Wisconsin (60 miles south of Madison) is a fast and runnable course (much of it is on the renowned Ice Age Trail) that will appeal to elite speedsters and new MUT runners alike. Use URP15 for a discount at any distance. Sign up right this way.
Scotty Sandow Episode Notes Be sure to check out our original interview from February that puts this all into context. If you’ve only been listening to URP for a few years, that episode should give you an idea of Scotty’s role in what you’re reading right now.
Here’s Scotty’s coach, David Roche.
Here’s the race he’s running in September: Rio Del Lago 100. It’s the same race past URP guest Nicole Ederle will be lining up for too!
Here’s Matt Flaherty’s outro music.
The post Scotty Sandow – Five Months Down, Five to Go Until His First 100 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Nick Arciniaga will line up at North Face Endurance Championship with the fastest marathon time of anyone on US soil. Faster than Max King (2:14). Faster than Sage Canaday (2:16). Faster than Jim and Zach (though I don’t believe either have ever run a proper marathon) and Ian (2:21) and everyone else. A 2:11 puts Nick into a special category—one that we haven’t seen on the trails before, and another thing…Nick’s determined to win it.
So what does that mean? What does 4:59 min/mile get you when you’re dealing with twice the distance, hills, mud, hydration, nutrition, and considerably less money than any of your other races? Ethan and I chat with Nick about his upbringing, his love of running, and what’s leading him to try out trail ultramarathons in the first place.
One things is for sure, and that is Nick is not new to the trails. From running XC in high school and college to living with pro MUT runners in Flagstaff, Nick’s got plenty of trail experience and MUT mentors to learn from. He mentions in the interview that he’s training with Jim Walmsley, Chris Vargo, Cody Reed, and Tommy Puzey, so we’re not questioning whether he knows what he’s getting himself into. Quite a group!
Nick Arciniaga as Boba Fett. In this interview, Nick discusses his desire to break records at North Face and Western States, despite never having run a trail ultra before, but explains that confidence is necessary when audacious goals are set. Much of this comes from his competitive childhood, and we talk about the atmosphere in the Arciniaga household that still hold true today. Game. On!
Nick, Ethan and I also talk about Nick’s original strategy of basing his workouts after that of streak runners, but found that injuries resulted quickly and chose a route with more rest days.
We discuss the professionalism (or lack thereof?) in our sport, and whether there’s money to be made in it from an athlete’s perspective, and talk about the details of coaching–and getting coached–for big races.
And yes, we talk about Star Wars, Boba Fett, Light Sabers, the Breaking2 Project, beer, and more.
Nick Arciniaga Episode Sponsor Looking for quality compression gear that doesn’t have a seam running right through the nether regions? Be sure to check out RUHN Seamless Technology for a great solution. The company slogan is “Let Our Goods Protect Yours.” Run by an endurance athlete in Utah, RUHN has both bottoms and tops for men and women. Read Ben’s review of the base compression shorts right here. Click the logo to the left or this link right here. Big thanks for their support.
Nick Arciniaga Social Media Channels
Nick Arciniaga Episode Notes Be sure to click the links above for Nick’s blog and social channels.
Outro music is by Matt Flaherty. Here’s his music channel, and here’s our original podcast with him from a few years ago.
Here’s a link to the Broken Arrow Skyrace. As I mentioned, I’ll be announcing the race and finishers along with past URP guest Stephanie Case. If you haven’t heard that episode, please do so soon. She’s an incredible woman and I’m anxious to share the mic with her.
Ben goes over a lot of shoes in his Shoe Roundup at the end of the show. You’ll have to dig though the gear review archives to learn more about some of the models he discussed.
The post Nick Arciniaga – Can 2:11 Convert to Trail Ultramarathon Success? appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Wally Hesseltine is seventy two years old and is gearing up for another run at Western States Endurance Run in a few weeks. He’s run it a number of times, but many will remember his non-finish last year when he passed under the arch less than two minutes after the cutoff.
Photo from “30 Hours” movie in the Episode Notes. Watch it. But don’t worry, Wally has plenty of other finishes to talk about. He’s raced every single month since 1981, completing over 500 races and nearly 200 ultramarathons and kept records of all of them. In this interview, Ethan and I talk about a wide range of subjects:
- His start in running and conversion to trail ultramarathons.
- Significant races in his career and people who’ve affected his running.
- Lessons and mistakes he’s made along the way.
- How he’s run so many races and can still count his DNFs on one hand.
- What he appreciates about the tradition and culture of the trail scene.
- How goal setting and record keeping are intertwined.
- What he remembers about the last few miles of Western States 2016 and any regrets he has about his performance.
- Any advice he has for new (quick) runners getting into the sport.
- How he gained entry to the 2017 race and what he’s doing to ensure success.
Pic courtesy Lynn Hesseltine Wally Hesseltine Episode Sponsor Looking for gels made from real ingredients that you can pronounce? Muir Energy products are hand made in small batches, contain no additives or preservatives, are GMO and gluten free, and have some pretty freakin cool flavor combinations. Use ULTRA10 for a discount at checkout.
Wally Hesseltine Episode Notes You must watch this short film on Wally’s run at Western last year. It’s called “30 Hours”, is produced by Alex Massey, and is awesome.
URP Gear Editor Ben Zuehlsdorf reviewed the Altra Escalante, Altra Lone Peak 3.0, and the HOKA Speedgoat 2. Stay tuned for written reviews from each and more gear previews from Ben.
Here’s a link to Matt Flaherty’s music.
Pic courtesy Lynn Hesseltine And hey, while I have you here, please consider joining Patreon and supporting URP with a small monthly subscription. You’ll learn about upcoming guests and show ideas, be eligible for gear giveaways, and have direct access to me with any questions. Thanks again everyone. I really appreciate it.
Wally Hesseltine and the grandkids. The post Wally Hesseltine – 72 and Going Strong appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Trail Heads Escape was a fun trail running camp in Michigan Bluff that I attended last weekend. Set near the iconic Western States Endurance Run course, campers ran Volcano Canyon and El Dorado Canyon, saw product demos from Nathan, HOKA, Addaday, Altra, and Drymax, and listened to coaches talk about the trails. We also played giant Jenga, lawn darts, card games, watched the Trails in Motion film festival, and avoided swarms of bugs. The camp was organized by Fleet Feet Sacramento.
After dinner on the first night, I recorded the following podcast in a live setting. Your esteemed panel at Trail Heads Escape running camp. The campers were a mix of new-ish runners and those who’d been hitting the trails for a long time, so the panel discussion ranged from beginner question to detailed nutrition questions to “how in the world does a pro ultrarunner make money?”
Hayden (blue hat) and Zach (blue shirt) discussing trail running. Panelist/podcast guests were Meghan Arbogast, Zach Bitter, and Hayden Hawks. I emceed the event and the Q&As were from audience members. Great questions and honest answers from the runners.
Heading out of camp towards the Western States trail. Trail Heads Escape Episode Notes Here’s a link to the Trail Heads Escape camp, sponsored and organized by Fleet Feet Sacramento.
This is the nutrition/supplement sponsor Hayden spoke about.
Magda Boulet giving Addaday demonstration. The post Live from Trail Heads Escape with Meghan, Zach, and Hayden! appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
If you’ve heard the show over the past few months, you’ve likely heard Sarah mention her preparation and training for the Mauna to Mauna stage race in Hawaii. Six days of running over beautiful trails, volcanoes, lava fields, and beaches, the event would cover 155 miles with variable weather and terrain.
Sarah (3rd from left) along with tent mates. RD’s kneeling in front. Stage races are a different type of ultramarathon. While most days don’t cover >26.2 miles, the day after day after day of running taxes the body in a different way, and once the aspect of carrying all of your own gear is added to the equation, we’ve got a different event entirely with a whole different set of requirements.
Tent mates at Mauna to Mauna. In this episode, Sarah and I discuss:
- The training involved for a multi-day race and whether she thinks she was adequately prepared.
- The gear and nutrition prep she went through for a seven day race. What is she glad she brought, and what does she regret not packing?
- How she handled the news when the RDs ran into some serious course logistic changes that took the runners from the trails onto highways and construction sites.
- Altitude running in Hawaii?
- The camaraderie and vibe of an international stage race.
- The mental aspect of running day after day in a “bubble” of bliss, but also the emotional toll it takes on the body.
- What it’s like to race someone to the finish after already running for 150+ miles.
Episode Sponsor Destination Trail puts on incredible events in some of the most beautiful places in the country. From 5ks to 234 mile single-loop races, they feature superb management, great food, and after parties with beer and live music. Very highly recommended for the person just getting into trail racing all the way up to the stage racing veteran looking to make the jump to a non-stop race. I’ve been to the events and give my personal stamp of hell yes to them.
Sarah Lavender Smith drinking more water…in the pouring rain. Sarah Lavender Smith Mauna to Mauna Episode Notes Here’s the site for the race.
Here’s the pack Sarah wore.
Check out this page on Sarah’s blog to learn more about her book’s coaching advice and her upcoming events.
Here’s our interview with Sarah from her 2012 finish at Grand to Grand. Five years ago??? What??!?!
All photos courtesy of Mauna to Mauna via official FaceBook page.
The post Sarah Lavender Smith | Self-Supported Stage Race in Hawaii | Mauna to Mauna Report appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Chris Mocko Interview A road runner just a few years ago, Chris Mocko burst onto the MUT scene last year with a top ten finish at Western States Endurance Run, then followed it up with a string of top performances this year.
Since January, he’s finished 2nd at Way Too Cool, 1st at the Marin Ultra Challenge, won the Behind the Rocks 50 in Moab, 3rd at Lake Sonoma, then this past weekend, Mocko traveled to his native Virginia where he won UROC 100k and walked away with some cash.
During this time, Chris Mocko publicly quit his job in Silicon Valley and made the decision to pursue life a full time ultrarunner. In this interview, we discuss:
- What he’s doing to land a sponsorship deal.
- What his current workouts look like.
- How his attitude towards food and diet has changed since college.
- What role a prize purse plays in his racing–especially when the competitors are friends.
- Why he’s more deserving of a lube contact than Jim Walmsley. (Funny answer!)
- His title sponsor as of this week and what other type of other companies he’s interested in working with. Is his target Salomon? North Face? Hoka?
- The logistics of “winning your weight in wine” at a marathon.
We also talk about recovery and how to get back to training safely after a race. With Western States and UTMB on the horizon this summer, Chris is admittedly running the fine line between injury and success and has plans in place to make it work. In this interview, he details his recovery practices and discusses their importance to his overall health.
Chris Mocko at Western States Endurance Run 2016 Finally, we discus his dating life, his public courting of Amelia Boone, and just what may go down at Applebees in late June. This was a fun interview with a guy I think we’ll be seeing more of.
Chris Mocko at Way Too Cool 2017 Chris Mocko Social Media
Leading the Marin Ultra Challenge 2017. Chris Mocko Episode Sponsor Check out Camelback’s new lineup of vests, belts, and handhelds specifically made for idiots like us. Click the link for a catalog of their latest gear.
Chris Mocko Episode Notes Here’s Chris’ blog.
These are the NormaTec boots Chris was talking about.
Here’s the trail camp I’m going to this weekend.
Outro music by Matt Flaherty. Here’s our interview with Matt.
The post Chris Mocko Interview | Training, Recovery, Diet, Sponsorships and Dating appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Nicole Ederle Interview – Planning Her First 100 Miler Last week I had the pleasure of talking to recovering attorney slash mom of two slash former long jumper slash dedicated ultrarunner Nicole Ederle and hearing about how she got into this crazy sport and most importantly, how she’s methodically planning her 100 first hundred miler this fall. Like many people, she’s run a 50k, 100k, and is now ready to step into the unknown.
Nicole Ederle, trail bound. Nicole faces many of the same issues many of us do: From family obligations to flat roads, how do we prepare ourselves–and our families–for increased training and racing? And how in the heck do we train for hills if we live in a flat area?/ Nicole relies heavily on her coach Emily Harrison to keep her fit and accountable, but also has a self-driven spirit about her that I found to be contagious over the phone. I assume you will to.
Mountain guide/Horse packing in Wyoming. We also talk about the wisdom she gleaned from running with a veteran ultrarunner from Bend, Oregon and what she learned about focusing on the present and future. You’ll notice a theme throughout this episode: Learning, listening, and executing. Whether it’s books, coaches, friends, blogs, or otherwise, Nicole is wide open to advice and eats it all up.
Nicole Ederle, road bound. Nicole Ederle Episode Notes Here’s our interview with Emily Harrison from earlier this year.
Here’s more about NOLS.
Here’s the 100 she’s running in November. See you there!
The two books Nicole mentioned are The Ultra Mindset: An Endurance Champion’s 8 Core Principles for Success in Business, Sports, and Life by Travis Macy and How Bad Do You Want It?: Mastering the Psychology of Mind over Muscle by Matt Fitzgerald. I’ve got them both and they are must reads for any endurance athlete.
The post Nicole Ederle – Planning Her First 100 Miler appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Anthony Famigletti Interview Anthony Famigletti has spent plenty of time at the very far reaches of racing success. Two Olympic Games, multiple US championships, Penn Relay Champion, a freaking 4:23 mile pushing a stroller and a 3:58 mile on a treadmill.
Anthony Famigletti competing in Olympic Games in China But in the last few years we sort of lost track of him. Fam dabbled in OCR, ran some road races, but wasn’t nearly as dominant–or vocal–as he had been 10 years ago. This is a guy who’d racing style closely matched his personality and opinions–Out front, not afraid, and certainly not holding back.
I noticed Anthony Famigletti’s name on the entrant list for Run Rabbit Run 100 a few months ago and immediately started asking him on the show. He politely declined, noting that many people get into ultras for the “wrong reasons” and he didn’t want to put out that vibe.
Fam competing in OCR. This past weekend he ran his first trail race (and first time past 21 miles) in David Horton’s Promised Land 50k++ in Virginia. How’d it go? What’d he think? What did he learn? Is he all set for a hundred miler now?
Caffeine! In this episode, we discuss: * How in the world he got the idea to sign up for an ultramarathon. * How he’s training for mountains. * Lessons he’s learned re hydration, packs, aid stations, pace, etc. * Grok blocking in races. * Who he looks to for inspiration in the ultra trail world. * Running and racing with a severely damaged toe and which shoes fit him. * The differences between the road/track scene and the ultra scene. * What he thinks of the doping situation and whether there’s anything we can do to prevent it from permeating MUT racing. * MMA and how it compares to running.
Fam finishing Promised Land 50k. Anthony Famigletti Episode Sponsor
Episode sponsored by Destination Trail Events. Candice Burt and crew put on some incredible events–from 5ks to the new Moab 234 miler. I’ve got a personal relationship with her events…I’ve worked them, covered them, and paced at them and can attest to their incredible organization and attention to detail. Check them out here.
Anthony Famigletti Episode Notes Here’s Fam’s website Reckless Running, and here’s his report from his first ultra. It’s a good one, check it out.
Here’s our interview with Anton Krupicka from 2011 and with Blake Wood from last month.
Outro music by The Lloyd Dobler Effect.
The post Anthony Famigletti – From the Olympic Games to 100 Miles appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Bob Shebest Interview Fresh off his win at Canyons 100k, Bob Shebest (Hoka ONE ONE) joins me to talk about one thing he did differently at this race–he ran without his GPS watch. We talk a length about staying engaged on the trails and focusing on the moment, rather than the data.
Bob Shebest at Canyons 100k turnaround. Pic by Adrian. In this episode, we discuss: * The process of training and running versus just running. * The “muddy water” analogy and how it can help you in your next race. * The PEDs that Bob is most fond of using. Wait, what? * Your mood and intuition during a race and the need to “change the channel” when negativity starts creeping in. * How he really felt about his Spring races and his quest for the elusive Western States Endurance Run Golden Ticket. * What he thought about the Mackey/Collins brouhaha that had him thrust into a conversation he didn’t want a part of. * What his insane race calendar for the year is looking like.
Bob Shebest. Pic by Gary Want. Bob Shebest Episode Sponsor
Whisper Alpine Meadows 50k. Directed by Gary Robbins and crew with the Coast Mountain Trail Series.
Saturday, September 23 in Whisler, British Columbia.
Bob Shebest Episode Notes Here’s our original interview with Bob. Definitely a fun listen to…Bob’s a superb guest.
Here’s Bob’s blog,
Here’s the site for Matt Flaherty’s music. Please feel free to email him there to request new music.
Here’s the site to Target Release Recovery. I’ll be hosting a giveaway over at my Patreon page where you can support my work. Thanks everyone!
Bob Shebest, Canyons 100k, 2017. Pic by Scotty Sandow The post Bob Shebest – Staying Engaged on the Trails appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jess Mullen Interview Jess Mullen has had quite a streak recently, racking up strong finished and wins at races around the country. She flew by Sarah in the final stages of Rio Del Lago 100 miler a few years ago, and now she’s on the show to share her secrets! She’s got a ton of contagious energy and we bounce all over the place in this conversation.
Jess Mullen at Red Rocks. In this interview we discuss:
- Jess’ incredible closing abilities and what she does to keep her skills honed.
- Diet and metabolic efficiency. Jess is a dietician who works with endurance athletes and she shares plenty of advice and tips on keeping the engine running to its fullest potential.
- CrossFit. Jess used to be a CrossFit instructor (as well as a CPA/Auditor?!?) and shares her insight on how aspects of it can be used to benefit ultramarathons and trail races.
- What she likes so much about grinding, tough rocky courses.
- How she’s training specifically for her first time at Western States 100 in June.
Jess Mullen Episode Sponsor: S-Fuels Training Bars.
Jess Mullen Episode Notes Here’s Jess’ website.
Here’s the Naked Running Band that Ben reviewed. The Salomon pack and Icebug shoe reviews are both forthcoming.
Here’s the post by Candice Burt about mitigating fear and danger in the outdoors.
Here’s the site for the bluegrass band that provided the outro music, Colebrook Road.
If you’ve got a comment on the handgun commentary, please keep it informed and civil. Thanks.
The post Jess Mullen – Closing Hard, Hundreds, Daily Diet, and More. appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Blake Wood Interview Blake Wood has finished Nolan’s 14, competed in Barkley 8 times with one finish*, and has an incredible 20 finishes at Hardrock 100. He also just recently set the record for longest span between sub 3 hr marathons, a feat he started at 17 yo and just completed when he ran a 2:58 at Modesto Marathon at the age of 58.
Blake Wood at Hardrock 2016 (his 20th finish), paced by his daughter Margaret. Sarah and I chatted with Blake about what prompted him to take on the marathon challenge and how he trained for it. In doing so, we learned that his daughter qualified for the Olympic trials and brought Dad along on many of her training runs. You’ll have to hear what type of speedwork he does to maintain his fitness.
We also talk about Hardrock and his self-described role as the “architect of the lottery.” We discuss whether it’s “fair” to have people with multiple finishes start each year, while first timers are faced with nearly impossible lottery odds. Blake explains the “bucket” system in depth and how it originated. Sarah and Blake also discuss why more women don’t start the race, and I ask who, if anyone, has the authority to allows hand-picked entrants into the iconic event. If you follow Hardrock, you’ll want to hear this discussion.
Blake coaching runners at Los Alamos High School. Blake Wood Episode Sponsor
Blake Wood Episode Notes Check out Blake’s running bio from the early 00’s.
Here’s more about Sarah’s book and potential tour dates.
Here’s the site for the bluegrass band that provided the outro music, Colebrook Road.
All pictures courtesy of Blake Wood.
*Blake’s Barkley finish (alongside co-finisher David Horton) was DQed/contested for taking an alternate (though parallel) route for 200m.
Blake Wood running in White Canyon, UT. March 2017. The post Blake Wood on Hardrock, Lotteries, Longevity, Training, Nuclear Bombs, and Home Brewing appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Rickey Gates – #TransAmericana Rickey Gates joins us 45 days into his transcontinental run he’s dubbed #TransAmericana. Talking to us while running through rural Arkansas, Rickey tells us about the people he’s met, the places he’s slept, the food he’s loving, the routes he’s taking, and what lies in those 2500 miles ahead.
We also discuss:
- What’s in his single backpack.
- What’s his canned response to Forest Gump references.
- How his body is holding up running 150-180 miles a week.
- How he’s navigating the route and which trails he’s taking.
- What instrument he’s got stashed in his bag. (You won’t guess, but he does play it for us.)
- Who he wants to finish his run with once he hits the Golden Gate Bridge.
Rickey Gates leaving Folly Beach Pier, SC. Pic by Wandering Fever. Rickey Gates Episode Sponsor Notes Episode sponsored by ultra-stickers.com. Check them out for ultra and other outdoor enthusiast stickers that show your passion. Colorful, laser-cut, and weather proof, these are high quality products designed by a fellow trail runner in California.
Rickey Gates Episode Notes Follow Rickey at the links below and his website right here.
Rickey mentioned that he’s using a sleeping bag by Enlightened Equipment. Here’s their site. I wasn’t familiar with their line and am really impressed! Handmade ultralight bags and pads…nice!
Rickey Gates is sponsored by Salomon and Stance.
Here’s our interview with Rickey from 2014.
Here’s the site for the bluegrass band that provided the outro music, Colebrook Road.
The post Rickey Gates – TransAmericana appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
John Kelly Interview – Barkley Finisher 15 John Kelly joined me just a few days after his finish to talk about what it took to finish the Barkley Marathons. Here’s a hint: Massive amounts of planning, decades of course knowledge, his Aunt Brenda’s cookies, and the incredible ability to focus through a dense fog of fatigue.
Foooooog. Pic courtesy Tyler Landrum In this episode, we discuss:
- His background in running and how he got into the race after only running for two years.
- What he did wrong when he ran it in 2015 and what he did wrong in 2016.
- What Barkley-specific training helped him prepare physically. And aside from having new twins at home, what helped him mentally?
- His prescient blog post from 2016 about persevering through failure at Barkley.
- What strategies he used when the mental fatigue overtook him.
- Whether after running together for two days straight, did he and Gary start to snap at each other?
- The final question: What’s harder, an Ironman triathlon or Barkley? (duh)
Pic courtesy Tyler Landrum John Kelly Episode Sponsor Notes – Run the Red Desert Episode sponsored by Run the Red Desert trail run in Kilpecker Sand Dunes in Wyoming on June 3rd. Multiple distances, all with a wild and rugged feel and a laid back atmosphere. Again, check out the video to get a taste of the terrain…it looks awesome. Thanks again for supporting URP!
John Kelly Episode Notes Here’s John’s blog.
Here’s more on Tanya Gallagher’s music
Here’s the URP Patreon page.
Here’s more on DIckel Whiskey.
John Kelly at the gate. Finished. Pic courtesy Joe Kelly. The post John Kelly Interview – Barkley Finisher Number Fifteen appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Dave Mackey Interview When we last spoke with Dave Mackey in 2015, his prognosis was still undetermined. One month after falling down a cliff on a training run, he was recovering from the trauma and had undergone a few surgeries. Little did he know what the next 18 months would look like.
After more than a dozen surgeries and little progress, Dave made the “non-reversible” decision to amputate his leg below the knee and get fitted with a prosthetic. His goal? No more pain, no more surgeries, and he’d get to be a normal dad again and run the trails with friends. So what’s the past six months been like?
In this interview, we talk about:
- Who came up with the idea to amputate his leg?
- How did his medical background affect the decision?
- What did his kids and wife think?
- What was it like the first time he looked down and saw nothing?
- When will he be running again, and is he interested in Athletes with Disabilities divisions?
- How has the “inspirational” designation changed him?
- The finer points of a prosthetic. How does it attach? Does he have different “feet”?
- We also discuss Dave’s recent tweet about Avery Collins recent win at Georgia Death Race and his views on whether marijuana and cannabinoids should be allowed in our sport.
Dave Mackey Interview Sponsor Notes This episode was sponsored by Trail Heads Escape Trail Running Camp. Held in Michigan Bluff on the iconic Western States trail, camp will consist of running, clinics, product demos, food, beer, campfire stories, and fun. Join me, Magdalena Boulet, Zach Bitter, Meghan Arbogast, and Hayden Hawks as we spend two nights together from May 19-21. Registration increases on April 11, so get on it now! Use ULTRARUNNER in the checkout box for $25 off of registration.
Dave Mackey Interview Episode Notes Here’s our original interview with Dave from right after the accident.
Here’s the URP Patreon page. Big thanks to everyone for supporting the site. I really appreciate it.
Here is USADA’s fact sheet on marijuana use.
Top Five URP Daily News Stories From Last Seven Days 5. Jason Koop’s piece about springtime mistakes.
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The “Most Exciting Ultramarathon Runners” to watch list.v
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James Adams’ ziplock bag review/homage.
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Chase Parnell’s piece about the future of ultrarunning.
1.Article teasing Allie Ostrander’s steeple debut at Stanford Invitational.
The post Dave Mackey Interview – One Step at a Time appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Runners’ Lack of Mojo, Motivation & Eventual Burnout While we’ve all experienced the excitement and subsequent motivation of trail and ultrarunning, many of us have also been through the doldrums of no motivation, losing one’s mojo, and the dreaded burnout.
Drew at Kumbu Ice Falls, Everest. So how do you define each? Are motivation and mojo the same thing? How do they differ from each other? Are both emotional states, or is there a physical component to them?
My guest is Drew Mikita, a Licensed Family Therapist from Breckenridge Colorado who I’ve had on the show before when I had the opposite problem we discussed in this episode. Turns out he’s also a World Record holder, but you’ll have to wait until the end of the show to hear that story.
So what can we do to proactively prevent burnout? What about when we find ourselves–or a loved one–with a lack of running motivation that’s also affecting life at home or work? We discuss these topics, as well as some simple reminders about enjoying our time on the trails and not taking it for granted.
Taking care of your body is paramount to finishing a race. Proactively taking care of your mind and motivation should be equally important or you’ll have a tough time getting to the start line. Drew and Molly at Base Camp Sponsor Notes
This episode was sponsored by ultra-stickers.com. Check out their 400+ designs…distances, trail badges, outdoor activities, and more. Cool stuff from a guy who runs just like us.
Episode Notes
Here’s the camp I was talking about at the end of the episode. Join Magda, Zach, Meghan, Hayden and others on the iconic Western States trail in May. We’ll run, talk trail running, attend clinics, drink beer, have fireside chats, and of course run on the trail from Michigan Bluff. There may also be some amateur alphorn concerts for anyone interested. Organized by Fleet Feet Sacramento, this’ll be a fun time and I’m giving away a free entry on the URP Patreon Page.
Here’s Drew’s site about Psychology.
The post Mojo, Motivation, and Burnout – A Conversation with Therapist Drew Mikita appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Suzanna Bon Interview Suzanna Bon on the trails. Photo by Gary Wang. If Suzanna Bon’s name isn’t familiar to you, clear an hour of your schedule and listen to this episode. If you’re an aging runner and feeling sorry for yourself, do the same and listen to how she’s taking on her 50s with focus, perseverance, and a sense of humor.
Suzanna Bon’s ultramarathon results include a top ten at Western, wins at HURT, Cascade Crest 100, San Diego 100, Lake Sonoma, Tahoe 200, a podium finish at IAU 24 hour, and recent wins (2016) at Castle Peak 100k and Kodiak 100 miler. At 52 years old, she’s not slowing down.
Suzanna started really running in her 30s and has taken on every surface out there, from trail to tarmac to track in nearly every distance past a marathon. What feeds her interest in different terrains? Curiosity. Fitness. Passion.
Bon family. From 50k to 50 miles to 100k, 100 miles, 24 hours, and 200 miles, Suzanna Bon has podium finishes and stories behind them. What does she remember about her first hundred? Why’d she sign up for a 200 miler and what did she learn about her attitude and mindset during the race? Does she have interest in running shorter distances faster?
We also cover family and what to do when your kids don’t share your passion and how having a supportive spouse/partner is paramount to success. What advice does she have for women starting to get competitive in their 30s and 40s? Smart answer by a woman who’s been there.
Lots to talk about…let’s get on with it!
Suzanna Bon Episode Sponsor: Trails and Tarmac Coaching You’ve heard Ryan Ghelfi and David Laney on URP and heard me mention their coaching before. Now have a look here to find out how they can help you. From trails to tarmac to track, these guys (and new female coaches Camelia and Sarah!) take the best of all disciplines to make you a better, stronger, faster runner. More on their philosophy right this way.
Suzanna Bon Episode Notes: Here’s a quick interview she did with Ian Torrence after her win at Stagecoach 100 miler last year.
Suzanna’s next race is The Canyons 100k, presented by HOKA. It’s sold out (lots of top athletes going after Krar’s record), but the 10k and 25k options are still open, and all of those proceeds go to support Foresthill Schools and the Western States trail.
Here’s the beer we were talking about: Duchesse de Bourgogne.
Here’s more music from Matt Flaherty and here’s his URP interview.
Support URP If you’d like to support URP , click this link and it’ll take you to our Patreon page. Thanks for your assistance.
The post Suzanna Bon Interview – Staying Engaged on the Trails appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jeremy Hinshaw is a trail runner in Anchorage, Alaska who runs everything from the wild and wacky 3.5 mile Mount Marathon to the Susitna 100 miler in the dead of winter.
We talk about surviving versus enjoying freezing weather and special precautions taken to survive the cold. He also tells some amazing stories about hallucinations during races that pitted his physical self against his mental self.
Mt Marathon looking down on Seward, Alaska. Jeremy retells a few stories about some harrowing encounters with moose, and offers us basic tips on avoiding dangerous wildlife encounters while on the Alaskan trails.
Family training Jeremy Hinshaw Episode Notes: Sponsored by the Sierra Andina Mountain Trail Race in Peru’s Huarascan National Park. Events are August 11-12 and offer high altitude races where donkeys supply aid stations. Wow!
Here’s the live news coverage from Mt Marathon. Imagine if other races had this quality of coverage!
Ben reviewed the Salomon Men’s Sense Pro Max (affiliate link) at the end of the show and couldn’t say enough great things about it. Anxious to read more!
The post Jeremy Hinshaw – Alaskan Trail Running, Moose, and Funky Hallucinations appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Andy Wacker Interview Andy Wacker has only run two actual ultras in his life, but both have been competitive USATF Trail 50k Championship races. He won his first in 2015, then recently DNFed his 2nd when he fell at the FOURmidable 50k in Auburn, CA and ended up with a leg full of stitches. D’oh!
In this interview we talk about his history of running various distances and why he insists that he’s not an actual ultrarunner. Never mind the distance, we talk about mountain running, staying fit with speedwork, and keeping life exciting by moving distances and terrain when boredom strikes. Andy likes to train and race and is one of the rare runners who excels at the track as well as steep grinding switchbacks. So what’s his secret?
Off the start at FOURmidable 50k with Max King, Cole Watson, David Roche, and others. Pic ES/URP. Andy tells us about his weight (6′ tall and 130#) and how he believes that leads to his bonking every single time he races and how he adapts. Why doesn’t he think training uphill helps, and why does he do so much walking in his training regimen? He’s got some unique training tips that we can all use during our training and racing.
Andy Wacker walking it into mile 5 due to leg lacerations. Pic ES/URP. His goal this year: Three consecutive titles in the World Mountain Running, Long Distance Mountain Running, and IAU World 50k. How’s that for multi-disciplined, especially when he plans to focus so much of the year on cross country.
Andy Wacker – Recovering in med tent. Pic ES/URP Andy Wacker Episode Notes Here are some other interview with Andy.
Here’s the Left Hand Milk Stout he’s fond of.
He’s sponsored by Adidas. Sort of.
The three shoes Ben previewed are the Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra (The “Francois” shoe), the Salomon XA-Enduro , and the HOKA Speed instinct.
Outro music by The88.
The post Andy Wacker – Excelling at Different Distances and Terrains appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Looking at moving up and running your first ultramarathon? Maybe you’ve run some 50ks, but are looking at a 50 miler or even a 100 miler. What do you need to know about making that jump?
Sarah and I take questions from the URP Patreon page about training and racing longer distances. Do you keep your base mileage the same as your ramping-up mileage? We discuss gear. What are some major mistakes or wins we’ve made regarding our kit? How about mindset? What tricks can you use in training and during the race to help you endure the 9th, 10th, 11…22nd, 23rd hour of running. How do you choose the best first 50k, and what if there’s altitude involved? All these and more are answered by this crackpot team of URP experts.
Sarah stretching. What’s important to know is that Sarah and I have two different perspectives. She’s a certified coach who’s got a book coming out soon about trail running (see below.) I’ve generally flown by the seat of my pants and gleaned information from myriad sources. Sometimes it’s worked, sometimes it hasn’t, and some of it sounds ridiculous (refer to our talk about “hungover” runs.)
If you like this sort of format, let me know! I’d love to take more questions from the Patron crew and answer them in an upcoming podcast.
Episode Notes: Here’s the Gary Robbins Interview we discussed
Here’s Sarah’s site. Look for her book, The Trail Runner’s Companion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trail Running and Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras, to be released by Falcon Guides and available through amazon this May. And here’s the 50k she was talking about.
Outro music by the Washburn Family Bluegrass Band
Here’s the URP Patreon Page. Thanks for the questions everyone!
The post Moving on up in Distance – A Q&A with Sarah and Eric appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Morgan Elliot joined me to talk about his insatiable love for the outdoors and the trails. This is a guy who’s written an ode to singletrack, lives in his car part of the year to be closer to the trails, picks wild mushrooms to eat after his run, and is on a quest to learn everything he can about trail racing. He’s only been at the ultra distance for a few years but has plenty of lessons and stories to share.
In this interview with Morgan Elliot, we discuss:
- The 2016 Skyrunning series and what he had to do to win the thing.
- Training secrets from Walmsley, and whether Morgan thinks he’ll break 14 at Western States.
- His own public goal setting and how he balance confidence and boasting.
- Pacing a random stranger at a major race after his runner came up DNF.
- His time at the most trail-runner-sounding college in the US.
Morgan Elliot Episode Notes Episode sponsored by the Mendocino Coast 50k. Vegan 50k on the spectacular California redwood coast on April 22.
Here’s Morgan’s ode to the trails that I referenced in the chat.
He runs for Inov-8 and FootRx in Asheville, NC.
In our new Gear Talk portion of the interview, URP review guy Ben Zuehlsdorf fills us in on the new The North Face Endurus Trail and the CamelBak Ultra 10 hydration pack. Tell me what you think about the reviews. Like them in the podcast as well as published on the site? Right length?
Outro music by the Washburn Family Bluegrass Band. Love it!
Mushrooms! The post Morgan Elliot – Skyracing and Runbummin’ appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Scotty Sandow How would you feel if you’d taken three years away from the sport completely? Let’s follow Scotty as he makes his way back into ultras and closer to a hundred miler. Many of you will remember Scotty’s voice from URP—he’s one of the original hosts of the show and we spent years together running, recording podcasts, and planning epic adventures.
Three years ago, life got in the way and Scotty stepped away from the podcast and the sport all together. Barely any running, no real racing, low motivation, and a running mojo that’d been returning “out of office” messages for quite some time.
Welllllll, Scotty’s back. Not wanting to grow old having not completed a hundred miler, he’s targeted a race this fall, he’s got a coach (David Roche), some new gear, and has his mind set on training and finishing the race. As his coach told him “If a baby can be made in nine months, we can get you to that finish line!”
Scotty and Frank Bozanich charging up the Escarpment in 2012. Scotty’s in a unique position, knowing the time commitment and potential hurdles he’s going to face over the next nine months. Is he ready for them? Is his family on board? How will he keep his motivation and focus when life gets in the way again?
Tailgating with my mom and me before Western States 2011. This is the first in a series you’ll be hearing about more. We’ll be checking with Scotty over the next few months to hear about his progress, and he’ll be writing a weekly column for URP with honest detail how it’s all going. Is he sticking to his plan? How’s his body? How’s his mind?
Important early URP meeting at a brewery. If you’re a lapsed ultrarunner and looking for some motivation or even a virtual training partner, this might be the perfect episode for you to start your comeback!
Scotty Sandow Episode Notes: Here’s Scotty’s podcast about Placer County
Here’s a throwback article about us in DRAFT Magazine from four years ago.
Here’s the interview we talked about where our guest George Zack explained the finer details of pack burro trail racing.
The post Scotty Sandow – Back to Ultras After a 3 Year Absence appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Stephanie Case Interview Stephanie Case has in incredible resume of ultramarathon and trail races:
- Tor des Geants
- Lavaredo
- UTMB
- Gobi Desert
- Grand to Grand
- Vermont
- Matterhorn
- Madeira Island
- UROC
If it’s long and tough and pushes the limits, Stephanie has likely run it. Does she “listen to her body” when it tells her to stop? Nope. How does it respond when she’s surviving on 2 hours of sleep after 98 hours of running?
Stephanie Case finishing Lavaredo Trail Ultra 2015 While training for the above events, Stephanie’s lived and trained in some of the most adverse conditions in the world including a tent in South Sudan, a rooftop in Gaza with soldiers at the door, and on a UN compound in Afghanistan in the middle of a war. She’s adapted by running up stairs, pulling tires, and doing laps around a 1k parking lot. Do we talk about working with the conditions you’re given? You bet.
