Singletrack

By Finn MelansonSports News Sports News Wilderness Running

Ranking
18th
on Running
Favorites
55
Followers
Typical duration
72 min
per episode
If it hooks
47%
finish an episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

Singletrack episodes

March 21, 2023John Kelly: Ideal Barkley Athlete, Ultrarunning’s Public Appeal, Appalachian Trail FKT (Sunday Conversation)
John Kelly is a professional endurance athlete and now 2-time finisher of the Barkley Marathons.

In this conversation, we get his thoughts about the media attention and public perception surrounding Barkley, what draws the general public to our sport, his views on using intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation for high performance, creating the ideal Barkley athlete, and why he’s interested in going after the Appalachian Trail FKT in the future.

Timestamps:
(1:02) - why you have to be intrinsically motivated to finish Barkley
(6:42) - what John wrote in his application essay for Barkley
(9:23) - automated Twitter race narrations
(12:06) - changing ideas about how to prepare for Barkley
(19:26) - goldilocks zone of difficulty
(24:36) - why he returns to Barkley
(28:50) - mildly fulfilling successes versus stretch efforts
(32:16) - ideal Barkley athlete
(37:51) - why Barkley gets so much fanfare, why it appeals to the general public
(49:10) - addressing Barkley criticisms
(58:53) - Appalachian Trail FKT interest

Discounts:
Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)

Links:
Follow John on Instagram, Twitter, and Strava
Support the show
1 hr 12 min
March 20, 2023Trail Tea #1 | Boring Running Media, Exclusive Trail Races, Hard Training Philosophy
This is the first episode of a new series we are calling "Trail Tea". These episodes take the candor of group chats and pull them into the audio realm.

In this edition, I am joined by Jack Kuenzle, Dan Curts, and Abby Levene. We discuss pro runner social media, boring trail running media, exclusive trail races, faith in the gear review industry, pro runners on Strava, and whether we should be elevating people who focus 100% of the sport.

Buckle up because this is a fun episode.

Discounts:
Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)

Timestamps:
(2:11) - pro runner social media
(25:40) - boring trail running media
(48:00) - exclusive trail races
(56:48) - gear review industry
(67:25) - Strava discussion
(79:31) - elevating "all-in" athletes

Links:
Follow Jack on Strava and Instagram
Follow Abby on Strava and Instagram
Follow Dan on Strava and Instagram
Follow Finn on Strava and Instagram
Support the show
1 hr 38 min
March 17, 2023Sabrina Little: The Vices Of Ultrarunning Fandom (Sunday Conversation)
Sabrina Little is a Philosophy Professor and Professional Ultrarunner based in Newport News, VA. Sabrina is also a regular columnist for IRunfar and we spend the majority of this conversation discussing a recent post she wrote about what it might look like to be a good fan, as well as a bad fan, of ultra running during this era of significant change in our sport.

Discounts:
Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)

Timestamps:
(1:32) - connecting running and philosophy
(10:15) - whether academia or running has had a bigger influence on philosophy
(14:18) - motivation to reflect on ultrarunning fans
(25:34) - gossip, escapism, anonymity, rooting for vice
(39:45) - whether negative in-sport characteristics translate to other areas of life
(48:54) - how fan behavior impacts the future of ultrarunning

Links:
The Vices Of Fandom
Follow Sabrina on Instagram
Follow Sabrina on Strava
Support the show
52 min
March 15, 2023Trail Running Scams, Breaking 14 Project, Hologram Pacers (Long Run Archives #11)
I am joined by Brett Hornig to debate whether the culture has groomed elites to be passive about their career prospects, the biggest scams in our sport, whether it's harder to get to the top or stay at the top as a pro athlete, and why fans fixate on fast times instead of good competition.

Discounts:
Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)

Timestamps:
(2:31) - content creation goals for 2023
(8:28) - whether trail running culture has conditioned aspiring pro athletes to be passive about their career prospects
(21:37) - the biggest scams in trail running
(29:57) - hypothetical race where the 5 winners get guaranteed six-figure contracts
(35:20) - running technology everyone will be using 5 years from now
(47:20) - fixation on fast times over good competition
(64:03) - is it harder to get to the top or stay at the top as a pro runner
(80:22) - ultrarunning television ideas
(88:45) - pro athlete salary report

Additional Links:
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon
Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and The Feed

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:
#195 - Long Run Archives #10 | Black Canyon Reflections, Western States Storylines, Prize Money, Future Of Crewing
#182 - Long Run Archives #9 | True Fans Of Trail Running, 100 Mile Hot Takes, UTMB World Series
Support the show
1 hr 39 min
March 03, 2023Dani Moreno | Sponsorship Changes, 2023 Racing Schedule, Athlete-Brand Discussions
Dani Moreno is a professional trail runner for Adidas Terrex based in Mammoth Lakes, CA. She returns to the Singletrack Podcast to discuss sponsorship changes, her history and insights from navigating the athlete brand relationship over the course of her career, and her racing schedule for 2023.

Discounts:
Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:
(1:11) - sponsor change announcement, reflections on change
(9:09) - what went into the decision to switch sponsors
(17:01) - holistic athlete-brand relationships, working with an agent
(24:47) - 2023 racing schedule, Boston Marathon, return to OCC

Links:
Follow Dani on Instagram, Strava, and her personal website
Follow the Subhub Podcast

Additional Links:
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon
Support the show
35 min
March 01, 2023Allie Ostrander: Trail Running Focus, Professional Comeback, NNormal Partnership (Sunday Conversation)
Allie Ostrander is a professional runner for Nnormal based in Seattle, WA.

Allie has notched many accomplishments on the track winning 3 national collegiate titles in the steeplechase, running professionally for the Brooks Beasts, and winning the 3K event at the 2020 Millrose Games among accolades while also demonstrating impressive versatility winning the famous Mount Marathon race in 2017.

