Singletrack

Finn Melanson

Singletrack is a podcast covering the professional trail and ultrarunning scene.

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493 episodes
Updated July 21

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Episodes493

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July 21 · 1 hr 5 min
How John Fitzgerald Coached Jennifer Lichter to a Western States Course Record
Three weeks after Jennifer Lichter set a new course record at Western States, her coach John Fitzgerald joins the Singletrack Podcast to break down how it happened. Fitzgerald coaches an elite squad out of Missoula for Carmichael Training Systems, and this year he guided Jen to the win along with Jeff Mogavero and Adam Peterman into the men's top ten. We get into the philosophy underneath the results: why consistency is a trainable skill, why willpower is a resource you can spend too early, and what he means when he says success is rented. Fitzgerald explains the mental shift that took Jen from a mountain 50K specialist to a 100-mile course record holder, the on-course training camps that prepared his athletes for every crux of the Western States course, race-day fueling improvisations, downhill running as a skill, and his case for simplicity in a sport chasing every new gadget and lab test. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Janji - running apparel that goes the distance Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes Additional Links: Coaching Profile Instagram: @ackfitz Support the show
July 19 · 1 hr 11 min
ESPN's Wright Thompson on the Cost of Athletic Greatness (Sunday Conversation)
Wright Thompson is a senior writer for ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine who has profiled some of the greatest athletes and coaches of all time, including Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Steve Kerr, Pat Riley, Caitlin Clark, and Dan Gable. He's also the author of 3 books: "The Cost of These Dreams", "The Barn", and "Pappyland". In this conversation, we discuss optimization versus beauty in sports, sports as vehicles for self-understanding, why fame freezes people at the emotional age they got it, and where the tortured artist myth comes from before ending on mortality and legacy. Note - in case you're not interested, we spend the first 20 ish minutes of the conversation talking about our shared appreciation for music and certain artists and bands before getting into the aforementioned part of the conversation. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Janji - running apparel that goes the distance Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes Support the show
July 18 · 1 hr 42 min
Hardrock 100 Recap, 2026 Mid-Season Review + $15 Lactate Gels? (Long Run Archives #41)
Brett Hornig co-hosts for another classic edition of the Long Run Archives. We share our biggest takeaways from this year's Hardrock, reflect on the biggest moments from the first half of 2026, and feature the latest ultra-focused products that have caught our attention. Finally, we close with a brief interview of Ryder Jay, who won the U-18 NTN Eagle race at Broken Arrow last month. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Janji - running apparel that goes the distance Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes Support the show
July 2 · 1 hr 3 min
Tom Evans | 2026 Hardrock 100 Pre-Run Interview
Tom Evans is back on the show! We last chatted after UTMB last year, so there was a lot of ground to cover: recapping the first half of 2026, his most recent treadmill workout, which garnered a lot of commentary on Instagram, the "why now" for Hardrock, his analysis of the competitive field here, and his reflections on how he's prepared for the opportunity. Thanks as always for tuning in. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Janji - running apparel that goes the distance Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes Support the show
June 29 · 1 hr 9 min
2026 Western States 100 Recap
Two course records, a rookie champion, and a men's podium almost nobody predicted. Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling join me in Auburn to recap the 2026 Western States 100: Vincent Bouillard clawing back from ten minutes down at Forest Hill, Jennifer Lichter winning in her first 100-miler, the deepest women's top 10 in race history, plus buy-or-sell and our biggest questions for next year. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show
June 29 · 43 min
Jennifer Lichter | 2026 Western States 100 Champion
Jennifer Lichter joins us in our Auburn, CA studio shortly after her course record victory at the 2026 Western State 100. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show
June 25 · 54 min
David Roche on the Cool-Year Revolution, the High-Carb Era, and the Odds of a Sub-14 at Western States
