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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Nov 7, 2022 · 1 hr 11 min
Brett Hornig | 2022 Javelina Jundred Recap
Frequent co-host Brett Hornig joins the podcast to talk about his 4th place finish at the 2022 Javelina Jundred. Brett talks about being a student of the sport, the conversations he had in the leadup with experienced professionals, how his philosophy around 100 mile training has evolved, how he oriented his lifestyle for this training block, the "why" behind the nutrition, supplements, and gear he used on race day, the race recap, and final thoughts on how this result affects his mindset moving forward. Sponsors: InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/single...) to get 20% off your next order. Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/) to get 15% off your next order Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order Links: Follow Brett on Instagram Follow Brett on Strava Get coached by Brett (Trails and Tarmac) Timestamps: (2:20) - whether he was surprised by a top finish at the Javelina Jundred (5:32)- being a student of ultrarunning, conversations with the pros about Javelina (8:18) - 100 mile training philosophies (21:53) - orienting life around preparation for Javelina, additional training block insights (27:58) - nutrition, supplements, gear for Javelina (41:19) - Javelina race recap, lap by lap (55:49) - whether this race result increases confidence, belonging among elites (64:27)- final thoughts Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #140 - Long Run Archives #7 | Olympic Ultra Running, UTMB World Series, Race Coverage Ideas, Agents #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 Support the show
Nov 4, 2022 · 51 min
Devon Yanko | Golden Ticket Talk - 2022 Javelina Jundred
Welcome back to another episode of the Golden Ticket Talks in which we chat with 1st place female finisher at the 2022 Javelina Jundred, Devon Yanko. Devon is a professional trail and ultra runner based in Howard, Colorado. In addition to memorable moments during training and the race, we talk about perseverance and handling adversity throughout her career, being open about and sharing so much wisdom around her physical and mental health to the ultra community, as well as thoughts on being a sponsored athlete over the years. Sponsors: InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/singletrack) to get 20% off your next order. Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/) to get 15% off your next order Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order Timestamps: (0:30) - competitive aspirations, mindset about the golden ticket heading into Javelina (4:13) - approach to handling adversity, variables outside her control (10:12) - thoughts about perseverance over running career (14:08) - being open on social media about mental and physical hurdles during running career (18:45) - history at Javelina, whether she was expecting a great day heading in (24:39) - Javelina race stories (31:22) - insights from training and racing for what it takes to do well at Javelina (33:41) - whether she would ever pursue the course record at Javelina (35:45) - thoughts on being a sponsored/professional runner (46:31) - what makes her excited to return to Western States next year Links: Follow Devon on Instagram Read Devon's Substack Listen to Devon's podcast (Women of Distance) Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: Golden Ticket Talks | Jonathan Rea, Bandera 100K 1st Place Male Support the show
Nov 3, 2022 · 43 min
Jonathan Rea | Golden Ticket Talk - 2022 Javelina Jundred
Welcome back to another episode of the Golden Ticket Talks in which we chat with 2nd place finisher at the 2022 Javelina Jundred, Jonathan Rea. Jonathan is currently an unsponsored athlete based in Boulder, Colorado. In addition to memorable moments during training and the race, we also talk about Jon’s approach to social media, environmentalism, and his prior experience at the Western States 100. We last chatted after his win at Bandera earlier this year and I’ve been looking for an excuse to have him on the pod again so here it is. Sponsors: InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/singletrack) to get 20% off your next order. Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/) to get 15% off your next order Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order Timestamps: (1:14) - two golden tickets in one calendar year (2:25) - why he is not on social media (8:49) - current sponsorship status (11:42) - environmentalism (17:43) - 2022 Western States experience (22:51) - Javelina Jundred conversation (39:38) - what the next 6-8 months will look like (41:46) - parting thoughts Links: Follow Jon on Strava Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: Golden Ticket Talks | Jonathan Rea, Bandera 100K 1st Place Male Support the show
Oct 24, 2022 · 1 hr 5 min
2022 Javelina Jundred Preview | Analysis, Storylines, Predictions
In this episode, I am joined by Brett Hornig and Leah Yingling to preview the 2022 Javelina Jundred. 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 make our predictions for the female and male top-5 finishers and golden ticket winners this year. Sponsors: InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/singletrack) to get 20% off your next order. Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/) to get 15% off your next order Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order Timestamps: (2:39) - what's interesting about the Javelina Jundred (11:51) - what it's going to take to be successful at Javelina (17:00) - women's field analysis, storylines, predictions (42:28) - men's field analysis, storylines, predictions (62:49) - final thoughts Links: Follow Brett on Instagram Follow Leah on Instagram Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #148 - Brittany Peterson | Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #147 - Arlen Glick | Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #146 - Dakota Jones | Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #145 - Patrick Reagan | Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #144 - Matt Daniels | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #143 - Annie Hughes | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #142 - Stefanie Flippin | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #141 - Nick Coury | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Oct 22, 2022 · 15 min
