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Meridith Cass - the Founder-CEO of Nix BioSensors - joins the show to talk about the self-health movement, the latest technology behind hydration intelligence, and the prospect of completely automating your hydration strategy and execution at an ultra-trail race like the Western States 100.

One thing to note before we get started - Singletrack has no financial partnership with Nix, but if you’re interested in trying out their products after listening to this episode feel free to use the code Singletrack15 for 15% off your order on their website.

Timestamps:

• 2:10 The Importance of Self-Health and Personalized Health Management
• 5:15 Accuracy and Meaningful Metrics in Biosensing
• 8:34 Personalized Feedback and Dynamic Recommendations
• 10:05 The Limitations of Intuition in Hydration Management
• 12:26 The Impact of Dehydration on Performance
• 14:17 How the Nix Patch Works and Measures Sweat
• 15:06 Refining Hydration Plans with Patch Data
• 17:30 The Nix Index and Environmental Conditions
• 21:05 The Value of Wearing the Patch Before and After Workouts
• 23:42 Triangulating Data with Other Sensors
• 25:04 Accuracy of Recommendations and Tolerable Error Rate
• 27:24 The Role of the Patch in Changing Consumer Purchasing and Brand Marketing
• 29:30 Granularity of Electrolyte Profile Data
• 31:06 The Future of Hydration and the Role of the Nix Patch
• 37:09 The Impact of Nix on Personalized Purchasing Decisions
• 39:39 The Need for Lab-Based Sweat Tests and the Role of the Nix Patch
• 41:00 Exciting Research in Sweat Science and Partnerships with Researchers
• 42:27 Automating Hydration Strategies with the Nix Patch
  
  
  Sponsors:
• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.

Links:

• Connect with Meridith on LinkedIn, Website
• Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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Paul Huddle is the Senior Director of Global Trail Running Operations for the Ironman Group. Beyond that, Paul is a former elite triathlete, he got a silver buckle at the 1997 Western States 100, he’s been a race director, and he’s worked extensively in endurance sports media. In this conversation, we talk about the ongoing controversy surrounding one of the Ironman Group’s newest races (UTMB Whistler), the Ironman Group’s impression over the last 2 years on the North American trail running community, and the directions our sport might be headed in the years to come.

Timestamps:

• (5:09) - UTMB Whistler
• (31:47) - Ironman Group influence on trail running
• (55:16) - miscellaneous questions

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).

Links:

• Connect with Paul on LinkedIn
• Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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We are back with cohost Katie Schide for another edition of Eurotrack this time to provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition at the 2024 Transgrancanaria 126K.

 Timestamps:

• (0:34) - general thoughts about Transgrancanaria
• (9:22) - course analysis for Transgrancanaria
• (26:54) - race stats from Aid Station Fireball
• (33:31) - women's field analysis, storylines, predictions
• (44:15) - men's field analysis, storylines, predictions

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).

Links:

• Transgrancanaria Livestream
• Follow Aid Station Fireball on Twitter
• Follow Katie on Instagram, Strava, North Face
• Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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Brett Hornig, Jeff Colt, and Corrine Malcolm join Singletrack to riff on the latest news in the ultra-trail running world.

In this conversation, we share our takeaways from the 2024 Black Canyon 100K, talk about the entirety of the Western States 100 golden ticket series including some early takes on the Canyons 100K race later this spring, and spend the rest of the time talking about the implications of Stian Angermund’s positive doping test after last year’s UTMB-OCC race, which was revealed earlier this month.

Timestamps:

• (0:42) - Black Canyon 100K Recap
• (35:58) - Wider Golden Ticket Series Discussion
• (48:42) - Stian Angermund / Positive Doping Test Discussion
• (87:24) - Miscellaneous Parting Thoughts

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).

Additional Links:

• Follow Corrine on Instagram, Strava, Trail Society, Coaching
• Follow Jeff on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Coaching
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon

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Mary Kate Shea, serving as the Senior Director of Pro Athletes for road race events at the Boston Athletic Association, holds a pivotal role in recruiting and facilitating the experience of hundreds of professional runners at marquee events like the Boston Marathon, BAA 10K, and BAA 5K annually.

