Faster Forward with Troy Busot

FKT - shorthand for “Fastest Known Time” is essentially, a speed record on any given route. Anyone, at any time, on any day, can try to break a record and set a new FKT. After a serious car accident took him off the roads, today's guest shifted from marathons and ironmans and took his training to the trails and mountains where he found a passion for what I'll call "creative athletic pursuits". If you visit the official FKT website, you'll see the name Jason Hardrath at the top of the leaderboard with a whopping 94 FKT efforts.

Part Cartographer, Mountaineer, Race Director, Athlete, and a dozen other skills, Jason just might be the Dave McGillivray of FKTs a prolific route builder in his own rite - you'll love hearing how Jason strings together routes and how he feels when others find them, complete them, and occasionally set their own FKT on his creations. 

Links:

Jason Hardrath on Athlinks

Jason Hardrath on Instagram

Jason Hardrath on FastestKnownTime.com

Jason Hardrath Official Web Site

Northwest Alpine Gear

Athletic Brewing

Leki Trail Running Poles

Kogalla Ultra Trail Light

Coaches in Bike Shorts

Hope you enjoyed it - more people racing more often having more fun in the process is our mission. 

Thanks again to Jason Hardrath. @jasonhardrath.

The best way to support this podcast is to click subscribe on iTunes or follow on Spotify to be notified of new shows. Share it anyone you think would enjoy it, email, text, Twitter, Facebook - you get it -  and please - take 3 minutes to give us a rating and a quick review on iTunes.

We do a special post for each episode on Instagram, so look for the post for episode 28 with a picture of Jason if you have comments or questions - we are @athlinks or shoot us an email to [email protected]. 

Again, share it with friends far and wide to help spread the word, until next time, happy racing everybody.

If you love what you do for a living, you'll never work a day in your life. Or so the saying goes. From the very first email that I received from today's guest, I could feel her enthusiasm toward her job, her employer, and the athletes whom she represents as the Head of Communications for the Abbott World Marathon Majors. 

Lorna Campbell joins us today to discuss how she has parlayed a letter writing campaign, relentless volunteering and networking into a decades-long career in sport.

Having worked multiple Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and the biggest marathons in the world as well as living in several different countries, she knows a thing or two about loving her job to the point that hard work hardly feels like work at all.

She has some great advice for those of you looking to break in or make a change in your career path.

Links:

Lorna Campbell Athlinks Profile

Lorna Campbell on Instagram

Lorna Campbell on Linked In

Abbott World Marathon Majors

Hope you enjoyed it - more people racing more often having more fun in the process is our mission. Thanks again to Lorna Campbell of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

We do a special post for each episode on Instagram, so look for the post for episode 27 with a picture of Lorna if you have comments or questions - we are @athlinks or shoot us an email to [email protected]. 

The best way to support this podcast is to click subscribe on iTunes or follow on Spotify to be notified of new shows. Share it with anyone you think would enjoy it and please give us a rating and a quick review on iTunes.

Again, share it with friends far and wide to help spread the word, until next time, happy racing everybody.

Like the tip of an iceberg, what the outside world sees is the shining 2 hour 56 minute and 19 second marathon finish that sticks up above the surface. 

What is not seen is the incredible mass of hours, miles, support from family and friends, previous shortfalls and near misses that went into the celebrated achievement.

On the podcast today, we have Marcus Brown - otherwise known as @TheMarathonMarcus - of A Runner's Life podcast. He joins us from London where thoughtfully recounts his ten year journey from a barely sub-5 hour marathon at London to his freshly minted sub-3 at Dourney Lake.

I am once again greatly inspired by a guest. Marcus' approach to both training and racing has motivated me to adopt some of his practices and philosophies.  I really hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

Links:

Marcus Brown on Athlinks

A Runner's Life Podcast

Marcus Brown on Instagram

Hope you enjoyed it - more people racing more often having more fun in the process is our mission. 

Thanks again to Marcus Brown of the Black Trail Runners & The Runner's Life podcast for spending part of his Holiday break with us and talking about running and giving us the secret to breaking 3 hours.

The best way to support this podcast is to click subscribe on iTunes or follow on Spotify to be notified of new shows. Share it anyone you think would enjoy it, email, text, Twitter, Facebook - you get it -  and please - take 3 minutes to give us a rating and a quick review on iTunes.

We do a special post for each episode on Instagram, so look for the post for episode 26 with a picture of Marcus if you have comments or questions - we are @athlinks or shoot us an email to [email protected]. 

Again, share it with friends far and wide to help spread the word, until next time, happy racing everybody.

Make sure to visit http://www.athlinks.com to claim your race results and own race day forever.

Confucius said, Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we do. Our guest today knows a think or two about falling and rising not only to the challenge, but to glory in the form of an Olympic standard time in the 10K. 

On the Podcast today, Dani Shanahan of HOKA Northern Arizona Elites drops in to discuss her running career so far and her most recent meet in which she took a hard spill on the track, pulled herself back into the race, and smashed her Personal Best by a full minute.

