Singletrack

In this episode I’m talking with Scott Kummer who, among a few other roles in the ultrarunning community, is the host of the popular Ten Junk Miles Podcast.

If you’re a longtime listener, you know this show is capable of going on streaks. Sometimes it focuses on the pro athletes, then it'll focus on the business side of the sport, and so on. Right now, I’m really into these conversations with fellow podcasters in the space. So if you enjoyed the episodes with Dylan Bowman, Corrine Malcolm, Jon Levitt, and Matt Chittim, I think you’ll really enjoy this one too.

Scotty and I get right into a few of the hot-button issues including the pros and cons of engaging with Running Twitter, handling praise and criticism as a public figure in the sport, issues with past and current running content, race coverage preferences, athlete sponsorship issues, UTMB, race directing preferences, and way more.

Don't be intimidated by the 3+ hour length of this episode. No time is wasted - Scott is a great conversationalist.

Sponsors:

• 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:

• (0:55) - the pros and cons of Running Twitter
• (5:07) - handling praise and criticism as a public figure in ultrarunning
• (12:05) - Scotty’s background in the sport 
• (16:44) - issues with past, present running content 
• (23:10) - why we started our podcasts, why people start running podcasts
• (30:22) - running podcast style, preferences
• (47:21) - podcasting as a profession, making money through the medium 
• (62:47) - the bigger “why’s” for doing podcasts 
• (70:49) - UTMB debates, low-key events 
• (77:08) - getting into race directing
• (99:28) - race coverage debates 
• (117:20) - athlete-sponsor relationship debates 
• (129:06) - guests we want to have on our shows 
• (139:25) - more debate about types of stories to cover
• (144:07) - corruption, paying for guests and appearances 
• (149:40) - the why for doing this, having an impact, dealing with criticism
• (155:00) - the podcast preparation, publishing process 
• (168:15) - debates about coaching in our sport 

Links:

• Support Ten Junk Miles via Patreon
• The Art of Trail Race Directing
• Woodstock '99 Documentary

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Matt Chittim is the Host of Rambling Runner, a podcast for dedicated amateur runners who are working hard to get better and achieving inspirational results while balancing running with the rest of their lives. He is also the Founder of Relay, a collection of some of the best content creators and athletes in running coming together to put out the most creative and collaborative running content on the internet.

In this conversation, we talk about this new venture in the running media space, the business of podcasting, and our interests and inspirations in other sports and realms of business.


Sponsors:

• 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:

• (2:56) - reflecting back on the Business and Sports Discourse Podcast
• (17:37) - benefits of running podcast network
• (28:48) - the middle class of running content creators 
• (44:07) - the declining power of legacy running media brands 
• (49:11) - where the gaps are in running content
• (53:05) - incentivizing running creators to publish on Relay
• (59:32) - the merits of a paywall for running content
• (64:10) - the willingness of running fans to pay with money instead of attention for content
• (68:00) - the pitch for Relay
• (75:04) - how Relay becomes the best running content on the internet

Links:

• Check out the Rambling Runner Podcast
• Check out Relay on Patreon
• Follow Matt and Rambling Runner on Instagram
• Business and Sports Discourse Podcast

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #131 - Jonathan Levitt | For The Long Run Podcast, State of Running Content, Athlete-Sponsorship Landscape
• #130 - Robin Thurston | MapMyRun, Connected Fitness, Outerverse, Future Of The Outdoor Media Industry

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Jonathan Levitt is the Host of the "For The Long Run" Podcast, a show that explores the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated. In this conversation, we talk in-depth about the state of running podcasts, changes in the athlete-sponsor landscape, and how to build a career in the endurance world.

Sponsors:

• 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:

• (5:17) - riffing on what's damaging to the craft of running podcasting
• (12:58) - sponsorship dilemmas, incentives in running podcasting
• (16:08) - considering how sponsors spread in the running world
• (18:15) - Jon's background in the endurance sports world
• (37:42) - the "burnt ends" philosophy of running content creation
• (44:36) - how to serve your podcast audience
• (49:11) - optimism and pessimism in the running podcast space
• (54:19) - not overcomplicating running content creation
• (59:47) - endemic versus non-endemic sponsors in running
• (72:10) - the opportunities non-endemic sponsors provide to the running world
• (78:16) - how athletes can identify and start non-endemic sponsor relationships
• (85:33) - understanding and appreciating the sponsorship grind
• (95:51) - importance of supporting running creators 
• (102:20) - investing more into performance, content creation, lifestyle
• (111:43) - the changing athlete-sponsor relationship
• (121:23) - examples of the changing athlete-sponsor relationship 
• (130:49) - next evolutions in the running media space
• (134:00) - opportunities for next generation running content creators
• (140:47) - what's next for Jon and For The Long Run Podcast