Stephanie running in the South Sudan. This strength and focus certainly came into play five weeks ago when she found herself with a collapsed lung, bleeding liver, broken ribs, and a dying cell phone halfway down a cliff while on a solo snowshoe trek on the UTMB/TDG course in the Italian Alps. Whoa.
Tyrone and Stephanie Case on the UN compound in Gaza. In this interview, we talk at length about the scariest part of the incident, how she was rescued, the technology that saved her life, and what she learned from it all. And wait, she’s running and still planning to do Western, UTMB, TDG, and Eiger this year??? This is an amazing tale that will make you think differently about your next run in the mountains.
Stephanie Case at TDG 2016. She tells some hilarious stories about meeting Sarah in a tent in Utah and how good she smelled, about when she dropped a mic down her underwear during her TED Talk, and the message she’s been preaching of we don’t know what we are capable of until we try. We hear more about Stephanie’s foundation Free to Run and how she’s working to use running as a means to lift girls and women out of dangerous areas in the world.
This was a fantastic interview that I’ll be listening to multiple times.
Stephanie Cast in Iran with the only Iranian woman to complete the first mixed gender race in 38 years Stephanie Case Episode Notes Here’s Stephanie’s Website.
Here’s the TED Talk with Stephanie Case. (Make sure you watch it after you hear her story on the podcast.)
Here’s Sarah’s article about Stephanie.
Here’s my Patreon page. If you like what I’m doing, please consider supporting my work via Patreon. Thanks!
Outro Music by The 88
Note: Yeah, I bleeped a few naughty words. I’m trying to stay clean for iTunes and this is a talk I’d like kids to listen to and want to make sure parents are comfortable with the words.
The post Stephanie Case – Rescue in the Alps and Pushing our Limitations appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Emily Harrison Interview Emily Harrison is back on the scene with a shiny new Golden Ticket to Western States Endurance Run! She’s had mixed luck there, finishing top ten in her first attempt, and a tough DNF bonk on her second. How is she preparing for her third try?
Emily Harrison and her Mom. At discussion in the interview: * Sarah and I chat with Emily about what she believes has been causing GI and energy problems over the past years: Multiple food allergies. What’s she allergic to, and how have those allergies shown themselves? * We hear about her prep for Sean O’Brien 100k (only 8 weeks of training!?!), and how the race panned out. Did she lead from the gun or take it conservatively? * Emily was on the Nike Trail Elite team, but now has no shoe sponsor. What’s that all about? * We hear about the time Sarah beat Emily at Lake Sonoma by over an hour. (Wait, what?) What happened in that race, and why did she keep running, despite having an awful day? * She’s getting married in May…how does that fit into everything?
- Emily tells us about her and fiancee Ian Torrence’s summer ’16 when they were campground hosts in Colorado. Why’d they do it, and did they have to throw out any partying hooligans?
- Sarah, Emily, and I talk about raising kids in a running-friendly environment. Emily’s folks were runners and it clearly rubbed off. Sarah’s kids don’t run, and mine do. What’s the best way–if possible at all–to encourage your kids to run?
- We talk about how Ian pulls her out of a mental funk mid-race, and what she’s done for him.
Emily Harrison at JFK50 with RD Spinnler. Emily Harrison Episode Notes Episode sponsored by North Face Endurance Challenge Massachusettes. June 10-11, 2017. Use URP15 at checkout for a 15% discount off of registration!
Here’s our original interview with Emily from 2014.
Here’s Emily site.
Here’s our interview with fiancee Ian Torrence in 2012, and here is the transcript.
Here’s Sarah’s site.
Outro music by The 88.
The post Emily Harrison – A Golden Ticket and a New Leaf for 2017 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Hillary Allen Interview North Face athlete Hillary Allen joins Ethan and I to talk about her past few years of running, what she’s got on her calendar for this year, and where she sees this going later in life.
Scorpion? Lizard? Frog? What is Hillary Allen holding? In this epidote we discuss:
- How her love for science sort of steered her away from tennis towards trail running
- Hillary’s friendship with North Face team mate Clare Gallagher and the adventure they have planned for this year.
- How she shapes her racing calendar to prevent burnout and maximize her talents and fun.
- Her ultimate science geek job. Hint: It’s not from this century.
- The importance of rest and how she feels when all she wants to do is explore outdoors.
- How she balances a wicked competitive nature with having fun at the same time.
- We ask a question posed by Patreon supporters about whether she’ll be doing this once her competitiveness has waned.
- Which pro tennis players we like the most, versus those we don’t like at all.
- The top five Daily News stories of the week, along with discussion about the rabbit shirt contest.
Hillary Allen in some amazing place. Hillary Allen Episode Notes Episode sponsored by the Ancient Redwoods Running Festival. Redwoods, rivers, trails, beer, music…yes please!
Here’s Hillary’s blog. Be sure to read her December post about resting.
And here’s her twitter machine.
ICYMI: Here’s the shirt we/you helped design for rabbit.
Here’s the interview with friend and training partner Clare Gallagher we referenced.
Outro music by The 88.
The post Hillary Allen Interview – Energy, Adventure, and Rest appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Gavin Woody saw combat time in Iraq as an Army Ranger. He’s an Eagle Scout, he’s finished HURT, Badwater, UTMB, Susitna, Tor des Geants, Western States, Bigfoot 200, a few Ironman triathlons, and a whole lot of other endurance events. He’s Past President of a huge foundation that gets families into the wilderness, and he’s got a huge race coming up in a few days. Needless to say, he’s got a lot of ultra and endurance wisdom to share from his adventures.
Gavin Woody en route to his Susitna 100 finish in Alaska. Next week, he’s taking on Arrowhead 135, in which he’ll have to confront sub-zero temperatures while pulling a damn sled across northern Minnesota. So what drives him to these types of events? Who does he depend on to ensure success? How does he get a sled from Seattle to Minnesota?
Gavin Woody at Badwater What lessons did he learn at Western States? How about UTMB? What does he expect to learn at Arrowhead?
Gavin shares a story about running on base in Northern Iraq while the human waste was being burned trackside. You’ll have to hear it from his mouth.
For a guy who relished endurance sports, we also talk about his first DNF, why it happened, and what he did to conquer the JMT on his next try.
Woody family, xmas 2016. Gavin Woody at Yakima 50k Looks like fun? Gavin Woody Episode Notes Episode sponsored by the Transelkirks Run in Revelstoke, BC. Looks like an awesome 5 day adventure with a great RD and fun accommodations.
Here’s the site for the Arrowhead 135.
Here’s the site for the outro track by the band The 88.
If you’ve got music you think would make a good outro track, Email me here . I’d love to share it with the URP audience. Thanks.
Here’s my Patreon page. Thanks so much for supporting my work. I just booked a Patron-only guest for next week that I promise you’ll want to hear from. Thanks for the support so far!
The post Gavin Woody – Big Race Prep and Ultra Wisdom appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Ken Michal has attempted HURT 100 eight times and finished twice. Why does he keep going back? What’s the draw to that event that appeals to him so much? With almost 100 ultras under his belt, how does this one relate to his upcoming 48 hour run in a suburban park? What’ll he do next year to get another finish? In this interview, we talk about the race, his training, the unique wait list, and what ultimately broke him this year at mile 67.
We also talk about staying positive on the trails and how to make any situation a positive experience. Sure, fitness is important, but not as important as having the right outlook, and Ken’s got that in spades.
Finally, we go through–point by point–his Battle Plan for Awesomeness in 2017. What’s he doing to lose weight, get faster, and improve his running? Some things as simple as stretching, others like documenting his food intake and treating every day like an adventure. If you’re looking for inspiration from someone you can likely relate to, take 50 minutes and bask in Ken’s energy.
Ken and Karen Ken’s always a fun guy to listen to, and since he’s got a podcast of his own, he makes a great guest! Enjoy the show.
So fast he’s a blur! Ken Michal Episode Notes: Sponsored by the Fourmidable 50k USATF Trail Championships. Use URP in the discount box for $10 off the registration. The race is Feb 18…better get on it!
Here’s Ken’s site, and here’s a link for ultrarunningcompany.com.
Here’s the shirt I was talking about with the names of female MUT runners. Get over there and vote for which names make the cut!
Here’s my Patreon page. It’s easy: Support the site, and I’ll put out more content! Thank YOU! THANK YOU!
Here’s a link to Matt Flaherty’s music site.
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Mike Wardian’s 7/7/7 Marathon Interview Mike Wardian has been on the show before and he’s always one of my favorite guests. This latest show is no exception as he fills us in with the details of his latest adventure, talks about the logistics of getting sponsors to support him, how he recovers, and what an appropriate name for the Barkley/Hardrock/UTMB slam would be.
Mike’s latest challenge has him running seven marathons in seven days on seven different continents. Aside from the running–that’s a 189 mile week–the details and logistics of travel, gear, and nutrition are daunting! Mike lays it all out for us.
We talk about sponsors and how in the heck he has so many. Who does he call? What does he do to provide value to them? What makes a good fit? And wait, how much does this race cost to run?!?
Imagine running a 2:38 in that outfit! I also lay the responsibility at his feet for getting Ryan Hall to run an ultra this year. Ryan will be on the 7/7/7 trip, and it’s up to Iron Mike to get him signed up for a race!
And how in the heck do you simultaneously train for marathons, Barkley, and Hardrock? The epic-painful-mega slam is just getting started!
Mike Wardian Episode Notes Here’s Mike’s website and calendar. He’s also partnering with World Vision 6k for Water Program to raise money for kids.
Here’s the URP Patreon page. Thanks for supporting my work and allowing me to create more content! I very much appreciate all the help and am looking forward to special podcasts and on-site interviews!
Here’s the 6 hour race Mike is doing en route to the 7/7/7.
Mike’s paying for the race with generous support from MedStar Health, sweet green, Damascus Bakery, Athlete Underneath, T-Mobile, Squirrels Nut Butter and Walt (just a cool dude that helped him out)…. and his longtime sponsors Hoka One One, Nathan, Race Roster, Bearded Brothers, Injinji, Compressport, Julbo, Big Spoon Roasters, RaceDots, Buff, Inside Tracker, and Michelle’s Granola.
Outro music by The 88. Here’s their site.
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Alicia Vargo Interview – (Updated to mp3 format.) Alicia Vargo has a degree in nutrition from Stanford, she’s a two time NCAA 10k champ, won the Flagstaff Skyrace last year, coaches runners professionally, runs for HOKA, and has some severe dietary restrictions of her own to contend with. Seems like a pretty good source to discuss nutrition and diet, eh?
Alicia Vargo hitting the hill work. In this episode, we talk about popular diets right now and how they affect runners. Do they work? Who’s the best fit to start one? What’s the best way to keep on a diet?
We also talk about setting–and keeping–resolutions and goals. What’s the best way to keep a goal, and what are pitfalls people fall into that virtually guarantee they’ll be broken.
Alicia and husband Chris Vargo. I ask her my own questions, as well as pass along some readers questions to her about watching calories on the trails, controlling cravings as we increase mileage, and what types of foods we should always have in the fridge. Alicia knows what she’s talking about and speaks with the confidence of a top fast runner.
We finish up with her relaying she and husband Chris’ race calendar…and yes, I’m jealous! They travel around the world as a couple and race in awesome places! A great mix of domestic and international races that will really play to their strengths.
Alicia Vargo at the finish line. Alicia Vargo Episode Notes This episode was sponsored by S-Fuels. They’re giving away 25 boxes each week for ten weeks, so get on it now if you’re interested in learning about fueling with fat.
Here’s Alicia’s coaching/nutrition site.
Here’s a piece in ESPN about “Shay hostel.”
Here’s Alicia (then Shay’s) original URP interview from her first 50 miler.
Outro music is by Matt Flaherty. His music can be found right here.
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Jamil Coury Interview Jamil Coury wears many hats in the sport of ultra and trail running. He’s a race director, competitive athlete, pizza chef (wait, what?), and film maker. I asked him to be on the show to talk about the role of “new” media in our sport, where he sees the MUT media going, and how the digital era is changing the landscape of trail running.
Episode of Mountain Outhouse with host Jamil Coury (aka JamJam) I also wanted to learn how they got those great shots of runners, level my complaint/adoration for aerial drones at races, and find out who the heck is paying for this stuff. The Miller/Hawks video from North Face 50 was one of the most viewed links for all of 2016, despite it appearing at the very end of the year. Many people list the advent of new media as one of the things that’s changed the most in the sport over the past few years, and Jamil and I explore whether that’s a positive change.
Jamil Coury off trail. Jamil and I also had a good talk about his race calendar, which includes Barkley, Hardrock, and a few international races. While targeting Barkley, Jamil will be putting in additional training this year with a focus on being the fifteenth finisher of the iconic event in Tennessee. Will Laz’s new rules affect his chances of finishing five loops?
Jamil Coury Episode Notes Episode sponsored by the Napa Valley 50k on April 22. Here’s some cool aerial/drone footage from the course.
And here’s the 10k/10M the next day.
Here’s the link to the Jamil’s Mountain Outpost Youtube channel.
Here is the DJI Osmos gimbal Jamil uses to catch the shots of the runners on the trail. I figured it’d be more expensive than that.
Here’s a link to Araivapa Running in Phoenix.
Outro music is by the band the 88. Here’s their site.
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2016 Year in Review and Predictions for 2017 Each year we get together to discuss the previous 12 months and make predictions for 2017. With a sport that’s changing as rapidly as ours it, it’s always a fun discussion to have, and I predict one that’s been had on many a long run.
Mario taking a hill in the Dolomites. This year, I asked regular co-host to join me as we talk with coach and writer Mario Fraioli to hash out this last year and try to figure out what the heck we’ll see last year. If you go back to our episode from last year (Sarah and chatted with ultrarunning magazine’s Karl Hoagland), you’ll notice we didn’t do so well with predictions!
Walmsey at the top of Western States slapping your host. Pic by Myke Hersmeyer. This year, I ran down the highlights from URP interviews and topics, then Ethan, Mario, and I dove into topics that included:
- Personal running milestones for the year.
- Favorite female to watch.
- Impact of sponsors on the sport–both front and back of the pack.
- Performance of the year.
- Role of USATF in ultra/trail running.
- Gear/shoe trends.
We had a lot more to talk about and covered all sorts of issues, agreeing on some, disagreeing on others.
Ethan at a very cold Broken Arrow Sky Race in Squaw Valley. Episode Notes Here’s our year end show from 2014, and here’s the show from 2015.
Here’s Mario’s site, and here’s the link for his coaching site ekiden.com. Click here to subscribe to his Morning Shakeout newsletter.
Here’s the link the URP iTunes page. We recorded 47 episodes this year.
Here’s a link to Matt Flaherty’s music page.
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Sabrina Little Interview – Five Years Later We last interviewed Sabrina Little in early 2012. Then Sabrina Moran, she was running for a different shoe manufacturer, was attending college at Yale, and starting to make a real name for herself in the ultramarathon world in mainly timed and track ultras.
Fast forward to today, and Sabrina is working on her PhD in “real” philosophy (more on that later), ran a 14:55 100 miler at Rocky Raccoon earlier this year, is now married, teaches in Texas, just signed with a new sponsor (you’ll have to wait until January to find out who), coaches cross country, and represents the US overseas. Sabrina has a drive to succeed in all areas of her life and it’s fascinating to hear how she compartmentalizes her goals and activities.
Sabrina Little on the road With running such a big part of her life, Sarah and I asked Sabrina about how her injury earlier this year affected everything else. What caused the break in the first place? How could she have prevented it? Did she deny its existence or accept her fate immediately? And as someone who has excelled in different distances and terrains, what’s her calendar for 2017 looking like?
We also talk about the passing of Sabrina’s mom a few years ago and how much of an impact she had on Sabrina’s outlook. We bounce to gear and shoes, nutrition, moral pedagogy, and whatever other topics pop up when you’re talking to an Ivy League PhD slash ultrarunner with a bitingly smart sense of humor.
Sabrina Little Episode Notes Here’s our original interview with Sabrina.
Here’s Sabrina Little’s blog. Follow it.
Here’s her clothing sponsor rabbit. We’re gear testing some clothes right now and will have a comprehensive review next month.
Outro music by The88
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Magdalena Boulet Interview Magdalena Boulet at 2016 North Face Endurance Challenge. Pic by Sarah Lavender Smith. We had Magdalena Boulet on the show two years ago when she was just one year into her ultra career. Fast forward, and she’s got a healthy resume of wins and wisdom under her fedora.
Sarah and I chat with Magda about how she stays positive on the trails, how she mixes up her training to focus on different distances, and how she balances the training alongside her roles as a mother, wife, and executive at GU Energy Labs.
We also hear what her calendar for 2017 is looking like, and where she’ll be focusing her energies.
That’s Magda coming thru Foresthill in her straw hat, en route to victory. And come on, you can’t have the VP of Product Development at GU Energy Labs on the show and NOT ask about new flavors coming out, right? We talk calories, texture, flavors, and more, then Magda disappoints Eric with her beer choice.
Magdalena Boulet Episode Notes
Episode Sponsored by the Broken Arrow Sky Race.
Here’s our interview with Magda from two years ago.
Here’s a link to Sharman Ultra Endurance Coaching
Here’s a link to the awesome straw hat we talked about. Only comes in s/m and I’m an XL…maybe I’ll make my own URP version.
Here’s Sarah’s site where you can find her blog posts and article.
Here’s a link to the outro music. It’s led by Victor Ballesteros (URP interview right here) who also owns Victory Sportdesign.
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Steven Wiseman – Couch to 50 Miler in Nine Months Prior to March of this year, Steven Wiseman wasn’t a runner at all. He’d never owned a pair of running shoes and was overweight. For whatever reason, Steven entered a 5k, suffered through to the finish, then a friend challenged him to run 50 miles. That was enough for this Marine to take up the challenge and commit to the distance.
Steven got a coach (Liza Howard), changed his diet, got his family on board, got some running shoes, and started training. He still hasn’t run anything past 26.2, but he’s signed up for North Face 50 on Saturday and is excited to take on the challenge.
His hill work has mainly been on a treadmill, he has to travel out of state to get any real trails, and to this day, he’s never seen a “real” aid station. This is going to be fun to watch!
If you see Steven on Saturday, give him a big cheer!
Steven Wiseman Episode Notes
Sponsored by the ultrarunningcompany.com. Check them out for expert advice for any and all ultra/trail gear, shoes, and nutrition. Great selection and a nice group of people to help out!
Here’s the beer that Zach and Mae sent me. It was the Imperial Stout from Imperial Ale Works in Jacksonville.
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North Face 50 Endurance Challenge Elite Entrant Interviews From the Past No new material here, but if you’re looking to learn a bit more (read: beer preferences) about some of the elite field at this weekend’s North Face 50 Endurance Championship, you can start with the list below (in no particular order.)
First: Be sure to check out Jay Friedman’s handicapping here, and iRunFar’s list right here (ladies) and here (fellas.)
Ladies: Megan Kimmel – A past preview of Stephanie Howe, Megan, and Sally McRae’s run at TNF ’14.
Clare Gallagher Clare Gallagher – Recent interview with Clare (another new North Face athlete) about Thailand, Princeton, and how she fueled her first 100 (that little race called Leadville that she won ) on cake frosting.
Magda Boulet – A past preview of Magda, YiOu Wang, and Alicia Vargo (Shay’s) run at TNF 2014.
Cassie Scallon, Photo by Sage Canaday. Cassie Scallon – Scotty and I chatted with Cassie in 2013 about her unconventional training plans and love of trail running.
Lindsay Tollefson – Here’s her interview from the “couples edition”, and here’s her interview before her first 50 miler at Lake Sonoma last year.
Sarah Keyes Sarah Keyes – Here’s her recent interview with Ethan and I where she talked about dirtbagging around the country, racing in the Adirondacks, and managing a brewpub.
Stephanie Violett (Howe) – Here’s our first chat with Stephanie in 2014, then this pre-Sonoma chat in ’14, then this pre-TNF chat the same year, then this pre-Way Too Cool chat from early last year.
Fellas: Jim Walmsley – Here’s our first interview with Jim before he blew up the ultra scene at Lake Sonoma ’15, then our full chat with him from early this year, then his recant of his run at Western States this year.
Zach Miller – Here’s when we first met Zach (2014), while he was still living on a cruiseship, then later that year.
Paddy O’Leary and his new NorthFace mugshot. Paddy O’Leary – Here’s our chat with Irish transplant (and North Face’s newest fella) from one year ago. There are a lot of people pulling for Paddy this weekend!
Sage Canaday – Here’s our chat with Sage from 2013 when he was still pretty new to the MUT scene, then in 2014 before Speedboat, again the same year before North Face (along with Tim Olson and Mike Foote), then again in 2015 before UTMB.
Hayden Hawks with a bobblehead? Hayden Hawks – No pressure, but I’ve got this guy on the podium: He’s got speed, he’s a hard worker, smart runner, and wants this bad. Here’s our chat from a few weeks ago.
Cody Reed – Jim Walsmey’s friend and training partner, Cody has gone 3/3 in ultras this year and is now running for The North Face. Here’s our chat from last week.
David Laney – Here’s our interview with Dave after he won UROY 2015.
Coree Woltering Coree Woltering – Coree may not be familiar to many on the West Coast, but this dude can run. Here’s our interview from last year. His recent 5:30 50 miler has a lot of people wondering how he’ll do on Saturday.
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So after reading Jay and IRF’s handicapping and listening to interviews, who’ll be on the podium?
Top three men, top three women, then a dark horse for each.
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Cody Reed – Planning His 50 Mile Debut at North Face Endurance Challenge Cody Reed grew up in Northern California, ran at Northern Arizona University, and still lives and trains in Flagstaff. His friend and training partner is Jim Walmsley, and Cody has run three ultras in his short career, winning them all.
Cody Reed en route to his win at USATF 50k Trail Champs at Tamalpa. Pic by me. Up next for this bearded dude is his first fifty miler at North Face Endurance Challenge where he’ll line up against Jim, Sage, Zach, Max, Tim, and a who’s who of speedy mountain runners who’ll take the race out hard.
Ethan and I spoke with Cody about how he got into MUT running (not what we expected), how he’s training now, and what his plans are going forward.
Predictions: Where do you think Cody will finish at North Face 50?
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Outro music by Matt Flaherty. Find it here.
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Hayden Hawks Interview – Track Speed on the Trails Utah native Hayden Hawks blasted on to the ultra trail scene earlier this year when he showed up to the wild and competitive Speedgoat 50k and won the thing, beating some top level elite runners who likely had no idea who he was.
Hayden Hawks with a bobblehead? A few months later, Hayden traveled overseas to represent the US in the World Mountain Running Championships where he finished 4th overall, further raising questions about his rise in the sport.
Hayden Hawks striding out on the trails. With his name on the entrant list for North Face Endurance Championships and a lots of buzz around him, Ethan and I got him on the phone to find out more.
What we found was a laser-focused guy who’s taking his D1 All-American track speed, combining it with his upbringing on the trails and recent signing with Hoka, and looking to make a big name for himself in this wacky sport of ours.
What’s his race strategy? Go out hard, push harder up the hills, and win. Talking to Hayden got us giddy with excitement at the thought of him, Jim, Zach, Cody, Tim, Sage, and others all going out at breakneck speed in the Headlands next month.
One thing is for sure: Keep your eyes on Hayden Hawks.
Hayden and Ashley Hawks. Hayden Hawks Episode Notes:
This episode generously sponsored by the C&O Canal 100 miler. Held in Knoxville, MD on Apr 29-30, 2017, the race is run on a flat toepath and is perfect for first timers and those looking to lower their 100 PR alike. Registration opens Dec 17…and it’s only $150! More info right this way.
Here’s Alex Kurt’s article about Hayden.
This is the North Face Ultra MT Winter shoe we were discussing at the end of the show.
Here’s where you can find more of Matt Flaherty’s music.
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Himalayan 100 – My First International Stage Race Report If you’ve been listening to the show for the past few months, you’ve heard me stressing out about preparing and packing for my first stage race – The Himalayan 100. Before I left, I recorded this interview with Russ Trice who attempted to set my mind at ease. (It didn’t work, I was still a mess up until race day.)
Day 2 at Himalayan 100. High altitude running in the shadows of Lhotse, Everest, Makalu, and Kanchenchunga. In this interview, Sarah takes the lead and interviews me about the event. The logistics of travel, the race, Indian culture, and other participants involved in the event. In short, it was an incredible experience that I’ll always remember.
Beware of freaking leopards, monkeys, bears, weasels, and porcupines. We talk about what lessons I learned, the details of each day, what I wish I’d brought, what I’m thankful I had with me, and whether I’d do another event like this.
Stay tuned for a full report with pictures, gear lists, and details from the Himalayan 100. I should have that up in few days and am writing it to those interested in this race in particular, as well as those who may want to dip their foot into stage racing in general.
Himalayan sunrise. No filter. Himalayan 100 Report Episode Notes. Here’s the website for the race.
Here’s the roller that was so popular at camp.
Here’s a review of my high performance shorts.
Here’s Cory Reese’s book: Nowhere Near First: Ultramarathon Adventures From The Back Of The Pack
Here’s the book Grand Trail: A Magnificent Journey to the Heart of Ultrarunning and Racing that Sarah and I were talking about. Seriously beautiful coffee table book for the MUT geek in your life (or yourself.)
Here’s the Grand Circle Trail Fest that Sarah attended. Looks like another cool event that I’ll consider for next year.
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Sarah Keyes – SkyRunning, Dirt Bagging, Beer Drinking, and Running in the Adirondacks Sarah Keyes Sarah Keyes has everything it takes to be a great URP guest: She’s a vibrant and dynamic story teller who lived in her truck last year with her dog while driving around the country to different SkyRunning races. Prior to that, she managed a brewpub in upstate New York and shares her dislike for pumpkin ales with mine.
Sarah Keyes In this interview, we talk about how she transformed from a non-athletic kid to a casual athlete to runner to trail runner to elite mountain runner.
We hear about how she trained when she was younger, how she showered while living in a Ford Ranger, what her strengths are, and what races she’s targeting for 2017.
My type of woman: Sarah Keyes. Sarah us gearing up for North Face in December, and I’ll have my eye on her to surprise some of the locals with her trail skills.
Sarah Keyes Episode Notes Here’s Sarah’s site. Check it out for great race reports.
Here’s the brewery she was talking about.
Here’s Matt Flaherty’s music site, and here’s our interview with him from last year.
Here’s the site for Broken Arrow SkyRace. Sarah won it last year.
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Preparing and Packing for an International Stage Race – The Himalayan 100 A few days prior to my leaving for my first international stage race (The Himalayan 100), I hopped on the phone with experienced trekker/runner/stage racer Russ Trice to get some last minute tips for my journey. I was less interested in fitness than I was in travel, packing, weather, and adaptation.
Earlier this year, Russ ran 600k across Ireland. He’s finished Marathon des Sables and hiked Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic. His experience and advice (“redundancy for important items!”) has helped quell my nerves, while at the same time, giving me a few extra things to think about.
Russ Trice in the Grand Canyon All and all, I’m doing fine. Russ gave me some great advice about what I’ll need during the Himalayan 100, what to expect in terms of recovery, and what things not to worry about.
I also got to ask him a lot of questions about his own adventures. Why did he run across Ireland? What did he learn on that adventure? And how was that different than his Marathon des Sables race?
Russ Trice on his Lost Coast hike. Episode Notes Here’s the race I’m running: The Himalayan 100.
Here’s Russ’ site from his Ireland run.
Here’s the Irish section of the E Trail, and here’s more on the entire three thousand mile E8 trail from Ireland to Istanbul.
And I never even got to ask him about his backpack trip along California’s Lost Coast he took with his daughter.
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John Andersen and His Run at the Wet and Wild Grindstone 100 John Andersen ran his first hundred earlier this year at Bighorn100 in Wyoming and had a blast. He felt great, had fun, ate well, and loved every minute of it. Well, then he signed up for his local race–the Grindstone 100–and had a different experience.
John after Bighorn. All smiles! Faced with weather caused by Hurricane Matthew, the course was wet, muddy, cold, and miserable, John went out too fast, and bonked harder than he ever had before. (Un)luckily, Dr. David Horton was there to heckle him the whole time and get him to the finish. We talk at length about the race, the emotions of hundred milers, and what he’ll do differently next time.
John Andersen and friends at Grindstone 100. We also talk about what it’s like owning a specialty running store, and what types of trends he’s seeing in the industry. Virginia is a hotbed of trail running, and John paints a picture that makes me want to hop a jet plane and join the crowd immediately.
….and that’s how it ended. John Andersen Episode Notes Here’s John’s running store, Crozet Running.
Here’s the Grindstone site.
Here’s the Huma Gel I’d never heard of.
Here’s a link to Matt’s music.
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Meredith Edwards: Mulit-discliplined Mountain Endurance Athlete Meredith Edwards joins Ethan and I to talk about her childhood spent skiing, her teenage years playing field hockey, her collegiate years running track, and how that all combined to make her a member of the La Sportive Ultrarunning Team and the US Ski Mountaineering Team.
In this interview, we talk about her childhood, the time she fell out of love with running, her first trail race, the time she fell ill with mono (and took up ice climbing), her approach to UTMB, what she thinks of strength training, and what’s on her calendar for next year.
Strap yourself in folks. Meredith is a ball of energy and you better pay attention to keep up!
Meredith Edwards Episode Notes: Follow Meredith on Instagram here. Seriously, do it.
Here’s Broken Arrow Skyrace that she’ll be racing next year.
This is jai alai. (I haven’t played it either.)
Outro music by Matt Flaherty. Find it here.
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Dylan Bowman – What happens when a typhoon changes the race from a 100 miler to a 27 miler? If you’re training is on point, you win the race. Dylan Bowman at UTMF. Photo: Koichi Iwasa from dogsorcaravan.com In this interview, Dylan Bowman describes the best block of training of his life, as he focused on Ultra Trail Mt Fuji in Japan. He used championship 50ks as training runs, used downtime to his advantage, and reflected on what he learned about his self confidence at North Face Australia last year
A typhoon in Japan had other plans, and that plan forced a massive course change that cut over 70 miles off of the course, changing the race from a tough 100 miler to a speedy fast trail marathon. How did he deal with the big change? Was there a gear issue? How did he feel afterwards? Was he satisfied that his training had been put to good use?
DBo on final descent at USATF Trail Champ 50k with my son Van serenading him. We also talk about his new sponsorship with Red Bull and we get into some geeky talk about the vetting process that athletes go through with major sponsors.
Dylan Bowman Episode Notes Episode sponsored by The Broken Arrow Skyrace. June 16-17 at Squaw Valley Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe, California.
Here’s Dylan’s blog about the Mt Fuji race.
Here’s the NorthFace Hyper Air jacket Dylan recommended I take with me to the Himalayas.
And yep, here’s the story about Jim Walmsley wrecking the R2R2R FKT in the Grand Canyon.
Here’s the whole roster of Red Bull athletes.
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Chuck Radford Interview – Blind Perseverance at Run Rabbit Run 100 Sometimes you go into a race with a certain goal and you cross the finish line in decent condition after hitting your mark. Sometimes runners DNF after a tough few hours on the course. Sometimes you go into a race underprepared and drag themselves to the finish line. And then there are people like Chuck Radford.
Chuck Radford at LT100 finish, 2015. Without giving too much away, Chuck went into Run Rabbit Run 100 with big goals and solid training, but faced some serious health problems about half way through that got progressively worse until he was advised to DNF at mile 70. He didn’t. Instead he dismantled the course piece by piece and made it to the finish line under some extreme circumstances. Next time you want to DNF, remember what you heard in this interview.
Chuck Radford finishing Leadville Trail Marathon with his kids. You’ll have to listen to his incredible report to hear how it all went down, but you can rightly assume it filled with grit, perseverance, passion, and a healthy dose of humor.
Chuck Radford Backcountry Half Marathon I also talk with Chuck Radford about life balance, his relatively short weekly mileage, kids, pain thresholds, race planning and pacing duties at Leadville, and his quest to get into The Big Dance at Western States 100.
Chuck and a Gremlin. Chuck Radford Episode Notes Chuck is am ambassador for Fuel 100 Electro Bites.
Here’s the physical therapist he mentioned: Brad Schoenthaler with Sports Rehab Consulting.
Here’s our interview with Chuck’s friend Wyatt Hornsby from four years ago.
Follow Chuck on the twitter machine right here.
Outro music by Matt Flaherty. Check it out here.
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Clare Gallagher – Winning Her Hundred Mile Debut with Hard Work, Cake Frosting, and Laughs Clare Gallagher grew up in Colorado (looking up to an influential and famous family friend who you’ll hear about at the end of the episode), and went to Princeton where she ran XC and track. While in college, she was injured frequently and by the time she graduated and moved to Thailand, had fallen out of love with running.
Clare Gallagher at Leadville. Pic courtesy Ryan Lassen. Then came trail running: After training on tsunami evacuation towers, having her running shoes stolen, and cobbling together a training program off a spotty internet connection, she ran her first 80k and fell in love with ultra trail running.
Cake frosting for Clare? Pic courtesy Ryan Lassen. Clare won the competitive Power of Four Challenge in Aspen, then took 2nd to the quick Meghan Roche at the USATF 30k Trail Running Championships, she set her eyes on her backyard course–the (in)famous Leadville 100. Would her leg speed translate well to one hundred miles? You’ll have to listen to get the whole story on the race.
In this episode with Clare Gallagher we talk about: * Running collegiately and the pressures to perform. * Trail running in remote Thailand. * Clare’s attitude towards racing and training. Is she having fun? * What the hell she ate at Leadville. * What’s next on her race schedule.
Clare Gallagher Episode Notes: Intro Music: Never Gonna Stop by Rob Zombie
Co-hosted by Sarah Lavender Smith. Find her blog right here.
Here’s David Roche’s article on Clare in TrailRunner Magazine.
Clare runs with the Rocky Mountain Runners.
Outro Music: Matt Flaherty
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Dakota Jones Interview – Injuries, Pizza, Stretching, and Staying Relevant as a Sponsored Athlete Dakota Jones had a tough 2015, battling a persistent injury and yearning to race again. All the stars aligned in ’16 as his training and patience paid off, pushing him to wins against some tough competitors and even tougher terrain.
Dakota Jones leading The Rut SkyRace. Pic Martina Valmassoi Then last week, while leading the Run the Rut Skyrace, Dakota twisted an ankle he’d injured the week before and took a DNF. Back to square one. How much time off will this require? What’s his race schedule like? What exactly does a sponsored athlete think about longevity in the sport, and what does he think about staying relevant to an audience?
Dakota Jones at Run the Rut. Pic courtesy of Martina Valmassoi We talk pizza, piano playing, race directing, and his love and protection of the mountains. This is Dakota’s third time on URP.
Dakota Jones Episode Notes
Episode sponsored by the Vertical Challenge Series. Three races on different peaks around the Bay Area with a cumulative winner at the end. Starts soon, so check it out NOW.
Here’s Sarah’s recent post about running in the Colorado mountains.
Here’s Braving It: A Father, a Daughter, and an Unforgettable Journey into the Alaskan Wild — the book I spoke about at the end.
Here’s the young adult fiction trilogy Dakota referenced: The Bartimaeus Trilogy Boxed Set.
Here’s how to get more of Matt Flaherty’s music.
All images (including cover shot) used with permission from Martina Valmassoi.
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Tim Tollefson – Pacing to the Podium at UTMB 2016 Tim Tollefson chose UTMB as his first hundred mile attempt. Set on a giant international stage in the French Alps, UTMB is arguably the biggest trail ultramarathon in the world, and it’s at this race that Tim executed a well-paced run that landed him on the podium
Tim Tollefson scouting the course one week before UTMB. The race went out as expected with Nike teammate Zach Miller setting a blazing pace and European elites giving chase. Back in the pack, Tim Tollefson held strong, running calm and controlling his emotions until the right time to strike. You’ll have to listen to the interview to hear how it all went down in the last 50 kilometers.
Tim Tollefson’s electric finish at UTMB. Pic by Maggie Zhang. In the interview, Tim also discusses how and why he chose UTMB for his first hundred, his specific training going into it (downhill repeats!), and his strategy to stay calm amidst all that goes on at a race of this size. He also talks about his plans for the future, and how he expects to stay competitive for many years.
Tim Tollefson UTMB Episode Notes Here’s Tim’s interview from earlier this year where he recounted his Transgrancanaria Sufferfest.
Here’s the TrumpExplainsUltras twitter feed.
Here’s coach Mario Fraioli’s website and here’s the Morning Shakeout.
Here’s a great highlight reel from UTMB.
Here’s Tim’s interview with Meghan Hicks after the race.
Be sure to read David Laney’s account of the race right here. Great report!
Here’s Tim Tollefson’s website.
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David Stango Interview – Eastern States 100 We all know about the iconic Western States Endurance Run, but let’s jump across the continent and learn about the Eastern States 100. My guest David Stango has been running ultras for ten years and chose Eastern States 100 as his first “official” hundred miler.
What did he learn? How did having a pacer for the first time affect his race? What’s the course like? How about the weather? Does running a course on your home turf (David’s a PA native) change the experience at all?