It is hands-down my vote for Best Running Story of 2020 and I can't wait for you all to hear about it.

Dani's PBs:

Links:

Dani Shanahan Instagram

Dani Shanahan Twitter

HOKA Clifton - Dani's Go-To for Training

KOKA Rincon - Dani's Go-To for Doubles or Long Runs

HOKA Bondi - Dani's Go-To for when she feels "Dead Inside"

HOKA Rocket X - Dani's Go-To for Racing

Hope you enjoyed it - more people racing more often having more fun in the process is our mission.  

Thanks again to Dani Shanahan of HOKA NAZ (Northern Arizona) - she is @danishani on Instagram and @danishani13 Twitter. 

The best way to support this podcast is to click subscribe on iTunes or follow on Spotify to be notified of new shows. 

Share it anyone you think would enjoy it, email, text, Twitter, Facebook - you get it -  and please - take 3 minutes to give us a rating and a quick review on iTunes. We do a special post for each episode on Instagram, so look for the post for episode 25 with a picture of Dani if you have comments or questions - we are @athlinks or shoot us an email to [email protected].  

Again, share it with friends far and wide to help spread the word, until next time, happy racing everybody.

What is it they say about people who can be identified by only one name? Well if you follow the sport of Ultra Running, you know Jamil.

A talent for running and a youth spent hiking and camping around the Arizona wilderness was the perfect recipe for today's guest, Jamil Coury to find his passion as an ultra trail runner and founder of Aravaipa Running - one of the premiere event companies specializing in this sport. Years later, Aravaipa now hosts around 40 races all around Arizona and into Utah and Colorado.

In his spare time, not that there's much of that these days, Jamil can be seen in the lead pack at races like Barkly Marathons, UTMB, and Hard Rock 100.

And to think, it all started with an 800 mile solo-hike on the Arizona Trail to recovery from tax season as an accountant.

Links:

Jamil Coury on Athlinks

Aravaipa Running

Jamil Coury on Instagram

Jamil Coury (Run Steep Get High) on YouTube

Mountain Outpost on YouTube (Hilarious)

Quote:

"The amount of highs and lows you go through ... You can be on your last leg, totally done at 50 miles and then 40 miles later at mile 90, you could be flying."

Hope you enjoyed it - more people racing more often having more fun in the process is our mission. 

Thanks again to Jamil Coury of Aravaipa Running. Please check them out at aravaipa - that's a r a v a i p a running.com

The best way to support this podcast is to click subscribe on iTunes or follow on Spotify to be notified of new shows. Share it anyone you think would enjoy it, email, text, Twitter, Facebook - you get it -  and please - take 3 minutes to give us a rating and a quick review on iTunes.

We do a special post for each episode on Instagram, so look for the post for episode 24 with a picture of Jamil if you have comments or questions - we are @athlinks or shoot us an email to [email protected]. 

Again, share it with friends far and wide to help spread the word, until next time, happy racing everybody.

Our guest today has quite literally been chasing his passions for all of his adult life.  

Whether it was moving from Atlanta to Boston and later to Los Angeles to become a stand-up comic, or shuttering a burgeoning staffing company to report on - and participate in - the fledgling sport of Obstacle Course Racing, Matt B. Davis of Obstacle Racing Media has used a combination of grit and fearlessness to bite off big projects and chase envious goals. 

The day after recording this show, in fact, Matt knocked out a Fastest Known Time (or FKT) on the entire 61.5-mile Silver Comet Trail. I'm a fan of his work. He's excellent at his job as the host of the Obstacle Racing Media Podcast and I had a great time talking with him as I'm sure you will hear. 

Obstacle Racing Media Home https://www.obstacleracingmedia.com/ 

ORM Podcast https://www.obstacleracingmedia.com/category/podcast/ 

Matt B. Davis on Instagram http://instagram.com/mattbdavis 

ORM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/obstacleracingmedia/ 

Hope you enjoyed it - more people racing more often having more fun in the process is our mission. 

Thanks again to Eric B. Davis from Obstacle Racing Media for coming on the show and sharing some laughs and history.  The best way to support this podcast is to be sure to click subscribe on iTunes or follow on Spotify to be notified of new shows and please - take a couple of minutes to give us a rating and a quick review on iTunes. 

We do a special post for each episode on Instagram, so look for the post for episode 23 with a picture of Matt if you have comments or questions - we are @athlinks or shoot us an email to [email protected].  Share it with friends far and wide to help spread the word, and until next time, happy racing everybody.

How much of your potential are you leaving on the table? How much of your training are you leaving to chance? Are your periodized workouts the right ones for your phenotype? What the heck is a phenotype? 

If you're wondering how to take your performance to the next level, maybe it's time to think about a coach. And that's why I brought Beth Leasure to the Athlinks Podcast. 