David Roche returns to the show a few days ahead of the 2026 Western States 100. Across 2024 and 2025, he put on one of the most memorable shows in our sport's history. He took us behind the scenes of his buildup to Javelina, Leadville, and Western States, fighting for wins and course records while running training experiments on himself. This year he's back at Western States, on the ground as a coach for athletes like Hans Troyer, Ellaney Matarese, and Justin Grunewald. We were lucky to get him in the studio for a long-form conversation, where we peppered him with questions on training, fueling, heat mitigation, and race strategy for the Western States 100. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show
June 25 · 1 hr 43 min
2026 Western States 100 Men's Field Preview | Analysis, Storylines, Predictions
Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, Jeff Colt, and Rod Farvard provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition in this year’s men's field at the Western States 100. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show
June 24 · 51 min
Zach Miller | 2026 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Zach Miller is one of the greatest, most entertaining, and most thoughtful runners of his generation. It's a treat to have him in the studio ahead of Western States, a race he has patiently waited to run for over a decade. Miller is coming off a memorable 2nd place golden ticket performance at the Canyons 100K, a race where he reunited with Hayden Hawks for yet another classic duel in their storied rivalry, which dates back to the 2016 TNF 50 in San Francisco. We also catch up with Zach on other topics, including his regular IRunFar column, his trusty North Face hat, and his reflections on this stage of his career as a professional ultra-trail runner. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show
June 24 · 35 min
Tara Dower | 2026 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
One of the most exciting and versatile athletes in our sport, Tara Dower joins us in the studio to reflect on this year’s mission to race the vaunted Western States-Hardrock double. There’s a bit of a “revenge” narrative at play here as illness forced her to DNF at last year’s Western States and she was the very first person on the wait list at last year’s Hardrock, even suiting up for the start line the morning of the race in hopes that magic would happen. Ultimately, the stars didn’t align. But now it’s here. We talk a lot about her process approaching the double, but also ask her about other interests in the sport, life in Durango, performance mantras, and her ability to dig remarkably deep in so many of these races. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show
June 24 · 37 min
Jennifer Lichter | 2026 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Jennifer Lichter is the newest star in ultra-trail running. She's been winning important races since her breakout at The Rut 50K in 2021, but it was only about 18 months ago that the wider world caught on and she became a household name. Since the start of 2025 she's beaten top fields to win the Transgrancanaria Marathon, Broken Arrow 46K, Speedgoat 50K, Black Canyon 100K, and Gorge Waterfalls 50K. Western States is her first time toeing the line for 100 miles, yet many already make her a favorite to win. Can she pull it off? In this conversation we trace her path here, dig into what the buildup actually looked like, and talk through her strategy for handling the spotlight at the North American Super Bowl of ultrarunning. Hope you enjoy. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show
June 24 · 1 hr 23 min
2026 Western States 100 Women's Field Preview | Analysis, Storylines, Predictions
Finn Melanson, Brett Hornig, and Leah Yingling provide in-depth analysis, commentary, and predictions for the competition in this year’s women's field at the Western States 100. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show
June 23 · 53 min
Kilian Jornet | 2026 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Kilian Jornet is the greatest trail and mountain runner of all time. He joins the show coming off a 3rd place finish at last year’s event, certainly questing for a victory in this year’s edition. He is the 2011 champion of Western States and debuted here in 2010 - the famous “Unbreakable” edition where he dueled with Geoff Roes and Anton Krupicka all day before landing on the podium in 3rd. Suffice it to say, Kilian has a storied history at this race. It’s not that often we get the privilege to speak with Kilian, so we also used this opportunity to have a broader conversation getting his insights on various state of sport topics. Hope you enjoy. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show
June 23 · 2 hr 1 min
Scott Jurek on the Golden Age of Ultra, Dean Potter and The Dark Wizard, 200-Milers, and the Odds of a Sub-14 at Western States (Sunday Conversation)