Links:

• Check out "For The Long Run" Podcast
• Follow Jonathan on Instagram
• Follow Jonathan on Twitter

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #130 - Robin Thurston | MapMyRun, Connected Fitness, Outerverse, Future Of The Outdoor Media Industry
• #20 - Zoe Rom | Trail Runner Magazine, Running Journalism, Diversity Talks
• #3 - Jimmy Daly | Social Media, Content Creation, Branding For Trail Runners

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Robin Thurston is the CEO of Outside, the largest media company in the outdoor industry by orders of magnitude. In this conversation, we discuss Robin's entrepreneurial background building MapMyRun into the largest running community in the world, the state of connected fitness, putting a price tag on running-related and other outdoor media, the "Outerverse", and how Robin thinks about preserving the authenticity of acquired brands like fastestknowntime.com.

Sponsors:

• 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:

• Outside Plus
• Connect with Robin on LinkedIn

Timestamps:

(1:46) - connected fitness, MapMyRun origins, outdoor industry background
(10:36) - the state of connected fitness/running, progress made in this space
(15:24) - incorporating reward cycles into running/outdoor industry products
(18:04) - micro-transactions in running products and services
(20:39) - Outside shop
(22:37) - putting a price tag on running content, building utility into consumption
(28:04) - thoughts on if and when the majority of consumers will accept premium content models
(30:39) - whether the recent layoffs at Outside are a strike against these optimistic business models
(35:58) - whether and how to rally major industries players off the major tech media platforms
(38:32) - Outerverse conversation, screen time, alternatives within Web3
(43:23) - practical examples of the Outerverse in action
(47:23) - how to preserve the quality, authenticity, and trust of acquired brands like fastestknowntime.com
(50:36) - recruiting running and other outdoor creators to the platform
(52:35) - final calls to action

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #58 - Buzz Burrell | Modern FKT Movement, FKT.com Sale To Outside Mag, Trail Running Business
• #28 - Joe Vennare | Technology For Ultra Runners, Trail Running Media Companies, Business Advice
• #20 - Zoe Rom | Trail Runner Magazine, Running Journalism, Diversity Talks
• #7 - Mark Gainey | Co-Founder of Strava, Trail Running, Athlete Creators
• #3 - Jimmy Daly | Social Media, Content Creation, Branding For Trail Runners

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Des Linden is a professional runner for Brooks Running. She joins the Singletrack Podcast to talk about a range of topics including her interests in sports psychology, her nascent career as a commentator for NBC in their running broadcasts, and perhaps most notably to this audience - her intentions to transition more significantly from road marathons to trail and ultra running as early as next year.

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:

• (0:37) - running background, accolades
• (2:01) - interests in sports psychology
• (5:00) - how she thinks about and handles pressure
• (7:31) - broadcasting, running commentary career
• (17:38) - reflections on the current stage of her marathoning career
• (19:28) - 50K world record, interests in ultras after that experience
• (22:14) - how she thinks about career transitions
• (24:39) - talks with sponsors about switching to/trying trails and ultras
• (25:39) - memorable moments visiting Chamonix this year, spectating UTMB
• (28:57) - strengths and weaknesses on trails
• (30:49) - other trails and ultra races she's interested in
• (31:50) - inspirations in our sport
• (32:43) - whether she will go "all-in" on trail and ultra running
• (34:08) - how her training and lifestyle would change switching to ultras
• (35:21) - miscellaneous questions 

Links:

• Follow Des Linden on Instagram
• Linden X Two
• Choosing To Run

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Katie Schide is a professional trail runner for the North Face based in Isola, France. We talk with her following her win at the 2022 Ultra Trail Du Mount Blanc.

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:

• (2:12) - living and training in the French Alps 
• (5:58) - switching sponsors from On to the North Face this year
• (8:43) - working with Jason Koop
• (11:37) - coaches attending and providing support at races
• (12:32) - skimo racing
• (16:49) - Val D'Aran 100K
• (18:11) - motivations for returning to UTMB
• (20:06) - pre-race issues, COVID concerns 
• (23:13) - racing strategy
• (25:32) - losing and regaining the lead
• (28:01) - post-race experience
• (30:58) - Western States golden ticket
• (35:11) - next steps career-wise

Links:

• Follow Katie on Instagram

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Jack Kuenzle returns to the podcast to talk about his recent FKT on the Bob Graham Round, which lowered Kilian Jornet’s former record by about 30 minutes sending shockwaves not just through the FKT community, but really through the mountain running community as a whole.

