Ultrarunnerpodcast.com

Jim Sweeney runs primary on the technical trails around upstate New York and New England, still loves a good old road marathon, and even ran the fastest hundred miler (13:09) in 2018.  He’s also the Lead Brewer at a brewery you’ve heard me talk a lot about…Athletic Brewing in Connecticut.

It was high time I had Jim on the show to talk about his life (he’s got a degree in forensic psychology, whaaa?), his love of brewing beer, and what races he’s got on the horizon.

Fun talk with a guy sounds like he’s living the dream. I hope you enjoy this episode.

 

Jim Sweeney Episode Notes

Here’s a link to the Escarpment Trail Run that Jim mentioned. Mighty technical.

And here’s a link to the race I couldn’t remember…Manitou’s Revenge.

And here’s a link to Athletic Brewing. If you need any suggestions, ask away. I’m what they call, I believe, a prolific drinker.  (Here’s my story about when and why I stopped drinking and the role Athletic played.)

Intro and outro music used with permission from David Rosales.

Trivia with Lydia Episode Notes:

Intro/outro music used with permission from David Rosales.

Here’s more on The Tunnel race.

More on Yiannis Kouros’ incredible feats on Davy Crockett’s Ultrarunning History Podcast.

More on The Spine Race in the UK.

And more on The Dipsea Race in Northern California.

Here’s the NATHAN pack Lydia has fallen in love with.

And here’s the handheld she’s been using.

Here’s the Drankful hydration pack I’ve been trying out.

I was DFL at #hr100

Not the result I was hoping for, but I think I learned even more this way. Been trying to get here for about 10 years. pic.twitter.com/DFWkR6zhdk

— Terry Miller (@Terrysrunning) July 19, 2021

Intro/Outro music used with permission from David Rosales.

Alek Simpson was diagnosed with narcolepsy and cataplexy at 18 years old and has continued running ultramarathons and trail races. He’s on a combination of drugs to keep him “normal”, never gets hungry, has extreme light sensitivity, and has experienced sleep paralysis…but none of this is changing his love and passion for the trails and racing.

In this interview, I ask Alek about the disorders and how they affect his personal and running life. We talk about where he grew up, his upcoming races, and we talk about everything from falling porcupines to a new route from San Diego to Mexico that I didn’t know existed.  Alek is very candid about this mysterious disorder and hopes to bring some attention and light to it.

 

Gear Review with Ben Zuehlsdorf

Nathan Pinnacle 4L Hydration Vest ($175 | Affiliate link.)  And the women’s version right here.

Ben says: “A vest I actually don’t mind wearing. Doesn’t heat me up or chafe. Would be great for Hardrock.”

 

Hoka ONE ONE Clifton 8 ($130)

Ben says: “Excellent update to an already great shoe you can wear on the road or firetrail.”

 

Hoka ONE ONE Zinal ($160)

Ben says: “Great go-fast trail shoe that you can wear from the doorstep to the trail.”

 

We also spoke about SOAR Running. Here’s more on the new company from Europe.

 

Episode Notes:

More on the Baja Divide Trail

More on Diane VanDeren

Follow Alek on Twitter.

Intro/Outro music used courtesy of David Rosales.

Torsten Heycke is an endurance athlete who’s participated and competed in a panoply of outdoor sports. From ultramarathons like UTMB-CCC and Western States to field hockey, surfing, MTB racing, tennis, XC ski racing and triathlon, today, Torsten and I drill down and discuss our joined passion for paddle sports.

He and I both competed in a paddle race last month in Northern California, me in the 25 mile race on stand up paddleboard, he in the 100 mile race on a Surfski. (Torsten won his event.)

In this interview, we talk about paddling and discuss the similarities and differences between it and trail running. We talk about gear, “terrain”, the overall scene, and where to find good races. If you’ve thought about taking your SUP past the point of casual paddling, this is the episode for you.

Additionally, Torsten lives in Ashland (Southern Oregon) with his wife where he’s a member of a group looking to put Ashland back on the map for outdoor endurance sports. Since it’s heyday (hello Rogue Valley Runners?!?) a decade ago, Ashland has unfortunately seen its share of catastrophic fires that dealt a big blow to its running and tourism industry. We talk about races coming up and why you should consider Southern Oregon as a destination for your adventures.

Finally….Torsten Heycke is a bit of a mapping geek and we talk about how he came to design the official maps for Western States and he answers a few of my gripes/questions about Strava.

Paddlers’ equivalent of a black toenail.

Torsten Heycke Episode Notes:

Paddling Resources:

Paddleguru is the paddler’s version of Ultrasignup. Nowhere near as comprehensive, but it’s the best I can find.

California River Quest is the race Torsten and I competed in.

The 22nd Annual, 440 mile Yukon River Quest starts this week n Northern Canada.

Torsten Heycke’s depiction of the importance of blade angle.

