Singletrack

Latest Episodes:

Sarah Cummings | Wasatch Trail Scene, Brooks Running, JFK 50, Lessons From Injury Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

Sarah Cummings is a Professional Trail Runner for Brooks based in Park City, Utah.
We talk about her introduction to the trail world after a significant collegiate and post collegiate career on the roads, her experience and lessons learned rehabbing from a traumatic hamstring injury that could have ended her running career altogether, how she landed in Park City, her thoughts on the Wasatch trail running scene, her 2022 racing plans and more.
As you all know, I think the Wasatch has the potential to be the next American cultural hub for trail running. In fact, one of my big predictions is that by 2023 this will be the place in the same way that Mill Valley carried the banner in the mid 2010s and how Flagstaff did the same in the late 2010s. I think there’s been a gap to fill for a few years, especially since the pandemic started. And I think its anyones for the taking, so why not Salt Lake? I mention that here because I think Sarah is becoming one of the great ambassadors for our region and her influence (along with others) will help make it happen fast.
Timestamps

(1:44) - running background
(6:02) - choosing Park City, UT to lifestyle and training
(9:47) - training philosophy
(11:37) - hamstring injury, recovery process, healing mindset
(22:17) - JFK 50 victory
(27:17) - Brooks sponsorship
(31:29) - the question of full-time running
(35:21) - excitement about SLC/PC running scene
(39:30) - subjectivity of trail running
(44:46) - increasing access to trail running

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Additional Episodes You May Enjoy

#39 - Hillary Allen | Brooks Running, Out And Back, Recovery Process Mindset, 2022 UTMB
#37 - Corrine Malcolm | State Of The Sport, Ultra Running Commentary
#31 - Dani Moreno | Sub Ultra Trail Racing, Golden Trail Series, Overcoming Burnout, Female Participation

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Coaching Call #2 | Canyons 100K Progress, Training Partners, Coaching A Trail Team Feb 01, 2022

Show notes

This is the second episode in a monthly series we are calling the “Coaching Call”.
For context - In April, I will be lining up for the Canyons 100k. Ryan Ghelfi, the Head Coach at Trails and Tarmac, is going to help me prepare. We decided to take it a step further by working in total transparency. Our calls will be recorded and the training log will be viewable 24/7 for you to analyze. Be sure to listen to our first episode in this series, if you haven't already.
In this conversation, we recap the first month of our athlete-coach relationship and talk specifically about goal setting, training partners, and what we are doing to prepare for the demands of the course. Towards the end of the conversation, we also dive into some coaching industry-specific topics like athlete load and what it would look like to coach a co-located trail team.
Timestamps

(2:25) - stating goals for the Canyons 100K
(11:46) - reviewing January training and forecasting February training
(34:59) - the ideal number of athletes to coach
(45:12) - what it would look like to coach a trail running team

Links

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

#30 - Coaching Call #1 | Setting The Table For The Canyons 100K
#17 - Ryan Ghelfi | Post Sponsorship Athlete Life, Trail Running Teams, UTMB, FKT Scene

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Lee Sackett | Brooks Running, Running Industry Careers, Running Culture Talk Jan 28, 2022

Show notes

In this episode we talk with Lee Sackett, a Product Manager for the Blue Line Innovation Footwear team at Brooks Running.

The first half of our conversation focuses primarily on work, life, and career trajectory in the running industry. The second half dives into a flowy conversation about running culture, growing participation, increasing the entertainment value, and making connections with other sports to raise the level of creativity and perspective in our community.
As you all know, I love having conversations with people on the business side of the sport. Lee is also just a great thinker, running advocate, and overall inspiring human being. I would be shocked if you don't feel compelled to go run 10 miles after this one. Happy listening!
Timestamps

(1:44) - interesting people in ultrarunning
(11:04) - Lee's work at Brooks Running
(22:10) - how Lee got into the running industry
(32:36) - advice for others that want to have a career in the running industry
(38:48) - additional, outside influences Lee brings to the running industry
(43:00) - riffing on the intersection of running and art
(53:53) - why Lee does a lot of cycling, the influence it's had on his perspectives
(62:20) - thoughts on the growth of running

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Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

#25 - Kyle Richardson | FKT Scene, Intersection Of Music And Movement, Trail Running Culture
#18 - Moe Lauchert | Outdoor Entrepreneurship, Representation In Trail Running, Growing The Sport
#16 - Logan Williams | Trail Running Philosophy, Athlete Sponsorships, Why We Run

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Hillary Allen | Brooks Running, Out And Back, Recovery Process Mindset, 2022 UTMB Jan 26, 2022