We jump around quite a bit and talk about how Beth uses tools like Training Peaks and Whoop to measure and track performance, rest, and heart rate to guide the workouts of herself and the athletes she coaches. We talk about the importance of knowing your phenotype and structuring your workouts around maximizing your strengths. And we talk about her own journey through self-doubt, discovery, and delight in the world of cycling.

Beth Leasure Coaching Web Site

Training Peaks Blog Post

Hope you enjoyed it - more people racing more often having more fun in the process is our mission. 

Thanks again to Beth Leasure-Hudson enlightening us about coaching.

The best way to support this podcast is to be sure to click subscribe on iTunes or follow on Spotify to be notified of new shows and please - take 3 minutes to give us a rating and a quick review on iTunes.

We do a special post for each episode on Instagram, so look for the post for episode 22 with a picture of Beth if you have comments or questions - we are @athlinks or shoot us an email to [email protected]. 

Share it with friends far and wide to help spread the word, and until next time, happy racing everybody.

A single footstep changes all the future steps that an American Marine on patrol in Afghanistan would ever take. After triggering an EID and losing his right leg below the knee, our guest Eric McElvenny turned to uncharted territory - having never completed a single triathlon or even a running event, for that matter, he challenged himself to complete an Ironman. 

With the help, love, and support from his family, friends, and the Challenged Athletes Foundation, Eric has fought through obstacles, logged thousands of miles, and achieved more than even he thought possible.

Did he succeed in finishing an Ironman? Well, you'll just have to listen to find out.

Athlinks Profile

CAF (Challenged Athletes Foundation)

Thanks again to Eric McElvenny for coming on the show and sharing his successes along the way. 

The best way to support this podcast is to be sure to click subscribe on iTunes or follow on Spotify to be notified of new shows and please - take 3 minutes to give us a rating and a quick review on iTunes.

We do a special post for each episode on Instagram, so look for the post for episode 22 with a picture of Eric if you have comments or questions - we are @athlinks or shoot us an email to [email protected]. 

Share it with friends far and wide to help spread the word, and until next time, happy racing everybody.

What if there existed one simple solution in our fight against food insecurity, water quality, climate change, global poverty, healthcare & our dependence on pharmaceuticals, and even the survivability of current and future pandemics?

And what if that solution was literally right under our feet? Today on the Athlinks Podcast, we are diving into our soil with Jeff Tkach, my friend and former colleague, and current Chief Impact Officer at the Rodale Institute. For over 70 years, the Rodale Institute has been the global leader in regenerative organic agriculture. A journey that started with J.I. Rodale's simple mission statement: "Healthy Soil = Healthy Food = Healthy People".

It's a bit off the beaten path, but in our mission to help more people, race more often, and have more fun the process, a healthy body is a critical starting point. 

Jeff gives us some much needed hope that shows a movement gaining serious momentum. Take, for instance, a 4 fold increase in direct farm-to consumer sales in the first quarter of 2020 alone. Join us to find out how you can play your meaningful part in this movement.

Links:

Rodale Institute

Biggest Little Farm Documentary

Kiss the Ground Documentary

Pocono Organics

Hope you enjoyed it - more people racing more often having more fun in the process is our mission. 

Thanks again to Jeff Tkach of the Rodale Institute for enlightening us about regenerative organic farming.

The best way to support this podcast is to be sure to click subscribe on iTunes or follow on Spotify to be notified of new shows and please - take 3 minutes to give us a rating and a quick review on iTunes.

We do a special post for each episode on Instagram, so look for the post for episode 20 with an insanely handsome picture of Jeff if you have comments or questions - we are @athlinks or shoot us an email to [email protected]. 

Share it with friends far and wide to help spread the word, tell people about it when you're in line at the grocery story - and, until next time, happy racing everybody.

Episode 019: Anton Villatoro

With the image of his childhood hero, Davis Phinney perched atop a podium etched clearly in his mind, the "Town Bull", Anton Villatoro embarks on a pro cycling career that takes him around the world as a workhorse for the famed U.S. Postal Squad, sharing midnight steaks in a German pub with Greg LeMond and riding for Lance Armstrong in the Tour of Spain - and doing it all clean - completely free of the substances that would mar the cycling world for years to come.

Join us on a tour through the mind of a boy born in war-torn Guatemala, relocated by a single mother to Kansas, and celebrated by a grandfather who gave him a gift that would change his life forever.

Web Site:

ProFormance

Denver Marathon acquired by CGI/Rock 'n' Roll

Greg LeMond

Davis Phinney

Thanks again to Anton Villatoro for sitting down with us and sharing a long ride through his life.

We do a special post for each episode on Instagram, so look for the post for episode 17 with a picture of Claire if you have comments or questions - we are @athlinks  or shoot us an email to [email protected]. 

The best way to support the show is to first, subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or click Follow on Spotify. Second, share it with friends far and wide and Third, take a quick minute to give us a 5 star rating and review on iTunes if you dig it.

Until next time, happy racing everybody.