David shared his stories and training leading up to the race, the execution, and what he’s got planned for the future. This is a guy with a wife, job, kids, and the ability to plan ahead…something we could all do better.
David Stengo – Eastern State 100 Episode Notes: Here’s David’s blog.
Here’s the site for the Eastern States 100.
Outro: Here’s Matt’s music site with the live recording from Boulder. (Again, no $ affiliation at all. I just like his music and he allows me to play it.)
Here’s David’s own music site with his original tunes.
Here’s the Gary Robbins interview.
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David Roche – Coaching Ultramarathon Runners Megan and David Roche I had David Roche on the show early last year to talk about what it’s like being married to a stud ultrarunner (his wife Megan), but this time Ethan and I had the chance to pin David down and ask him a bunch of questions about coaching, all based around the weekly column he writes for Trail Runner Magazine (NFI).
- How to work on hills without hills.
- How to train for altitude without altitude.
- Why some people shouldn’t run fifty milers.
- How to improve your speed during a lunch workout.
- Why you should be having fun out there.
- and more. They’re all easy, pragmatic, and designed for MUT runners.
David Roche in Hawaii We also discuss philosophy of coaching, who needs to be coached, and why some top runners work better with some coaches than others. All around, a free-ranging discussion with two inquisitive runners and one of the top ultramarathon coaches in the country.
David Roche – Coaching Ultramarathon Runners Episode Notes: Here’s David’s site. (This wasn’t a paid spot and I have no financial interest…only interest.)
Here are the Brooks Cascade “Scott Jurek 2189 Edition” shoes I was talking about.
Follow David on the twitter machine at @mountainroche.
David leading Way Too Cool this year. He won. The post David Roche – Coaching Ultramarathon Runners appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Andrew Miller Interview Last month, Andrew Miller became the youngest winner at Western States Endurance Run. He’d worked hard in training, and although he was only 20 years old, Andrew still had six years of ultras under his belt. Let’s find out what drove him to the finish line.
Note: For some reason, my audio mixing board freaked out on me and we sound slightly robot-ish. My apologies. I like to put out a quality product, and this type of thing drives me nuts. Better next time.
Ethan and I spoke with Andrew this week about his life leading up to the race. His mom’s been running ultras for a while, and Andrew figured he’d enter his first 50k at 14. Was there undue pressure? Did he run HS track and cross country? What drew him to the mountains?
Andrew Miller on a hike with his family last week. And how did he prepare for Western? A strict coaching regimen, or did he self-coach in his spare time? How about copious notes about his training? You’ll quickly hear a pattern during this interview…Andrew does things his way.
Still a kid. We found that Andrew’s age obscures his wisdom and maturity when it comes to MUT running. While other college freshman are partying, Andrew is running alone in the mountains, listening to old jazz records, hiking with his family, and preparing for his next big race.
Finally, we wanted to know how he felt about the attention given to Jim Walmsley after the race. Did he think it was fair? Was he upset by the lack of media for his accomplishments?
Andrew after the Georgia Death Race win. Andrew Miller Episode Notes Here’s Andrew’s blog.
Here are the details about the Matt Flaherty show in Boulder on Saturday. Hope to see some of you there.
Here’s the review of the Orange Mud Endurance Pack.
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Michele Graglia Interview Sarah and I interviewed Michele Graglia a few years ago, and I found time to catch up with him recently about his recent adventures. You may remember him as the former underwear model-turned ultrarunner who had some audacious plans for his time on the trails, and we get to hear the details about how they’ve worked out.
Michele Graglia at start of Yukon Ultramarathon
His old job that he quit to run through the freezing cold and scalding hot trails. In 2016, he’s already run (and won) the frozen Yukon Ultramarathon where he faced temperatures that hit -40 degrees, then a few months later, ran Badwater where temps crested 120.
In this interview with Michele Graglia, we talk about:
- What Michele learned at UTMB
- How he prepared for an arctic race while living in Southern California
- What prompted him take on a double Badwater
- What it takes to land a sponsor deal
- and more about his passion for adventure running.
Michele Graglia Episode Notes Here is our original interview with Michele.
Michele Graglia runs for Altra, CarboPro, 2XU, SH Plus, and Simple Hydration.
Here’s Michele’s race report from Badwater that he just released today.
Here’s my review of the Brooks Mazama trail shoe on REI.
Here’s the info for the concert/party in Boulder on August 6.
Whoa there’s a flyer! Must be legitimate. The post Michele Graglia – From the Yukon to the Desert in 2016 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Running the Camino de Santiago with Kevin Moore Kevin Moore is an average guy who wanted to do something big. With a passion for self-discovery and a 100 mile DNF on his back, he booked a flight and set off to run the iconic 500 mile Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage route across the top of Spain that covers the Pyrenees mountain range and hundreds of miles of (hot and exposed!) farmland.
How did he plan the trip? What did he run with? Who did he run with? Where did he sleep? How did his body hold up? How about his mind? The Camino de Santiago is a long route with many opportunities for failure, right?
All of these questions are answered in this tale about self-discovery, perseverance, and real ultra grit. We discuss:
- The outer limits of motivation. What makes a runner keep going?
- Pain thresholds and perseverance. With blisters and shin splints, what can we do to make it to the next day?
- Adaptation. If there’s not a bed available and there’s only a hard marble floor, what do you do?
- How does the mind deal with the juxtaposition of incredible physical pain while the mind is basking in visible beauty?
“As runners that’s what we’re challenged with…we usually never reach a point where we can’t take one step more. We reach a point where we choose not to go any further because we stop believing that it’s possible.” –Kevin Moore, July 2016
Running the Camino de Santiago with Kevin Moore Episode Notes Episode sponsored by the North Face Endurance Challenge Wisconsin. Sept 17-18, check it out here.
Here’s the movie “The Way” about the trek.
Outro music by Matt Flaherty.
Finished! The post Running the Camino de Santiago with Kevin Moore appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Sarah Lavender Smith’s Report from Western States Since her name was drawn in December, URP co-host Sarah Lavender Smith has been planning and training to run her first Western States Endurance Run. In many episode over the past six months, she’s shared tips on her fitness, diet, and ultimately, anxiety about the big race.
Sarah on the trail In this interview, Sarah’s on the other side of the mic and I get to ask her about how the race was executed. Did her planning and training work out? What went right out on the trail? What went wrong? Sarah set a goal of sub-24. How did chasing those splits work out?
Sarah and her two kids, followed by pacer Clare Abrams (and my photobomb in the background) on the final stretch at Placer High track. We talk about her crew chief Errol “Rocket” Jones, her pacer Clare, the impact of having her family present for a big race, and the feeling of crossing the finish line in one piece with her goal achieved.
Sarah and Errol “Rocket” Jones 10 minutes after her finish. It’s been fun having Sarah co-host so many shows over the past two years, now with this adventure under her belt (buckle), she’ll have even more insight into the training and mindset of successful ultrarunners.
Sarah Lavender Smith’s Western States Episode Notes Here’s Sarah’s blog, but I’m guessing she’s too busy running the beautiful trails in Telluride to update it this week.
Note from interview: Sarah mentioned that while chasing Billy Yang up the canyons, she believed he was with Aliza LaPierre. Sarah emailed me after the chat and let me know it was actually Anna Mae Flynn. She had mis-remembered some details.
Here’s Matt Flaherty’s music site.
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Colleen and Chris, Part 2 – Their Western States Race Report Buckles! One week ago, I sat down with siblings Colleen and Chris in a vacant bar in Squaw Valley and listened to siblings’ Colleen and Chris tell an incredible tale of how they found themselves at the starting line of the Western States Endurance Run. The odds of two lottery tickets, family tragedy, a dead body in a park, a preemie baby all played parts in their story. You can find that episode here.
River crossing at night. This episode is part 2. I caught up with Colleen and Chris and they shared their story about the race. Did they stick together? How did their diet and pace plans work out? Could they “feel” the cutoffs? And why the heck is Colleen so mad at Timothy Olson?
Colleen and Chris approaching the Placer High Track, 300 yards from finish. Chris and Colleen’s Western States Episode Notes Outro music by Matt Flaherty. Find all of his tunes right here.
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Jim Wamsley and His Run at Western States 2016 All eyes were glued to Jim Walmsley’s breakneck speed as he traversed the Western States Endurance Run course on Saturday. Chewing deeper into the course record as miles fell under his feet, Jim was putting on a clinic on how to race the iconic ultramarathon.
Jim tagging me at the top of the Escarpment, mile 4. Photos: Myke Hermsmeyer / mykejh.com / @mykehphoto / michael.hermsmeyer@gmail.com Then it all went to hell. Left on the trail with only one bottle and minimal calories, Jim took a tragic wrong turn and ended up far off course with little information about the other competitors. Would he give up? Walk it in? Race back to the trail and push it hard to the finish?
Jim flying through Foresthill. Pic courtesy of Gary Wang. https://garywang.smugmug.com In this interview, we hear about his preparation for the course, what his strategy was, whether he was showboating a bit as he flew through Foresthill, and what he’ll do differently next time. We also talk about sponsors and his calendar for the rest of the year.
Jurek/Walmsley, fashion icons. Jim Walmsley Western States Episode Notes:
Episode sponsored by Skyline 50k. Lake Chabot in the Oakland Hills on Sunday, August 7th. Be sure to check out Sarah’s write up of the race right here.
Myke Hermsmeyer is Jim’s buddy (and pro photographer) and followed him thought the day. Check out his instagram feed here for some great shots.
Gary Wang has some great shots too. Cover image used with permission.
Ginger Runner’s short clip of Jim flying through Foresthill. (Hope that link works. Not available on YouTube yet.) It’s on Instagram right here.
Outro music by Matt Flaherty.
Here’s what Jim’s friend Myke wrote on FB about the experience:
In the two weeks before #ws100 @walmsley172 slept in a garage and camped for free on the side of the road while training around Tahoe and Forrest Hill. A bike shop worker from Flagstaff without a a major sponsor Jim fortunately had a generous individual cover his $410 entry fee to Western after earning his Golden Ticket setting the course record at the competitive Lake Sonoma 50. He had saved enough to take time off this summer to drive out early to Tahoe from Flagstaff without AC, not because it was good heat training but because it was broken and he couldn’t afford to fix it even while regularly driving down to Phoenix to train in 115 degree heat.
His friends John Fitzgerald and Sean Meissner had invited Jim out to their Mountain Pulse Running Adventures Tahoe Ultra Camp two weeks before Western to let him train comfortably in the area but he had to sleep with staff in the garage. There he spent the week largely running on his own (after two 140 mile weeks and a 120 mile week he was tapering with only 100 miles) but helped shuttle cars and worked with campers on ultrarunning strategies and gear choices while eating pretty much all of the camps ice cream.
After the camp ended Jim wanted to get back into the heat before Western so he left Tahoe and went to find free camping alongside Forrest Hill Road out of cell service where he could get away from pre-race hype and run parts of the course (but unfortunately not the last 10 miles where he ended up getting lost). He then stayed with family members of his pacer James in Sacramento before heading to a house he’d rented in Tahoe City the two nights before Western for him and everyone that came out to support him.
Jim was not just running to prove himself and win Western, he was running to pay rent – he’d invested so much into getting to the race that not getting the podium bonus his sponsors offered for Western would mean being in a tight spot financially the next month. Despite ultimately finishing down in the results after getting lost just before mile 93 after his incredible performance on Saturday hopefully some sponsors have taken notice so we can continue to see what Jim is capable of. #sponsorhimnow #westernstates100
Jim Walsmely at finish line. pic by Paul Nelson.
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Colleen and Chris and Their Journey to Western States All Trails Lead to Auburn, but everyone has their own journey to the starting line in Squaw Valley. While some earned Golden Tickets, others nabbed a sponsor spot or finished top 10 last year. Colleen and Chris, two siblings from Northern California, had their own special journey of gaining entry to Western States Endurance Run. Who’s good at math here? What are the odds of two siblings getting drawn in the lottery in the same year?
Colleen and Chris in Squaw Valley, twelve hours before the start of Western States. I recorded this interview twelve hours before the start of the race after hearing briefly about their story, then allowed them to fill in all the details about their running, family, tragedy, and feelings and expectations as they get ready for The Big Dance. Their story is very relatable and touching and I’m anxious to record part two.
In a few days I’ll release the follow-up where we’ll talk about how the race went. Stay tuned.
Colleen and Chris at Western States Episode Notes Outro music by Matt Flaherty
Thanks to the Oasis Bar at Squaw Valley for not kicking us out while recording this episode.
The post Colleen and Chris – A Family Affair to the Starting Line at Western States 100, Part One appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Paul Terranova Interview Paul Terranova joins us 10 days before Western States Endurance Run to talk about how he prepares for a race, his tapering routine, how he travels smart, and what he expects to go down during the Big Dance.
Paul and Meredith Terranova in Key West. Four years ago Paul Terranova completed the Kona Slam–the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning (Western, Vermont, Leadville, Wasatch) plus the Kona Ironman–all in one summer, and shares with us how he recovered and stayed healthy enough to keep going.
What does he think of heat training, and what strategies does he use to combat the rising temperature?
Who’ll be pacing him (gotta hear it) and what does he think of the pacing role?
We also discuss aid station strategy and he let’s us in on his secret weapon: His wife, ultramarathon and nutritionist Meredith Terranova. Here’s our interview with her from 2012 where we talk about how to shop, the best way to cook veggies, and what really constitutes a “serving size.”
Sarah’s Preparation for Western After we hang up with Paul, Sarah and I discuss how she’s preparing for her first run at Western. What’s she worried about, what’s she doing to prepare, what is her crew and pacer situation like? (She’s dialed and ready to go, but will stress about the details until the gun goes BOOM.)
Paul Terranova Episode Notes: Paul is sponsored by Hoka One One and Patagonia.
Here’s the talk we referenced. Wednesday before States at the Reno Patagonia outlet with Paul, Krissy Moehl, Jeff Browning, Jeff Shelton, and others. Looks like some decent beer and pizza too.
Here’s a link to Yitka Winn’s piece about Ultra Fiord. Also be sure to check out her long form write-up in the print issue of TrailRunner Magazine.
Here’s Sarah’s site. Check back for Western States info.
And here’s my preview of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. Hope to see some of you there!
Outro music: The song is “Close to You” by LA band The 88. Drummer Anthony Zimitti is an ultrarunner who listens to the show. Thanks!
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Brad Dains Interview Brad Dains joined Ethan and I to chat about his most recent hundred miler–his fifth in 18 months–and lessons he’s learned during past races. What’ll he do differently in his next big race, and how will he find time to train with a pregnant wife and three girls?
Brad, his wife, and three girls. Brad describes the ultra/trail scene in the Midwest–Iowa specifically–and takes us back to a time when runners could sign up for an ultramarathon on race day. He talks about the terrain, club scene, and what size of cajones it takes to train in sub zero temperature.
Since he works in a locally owned running specialty store, Ethan and I also talk to him about what he sees on a daily basis. What role do sponsored athletes play in buying decisions, and what are the trends he’s seeing currently?
Brad Dains Episode Notes:
Episode sponsored by Savage Life Solutions card keeper phone case.
Here’s Brad’s blog, and you can follow his tweets right this way.
Here’s the link to the Boonville Backroads Ultra.
The cortido I mentioned is right here from Sonoma Brinery.
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Brian Morrison Interview Ten years ago, Brian Morrison staggered across the finish line in Auburn, the first to do so at the iconic Western States Endurance Run. Only problem is, he’d been assisted by his pacer Scott Jurek and the Board disqualified him for not completing the race under his own power.
Brian Morrison in front of his Fleet Feet store in Seattle. Over the years, I’ve heard various versions of the story—how long he’d been out for, what his medical situation was in the ER, and who blamed who for what—so it was nice to hear it from Brian’s mouth.
In the decade since, the fateful day in June has haunted him every day, and in three weeks time, he’ll have a chance to get the gorilla off his back. Is he ready? How important is it? What’ll he do differently to ensure he crosses that finish line in one piece?
Brian is also the owner of the Fleet Feet store in Seattle, and Ethan and I chat with him about what it’s like owning a specialty retailer, hurdles he faces, what sells, and why some products do better than others.
Brian Morrison Episode Notes:
Episode is sponsored by The North Face Endurance Challenge, Ontario, Canada on July 16-17. Use URP15 at checkout for a discount.
UPDATE: I was mistaken. Brian was not officially disqualified from the race. According to Western States, he was considered a DNF at Robie Point, and his splits are reflected on this sheet, line 213.
Watch this: The video of Brian crossing the finish line.
AJW’s interview with Brian last year after Cascade Crest.
Ben is pacing Brian at Western States this year. Here’s our interview with him from last year.
Broken Arrow Sky Race competitors list.
Here’s Brian’s Fleet Feet store in Seattle.
The best song every written. We’re still waiting on Brian’s answer.
Hey! Take 20 seconds and vote for URP for the Podcast Awards, will ya? Click on our button in the “sports and recreation” section near the bottom right, and be sure to confirm your vote. Thanks!
Outro music by Matt Flaherty.
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Timothy Olson Interview After setting the Western States course record, Timothy Olson has had mixed success in competition. Along with some more monster wins, Timothy has also struggled with symptoms that resemble Over Training Syndrome. His physical mojo was gone, he was tired, sore, and struggled to race past 30 miles until just recently.
In this interview, we talk the past few years. His family has grown, he’s moved around the country, he’s raced hard, experienced some disappointments and made some bad decisions—though the example he gives sounds like something most of us would love to do!
We also discuss his Run Mindful Retreats and I ask the basic question: “Is this just a bunch of hippies, or is it a running thing?” and he details what goes on at the camps. Timothy also does his best to not get sued while at the same time let us in on the reality show he recently participated in. No Kardashians were involved, as far as we know.
Timothy Olson Episode Notes:
-Episode sponsored by TrailStoke. Aug 26-28 in RevelStoke, British Columbia, Canada. Multiple distances throughout the weekend. Check it out.
–Here’s a link to the Run Mindful Retreats.
–Here’s a link the story about the hiker who was found.
-Here’s the Thailand Ultramarathon Tim spoke about.
-Outro music by Salomon athlete Matt Flaherty.
Connect with Timothy Olson:
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Darcy Piceu Interview
Whether you know her as Darcy Africa or Darcy Piceu, she’s undoubtedly the Queen of Hardrock, having won the race in three out of her six finishes.
Darcy also holds the overall (male or female) record for the Rocky Mountain Slam—that’s Bighorn 100, Hardrock 100, Leadville 100, and Bear 100, all in one year.
In this interview, I learn more about her life, her workouts, and she helps me understand what it takes to succeed in such a tough race. Essentially, run smart, run your own race, adapt to the situation at hand, and have fun. But what does all that mean exactly?
You’ll have to hear about her first time running Hardrock and the young kid she picked up to pace her along the way. Guess who it was? If she gets in this year, will she run with a pacer again? What role does her crew play? All those questions answered, and more in this wide-ranging interview with Hoka athlete Darcy Piceu.
Darcy Piceu Episode Notes * Sponsored by the Buckin Hell 50k. July 23 in North Vancouver, BC. Directed by Gary Robbins and crew, this is described as burly and technical and lots of fun. Race is in two months….sign up now. * Here’s Jemez Mountain 50, and here’s Bigfoot 120, the two races we spoke about during the podcast. * Here’s a video from Smartwool/ROAM TV that shows Darcy Piceu’s run at Hardrock 2015. * Here’s a link to Matt Flaherty’s music.
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Nikki Kimball and John Onate, MD: Depression and Ultrarunning Nikki Kimball is one of the most accomplished female ultrarunners in the sport. She’s won Marathon des Sables, UTMB, Western States, represented the US overseas in countless races, and even went to Olympic Trials for the damn biathlon. Nikki has also been suffering from severe depression, and that’s one reason I asked her on the show: To talk about how she’s lived with depression and ultrarunning.
To provide a clinical/medical perspective of mental health issues, I also asked John Onate, MD, a psychiatrist and ultrarunner who’s given talks with Nikki and Rob Krar, to join in on the conversation. The intent of this discussion wasn’t to talk solely about depression, but really how and why it affects runners.
John Onate, MD leading talk at Western States conference about mental health I admit freely that I have no experience with mental health issues and came into this discussion with little knowledge, lots of questions, and a healthy fear of making inappropriate comments, and John and Nikki were kind enough to answer any and all questions that came to mind. Hopefully they answered some of yours.
John running Lake Sonoma 50 this year. Depression and Ultrarunning Episode Notes: Here’s Finding Traction about Nikki’s FKT on the Long Trail in Vermont.
Here’s Nikki, Rob, and John’s talk they gave at Western States about mental health and ultrarunning.
Here’s Joel Wolpert’s excellent video of Rob Krar cruising the trails of the Grand Canyon while discussing his struggle with depression.
Here’s a speech that Nikki gave at Team RWB camp in 2013 entirely dedicated to coping with depression and ultrarunning.
Outro Music used with permission from Tanya Gallagher. The song is called garyrobbins and is based on his incredible time at Barkley this year. Check out the page for lyrics.
John crewing for Nikki at this year’s American River 50. Pic by me. The post Mental Health, Depression, and Ultrarunning – A Talk with Nikki Kimball and John Onate, MD appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jade Belzberg And Her First Hundred Miler Sarah and I asked Jade Belzberg to come on the show to share her story about her first hundred miler. Jade is like many people in the sport…she’s run a bunch of 50ks, one 50 miler, then jumped feet first into a hundred. Not like many of us, her boyfriend is Nickademus Hollon, Barkley finisher, HURT finisher, and frequent URP guest and she was able to pick his brain about the race, preparation, and use him for a pacer and crew.
Looking good! “Adapting” to the weather in a mix of gear and emotions. In this interview we talk about: * How she and Nick met. * What they do for cross training. Fire dancing is cross training, right? * How she prepared for the race. * How she adapted when faced with horrible weather, lack of gear, and a nasty injury. * Using one person for a pacer and crew. * What happened she quit and took off her bib. * What she’ll do differently in her next hundred miler.
Jade and Nick at an aid station at Zion 100. Jade Belzberg Interview Notes Episode sponsored by the Ancient Redwood Run Festival.
Here’s Jade’s site.
Here’s the site for Zion 100.
All pics courtesy of Jade Belzberg.
Outro music by Matt Flaherty.
Success! The post Jade Belzberg – Her First Hundred Miler appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Dominic Grossman and Overtraining Syndrome Sarah and I chat with Dominic Grossman about his life on the trails and overtraining syndrome: The symptoms, effects, and results of this interesting condition. We’re not doctors, but we get a very real sense of what OTS does to the body and the mind of ultrarunners. Most importantly, we discuss how to prevent OTS from wrecking your time on the trails–and at home.
Dominic Grossman Dom shares a story about the first sign that something was wrong, and it surprises the heck out of me how it was manifested. He also talks about the ups and downs of fatigue and performance and we explore how much emotion, psyche, and stress contribute to overtraining syndrome.
Dominic Grossman. Snowy trails. In this Dominic Grossman Overtraining Syndrome episode, we really try to dive into this important subject from a runners perspective, and more specifically, a runner who’s life is tied into the running scene on a daily basis. How do we prioritize our lives if we’re also in Fear Of Missing Out on great adventures? If our happiness is tied to running, how do we find the proper balance when everything seems like an important aspect to that end?
Dominic Grossman Overtraining Syndrome Episode Notes:
Episode sponsored by the CardKeeper by Savage Life Solutions. Scott the founder is an ultrarunner from Canada who’s got a great product. Check it out.
Here’s Dom’s website. He’s sponsored by New Balance, Injinji, VFuel, ProBar, and Julbo.
Here’s the article from Outside Magazine about OTS. Great read.
Here’s The 88’s (outro music) website.
Note: Overtraining syndrome is still being studied, analyzed, and debated by the medical and sports communities, and many experts differ with opinions–especially with the names of disorders. As mentioned in the show, we do our best to discuss the symptoms and signs of this problem and how to prevent it from detracting from quality trail time.
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Gary Robbins Interview Gary Robbins joins URP to chat about a wide swath of topics, all of which kept me captivated during our hour-long conversation. This is one of those interviews that I’ll go back and listen to over an over, as Gary drops a few metric tons of wisdom on this funky little sport of ours.
Photo by Glenn Tachiyama. In this Gary Robbins Interview, we cover three main topics. * The Barkley Marathons. Gary just ran the race last weekend and made it 4 1/2 laps with eventual winner Jared Campbell before succumbing to sleep depravation. He tells a great story about specific difficulties associated with this iconic race and what his odds are of finishing it next time.
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Directing Squamish. One of the few races with a 50k on Sat and a 50M on Sunday that can be combined for a 50/50 time. How does he attract top talent to the event? What’s the secret in drawing a high level field? And why does he have to make it so damn hard???
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Pacing someone to their first hundred miler. What are the physical and emotional considerations when pacing someone for their first hundred. When to have them push, when to play it safe. When to talk, when not to. What questions should you never ask, and what do you do when your runner starts to cry. Gary Robbins tackles all these questions, and a whole lot more. This is essential listening for hundred miler runners and pacers.
Gary Robbins. Pic by Brice Ferre Studio. Gary Robbins Episode Notes Episode Sponsored by Shadow of the Giants 25/50k on June 11 in Yosemite. More info here.
Here’s Gary’s website with all of his info and here’s the site for Squamish.
Gary runs for Salomon.
Follow Gary on the twitter machine right here.
Gary is pacing Ben at Cascade Crest this summer. Here’s our interview with him from last year.
And here’s the Ginger Runner’s report from last year when Gary Robbins paced him to his first 100 finish.
Cover photo (blue hat) by Craig Kolesky.
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Starchy Grant Post-Barkley Interview Starchy Grant’s introduction to running is pretty funny and has some obscure parallels to the Barkley Marathons. You’ll have to hear how he figured out he was a good runner, and what inspired him to keep going to the hell no end of the running spectrum.
Starchy Grant, pre Barkley. Pic by Joshua Mehlman In this episode, Starchy recounts his time at Barkley this past weekend, the auspicious record he helped set, and what’ll he do differently if he’s entered in the race again. Was the hoopla what he expected? How was it grabbing the first book? And he got lost for how many hours???
Starchy, Kimberly, and Brad after record breaking loop. Pic from Barkley twitter feed. I ask him details about the race–gear, terrain, maps–and get a pretty good feeling of what it’s really like out there, but steer shy of asking too much. This is Barkley, after all.
Starchy finishing Western States Endurance Run. pic by Allen Lucas. Starchy Grant Episode Notes: Sponsored by the Broken Arrow Skyrace. June 18-19th at the iconic Squaw Valley Resort in
Lake Tahoe. I’ll be the finish line announcer and hope to see you there!
Follow Starchy Grant on twitter here. Pretty funny tweets from a tech privacy perspective.
Here’s our interview with Bev and Alan Abbs from the 2012 Barkley. Here’s our chat with Barkley finisher Nickademus Hollon, and here’s our old, old talk with Laz.
Outro music: An Ocean In Between the Waves by The War on Drugs.
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Amy Rusiecki – Elite Ultramarathoner, Wife, and Race Director Amy Rusiecki (Team Inov8) is an elite runner from the North East who’s been tearing it up on the trails for the past ten years. She’s won races big and small, as well as had some bonks and a DNF that’ve left her hurting. She shares all of those stories with Sarah and I in this chat.
Amy Rusiecki toasting Cascade Crest She’s also married to Brian Rusiecki, an elite runner for Patagonia, and she shares the benefits–and drawbacks–of being married to another high-level athlete. What if one of you have a good day, and one a bad? She’s a planner, he trains by feel. He’s on social media, she eschews it all. How does all of that work???
Amy grinding up a hill Brian and Amy Rusiecki are also the race directors for Vermont 100, and we get to hear a first hand take on what it’s like directing one of the classics, and why Amy sometimes needs to be a total bi@ch…her words, not mine.
Amy Rusiecki Episode Notes Episode sponsored by the Card Keeper phone case by Savage Life Solutions. Here’s a pic of mine!
Here’s Amy and Brian’s blog.
Amy is sponsored by Inov-8.
In the interview, Sarah references an article she wrote for the new DIRT issue from TrailRunner Magazine. I’ve got a copy, and it’s a great story about the life of Chad Prichard and how he went from drug addict to pacing Amy at Leadville. Not available online…gotta get it in print, and definitely worth a few bucks!
Here’s Sarah’s site.
Here’s our interview with Brian.
Here’s the Vermont 100.
Here’s the outro music by Matt Flaherty.
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Chris DeNucci Interview Chris DeNucci, “DeNuch” to most, started running a few years ago after he had his entire colon removed. Fast forward to 2014 when he came onto the competitive San Francisco/Marin ultra scene and started kicking butt, winning a Western States Golden Ticket along the way.
There’s a lot in that few year span I’ve got questions about, from his first real trail run, to training, preparation, and recovery. It seemed he appeared out of nowhere and started kicking butt immediately. How’d that happen? What were his first road marathons like and what did he learn? Why didn’t he run Mt. Marathon in Alaska when he had the chance?
San Francisco Running Company XC Team Chris DeNucci is also an MD/PhD who’s a resident at Stanford in Radiology with a specialty in Sports Imaging, so take the opportunity to ask him about calf injuries, Graston therapy, which injuries he sees most of, and what he does to prevent them? He talks about his own struggle with Plantars Fasciitis and what he did to overcome it.
Way Too Cool river crossing And…and…and…Chris just signed on to the Hoka Elite team, he shares his plan to do the Squamish 50/50 a la Mike Wardian, and what it’s like pacing someone at a big race when they are having a lousy time.
Chris DeNucci at XC Club Nationals Chris DeNucci Episode Notes
Episode sponsored by the Shadow of the Giants 50k on June 11. Check it out!
Chris runs for Hoka and Simple Hydration.
Here’s Chris’ site and here’s his girlfriend Jenny’s site.
Chris’ Doppelgänger is Billy Mays”
Here’s San Francisco Running Company’s homepage.
Here’s how to follow Chris DeNucci on social media. Click the images for linkage.
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Jason Schlarb Skiing the Hardrock Interview Not content with just running the iconic Hardrock 100 this summer, Jason Schlarb and friends decided they’d like to ski the course in freezing temperatures and snow. What resulted will be featured in an upcoming film called Skiing the Hardrock, but we got to hear it while fresh in Jason’s head.
Sarah and I sat down with Jason to hear more about the project. How do you plan such an adventure? What type of gear do you bring? If your usual partner Jeremy Wolf isn’t coming, are Scott Simmons, Paul Hamilton, and videographer Noah Howell ready for this? And what the heck do you mean you’re not bringing a GPS?
Jason walked us through all those questions, including the perils of getting out of town, squabbles among the fellas, losing a shoe along the way, and one member threatening to quit the expedition. Jason’s participated in some truly incredible runs (he’s doing Marathon des Sables next month…why not?), and he said this was by far the hardest of them all.
At the end of the Jason Schlarb Skiing the Hardrock interview, Sarah and I also chat about her recent run at Marin Ultra Challenge 50, the importance of giving racers accurate information, Lance fallout, and why not to use someone else’s bib at a race.
I also give some really quick previews of shoe reviews I’m working on, including the Salomon Sonic and Brooks PureFlow 5. Stay tuned for those.
Jason Schlarb Skiing the Hardrock Episode Notes Episode sponsored by the Broken Arrow Sky Race. June 18-19 (that’s the week before Western States) in Squaw Valley. 52k, 26k, and a cute little VK with 3200′ gain over 3 miles. I’ll be announcing the finish line and hope to see many of you there.
Jason is sponsored by Altra Footwear and Ultimate Direction. Here’s his site.
Here’s our original interview with Jason.
Here’s the Schlarb-Wolf Productions site.
Here’s Sarah’s site.
Here’s the Team RWB trail running camp we were talking about and here’s a funny video from the OCR course, featuring a pretty awesome field.
Brrrrrrrr. The post Jason Schlarb Skiing the Hardrock Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Coree Woltering Interview Coree Woltering recently came onto my radar after winning a small 50k in Ohio by over 40 minutes. Who is this guy, and what’s he all about?
Coree Woltering at Malibu Canyon 50k Turns out Coree has been running his whole life, but just in the past few years started with trail ultramarathons after a friend asked him to pace at Leadville. Coree was hooked and though he’s learned some valuable lessons along the way, has been tearing up the trails from Colorado to California ever since. Of course, he’s still competing in road and track races too!
Coree Woltering on the track We talk about altitude, mistakes, lessons, steroids, racial diversity, beer, and a whole lot more. Coree is a fun guy with a strong work ethic
Coree Woltering Episode Notes: Episode sponsored by the Ancient Redwoods Running Festival on May 21. Check it out!
Here’s Coree’s blog and here’s his twitter page.
Here’s the Down to Run website.
Here’s the shoe review for the Montrail Trans Alps.
Here’s the link to the phone case I talked about.
Outro track Close to You by The 88s.
Why my voice sounds robotic, I have no idea. Working on a fix though.
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Tim Tollefson – Transgrancanaria Sufferfest Interview Fighting an injury and against his wife’s judgement, Tim Tollefson headed to the Canary Islands off the coast of Morocco for a monster race called Transgrancanaria. How’d it go? How would he perform on the notorious technical trails while virtually all of his training block had been focused on the flat and fast Olympic Trial Marathons three weeks prior?
In this interview, Tim shares his preparation for the race, what the islands are like culturally, and how the race panned out for him. For someone who loves technical trail running, Tim had to endure hours upon hours of slow hiking to stay upright, his fitness level enduring, but his body shutting down.
With a devil on one shoulder telling him to jump off a cliff and an angel chirping in his other ear to keep going, Tim tells a story of just how long the last 25 miles of a race can last. Will he be back for more? (I think so!)
Tim Tollefson Episode Notes: Sponsored by the Ancient Redwoods Trail Festival. May 21st in Mendocino County, check it out!
Here’s a gallery of pics from Transgrancanaria and here’s the race website.
Here’s a review of trekking poles Ethan did last summer. Tim made a pretty good sales pitch for using them, eh?
Here’s Billy Yang’s Mont Blanc-CCC movie.
Here’s The Black Seeds’ website.
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Chris Solarz – Ultramarathons, stairs, triathlons, pub crawls, streaking, and more! Chris Solarz is one of those guys who’s figured out what’s important in life, worked hard, prioritized his passions, and is pushing pushing pushing for more.
Chris and his wife Bea at the Mt. Everest Marathon in October 2011. That is Kangchenjunga in the background, the third highest mountain in the world. Having just returned from the UltraMan competition in Florida, Chris and I chat about his life in endurance sports (road, trail, ultra, stairs, triathlon, swim, etc) and why he’s do drawn to them. Is it the physical nature, the camaraderie, or something else? Does he take on these pursuits lightly, or does he put 100% of himself into each one? Neither, actually.
Chris coming in 2nd place at the Antarctica Marathon (3:32) on King George Island. Chris has set six Guinness World Records, including one for total combined time for marathons on all seven continents, one for the number of stairs climbed in 12 hours, the most bars visited in 24 hours, and more. We get into the details of each and I learn that it’s not just the physical feat, but the Guinness paperwork and documentation that’s the real challenge!
Chris with his wife Bea in the elevator during WR stair climb. Best aid station EVER! And as something that’s plagued many of us, we talk about how he balances his busy job as a hedge fund analyst in NYC, his family (wife and 2 kids), his travel, and his running (100 miles/week for five years!), and Chris gets into the details of how the heck he does it.
Definitely a fun interview. Enjoy!
Chris and buddies finish the WR for the fastest linked marathon. Chris Solarz Episode Notes: Here’s the UltraMan website
Here’s the Eliptigo website. I’ll release a more thorough review soon.
Here’s another article on Chris.
And here’s the Modern Seinfeld Twitter feed we were talking about.
Outro music: One by One by The Black Seeds.
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Jim Walmsley Interview Jim Walmsley joined us right before Lake Sonoma 50 last year and we were impressed with his talent, attitude, and low key outlook on the ultra scene. He finished fifth in the hyper-competitive field, and since then, has won every single trail race he’s entered, despite living in Flagstaff, going through some dark emotional times and getting into a bike accident.
Jim is back for a full interview this time to talk about his mind blowing run at Bandera 100k, where he beat 8 hours…something Dave Laney, Tim Olson, and Sage Canaday weren’t able to do. You’ll have to hear him tell the story about what happens when you’re running so fast they don’t have the finishing arch set up yet! He also surprises us with the news that he’s in better shape than last year (when he won JFK) and when he came in a close 3rd to Rob Krar at Red Hot Moab (which he won this year.)
Jim Walmsley, walking on water. We hear about his training, the trail scene in Flagstaff, and how he’ll strategize racing Zach Miller in a few months. He also shares what he’s learned from coaches and how that info has helped his success. And you want to guess how many miles he was was riding in his year off from running? Wow!
Jim at World 100k Championships And having just earned his Golden Ticket into Western States Endurance Run this June, Jim will be using the hills of the Grand Canyon to train for The Big Dance. Who’ll crew for him, how will he improve his aid station times, and does he plan on carrying a headlamp???
