Singletrack
Finn Melanson
Singletrack is a podcast covering the professional trail and ultrarunning scene.
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Top 10 Singletrack Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Singletrack episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Singletrack for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Singletrack episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
08/16/23 • 91 min
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On August 4th, 2023 I set an unsupported fastest known time on the 100 mile wilderness section of Maine's Appalachian Trail.
In an effort to pay it forward to anyone interested in testing their limits on this route in the future, I recorded this trip report with Xander Keiter, who is a fellow HMW enthusiast and owner of the fastest known supported and overall time on the route.
Xander and I discuss the history of the route, what makes it special and intriguing, where it fits in the broader context of the New England trail running scene, how I prepared for the run, what went well, what went poorly, and what might be next.
Sponsors:
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order
- Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.
- HVMN - use this link (https://hvmn.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 30% off your first subscription to their Ketone IQ product.
- Feetures - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://feetures.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
Timestamps:
- (3:29) - what makes the 100 Mile Wilderness so intriguing, what draws trail runners to the route
- (22:52) - how I prepared for the 100 Mile Wilderness
- (30:17) - how I fared on each section, what execution looked like
- (67:58) - post-run reflections, contextualizing the 100 Mile Wilderness, future plans
Sample Gear Used:
- Speedland GS:Tam
- Kogalla RA Adventure Light
- Maurten Gel 100
- Salomon Adv Skin 12L Pack
- Leki Ultra Trail FX One Poles
Links:
- Xander Keiter on From The Backcountry Podcast
- 100 Mile Wilderness Fastest Known Time Page
- Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and Patreon
Brett Hornig | 2022 Javelina Jundred Recap
Singletrack
11/07/22 • 71 min
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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:
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
10/21/22 • 12 min
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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:
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
10/21/22 • 11 min
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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:
Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:
- #142 - Stefanie Flippin | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview
- #141 - Nick Coury | 2022 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interview
10/10/22 • 96 min
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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:
Tim Tollefson | 2022 UTMB Pre-Race Interview
Singletrack
08/18/22 • 18 min
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Tim Tollefson is a professional trail runner for Hoka based in the Mammoth Lakes, CA preparing for the 2022 UTMB.
Sponsors:
- This episode is brought to you by Gnarly Nutrition. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.
Timestamps:
- (1:08) - 2022 Western States Reflections
- (5:21) - excitement level for UTMB this year
- (7:37) - preparing for UTMB in Mammoth Lakes
- (10:47) - whether he can win UTMB
- (12:15) - thoughts on legacy at this event
- (15:00) - Mammoth Trail Fest
Links:
Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:
- #110 - David Laney | 2022 UTMB Pre-Race Interview
- #109 - Jim Walmsley | 2022 UTMB Pre-Race Interview
06/20/22 • 12 min
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Reid Coolsaet is a professional trail runner for Salomon based in Hamilton, Ontario who is lining up for this year's Western States 100.
Timestamps:
- (2:24) - ultrarunning lessons
- (3:57) - confidence levels heading into Western States
- (5:51) - inspiring more road marathoners to enter the sport
- (7:24) - race strategy and expectations
- (8:47) - race gear
Links:
This episode is sponsored by Soar Running. Use code Singletrack20 at checkout to get 20% off your next order.
Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:
- #89 - Kyle Curtin | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
- #87 - Alex Nichols | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
- #84 - Tyler Green | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
- #83 - Drew Holmen | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
- #78 - Adam Kimble | 2022 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
- #77 - Cole Watson | 2022 Western States Pre-Race Interview
04/28/22 • 58 min
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Adam Peterman is a professional trail runner for Hoka based in Missoula, MT.
This past weekend, Adam set a new course record at the Canyons 100K in Auburn, CA. In addition to race analysis and reflection on the big decision he has to make this week either accepting entry to Western States or instead focusing on UTMB-CCC later this summer, we discuss many aspects of his background, overall running life, and rapid ascension in the sport of mountain ultra trail running.
Timestamps:
- (2:41) - what it's like having a partner who is also an accomplished trail runner
- (4:56) - working with and being mentored by Mike Foote over the years
- (7:56) - whether he would ever consider full-time ultrarunning
- (10:53) - motivations for getting into ultrarunning following career at UC Boulder
- (13:14) - whether he is influencing friends in the road and track ranks to convert
- (16:07) - why he went under the radar in 2019 and 2020 despite sub ultra trail running success
- (19:06) - whether he intended to race Canyons from start to finish
- (20:13) - whether he expected to share miles with fellow front runners
- (23:46) - whether he practices mental skills in the leadup to races
- (28:32) - biggest takeaways from Canyons 100K experience
- (30:18) - how he think about moving up in race distance
- (32:53) - whether he is leaning towards Western States or CCC right now
- (34:57) - whether he will race in a similar style at these future events
- (37:30) - which race (WSER or CCC) best suits his skillset
- (41:52) - whether he anticipated all this success when he first entered the sport
- (43:09) - whether he thinks a lot about being the best, being one of the best
- (45:47) - envisioning a Strava segment world tour
- (46:58) - what the next few years might look like for Adam
- (49:13) - going for a road marathon PB at some point
- (51:11) - his "why" for ultrarunning
Links:
Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:
- #54 - Garrett Heath | Switch To Trail Running, Pro Lifestyle, Running Teams, Brooks Beasts
Adam Merry | Bandera Reflections, Representation In Trail Running, State Of The Sport Talks
Singletrack
01/17/22 • 60 min
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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
- Follow Adam on Instagram
- Follow Adam on Strava
- Get coached by Adam
- Watch the episode on Youtube
- Follow Singletrack on Instagram
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
Support Singletrack:
09/14/23 • 79 min
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Jim Walmsley joins the podcast to talk about the major takeaways from his UTMB win, the impacts of moving to France last year, how he's managed his career to date and his path to going full-time pro, as well as his thoughts on whether the UTMB system works for elite athletes in our sport.
Timestamps:
- (1:01) - preparing for a golden ticket chase at Nice Côte d'Azur
- (2:59) - reflecting on career longevity, how he's stayed elite for so long
- (9:09) - curiosity, continuing education in ultra-trail running
- (16:00) - biggest areas of improvement for Jim and for other elites at UTMB
- (25:16) - contextualizing this win, benefits of moving to France for preparation
- (34:17) - key parts of the blueprint for UTMB success
- (49:02) - the other American men have the best chance to win UTMB in the next few years, what's next for Jim
- (59:15) - how Jim creates meaning around his career, how he feels about the overall UTMB system
- (65:26) - miscellaneous questions
Sponsors:
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
- Feetures - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://feetures.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
- Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/singletrackpodcast) to get 15% off your next order.
- Oladance - use code ST at this link (https://oladance.com/ST) to get $30 off the Oladance OWS2 headphones.
- Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website for 15% off your next order. American listeners - use this link. International listeners - use this link.
- Maurten - head over to their website (https://www.maurten.com/) and shop for gels, bars, and drink mixes.
- Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack)
Links:
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FAQ
How many episodes does Singletrack have?
Singletrack currently has 368 episodes available.
What topics does Singletrack cover?
The podcast is about News, Ultra Running, Running, Podcasts, Sports and Sports News.
What is the most popular episode on Singletrack?
The episode title '2023 Javelina Jundred Pre-Race Interviews | Preston Cates, Tara Dower, Riley Brady' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Singletrack?
The average episode length on Singletrack is 60 minutes.
How often are episodes of Singletrack released?
Episodes of Singletrack are typically released every 2 days, 3 hours.
When was the first episode of Singletrack?
The first episode of Singletrack was released on Jun 15, 2021.
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