Brittany Peterson | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview
Brittany Peterson is a professional trail and ultra runner for Nike based in Pocatello, ID lining up for the 2022 Javelina Jundred. Sponsors: InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/singletrack) to get 20% off your next order. Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/) to get 15% off your next order Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order Timestamps: (1:24) - post UTMB thought process (5:08) - primary motivations right now (7:42) - vision questing at local races (10:46) - mission at Javelina (13:16) - gear questions Links: Follow Brittany on Instagram Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #147 - Arlen Glick | Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #146 - Dakota Jones | Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #145 - Patrick Reagan | Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #144 - Matt Daniels | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #143 - Annie Hughes | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #142 - Stefanie Flippin | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #141 - Nick Coury | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Oct 21, 2022 · 16 min
Arlen Glick | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview
Arlen Glick is a trail and ultra runner based in Massillon, OH lining up for the 2022 Javelina Jundred. Sponsors: InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/singletrack) to get 20% off your next order. Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/) to get 15% off your next order Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order Timestamps: (1:29) - no social media stance, shoe sponsor outlook (8:07) - the opportunities and limitations of training in Ohio for Western US races (9:33) - reasons for returning to Javelina this year with no need for a golden ticket to Western States (13:36) - ultra runner of the year rankings considerations (15:17) - shoes for race day Links: Follow Arlen on Strava Arlen Glick Ultrasignup article Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #146 - Dakota Jones | Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #145 - Patrick Reagan | Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #144 - Matt Daniels | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #143 - Annie Hughes | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #142 - Stefanie Flippin | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #141 - Nick Coury | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Oct 21, 2022 · 15 min
Dakota Jones | Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview
Dakota Jones is a professional trail runner for Nnormal based in Salt Lake City, UT lining up for the 2022 Javalina Jundred. Sponsors: InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/singletrack) to get 20% off your next order. Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/) to get 15% off your next order Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order Timestamps: (0:57) - life in Salt Lake City (2:39) - thoughts on competitive running in general right now (5:06) - switching from Salomon to Nnormal (7:43) - recovery from Hardrock, training for Javelina (10:29) - racing style (12:29) - golden ticket, Western States aspirations Links: Follow Dakota on Instagram Footprints Running Nnormal Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #145 - Patrick Reagan | Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #144 - Matt Daniels | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #143 - Annie Hughes | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #142 - Stefanie Flippin | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #141 - Nick Coury | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Oct 21, 2022 · 22 min
Patrick Reagan | Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview
Patrick Reagan is a professional trail runner for Hoka based in Savannah, GA lining up for the 2022 Javelina Jundred. Sponsors: InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/singletrack) to get 20% off your next order. Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/) to get 15% off your next order Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order Timestamps: (1:13) - the pitch for Savannah, GA as a great place to live and train (4:06) - comparing and contrasting 2017-2021 stretch to 2022 season (7:19) - the importance of blood work for ultra endurance athletes (9:30) - the "why" for returning to Javelina a 4th time (11:33) - physical, emotional, spiritual states heading into the race (13:51) - analyzing the contenders and this course this year (16:54) - whether he's targeting a golden ticket at Javelina (20:22) - the science behind calf sleeves for trail and ultra runners Links: Follow Patrick on Instagram Get coached by Patrick Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #144 - Matt Daniels | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #143 - Annie Hughes | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #142 - Stefanie Flippin | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #141 - Nick Coury | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Oct 21, 2022 · 12 min