Is that Scott Jurek or Jim Walmsley? He doesn’t have a shoe sponsor, he works 40+ hours a week, served in the USAF, and his ultimate goal is dental school, so what makes this guy tick? Jim Walmsley may not be the most noticeable name and he may have an (intentionally) changing look, but make no mistake, he’ll be a force to reckon with this year on the trails.
Jim Walmsley Episode Notes: Jim runs for Drymax socks.
Here’s Matt Flaherty’s music page. Just hit the music tab.
Here are the gluten free Honey Stinger waffles Sarah and samples. (And no, it wasn’t just marketing. The previous waffles were not GF.)
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Amelia Boone – Obstacle Course Racing Ultrarunner Extraordinaire! In the world of Obstacle Course Racing, Amelia Boone stands tall. She’s been named the World’s Toughest Mudder, she’s graced the covers of magazines, and enjoys a lucrative contract with Reebok. So what’s she doing on an ultramarathon podcast?
Amelia Boone in a Spartan Race. Holy crap look at those muscles. Turns out, she’s also one heckuva trail runner and just entered her second ultramarathon in the Golden-Ticket-eligible Sean O’Brien 100k. Amelia finished 2nd female, 4th overall, and grabbed herself a bib at Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run in June.
Amelia Boone on the trails. Now what? How does she balance OCR and Western States training, not to mention her career as a corporate attorney at this little company called Apple?
We talk about how she got into each discipline, the differences in scenes, pain management, time management, her personal life, and why she says “beer doesn’t like her.”
We also discuss the rapid rise in OCR racing, how money affects sports, and why she’s afraid of bikes. Amelia is loving life and isn’t afraid to push past her limits. We can’t wait to see her line up in Squaw in June!
Amelia Boone at start of Spartan Race. Used with permission. Definitely a fun interview with an energetic and amazing woman.
Amelia Boone Episode Notes: Episode sponsored by Grand Circle Trail Fest.
Here’s Amelia’s blog.
She’s sponsored by Reebok and BeetElite.
Here’s the interview with Devon Yanko we referenced.
Here’s Matt Flaherty’s music page.
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Maggie Guterl – Ultrarunner Two years ago, Maggie Guterl was a solid mid packer with a few marathons and ultramarathons behind her. Then something snapped. She got a coach, became laser-focused, and represented the US overseas. Currently, she’s aiming for a Golden Ticket to Western States and winning races.
Maggie Guterl and friends So what happened? How’d she go from average to great? Sarah and I dig into her life a bit to track her ascension in the ultra ranks and find out what makes her tick.
Maggie has a mindset and a drive that’s propelling her to greatness, as well as a creative bent that allows her to finance her trips in a creative way. We really enjoyed talking with Maggie Guterl…now enjoy the show.
Connie Gardner and Maggie Guterl Episode Notes: Here’s Maggie Guterl’s website.
Here’s the Bill Burr Philadelphia rant I referenced. It’s horribly NSFW, so be warned.
Here’s the Polar Seltzer Maggie was talking about. (NFI)
Here’s her coach Michele Yates’ site. (NFI)
Here’s Sarah’s weakness. (NFI)
Here’s the natural anti-chafe stick I was talking about. (NFI)
Here’s the site for Mendocino Ultra.
Here’s Matt Flaherty’s site. No music on it, but maybe you could bug him a bit to release more!
Maggie Guterl representing US. The post Maggie Guterl Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Matt Fitzgerald Interview Sarah and I chat with author and nutritionist Matt Fitzgerald about his latest book How Bad Do You Want It: Mastering the Psychology of Mind over Muscle. (Velo Press)
Fitness, nutrition, crew, and gear are all important to ultramarathon success, but where is psychology? Recent studies indicate that the mind controls the muscles more than we’d previously thought, so shouldn’t mental strength be paramount in ultra preparation?
Do we slow down because our muscles get tired, or do we slow down because our minds think our muscles are tired? These are the types of questions wrestled with in How Bad Do You Want It?
For a quick review of the book, be sure to check out Sarah’s review here, then have a listen as we learn about the importance of mental preparation and how we can train ourselves to toughness.
We also talk with Matt about his own preparation for his first ultramarathon and what he expects will happen along the journey.
Author Matt Fitzgerald Episode Notes: Episode sponsored by Grand Circle Trail Fest. Buy Matt’s book here on this affiliate link from Amazon.
Here’s Matt’s website, and you can follow him here on twitter.
And here’s Bill Burr’s Philadelphia rant I referenced. It’s hard to describe how inappropriate the language is, but when you consider it’s a rant against an entire city all off the top of his head, it’s pretty darn impressive too. Backstory: The crowd bood the previous comic, and Bill wasn’t amused, so he spent his 15 minute set berating all of Philadelphia.
Here’s Matt’s first interview on URP for his book Racing Weight. Don, Scott, Scotty, and I all together. Wow!
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How Bad Do You Want It? author Matt Fitzgerald The post Matt Fitzgerald “How Bad Do You Want It?” Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Avery Collins Interview
In this interview with Avery Collins, I get a chance to hear what it’s like racing Gary Robbins through the jungle at HURT 100, and what he’d do differently next year. We talk about weight training, an insane schedule of some of the world’s toughest ultramarathons, and the proper use of bodyglide.
For the bulk of the interview, we chat about Avery’s outspoken advocacy of cannabis in the world of MUT running. Is it a PED at all, and when is it not OK to get high while running? Why is pot looked down on, but beer (as well as NSAIDs and other medications) are accepted? How would he feel about getting beat by someone doping?
Avery Collins is 23, he lives in Steamboat Springs, he works part time at a running shop and part time at a skishop and he’s sponsored by 2 marijuana companies. To some, he’s living the dream life.
Episode Notes: WSJ article: The debate over running while high.
Scott Dunlap’s blog post.
Avery is sponsored by Incredible Edibles and Mary’s Medicinals.
Here’s his FB athlete page. Check it out.
Here’s the North Face Hyperion jacket I was talking about. Finally, breathable and water resistant!
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Ultrarunner of the Year David Laney joins URP to chat about what led up to his incredible 2015 and what he’s looking forward to this year. After strong wins at Bandera and Chuckanut, a top ten at States and 3rd overall at UTMB, he’s still got Olympic Marathon Trials this year and a whole slew of races to conquer in 2016. Let’s learn more!
David Laney at UTMB finish. We discuss: * How does he train for roads and trails concurrently? * How did he get on a beer team without really being a beer drinker? * What does he think of PED use? * Who are his ultra mentors? * What advice does he have for roadie converts? * What does he think of high school cross country? * And why in the heck did he live in his Pontiac last year? * His mustache.
David Laney at Western States finish line. Episode Notes: * Here’s David’s website. * Here’s he and Ryan Ghelfi’s coaching website. * He’s sponsored by Nike Trail Elite, U-Go Bars, and Simple Hydration * Here’s the review of the Klymit Dash 10. * Here’s the Bandera statement on PED use. * Here’s the race we were talking about…The Canyons 100k. * Intro music: Never Gonna Stop by Rob Zombie. * Outro music: Before the Night is Done by Matt Flaherty.
David Laney at Chamonix The post David Laney UROY Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
2015 has been quite a year for the sport of ultrarunning. We’ve seen great performances by veterans, runners of all levels enter the sport, and even seen some controversy that we’ll likely be dealing with for the long run. During the past twelve months, URP released 54 episodes and those interviews, in addition the rest of the MUT media tribe, have given us plenty of fodder for lively conversation.
Ultrarunning Magazine Publisher and Western States Endurance Run Board Member Karl Hoagland joined Sarah and I to discuss standout performance, surprises, trends, and influential runners in our sport. Who stood out this year? Who should we watch next year? John Trent is the answer to one question, Zach Miller the other…What were the questions. What are the trends that will affect our sport int he coming year?
Karl blowing out the candles at his 50th birthday party with fiance Erika holding the cake. Episode Notes: This episode brought to you by Destination Trail Runs, the good folks behind Tahoe 200 and Bigfoot 200. Tahoe is one of my favorite places on earth, and I’m lucky enough to be running Tahoe 200 in September. Care to join me?
Karl is the publisher of ultrarunning magazine, the resource for all things related to ultramarathons. I subscribe to one magazine, and ultrarunning is it.
Here’s the interview with Karl’s finance Erika when she helped prep us for Western States this year.
Outro music Before the Night is Done by Matt Flaherty.
The post Ultrarunning’s 2015 Year in Review with Karl Hoagland, Sarah, and Eric appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
We last interviewed Caitlin Smith exactly three years ago, right after what she considered a disappointing 50 miler at North Face Championships.
Sarah and I caught up with her again this week to chat about her recent run at World 50k Championships in Qatar where she struggled with diet and jet lag and didn’t finish as planned. Of course, in the interim of the interviews, she won TransRockies with Magdalena Boulet, finished second at Way Too Cool, won USATF Trail 50k Championships, and has re-qualified for the Olympic Marathon Trials in February.
I love a race report that begins with “I learned a lot on Friday” and can’t wait to see how she does at trials next year, in addition to maybe dipping her toes back into 50 milers. Go for it Caitlin!
In this podcast with Caitlin Smith, we discuss: * How travel affects performance and why slumber parties are bad. * The importance of staying calm during a race. * How she trains for so many distances and terrains concurrently. * Why she does hill workouts on a treadmill despite living close to some incredibly hilly trails. * Race nutrition and consequences of ignoring it. * How assisting in childbirth affects her ultra attitude. * Who pays for travel when competing for USA and the unique way she financed her trip.
Episode Notes: * Sponsored by Mendocino Coast 50k. If you’re in Northern California in April of 2016, definitely check out the course. Redwoods, rivers, singletrack, ferns, oceans…Looks like more of a scenic course than a PR course, and that’s just fine with me. * Caitlin’s blog is right here and here’s a link to her art page on Amazon. * Sarah and I chat about the PED issue briefly, but will save the meat of the conversation for a roundtable discussion on the subject planned for later. * The Thai place in Oakland will remain a secret. * Intro music is back, so sue me. Outro music: No Holding Back by Matt Flaherty.
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You’re going to like Paddy O’Leary. Paddy came to the US three years ago as a scientist who played lacrosse, but has transformed into a formidable trail runner who’ll be testing himself at his first fifty miler in December.
Paddy at Beer Mile World Championships, 2015. Paddy ran his first half marathon on a whim (and all because of a rugby match gone wrong) and did great. Next up…trail race. Nailed it. 50k…great. Beer mile…a 6:33! Paddy’s been training for North Face Endurance Championship 50 miler and is expected to have a solid race. I’m anxious to hear from him afterwards and find out what he learned.
We also chat about the November Project, Shane MacGowan, and what it’s like being a paintball referee.
Paddy leading November Project group. Episode Notes: Sponsored by Mendocino Coast 50k. Some of the most beautiful trails in the world. Rivers, oceans, ferns, beer, forest, redwoods, waterfalls…Hope to see some of you in April on the North Coast. This should be awesome.
Here’s more on the November Project. And here’s a great video of the SF group.
Shane McGowan in all his glory. Paddy playing lacrosse! The post Paddy O’Leary Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Two new media ultrarunning beer dorks get together to chat about road marathons! Yay! Fresh off his run at NYC Marathon, Ethan Newberry (aka The Ginger Runner) and I get together to chat about why road races are so tough, what differentiates the experience from trail ultras, and why they hurt so bad mentally.
Pic by Rob Riccardo We also talk about the state of new media in our sport, whether team scoring will take off, and beer. Lots of beer.
Bonking? Pic by Rob Riccardo Episode Notes: Episode sponsored by Destination Trail Runs. Tahoe200 registration opens TODAY. Get on over there and sign up!
Intro/Outro Music by The 88. Check them out here and on iTunes here.
Here’s Ethan’s Ginger Runner site with all the links you need.
And finally…sorry again for the poor audio quality. My house/studio/life is in disarray right now. It’ll be better by next episode.
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Camille Herron won the World 100k Championships last month, clocking the 4th fastest time in history. She’s qualified for the Olympic Marathon Trials three times, has countless other wins to her name, and she brews her own beer at home in Oklahoma.
The funny thing? She’s never even been to a trail ultra, but she’s signed up for Lake Sonoma 50 next year to make her debut. This could be very, very interesting…
Episode Notes Here’s Camille’s website.
Episode sponsored by Healdsburg Running Camps. Join Ethan, Ann Trason, Bob Shebest, John Medinger, and more amidst world class food and wine on a private 700 acre ranch in Northern California’s wine country.
Here are the pressurized growlers we were talking about. I’ve been using mine for a few weeks now…full review forthcoming.
And here’s the awesome Hydro Flask pint glass I’ve been using.
This is the Pearl Izumi Trail N2V2 I’ve been happy with. Review forthcoming.
Intro song Momo by Voodoo Switch, which is owned and operated by Victory Sportdesign owner Victor Ballesteros.
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Mike Foote and Mike Wolfe dreamt up a plan to run from Missoula to Banff–a largely off-trail expedition that would have them traverse a 19,000,000 acre ecosystem right in the middle of grizzly bear season, inconsistent weather, and a million freakin peaks.
How’d they plan it? How’d they execute it? What did they eat? How fast were they moving? What’d they talk about? Did they see any bears?
Nope. Smiley Mike sits down with Sarah and I to share the adventure story, as well as what he’s got planned for the rest of the year…He sure left us wanting more.
We also discuss:
- Sarah’s weekend at Team RWB
- Why she’s wearing Altras instead of her usual Hokas.
- What the heck is wrong with my body? Why can’t I stay hydrated?
- New music!
Episode Notes Intro music by Voodoo Switch. Victor Ballesteros also owns and operates Victory Sportdesign. Check em out.
Here’s Mike’s blog about the run.
Here’s the link to Team RWB Trail Running Camp and here’s Sarah’s post from her weekend in Texas.
Here’s The Rut‘s site.
Outro track “Overture” by The Little Waves.
The post Mike Foote Interview – The Crown Traverse appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
How cool is this?!? I finally got to interview Kelley Schranz–my mom–on the show!
I get to ask her about starting running later in life (she never ran before her mid 40s), and what it’s like doing track workouts and weight training at 65. We chat a lot about beer, how she stays healthy, where she likes to run, what it’s like to constantly wife my dad, and how she ended up wiping out during her first trail race this past weekend.
My mom on Coastal Trail in Marin Headlands. We also talk about my recent race at Folsom Lake Ultra Trail, what I thought about the race, and what advice I have for people who are considering racing a 110k ultra on 15 miles/week of inconsistent training.
Dad, Mom, and me in Marin Headlands. This was a real joy to record and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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Lorraine Young is a mother of three and grandmother of two and took up running in 2011. Last weekend, at the urging of her coach, she lined up at Table Rock 50k in North Carolina, and ran away with the overall win—besting all the men and women out there.
Lorraine with kids Alex and Morley We welcomed this naturopathic doctor to the show toshare more of her story with us–how, what, why–and ended up learning about ringette (it’s a sport, don’t ya know?), and what she’s got next on her agenda.
Lorraine at the start of Medoc. Episode Notes Episode sponsored by ultrarunningcompany.com.
Here’s Lorraine’s blog, along with her excellent report from the race.
Here’s David Roche’s (her coach) site.
Ringette? Here you go!
Music: Intro track “Do What It Do” is off El Matador by Wailin Canes. Check out their tunes! And outro “Set Your Mind at East” is by Matt Flaherty.
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Jeff Browning has been running ultramarathons since 2001 and has racked up a string of victories, course records, and lessons from around the world. I got a chance to speak with Jeff about a number of issues important to MUT runners.
Jeff Browning at Ultra Fiord. Pic by Leando Chavarria. In this interview we talk about:
- How he’s stayed relatively injury-free for 15 years.
- Racing across glaciers in Chile and the importance of avoiding crevaces.
- The insanely technical trails on Mt Fuji and what it’s like running without eyeglasses.
- Having a “no DNFs” attitude, but having to pull the plug at UTMB.
- How we can all shave significant time by efficient aid station visits.
- Whether or not Max King will kill my parents this week.
Jeff Browning after San Diego 100. Pic by Jeff johnson. Jeff is 44, he lives in Bend, Oregon, and is a Patagonia Trail Ambassador and Altra Endurance Team Athlete.
Episode Notes: Jeff’s blog and killer race reports
The race I’m running on Saturday
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Andrew Skurka has been on some pretty epic adventures–many lasting thousands of miles of hiking and adventure racing–and has bagged National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year title in the process.
Andrew and his wife Amanda after the race. Surely, a measly hundred miler in Colorado is no match for this experienced mountain guide, right? After his second hundred miler, I spoke with Andrew about what he learned while racing Run Rabbit Run, what’ll he’ll do differently next time, and how we can all use these lessons in our next race of any distance.
Andrew in Aug ’15 on the Wind River High Route, which is one of two big backpacking trips he did this summer. It’s 95 miles, two-thirds off-trail, with 30k vertical feet of gain, at elevations usually 10-12k. Whew! Episode Notes This is the type of analysis Andrew did for the TNF field last year.
Check out Andrew’s website...there’s tons of analysis, gear recommendations, and training tips for backpacking, fastpacking, and ultras.
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In this post last week, I discussed USATF’s proposition to start and sponsor a team scoring format in a few major races around the country. I’ve been a huge proponent of a team scoring initiative, I’ve also been reflexively against anything having to do with USATF, and I wanted to learn more about an idea that I think would be great for the sport.
I’m glad Kami asked to come on and explain more about the MUT Council, how it operates within the USATF, and where it sees itself in the future of ultra trail running. In short, I believe the Council’s intentions are spot-on: Work from the inside to protect our sport, encourage more of a relationship between elite runners and our international teams (run by USATF), and put in some place some new rules/programs that will benefit the sport.
After the interview, I followed up with Nancy Hobbs, Chair of the USATF MUT Council (and three decades with USATF) for some clarification.
- First, the USATF Ultra Team Invitational is not an “official” USATF MUT event. It’s affiliated with the USATF and obviously run by the Council, but doesn’t hold the same position (or apparently attract the same attention from the higher ups) as say, national track meets or the recent 50k trail championships do. That appears to be a good thing.
- There are some new policies in place that alter the original UTI plan I referenced in my original post. They are:
- No USATF membership required.
- International athletes welcome to participate.
- Athletes will be asked to sign a PED-free pledge. The Council would support testing of athletes, but there is no budget.
- During out talk (off-air), I asked Nancy about any drug testing that would take place, and she described how USATF is not attached or associated with procedures, but any future testing would go through USADA via WADA.
- The MUT Council’s relationship with the main board (led by Siegel) doesn’t sound a close relationship. The MUT folks are a tiny blip on the radar and haven’t garnered or demanded much attention (or control) from the mothership.
Of course, I still have my concerns. I believe the USATF name is toxic and does more harm than good. Will athletes, sponsors, and the media look past the name and recognize the MUT Council as essential an independent body? Will sponsors want to put any money into an event that (at least appears to be) controlled by their hegemonic competitor?
Maybe this type of competitive format appeals to you, maybe it doesn’t. It’s going to take buy-in from the elite runners, as well as some financial commitment from the sponsors for this to work, and from the sound of things, the USATF UTI is well on its way to success.
What do you think? You like the idea? Did Kami do a good job of describing the relationship between USATF and the MUT Council? How could sponsors help make this successful? What changes (if any) would you like to see to give it more of a chance for success?
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Sarah spent an entire month at altitude in Colorado training, eating well, and getting good sleep. She then returned to sea level with hopes of capitalizing on her training month, only to find her fitness severely compromised. What the heck? She learned what the issue was, worked to fix it, wrote about it here, and shared her experience in this podcast.
Sarah moving her kids Kyle (14) and Colly (17) into Thacher Boarding School in Ojai. I’ve struggled with fitness this summer, but still had an exciting race planned, coinciding with our tenth wedding anniversary on the Central Coast. Instead, I spent time in the Emergency Room, had surgery, and wound up with a 24″ stent hanging out the end of my nether regions. I’d ignored some warning signs and learned some valuable lessons about hydration, salt, and what the heck kidney stones are. Seems pretty obvious, but listen up!
Puffy Eric (and Sam) the day after all hell broke loose. This is a different format podcast than normal. Rather than interviewing a guest, Sarah and I interviewed each other. We talked about goals, URP, UTMB, and what we’ve got coming up with running. It does seem a bit self-indulgent, but it was also a way to catch up with each other’s lives while pulling the URP curtain back a bit.
Sarah running Mt Diablo Episode Notes Here’s Sarah’s piece in TrailRunner about iron defeciency.
Outro music: Say Something by James
My daughter Sunny (6) and Carlos the Poodle (63) on a hike to Eagle Lake. All better now! The post Sarah and Eric talk about Iron Deficiency and Kidney Stones appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Last week Anna Frost and Missy Gosney made history as the first women to complete Nolan’s 14, a series of 14 fourteen thousand peaks in Colorado. The ladies spent just shy of two and half days covering the 100-ish miles in which they climbed about 90,000 feet and slept for half an hour total. Fresh off the adventure (and not too far off her Hardrock win), Anna sat down with us to share the details. How, why, what, and wow, was Missy Goseny a heckuva partner!
Climbing Mt. Elbert Interesting to note was Anna’s mindset throughout the entire adventure, whether she’ll do it again, and how she responds to the challenges about the details of the FKT.
No caption needed! Anna, Ethan, and I also talk about being a brand and whether other pros will be adopting this route in the future.
Climbing (aptly named) Mt. Massive Ethan and I also discuss the USATF team scoring proposal and trekking poles.
Ridgeline of Mt Massive Episode Notes This episode was sponsored by Healdsburg Running Camp. Spend a few days this fall in the California wine (and beer!) country, run killer trails with MUT luminaries, and glamp in the finest bed and breakfasts around while dining on world class cuisine. Yes, please!
All images on this page used with the express permission of Brandon Stapanowich.
Here’s our interview with Brandon from last year when he completed Nolan’s.
Here’s Anna’s site.
Here’s Brandon’s report from crewing for Frosty and Missy this year.
Here’s a lengthy discussion/argument about what constitutes the actual route/FKT.
Here’s Matt Mahoney’s site about Nolan’s 14.
Outro music: The Sky’s the Limit by Jason Derulo
Descending Elbert towards Bull Hill and La Plata Peak The post Anna Frost Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Ryan Kaiser won the competitive Waldo 100k this past weekend, two months after showing a strong 11th place at his first time at Western States, and that’s about all I knew about him before asking him to come on. It turned out to be a good decision.
We chatted with Ryan about his training, what it’s like being named “Ryan”, race strategy, life balance (he’s an attorney with an infant), and where he finds extra energy on the trails. This guy’s got it together and I’m anxious to see how he races in the future.
Episode Notes Episode sponsored by Healdsburg Running Camp
Here’s Ryan’s blog
Outro music: Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty
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Take one part mountain woman, one part 2nd grade teacher, one part fierce trail runner, add a gigantic smile and a positive attitude, and you get Stevie Kremer. Sarah and I had a blast talking to this ball of energy from Crested Butte, CO about a wide range of topics that bounced all over the place. Enjoy.
- Stevie doesn’t like ultras, but prefers short, intense, and technical mountain races. Why the hesitancy to move up in distance?
- What her students think of her running.
- How she trains for technical trails, and how she views her own abilities.
- The importance of skimo in her workout regimen.
- Why pilsners are awesome.
After the chat with Stevie, Sarah and I chat about her first 24 hour race (hint: she won it!), how she trained for it, what she thought about the experience, and whether we’ll see her competing in another timed event.
Episode Notes: Here’s The Teacher video from Salomon.
Here’s the Liza Howard interview we referenced.
Outro music: Theses Are the Days by 10,000 Maniacs.
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Sage Canaday has had quite a run at this ultra-thing, but he hasn’t yet tackled the hundred mile distance. Being Sage, he’ll make his debut on a big stage–UTMB–in just a few weeks, and Sarah and got to chat with him about training for the big race.
We also chat about:
- His new book
- Coaching
- His #anysurfaceanydistance hashtag and how it can help you
- His vegetarian diet
- His aid station routine
- Forming a rock band with other MUT runners (yes!)
- The fine line sponsored athletes ride between just enough and far too much marketing.
- In the banter section, Sarah fills me in about her wild month in Colorado, pacing at Hardrock, and more.
Episode Notes:
Sponsored by ultrarunningcompany.com
Here’s a link to Sage’s book
Outro music: Cough it Out by The Front Bottoms
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We intended to sit down with Mark Tanaka and chat about how he’s run 160 ultras with barely one DNF, how he’s prepping for heat at Angeles Crest 100, how he manages his body as an ER Physician, and what advice he’s got for those afraid of hurting themselves on the trail, but somehow we got wrapped up in Mark’s frenetic energy and heard a bunch of stories about pooping on the trail, Western States, wacky pacers, extracting foreign bodies from the nether regions, and more.
Hey, we tried.
I also got to catch up with Sarah and report a bit about some balance coming back to my life.
Episode Notes Here’s the blog that he hasn’t updated in a year.
Outro music: Wild Wild Life by The Talking Heads
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Last week, Phil Wiley ran Hardrock 100, drove a few hours, then ran the Colorado 200. That’s 303 miles, 80k’, and 120 hours of racing in one week.
Holy crap is right.
I got a chance to chat with this ENT doc from Colorado about his motivation, training, execution, and recovery from this amazing double. You’ll never guess what body part is the most sore!
What’s his fuel? How does his body react?
I took an Ambien, ate 2 cheeseburgers, looked at the paper plate, and there was a grease mark with a guy juggling two gerbils.
Phil also talks about how to stay positive and successful during ultras and offers some sage advice for runners of all abilities.
The Wiley clan. Phil on left. Episode Notes: Generously sponsored by Territory Run Company
Here’s the race I’m doing next weekend.
Outro music: Head On, by The Jesus and Mary Chain
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Ever had crotch chafing so bad that you threw up? What if it was in the first few hours of a 500k race across Tennessee? Would you go on?
Johan on day one of Vol State. Johan Steene just set a new record for Vol State 500k, and he’s here to tell the story about training (surprising), diet (not too surprising), Barkley, gear, chafing, and really what possesses a Swedish CEO to travel to the South East to run on country roads for four days.
Johan’s a great guy who finds Barkley a “cozy” run, and who’d love to take on Hardrock, despite living at 21′ above sea level.
Fun interview with a compelling guy.
Episode Notes
Sponsored by ultrarunningcompany.com
Here’s Alan Abbs’ episode from last year.
Here’s Johan’s report from last year.
Here’s my interview with Jeremy Ebel, who Johan tied with at the Backyard Ultra.
Here are the current standings from the race.
Outro music: Så vi gör by Kartellen
Finish line pic with Laz The post Johan Steene Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Here are two fellas, both foreign, coming to Western States with different histories. Brendan Davies, wearing M8, is, in his own words, winding down his competitive MUT career to focus on coaching, while Cyril nabbed an entry thru the UTWT and is using this as his first ultra in America. What fun!
Both guys are great to talk to. They’re excited for the race, reverential towards the field and course, and insist that one hundred miles is a long way and no one knows what’ll happen out there.
Brendan’s love for coaching and his athletes shines through, while Cyril regales us with the story about how he spent two years of his life…wow!
Episode Notes:
Outro music: Forgotten Years by Midnight Oil
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This is gonna be an exciting year! Ryan Smith earned his ticket to Western States by beating last year’s 2nd place Seth Swanson at the tough Sean O’Brien 100k in February, while Michele earned her ticket by winning Gorge Waterfalls 100k a few months ago…remember, she was 4 months post-partum.
Ryan’s my secret dark horse (I guess no longer!) and Michele is ready to throw down her aggressive racing style, sans pacer, all the way to the Placer High track.
Both Ryan and Michele have a lot of great advice, insight, and excitement around this year’s race, and I’m anxious to see how it pans out in five days.
Episode Notes: Sponsored by:
The ultrarunnintcompany.com is a specialty ultra/trail running store from North Carolina that’s got a terrific online system that allows you to get great advice and superb products at a low price. Check them out.
Here’s Ryan’s website.
Here’s Michele’s website.
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Here’s another mixed bag of interviews from those who’ll be toeing the line at Western States next weekend: Dylan Bowman and Ford Smith.
Dylan Bowman (The North Face/CamelBak) is widely expected to podium this year, capping off a 4th year at this race with 7th, 5th, and 3rd place respective finishes. After an awakening of sorts at the North Face Australia 100k, Dylan has a new focus on pushing himself hard. We get a full update on his heat stroke scare earlier this Spring and hear about how he thinks the fields will play out. DBo has had a heckuva year, he’s a true student of the sport and he’s got some great insight into what it takes to train hard.
Ford and Ann Trason. Ford Smith is just as enthusiastic. At a mere 19 years old, Ford has some big races under his belt, but this’ll be his first time at Western States. He’s got some great advice about nutrition, staying cool when he’s in the mix, and what kind of training he’s been doing to get him to this point. This guy belies his age and I expect some big things from this young Texan.
Episode Notes:
Sponsored by Alpenglow Mountain Festival
Other URP interviews with Ford are here and here.
Outro music: Just a Lad by Oingo Boingo
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In this episode, I chat with Caroline Boller (Nike Trail Elite) and Billy Yang about what’ll be their first time running Western States.
Caroline has had a meteoric rise in the sport, bagging some impressive wins in her 18 month career in MUT running. Here’s our interview with her from last year. This’ll be her first attempt at 100 miles, but she’s got a pretty great track record so far, and her coach Sage Canaday has prepared her well.
Billy ran Angeles Crest 100 last year (here’s his interview) for his first 100 and spent his time at Western behind the camera, filing Western Time. Billy has been targeting this race for years and has the patience to pull off a very smart race. If I were running, I’d want to pace right off of him.
Episode Notes: Sponsored by ultrasportslive.tv’s coverage of the Western States Endurance Run. Nine cameras, all live, all day.
Here’s the FlipBelt that Billy and I were gushing over.
Here’s the interview where Pam Smith talks about staying cool on the course.
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Erika Lindland and Brett Rivers both have experience on the famed Western States course, and each sat down with me to chat about what they’ve learned at the race, what they’ll focus on this year, and what advice they’ve got for others.
In this podcast we talk about:
- Erika’s strengths and what it will take to reach her time goal.
- Brett talks about his running shop and the Marin culture.
- Erika and Brett both offer predictions about who they think will stand on the podium on Sunday.
- Brett describes what it’s like going on weekly runs with some of the best MUT runners in the world.
- Both Erika and Brett offer advice for those coming to Western States for their first time…and their advice is the same. Listen up!
Erika and Brett at SFRC Episode Notes: This episode sponsored by the Alpenglow Mountain Festival. See you there!
Erika is Contributing Editor at Ultrarunning Magazine.
Here’s Billy Yang’s video about Brett.
Here’s the San Francisco Running Company website. Grab a hat!
Outro music: Going up the Country by Canned Heat
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Meet Jason Green. Jason’s an Atlanta native who runs the Yeti Trail Running Group and will be making his way to Squaw Valley to run his first Western States. This, after four unsuccessful years of lotteries. Let’s find out how he’s preparing and what he’s expecting to go down in the Sierras!
Jason builds trails in his backyard, offers free entries to anyone with a Yeti tattoo, gives away the coolest awards at his races (custom skate decks!), is a legitimate beer expert, and has truly found his calling in the MUT scene. Hear about his trailside Karl Meltzer introduction, the time when he built a race in Tyler Perry’s backyard, and how skateboarding and ultra trail running are so darn similar.
This guy has a dynamic attitude and we’ve determined he’s now our official Georgia correspondent. Thanks for chatting with us Jason!
Yeti sighting! Episode Notes: Here’s the Alpenglow Mountain Festival, presented by bigtruck brand. Definitely check it out if you’re in Tahoe this month!
Here’s the Yeti Trail Runners page.
Outro music: Captain Kelly’s Kitchen by Dropkick Murphys
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Meet Jared Burdick.
We went into this interview knowing very, very little about Jared, other than that he’d just finished 2nd place at Cayuga Trails 50M championship in New York. We’d heard that it was his first ultra, and that he had some decent times on the road. But we also knew he was Zach Miller’s college teammate and figured he’s have some stories to share.
We found a soft-spoken Korean-American electronic engineer who’s barely dipped his toe into the MUT scene, but already likes what he sees.
In this episode we talk about: * How he chose a tough championship race as his first ultra. * His nickname “Rufio.” * What advice Zach gave him before the race. * What he learned during and after the event. * Why he likes cats. * What Eric and Ethan think of the whole Alberto Salazar issue. * Ethan tries out some new trekking poles from LEKI. * Top five most clicked-on Daily News links of the week.
Episode Notes: * Here’s a link to the Garbage Plates Ethan and Jared were talking about. Gross. * Outro music: Do it Again by Steely Dan * Here’s the YardOwl beer Ethan and I were enjoying. And here’s the podcast with Jay Friedman, one of the owners and an awesome runner with some great stories.
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Rachel Bell Kelley was born with a backwards foot, but started running as a kid and hasn’t stopped. She chooses ultras that scare her and take her out of her comfort zone and it seems to be working! Rachel runs with the Trail Heads running club in North Carolina where she’s able to glean decades worth of wisdom from her group while learning other lessons on the fly. Most recently, she won the Thomas Jefferson 100k and now has her eyes set on Run Rabbit Run. Rachel has a great attitude about this sport and was a delight to talk to.
In this episode we talk about: * Rachel’s fast road speed * Running with dogs * Trails around North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee and why Eric is a wimp * Pen and paper workout tracking * Sarah’s 24 hour run coming up next month * Why Cruel Jewel 50/100 is so dang tough * Frizzy hair and what to do about it * How to squeeze 100 miles tiny an already busy week * Eric’s attempt to have a race on calendar and to train with balance
Episode Notes: Rachel is an Altra and an Orange Mud ambassador
Here is Rachel’s blog. Read it!
Here’s the Thomas Jefferson 100k site, and here’s the Cruel Jewel site.
Outro music: Devil Went Down to Georgia, by the Charlie Daniels Band.
Here is the 50 miler I’m running in August and here is the 24 hour run Sarah is running next month.
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Slipping on a racing singlet with USA emblazoned across the front is a big deal, and this weekend, eight MUT runners from this country will toe the line at the 85km IAU Trail World Championships in Annecy, France.
I chatted with two of our best – Krissy Moehl and Alex Varner – while they were en route to France to find out what they’re expecting from this super technical and monstrously vertical course.
In this podcast we also discuss: * What specific workouts Alex is doing to prepare for this. * What shoe sponsor Krissy is working with. * How Alex plans on recuperating between now and Western States. * What Krissy thinks of the team makeup. * How freakin’ fast Alex ran a 12k while strapped to 12 other dudes. * Krissy’s new book she’s finishing up this month!
Episode Notes: Here’s the race website. You can also follow the race here.
Here are IRF’s previews for the ladies and the gentlemen.
Here’s Krissy’s website.
Outro Music: Le Belle et le Bad Boy by MC Solaar
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Bob Shebest is having a pretty remarkable 12 months, and it’s setting up to only get better. He’s not a spring-chicken-living-in-his-truck type of guy…Bob is a middle school teacher who qualifies as a masters runner, but who’s won his share of hundreds and has really found his stride.
Ethan and I chat with Bob about:
- His multisport background and how that transitioned into MUT racing.
- What he likes about long, grinding races.
- His first hundred at TRT that made him think he wanted to die, while instilling in him a love for the distance that hasn’t waned.
- Methods and workouts he’s used–and coached with–to finish a hundred and feel strong.
Episode Notes: Bob’s website is here.
He runs for Hoka One One, Vitargo, and is a member of the Inside Trail racing team.
Outro music: What You Need by INXS.
URP swag and stickers page.
Heres the Pioneer Spirit 50 miler in August that I hope to be running.
Here’s the camp Ethan and Bob are hosting in August.
And here’s the Ken Michal interview we spoke about.
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Sarah and I sat down with Western States Endurance Run President John Trent to get his take on the MUT world, Western States in particular, and what we should expect in the future. John’s got a great story about how he got into ultrarunning, what the WS Board is chartered with doing, and where he sees the race in the future.
Original Grand Slammer Tom Green (l) and John Trent (r) In this podcast we discuss: * Steroids in the sport. * Montrail’s last year of sponsorship and the end of the Montrail Ultra Cup. * The Western States entry process. * Big decisions made by the Board. * Prize money and how it affects competition. * What kinds of beer his daughters like.
A Trent family affair Episode notes: Here’s the Board’s homepage.
Sarah’s site.
Outro music: Strong me Strong by Yellowman.
John with champion Stephanie Howe Products mentioned: Here are the Salomon S-Lab X-Series shoes . The title calls them “trail running shoes”, but they’re most certainly not. They’re road shoes all the way.
The FlipBelt. Seriously an awesome invention.
Far End Gear Short Buds single earbud. Listen to ~~your~~ ~~music~~ URP and be safe.
Salomon S-Lab X Series shoes, Flip Belt, and Far End Gear single bud earphone connected to my iPod Shuffle. Note: Please consider buying locally, but if you purchase online, please use one of the above affiliate links. Your purchase will drop a few nickels into the URP bucket. Thanks!