With her extensive expertise in pro athlete recruitment, event management, sponsorship, and sports marketing, I found it compelling to invite her to discuss the merits of her position and explore how the implementation of (more) dedicated, full-time roles like hers could benefit the world of mountain ultra trail running on a larger scale.

Our conversation delves into the essential elements of building and maintaining world-class running events, highlighting the critical role she plays in the process. We also explore how pro athletes are researched, recruited, compensated, and supported at races such as the Boston Marathon, offering valuable insights and takeaways for athletes, event operators, and media personnel in the trail running community.

Timestamps:

• (1:17) - ultrarunning origins, Ann Trason story
• (8:59) - building a world-class running event, the importance of elite athlete recruitment
• (21:12) - the traits of a good athlete recruiter and manager, ecosystem of athlete recruiters
• (40:19) - what the position looks like from a year-round standpoint, how athletes are supported 

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).

Links:

• Follow Mary Kate on LinkedIn
• Boston Athletic Association Website
• Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Leah Yingling provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition at the 2024 Black Canyon 100K.
 
 Timestamps:

• (1:09) - course strategy, weather conditions, historical performance data, competitive race context
• (34:01) - women's field preview, storylines, analysis, predictions
• (68:51) - men's field preview, storylines, analysis, predictions

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).

Links:

• Follow Aid Station Fireball on Twitter
• Follow Leah on Instagram,  Strava, Twitter
• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
• Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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Adam Merry is a professional trail runner for Saucony based in Boulder, CO ahead of his race at the Black Canyon 100K on February 10th. In this conversation, we catch up on the second half of his 2023 season, all the details around his race prep, the state of the Boulder boys and the new podcast they have dropping today (linked here in the show notes).

Timestamps:

• (1:53) - second half of 2023
• (9:55) - 2024 Black Canyon 100K
• (14:30) - Boulder Boys

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).

  Links:

• Follow Adam on Instagram, Strava, Boulder Boys Podcast, Boulder Boys Trail
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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Emkay Sullivan is a professional trail runner for Craft based in Reno NV ahead of her race at the Black Canyon 100K on February 10th. In this conversation we talk about going full-time on trail running, making the jump to the 100K distance, why 2024 represents the start of her versatility era, and some reflections on the Sub Hub Podcast and highlights from covering that part of the sport.

Timestamps:

• (0:32) - full time pro trail running
• (2:03) - reflecting on 2023 season, moving up in distance, versatility era
• (14:14) - black canyon preparation, possible race outcomes, golden ticket considerations
• (19:35) - sub hub podcast, sub ultra scene highlights

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).

  Links:

• Follow Emkay on Instagram, Strava, Subhub Podcast
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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Rachel Drake is a professional trail runner for Nike based in Portland, Oregon. Ahead of her race at the Black Canyon 100K on February 10th, we talk about using the road marathon as a vehicle for trail speed, the value in collaborating with competitors to reach your potential, the appeal of Black Canyon and a golden ticket to Western States, as well as her experience in the Hong Kong trail scene last month.

 Timestamps:

• (2:07) - marathon as a vehicle for trail speed
• (5:09) - collaborating with competitors
• (9:36) - race schedule, staying inspired
• (14:29) - Hong Kong trail running scene
• (17:42) - Black Canyon discussion

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).

  Links:

• Follow Rachel on Instagram, Strava
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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Hayden Hawks is a professional trail runner sponsored by Hoka, Coros, and Precision, based in Cedar City, UT. In this conversation, we discuss his recovery from injury and surgery midway through the last season, the tools and knowledge he has incorporated into his ultrarunning routine over the past nine months, his training approach and visualization strategies for the upcoming race at Black Canyon, and some reflections on how his career has developed to date.

Timestamps:

• (0:46) - bounce back from injury and surgery
• (4:17) - training changes, load management
• (16:50) - nutrition changes
• (25:17) - making the choice early in career to go ultra versus sub ultra
• (31:50) - seasonal racing volume 
• (36:11) - Black Canyon 100K discussion 
• (48:17) - miscellaneous topics, final thoughts

Sponsors:

• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).

 Links:

• Follow Hayden on Instagram, Strava, Website
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

Support the show