Show notes

Hillary Allen is a professional trail runner for Brooks, a co-host of the Trail Society podcast, and author of a new book titled "Out And Back: A Runner's Story Of Survival Against All Odds".
In addition to announcing her sponsorship change from the North Face to Brooks, we also dig into the details of her new book and specifically examine issues like health care for professional athletes, the importance of mindset in the recovery process, risk aversion, her perspective going all-in on trail running after entertaining a career in academia, as well as her 2022 racing plans which include UTMB.
Timestamps

(1:02) - sponsorship change
(6:47) - 2022 racing schedule
(14:54) - health care for professional trail runners
(18:02) - importance of mindset in the recovery process
(25:47) - risk aversion
(27:45) - choosing between pro mountain running and academia
(32:27) - touring her book, van life
(37:18) - overtraining syndrome, impact on pro athletes and sponsors

Links

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

#42 - Sarah Cummings | Wasatch Trail Scene, Brooks Running, JFK 50, Lessons From Injury
#37 - Corrine Malcolm | State Of The Sport, Ultra Running Commentary
#31 - Dani Moreno | Sub Ultra Trail Racing, Golden Trail Series, Overcoming Burnout, Female Participation
#29 - Sabrina Stanley | Madeira Island Reflections, UTMB 2022, Adidas Trail Team
#23 - Abby Hall | Running and Design, Full-Time Professional Athlete Life, Flagstaff

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Taggart VanEtten | Road Ultrarunning, Midwest Scene, 100 Mile World Record Attempt Jan 20, 2022

Show notes

Taggart VanEtten is an endurance athlete based in Central Illinois.
In addition to having one of the best names in our sport, Taggart made a big splash on the ultra scene in 2021. We talk about those race experiences, but also dig into how his background has influenced the type of training he does, what attracted him to our sport, why he's leaving for a bit, his thoughts on sponsorship, the culture of our sport, and way more.
While Taggart is returning to the road marathon scene in an attempt to qualify for the Olympic Trials in 2024, be on the lookout for his eventual return to ultrarunning. He is one of the most confident, determined athletes I have come across. And as you will find out in this conversation, he has lofty goals left to pursue.

Timestamps

(1:51) - running and triathlon background
(4:41) - 100 Mile WR attempt, switch to OTQ attempt
(7:11) - whether Taggart can get the 50 mile, 100K, and 100 mile WRs
(8:55) - OTQ motivations, ultrarunning burnout
(12:14) - sources of confidence
(13:26) - cultural differences between triathlons and ultramarathons
(15:03) - why Taggart isn't afraid of anyone
(17:15) - why Taggart trains alone
(18:21) - training philosophy, mindset, and lifestyle
(24:28) - nobody cares, work harder, internal motivation
(29:44) - sponsorship thoughts, full-time running thoughts
(31:47) - midwest ultrarunning scene, lack of media coverage, road ultras
(36:29) - negative splitting thoughts
(39:32) - why more elite endurance athletes don't do ultras
(42:42) - 100K WR excitement
(45:15) - Taggart explains his best tweets
(49:17) - what's on tap when Taggart returns to ultras in 2024

Links

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

#26 - Sam Parsons | How To Build A Trail Running Team
#22 - Nick Coury | Negative Splitting Ultramarathons, 24 Hour American Record, Aravaipa Running

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Corrine Malcolm: State Of The Sport, Ultra Running Commentary (Sunday Conversation) Jan 18, 2022

Show notes

Corrine Malcolm is a Professional Trail Runner Adidas Terrex, a Co-Host of the Trail Society podcast, a coach at Carmichael Training Systems and in general, one of the more involved people in our sport.
We talk about the good and the bad of growth in our sport, especially relating to brand-building, race organizing, drug testing, and the overall professionalization of ultra running. We dig some coaching and running science topics like racing frequency, off-season execution, and her research-related wishlist. Corrine also talks about how she got involved on the media side of the sport and offers her thoughts on doing commentary, evolving race coverage, and all the personalities in our community.
Timestamps

(1:12) - ultrarunning brands jockeying for control
(12:37) - concerns about the Quartz program
(22:08) - frequency of racing for elite ultrarunners
(27:00) - off seasons for ultrarunners
(30:29) - as the race distance increases, female runners get stronger
(35:12) - why testosterone may be a disadvantage in ultrarunning
(37:23) - why elite ultrarunners don't pace better
(41:45) - unanswered questions in ultrarunning research
(47:27) - how Corrine got into ultrarunning media
(53:57) - ultrarunning personalities in media
(60:50) - recruiting more female runners to ultrarunning
(65:22) - changing race cutoff times to attract more athletes
(67:33) - presentation expectations for male versus female sponsored athletes

Links

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

#39 - Hillary Allen | Brooks Running, Out And Back, Recovery Process Mindset, 2022 UTMB
#31 - Dani Moreno | Sub Ultra Trail Racing, Golden Trail Series, Overcoming Burnout, Female Participation

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Adam Merry | Bandera Reflections, Representation In Trail Running, State Of The Sport Talks Jan 17, 2022

Show notes

In this episode we talk with Adam Merry. Adam is a professional Trail Runner for Saucony based in Golden, CO.