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Sarah and I sit down with The Ultra Mindset – An Endurance Champion’s 8 Core Principles for Success in Business, Sports, and Life (Lifelong Books) author Travis Macy to learn how we can apply what we know as ultrarunners to our every day lives. Though Travis is an experienced endurance athlete and coach, this book doesn’t contain any advice on physical training or fitness, instead focusing on the mental aspect of our training and life.
Travis grew up watching his dad run ultras in Colorado and has since dedicated his life to adventure racing (you thought MUT runners had crazy race reports?!?) and ultramarathons. This book helps figure out how to apply the skills of positive thought, hard work, adaptation, etc., to his family and professional life.
With a foreword by Dean Karnazes and other contributions from Marshall Ulrich, Pam Smith and Dave Mackey, there’s a lot in this book you can relate to.
If you’re interested in buying the book, please consider using this link to Amazon. It’ll drop a few pesos into the URP bucket and I’d be awfully appreciative.
Episode Notes: Here’s Travis’ website
Outro music: Every Day I Write the Book by Elvis Costello
Here’s the link to the Luis Escobar interview and here’s his Born to Run event next month.
Here’s the link to The Canyons race coming up on May 2.
Here’s Sarah’s coaching and writing site.
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Many of you know Ben Gibbard as the lead singer/songwriter for Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, but it turns out, he’s just as big of an ultrarunning geek as the rest of us. When most of us talk about our records, Ben has to clarify which he’s referring to.
Ben at Cottontail 12 Hour, 2014. Photo courtesy Glenn Tachiyama. Less than a week after his puke-fest at Leona Divide, I chat with Ben about his first “sort of DNF”, life on the road, the humbling aspect of MUT running, gear, and his new album. Definitely a fun talk with a whole lot of “ahhhhssss” from me.
Death Cab for Cutie promo shot. Ben Gibbard in center. Episode Notes: Here’s Death Cab for Cutie’s tour schedule.
Here’s Ben’s ultrasignup page.
Here’s Ben’s interview with The Ginger Runner.
Here’s the story about Nick Triolo’s awesome job.
Outro music: Black Sun by Death Cab for Cutie off their new album Kintsugi (Atlanta.)
Ben at Capitol Peak 50M (his first) in 2014. Photo courtesy of Glenn Tachiyama. The post Ben Gibbard Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Scotty and I spoke with Devon Yanko (then Crosby-Helms) a few years ago after she ran her Olympic qualifier for the marathon, but she’s been busy opening a bakery for the past few years and has stayed away from the ultra circuit.
She’s back.
After a recent 7th place finish at Two Oceans (ultra)Marathon in South Africa and two solid marathon wins, Devon is slated to run Leadville, Comrades, and I’m sure quite a few more domestic ultras before then.
In this interview we talk about:
- So what is Two Oceans Marathon?
- What’s it like running with Africans and Russians? Same feel as a domestic MUT race?
- Steroids in ultras. Are they prevalent?
- The ins and outs of opening your own bakery and how she applied ultra principles to the work.
- Are you a baker who runs? You’re hired!
- Devon is sponsored by Oiselle and she talks about the culture and company and how it transfers so well to the MUT world.
- Her new sponsor is Hoka. Are they the right shoes for her?
- The Marin phenomenon. What’s in the water that is putting out such high quality runners and performances right now?
Episode Notes: Here’s Devon and Nathan’s bakery.
Devon runs for Oiselle and Hoka.
Here’s the Two Oceans site.
Here’s the video of that crazy band we spoke about.
Here’s San Francisco Running Company’s new site.
Here’s Devon’s original interview with Scotty and I. (Dang, I sound different.)
Outro music: Seasons (waiting on you) by Future Islands
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Ooooeeee! This is going to be a fun weekend at Lake Sonoma! Both Lindsay and Jim have limited trail racing experience, but each are ready to shake up the front of the pack.
Lindsay Tollefsen is running her first fifty miler–only her second ultra–and has confidence from Way Too Cool and her recent win at the technical Knickerbocker Canyon 35k. Her training regimen, lessons learned from Way Too Cool, 2:41 marathon, and advice from husband Tim are sure to be key factors.
Jim Walmsley won his first attempt at a fifty miler last year (at JFK, no less), then finished just three minutes behind Rob Krar at Moab Red Hot 55k in February. Jim tells me he’s in better shape than last year and can out-kick the rest of the field if it comes close in the final few miles. Yowza!
Episode Notes: Lindsay runs for Nike Trail Elite
Jim runs unattached
Outro music: Don’t Mess Around with Jim, by Jim Croce
The post Lindsay Tollefson and Jim Walmsley pre Lake Sonoma Interviews appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
One goal with URP is to bring a variety of guests into your ears and to your attention. Yep, Lake Sonoma 50 is the most competitive, elite-laden race so far this year, but most of the people running are every day runners. Maybe they’re trying to break 11 hours, maybe it’s their first fifty miler.
Katy Gifford has run Lake Sonoma twice, besting her previous time by an hour last year. Wow! How’d she do it, what are her plans for this year, and what’s her strategy when she’s out on the trail.
David Li just started ultras last year and this’ll be his third fifty miler, all building up to his first hundred later this year. How does he find time to train and what’ll he be thinking about when he’s out on the trail, now that he won’t have me to harass?
Episode Notes: Here’s the interview with Jay Friedman and a link to Yard Owl Brewery.
The Folsom Lake race I talked about at the end of David’s interview. Alright, so it’s only 68 miles. I thought it was 78. Still looks like a perfect race for me.
Here’s the Black Diamond Sprinter headlamp. Full review coming soon.
Outro music: “Just Like Paradise” by David Lee Roth
The post Katy Gifford and David Li Pre-Lake Sonoma Interviews appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Kaci and Max are both coming to Lake Sonoma 50 miler with stout resumes and course experience, but neither have been able to nail down a win on this elusive course. Will it happen this weekend?
Kaci Lickteig has had a solid year of racing since last year’s 3rd place at Lake Sonoma 50 miler. She’s won Ice Age, placed 6th at Western, then won every race since then, from a road half marathon to Javelina Jundred. Her ability to succeed at different distances and terrain makes her a threat on whichever course she races.
Max King has a had a solid year too, setting a new course record at Ice Age, winning the Warrior Dash World Championships, finishing 4th at his first hundred (at Western States, no less), winning the World 100k Championships, and qualifying for the Olympic Trials with a quick 2:17 marathon during a hot LA Marathon last month.
We talk about:
- Varied-distance training and racing.
- So what’s this “Salomon Advance Week” thing all about?
- Who we should watch up front, according to Max
- How anemia affects Kaci
- Beer, and more.
Episode Notes: Kaci runs for Nike Trail Elite and blogs here.
Max runs for Salomon International and blogs here.
Outro music: 25 Miles by Edwin Starr
The post Kaci Lickteig and Max King Interviews appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
YiOu Wang and Jacob Puzey are each coming to Lake Sonoma with a mission: Do the best they can and push hard. Will that get either on the podium? We’ll have to wait until Saturday to find out.
For YiOu, this will be her second attempt at 50 miles, though she’s hardly an underdog. Her dismantling of a stout 50k record last year (and a 2:38 marathon) will force other elite women to pay attention to her presence. Hear our original interview here.
Jacob is no newbie to ultras. He’s got a healthy record of finishes and records and coaches with Greg McMillan and Ian Torrence in Flagstaff. We wanted to get his perspective on tackling this race from a running coach perspective.
We discuss:
- Listening to experienced runners to gain information about training and racing.
- How to handle courses that don’t have rhythm.
- Paying attention to the little things when you’re not running.
- The awesomeness of high school cross country.
- How to stay healthy and not be stupid. Sour Patch crawlers and potato chips included.
Episode Notes: Here’s Jacob’s blog with links to his coaching. He runs for Altra Footwear and First Endurance.
Jacob and I were talking about Trail Butter. Delicious.
Outro Music: (Whoomp!) There It Is by Tag Team
The post YiOu Wang and Jacob Puzey Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
The Teenagers Jared and Ashley are both 19, both live in Colorado, and both are extremely fast. Jared’s got a solid resume of ultramarathons behind him, and even though Ashley’s only been at this since last year, she’ll be running as a contender for the podium.
Ethan and I spoke with Jared first, followed by Ashley. In the talk, we discuss:
- “Dropping down” to 100 miles per week.
- What’s it like being raised by two ultrarunning parents?
- Why aren’t you at Spring Break right now?
- What kind of race strategies we’ll see on Saturday.
- Ethan and I discuss Sarah’s recent piece about mandatory gear in ultras.
Episode Notes: Outro music: Incinerate by Sonic Youth
Ashley runs for Altra, V-Fuel, and Simple Hydration, Jared is unattached.
Sarah’s piece in Trailrunner Magazine about mandatory gear requirements.
The post Lake Sonoma Preview: Jared Hazen and Ashley Erba Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
After a funky finish at his first attempt at a 100 mile ultramarathon, Mike Daigeaun targeted Umstead for not just a finish, but a win. He assembled a team, made a bunch of matzo balls, and “went dark” as he prepared for the big race. Then he found out Hal Koerner was racing too.
Not to worry.
Mike stuck to his plan, had some horrible laps, some great ones, ate his matzo balls, and ultimately came out on top.
Episode Notes: Mike’s race report
Race website
Outro music: Paralyzed by In Flames
The post MIchael Daigeaun Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jen Benna talks to us live from the hospital while she’s currently caring for her sick baby. We expected to chat with her about balancing family life, but we certainly didn’t expect it to be so real. Yikes.
In this talk, we cover:
- How she’s bounced back after having her second baby last year.
- Why she (and Sarah) choose such a gross beer to drink.
- How to adapt to a full time job family, kids, running, etc.
- She and husband JB are around the MUT industry constantly. Do they ever burn out?
- How teams and “new” runners are affecting the sport.
- Top five clicked-on stories from this week’s Daily News.
Episode Notes: Jen runs for Hoka One One and Lulu Lemon
She blogs here: A Girls’ Guide to Trail Running
Referenced story: Western States disaster
Referenced story: Getting shot at on a training run
This is her husband’s film company.
Outro Music: Tubthumbing by Chumba Wumba
The post Jen Benna Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
In this first ever couples edition, I chat with both Tim and Lindsay Tollefsen and David and Megan Roche…two extremely fast couples who will be at Cool this weekend.
In the interviews, I learn about how nervous Lindsay is to run on the trails (this is her first 50k), and Tim talks about who’ll be up at the front of the fella’s race.
David is DNSing due to an injury, but he’ll be there cheering Megan on. She’s only done a few ultras, but she’s got some serious leg speed and has a strong chance of winning the race. This is certainly her type of course.
I ask both couples who’s better at grocery shopping, whether we should expect any super-fast kids soon, and of course, we have some beer (and, ahem, cider) talk.
Episode Notes Outro music: You’re the First, My Last, My Everything by Barry White
Eric and Tim. Pic by Nate Dunn. The post WayTooCool Preview Couples Edition: Tollefsons and Roches appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Two women will be lining up at Way Too Cool on Saturday with two very different backgrounds.
Stephanie Howe won Western States last year and is widely considered a top contender for any event she enters. I ask her about her honeymoon, skimo, and her busy busy life.
Serena has won Vermont 100 and a variety of other races on the East Coast, but she’s only using Way Too Cool as a primer for an attempt to best her time at Western States this year.
They say the trails in Vermont are rocky, but you’ll have to listen to Serena’s story to hear just how rocky they’ve been. Truly an amazing story of perseverance.
Episode Notes: Stephanie runs for The North Face and blogs here.
Outro music: Born To by Jesca Hoop
The post WayTooCool Preview: Stephanie Howe and Serena Wilcox appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
You’ve heard talk about the new breed of runner entering 50ks. These two guys are examples of what we’re talking about. Though neither has much experience at this distance, they’re each widely expected to stand atop the podium on Saturday.
Ryan Bak has a 2:14 marathon PR with hopes of running a 2:10 in the near future. He’s also finished a few ultras. And though Pat has never finished a 50k (he’s only tried once, at Speedgoat, no less), he’s got a 62 minute half marathon. Both Ryan and Pat have years of experience in mountain running, cross country, and shorter-distance trail events and it should be awesome to see them combine those talents at Cool.
I talk to each of them about converting from short distances to 50ks, what they expect on Saturday, and what they’ve learned from their last race.
Episode Notes: Ryan Bak’s personal and coaching site is here.
Pat tweets here.
Way Too Cool 50k site is here.
Outro music: Steal my Sunshine by LEN
The post WayTooCool Preview: Ryan Bak and Pat Smyth appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Competing in ultramarathon at a high level for an extended time is tough to do in this sport, and Rod Bien seems to have mastered it. He’s been running ultras for 15 years–ten of those near the top. Sarah and I chat with him to find out what he’s doing to stay in shape–at a time when many of us start to lose fitness.
Known as one of the nicest and thoughtful guys on the trails, we ask Rod:
- How he got started in this sport and how he’s stayed near the top.
- What was it like growing up in the shadow of a running-obsessed Navy SEAL father in Hawai’i?
- What does he do to stay in shape?
- Why does he switch coaches so often?
- What’s it like owning a Patagonia store in the trail mecca of Bend, Oregon?
- Will running dresses ever make it big stateside?
- What does he think of the state of the sport?
Episode Notes: Rod’s blog.
Sarah’s piece on Tarawera 100k
Outro music: Forever Young by Rod Stewart
The post Rod Bien – Masters Ultrarunner Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Two years ago, Caroline Boller was on occasional runner at best, sitting by and reading running magazines while her husband hit the trails. Then at 38, she started running and in a quick 14 months has run her first 50k, first 50miler, and first 100k–with all top ten finishes.
She knocked an hour off her marathon PR, got picked up by Nike, and is now heading to Western States, courtesy of her most recent win at the competitive Black Canyon 100k. Whew!
I was anxious to learn more about this “forty year old newbie mother runner who nobody’s ever heard of” and find out how she’s handling this sudden success
In this podcast, we talk about:
- Going from an observer of races to a top athlete.
- What Sage and Sandi have her do for workouts.
- What’s her emotional and competitive state like before a race?
- How she balances two kids, a husband, and all of her running.
- What’s next on her plate?
Podcast Notes Caroline’s blog
Her ultrasignup page.
Outro music: Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
The post Caroline Boller Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Drew Mikita is an addiction specialist, a trail runner, a beer geek, a psychology professor in a hippie town in Colorado, and co-owner of the highest running store in the country. Sounds qualified to enter the URP studio and chat about what makes so many of us crazy? Yep!
In a sometimes personal discussion, we talk about:
- Why are so many ultrarunners former drug/alcohol addicts?
- What makes us so susceptible to overdoing things?
- What are the red flags (no, not trail markers!) to look out for in identifying a problem.
- Why can’t we be happy with our accomplishments, instead looking to bigger, longer, and harder events?
- Are we addicted to running?
Add these questions to a major life change for me, and you have one of the most important discussions I’ve had with a guest.
Episode Notes: Drew’s running store: Vertical Runner Breckenridge
Breckenridge Running Camp
Use the code Pod15 for 15% off any store purchases, including camp registration. Sweet!
Outro Music: Heavy Things by Phish.
The post Professor Drew Mikita Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
What does it take to run a hundred miler each month for a year? Lots of experience, a slow pace, an understanding family, tons of luck, great friends, and a positive attitude.
Cory’s got all that, in spades.
I chat with him about all these aspects of his journey, including finding time to balance his family and job, and why he’s taken a particular liking to self-supported runs and Hostess products. We finish up with an 80’s themed Fartlek round.
Episode Notes: Cory’s site.
The post about his dad.
Outro music: Working on the Highway (Live) by Bruce Springsteen
Sorry about the quality. I’m using some new equipment and the guest audio is acting up. I strive to put out a good product and am not happy with the current results. My apologies.
The post Cory Reese Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Elite Altra runner Duncan Callahan wrote a compelling piece recently about “The Burden of Self-Improvement” that really hit home for a lot of people. He wrote how we need to stop trying to perfect the little things about our own running, and instead focus on the aspects of MUT running that really matter.
Should we stress about which Garmin to buy when we’re not focusing on the best workouts? Does a sticker really matter if we’re not getting enough sleep? Does the weight of your hydration pack matter if you’re not watching your own weight?
The post hit home for me, so I got hold of Duncan and invited him on the show to chat about his ideas in more depth. Duncan’s got a wealth of experience to draw from, from coaching runners to finishes at Hardrock and a solid win at Leadville.
Episode Notes Sponsored by RootsRated.com
Here’s Duncan’s site.
Outro Music: Lust for Life by Iggy Pop
The post Duncan Callahan appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Since we spoke with Mike Arnstein last (in 2012!), he’s ran a Badwater/Vermont double, a handful of 2:3x marathons, ran a sub 13 hour 100 miler, retired from ultrarunning, moved to Hawaii, and most recently…won HURT. Wait, what?
Mike is one of our most downloaded and asked about guests, and he brings his infectious energy again as we talk about frying his legs with an electronic stimulator while eating bananas, wearing weights on his ankles, his decision to sell everything and move to the islands, zipping around Oahu on a scooter picking fruit, and of course, his insane tale of running HURT this month on some very short–but very intense training that almost got him killed. Giddyup!
Episode Notes Episode sponsored by RootsRated.com
Here’s the Salomon contest..only open to URP listeners.
Mike’s first interview with us.
Oz Pearlman’s interview with us.
HIs awesome video from the sub-13 100 miler.
Mike’s website. Tons of info here.
Outro music: Little Grass Shack by the Polynesians
The post Mike “The Fruitarian” Arnstein 2015 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
In the past few years, Chris “Tarzan” Clemens thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail on a whim, discovered his love for MUT running, got a divorce, moved into his Honda Element, ran his first hundred, competed with a horse in an ultra, and is now living at the beach or trailhead in beautiful Santa Barbara…still in his car.
I talk to Chris about scaling back and getting down to the essentials (in both life and running.) We talk about how he chooses races, what he’s learned, and what he wants to run in the next few years.
I’m tempted to drive down to Santa Barbara today just to have a beer with him.
Episode Notes: Luis Escobar and Chris (dressed as Pre.) Sponsored by RootsRated.com
Here’s Chris’ website with all the “how does he?” questions.
Outro Music: This Land is Your Land by My Morning Jacket
The post Chris “Tarzan” Clemens appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Ken and Karen Pic by Jerry Gamez Ken Michal has never won an ultra and he surely won’t be pushing the pace from the front this weekend at HURT 100. He has DNFed dozens of races, finished a lot more, has been chased by cutoffs, spent a night–midrace–in an outhouse and swallowed a bee at an aid station. Ken also has arguably the best attitude of any runner on the trails, is coached by the legendary Ann Trason, and is now in the best shape of his life.
If Ken doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will. All Day!
Ken and co-host Sarah. Episode Notes: Episode sponsor: RootsRated.com
Ken’s website and podcast and the Running Stupid Facebook page.
Sarah’ post on running in Yosemite.
HURT100 site.
Outro music: Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
Ken entering Michigan Bluff at Western States 100. Pic by Shelley Miller Mitchell The post Ken Michal Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Traci Falbo has had a heck of a few years. She started running ultras in 2011, ran the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning in 2013 and in 2014 ran the fastest trail 100 of all time and broke the World Record for the indoor 48 hours with 242 miles covered.
Still, her name isn’t widely known to many MUT runners.
I chat with Traci about how she got into this ridiculous sport, what she’s learned, how to deal with crew members, and most of all, why in the world she isn’t a sponsored athlete.
Traci’s got a job, a family, and a full calendar of races for 2015 and I can’t wait to see how she does.
Episode Notes: This month is sponsored by RootsRated.com Comprehensive (and free!) trail maps for cities all around the country, along with some great stories from the trails. Definitely check them out.
Video of Traci’s last few minutes in The Dome.
Traci’s blog and her Twitter.
The post Traci Falbo Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Sarah and Eric covering TNF50 with our chosen libation. Pic by Nate Dunn. Sarah and I sat down with Tropical John Medinger to talk about results and trends of 2014. What were the prevailing ideas in MUT running? Who stood out and who was the biggest surprise? What did you learn, what did you wear, and what exactly is the state of this sport?
I do a quick rundown of all 66 podcasts and 80+ guests, plus a recap of the major domestic races from the year.
We discuss what we should expect next year, who the big starts will be, will Africans make an appearance, and the big question: Will the ultra-mullet take over the world…
Thanks for making URP part of your 2014. On to 2015! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
The post Year in Review with Tropical John Medinger appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jason Koop Interview Jason Koop lists a who’s who of elite runners on his coaching roster (DBo, Kaci, Dakota, Timothy, Varner, Ghelfi), so we thought it’d help to pick his brain a bit and find out why he’s had such success–especially after last weekend’s race at NorthFace50.
We learned that most elite athletes come to the starting line in about the same shape, but it’s the psychological and emotional factors that really make the difference. We learned that the altitude mask thingamajig is garbage, and we heard an awesome story about his run and eventual DNF at Hardrock this year (it involves a tent, booze, pot, a lightning storm, and some hippies.)
We also get a chance to ask him about the importance of rest, how to choose the right race, and what it really takes to perform at altitude.
You’ll want to listen to this episode at least once, so have a pen handy to take notes.
Episode Notes Jason’s coaching website with Carmichael Training System
Sarah’s site is here
Outro Music: I’m Writing a Novel by Father John Misty (better live version here.)
The post Coach Jason Koop Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Three separate interviews with runners from Camp RWB.
Jason runs for La Sportiva and is nicknamed “Mountain Goat” for a good reason…he’s able to ascend technical terrain better than anyone I’ve seen. In this interview, I pick his brain about how I can improve at that skill and he tells me how he practices in his living room.
Be sure to check out the videos below.
Senior Airman Mark Bunkley has been running his whole life, but has just recently started ultras. I talk to him about his transition from track events, through the military, and about this new sport of ultrarunning. Mark was inspired by a book written by Dean Somethingorother…
Major Grant Flynn has never finished an ultramarathon, but he is a Ranger-qualified soldier who competed in a 60 hour exercise with all sorts of issues to overcome. Serious hard-core stuff that should set him up great for a hundred miler.
Note: The podcasts were accidentally recorded in stereo, and it can be a bit nuts listening to it with channels coming from separate ears. My apologies.
Episode Notes:
You can also see Jason in the obstacle course race here.
Outro music: Snake with Eyes of Garnet by Shane MacGowan and the Popes
The post Jason Bryant, SRA Mark Bunkley, Major Grant Flynn appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Three more additions to this deep and varied field, these women bring with them a grab bag of talents that could land them with some extra cash in their pocket this weekend.
Magda Boulet is an Olympic qualifier marathoner with a 2:26 PR who finished 2nd here last year (as her first ultra.) She lives near these trails, trains on them regularly, and is in prime shape right now. We expect Magda to stand on the podium on Saturday.
YiOu (E-O) Wang is a road marathoner with a 2:38 PR, but who also blew away the competitive Skyline 50k field this year, besting the CR by 21 minutes. She tells me she’s been doing speed work on these trails and has been picking the minds of other elites. Sounds to me like she’s ready to go. Though this is her first 50miler, I expect YiOu to do very well.
And Alicia Shay is another 50mile newbie with some killer leg speed. Though she made her mark (and records) in track and road events, Alicia has re-emerged as a fast trail runner who trains with the boys in Flagstaff. She was third at Chuckanut last year and has more competitive spirit than anyone I’ve spoken with.
This is gonna be good.
Episode Notes: Sponsored by Territory Run Company
YiOu spoke about Devon Yanko (Crosby-Helms.) Here’s our interview with her.
Outro music: Dry the Rain by The Beta Band
The post TheNorthFace Endurance Championship Preview – Magdalena Boulet, YiOu Wang, Alicia Shay appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Just as the diverse as the mens field, the elite women that’ll be lining up on Saturday bring a variety of skill sets to the race. These three women have a lot of talent, and any or all of them may be standing on the podium this weekend.
Stephanie Howe has had quite a year, finishing second at a competitive Lake Sonoma 50 miler, winning Western States, and getting married. Last time she ran this race was in 2012 with a second place, and she’s anxious to improve her spot by one this time.
Megan Kimmel specializes in mid-distance mountain running, and though she’s in great physical shape, she has had some distractions in her life that have prevented her from focusing on this race. She was tenth here in 2013, but according to Dakota, she’s one to watch this year.
Sally McRae was second at Sean O’Brien 50 and sixth at Lake Sonoma 50, courses that are both runnable and have fast sections similar to this. After an exciting tenth at this year’s Western States, Sally says she’s in great shape and ready to throw down, and her kids and husband will be a the race cheering her on.
Episode Notes Sponsored by Territory Run Co
Outro music: Stand Back by Stevie Nicks
The post TheNorthFace Endurance Championship Preview – Stephanie Howe, Megan Kimmel, Sally McRae appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
This episode features three more guys who have a very real shot at standing atop the podium on Saturday. One of them is my pick to win it.
Chris Vargo made a big name for himself last year at this race, finishing a strong third place and has had a strong year, winning Way Too Cool and UROC. He’s also had some disappointing DNFs. I ask Chris about his fitness going into this race and which Chris we’ll see at the start.
Dylan has the benefit of living and training in the Headlands and came in fifth here last year after a missed turn…a turn he won’t miss again. Most importantly, DBo won Sean O’Brien 50M in February, a similar course with tough competition, then grabbed a third at Western States. He’s got leg speed, knows the course, and knows how to race. In this episode, Dylan makes a big announcement about his new sponsor…guess who?
Then there’s Dakota. Dakota finished second here in 2011, then ran with the flu last year and finished mid pack. Read his great report here. Since then, he’s had a down year, then popped back up last month and ran a CR 3:02 on a tough trail marathon. One thing’s for sure…no one underestimates Dakota’s ability to win this thing.
Episode Notes Salty Language Alert in the Chris Vargo interview. If you don’t like a couple of four letter words, you might want to skip this chat.
Episode sponsored by Territory Run Company
Stay tuned to UltraSportsLive.tv on race day to watch live streaming coverage of the race, including me interviewing finishers afterwards.
Outro music: One Love (People Get Ready) by Bob Marley and the Wailers
The post TheNorthFace Endurance Championship Preview Show – Chris Vargo, Dylan Bowman, Dakota Jones appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
To highlight the depth and diversity of this field, here are three more guys all with legitimate chances of standing on the podium, all with drastically different backgrounds.
Mike Wardian’s been running ultras for a long time and has raced in the Headlands with some frequency. He also just raced the World 100k championships last week, and has three races in between now and December 6. TNF will be his 50th race this year. That’s Mike for ya.
Ryan Ghelfi has used his experience and had a solid year of ultras with strong finishes at Chuckanut, Sonoma, Waldo, and Run Rabbit Run. This will be his third time at this race.
Then there’s Tim Tollefson, who’s run a total of two ultras–both 50ks–and has never run longer than three and a half hours. What he’s run he’s won, he’s got great leg speed on the trails, and most of all, he’s anxious and excited to win.
Seems to be the theme of this race…it’s gonna be fast!
Episode Notes: Sponsored by Territory Run Company
Stay tuned to ultrasportslive.tv for live race day coverage
Here’s Ryan’s post about team competitions and here’s mine.
Outro music: Rock n Roll part 2 by Gary Glitter
The post TheNorthFace Endurance Championship Preview Show – Mike Wardian, Ryan Ghelfi, Tim Tollefson appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Today we’ll hear from three guys who have a shot at the podium (and the big check) on December 6th.
Timothy’s had a frustrating year of racing, but it’s behind him and he’s ready to run fast in hard conditions. Sage has had a pretty solid year, he’s been putting in good speed work, and he’s looking for the win. Mike’s been putting in speed work and determined to make his fourth time on the course a clean and prosperous one where he doesn’t run off course.
See a pattern? This is gonna be a fast day on the trails.
Episode Notes: Show Sponsor: Territory Run Company
Be sure to watch ultrasportslive.tv on race day for full coverage. I’ll be interviewing the winners live at the finish. Here’s the race website.
Timothy and Mike run for TheNorthFace. Sage runs for Hoka One One.
Here’s Ryan Ghelfi’s “team competition” post we were talking about.
Here’s Sage’s movie and here’s his new podcast.
Here’s Mike’s sponsor (Omnibar) that makes the meat-based bars.
Outro Music: Death or Glory by The Clash
The post TheNorthFace Endurance Championship Preview Show – Tim Olson, Sage Canaday, Mike Foote appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
What I love about this sport is the variety of activities and people it encompasses. This episode features two wildly different runners who offer compelling advice and fun stories.
Small group of us on the last day at camp. Photo by Tehra Wieck Ford Smith, an 18yo ultra phenom from Austin (who I’ve interviewed before here), specializes in tough and dirty 100 mile trail runs, while Roy Pirrung, a young 66 years old from Wisconsin, has run about every race in existence and most recently competed in the Six Days in the Dome in Alaska. Both are ultra runners, and both gave their time to mentor active military, veterans, and paid campers at this weekend’s Team RWB in Texas.
Where’s Waldo? [Sorry for the stereo recording of the guests. I traveled with a mobile studio that I wasn’t as familiar with as I should have been. I’ve tried to split the tracks, but it turns out I’m a better runner and host than I’m an audio technician, so you’ll have to accept my apologies.]
Episode Notes: Sponsored by: Territory Run Company
Team RWB Trail Running Camp
Roy’s website
Outro Music: Something About Us by Daft Punk
The post Team RWB Podcasts – Ford Smith and Roy Pirrung appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Justin Houck Interview Justin’s only run a couple of ultras, but he’s set his sight on being one of the best MUT runners in the country.
His first 50k he broke the course record. His second, he got his butt handed to him, and his third, he beat some top elites and marked his time right behind Sage and Anton’s.
Now he’s got his eyes set on TheNorthFace Endurance Challenge in San Francisco, where he figures he’ll have to throw in some 5 minute miles towards the end to stay competitive. Justin is new to the sport, learning as he goes, and will be exciting to watch. Keep your eye on this guy.
Episode Notes: * Justin’s blog is right here. * Here’s the elite list for TheNorthFace. * Watch the race (and post interviews) on ultrasportslive.tv. * Outro Music: California Dreamin’ by The Mamas and the Papas.
The post Justin Houck Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Ian Sharman Interview SkyRunning, Coaching, Sports Management, and Costumes Sarah and I chat with Ian about SkyRunning: Who, what, when, where, and…how do I sign up? Prior to chatting with Ian (who’s now the US SkyRunning Series Director), I knew it as a race series in Europe, run on trails I wasn’t familiar with and won by people I rarely recognized. Now after the talk, I understand what it’s all about.
We also chat about his current injury (and why it’s a good thing), sponsored athletes using sports agents, how his coaching business is doing, and which costumes are the best to run in.
Episode Notes: Ian’s coaching website
US SkyRunning website (calendar below)
International Marathon comparison list I talked about
Trails in Motion Film Festival on Nov 16 with Sarah, Victor, and Ian
The Skyrunning series will be broadcast on ultrasportslive.tv.
Outro music: The Walker by Fitz and the Tantrums
Skyrunning Race Schedule right here. The post Ian Sharman 2014 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Hal Koerner Interview We’ve spoken with Hal before, but it’s generally right after or before a major run. Western States, Hardrock, Javelina, and the JMT FKT interviews have all been great, but this week Sarah and I spoke with him about not running–he’s been injured since July with a torn meniscus.
With a new book on the shelves, an infant at home, races to direct, and a running store in full bloom, we pick his brain about training, strollers, being “Mr. Happy”, beer, obstacle courses, and especially what the book is all about.
Episode Notes: Lithia Loop Trail Marathon
Hal’s book is available here. (affiliate link)
Trails in Motion Film Festival
Find Sarah’s Grand to Grand report (and other great stuff) on her blog here.
Outro music: Every Day I Write the Book by Elvis Costello and the Attractions. Though I love EC, I wanted the Ron Sexsmith version, but it’s not available off YouTube.
The post Hal Koerner 2014 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jeremy just ran at the Big Backyard Ultra in Tennessee (just over 200 miles) and I had to invite him on the show to pick his brain about the format, sleep deprivation, diet, and his race history.
Well, he chose Leadville as his first race to spite a roommate, eats whatever he wants, trains haphazardly, sleeps while running, and could’ve easily gone another day after running for two days straight in Tennessee.
Unfortunately, the phone connection is a bit funky for the first 15 minutes or so, but it gets better. Blame the satellite aliens.
Enjoy!
Want to know what it’s like crewing for a race like this? Heidi wrote all about it here.
The post Jeremy Ebel Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
James Varner Interview I’ve wanted to catch up with past guest James Varner for a while, and when I heard he was producing a film festival dedicated to trail running films, I shot him an invite immediately.
James and I chat about trail running films–who makes them and why–and the different shows that’ll be at his traveling festival. Long, short, dynamic, and serene, the festival will have beer, fellow runners, and I’m sure a magnetic draw to ultrasignup at the conclusion. It’ll be the first time I step inside a movie theatre in 10+ years.
I also get a chance to talk about race directing, bib selling, Count Chocula, pacing, and beer.
Episode Notes: Film Fest! Episode sponsored by Territory Run Company. Check them out!
Trail Runner Film Festival website here with dates, films, etc
Rainshadow Running website
Outro music: Soul Meets Body by Death Cab for Cutie.
The post James Varner ’14 – Trail Film Fest appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Matt Flaherty Interview Matt (l) and friend Brian Senseman brewing beer in the kitchen. Matt’s got a wicked ‘stache, brews beer, plays the guitar, and has got some screaming fast times on his feet. I was curious to learn more about this guy who quit his attorney gig in his quest to break 5 hrs in the 50 milers.
His goal in the 100k championships next month is somewhere around a 6:19 min/mile pace, he ran TNF Championships as his first ultra and blew up at mile 28, and he prefers races and distances that he can adequately train for. In short, we had a lot to talk about, and somehow we managed to squeeze in some beer geek chatter as well.
Episode Notes: Here’s Matt’s website with coaching info. And here’s the interview with Tyler Sigi Matt was talking about.
Matt runs for Salomon and uGo bars (and they’re delicious.)
Matt’s spread in iRunFar from earlier this year.
Matt’s favorite umbrella.
The book Matt recommended: Anatomy for Runners
Matt tweets here.
Outro music: No Holding Back by Matt Flaherty.
Running towards Las Torres “The Towers” in Patagonia The post Matt Flaherty Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
A fun attitude helps, too! Larisa Dannis Interview Curious about heart rate monitors and the Maffetone Method? So was I!
Ethan and I sat down with Larisa Dannis (2nd female at WS100 ’14) to learn how she uses her HRM, how she’s training for the marathon, 50k, 100k, and 100 mile simultaneously, what type of recovery she ~~got~~ needed after Western and her overall outlook on running and racing.
With the female side of elites not as deep as the mens, Larisa’s got an opportunity to make a huge mark next year. I’ve said it before…If Larisa were an IPO, I’d buy big.
Episode Notes: Episode sponsored by Territory Run Company. Check em out!
Larisa runs for Altra
Her blog is here
Here’s her post-WS interview with iRunFar
More on the Maffetone Method here
Outro music: Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus
Do you use a HRM? How often?
What brand do you use?
What advice do you have? Does Maffetone work for you?
The post Larisa Dannis Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Michele Graglia Interview OK, so take a charming Italian guy from the Riviera who happens to be a top underwear model, introduce him to ultrarunning, and see what happens, right? No coach, no real training, no experience, and he chooses a hundred as his first footrace ever, which he led until mile 84 until he passed out and ended up in an ambulance.
He wins his second ultra, DNFs a hundred, quits his modeling gig, runs a 15:33 hundred en route to a 175 mile race win, then comes in second place at the competitive Angeles Crest 100 and bags a win at last week’s Grand to Grand stage race–his first…All in three years.
Meet Michele (Mickey) Graglia. It’d be easy to pass him off as just a unique story, but Mickey’s the real deal and has got some killer results to prove it. In this interview, Sarah and I get him talk about what he’s learned, what he’s done wrong, what’s next, what in the world an Italian guy is doing not eating pasta, and why aid station tables have better food than modeling gigs.
Episode Notes:
Episode sponsor: Territory Run Company
Sarah’s piece on Michele in TrailRunner Magazine: From top model to top ultrarunner.
Michele’s interview (and pics) in a modeling magazine
Sarah’s site.
Michele’s site.
Grand to Grand site.
Outro music: And we danced by Macklemore
#
The post Michele Graglia Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Nickademus Hollon Interview So you think you’ve bonked before? Legs hurt, you’re zapped of energy, and your stomach turns? Try having full psychedelic visions of your pacer splitting in two, while you’re 3 days into a race with virtually no sleep in the Italian Alps…and you’re still wanting to race and catch the runner ahead of you.
Nick joins me for a full recap of his 2nd place finish at Tor des Geants–205 miles and 75k’ of vert and aid stations stocked with hors d’ouevres, helicopters, and mountaintop tea offerings.
Nick talks about the power of positive thinking, adapting to problems on the trail, staying in the moment, and appreciating the opportunity we’ve all been given to experience this awesome sport.
Episode Notes: Full race report from his blog and the cool video of other competitors’ hallucinations. My favorite is Gary at 7:56.