Matt Daniels | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview
Matt Daniels is a professional trail runner for Nike based in Boulder, CO lining up for the 2022 Javelina Jundred. Sponsors: InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/singletrack) to get 20% off your next order. Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/) to get 15% off your next order Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order Timestamps: (1:03) - Boulder trail running group/team (3:56) - catching up on UTMB-CCC experience (6:22) - fitness, confidence heading into Javelina (8:26) - estimating what it will take to podium this year (9:58) - Western States, golden ticket interests (11:12) - shoe choice for Javelina Links: Follow Matt on Instagram Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #143 - Annie Hughes | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #142 - Stefanie Flippin | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #141 - Nick Coury | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Oct 21, 2022 · 11 min
Annie Hughes | Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview
Annie Hughes is a professional trail runner for Hoka based in Leadville, CO lining up for the 2022 Javelina Jundred. Sponsors: InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/singletrack) to get 20% off your next order. Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/) to get 15% off your next order Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order Timestamps: (1:09) - living and training in Leadville, CO (3:46) - insights, takeaways from an impressive season of racing to date (5:58) - energy, confidence, fitness heading into Javelina (7:52) - adapting to the demands of Javalina (9:30) - interests in golden ticket, Western States (10:38) - shoe choice for Javelina Links: Follow Annie on Instagram Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #142 - Stefanie Flippin | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview #141 - Nick Coury | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Oct 21, 2022 · 16 min
Stefanie Flippin | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview
Stefanie Flippin is a professional trail runner for Hoka based in Evergreen, CO lining up for the 2022 Javelina Jundred. Sponsors: InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/singletrack) to get 20% off your next order. Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/) to get 15% off your next order Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order Timestamps: (1:11) - transitioning from middle of the pack to elite-level runner (4:16) - embracing the season you're in, making time and space for high-level training and racing (6:49) - improving and subtracting versus adding when it comes to training and racing fixes (8:30) - racing background, whether Javelina plays to her strengths (11:19) - confidence, expectations heading into the race (13:07) - Western States golden ticket interest (14:17) - miscellaneous questions Links: Follow Stefanie on Instagram Read Stefanie's blog post about joining Hoka Check out Stefanie's work on Relay Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #141 - Nick Coury | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview Support the show
Oct 21, 2022 · 12 min
Nick Coury | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview
Nick Coury is a trail runner based in Scottsdale, AZ preparing for the 2022 Javelina Jundred. Sponsors: InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/singletrack) to get 20% off your next order. Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/) to get 15% off your next order Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order Timestamps: (1:26) - how elite level performance breakthroughs can happen later in your career (4:33) - early 2022 setbacks, Hardrock, status heading into Javelina (7:41) - comparing expectations this year to his performance at Javelina in 2020 (9:24) - whether Nick will be in contention for a golden ticket to Western States (12:15) - shoe choice for Javelina Links: Check out Nick's blog Follow Nick on Instagram Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #22 - Nick Coury | Negative Splitting Ultramarathons, 24 Hour American Record, Aravaipa Running Support the show
Oct 19, 2022 · 1 hr 18 min
Olympic Ultra Running, UTMB World Series, Race Coverage Ideas, Agents (Long Run Archives #7)
The Long Run Archives are back! It's been too long. In this edition, Brett Hornig and I are joined by Luke Webster, photographer and overall awesome creator for some of the most prominent brands in our sport. We talk about getting mountain ultra trail running in the olympics, the confusion around the UTMB World Series, race coverage ideas, and whether pro trail runners should have agents. 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: (4:00) - getting mountain ultra trail running in the Olympics (19:34) - discussing the confusion of the UTMB World Series (42:00) - race coverage ideas (63:16) - whether pro trail runners should have agents Links: Follow Brett on Instagram Follow Luke on Instagram 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 Support the show
Oct 14, 2022 · 1 hr 4 min
Cat Bradley: Reflections On Professional Trail Running (Sunday Conversation)