We reflect on his performance at the recent Bandera 100K, increasing representation in our sport, all the usual questions I have about the state of our sport because Adam is so tuned in, and more.
Adam is a great dude and one of the most mission-oriented people in our sport I have come across. I think it will shine through in this episode.
Timestamps

(1:44) - running background
(3:26) - Bandera 100K preparation, race execution
(13:08) - whether Western States is still the goal, what's next
(17:43) - ultrarunning media talk, brand investments
(21:26) - social issues in trail running
(27:28) - the training switch away from more is better
(29:43) - continuing education as a coach
(33:39) - organizing life to prioritize ultrarunning
(38:36) - being a fan of ultrarunning
(42:04) - outside influences on ultrarunning
(46:57) - partnership with Saucony
(54:25) - long-term thinking, self-belief

Links

Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:

#25 - Kyle Richardson | FKT Scene, Intersection Of Music And Movement, Trail Running Culture
#18 - Moe Lauchert | Outdoor Entrepreneurship, Representation In Trail Running, Growing The Sport
#16 - Logan Williams | Trail Running Philosophy, Athlete Sponsorships, Why We Run

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Golden Ticket Talks | Jonathan Rea, Bandera 100K 1st Place Male Jan 14, 2022

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of the Golden Ticket Talks in which we meet with the overall winner of the Bandera 100K, Jonathan Rea. Jonathan is currently unsponsored athlete - maybe that will change soon - based in Boulder, Colorado.

In addition to race preparation, analysis, and aftermath, Jonathan and I talk about some of the parallels between trail running and his first love of baseball, the mindset and community-based strategies he leverages to execute good race performances, how his work on environmental policy influences his involvement in our sport, thoughts on competition and sponsorship in our relatively niche sport, and more.

Jonathan strikes me as one of the more cool, calm, and collected runners I’ve come across. It’s a personality that I think bodes well for consistently good performances in our sport. Be on the lookout for a top-10 performance at Western in June. It would not surprise me one bit.
Timestamps:

(2:04) - athletic background in baseball, not running
(6:29) - similarities between baseball and ultra running
(11:06) - why Jon avoids most social media platforms
(13:18) - why Bandera over other golden ticket races
(17:33) - why Jon doesn't travel to a lot of races
(21:47) - physical and mental training philosophies, race frequency
(27:06) - memorable parts of Bandera
(29:21) - thoughts about competition, teamwork
(36:24) - preparation for Western States
(38:10) - doubting ultrarunning talent
(43:03) - ultrarunning sponsorship

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Golden Ticket Talks | Tyler Fox, Bandera 100K 2nd Place Male Jan 12, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, we talk with the 2nd place male finisher at the 2022 Bandera 100k, Tyler Fox. Tyler is based in Lander, WY and has been quietly crushing some of the top mountain ultra trail races across the American West including the Bear 100, Bighorn 100, Never Summer 100k, and Speedgoat 50k to name a few.
In addition to the recap of his race at Bandera and his initial thoughts on Western States, we talk about his coaching business and the state of that profession in our sport, the trail running scene in Lander, WY, what’s exciting and concerning him most about the trajectory of our sport, and the issue of eating disorders among trail runners.
Multiple listeners of the show reached out beforehand to note that Tyler may very well be the most underrated athlete on the American scene right now and I think I agree. I’m excited to see what Tyler can do at Western States this coming June.

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Golden Ticket Talks | Ellie Pell, Bandera 100K 2nd Place Female Jan 12, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, we talk with the 2nd place female finisher at the 2022 Bandera 100k, Ellie Pell. Ellie is an East Coaster based in the Finger Lakes region of New York where she has put up strong results on the local circuit, as well as at the JFK 50 in recent years.

In addition to the recap of her race at Bandera and her initial thoughts on Western States, we talk about her mental approach to ultras, the East Coast trail running scene, a relatively new media establishment - the Trails Collective - that caught my attention, and more.

Ellie dropped a lot of memorable quotes in this one that I’ll be thinking about for some time. Her approach to racing is interesting, and I think it will bode well at Western States. We will see! As an East Coast expat, I will certainly be rooting for her.
Timestamps:

(1:16) - immediate golden ticket reaction
(2:54) - this one is for the beast coast
(6:31) - why the east coast doesn't get more trail running recognition
(9:01) - why Ellie chose Bandera
(14:52) - racing style, Bandera reflections
(22:53) - Western States thoughts
(26:05) - mental approach to ultrarunning
(34:55) - ideas to raise the profile of east coast trail running
(38:27) - trails collective
(44:21) - expectations for Western States

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