Nick is sponsored by carbopro
Race website
Outro music: California Love by Dr Dre and Tupac
The post Nickademus Hollon – Tor des Geants appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Notice the shoes. Tim Tollefson Interview Meet Tim. For those not familiar, he’s a wickedly fast 2:18 marathoner who went to Oly Trials, lives in the trail mecca of Mammoth Lakes where he loves running trails, was a steeple and XC champ in college, is friends with elite trail runners, gets better as the race gets longer…and only last week decided to enter his first trail race. And of course broke Max King’s record. Aaaaagh!
Tim Tollefson puts to rest the question of whether roadies can compete in trail ultras, and he did it with a bold exclamation point, despite getting chased down by Ryan Bak and falling on his face in the final section.
Something tells me we’re going to hear more from him soon.
Episode Notes: Here’s his blog.
He gets twittery here.
Here’s his work info.
And yes, I’m serious about the Brooks Green Silence bounty. Email me if you’ve got any.
Outro Music: New Sensation by INXS
The post Tim Tollefson Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jon Olsen Interview Jon Olsen was at the peak of his career when he decided he just couldn’t race trail ultras any more–at least at the level he expected of himself. The pullings of family commitments and a nasty injury caused him to step back and re-examine his racing…and what emerged was someone who beat a 24 year American Record in the 100 miler (11:59) and has earned great acclaim in other races.
Next up? The 152 mile Spartathlon in Greece. Jon talks to Ethan and I about training, running alone in the morning, what to do when the bathroom is too far away, and a whole lot more.
No matter where you are in your running career, there’s something in this interview for you.
Episode Notes: Jon runs for Hoka One One.
Outro Music: Summer Lovin’ by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
The post Jon Olsen Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Ethan enjoying the spoils of a tough race. Ethan Veneklasen – First Hundred in Ten Years Interview
You’ve heard Ethan on the podcast, but this time he jumps to the other side of the mic as I chat with him about running his first hundred miler in ten years. What’s changed since he left (besides him getting faster?) and what’s stayed the same? What lessons were learned at Cascadia Crest, and what’s next on his agenda.
If you’re looking at your first hundred, this’ll be an informative interview. Ethan has a unique perspective on the sport and offers some great advice. Key word: Adapt!
Episode Notes: Ethan is a HOKA and Ultimate Direction Ambassador
He tweets here.
Outro music: Rudy Can’t Fail by The Clash
The post Ethan Veneklasen Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Gavin and Brandon at trailhead How many 14k’ peaks could you run in 100 miles? How about 14 of them in less than sixty hours?
That’s the goal of those intrepid runners and climbers who take on the Nolan’s 14 challenge, and Brandon and a couple of friends just completed it just last weekend.
In this chat, we talk about the preparation and execution of running something like this–what to wear, where to sleep,what it’s like living with Zach Miller and all of his bananas, the benefits of manpris, and a whole lot more.
Episode Notes: Brandon runs for Pearl Izumi/
Here’s his race report from Pike’s Peak Sports.
Here’s a rad video Brandon made of the adventure
Here’s Matt Mahoney’s Nolan’s site
Outro music: King of the Mountain by Midnight Oil
The post Brandon Stapanowich – Nolan’s 14 Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Jason Schlarb UTMB Interview Fresh off a strong fourth place at UTMB, Jason gives us the play by play on his finish…from moving to the Alps with is family for three months to running scared for fifty miles with a fast Lithuanian on his heels.
We talk training, beer, gear, what guys do wrong while training, what he learned about the different cultures in the Alps, and what he’d do differently next time…unless he’s at Hardrock.
Episode Notes: Jason runs for Altra and Ultimate Direction.
Here’s his blog.
Jason will be at Team RWB in November (with me too!)
Outro music: De Gumpesel by Fritz Schroeder
The post Jason Schlarb Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
How could I not have Jay Friedman on the show? He’s a solid NY state runner, got into ultras by watching Jurek at WS100, he owned a running store, he’s an ER physician who works aid stations, owns part of an awesome brewery, and has got a million stories to share.
I met Jay at Western States this year when we did a quick beer exchange, and I immediately identified him as another great NY character (Cherie Yanek, Mike The Fruitarian Arnstein, Oz Perlman) and asked him to be on the show.
Which injuries does he see most of? What are the pitfalls of running an independent running store? And how in the hell did he get into the beer business?
Episode Notes Here’s Jay’s blog
Here’s his Confessions of an Ultramarathon Skeptic article that I love so much.
Here’s the brewery.
Outro Music: Flesh and Blood by Oingo Boingo
The post Jay Friedman, MD Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Rob at LT100. Photo by Caleb Wilson. Click for info on Fort Clinch 100. It’s hard to believe that Leadville was only his 3rd hundred miler, and that’s what makes it so fascinating. Rob is learning to run them well–along with many of us–but happens to be a few levels above the average runner in terms of ability. To say the least.
At Leadville this year, he ran through some dark spots, considered DNFing, took a wrong turn, and dealt with extreme pain, but eventually gutted it out and came out victorious.
In this interview we talk about his training, his recovery, his job, what races are on his calendar for next year, who the hell runs RobKrarsBeard and which workout really knocks him into shape.
Episode Notes Rob is sponsored by TheNorthFace and Wanderlust Brewery, among others.
TheNorthFace Endurance Challenge in Park City we talked about.
The beer I was drinking during the interview. I had the Grisette.
Here’s the contest I talked about at the end.
Here’s the Po Boy sandwich that Rob’s wife makes him.
The post Rob Krar Leadville ’14 Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Well, well, what can you say about Jenn?
We talk about her recent 220 mile John Muir Trail FKT attempt with Krissy Moehl, what to do with Desitin on the trail, which wild animal she’s like to make pork rinds out of, DNFing a beer mile, which special guest flew in to run the final stretch of JMT with her, the track event she’d like to conquer, and which sponsor she’s most proud of.
All while hungover.
Enjoy.
Episode Notes: Jenn is sponsored by Patagonia
She also runs for Team Sombra Mezcal. Of course she does.
Outro music: Cosmic Girl by Jamiroquai
The post Jenn Shelton ’14 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Billy’s probably a lot like you. He’s been running ultras for five years, done a handful of 50k and 50 milers, gone to races to geek out, studied and prepared, and finally pulled the trigger and signed up for his first 100 miler.
He just finished that hundred two days ago at the Angeles Crest 100 in Southern California and came in just barely over 24 hours–a well-executed run on a challenging course that went just about as planned.
Let’s find out how he trained, if he freaked out, how he executed the race, how his pacers helped him, what he learned and whether or not he’ll do it again. (of course he will!)
Billy’s also an awesome film maker and is currently working on a piece that will highlight Sally McRae’s journey at Western States. Check out his other films below.
Episode Notes Billy’s blog
Follow him on the Twitter machine here
Here are Billy’s films on YouTube (definitely check these out.)
Here’s Ethan’s (pacer) site
Here’s Sally’s (pacer) site
Outro music: Bust a Move by Young MC
The post Billy Yang Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Brian just set a wicked new course record at Vermont 100 and he’s heading to the Alps for UTMB next month.
He’s torn up the New England trail scene and loves roots, rocks, technical trails, and mountains, he’s got no coach or organized plan, but Brian loves running hard and it seems to be working out great for him.
He battles a whole slew of allergies and has learned some tough lessons on the trails, and he drops a ton of knowledge on us that we’ll be using very very soon. Definitely a fun interview.
Episode Notes: Co-host: Ethan Veneklasen
The trail video we were talking about
And the shoe he was talking about
Brian and Amy’s blog
Outro Music: Heavy Things by Phish
The post Brian Rusiecki Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Fifty miles or 100 miles sounds pretty nuts to most people, but what Joe Fejes does takes it to a different level. 329 miles in 72 hours, 124 miles in 24 hours on freakin’ sand, or how about 555 miles in six days?
While we focus on nutrition and fatigue, these guys are concentrating on staying awake enough to be upright on the track.
Joe talks to Ethan and I about preparing for a six day race, directing and organizing the event, what types of people run them (“we all have mental challenges”), and advice for those who are getting into timed events.
Episode Notes: Co-host: Ethan Veneklasen
Six Days in the Dome website
Race day: Aug 4, 2014
Yiannis Kouros movie Joe was talking about
Outro music: You Spin Me Round by Dead or Alive
The post Joe Fejes Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
John Burton is by no means an elite ultrarunner, but he focused on Hardrock for three years and pulled an elite-level performance out of his hat this past weekend.
Despite being freezing cold, shattering a finger, freaking out about passing one of his heroes, and dropping his pacer, John came in at a very respectable 30 hours on the challenging course.
How’d he do it? Sarah and I chat with him about his training, his diet, dedication, and what’s next on his schedule.
Episode Notes: Co-host: Sarah Lavender Smith
Here’s John’s blog. (Be sure to read his race reports.)
Outro music: The Great Beyond by REM
The post John Burton Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Sage near the turnaround at Lake Sonoma 2014. Pic by URP. Sage Canaday has had a pretty awesome year by most standards, but he wants more more more. After a win at Tarawera and North Face Costa Rica, Sage is running Speedgoat this weekend to repeat his win from last year…a win that found him precariously close to getting caught by Anton Krupicka in the final few miles.
In this interview, we talk about pain thresholds, the demands of being a pro athlete, his thoughts on timed events, and what to expect from him this weekend in Utah.
Episode Notes: Sage is sponsored by Hoka One One
Here’s the link to the movie he’s working on: MUT Runner
Here’s Sage’s coaching website
Watch Speedgoat live on ultrasportslive.tv
This is the beer we were talking about.
Outro music: If you touch me (I just think I’ll scream) by My Morning Jacket
The post Sage Canaday ’14 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Rickey Gates rides around the country on his motorcycle and races seemingly any distance that strikes his fancy…from 3 miles up a 60deg pitch in Alaska to the Canadian Death Race to racing the stairs up the Empire State Building.
This weekend, he’s riding to Utah to run Speedgoat 50k, a race he finished second in in 2012, a mere 4 minutes behind one Kilian Jornet. In this interview, we talk about the intensity of Mt Marathon, the aesthetic of riding to races, what he expects in Madison, WI, and what it’ll take to win this Saturday.
Episode Notes: Rickey’s running and photography blog.
The Mt Marathon video. There are more.
You can also find him on the twitter machine at @rickeygates
He’s sponsored by Salomon Running. Here’s his athlete page.
And here’s the HutRunHut thing he’s doing with Jenn Shelton this summer.
Watch Speedgoat on ultrasportslive.tv this weekend.
Outro music: Into the Mystic by Van Morrison
The post Rickey Gates Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Anton has had a heckuva few months–and says he’s back in shape to win on the trails. As an athlete with such a stout resume, he has set himself up for Speedgoat, then UTMB later in the summer–both races that require a fair amount of climbing prowess–and he’ll be racing hard for the podium.
In this interview, I compare Anton to Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton (wait, what?), we talk injury, Speedgoat, Hardrock, pro runners, over-racing, and what type of person it takes to succeed in this silly sport.
Episode Notes: Anton is sponsored by New Balance, Buff, and Ultimate Direction
Here’s his blog.
Follow Speedgoat here on ultrasportslive.tv on race day.
Outro music: The Rat by The Walkmen
The post Anton Krupicka ’14 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Photo from Shelby at http://morevertmorefun.blogspot.com After last year’s “Hunchback of Hardrock” finish, Adam is back for more of the iconic race, but this year, he’s wedged it in between Western States and UTMB.
Yep, Adam got into all three events, and fills me on how he’s handling the “Mondo Slam” this year.
What’s it like running all three? Why is HR100 so special? What does it take to finish the race? (hint: it ain’t leg speed.)
Episode Notes: The video from the finish.
Adam’s blog.
Outro music: Such Great Heights by The Postal Service
The post Adam Hewey Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
We’ve spoken with Zach on the show twice before. Once before his inaugural hundred in ’12, and once in Dec’ 13 after he busted Yiannis Kouros’ 12 hour record. Zach currently has the WR for the 12 hr and the AR for the hundred miler (a speedy 11:47.)
Today he joins me talk about his upcoming 12 hour at SixDaysInTheDome in Alaska where he’s looking to break records again. Take notes folks, he plans on running sub 3hr marathon pace for 100 dang miles.
Let’s find out how he does it, what he eats, how he trains, and what drives him towards success.
Episode Notes: Zach runs for Altra footwear
Here’s his site with his coaching information.
Team RWB Trail Running Camp
Outro music: Take it Back, by Pink Floyd
The post Zach Bitter Interview July ’14 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Seth climbing out of the canyons heading to Michigan Bluff. If you were like a lot of us at Western States, you asked “Seth who?” as he worked his way through the top ten. Meanwhile, those in the Pacific NorthWest or Montana just nodded their heads.
Seth Swanson worked his way up all day, finishing a strong second place (15:19) at the Grand Daddy of hundred milers. In this podcast, I got to pick his brain to see how he trains, how long he’s been running, what he thinks of Deloreans, and what type of beer he finishes a run with.
The post Seth Swanson Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
They’re wicked fast, but neither have ever run a hundred miles. And both will be pushing the front this weekend. Varner Alex Varner and Max King: Alex has been running ultras for less than a year, but is considered by many to be a threat due to his leg and climbing speed. Max, a veteran ultrarunner and 2:14 marathoner has chosen Western as his 100 mile debut. Both are widely expected to push the pace from the front…let’s hear how their training and strategies are coming.
Max Podcast Notes: Max runs for Montrail, GU Energy, and Swiftwick, blogs here, and gets all twittery here.
Alex Varner runs for Nike Trail Elite, blogs here, and tweets here.
Outro music: King Without a Crown by Matisyahu.
The Varner audio is a bit unbalanced. My apologies.
The post WS100 Fast and New: Alex Varner and Max King appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Pam Smith (La Sportiva) and Nikki Kimball (Hoka) have each won the race and made it look relatively easy. Each will be back this year, and after Pam’s “perfect run” last year, she’s got a big ol target on her back. Nikki, fresh off some solid races this year, is anxious to take another Cougar home to Montana.
The post WS100 Past Winners: Pam Smith and Nikki Kimball appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
No, don’t get all excited, neither Zach nor Ellie are running Western States this year, but we still wanted to catch up with them and find out why they declined. They’re each at the top of their game, each were handed an entry, and both Zach and Ellie each said “no thanks.” While Zach (Nike Trail Elite) is getting paid to play with LEGO in Colorado while he trains, Ellie (Montrail) has concentrated the last year on recovery and ya know, winning Comrades. As two elite runners who don’t have a bone in the game, let’s find what they think of the field this year. Episode notes: Cohosts: Ethan Veneklasen for Ellie and Nate Dunn (ultrasportslive.tv) for Zach.
Our original interview with Zach, and this month’s full interview with Ellie.
Outro Music: Dry the Rain by Beta Band.
Note: In my opening, I say “I’ll talk with two guys who…” Ms. Greenwood is certainly not a “guy”, and I apologize for the mistake.
The post WS100: Zach Miller and Ellie Greenwood – Not running appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Kim’s own ultra experience is probably what makes her such a valuable crew member for her husband, veteran ultrarunner Topher Gaylord. She’s raced and crewed all over the world, and now she sits down with me and chats about the traveling circus around the runner and what it takes to get them to the finish line in one piece.
And Ethan and I sit down with Kiwi Vajin Armstrong to hear about his upcoming run at Western States 100. Ethan will be pacing Vajin, and you can hear him sweating when Vajin talks about his 16 hour goal. We all chat about how to choose a pacer, what to expect from them, what they should expect from you, and how Vajin feels going into this weekend.
If you’re crewing or pacing anytime soon, listen up and take notes.
The post WS100: Kim Gaylord and Vajin Armstrong – Crewing and Pacing appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Kyle Kugler and Scott Salisberry Kyle (l) and Scott (r) We met Kyle in the parking lot of Squaw Valley two years, on the eve of his first ever hundred, and interviewed him here with his dad (who coincidentally finished WS in the ’80s.) Kyle finished Western (silver buckle on his first attempt!), and is coming back for more, despite doing most of his training on a landfill in Florida and preparing for a wedding. And Scott Salisberry made his first attempt at a hundred last year, but had to bail at mile 30. He’s only been running ultras for two years, he’s a 52 year old smoke jumper, but he’s got some big plans for Western…and beyond. Outro Music: Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World, by U2. The post WS100 Preview – Regular guys Kyle Kugler and Scott Salisberry appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Larisa Dannis and Kaci Lickteig: Larisa Dannis Kaci Lickteig They both have wins at hundred milers, both have road speed, and both are making their debut runs at Western States this year…and neither live in California nor Colorado! If you fear getting “chicked” in a race, better make sure these speedy gals aren’t racing.
Larisa Dannis’ blog
Kaci’s pic by Derrick Lytle. Here’s his Instagram.
Outro music: Tightrope by Janelle Monae.
The post WS100 Preview: Larisa Dannis and Kaci Lickteig appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
The Speedgoat tells us about his crazy plans this summer which include running Western States, directing the toughest 50k in the country, and trying for a speed record on the dang Appalachian Trail. As the winningest 100 miler in the country, Karl tells us his strategy for Western (“don’t let yourself get hot”) and releases his predictions for the race.
Podcast Notes Speedgoat 50k
Karl’s site
Outro music: Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson
The post Karl Meltzer Western States Preview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Ethan and I sit down with Ellie to hear all about how she overcame major injury last year, to win the biggest ultra marathon in the world this year. We get deep into her incredible Comrades victory and Ethan nearly books himself a ticket for 2015.
Naturally, we also talk about haggis, lollies, ice hockey, and what’s on her calendar for the rest of the year. Hint hint: It’s booked.
Episode Notes: Ellie runs for Montrail. Here’s her athlete page. She’s also supported by Clif, Flora, Drymax, CEP Compression Canada, Nuun Hydration and Petzl.
Co-host: Ethan Veneklasen
The Comrades video I kept yapping about
Ellie’s coach: Ian’s website
Outro music: Under African Skies, by Paul Simon
Cover photo credit: CLIF Bar
The post Ellie Greenwood Interview 2014 appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Mike Wolfe has taken on some pretty serious challenges…paddling across Canada, running the John Muir Trail, quitting his attorney job to be a professional ultrarunner, and now, becoming a dad.
Sarah and I catch up with Mike to talk about some of these accomplishments, how he got into this weird sport, what it’s like to hang with Hal on the trail, why Mike Foote is his nemesis, and his new son’s awesome name.
Episode Notes: Co-host: Sarah Lavender Smith
Mike is sponsored by TheNorthFace. Here’s his bio.
Here’s Hal’s JMT podcast
Outro music: Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran
The post Mike Wolfe Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Dakota “Young Money” Jones joins Sarah and me to talk about Hardrock, racing overseas, RD’ing, running at the back of the pack, and what else? Literature and beer! We really enjoyed hearing a fresh perspective on the racing scene, what it all really means, and Dakota’s middle name.
Podcast Notes: Episode Sponsor: The Runners Tea
Cohost: Sarah Lavender Smith. Sarah also writes for TrailRunner Magazine
Dakota is sponsored by Montrail, CLIF, and his new sponsor: Sombra Mezcal.
This is my review of the MH jacket we talked about. Apparently the new one has a hood tab.
Dakota’s Transvulcania report we referenced.
Dakota’s race: Telluride Mountain Run
Favorite Beer: Mexican Logger by Ska Brewing in Durango, Colorado.
Outro music: Mountain Music by Alabama.
The post Dakota Jones Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Photographer, race director, accomplished ultra runner, XC coach, and Born to Run veteran Luis Escobar joins us as we talk about his unique races, what vegans should do at aid stations, coaching high school kids, skinny dipping in sulfur pools (wait, what?), selfies, and the impact Born to Run has had on the running world.
Podcast notes: Co-host: Krista Cavendar blogs at: Running Naked on Sharp Pointy Stuff
Episode sponsor: TheRunnersTea
Episode partner: Ultrasportslive.tv
More race info: allwedoisrun
Luis’ photography studio: Reflections.
Beer: The Lagunitas NightTime Krista and I were drinking.
Outro Music: Sweet Child o’ Mine by Metalachi.
The post Luis Escobar Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Matt, mid race. I’ve heard a lot about obstacle course races (and Facebook insists I “like” all of them), but I was unable to tell the difference between the different events. Tough Mudder? Spartan? Huh? How long are they? Are there long lines? Aren’t they basically cross-fitters in the mud, or are they MUT’s strange younger cousin?
I asked Matt B Davis, publisher of ObstacleRacingMedia on the show to set me straight, dispel some myths, and talk about his recent attempt at a hundred miler. My guest host Chloe and I learned a lot about the events, and Matt learned what kind of training is necessary for a hundred miler.
I also got a good race report from Chloe on what happens when you start puking half way through a fifty miler.
Warning: There are a few (four, I think) colorful words used in this episode.
Interview notes: That’s Chloe on the left with her mom Elke, at the race in which she puked the whole time. Matt’s site: Obstacle Racing Media
Matt’s book (on preorder): Down and Dirty
Guest host: Chloe Romero
The race Chloe was talking about
Outro music: Jump Around by House of Pain
Episode sponsor: The Runner’s Tea
Note: I spilled beer on my mixing board and Matt’s channel comes out weak. I’m still learning…sorry about that.
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Leor Pantilat won a streak of ultra/trail events in the San Francisco Bay Area that has yet to be rivaled. Since then, he’s concentrated his efforts on adventure runs on lost paths, rivers, and unmarked areas on some of the most beautiful trails in the world.
We discuss the state of the sport, his weight-lifting mom, training, injury, running for aesthetics over competition, steroids, beer, and a whole lot more.
I’d recommend listening to the episode by flipping through treasure trove of trail porn on his website. Great pics.
Interview Notes: Episode Sponsor: TheRunnersTea (check ’em out folks, they’re helping keep the site free!)
Leor’s Blog: Pantilat.wordpress.com
Lake Sonoma contest sponsors: San Francisco Running Co, Victory Sport Design, Inside Trail Racing, Montrail, and URP.
Leor’s Sponsors: La Sportiva and Ultimate Direction
Intro Music: Never Gonna Stop by Rob Zombie
Outro Music: Fight Test by The Flaming Lips
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She’s 42, she just ran a course record 15:07 at Umstead 100, and she did it all while stopping to pump on the floor of an outhouse.
Sarah and I sit down with Liza Howard to talk about running through-and post-pregnancy, adapting to training with kids, wilderness survival, beer, coaching, and running camps.
If you’ve got questions about normal women running after pregnancy, this is not the podcast for you.
Interview Notes: Guest co-host: Sarah Lavender Smith
Liza’s blog: LizaHoward.com
Liza’s camp: Team RWB
Ultraspire: Liza’s athlete page
Outro Music: Mamma Mia by Abba
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At port in New Zealand.
Talk about adaptability. Zach Miller lives on a cruise ship most of the year, trains on a treadmill (for 80mpw!) and a stairwell, then enters his first fifty miler and beats Rob Krar. Boom!
In this interview, we get into detail about time spent on treadmills, almost missing the boat, racing guys with beards, and what he’s up to next.
Episode Notes: Guest Host: Ethan Veneklasen
Outro Music: The Love Boat Theme by Dominik Hauser
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The Speedsters: Max and Emily. Both Montrail’s Max King and AdiUltra’s Emily Harrison were collegiate standouts who bring wicked leg speed and an intense focus on racing to Healdsburg.
Max’s combination of a 2:14 marathon, steeplechase champs and mountain running champs–not to mention his quest to punch his ticket to Western States–make him a formidable competitor.
And fresh off a smokin fast 50k and a win at her JFK debut in ’13, Emily has been living at Ian Torrence’s mountain fortress in Flagstaff and targeting Sonoma as her “A” race. Watch for these two to go for the win.
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The Past Winners: In this second edition of the ultrarunnerpodast.com/ultrasportslive.tv preview, Nate and I talk with the two past winners (who are also running this year.)
At last year’s race, Salomon’s Cassie Scallon took tops for the ladies, edging out Montrail’s Joelle Vaught by fifteen minutes.
The year prior (2012), Joelle beat local Tyler Stewart by a mere four minutes. Both Joelle and Cassie know how to win, and both have proven that they’re in shape to duke it out at Sonoma. Joelle is fresh off a win at Hagg Lake and Cassie bagged top honors at Sean O’Brien about the same time ago.
Check out this podcast to hear both of them talk about what it going to take to win at Lake Sonoma, and be sure to play the Prediction Contest for a chance to win some cool swag!
See you in Sonoma!
Update: In the podcast, you hear Joelle talk about her battle with lower back issues. She has pulled from the race and will not start.
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By day, Beat Jegerlehner is a software engineer with Google, but set him loose, and Beat participates in events that make mere ultrarunners look timid. A thousand miles across Alaska? Check. Tor des Geants? Check. HURT? Check.
Beat tells me (and my dad!) about the specifics and logistics of participating in a race that takes over three weeks–and over $1k worth of food– to complete.
Interested in competing? Better build a bike sled, attach some funky disk brakes, and fill it with cat litter. Definitely check out this podcast if you want to hear something way out of your comfort zone.
Podcast Notes: Favorite Beer: Lagunitas IPA
Iditarod Trail Invitational
Beat’s Blog
Jill’s Blog (with some great coverage of the ITI)
Outro Music: Du Hast by Rammstein
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Over the next ten days, URP and ultrasportslive.tv will be releasing a series of podcasts with top runners entered in the competitive Lake Sonoma 50 on April 12. Check out the previews, then be sure to enter our Lake Sonoma Prediction Contest that URP is running with San Francisco Running Co, Victory Sportsdesign, Montrail, and Inside Trail Racing. Guess right and win some sweet swag!
To start things off, we’ve got Nick Clark, Stephanie Howe, and Chris Vargo.
Altra’s Nick Clark (URP interview here) is a hundred mile specialist (Grand Slam ’13) who doesn’t shy away from picking up the pace on shorter courses. His 10th place at last year’s Sonoma proves he’ll be up front throughout the day and toughening it out when it gets grueling.
Then there’s TheNorthFace’s Stephanie Howe (URP interview here) has got her plate full with a doctorate dissertation and coaching, yet has still found time to squeeze in a win at Speedgoat, 2nd at UROC, and a recent win at Mesquite Canyon 50k. She’s got a ton of positive energy and is ready to run hard.
And finally, Nike Trail Elite’s Chris Vargo has bounced back from a ’13 injury to bag a 3rd at NorthFace 50 miler in Dec and a first at WayTooCool in March. Chris has got a great attitude and likes to race hard. And to make it even more fun, I’ll be crewing for him during the race.
This should be good. Stay tuned for more preview interviews with a couple of speedsters and some real quick returning champions.
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At twenty four years old, Nickademus has finished HURT, Western States, Tor des Geants, Badwater, Barkley, adventure races in the jungle…and he’s not done yet. Nick talks to me about how to train for sleep deprivation, why he never DNFs, why he carried a bunch of concrete in Nicaragua, and what it takes to win at Barkley.
Show notes: Nick is sponsored by Inov-8 and Carbo-Pro.
Tor des Geants
Nick’s blog
Outro song: Scarlet Begonias by Sublime.
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What do you get when you combine a 2:32 marathon, a world-class ultra coach, a mom who ran JFK back in the day, and a fiercely competitive attitude?
We were happy to talk to AdiUltra Team member Emily Harrison about training, barely missing the 50k record, dog training, what it’s like dating your coach, and a whole lot more.
Fresh from the new ultra-hub of Flagstaff, Arizona, here’s more on Adidas, Nathan, and Injini athlete Emily Harrison.
Here’s her Adidas site.
Here’s Ian’s blog coaching site.
Here’s their recipe submission.
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Fresh off the Coastal Challenge Stage Race in Costa Rica, Nick joins guest co-host Nate Dunn and I to chat about his first stage race, training, race directing, kids, his goal to bring home a cougar from Auburn, and how to get faster on the trails.
Nick runs for Altra Footwear and blogs at Rocky Mountain Dirt Running.
He’ll also be running in the competitive Lake Sonoma 50 next month and will be talking with URP and ultrasportslive.tv exclusively about the race.
The post Nick Clark Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
In two years, she will have been hit by a car, pulled a calf, been coached and coached others, won Speedgoat, placed at UROC, trained for States, earned her Ph.D, and gotten married. Wow!
Listen as I pick Stephanie’s brain about training, nutrition, injury, coaching, and what the heck happened to that Malaysian airliner.
Stephanie runs for TheNorthFace and blogs at stephaniemariehowe.blogspot.com.
Cover photo by Matt Trappe Photography.
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So what does it take to go from an out of shape 10k runner to running your first ultra (a 50 miler no less) two years later?
Kurt explains the planning, dedication, and desire it took to accomplish this goal, which ended up netting him a fifth overall during a race he executed perfectly. If you’re just getting into this wacky sport–or if you need a bit of inspiration–grab a pencil and tune in.
Here’s Kurt’s blog with an extended race report.
Dances with Dirt ultra series.
[ed note: This is my first podcast without Scotty. He was the tech brain and board op and I’ve got a very, very steep learning curve that I never bothered to trained for. I know some of the levels are a bit funky, but bear with me. It’ll get better. Thanks again for sticking with me.]
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Chris Kostman (left) Chris Kostman (RD of Badwater 135, among others) is the Indiana Jones of the ultra running community. He is devoted to pursuing a life of adventure and exploration of the world and endurance. Chris candidly talks with URP about having to relocate Badwater 135 out of Death Valley pending a decision by the National Park Service. We learn more about AdventureCORPS races, including the new East Coast event, Badwater Cape Fear (so jealous). WARNING: Listening to this interview will cause you to plot running Badwater 135.
www.badwater.com
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Gary Allen
Just a few weeks past his 10 day run from Maine to the Super Bowl (New Jersey) to raise funds and awareness for the Wounded Warriors Project, Gary Allen joins URP to tell us the tale. Gary is also the race director of two events deemed “Best race ever” by Runners World magazine and has run sub-3-hours marathons in five decades. Oh yeah – he’s also logged thousands of miles on a 2 mile road an island in Maine. We wish we could be there and so will you. Enjoy!
Mount Desert Island Marathon
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Ann Trason (Middle) It is our extreme delight to present an interview with the indomitable Ann Trason. Having largely disappeared from the ultra scene for the past decade, Ann is slowly re-emerging and boy, does she have some great surprises up her running sleeve. We talk with Ann about things present and future and hear some gems from her past that we won’t soon forget. From coaching to running ultras again, thoughts on Born to Run and some new races she has planned that have us excited, Ann gives us a candid look into her life. We enjoyed every minute, we hope you do too.
Trason Trail Runs
Ann Trason Coaching
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Think back to when you were 17-years-old. Do you remember what your life was like? Can you imagine yourself running ultras? Ford Smith is not only competing in ultras, but running like a freaking jack rabbit – taking a 5th place finish at Bandera 100K. We talk with Ford about running ultras from the teen point of view – the challenges, lessons learned, training schedule and aspirations. Although he’s young, he’s already wise beyond his years. Listen up – you just might learn a thing or two. Enjoy!
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The 2013 Female Ultra Runner of the Year joins URP to give us the down on what makes her so dang speedy. Michele Yates talks about her approach to training; breaks down how to do a speed workout for beginners; how to properly take an ice bath and melts our brain with her idea of an easy run. Here’s a hint, it involves a mountain. Your URP duo are Michele Yates superfans and it has nothing to do with her stint as a Hawaiian Tropic model. Enjoy!
.
www.dreamliverun.com
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Photo by Rob Lahoe Candice Burt brings her aloha spirit to URP one day after her second place finish at H.U.R.T 100. In addition to being a trail running – yoga posing bad ass, Candice also throws down some of the best trail events in the Pacific Northwest for Rainshadow Running. She is also the RD for this year’s Tahoe 200 – a behemoth of an event slated for September. Prepare to be entertained, inspired and challenged.
www.wilddefined.com
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Frank Bozanich has been running ultras for the last four decades. Recently inducted into the American Ultra Running Hall of Fame, 69 year old Frank isn’t showing any signs of wanting to slow down. In fact, he’s looking ahead to 2014 and beyond. Frank is a true competitor with strong opinions about ultra running and where this crazy sport is headed. (Warning content. Not for the kiddies.)
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Is your 2014 New Year’s resolution to stay injury free or to continue to stay injury free? Yep, same here. “Olive Oil” Joe Uhan joins URP to discuss what we are doing wrong, what we are doing right and running mechanics. Joe Uhan is a physical therapist and running coach who delivers information that is easy to understand. This episode will have you thinking about your training differently as well as how you look at olive oil. Enjoy!
JoeUhan.blogspot.com
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What can you do in 11 hours, 47 minutes and 21 seconds? Do you think you could run a hundred miles? Zach Bitter did it and set a US record and 12 hour world record. How do you like them apples? Zach joins URP during his recovery to share his story. We don’t want to think about how many miles he could have run during the length of the interview.
Zach Bitter’s Blog
Zach’s sponsors: Vespa Nutrition and Skora Footwear
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Double marathon in one day record attempt, JFK 50 and Elvis impersonators are just a few of things you will hear about in our latest interview with Iron Mike Wardian. Why do we want to be like Mike? No, not Jordan. Wardian! Balancing a full house, career and legit jet set running lifestyle has URP questioning its own existence. And with Mike basically telling us that he wants to work on speed, we are giddy with anticipation. “Two #1 foam fingers for Mike Wardian, please.” We are complete super fans.
www.mikewardian.com
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Okay you ultra running newbies, listen up! Dr. David Horton joins URP to discuss ultra running’s past, present and future. Dr. Horton has been there and run that before today’s young guns could say, “Gu- Gu-ga-ga”. Having run ultras across the span of four decades, including Appalachian Trail speed record, Pacific Crest Trail speed record, and third fastest transcontinental run, Dr. Horton isn’t showing sign of slowing down and is setting his eyes on yet another adventure.
www.extremeultrarunning.com
Dr. Horton’s Races:
Holiday Lake 50K
Promise Land 50K
Hellgate 100K
Journey Films: The Runner: David Horton’s 2,700 Mile Run of the PCT
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We are couple of ultra fools when it comes to Rory Bosio. Besides her awesome talent as an ultra runner and making history at 2013’s Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc by crashing the top ten finisher’s class, Rory’s approach to how she lives life and outlook on running has us wrapped around her finger. URP proudly presents this year’s UTMB female champion. Enjoy!
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If we could weasel ourselves into Cassie Scallon’s circle of friends, we totally would. Having won JFK 50, Sonoma 50 and Tussey Mountainback 50, just to name a few, (on a training program URP coined “whim running”), we are really excited about what Cassie brings to ultra running. So what’s all the fuss about? Have a listen.
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A year ago, we had no idea who Rob Krar was.
In the past six months, he busted a stout record for his first fifty miler, broke Dakota Jones’ FKT in the Grand Canyon, ran a strong second place at his first hundred (WS100), picked up a The North Face sponsorship, and won UROC.
Seems the combination of a 2:24 marathon, Canadian grit, and a wicked beard makes for one fast dude.
Sit back and enjoy…Rob’s just getting started.
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Seeing Oz Pearlman at a start line is one of the best disappearing acts you are going to see, and that is saying something, because Oz is a legit magician. We’re not kidding!! What we like about Oz is his competitive nature and get it done attitude… and he is a great storyteller too. His 50 miler in 5:25 is one of his greatest acts, and he’s just getting warmed up.
www.ozpearlman.com
Oz Pearlman & Mike “The Fruitarian” Arnstein Spartathlon Video
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Early last year we interviewed ultra coach and runner Ian Torrence and he schooled us on training, racing, diet, injury prevention, and just about everything needed to be successful in this sport of ours…including, ahem, predicting Tim Olson’s win at WS. You can listen to the podcast here.
If you’re interested in reading the interview, please check out the transcript below. We’re trying out a few new things and are interested in finding out if you’d like to have select interviews in both formats in the future.
Let us know either way! We’d incur a cost in providing the transcript and would only do so if there’s interest from our listeners and readers. Thanks.
Transcription services provided by Rev.com. It’d take Scotty and I a month to do this, and they had it done in one day!
Now on with the show!
Ian: Hi, this is Ian Torrence, and I would rather shit the bed than listen to UltraRunnerPodcast.
Scotty: Welcome to ultrarunnerpodcast.com. I’m your co-host, Scotty Sandow, joined in the studio with Eric Schranz. Welcome to a new episode. This week on my trail run I learned that I can run a 615 split with one shoe untied running down to No Hands Bridge, no joke.
Eric: Our next guest is somebody we’ve wanted to talk to for a while. Ian Torrence is one of those runners who really set the bar for what ultra runners could do. His incredible resume includes over 150 ultras, 49 victories and dozens of marathons. In 1999 alone he finished 16 ultras and won 12 of them. Jump to 2002 where Ian started the year by winning the HURT 100 miler.
He then ran eight more ultras that year, including Western State 100, Vermont 100, Leadville 100 and Wasatch Front 100, all top 10 finishes. It’s a Grand Slam, folks. Those four 100s were completed in one summer. The rest of his resume is replete with every race you’ve ever heard of and dozens you haven’t, ranging from weird little events to 100 mile slogs.
