Singletrack

Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and special guest Jamil Coury talk about the news of Eric Senseman's retirement, the end of the Kauai 50, whether Ryan Hall is getting into ultra trail running, the UTMB Whistler debacle, and a recap of the Javelina Jundred.

Please note that this episode was recorded on the morning of November 1st. Since that time new information on the UTMB Whistler story has become available, including a Freetrail Podcast with Gary Robbins that we strongly encourage you to listen to or watch.

Timestamps:

• (2:53) - Eric Senseman Retirement
• (11:22) Kauai 50 Ending
• (25:17) - Ryan Hall Trail Running
• (37:23) - UTMB Whistler Controversy
• (92:04) - Javelina Jundred Recap 

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.
• Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.
• Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.

Links:

• Gary Robbins Blog Post #1
• Gary Robbins Blog Post #2
• Trail Runner Magazine Article
• Freetrail Podcast w / Gary Robbins (Audio)
• Freetrail Podcast w / Gary Robbins (Video)
• Some Work All Play Podcast 

Additional Links:

• Follow Jamil on Instagram, Youtube, Website
• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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Jeff Pelletier is an outdoor adventure filmmaker and competitive ultrarunner who recently took 2nd place in an unusually thrilling finish (for a race of this distance) at the Moab 240 earlier this month and runs a popular YouTube channel linked below cataloging all of his activity in the sport.

In this conversation, we talk about the emerging world of 200-mile racing, the ins and outs of Running YouTube, and all sorts of insights around being a trail running entrepreneur that operators and pro runners might enjoy.

Timestamps:

• (1:50) - Moab 240 insights
• (32:26) - Running YouTube
• (64:56) - Trail Running Business

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.
• Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.
• Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.

Links:

• Follow Jeff on YouTube, Instagram, Strava
• Follow Finn 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 this year’s 2023 Javelina Jundred.

Timestamps:

• (1:09) - course strategy, weather conditions, historical performance data, competitive race context
• (38:37) - women's field preview, storylines, analysis, predictions
• (66:05) - men's field preview, storylines, analysis, predictions

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.
• Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.
• Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.

Links:

• Follow Leah on Instagram,  Strava, Twitter
• Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

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To round out our 2023 Javelina Jundred pre-race athlete interviews, we talk with Brett Hornig, Heather Jackson, and a virtual athlete roundtable of Joe McConaughy, Blake Slattengren, and Ryan Raff - all of whom are seeking golden tickets to next year's Western States 100.

Timestamps:

• (1:15) - Brett Hornig
• (24:20) - Heather Jackson
• (48:04) - Virtual Athlete Roundtable

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.
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.
• Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.
• 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 Brett on Instagram, Youtube, Website
• Follow Heather on Instagram, YouTube, Strava
• Follow Ryan, Follow Joe, Follow Blake

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To kick-off our 2023 Javelina Jundred coverage, we interview Preston Cates, Tara Dower, and Riley Brady who are all seeking golden tickets to next year's Western States 100.

Timestamps:

• (1:04) - Preston Cates Interview
• (25:09) - Tara Dower Interview
• (43:45) - Riley Brady Interview

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.
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.
• Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.
• 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 Preston on Instagram, Strava
• Follow Tara on Instagram, Strava
• Follow Riley on Instagram, Strava

Support the show

Caleb Olson is an ultra-trail runner based in Draper, UT who recently won the Grindstone 100K which simultaneously earned him an auto-qualifier to next year’s CCC and a golden ticket to next year’s Western States 100. 

In this episode, we talk about Caleb’s Grindstone race report, mountaineering background, upward trajectory in the sport, the up-and-coming Salt Lake City trail running scene, and how he’ll approach next season’s slate of high-profile races. 

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.
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.
• Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.
• Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).

Timestamps:

• (2:31) - leadup to the Grindstome 100K
• (5:01) - golden ticket to Western States
• (7:18) - mountaineering background
• (11:40) - first half Grindstone race report
• (17:48) - second half Grindstone race report
• (26:56) - mental strength, nutrition fixes for race day
• (35:38) - 2024 racing schedule
• (40:46) - Salt Lake City trail running scene

Links:

• Follow Caleb on Instagram, Strava
• Lambert <10K
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Patreon

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Jonathan Albon is a professional trail runner for the North Face based in Romsdal Norway who recently won the prestigious CCC race in Chamonix, France earlier this summer and in the process punched his ticket to next year’s Western States. 

This conversation covers his early outlook for Western States, his training methodology, and various miscellaneous topics like group training dynamics among elite athletes and specializing at various distances and terrains in our sport. 

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.
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.
• Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.
• 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 Jonathan on Instagram, YouTube, Strava
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

Brad Stulberg has authored many books in the emerging interdisciplinary research field of performance science including his latest, Masters of Change. In this conversation, we tie many of the key takeaways back to the world of mountain ultra trail running specifically discussing topics like willpower depletion, whether talent needs trauma, the benefits of group training, and self-distancing.

Sponsors:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.
• Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.
• 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:

• Order Brad's new book "Masters of Change"
• Follow Brad on Instagram, Twitter, Personal Website
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

Scott McCoubrey has influenced many of the most pivotal moments in our sport's recent history. In this conversation, Scott shares fascinating stories from his days hanging out with Krissy Moehl, Hal Koerner, and Scott Jurek on the 2000s Seattle trail running scene, his role in the genesis of sponsored trail athletes, growing the competitive racing scene through the White River 50, and the relationship between the growth of trail running over the last two decades and the greater outdoor industry. 

Timestamps:

• (3:02) - how trail races maintain competitive relevancy over the years
• (23:21) - origins of team marketing in trail running, sponsoring athletes
• (49:59) - Scott Jurek stories, influence of the Seattle trail running scene
• (67:24) - nationalizing, creating more coherence for American trail running
• (84:43) - outdoor industry business challenges
• (94:14) - UROY discussion

Sponsors:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% 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 Scott on Instagram, Twitter, Vimazi
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show

Jim Walmsley joins the podcast to talk about the major takeaways from his UTMB win, the impacts of moving to France last year, how he's managed his career to date and his path to going full-time pro, as well as his thoughts on whether the UTMB system works for elite athletes in our sport. 

Timestamps:

• (1:01) - preparing for a golden ticket chase at Nice Côte d'Azur
• (2:59) - reflecting on career longevity, how he's stayed elite for so long
• (9:09) - curiosity, continuing education in ultra-trail running
• (16:00) - biggest areas of improvement for Jim and for other elites at UTMB
• (25:16) - contextualizing this win, benefits of moving to France for preparation
• (34:17) - key parts of the blueprint for UTMB success
• (49:02) - the other American men have the best chance to win UTMB in the next few years, what's next for Jim
• (59:15) - how Jim creates meaning around his career, how he feels about the overall UTMB system
• (65:26) - miscellaneous questions 

Sponsors:

• Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• Feetures - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://feetures.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
• Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.
• Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.
• Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website for 15% off your next order. American listeners - use this link. International listeners - use this link.
• Maurten - head over to their website (https://www.maurten.com/) and shop for gels, bars, and drink mixes.
• 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 Jim on Instagram, Strava
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and Patreon

Support the show