Scott Jurek is one of the greatest ultramarathoners of all time. His career ushered in an era of professionalism that enabled many that came after him to pursue this sport as a full-fledged career. Since 2024, we have had Scott in the studio for long-form conversations during Western States week. At this point, it’s become one of our favorite traditions. Sometimes we talk about the state of the sport, sometimes we reflect on key moments in his racing career, and other times we just shoot the breeze. In this one, we talk about Scott’s experience at Cocodona this year, his relationship with Dean Potter, pacing Brian Morrison in 2006, and whether ultrarunning is in a “golden age” right now. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show
June 23 · 36 min
2026 Western States 100 Final Power Rankings
In this episode we share our final "power rankings" for both the men's and women's races. Stay tuned for additional, in-depth previews of both elite fields later this week. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show
June 23 · 30 min
Lotti Brinks | 2026 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
Simply put, Lotti Brinks is one of the best ultrarunners in the sport right now. Over the last 2 years, she’s secured multiple top 10s at CCC, wins at Way Too Cool and Desert Rats, and a course record at the Gorge Waterfalls 100K this past spring that heralded her arrival into the upper echelon of the sport. This is her second time at Western States. She was here in 2024, placing 14th in 18:53. But many expect her to be a podium contender in 2026. Since this is our first ever interview with Lotti on Singletrack, we use the opportunity to learn more about her: her background, what motivates her pursuit of excellence in the ultra world, being coached by the great Tyler Green, and her race-day goals. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show
June 22 · 38 min
Hans Troyer | 2026 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
These are the times! Hans Troyer joins us in the studio for his first-ever (longer form) appearance on the Singletrack Podcast. Hans has had an exciting recent build to Western States, including a win at the Twisted Fork 30K and a training camp in Flagstaff with the Hoka team. Beyond that, on the biggest stages of the sport, he is on a roll demonstrating his greatness with a course record victory at the Black Canyon 100K back in February and an impressive win at JFK late last year. Hans took 8th place at his debut here last June, but expectations are higher for his return. Many consider him one of the favorites for the win here and part of the cohort of superstars that could break the fabled 14-hour barrier on the course. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Support the show
June 18 · 1 hr 38 min
Western States, Anti-Doping Efforts, and European vs American Trail Media with Francesco Puppi (Sunday Conversation)
Francesco Puppi is a professional trail runner for Hoka based outside of Lake Como, Italy. For many fans of the sport, his debut at the 100-mile distance and Western States has been long-anticipated. It's finally here and we cover the usual topics around preparation, mentality, and racing strategy for the current moment, but I also take the opportunity to ask him about current anti-doping efforts in the sport, European vs American trail media, and lessons learned from other superstars in our sport. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Janji - running gear that goes the distance Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes Support the show
June 16 · 1 hr 29 min
Tom Evans Wild Treadmill Workout, Western States Sleeper Picks + Ski Brands Taking Over Trail? (Long Run Archives #40)
Brett Hornig and Jeff Colt join the show to unpack Tom Evans' wild treadmill workout, our Western States sleeper picks, the ski brands entering the trail market, Broken Arrow hype, and whether the athlete-media landscape is changing. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Janji - running gear that goes the distance Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes Support the show
June 15 · 57 min
Gerda Steyn's "Comfortable" Comrades Win, New Tahoe 200 Course Record + Tudor's Luxury Trail Play (Singletrack News)
We discuss Gerda Steyn's "comfortable" Comrades record (and George Kusche's not-so-comfortable victory finish), Aaron Kubala's Tahoe 200 course record, Rod Farvard and Martina Valmassoi's dominant UTMB Andorra wins, Western States withdrawals from Keely Henninger and Seth Ruling, our Broken Arrow storylines to watch, Terignota's wild financials, athletes on the move (Canyon Woodward to Patagonia), Tudor's luxury trail play, and our favorite content of the week. Partners: Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains Janji - running gear that goes the distance Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order Kodiak Cakes - my favorite oatmeal and pancakes Support the show