Until recently Ian worked with Hal Koerner at Rogue Valley Runners in Ashland, Oregon, but has since moved to Flagstaff, Arizona to coach with McMillan Running where he uses his experience to introduce athletes to what’s beyond 26.2 and to fine-tune the future of American distance running. Ian also writes for Trail Running, UltraRunning and Running Times Magazine, and is sponsored by Ultraspire, Adidas and Pearl Izumi. We’re excited to speak with Ian about what we can learn from marathon training, what they can learn from us and what’s on his agenda for the future. Ian, thanks for joining us.
Ian: Hey, guys, how’s it going?
Eric: Going great. You?
Ian: Good, doing well.
Eric: Olympic trials are over. Moab is over. What’s your new target?
Ian: What’s my new target? Well I wasn’t running in the trials.
Eric: Right, I understand that, but you played a role?
Ian: Yeah. What is next? This summer I’m looking forward to Leadville on the running front. That’s been kind of the running goal for the year. Then work wise we’re putting on the second annual Adidas-McMillanElite high school running camp this summer here in Flagstaff.
Eric: Ooh, fun.
Ian: We’re into that too.
Eric: You’re running Leadville this summer?
Ian: Yeah.
Eric: I didn’t realize that. When was the last time you ran that?
Ian: It was, like you said in your intro, 2002.
Scotty: Ten years.
Eric: Wow! Let’s get to that in a sec, but let’s back up a bit and let everybody know your history. You’re a Maryland boy; dad ran ultras back in the day, you ran in high school and college. Walk us up to the present day.
Ian: Yeah, you guys really did your research. Really good. Yeah. I ran in college, Allegheny College, small D3 school in Pennsylvania, middle-of-the-pack runner. Steadily saw improvement through those years and … but was a little burnt out after four years of intense cross country indoor/outdoor track seasons, pretty intense summer seasons, just kind of … even though it’s a D3 School you’re still trying hard.
Yeah, after graduating I decided I needed a small break. I got on the Appalachian Trail and started in West Virginia and backpacked my way to Mount Katahdin in Maine. I think you had … it’s kind of a similar story, you had a guy on a couple of weeks ago that almost did the exact same thing. I can’t remember his name, but.
Eric: Ryan. Ryan Triffitt.
Ian: Yeah. After that … well, during that adventure I was really fit, coming off of four years in college and running and stuff. It was easy for me to click off the miles, even with a backpack on. It got to the point where I was covering between 25 and 30 miles a day. I got the name the trail name “Slow But Sure,” but it was just kind of a moniker that I think it was the opposite of what it meant.
I met people on the way and actually, they suggested that I do these crazy ultra races. My dad had done a couple, so I was kind of familiar with them, but I never went to an event with him. I never really experienced what it was all about. The running thing, when he was doing that I didn’t want to do that. That was the farthest thing from my mind. I wanted to watch TV and play videogames.
Eric: Sure, he’s your dad.
Ian: Yeah.
Scotty: What did your dad say when you told him you wanted to do an ultra?
Ian: He was very supportive. This ties in. After I finished the AT, I decided to go back to running. JFK was close to where I was living at the time. I moved back home to Maryland, and JFK is right there. I started training for that event. My dad came and crewed me that year, and he actually crewed me for quite a few of my first ultras, really supportive. He biked alongside of me on the towpath during my first JFK. It was quite the thing.
Eric: Were you using a schedule or a program? Were you just listening to your dad? Were you just going out and running? What was your training for this?
Ian: I didn’t even know UltraRunning magazine existed back then. I didn’t … and this was even before I had an email account, before I had a computer, before I knew—Ultra List didn’t exist, the magazine didn’t exist in my mind, there was no books on those subjects. I just went out and basically ran. I used local 5 and 10K races for fun. In the middle of the week when I could, in between jobs, I don’t think I ran further than two hours at one time.
Eric: For 50-mile training, for JFK?
Ian: Yeah. Going into JFK, my furthest race distance up to that point was a half marathon.
Eric: How did that first JFK go?
Ian: Great. I’m trying to remember. I think I was twelfth or something like that. I was twelfth … I’m actually looking at it here now. I was twelfth and I just … I was sub seven hours.
Eric: You know what, you’re the second guy in a row we’ve talked to who went straight from a half marathon to a full marathon. We talked to Russ last week, the guy who lost all the weight, and that’s what he did as well. Pretty weird.
Ian: It was just good. I like being on the trails. I learned that growing up with my dad and backpacking in the woods, and then on the Appalachian Trail, and then cross-country in college. That’s where we did our easy days, was on the trails up in the Pennsylvania woods. That’s where I felt most comfortable and that’s where I just ran, so it was a good fit. Yeah, I really didn’t know what I was doing going into JFK, and I did well. It was kind of one of those things.
Eric: Yeah, you did fine. So 1999 really went nuts for you. How did that get to be … how did you get to that level? Were you still working out on your own, or were you working with a group? What were you doing?
Ian: I was still on my own. At that time I was working for the National Park Service and I was living in a trailer on the shores of Lake Mead outside of Las Vegas, pretty brutal. During the winter … wintertime in Vegas was great, summertime not so good. Down by the lake it can get up to 130 degrees easy. I lived in this little baked potato, so it was petty brutal.
It was just one of those things where the work … if you worked four days, you worked four 10-hour days and then you’ve got these long weekends. When you’re at Vegas you’ve got access really close to a lot of stuff: Arizona, Southern California, really close by to get in your car and drive, and that’s what I did.
You have success and you want more success, and so it’s just one win lead to another. I think some luck was involved in a lot of those races, where there were really close finishes and it just came down to just being in the right place at the right time. During those years, honestly, I think that was kind of a lull in ultra running. I think it was lull in general for running in general, even in the marathon world. There wasn’t as much emphasis on running like we do see today.
Eric: You still finished the Grand Slam. It doesn’t … if you’re doing it alone, you still finished it.
Ian: Yes.
Eric: Obviously by this point you had some kind of plan going, right?
Ian: Yeah, I was … I worked for Mount Trail for a year. In between Park Service jobs, I went to Seattle. When Montrail was a real small company, still [inaudible 00:10:24], when they only had a dozen employees I was working there. I was working with sponsorships and promotions for them. That got me tied in even more to the sport. I met all these race directors, traveled all over the country to all these races, slinging products but also getting to run these races. It’s just again, it was this other way of just running like a mad man.
Eric: Right, that’s so cool. “I just beat your ass in these shoes, want to buy them?” You’re doing this, and then what brought you back up to Ashland?
Ian: It’s a long story, but to give you the short version, just some frustration with job stuff. I needed a change. The Park Service job I had, and I also in between the park service in Ashland, I worked here in Flagstaff before … I used to live here before, and the job I had then it was … they were very physical demanding jobs. With the Park Service I was a resource manger. My main job focus was non-native plant control.
The plant that we had to control is called tamarisk. I don’t know if you guys know that, but it’s like a non-native plant. It’s a salt eater. It’s a pretty big, kind of like pine tree. You have to use chainsaws and herbicides to cut it out. It doesn’t grow along the roadsides, it grows in remote springs. There’s a lot of hiking involved and back-breaking labor to do this work. What’s that?
Eric: Geez, that sounds like a lot of work.
Ian: Yeah. It was hard to keep up the running schedule. I tried. I left the Park Service to … I wanted to further my running. I still was having fun with it and I was enjoying it, and I wanted more success. It was just hard to train and it was really killing me. I moved to Flagstaff, worked for a year with a local non-profit organization doing trail work in the Grand Canyon, which was again an awesome experience but again, back-breaking labor.
You’re moving rocks all day. If you guys have ever been down those trails, they’re pretty sweet trails but they take a lot of maintenance. It’s a lot of work. So frustration with that and I just couldn’t run anymore. I mean I was done. After a day of doing that, after doing that for eight days, I couldn’t even move. I called Hal and asked him if he could use help at the store, and like a good friend he said yes.
Eric: Awesome. You did that for … how long were you in Ashland?
Ian: I think like two and a half years-ish, yeah.
Eric: You helped put on one of our favorite races, Lithia Loop.
Ian: Yeah, you guys talk about it all the time.
Eric: I love that event.
Scotty: Yeah, that’s great. You were at the start line the year I did it, in 2009?
Ian: Yeah, that would be about right.
Scotty: What was that experience like up there? Because “Born to Run” had just come out, so Jenn Shelton is highlighted in the book and … it’s a really cool vibe going on there. Skaggs, he’s mentioned in the book, he’s up there running with those guys, and Hal and you’re there. What was that time trade like for you?
Ian: Yeah, it was great. You had Eric, you had Jenn, but Tony was there for a little bit and so was Kyle. It was when they were all doing their thing, when Kyle was killing it at Hardrock and stuff. You put out the word, “We’re going to do a trail run this morning, meet at the plaza,” and who’s who in ultra running shows up.
Scotty: What’s that like? What are those runs like?
Ian: It’s a lot of bullshitting. You have to have a really good sense of humor I think to… everyone likes to pick on everyone else. You just have to take it with the punches. Everyone is trying to out do the other one, on all levels. It’s a good time.
Scotty: Yeah, you know that sounds…
Ian: Then we involved the rest of the community, the whole Rogue Valley there, and it was quite a scene.
Scotty: You know have a really good core group of running friends when you can say anything and take anything and not get offended.
Ian: That’s right.
Scotty: Are you guys able to, at that time and probably like in Boulder nowadays, are you able to go and just go, “We’re going to go easy today, guys, 10 miles easy.” Does that happen or is it just too darn competitive?
Ian: Yeah. During those runs it was … you couldn’t. No, it wouldn’t happen. It was a Hammerfest every time. It was a Hammerfest every time and you just had to be ready for that. If we’re like, “Oh, we’re planning on doing a weekend run together, I’d paper.”
Eric: Wow! Okay, so you’re doing that for a while. Now had you been coaching at this point or did you jump into coaching when you went down to work with Greg?
Ian: I started coaching when I got to Flagstaff. I had no experience coaching except for the occasional, “This is what you guys…” When you work at a retail store and people start picking your brain, you end up answering a lot of coaching questions; what to do and, “I’ve never done this before,” and, “Oh, I’m injured,” and, “How do you do this?” There was kind of that informal coaching going on, but never got … never was an official paid coach until I moved here and started working for Greg.
Eric: Now you’re role with Greg is…? Describe it to us.
Ian: McMillan Running is … just to explain, a lot of people get it confused, but Greg has got two things going on. He’s got McMillan Elite, which is those folks like Brett Gotcher and Nick Arciniaga, Stephanie Rothstein, Emily Harrison, Jordan Horn, Danny Mercado, those guys and gals that went to the Olympic trials last month.
Eric: Yeah.
Ian: It’s the post-collegiate training team. His other deal is McMillan Running. They don’t have anything really to do with one another. They’re separate; one is for profit, one is non-profit. I work for Greg and for McMillan Running. I help out occasionally when they need it on the McMillan Elite side, whether to help with a temple run, to help run water or do the split times or whatever. My main focus and my job with him is with McMillan Running. As of this March, next month we bring on our sixth employee including himself. When I got here in December of ‘09, I was the third employee. Now we’re up to six. Things are growing, it’s really good and yeah, it’s solid.
Eric: You are the only ultra coach?
Ian: I am the only ultra coach, yes.
Eric: Help me understand. You’re taking people who are already accomplished marathoners, or are going from a 10K to a 50-mile, or who is your target?
Ian: Anyone who wants to run ultra. I actually, I work with … right now my client base is split 50-50. I’ve got about half of my clients are ultra-runners and half are marathoners and below.
Eric: Okay, I know we just talked to Meghan last week and Meghan said that she was working with you now.
Ian: Yes.
Eric: Meghan Arbogast. Some are going to be that elite level, and then others are people who want the expert help to get into ultras.
Ian: Right.
Eric: Got you.
Ian: Yeah. I have newbies and I have folks like Megan.
Eric: It seems like our listener base is I think split about 50-50 between those two groups, so we’re real happy to be talking to you.
Scotty: What’s your starting point with someone who comes to you and says, “I’m a marathoner, I want to take it to the next level and be like those awesome people who do ultras, a 50K.”
Ian: If you want the training advice, we don’t change much from what they’re doing with marathoning. I think the big difference is the specificity. We try to get them out on trails to experience the change in pace, the change in terrain, and what that does to the body and the mind. They aren’t able to move as fast as they’re used to. You start running by time rather than by mileage for the most part. We work on race day nutrition. In essence, the training doesn’t change that much. The volume they do will be really similar. I like the keep the quality workouts fairly similar as well.
Eric: I’ve heard you say that people getting into ultras, people who are talking about it, assume that a 50K is just a marathon with some extra mileage put on. You’re very quick to say that’s a big mistake to think that way. Why is that a mistake?
Ian: Wait. Say that again?
Eric: I’ve read that people who … I’ve heard and read that you say that people who think a 50K is just a long marathon shouldn’t think that way. It’s actually a different event. Did I interpret that right?
Ian: I’m not sure. I think the training that you’re doing for a marathon is going to be really similar to what you do for a 50K.
Eric: Okay. How does that differ for somebody going from a marathon, but they want to do a 50-miler? They want to double that basically?
Ian: Right. This is where we get into things like the back-to-back weekends, which I think are really important. Running for four or five hours on Saturday, and then coming back and trying to replicate that or a shorter version of that on Sunday for example. I like using the 50K as a stepping stone to a 50-miler. Basically, you’d use the 50K earlier in the program. Hopefully they get to me far and above that, we’ll be able to do a full training cycle for a 50 miler, which 16 weeks is good especially for a first timer. When you get more experience and you’ve done a lot of 50Ks, I think the switch to a 50-miler isn’t that far.
Eric: Going back to back-to-backs, you recommend that for beginner as well as say Megan?
Ian: Including that…
Eric: There are similar distances when training for a 50-miler four to five hours each day?
Ian: No. Again, depending on the experience. I like the back-to-backs, but we’ll shorten the … if they’ve never done a 50-miler or they’ve never done a back-to-back, we’ll definitely downgrade the amount of time of those back-to-backs. Say someone like Meghan is doing a 50-miler, we can I think work with kind of a four or five-hour Saturday run and come back with something a little bit more challenging on Sunday, say like a three-hour fast finish run where maybe that last hour or six miles of that run is marathon race effort.
Then when you’re looking at a newbie going into a 50-miler, an example of a back to back weekend would be … start early in the program with something like a three-hour run and then come back with say a trial run on Sunday. It’s important to see how they react to that, because some people can do that really easily, believe it or not, and other people that trashes them.
Eric: Is the first guy, is his name Mike Wardian?
Ian: Mike Wardian? He can just keep doing that stuff. He doesn’t need a break.
Eric: Probably just races. I want to get to diet and everything like that, but we’re also talking to a massage therapist tonight. How do you incorporate massage? Do you weights, yoga? Do you do anything else with your athletes?
Ian: Core is really important. I really suggest, and I know Meghan talked about this and has been starting to do that when she started working with me, but working on the core. Not only the abs, but basically from the chest to the knees. It’s important. It doesn’t have to be with weights. You can do everything you need to do with your own body weight. You can find … well, I’m sending guys those DVDs to do as you see fit, the McMillan core DVDs.
Eric: Yeah, I can’t wait.
Ian: All that stuff is all body weight. We have to remember that we are runners. Our number one athletic goal is to be a runner. You’re not a weight room junkie. Core is just firing and teaching your muscles to remember how to work properly. It’s not to get the fired six-packs, and to be buff and that kind of thing. People are afraid of the weight room because they think it’s going to make you big. The kind of work a runner needs to do, it has … that’s not going to happen.
Scotty: Does the runner put themselves at greater risk for injury if they don’t incorporate core workouts into the regimen?
Ian: Absolutely.
Eric: Okay. For injury, not just they’re going to lack that benefit, but they can get injured?
Ian: Yeah. If you don’t do core … Core work, I can solve probably 90% of the running injuries that happen out there.
Scotty: No kidding. Wow! What are some of the more common injuries you can get from not doing core work?
Ian: All the knee issues, planter fasciitis, IT band syndrome, it just goes on and on. Once the wheels start coming off, running doesn’t really make you stronger believe it or not. It just works muscles. The body is a great adaptive tool. It’s the best thing out there for … it can adapt to anything. The body can adapt.
Eric: Right.
Ian: You start not using certain muscles, other muscles will adapt to take on that role when they’re not supposed to. That’s when you start getting overuse injuries. What core does is it teaches the body to remember that these muscles are here and you should be using them.
Eric: I was just complaining to Scott before we went on about … I’ve got … my hips are crazy screwing me up right now. I was saying I can’t wait to get these videos from Ian, because I need hip work. I’m in shape, I’ve got my cardio there, my legs are there, but as we’re saying, my hips are out a whack and it screws up … it doesn’t matter how much I’ve been working out and how much speed work I’ve been doing, my hips are screwed up.
Ian: Yeah.
Eric: So, huh, 90%.
Ian: Yeah, there is a lot of reasons for that. We could spend an hour talking about it and trying to figure it out over the phone. Essentially it comes down to core work and the strength that … Once your hips start getting weak, you start using other things. You’re body just tweaks to do that.
Eric: This sounds like something that probably the elite marathoners and the elite 5Ks and 10K guys and gals do constantly, and that the ultra people just go, “Eh, I’m going to run for seven hours in the woods and drink some beer.”
Ian: Yeah, exactly. It’s hard to go out and run that long, and come back and be like, “I’m going to do core work,” when you’re done.
Scotty: Eric, let’s bare knuckle box after the interview, okay, and start getting this core work done.
Eric: Yeah. What other stuff can we learn from marathoners and then second part, what else can they learn, what can marathoners learn from … I guess shorter distance people, what can they learn from us and vice versa?
Scotty: Okay. What can we learn from marathoners? I think again, the discipline of doing all of the … hitting all the gears in your training program. It’s not all about the long runs. I think it’s important that we do speed work. Brian Kyle talked about his book and the little insert I have there against [inaudible 00:28:55], we banter back and forth about speed work, the need or the not-need for it. I really think it’s important. It’s important to work all the gears. To keep that turnover is important. You stop using it and you get slow.
Eric: Ian, we ask that question a lot to our guests. All the elite guys, I guess except for Rose, say that. They say, “I do speed work. I do tempo, I do fartlek, I do sustained training runs,” and I’m willing to bet 90% of the people who hear it just don’t do it. They still go, “Eh, I’m just going to go out and run six hours again.”
Ian: Yeah. It’s hard to look at 50 miles and think … I ran a lot this weekend and I ran … I mean the average pace for my race was 906 [inaudible 00:29:48] mile pace, It’s like, “Well, I can … there’s no need to do speed work to run that slow.”.
Eric: What is 200 meter repeats going to do to help me in a 50-miler?
Ian: It’s going to help with efficiency. It’s one thing to run nine-minute pace efficiently and it’s one thing to run nine-minute pace inefficiently. I’ve experienced both of those, and I’m kind of struggling with the latter right now. It’s tough. When your body is not functionally working with you, it’s very frustrating.
Eric: Yeah.
Ian: Speed work teaches your body to work efficiently just not even … I’m not just talking about how the muscles work, but just the whole cardiovascular system.
Eric: To give an example here, I’m going to use Scott as an example. He has got States at the end of June. Is that … it’s in four months from now.
Scotty: Holy crap! I got to get running!
Eric: He’s out of here. He just left. Scott, what’s your mileage? Your mileage is 60 a week, 54?
Scotty: I’m about 50 miles a week right now.
Eric: On the trails you’re probably averaging 9 or 10-minute miles, on real trails with hills. What’s a good example of a basic track workout Scott should be doing?
Ian: He doesn’t have to go to the track.
Eric: Okay, speed work?
Ian: Just one day a week. I think one day a week is all you need and just throwing in a fartlek session. Yes, if you want to…
Eric: What’s your favorite beer?
Ian: What’s that?
Eric: Nothing, sorry, silly questions.
Ian: You can do it on the track, you can do it on the trail, just some sort of session where you’re working … you put in between two and three miles total of, quote-unquote, speed work. That would be anything between 5K, 8K, 10K pace; I think that kind of turnover is really good.
Eric: Now is that sustained for the two to three miles, or is that intermittent fartlek?
Ian: Right. I was going to explain. About two or three miles of broken like fartlek, broken like 800 meters repeat or three-minute repeats with some rest in between. The other option is kind of a tempo run, where you sustain three miles but again it will be like half marathon or 30K pace. That kind of work is really important.
You can also use hills to your advantage as well, since Western has a lot of hills. You can charge hills one day a week on one of your runs. Pick a hilly route and attack the hills on each of them, and use the downhill and the flats in between as recovery. You can disguise speed work so it’s more fun for you if you don’t like the track or you don’t like that idea of that kind of intensity.
Scotty: Right, I could incorporate my fartlek into my hill work and not feel like I have to do both during the week, or keeping separate where I’m doing fartlek on a flat trail versus and then doing more speed work on an uphill.
Ian: Right, correct.
Scotty: That’s great information to have, because I’ve been looking to do something that is realistic for someone that is a dad, works all time, has all my obligation to try and fit in all these different sorts of workouts, it’s difficult and then try to get the miles in too.
Ian: Yeah, the other thing that I find that people struggle with is if they do do it on a marked course or on a track, they start to race themselves through the season. Each time they go to the track and try to run faster than the last time they were there, and that’s simply not possible. You can’t sustain that for a long period of time. You’ll just burn yourself out.
Going out on a trail and saying, “Okay, I’m going to do six, five, three minutes at my 10K effort,” and you pick a different trail each time and do that run, whether it be hilly, flat, rolling, whatever, you change the location and you change the course. You’re not going to beat yourself up, you’re not going to be depressed if you run slower than you did the last time. Does that make sense?
Eric: Right. Yeah, getting into your comfort zone a lot. Let’s jump to nutrition. Do you have any dietary secrets during training or race day?
Ian: Let’s see. I think simple is the best. It’s important to train with those things … well, you’ve got to test the things you’re going to use on race day in your training. That’s the important thing. I defer a lot of my nutritional … I can give the basics, what works for me, but because so many people are different and there are so many issues out there I … if I come to heads with the … not come to heads, but if I can’t figure out what’s going on with one of my clients, I’ll refer them to … I refer a lot of my clients to Meredith Terranova.
She’s a nutritionist, and she can set out a training program that I know. She’ll do that as a nutrition plan for your race. What you need to do almost basically by the minute while you’re out there on a 50-miler or a 100-miler. That’s her background. She went to school for that, I didn’t, and I’m always more than happy to defer if I don’t know.
Eric: You don’t advocate a high protein or a high carb or some other kind of diet? You say do what works?
Ian: I say do what works. I think because everyone is so individual and everyone is … nowadays it seems like everyone has got a food allergy to something. [Inaudible 00:36:24]
Eric: Yeah.
Ian: It’s hard to nail it. I think if you’re having nutritional issues that a specialist could see you and see.
Eric: When Meghan Arbogast, when she was on, she mentioned to me that I should try and eat while going fast. I did that on this weekend’s Western States Trail, and it worked for me. I didn’t kill myself on the rocky trail. It’s good.
Ian: Yeah. I’ve seen people who just cannot do it for the life of them; they have really hard time eating when they’re running hard. One of the best examples of someone eating while they’re running hard is Scott Jurek. That guy can put down a bean burrito while he is running a 6-minute pace.
Eric: Wow! You probably meant that literally, don’t you?
Ian: What’s that?
Eric: You mean that literally?
Ian: Yes. That guy is amazing.
Scotty: Scott has a new book coming out.
Eric: Yeah, he does. That’s right. On diet, I think, again.
Scotty: Yeah. Yeah.
Ian: I’m really looking forward to it.
Eric: Yeah, that should be … Speaking of diet and runners from the not too distant past, you wrote a great thing on old Frank Bozanich last year that I loved, and that triggered us to seek out Frank and to talk to him. Did you learn anything from Frank and from the old school guys?
Ian: I started running when those … a lot of those old school guys were still doing it, I think. Frank still runs today, but he was a little faster almost 18 years ago. I ran [inaudible 00:38:18] and it just goes on and on. Kevin Setnes was running when I was doing it. Andy Jones, the other Andy Jones…
Eric: Canadian Andy Jones, right?
Ian: What’s that?
Eric: The Canadian Andy Jones?
Ian: Yeah. Things have changed. I’d say it was … I’m kind of stuck in the transition between old school and new school, and I don’t know what to do.
Eric: What do you think of some of the running trends nowadays, minimalist shoes and maximalist shoes and all this other stuff going on?
Ian: I think it’s great. I think change is good. I think the new developments are good. I’ve got my share of minimal shoes that wear occasionally to play with and do things with. I think it comes down to what works for the individual and where success is. If you have success doing something, I think you should stick with it. I don’t advocate changing things.
Eric: What’s working for you right now?
Ian: In terms of minimalism?
Eric: Yeah.
Ian: I’m sponsored by Pearl Izumi, and I run in their Peak II often. I ran in their Fuel Trail this weekend at Moab. It has a little bit more cushioning. There’s a lot of slick rock in Moab, and that course can really beat you up. On proper trails and shorter runs I use the Peak II, which is their trail racing flat shoe. I really like it.
Eric: The other…
Ian: I’m also back and forth. It depends. If it’s a recovery run and I’m feeling tired, I’ll put a bigger shoe on. If I want to run fast, if I’m doing a speed workout, I’ll put on the flat.
Eric: Outside of shoes, are there other pieces of gear that you’re really going to more often than not?
Ian: I’m pretty minimalistic when it comes to what I’m wearing and what I’m using. I like to go … I ran TransRockies this year with Tim Olsen, and they were calling us the naked boys because we weren’t running with any shirts.
Eric: Yeah.
Ian: Yeah. A handheld is all I need. If I can refill that every once in a while that’s great. That’s how I prefer to run, is … I’d rather run with nothing than with a lot of stuff. Packs, unless I’m doing a double crossing and I know the water is off on the north side, I don’t run with a pack.
Scotty: Do you think too many runners are running with too much fluid?
Ian: Again, I think that comes down to…
Scotty: Personnel preference?
Eric: What works for you.
Ian: And the weather, if it’s really hot or humid. I don’t know. I’m thinking about what I used in Moab. The temperatures were like 50 degrees. It’s a 33-mile race. During that span of that race, I filled my water bottle three times. I was just carrying one of the new Ultraspire bottles. I think it’s a 20-ounce bottle and I filled it three times. I took seven gels during the race. I didn’t carry much and felt great. It was actually a really good run for me.
Eric: Before we get on to fartlek questions, I’ve got … I’d really miss if I didn’t I ask you one question I’m fascinated with this. I’ve read that you are a … maybe I’m wrong about this one too, a believer in stetting tiered goals for events. Because I think I definitely fall into that. If somebody asks, “What’s your goal?” I’ve got one goal. I say sub five or sub six, whatever it’s going to be, and that’s it. It’s make or break it. What’s a tiered goal program you’re talking about?
Ian: Tiered goals, I think that’s really important. When you’re doing an ultra there’s a lot of chance for timing out or giving up. I think if you have a number of goals set that it just will help inhibit that giving up when you’re out there and things aren’t going well. The last time I ran Western States, the ultimate goal … for example, using a 100-miler, like Western States, the ultimate goal should be the finish. It should always be the finish.
You always have … a lot of people want to get under 24, they want the buckle, but you can put a bunch of goals in between there. You can also reach … say you want to try to finish every 20 hours, you just need to I think set up five goals before you going into an ultra, and work for the best one. If things aren’t happening and you can’t do that, you should be able to fall back to another goal to keep you inspired and keep you rolling.
Eric: That’s good advice.
Ian: Yeah, you just keep moving down the ladder. JFK, I finished it 17 times. One of my goals used to be to try to win, and I’ve never done that. I finished it 17 times. Now just being a part of the race and being submerged in that atmosphere is all I need, and just being out there to finish the event is … I call it a good day.
Scotty: What’s funny is that what we have in common is that your goal for JFK is my goal for Western States, which is to come in first because you know…
Ian: Yeah.
Scotty: Oh, boy. No, I kid. While we’re on that, we’re talking about goals, it’s my first 100-mile event. What sort of advice do you have for me going into running my first 100?
Ian: Yeah. You’ve been told this several times by a couple of [inaudible 00:44:51]. It’s to have fun and to enjoy the experience. It’s getting harder and harder to get in that race. I think to have a positive experience while you’re there is important. I also think it’s important to enjoy the experience leading up to it and the training that you’re doing. I’m sure you’re doing the Western States training camp or the training runs?
Scotty: Yeah.
Ian: Yeah, that’s going to be huge. It’s going to be a fun time and you’re going to be running with people that are doing the same thing. Coming in to the track, it’s awesome. I really think that when you get to real point and you’re running down the road to the track, it’s pretty awesome. It’s an experience that you can really have a million times in your head. It’s just great.
Yeah, I mean the advice is to enjoy the trip and to remember when you are struggling … because you probably will at some time, at some point in that race at least once have a down moment, is to just look up and smile, and remember where you are and what you’re doing, and to keep moving forward.
Scotty: I’m going save this podcast on my playlist for when that moment comes and the darkness comes. I’m going to say, “Play the Ian Torrence interview.” That will be great.
Eric: Look up and smile and get your ass in gear, Scott.
Scotty: I plan on…
Ian: No matter what’s going on out there, there’s going to be other people experiencing the exact same thing. Whether you’re up, whether you’re down, whether you’re puking, whatever, someone else is doing it at the exact same time. Remember that you’re not alone.
Scotty: Including the guys at the front, right?
Ian: That’s right, yes.
Scotty: Awesome. Thanks for the advice. I really do appreciate it.
Ian: Yeah, you have a good time, man. Have fun.
Scotty: Thanks. It’s going to be great. I think we’ve got 10 fartlek questions for you. Ian, you ready?
Ian: I’m ready.
Scotty: All right. Who would you like to coach? Is there anybody out there?
Ian: I like the folks that haven’t done it before. They’re just like a sponge. It’s so great to … there is a lot to share, a lot of wisdom to share. I think I have a lot of good wisdom to share, and it’s fun to hear the reaction and to actually take those words and to put them into action and watch the success.
Eric: Number two, what’s been the silliest ultra trend you’ve seen?
Ian: What’s the silliest ultra trend? Karl is going to kill me, but it’s the Hoka, man.
Eric: Clown shoes.
Ian: I saw a lot of them this weekend; they were all over Moab.
Scotty: Have you tried them?
Ian: I put them on at an outdoor retail show a couple of years ago, and that was good enough.
Scotty: Aw, no fair! Booo! Number three. You’ve raced extensively on both coasts, in the north, south, everything. Take your pick. What’s your best place to race?
Ian: You want a region?
Scotty: Yeah. For us at least, Oregon vibe had a different vibe than a California race.
Eric: True.
Ian: Absolutely. I’m partial to the race, I’ll always say JFK, but I will also say Pine to Palm 100. If anyone is looking for a really good 100, the vibe at Pine to Palm and what you learn through and what you’ve experienced there, it’s pretty sweet.
Eric: It looks like a [crosstalk 00:48:54] race, yeah.
Scotty: Cool buckle too.
Ian: Yeah.
Eric: Let’s see here. Who should we be watching this year? Anybody you know on your radar?
Ian: Who should we be watching this year?
Eric: Yeah.
Ian: Oh, my goodness. That’s a hard question. Besides the usual suspects?
Eric: Besides the usual suspects. Is this going to be Wardian’s crazy breakout year when he just wins everything, or are we going to see like a Max King pop up? I don’t know, because we always talk on the trails. There was Jurek, who was unbeatable and he was the best in the world. Then it was Anton, and then nobody could beat him. Then it was Rose and now it’s Killian. Who is going to beat Killian? Matt Carpenter?
Ian: That’s been a discussion among some of my friends is what’s going to happen at Pikes Peak this here.
Eric: Yeah, it should be awesome.
Ian: I hope it happens. Killian is running speed [inaudible 00:50:00] too.
Eric: Yeah, I saw. That should be awesome.
Ian: Anyway, to get back to the question, I think a guy that’s up and coming and he’s being really smart, he just took a month completely off from running after he won Bandera is Tim Olson. He’s a good friend of mine. He was my partner at TransRockies. I’d be running as hard as I could, and then he would run up with the lead people and he’d circle back and run backwards along the course, pick me up and then run with me back to the checkpoint. I think he did TransRockies times two.
Eric: Him coming through Foresthill last year, I remember, he just looked cool as a cucumber. He just looked great.
Ian: Yeah, he’s got a good attitude.
Eric: Yeah, he looks like it. Number five, a personal question, what did you eat for dinner tonight? What does your diet look like?
Ian: I haven’t eaten dinner yet. I have a … my diet needs a lot of improvement. I’ll be honest with that. I’m not a cook. I think I cook more for my dog than I do for myself. It will probably end up being a pizza from the refrigerator.
Eric: All right, you’re honest for once.
Ian: Yeah.
Eric: Let’s see here. What did it cost you to complete the Grand Slam, if I can ask? That looks like…
Ian: What did it cost me?
Eric: So expensive, because you’re buying everything at the last minute, right?
Ian: Yeah. I was living in Moab, Utah when I did the Slam. I was able to drive to Leadville, drive to Wasatch and I drove to Western as well. I only had to fly to Vermont. In that regard, it’s not like I was living in Maryland and had to fly west for three events. I was living close. Leadville, I was actually training with Hal Koerner. He had a setup, he had a house there, so I didn’t even have to pay for housing at that event. At Wasatch I believe I stayed with Karl. At Western I believe there was a Montrail house.
Eric: So you did it on the cheap.
Ian: Yeah. It just came together and I knew people. I think Vermont was the most challenging, because it was so far away and the airport is not close to the race. The actual lodging in Woodstock was like bare to none to find a place. I did it pretty cheap. It wasn’t that bad. I was lucky that my work was able, my boss at Parks was able to let me do those things.
Eric: Final question goes to Scott.
Scotty: What’s your current beer of choice?
Ian: Beer of choice would be the Blackbird Porter at Flagstaff Brewing Company.
Eric: Blackbird Porter?
Ian: Yeah. You can’t buy it in stores. You can only get it there.
Eric: No.
Ian: Yeah, I know. If I was to select a beer that you could get at a store, it would be Four Peaks, Kilt Lifter. Have you ever heard that? It’s a Scottish ale.
Eric: Yeah.
Ian: Yeah.
Eric: This is ridiculous. Scott and I take more notes when we talk about beer than we do when we talk about running.
Scotty: We do. It’s a shame.
Ian: You guys come to Flagstaff, and I will take you to Flagstaff Brewing Company. You asked me the question about what I have for dinner. It’s like four days a week I’m eating there. It’s bad. It’s really bad.
Eric: I’ll tell you what, a bunch of us are going to be down to run Javelina this year. That’s probably the closest we’ll get to you. If you plan on showing up Javelina this year, we’ll be there. Be in touch.
Ian: Okay. Let’s stay in touch.
Eric: Will do. Hey listen, thank you so much for taking the time and coming on program.
Ian: You bet, guys.
Scotty: I learned a ton. Ian, thanks a lot.
Ian: Sure.
Scott: How soon can we rebook him to come back on the show?
Eric: Once again, I feel like I went to school. I love talking to these guys. I love it. I love it, love it, love it.
Scotty: The fact that he’s so open and he is very honest, and if he is unwilling to answer a question or doesn’t know the answer he said, “Listen, I don’t got the answer. Talk to this guy.” This Meredith Terranova, the nutritionist, I’m…
Eric: Yep! Googling her and looking her up.
Scotty: Pretty much.
Eric: I think that what it attracts me to Ian is his coaching.
Scotty: His running topless.
Eric: Yes, but coaching and working with middle distance and long distance runners and ultra people, and really being able to use strategies from both. The guy is as accomplished as you can get. If he did it, I want to do it
Scotty: Right. I like that a lot of elite runners go to him to help make them better runners, but he is as just excited to help them as to get someone across the ultra for their first one. That takes the right mindset as a coach. That’s great. Again, he is with McMillan Running. We’ll link that on our website so you can learn more about that. It’s very easy to navigate that site, which I like. You can pick which package works best for you. It’s all right there for you, which is very handy.
Eric: Ian’s got a good blog as well. He always puts up some great pictures. His most recent post was from Moab, and just some great pictures of what looks like a really cool scene in the middle of the desert.
Scotty: Right, fantastic. Thanks again to Ian for coming on. Go ahead, go to UltraRunnerPodcast.com take a look at … we talked about beer earlier, see what beer people are really digging. A lot of great posts lately, so thanks to everyone who is doing that. New entries into the Black Toenail Hall of Fame, new trail running pictures. They’re brilliant pictures you guys have taken where you’re hitting the trail and sending this to us are in the gallery. We have all sorts of great podcasts for you to dig into.
Whether you’re checking this out on the website or even on iTunes go back and see if there is something you missed or you need just to brush up on, it’s all there. Check up your daily news feed and our contest and get on Facebook and like us there. We have all sorts of great conversations going on. Thanks for all who donated into the donation aid station. If you want your new UltraRunnerPodcast sticker, we have a new version coming out. Yeah, if you want a new sticker, learn how you can get on by going to UltraRunnerPodcast.com.