Allie recently announced her signing with the trail running brand NNormal and her focus on trail running for 2023. We have a wide-ranging conversation about her background, being a public figure and professional athlete while being transparent around her struggles with injuries and eating disorder, as well as outlook on her investment in trail running.

Discounts:
Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:
(1:47) - how growing up in Alaska influenced running identity
(4:18) - collegiate and professional running resume
(6:31) - being certain about pro athlete path
(12:14) - unsustainable paths to pro running
(20:14) - broader sport discussion around eating disorders
(27:40) - the value of being transparent about struggles
(31:51) - how brands have responded
(36:45) - how the media influences athletes
(41:00) - influence of Emelie Forsberg and Kilian Jornet, signing with NNormal
(48:57) - trail running interests, training, race schedule
(58:01) - final thoughts

Links:
Follow Allie on Instagram, Youtube, and Strava
Additional Links:
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon
Support the show
1 hr 1 min
February 25, 2023Jason Koop: Professionalization of Ultrarunning, Trail Running Teams, Doping Solutions (Sunday Conversation)
Jason Koop is the Head Coach of Carmichael Training Systems Ultrarunning.

In this conversation, we talk about whether and how the increasing professionalization of ultrarunning is changing the ways athletes train and race and generally commit their livelihood to the craft, the potential for professional co-located trail running teams, doping and the policies that should be put into place as soon as possible among many more topics.

Discounts:
Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Timestamps:
(1:36) - insights from traveling to races with athletes
(9:53) - what's changed the most in the way elite athletes races ultras
(15:35) - why it's insufficient for elite athletes to marginally improve year over year
(30:19) - when ultrarunners reach their performance peaks
(40:45) - creating the ideal mountain ultra trail runner
(47:04) - biggest advances in the athlete-coach relationship
(55:36) - feasibility of trail running teams
(64:41) - media coverage of ultrarunning
(69:41) - doping in ultrarunning
(96:20) - training theories for 200 mile races, long trail FKTs
(105:04) - how coaching for ultras looks different in 2030
(110:00) - final thoughts

Links:
Follow Jason on Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, and Strava
Listen to the Koop Cast
Training Essentials For Ultrarunning
Anti Doping 101
Additional Links:
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon
Support the show
1 hr 54 min
February 25, 2023Are Exogenous Ketones The Next Big Thing In Trail Running Nutrition?
Michael Brandt is the CEO and Co-Founder of HVMN, a nutrition company that makes exogenous ketone products for endurance athletes. We talk about what exogenous ketones are, how they benefit endurance athletes, how they can be incorporated into daily nutrition schedules, and what the future looks like for their usage in the trail and ultrarunning scene.

Timestamps:
(2:13) - Running a 50K at Burning Man
(7:53) - Starting a business in the performance nutrition space
(10:45) - Department of Defense research on exogenous ketones
(16:04) - explaining exogenous ketones
(18:53) - differences between endogenous and exogenous ketones
(24:47) - stacking exogenous ketones with carbs, proteins, etc
(27:50) - supplementing with exogenous ketones on a long run
(32:38) - benefits of exogenous ketones
(48:00) - timing intake of exogenous ketones
(49:16) - how long exogenous ketones work for
(51:48) - safety issues with exogenous ketones
(54:19) - what critics say about exogenous ketones
(59:09) - scientific literature on exogenous ketones
(71:31) - loading phase for exogenous ketones
(72:41) - tolerance or dependence on exogenous ketones
(73:37) - measuring ketone levels
(77:29) - HVMN products

Discounts:
HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Links:
Follow Michael on Instagram, Twitter, Strava and his Personal Website
Burning Man Ultramarathon
Support the show
1 hr 29 min
February 22, 2023Black Canyon Reflections, Western States Storylines, Prize Money, Future Of Crewing (Long Run Archives #10)
I am joined by Brett Hornig to talk about some of our takeaways from Black Canyon, prize money and professional support in ultrarunning, emerging storylines for Western States, the future of live-streaming, the future of pacers and crew at race, and which sports outside of trail running produce the best athletes for our world.

Discounts:
Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)

Timestamps:
(4:35) - recapping Black Canyon
(12:11) - what makes a race so competitive
(18:27) - livestream hypotheticals
(27:03) - competitive fluidity of ultra races outside of Western States
(34:00) - prize money debate, supporting professionals
(48:31) - Western States golden ticket discussion, emerging storylines
(82:32) - getting rid of pacers and crews
(95:42) - future of livestreaming discussion
(111:12) - which athletes from other sports make the best ultrarunners

Additional Links:
Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon
Follow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and The Feed

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:
#182 - Long Run Archives #9 | True Fans Of Trail Running, 100 Mile Hot Takes, UTMB World Series

Support the show
2 hr 4 min
February 10, 20232023 Black Canyon 100K Preview | Analysis, Storylines, Hot Takes, Predictions
In this episode, I am joined by Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to preview the 2023 Black Canyon 100K. We analyze the course, talk about what it's going to take to be successful, note some of the interesting storylines around the event, make our predictions for the female and male top-5 finishers this year, and respond to listener comments, questions, and hot takes around the event.

Timestamps:
(1:12) - catching up, excitement for Black Canyon, stature in the golden ticket series and greater American ultra trail running scene
(10:22) - course knowledge, analysis, how runners should prepare, livestream strategy
(25:08) - women's field analysis, storylines, fantasy picks
(57:33) - men's field analysis, storylines, fantasy picks
(95:51) - listener comments, questions, hot takes

Discounts:
Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
HVMN - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order

Links:
Follow Brett on Instagram and Strava
Follow Leah on Instagram and Strava
Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava
Support the show
1 hr 49 min