Ashland Resources:

Ashland Woodlands and Trails Association

Mt Ashland HillClimb

Lithia Loop Trail Marathon (Nov 21)

2021 Pine to Palm 100

Noah Brautigam is a Salomon sponsored trail and ultra runner who started life as a xc skier and instructor in Vermont who bounced to the West Coast and has spent the last few years in Salt Lake City. Now he and his wife are living the van life as they prepare for a big move to her native Sweden later this summer.

We talk about xc ski training, coaching, his recent 3rd plan at Canyons 100k, some drastic diet challenges, and the mindset Noah has going into races. This was a fun interview with a really neat guy. Keep an eye on him this summer then we’ll see what he’s up to in Europe later this year.

Canyons 100k: Anthony Costales (1st), Max King (2nd), Noah Brautigam (3rd.) Pic by me.

Gear Review with Ben Zuehlsdorf

TOPO Athletics Mtn Racer 2

Skecher Performance Go Run RAZR Trail

Salomon S-Lab Phantasm

Noah Brautigam Episode Notes:

Follow Noah on Instagram right here.

Intro/Outro music used courtesy of David Rosales.

Here’s the SUP race I’m doing in a few weeks.

Annie Hughes is a 23 year old runner living in Leadville Colorado who hasn’t finished off the podium in nearly two years. She likes big vert, technical terrain, and long hauls that push her abilities. Haven’t heard of her? Listen to this interview and keep an eye on Annie…she’s got big plans and all the components to make them come true.

Annie loves the mountains, she loves pushing herself, and we’ll really get to see what she’s got after a series of races this summer…Speedgoat, Mace’s Hideout 100 high up in Colorado, then Moab 240. Yowza, how’s that for variety?! Go Annie!

Annie Hughes Episode Notes:

Here’s Annie’s supported FKT info for the Collegiate Loop.

Follow Annie Hughes on Instagram right here.

Intro and outro music courtesy of David Rosales. (Here’s our interview with David.)

Lucas Simon Drake joins me to share his experience of running a 50 mile trail ultramarathon tripping on acid. Why did he do it? How did it go? Does he see it as a PED or did in hinder his performance?

Please, listen to this interview with an open mind. It’s pretty damn interesting.

If you’re going to try something like this, please do it on your own and don’t put the RDs at risk of liability and/or losing their permits.

The look of pure bliss: 150 micrograms of LSD during a 10k.

Lucas Simon Drake Episode Notes

Here’s his book on Amazon: Runner’s High or: Can LSD Make You Gay? How I Ran an Ultramarathon Tripping on a Psychedelic Drug: The Easy Guide to Doing What You Should Not

Here’s the reddit thread that caught my attention.

Intro and outro music by David Rosales.

Lucas Simon Drake on the Tongariro Alpine crossing in New Zealand. “Just like Norway but with better weather!”

Gear Review with Lydia

Tracksmith Offroad Packable Jacket and Shorts

rabbit Waffle line

Nicole Monette started running competitively in high school and moved to ultramarathons a few years ago. She won Yeti 100 in 2020 and then last month participated in the Hoka Carbon X2 event in Arizona. During that event, Nicole finished second.

She doesn’t race a lot, but instead Nicole focuses on and enjoys the rigors and structure of training. In this chat, we talk about her childhood, kids, her fierce competitiveness, and how she got wound up racing 100k in Arizona last month. How will that event be different than her next trail ultramarathon? In about every way possible.

We also talk about parenting active kids, keeping them motivated and engaged, and what it’s like having little kids with glasses. Lots to cover here!

Nicole Monette Episode Notes

Nicole’s next race is Canyons 100k.

Follow Nicole Monette on Instagram.

I talked about using Zenni Optical for my son’s and wife’s glasses.

Intro and outro music used with permission from David Rosales.

Austin Bogina is an Olympic Trials Qualifier in the Marathon, a member of the USA 50k team, and a Ph.D candidate in the field of sports management.

In this interview, we talk about growing up in small town Kansas, finding his legs in Colorado, and working his butt off to get where he is now.

(Austin is) just a farm boy from Kansas who made his dreams happen.Matt Daniels

Austin and I could have spoken for hours about his academic focus and how small groups of runners affect the overall running scene and about how money affects the sport. I’ll likely ask Austin to be on the show again to dig even deeper about how our sport is growing and how that growth will affect athletes from casual ultramarathon runners to sponsored athletes.

Austin Bogina (r), Matt Daniels (shirt) and Matt’s wedding.

Austin Bogina Episode Notes

Here’s our interview with Austin’s good friend Matt Daniels.

Follow Austin Bogina on Instagram or his (mothballed) blog.

Intro/Outro Music used with permission from David Rosales

Austin Bogina and family at Olympic Trials

Gear Chat with Ben

Two products Ben reviewed were the North Face Vectiv and the Naked Running Vest and we raved about the new waffle line from rabbit.

Austin Bogina on the slopes.