Thank you so much again to Ian Torrence. Thank you for listening to UltraRunnerPodcast.com. He’s Eric Schranz, I’m Scotty Sandow. Just [inaudible 00:57:30] UltraRunnerPodcast.com. You could know what’s coming next, right? Now go out and run.
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Out in the SXSW, ultra runners are basking in the glow of the bounty of Arizona trails, courtesy the Coury brothers, Nick and Jamil. Nick joins URP for a conversation about being the co-RD of some of ultra running premiere events and competing in some of ultra running’s hardest. Nick may hold the secret to running Hard Rock….which he reveals.
Aravaipa Running
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Take two of the toughtest ultrarunners in the country, throw them on an epic trail for 220 miles with a ragtag support crew, add in hundreds of curious backpackers and some guy with a bunch of horses, have them miss an important boat ride, and you’ve got the FKT that Hal and Mike Wolfe set earlier this month.
Get ready for an exciting tale about grit and how two tough guys handle a tough trail, and hear about Hal’s foray into fatherhood, coming some time next month.
Giddyup!
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You probably know our next guest from his big smile and jester’s hat, Ed Ettinghausen. Ed has run more miles than our tiny brains can comprehend. With a Guinness World Record of 135 marathons completed in one year, he certainly has our attention. What’s more amazing is after all of his exploits Ed continues to look to improve himself and share the ultra spirit with as many people as possible. If ultra running is accepting nominations for an ambassador to our sport, please accept our nomination for “The Jester”. No kidding.
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If you ever wondered how some runners manage to compete on the elite level and maintain balance between having a family and a career, look no further than 2013 Western States 100 Female winner Pam Smith. Not only was her blazing run from Squaw to Auburn totally text book, it was completed on a burning hot course. How did she train for it and how did she tame the beast? Find out now!
The Turtle Path
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Alan Abbs is screwed, well, its not what you think. Welcome to Vol State 500k, where Alan has finished running in the “screwed category” (unsupported, carrying everything you need in a pack) across Tennessee. Not only did he finish the race, but he did it in 4 days, 11 hours, 31 minutes, 21 sec – a course record. Listen while you run or grab a cold one and listen-up to the tales out of Tennessee. (Pictured: Alan Abbs sitting on the Bench of Despair)
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Here are URP podcasts from the top ten finishers from last year, in addition to the usual suspects of elites, characters, and ne’er do wells. Some of these are from years ago and some more recent, but the stories never change.
You know their running resumes and what they expect, but do you know what makes ’em tick? What’s in their fridge? What kind of beer do they like?
Whew! Looks like we better start talking with some more ladies! How’d that happen?
Fellas:
M1 Tim Olson
M4 Dave Mackey
M5 Ian Sharman
M7 Dylan Bowman
Karl Meltzer
Jacob Rydman
Hal Koerner
Yassine Diboun
Mike Morton
Gordy Ainsleigh
Andy Jones Wilkins
Race Director Craig Thornley
Ladies:
F1 Ellie Greenwood and here too (not running)
F4 Krissy Moehl (not running)
F8 Amy Sproston
F10 Meghan Arbogast
Catra Corbett
See you all on Saturday! We’ll be traipsing around the course, then will likely meet up in Foresthill for some celebratory ales. Stop by and say hi!
We’ll be live-uploading tons of pics to the URP website so be sure to check in.
The post Western States Roundup appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
One word comes to mind when thinking about Pearl Izumi’s Dylan Bowman…. GERONIMO! Since his foray into Ultra Running Dylan has been snapping up top finishes all over the country. So what is Dylan’s frame of mind with only one week before Western States? Find out now.
DylanBowman.com
Pearl Izumi eMotion
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Eric Schranz – Bryce Canyon 100 There are many firsts in life. First date, first car, and first IPA, but there is nothing quite like the unique experience of your first hundo. URP’s co-host, Eric Schranz, took on his first hundo challenge at the Bryce 100m. In this first hundo race report, find out how he trained, how he ran and how he met adversity. Congratulations Eric, the URP camp is extremely proud of your achievement.
Eleven Things I Learned During My First 100 Mile Run
Bryce 100M
MAP (Master Amino Pattern)
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According to Karl Meltzer, 100 miles is not that far. After talking with Karl we were so amped up to go run 100 miles, it might be true. The “King” of 100 milers joins us to talk about running for Red Bull, preparing for Western States and throwing down a bit of controversy too. WARNING: Listening to this podcast will having you pining for the Speedgoat 50k. We hope to see you there some day.
KarlMeltzer.com
Speedgoat 50k
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I’ll see your 29 mile run and raise you a burro. Wait! What? Welcome to the world of George Zack, an accomplished Burro Racer. Running with a burro might sound funny, okay, it totally is, but for over 60 years the folks in Colorado have taken this sport seriously amid a cornucopia of “ass” jokes. Which smells worse after the ultra, the donkey or the runner? Find out, now.
georgezack.blogspot.com
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Maggie Akyüz likes em long and hard. Okay, once you are done rolling around in the gutter you’ll understand that Maggie likes a challenge. Just having finished her first hundo at Zion, she shares with us how an Eastie moved to the west coast with an appetite for adventure and kicking the @#%$ out of the bucket list.
Running Naked on Sharp Pointy Stuff
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Photo Jayme Burtis Amy Sproston Interview What do we like about Amy Sproston? Well, just about everything! When she isn’t flying around the globe trying to make this blue marble a better place, she is blazing on trails and roads. We talk with Amy about winning at the World IAU 100k Championship and living the life of an elite athlete, would can be randomly drug tested on any given day. How good is she at winning? She won us over. BIG TIME!
amysproston.blogspot.com/
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Relatively new to the ultra scene, Sage Canaday is certainly making a name for himself in the ultra community and its easy to see why. Already having claimed victory as the US Mountain Running Champion, 100k Ultra Trail National Champion and course record at White River 50m, Sage’s crossing over from marathons has URP buzzing. What makes Sage tick? Find out here.
www.SageCanaday.com
www.YouTube.com/Vo2maxProductions
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If you are anything like us, you are counting down the days until Lake Sonoma 50 like a 7-year-old counting the days until Christmas. UltraRunning Magazine publisher and Lake Sonoma 50 Race Director, Tropical John Medinger joins us to talk about this year’s premier race and publishing one of our favorite magazines. UltraRunner, Yassine Diboun also joins the program to talk about his preparation for LS50 and life as a running coach.
www.ultrarunning.com
www.yassinediboun.com
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Picture in your mind your very first ultra. Now, picture in your mind running your first ultra with your eyes closed. Sound impossible? Don’t tell that to Richard Hunter, a vision impaired runner training for his first ultra, The American River 50 Mile Endurance Run. We are very proud to present his story and introduce him to the ultra running community.
Run for a Reason (CIM)
United States Association of Blind Athletes
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Last year a young man who goes by the name “The Kansas City Kid” caught our attention. We interviewed Russ Thomas about his amazing weight loss journey and how running ultras was a part of his success. He laid out some pretty ambitious goals the last time we spoke. Fast forward one year. How is he doing? Where is he running? What is he going to run? Did he ever blow-up a building like he said he was going to???
www.thunderroadracing.org
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What is the state of ultrarunning and where is it going? To help answer these questions we brought in Western States Race Director, Craig “Lord Balls” Thornley and Meghan “The Queen” Arbogast. We talk about drug testing, runners to watch, ultrarunning teams, swag and so much more. Lord Balls also presents us with a top ten list centered around his pal and yours, AJW.
www.runningmegleg.com
www.conductthejuices.com
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I think we have all looked a map and thought, “Wow. No one I know has done that. It would be so cool to run it.” Jesse Barragan and Ken McKee thought it and then did it. Both ran a circumnavigation around Folsom Lake, nearly 70 miles. This is the story about two friends, the adventure they had and what they learned in the process.
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With a name like Davy Crockett it is only fitting that the man with the same name as the American folk hero runs ultras. Fact is, both Crocketts would probably have a lot in common. What started as a way to get fit in his forties ended up being a relentless passion to seek out adventure and test the limits of human endurance. What makes this ultra running frontiers man tick? Grab your running shoes and coonskin cap, Davy Crockett is about to tell a tale, and the only thing tall about it is it’s distance.
www.crockettclan.org
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What do you get when you combine one Hardrock 100 shared first place finish, Grand Slam finish, a couple of Western States 100 top ten finishes and a couple of FTK’s just for good measure? Yep, you get Mark Hartell. Fancy that, Mark now lives Santa Barbara and has zeroed in on being a co-race director of quite easily one of California’s toughest 100 milers, the DRTE 100. What’s his story? What can we expect from this years DRTE 100? – All of that a whole lot more awaits.
www.drte100.com
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Caitlin Smith, ULTRArunner
The words Caitlin Smith and Course Record nearly seem synonymous. With a proven track record such as Caitlin’s it is easy to see why. For someone who seems to have most things go their way it truly is a crossroad when things do not. Such is the case at this year’s North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Miler. Caitlin discusses what happened and what she learned. We also talk about her conditioning, what gives her strength, all things past, present and future and much more.
W. Caitlin Smith Blog
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Mike Foote, ULTRArunner
In the wilds of Montana is a man who runs in solitude, coaches country cross country and plots trails races. Mike Foote forayed into ultra running in 2009 and ultra running is better for it. So, what makes this yurt living, bear dodging, UTMB crushing runner tick? Let’s find out.
MIKE FOOTE – RUNNING TIMES VIDEO
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Charlie Engle, ULTRArunner
This question isn’t, “What did we talk to Charlie Engle about?” The question is, “What didn’t we talk to Charlie Engle about?” Recently released from federal prison and featured on Rock Center with Brian Williams, Charlie Engle grants us an all-access – anything goes interview. From life running ultras prior to prison to his life in and out of prison, we learn how running ultras prepared Charlie for a very unexpected and compelling journey.
www.charlieengle.com
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Only two years into running ultras and 28-year old Jacob Rydman has already made a name for himself – and he’s just getting started folks. Jacob talks with us about what makes him tick, what happened when he went head to head against Timmy Olson at Waldo 100k and valuable lessons learned on the trail.
jacobrydman.blogspot.com
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Meredith Terranova, ULTRArunner
Here at the URP base camp it seems that the only second serving we want now a days is that of sports nutritionist and ultrarunner Meredith Terranova. Meredith doesn’t just hand out advice, she lives it, and she has the running credentials to prove it. So, open wide for Meredith’s guide to eating through the holidays so that you can reach your peak performance quicker and thinner.
www.eatingandlivinghealthy.com
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James Varner, ULTRArunner
If anyone on planet earth is going to have not one but three dream jobs, it’s going to be James Varner. James is the Race Director of Rainshadow Running and for those who know James’ story, you are already smiling, for those of you who don’t, prepare to be infected by Varner’s enthusiasm for trails, running and beer. Enjoy.
www.rainshadowrunning.com
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Sarah Lavender Smith, ULTRArunner
Sarah Lavender Smith joins URP just having finished Grand to Grand, the first and only self supported stage footrace in North America, and boy, we are so glad we did. What is a stage race, how do you prepare for one, what do take with you and what can you expect? All these questions and more will be revealed, now.
www.TheRunnersTrip.com
Trail Runner Magazine Article
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Timothy Olson, ULTRArunner
To say Timothy Olson’s foray into ultra running is remarkable would be a remarkable understatement. Delve into the running life of Timmy Olson, how he got into running ultras, his blistering running career, life as a new dad and much more. Will Ashland, Oregon every stop producing amazing runners? We hope not.
timothyallenolson.wordpress.com
thewinerun.com/
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Derrick Spafford, ULTRArunnerDerrick Spafford has run every single day since 1989. Not only does Derrick have a love for running and nature but he also has a love for beer. What else did we need to know about him to book him for the show? Well, as it turns out, there is much more to Derrick than meets the eye. Hit the download button, press play and hold on to your water bottle and get to know Derrick Spafford, beer lovers get your notebook out.
ww.healthandadventure.com
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Wyatt Hornsby, ULTRArunner
We’ve all been there, the race that does not go your way. For Wyatt Hornsby
this race was the mighty Leadville 100. We talk with Wyatt about what happened
on race day, what may have attributed to his dropping out as well as having to deal
with the harsh reality of racing. This is the spirit of running ultras, this is Leadville, this
is Wyatt’s story.
Learn more about Wyatt Hornsby at:
ww.nolimitsever.blogspot.com
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Victor Ballesteros, ULTRArunner
Victor Ballesteros is the third fastest man to finish the 165 mile Tahoe Rim Trail. He was also the last man standing from a group of men looking to break Kilian Jornet’s record. How did this amazing journey begin? How was it organized and what happened out on the trail next to the big Tahoe blue? All will be revealed…here.
www.victorysportdesign.com
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Hal Koerner, ULTRAruner
URP welcomes back Hal Koerner after his amazing first place finish at Hardrock 100. We talk with Hal about how the race went down, his training regimen and acclimation to the altitude. We also talk about his pacing Tim Olson, this year’s Western States winner and new course record holder.
www.roguevalleyrunners.com
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76 seconds. 76 seconds is what separated Mike Morton from setting a new record at this year’s Badwater. Mike Morton has set an agenda and it looks like its all going according as planned. You’ve all been warned. Kick back, grab a beer…. or a whiskey (stay tuned) and get to know one of ultra runnings finest.
The post Mike Morton Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
Clarence and Kyle Kugler, ULTRArunners
It is rare when you can apply the saying, “Like Father, Like Son”, when it comes to Western States. Lucky for us, we ran into such a find at this year’s WS100. Okay, so it culminated over beers, but what else would you expect from URP? Clarence Kugler ran Western States back when WS was featured on Wild World of Sports, fast forward to 2012 and his son Kyle was following in his footsteps. We are proud to introduce you to the Kugler family.
The post Clarence and Kyle Kugler Interview appeared first on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
WESTERN STATES 100, PRE-RACE INTERVIEWS
We sat down with Montrail/Mountain Hardware President Topher Gaylord, Mike Wardian, Zach Bitter & Gary Gellin and Western States Assistant Race Director Craig Thornley about this year’s race. We spoke with Topher Gaylord about running at this year’s WS100 for the 7th time and what is new at Montrail and Mountain Hardware, Mike Wardian about competing at his extraordinary level among other things, Zach Bitter about running his first 100 along with his pacer Gary Gellin and Lord Balls, Craig Thornley took time out of his crazy schedule to talk about the course, the athletes and the WS100 “warehouse.”
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Michael Wardian, ULTRArunner
Coming off the heels of Comrades, we talk with Mike Wardian about what he’s been up to as well as what he has planned for the rest of the year. With Western States just a few weeks away Mike talks about his goal and his battle with PF.
Michael Wardian’s sponsors.
MarathonGuide.com: www.marathonguide.com
The North Face: www.thenorthface.com
PowerBar: www.powerbar.com
Udo’s Oil: http://oilthemachine.com/
Sweetgreen: http://sweetgreen.com/
Gold’s Gym-Ballston, VA: http://www.goldsgym.com/gyms/virginia/arlington/593
Suunto: http://www.suunto.com/us
Petzl: http://www.petzl.com/us
Wristful Thinking wristbands: http://www.wristfulthinking.net/
Succeed: http://www.succeedscaps.com/products/s_caps/
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SCOTT JUREK, ULTRARUNNER & AUTHOR of EAT & RUN
The widely anticipated release of Scott Jurek’s new book ‘Eat & Run: Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness’ is about race to the NY Times best seller’s list, and for good reason. Scott talks with us about why he wrote the book and offers us a bit of his philosophy on life and ultra running. We also talk about his 100% plant food diet, the impact of ‘Born to Run’, losing your drive during competition and a bevy of other topics. Listen to the interview, buy the book, go out and run!
www.scottjurek.com
Caballo Blanco Foundation www.caballoblanco.org
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Michael Arnstein AKA the Fruitarian, ULTRArunner
Every now again an ultra runner comes along and really breaks the mold. Michael Arnstein, AKA the Fruitarian is no exception. Eating a mostly fruit only diet, Mike has turned skeptics into true believers. How’s a 4th place finish at Leadville or 1st place finish at Vermont 100 for starters? This is not your average runner and definitely not your average story. Enjoy!
Mike’s webblog: www.TheFruitarian.com
About the fruit festival: www.TheWoodstockFruitFestival.com
Mike’s business: www.TheNaturalSapphireCompany.com
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Errol ‘The Rocket’ Jones, ULTRArunner
The Patron Saint of Pacing, Errol ‘The Rocket’ Jones might not be familiar to you, but after this interview you will never forget who The Rocket is. The Rocket joins URP to talk about his running history, pacing Ann Trason in her heyday, what it takes to be a good pacer and how ultra running has changed since 1982. At age 62, The Rocket is showing zero signs of slowing down. All systems GO!
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Beverly Abbs. Pic courtesy Geoffrey Baker Photography Alan Abbs Pic courtesy Geoffrey Baker Photography Alan & Bev Abbs, ULTRArunners
While most married couple’s idea of a getaway vacation is sipping brightly colored drinks with tiny umbrellas on white sandy beaches, the Abbs’ are running together through razor sharp briar patches and hellacious trails of The Barkley Marathons. Sounds like our kind of “date night.” Alan and Bev Abbs join us to talk about Alan’s second attempt at The 2012 Barkley Marathons and Bev’s first. We also talk about their event, ‘Tehama Wildflowers Trail Runs’ and did you ever hear Bev’s tale about finding herself in a manzanita bush at Western States?
Ultra Sign-Up – Tehama Wildflowers Trail Runs
‘Out There’ at the Barkley: Portraits from the Edge of Endurance
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Meredith Terranova, Ultrarunner & Nutritionist
With over 50 ultras events under her hydration belt how could we not want to a nutritionist about how to eat? What we wanted find out how to eat when we are NOT on the trail. What should an ultra runner’s plate look like and how is it impacting you? How should you eat during a taper? How should you be drinking during the week? Why are you still reading this and not listening to the podcast already?
www.eatingandlivinghealthy.com
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Dean Karnazes, Ultrarunner
Bring up the name Dean Karnazes to a group of ultrarunners and odds are you will get a varying degree of responses. We’ve read his books, read the articles, seen the television programs – we want to hear what Dean Karnazes has to say about being Dean Karnazes and what his message for people is. Dean steps up to the URP start line to answer the questions on our minds.
www.ultramarathonman.com
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Barefoot Ted, Ultrarunner
Barefoot Ted takes a break from his work at the Luna Sandal Factory is Seattle, WA to share with us his philosophy about running barefoot. We also talk about making the transition from shoes to shoeless, barefoot running cultures, skateboarding, Born to Run and his recent return to the Copper Canyons and so much more. Kick off your shoes and relax, Barefoot Ted has a lot on his mind.
www.barefootted.com
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Krissy Moehl, Ultrarunner
How much wood could a Chuckanut chuck if a Chuckanut could chuck wood? That isn’t one of the many questions we had for Krissy Moehl, Race Director of Chuckanut 50K/elite runner/running ambassador. Krissy spared us a few minutes of her precious time to talk about this weekend’s BIG event, which is our current DROOL race, and for good reason. We also talk with Krissy about maintaining a positive attitude, training, racing, eating, and well, beer. Oh, and we also talked about her involvement in a su-weet event this summer, an ultra running camp in a cool spot called the Grand Tetons.
www.krissymoehl.com
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VE LOYCE SHACKLETON AKA “THE MONSTER”
If you are looking for a massage that invokes serenity and images unicorns drinking from a pond in a magical garden you’ve come to the wrong place. Welcome to the monsters den, welcome to Monsters of Massage. Ve Loyce Shackleton and wife Marsha, owners of Monsters of Massage have worked on countless numbers of ultra runners, their office is plastered with pictures of a who’s-who of ultra running, fixing their abused bodies with extreme deep tissue sports massage, and he gets results. What are the benefits of deep issue sports massage? What are common ultra running injuries and how can the be prevented? Why does it take a monster to get the demons out?
www.monstersofmassage.com
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IAN TORRENCE INTERVIEW, ULTRA RUNNER
Get out your glue sticks and no. 2 pencils, Ian Torrence is going to take you to ultra running school. When Ian isn’t out running and kicking butt and taking names, he is coaching for McMillan Running and helping runners to do the same. We talk to Ian about his background and how to be a better ultra runner. “DING!” The ultra running school bell just rang.
www.iantorrence.blogspot.com
McMillan Ultra Running Training Program
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SABRINA MORAN, ULTRARUNNER
Team inov-8’s Sabrina Moran is out running and winning 100 mile ultras like this year’s Rocky Raccoon and 24hr races when most of her peers are taking a respite from hard week of study. So how is this 25 year old phenom able to study philosophical theology/philosophy of religion at Yale University, train and make ultra runners spin around in the mud when she runs past them? Find out here.
www.notallergictoadventure.blogspot.com
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Meghan Arbogast, UltraRunner
Needles, horses and coconuts are just some of the MANY things we talked about with Meghan Arbogast. We’re not kidding. We also talked about her race schedule, training, eating, wine and oh, so many other topics. We are delighted to share with you our interview with “The Queen”.
Long live the Queen!
www.runningmegleg.com
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Russ Thomas RUSS THOMAS, ULTRARUNNER
URP proudly introduces Russ Thomas AKA The Kansas City Kid, a most unique individual. To hear his story is both amazing and inspiring. To describe his story to you here would be a disservice, you ought to hear it for yourself from the man who lost a lot of weight, found a new passion and was embraced by the ultra community. This is his story….
Poopin in Eucalyptus
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RYAN TRIFFITT, ULTRARUNNER
You never forget your first, 50 miler. We interview Maine’s Ryan Triffitt, an everyday guy running a not-so-everyday-distance. We talk with Ryan about his training regimen and what went right and what went not so right in his first 50. This is a great resource for those thinking about or training for the 50 mile distance.
Read his race report, here: www.sn0m8n.blogspot.com
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iRunFar.com’s Bryon Powell, Ultra Runner, AuthorThere are ultra running websites, and then there’s iRunFar.com. What started as a love affair became Bryon Powell’s way of life. What kind of life did he leave behind and how does he put together one of the standout ultra sites? Oh yeah, did I mention he runs and bunch of ultras (really fast) and wrote book (Relentless Forward Progress) about ultras? Yep. I have a suspicion that he’s just getting warmed up. www.iRunFar.com
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Inside Trail Racing’s Tim Long **Inside the Race Directors Studio with
Inside Trail Racing’s Tim Long**
Welcome to the first edition of Inside the Race Directors Studio. There’s a new kid in town, (two, actually) who have set their sights on organizing a new trail racing series in one of ultra running’s hot bed communities. What goes into preparing a ultra race series, how time consuming is it and what is one of the coolest ultra jobs ever created? Find out here with our interview with ultra runner/race director/one heck of a nice guy Tim Long and surprise guest appearance by Tim Stahler.
www.insidetrail.com
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IAN SHARMAN INTERVIEWQuestion: What does a 12:44 100 mile run, Spiderman, Elvis and Las Vegas have in common? Answer: Ian Sharman. Last year Ian Sharman set his legs to ludicrous speed and ran Rocky Raccoon 100M in 12:44. How does he plan to repeat this year? Find out here. Oh yeah, and how does hanging out in a Las Vegas mansion with Ian Sharman, Geoff Roes and Devon Crosby-Helms sound? Tune in for details. Brought to you by your neighborhood friendly ULTRARUNNERpodcast.
http://sharmanian.blogspot.com/
http://www.all-starrunning.com/
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Devon Crosby-Helms Interview
Just a few days after Devon’s blistering 36th place finish at the Olympic Trials in Houston, Devon talks with ULTRARUNNERpodcast about her amazing race. We also talk about her life as an ultra runner, nutrition, her goals and why she thinks the best is yet to come, and boy do we believe it. Enjoy!!
http://devoncrosbyhelms.com/
http://fastfoodiecooks.com/
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Ultra Race Calendar with Run100s Stan Jensen
Who better to talk about the 2012 ultra race calendar than with Run100s.com’s Stan Jensen. How should you choose the right ultra? What is one of the best bargains? What’s new for 2012? Stan shares his knowledge and experience with us in the true spirit of the ultra running community.
Bookmark his site www.run100s.com
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**ULTRA RUNNERS OF THE YEAR:
ELLIE GREENWOOD AND DAVE MACKEY**
BIG congratulations to UltraRunning Magazine’s 2011 North American ultra runners of the year, Ellie Greenwood and Dave Mackey. We talk with Ellie and Dave about last year’s accomplishments and highlights as well as 2012’s race calendar. Congrats Ellie and Dave!!
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Dustin Burgess
Dustin Burgess Interview
Dustin just finished his first ultra, 50k and landed a spot on the URP Endurance Team. We talk with Dustin about his training regime , race strategy and recovery. His interview is a great resource for those looking to transition from a marathon to a 50k.
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Kevin Green, ULTRArunner
You work, you have a family, you’re an average runner trying to find time to train and race in ultrarunning’s Grand Slam. WHAAAT? Kevin Green made it happen and he’s inspiring others to do the same.
www.justfinish.com
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Jenn Shelton, ULTRArunner
At this year’s Litihia Loop Trail Marathon URP’s Eric Schranz ran with Jenn Shelton. Lucky for us she agreed to come on for an interview prior to leaving Eric eating her dust. She has her eyes set on qualifying for the Olympic trials. We’ll talk with about that, her training, her thoughts on Born to Run and hear what her nickname is….Scott’s jaw dropped to the ground.
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Catra Corbett, ULTRArunner
I Heart Catra Corbett. There is nothing typical about ultrarunning. The same can be said about The ‘Dirt Diva’ Catra Corbett. Recently featured on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumble, we hear her thoughts about the piece. We also talk about her life as a drug addict, what her message is and the MAJOR event she has planned. It’s a doozy!
trailgirl.blogspot.com/
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Anton Krupicka, ULTRArunner
Did it feel like something was missing from this summer’s ultrarunning scene? Yep, we felt the same thing. Anton spent his summer recovering from an injury. How does an elite runner cope with the down time and what do they do to keep their bodies in it’s best shape possible within the limits of recovery? Let’s find out.
antonkrupicka.blogspot.com
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Frank Bozanich, ULTRArunnerFrank Bozanich uncensored. We talk to Frank about his many accomplishments, how today’s ultrarunning scene compares to when ultras did NOT have aid stations and many, MANY other topics.
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Max King, ULTRArunnerDid you know an American won this year’s World Mountain Championship in Albania? Yup, and we’re talking to the man, Max King. We’ll also talk about his training for the Olympic Marathon Trials coming up in January. Hail to the King, baby!
www.runnerspace.com/maximus
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Ellie Greenwood, ULTRArunnerFresh off a blistering win at Western States 100, Montrail’s Ellie Greenwood joins us to talk about the race and looking ahead to Mont Blanc.
elliegreenwood.blogspot.com/
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UltraRunning Year in Review and Look Ahead to 2012
Who better to talk about the year that was and the year that is to come than Andy Jones Wilkins and Craig Thornley. These two good friends pair to UltraRunning like an ice cold beer and a hot summer day…. well, any day, actually.
conductthejuices.com
ajwsblog.blogspot.com
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Live from Western States 100 Lottery, Auburn, CA
UltraRunner Podcast broadcasted live from the Western States Lottery. Check out our Western States Lottery interviews with Race Director Greg Soderland, Gordy Ainsleigh, Meghan Arboghast, Craig Thornley, JB Benna and James Barstad.
ws100.com
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J.B. Benna, ULTRArunner & Filmmaker
J.B. Benna’s talks with us about his new documentary ‘Unbreakable: The Western States 100’. We talk with JB about why he made the film, what the shoot was like and his life as a filmmaker. Now, if we can only get him to make WS 100 action figures….Hal Koener with a kung fu-water bottle grip, please.
www.ws100film.com
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Liza Howard and Hal Koerner, ULTRArunners
What’s better than having on the winner of the Javelina Jundred? Having both winners of the Javelina Jundred! Liza and Hal give us their impressions of the race, the dark side and Liza’s trip to the E.R.
lizahoward.com
halkoerner.com
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Tim Waggoner
Ultimate Direction’s Tim Waggoner placed 6th at Leadville, but don’t call him an ultrarunner. We’ll call him the non-ultrarunner. Find out why.
joghard.blogspot.com/
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Andy Jones Wilkins, ULTRArunner
AJW has been sidelined from running with the vampire bite of foot injuries, so he’s had a lot of time to think. Plug in and get ready for the Ultra Running World According to AJW.
ajwsblog.blogspot.com/
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Lee McKinley, ULTRArunnerWith over 70 ultras under his feet it’s safe to say that Lee McKinley knows a thing or two about running ultras. We talk with Lee about how to manage a race. We will cover topics such as using a cheat sheet, the McKinley Method Pace Chart, using a heart rate monitor and facing the Dark Side of the trail.
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Matt Fitzgerald, AuthorThere is a battle going on inside your body that you might not be aware of. Its a knock’em sock’em fight between increasing performance and losing weight. Find out from one of the countries top endurance nutritionists on how to unlock the secret to your own success.
www.mattfitzgerald.org
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Mike Wardian, ULTRArunnerThe Power Bar, Marathonguide.com & North Face Endurance Team’s Michael Wardian joins us just days after his second place finish at UROC. Michael had the lead with 7-8 miles to go and then he took a wrong turn. Hear what happened, what his thoughts were and how he got back into the race. We also talk to Michael about his his upcoming race calendar and competing in January’s Olympics Marathon Trials. www.mikewardian.com
Learn more about Michael’s Give Back here:
http://www.crowdrise.com/michaelsgiveback/fundraiser/michaelwardian
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Cherie Yanek, ULTRArunnerTrail hallucinations, running in socks and a naked man in running shoes…welcome to the World of Cherie Yanek. We often talk to runners that finish at the front of the pack, but what about the person who just doesn’t have their day? Unfortunately, it happened to Cherie. Well talk to her about her experience at Rio Del Lago 100. She’s also the race director of one of the coolest ultras in the US, Burning Man 50K. We’re already making our vacation plans for 2012.
www.WorldofCherie.blogspot.com
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Ray Zahab Ray Zahab, ULTRArunner
Ray just finished running 180 miles across Death Valley, in 115 degree temps. How did he do it, why did he do it? We’ll also talk to him about the other run he did across the Sahara and we’ll talk about what he has planned for January.
RayZahab.com
impossible2possible.com
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Eric Orton, ULTRArunner & Training CoachWhen ‘Born to Run’ author Christopher McDougall needed to have his running form reconstructed he when to one of the very few people that could fix him, Eric Orton. Eric shares that experience with us and who you can improve your running form. CAUTION: Put on your running shoes prior to listening, you’ll immediately want to go for a run!
trainwitheric.com
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Craig Thornley, ULTRArunner & Race DirectorWe talk with Craig about the recent running of Waldo 100K and a wide range of topics including how he got his outrageous nickname.
conductthejuices.com
waldo100k.org
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Julie Fingar, Race Director & ULTRArunnerElite runner and Race Director of some of the most popular ultras in the U.S. Julie Fingar joins us to talk about transitioning from the marathon distance to ultras. This a great resource for runners looking to take the plunge and for experienced ultrarunners to sharpen their game.
www.norcalultras.com
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Sunny Blende, Sports Nutritionist & ULTRArunnerLet’s face it, despite all your efforts to do everything right during an ultra things can go wrong. Good thing for you Sunny Blende is here. We talk with Sunny about what to do when things go wrong.
What to do when things go wrong chart. www.eat4fitness.com
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Marshall Ulrich, ULTRArunner
3063 miles, 52 days and 57 years old. Those are the numbers you need to know about Marshall Ulrich’s run across the United States, but that barely scratches the surface of what he has achieved, so far. We proudly present our interview with Marshall. We cannot wait to have him on again. He’s a man on a mission, with a message. You’ll hear that message on Ultrarunnerpodcast.com.
www.marshallulrich.com Running America: The Movie
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Scott Dunlap, ULTRArunnerOne of our favorite trail bloggers/ultrarunners/ambassadors of the trail joins URP for a great converation. We talk to Scott about balancing family and running, race distances differences, running for Team Inov-8 and his upcoming race at Wasatch and seeing the face of God – yep, that’s right.
www.runtrails.blogspot.com
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Don Freeman, ULTRArunnerThe Good, the Bad and the Ugly. That’s one way to describe Don’s attempt at this year’s Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run. Don tells us his story of the adversity he faced and how when on the trail you are never really alone.
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Jimmy Dean Freeman, ULTRArunnerIn this Ultra Lite URP interview we talk to Jimmy about his experience crewing at Badwater as well as the URP Endurance Team vs SoCal Coyotes AC100 Beer Stein Challenge. Let the countdown begin.
inspiredrunning.blogspot.com
socalcoyotes.com
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Kami Semick, ULTRArunnerComing off a third place women’s finish at Comrades, The North Face’s Kami Semick lays down an incredible 2nd place finish women’s at Western States. You haven’t heard anything until you hear what happened at mile 97. You’ll hear that story, right here.
kamisemick.blogspot.com/
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Mike Wardian, ULTRArunnerAfter taking 3rd the North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Mile, what does Mike do? He competes in the following day’s 1/2 marathon and wins it. We’ll talk with Mike fresh off his run at Badwater. We can’t wait to see how he does. mikewardian.com
Mike is sponsored by Marathonguide.com, The North Face,PowerBar, Succeed. Special thanks to Gold’s Gym, Arlington
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Tim Twietmeyer, ULTRArunnerAs we open the advent-calendar windows to countdown the days till Western States 100, we’ll sit down with Tim Twietmeyer. Not only is Tim the president of Western States Endurance Run Foundation but he also has FIVE WS100 victories and 25 sub-24 hour finishes. If you are lucky enough to run WS this year or dream of running it, you don’t want to miss this one, it might just earn you a buckle.
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Scott Warr, ULTRArunnerUltrarunnerpodcast.com co-host Scott Warr talks about running his first 100 mile distance, Western States. A podcast for the everyday Joe who has ambitions to run 100 miles. Congrats Scott, we are proud of you!
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Hal Koerner, UltrarunnerWS100 2x champion returns to Squaw and lines up with stiff competition. We sat down with Hal the day before WS100 to hear his thoughts about this year’s race, his race plans and the awesome running community in his hometown Ashland, Oregon.
www.roguevalleyrunners.com
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Cath Todd, ULTRArunner & Adventure RacerMeet Cath Todd. Cath is Australian, lives in Dubai, UAE and travels the world competing in ultras and adventures races, sometimes she does it totally alone, sans crew and pacer. She talks about running WS100 and some of her adventures traveling the world. Oh yeah, she crazy fast!
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Jimmy Dean Freeman, Running Coach, UltrarunnerWe sit down with Jimmy Dean Freeman in beautiful Squaw Valley the day before WS100 to hear his thoughts on this year’s race. We also talk about his motivational speaking and coaching. After talking with Jimmy Dean for 20 minutes we were motivated to strap on our running shoes and hit the trail.
www.inspiredrunning.blogspot.com
www.socalcoyotes.com
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Christopher McDougall, Author of “Born to Run” & ULTRArunnerAuthor of “Born to Run” joins us for a fantastic conversation about minimalist running, what Caballo Blanco has been up to and what his next project is.
http://www.chrismcdougall.com/
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Gordy Ainsleigh, Living Legend & UltrarunnerThe dean of ultra trail running joins ultrarunnerpodcast.com. He was the first to run Western States 100 and may be responsible for thousands of people testing the limits of their own endurance and breaking down barriers of what the human body can do.
We’ll talk to Gordy about being the OGTR (original trail runner) and get his opinion about what trail running has become.
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Dr. David Hannaford, Elite Sports Podiatrist & Ultra RunnerDavid isn’t your ordinary podiatrist. This podiatrist comes with 3rd place finish at Badwater, 2 Western States buckles and a 250k footrace through a little place called the Gobi Desert.
So we figured, yeah, this is the person we should talk to about feet and answer the questions that might save you from dropping a race.
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Mark T. Jackson, ULTRArunnerMark is like most ultra runners, he trains hard, signs up for a lot of ultras and tries to balance family, work and long training runs. What makes Mark unique is how he got into running ultras, where he ran his first one and where he plans to run his next.
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Gary Cantrell, Barkley Marathon Race Director“Unforgiving.” That is one word used to describe The Barkley Marathon, it’s considered hands down the world’s toughest trail race. Since 1986 only 9 people have finished it. Leaving a wake of empty Gu packets, bloody socks and unrealized goals, we talk with the Barkley Marathon’s race director. We’ll talk about it’s history, the few that conquered it, the many it destroyed and why people line up at it’s start line every single year.
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Sunny Blende, Nutritionist & Ultrarunner
With a name like Sunny Blende it’s poetic justice that Sunny is a sports nutritionist. Sunny is a presenter and lecturer on sports nutrition, fueling enhanced performance and making healthy food choices, not to mention she’s one heck of an athlete!
Sunny tells us what every ultra runner should know about fueling up and not bonking out.
www.eat4fitness.com
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GEOFF ROES, ULTRArunnerTraining in his fortress of solitude in Alaska, ultra running’s trail monster spends some time with ULTRARUNNERpodcast.com
Coming off some mind bending wins we’ll talk to the Western States 100 champ about his life on and off the trail, defending his WS100 title and much, much more.
akrunning.blogspot.com
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