Cat Bradley is a professional trail runner for Brooks based in Boulder, CO. In this conversation, we reflect back on her experience winning the 2017 Western States 100, navigating the professional trail running world after that event, her thoughts on social media and decision to start a podcast, her decision to change sponsors last year, and the balance between passion and professionalism when setting goals in the sport. 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: (2:33) - what’s exciting her most these days (5:26) - UTMB Puerto Vallarta (9:27) - how life changed after the 2017 Western States 100 (13:18) - the negative aspects post-2017 Western States (18:29) - the sponsorship experience post-Western States (22:13) - gender pay disparity issues (23:38) - the benefits of processing the Western States experience (29:55) - starting a podcast, the importance of self-expression (34:44) - social media obligations for pro runners (39:16) - the conversations Cat’s interested in having on her podcast (44:10) - creating opportunities in the running world separate from her athletic performances (47:13) - the process of changing sponsors, how to know when its time to make a change (52:29) - advice for fellow athletes when it comes to navigating the sponsorship side of trail running (55:02) - the benefits of having an agent (59:37) - balancing passion and professionalism, goals for 2023 (63:14) - final thoughts Links: BeRad Podcast Cat's website Cat's Instagram Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #129 - Des Linden | Sports Psychology, Running Commentary, Trail and Ultrarunning Interests #96 - Clare Gallagher | Leadville 100 Focus, Social Media Perspective, Next Career Steps Support the show
Oct 13, 2022 · 1 hr 5 min
CJ Albertson: Setting A New 50K World Record (Sunday Conversation)
CJ Albertson is a professional runner for Brooks based in Fresno, CA who just set a new 50K world record in 2:38:43. In this conversation we talk about his motivations to break that record, whether he’s interested in moving up in distance on the ultra scene, and his general thoughts on competition, physical training, mental training and more. 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: (2:20) - motivations for reclaiming the 50K record (9:11) - whether there's still time to shave off the record (12:45) - interests in other ultra distances (20:29) - training philosophy for ultras (23:17) - remaining goals, performance ceiling at marathon distance (31:10) - relationships with other elite marathoners (36:58) - mental training philosophy (40:47) - training inspirations (47:54) - interests in recovery, how he spends the rest of his days (58:10) - miscellaneous topics Links: Follow CJ on Instagram Follow CJ on Strava Renato Canova Mihaly Igloi Methology Questioning Christianity with Tim Keller Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #129 - Des Linden | Sports Psychology, Running Commentary, Trail and Ultrarunning Interests #109 - Jim Walmsley | 2022 UTMB Pre-Race Interview #38 - Taggart VanEtten | Road Ultrarunning, Midwest Scene, 100 Mile World Record Attempt Support the show
Oct 10, 2022 · 1 hr 36 min
Tyler Clements | Should Professional Trail Runners Have Agents?
Tyler Clements is the Founder of Surveyor Sports Management where he serves as an Agent/Athlete Manager for some of the most notable trail and ultra runners in our sport. Similar to our recent talk with Kelly Newlon, I was really excited to have this conversation with Tyler because it was an opportunity to shed light on another point of view in the athlete-sponsor landscape. We talk about: his background as an Athlete Manager what it looks like on a day to day basis to represent and work with professional trail runners whether it makes financial and career sense to work with an Athlete Manager or Agent insights into the recruitment and negotiation process whether athlete contract sizes are growing right now how much of a factor age and injury play in the re-negotiation process whether it makes more sense to stick with one brand or to move around in your career Tyler struck me as someone who cares deeply about his craft and the role he plays helping athletes navigate their professional careers. 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: (2:22) - background as an agent, interests in trail and ultra running (5:45) - defining athlete management, what it goes into being an agent for athletes (17:23) - responding to the concern that trail and ultra athletes can’t afford agents (22:12) - helping athletes strategize and plan for their entire careers, future selves (27:03) - the questions athletes typically aren’t asking in the negotiation process (37:03) - whether athletes benefit more from sticking with one brand for their careers or moving around (44:23) - how athletes can determine what they’re worth pre-negotiation, what to ask for upfront (56:22) - whether there’s a significant gap between what brands want and what athletes want from a partnership (60:24) - whether athlete contract sizes are growing across the board, or for only the top athletes (65:14) - whether there are elements of contracts in other sports like gravel biking that make sense for trail running (71:21) - how much of a factor age and injury play in the contract re-negotiation process (78:26) - opportunities for athletes to engage and partner with non-endemic brands (93:03) - final thoughts on the athlete-sponsor landscape Links: Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn Follow Surveyor Sports Management on Instagram Support the show
Oct 7, 2022 · 1 hr 25 min
Scott Dunlap: Adidas Runtastic, Strava “GOAT” Program, Future of Connected Athletes (Sunday Conversation)