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:

• (1:05) - catching up on other FKT efforts, White Mountains 100
• (18:32) - setting the stage for the Bob Graham Round, history, importance, etc
• (30:16) - Kilian Jornet and the Bob Graham Round
• (39:15) - lifestyle changes, preparation for this FKT, investments, workload
• (52:57) - the day itself, what went right, what when wrong, the atmosphere, etc
• (76:06) - what this FKT means to Jack
• (82:24) - what's next, what other FKTs inspire Jack
• (86:09) - thoughts on sale of fastestknowntime.com
• (90:52) - whether Jack will take on sponsors now for his athletic endeavors
• (95:34) - psychological framing for big training
• (97:44) - talking about the lack of depth of FKTs
• (89:43) - athletes that are inspiring Jack right now

Links:

• Follow Jack on Instagram

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #12 - Jack Kuenzle | FKT Scene, Sponsored Trail Runners, Brand Relationships
• #25 - Kyle Richardson | FKT Scene, Intersection Of Music And Movement, Trail Running Culture

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I am joined by frequent co-hosts Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to recap the week that was in Chamonix, France for the UTMB series of events. We talk about some of our favorite performances and memorable moments, what the events will look like in years to come with all of the application changes, the impacts of these races on the overall 2022 mountain ultra trail running season, and much much more.


Sponsors:

• This episode is brought to you by Gnarly Nutrition. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.

Timestamps:

• (2:31) - reflecting on the Chamonix race week vibes
• (4:14) - livestream experience
• (8:00) - Des Linden in Chamonix
• (11:51) - crewing at UTMB
• (22:09) - standout performances at UTMB, CCC, OCC
• (36:20) - interesting stats about the UTMB races
• (46:31) - whether this was and will be for quite some time the most competitive UTMB
• (50:25) - who will take the Western States golden tickets from UTMB
• (55:11) - DNFs and next races
• (62:15) - ATRA tweet about gender equality at UTMB events
• (69:30) - miscellaneous parting thoughts

Links:

• Follow Brett on Instagram
• Follow Leah on Instagram
• Green Runners 
• How To Win UTMB According To The Data

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #104 - Long Run Archives #6 | Future of Trail Running Content, USATF Debates, Unusual Athlete Sponsorships, Joe Gray Versus Kilian Jornet
• #94 - Long Run Archives #5 | Western States Reactions, Zach Miller Return, Arizona Trail Duel
• #72 - Long Run Archives #4 | Cocodona 250, Mammoth Trail Fest, Super Shoe Influences, Strava Finds
• #62 - Long Run Archives #3 | Betting In Ultrarunning, Next Great Trail Running Towns, Golden Ticket Series Ideas
• #53 - Long Run Archives #2 | Ultrarunning Analytics, Elite DNF Debate, 3:47 Downhill Mile, Magda What If
• #43 - Long Run Archives #1 | Jim Walmsley What Ifs, Black Canyon 100K Preview, Full-Time Ultrarunning

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In this episode, I am joined by Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to preview the 2022 UTMB.

We analyze the course, talk about what it's going to take to be successful, note some of the interesting storylines around the event, and yes, make our predictions for the female and male top-5 finishers this year.

Note - this episode focuses exclusively on the women's and men's UTMB fields. We do not discuss TDS, CCC, or OCC. Not for lack of interest, but simply for lack of time. We decided it would be best to go deep on one race instead of sparsely discuss all 4.

Thanks to our sponsor, Gnarly Nutrition, for making this episode possible. Use Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order.

Timestamps:

• (3:31) - why UTMB is such an important event in our sport
• (7:06) - what it takes to be successful at this race
• (14:50) - weather for this year’s race
• (23:48) - logistical hurdles at this year’s race
• (28:07) - women’s field storylines, analysis, predictions
• (48:07) - men’s field storylines, analysis, predictions
• (64:42) - more talk about the American contingents 
• (73:01) - miscellaneous, parting thoughts about the race

Links:

• Follow Brett on Instagram
• Follow Leah on Instagram

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

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Abby Hall is a professional trail runner for Adidas Terrex based in Flagstaff, AZ preparing for the 2022 UTMB-CCC.

Sponsors:

• This episode is brought to you by Gnarly Nutrition. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.

Timestamps:

• (1:42) - life talk
• (3:44) - recovery from knee injury
• (6:11) - training in Chamonix this summer
• (9:09) - motivations to return to CCC again
• (11:14) - race day gear

Links:

• Follow Abby on Instagram

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

• #114 - Hannah Allgood | 2022 UTMB-CCC Pre-Race Interview
• #113 - Jazmine Lowther | 2022 UTMB-CCC Pre-Race Interview
• #112 - Kaytlyn Gerbin | 2022 UTMB Pre-Race Interview

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