Scott Dunlap is the VP of Mobile at Adidas and the GM of Runtastic, a subsidiary of Adidas where he is creating the future of the quote un quote connected athlete. In this conversation, we talk about: being an early voice in the ultrarunning media contributing to the blogging wave of the late 2000s and early 2010s a few of his popular articles including his idea for the Strava GOAT program and whether endurance sports are a luxury good the role that technology companies play in promoting and facilitating more outdoor activity the application of web 3 technologies to the trail and ultra world and how athletes and creators stand to benefit the state of trail and ultrarunning 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: (1:54) - background in trail and ultrarunning (7:42) - being an early voice in the ultrarunning media (16:08) - the idea of the Strava “GOAT” program (22:54) - the confluence of trail running and Silicon Valley influences (28:01) - explaining the Adidas Runtastic App (34:19) - how essential community and gamification will be to future outdoor activity (41:46) - other important influences in the technology community on outdoor activity (45:43) - speculating on shifts in consciousness when 1 billion athletes are connected worldwide (52:09) - understanding the application of web3 technology to the trail and ultra running world (61:10) - understanding move2earn, STEPN (70:31) - how professional athletes and creators in trail and ultra could benefit from these new technologies, platforms (78:20) - thoughts on the state of trail and ultrarunning (82:48) - final thoughts Links: Connect with Scott on LinkedIn Follow Scott on Twitter Adidas Runtastic Article - Strava GOAT Program Article - Are endurance sports a luxury good? Book - Ecotopia STEPN 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 Support the show
Oct 6, 2022 · 1 hr 6 min
Kelly Newlon: Real Athlete Diets, Crewing FKT Projects, Athlete Sponsorship Thoughts (Sunday Conversation)
Kelly Newlon is the Co-Owner of Real Athlete Diets, a catering company that focuses on feeding ultra endurance athletes. We talk about her experiences and insights supporting well-known runners in our sport on fastest known time projects, as well as her interests in and knowledge of the athlete-sponsorship landscape in trail and ultrarunning. 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: (1:40) - overview of Real Athlete Diets (RAD), role in trail and ultrarunning community (2:52) - how relationships are formed between RAD and trail running teams/athletes (4:38) - what a standard relationship looks like between RAD and the athlete (8:10) - the role that food catering services play in fastest known time (FKT) attempts (11:52) - whether these services are a competitive advantage for athletes pursuing FKT attempts (14:17) - other interesting food-related logistical insights from FKT attempts (17:38) - how to keep athletes as nourished and healthy as possible on long-trail FKT attempts (21:49) - final thoughts on food-related FKT logistics (24:22) - interests in the athlete-sponsorship relationship, Athletes’ Coalition (31:07) - critical questions athletes should be asking in the contract negotiation process (38:05) - whether both sides (athlete and sponsor) are generally satisfied with the current state of affairs (46:16) - educating athletes earlier in their careers (49:33) - whether all athletes and all brands generally want many of the same things out of contracts (51:56) - whether the Athlete Manager or marketing team is most influential in the direction of a trail running team (56:01) - commenting on trends like team sizes, road versus trail investment, etc (61:56) - whether we are still growing or we are at a high point in terms of athlete opportunity in the sport (65:06) - final thoughts Links: Check out the Real Athlete Diets website Follow Real Athlete Diets on Instagram Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #98 - Steff Gardner | How Salomon Is Building Their North American Trail Running Team #99 - Robert Muecke | How Adidas Terrex Is Building Their Trail Running Team #106 - David Kilgore | How On Is Building Their Trail Running Team #108 - Jordan Hamm | How Brooks Running Is Building Their Trail Running Team Support the show
Sep 30, 2022 · 1 hr 10 min
Josh Eberly | How To Build A Collegiate Trail Running Team
Josh Eberly is the Head Coach of the Western Colorado University trail running team. In this conversation we get into the details of how he's built the team, how it's currently structured, how the team trains, where they compete in the trail and ultra worlds, and what it's going to take to expand their model to other colleges and universities across the country. 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: (0:50) - influence of the Hanson's Brooks Team (6:46) - the benefits of running for a co-located team (11:36) - other pros and cons of a co-located pro running team (12:48) - background as a trail running coach at Western Colorado (15:44) - why Western Colorado is unique among other schools for trail running (20:54) - athletic development of collegiate trail runners (25:38) - the blueprint for making trail running intercollegiate (29:46) - coaching inspirations, motivations (36:40) - how the trail running team is structured, how they train (41:49) - how Josh recruits for the trail running team (49:19) - the compelling nature of trail running for prospective college runners (50:12) - where the team races on the trail and ultra scenes (59:39) - the resources the team provides for the runners (62:16) - the future of the team (65:53) - athletes to watch on the team (67:40) - calls to action Links: Follow Josh on Instagram Western Colorado University Trail Running Team Additional Episodes You May Enjoy: #26 - Sam Parsons | How To Build A Trail Running Team Support the show
Sep 23, 2022 · 3 hr 7 min
Scott Kummer: Running Content Debates, Race Coverage Issues, Athlete Sponsorship Concerns, Ten Junk Miles (Sunday Conversation)
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 Support the show