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.
07/31/23 • 71 min
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In this episode, I'm joined by Latt Mansor, Research Lead at HVMN.
Latt holds a PhD in Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics from the University of Oxford, where his research focused on the metabolism of the type 2 diabetic heart in hypoxia. He also holds an M.A. (Columbia University) and B.Sc. (Hons) (University of Nottingham) in Biotechnology. He is a world expert in physiology and metabolism, and consults with elite sport, military, clinical and research organizations.
The focus of this conversation is on the practical applications of exogenous ketone supplementation in ultra-endurance settings.
Note - HVMN is a sponsor of the podcast. While I was a user of their products prior to this financial relationship and have been interested in this particular topic for a while now, it is important to disclose my ties to the company. Keep this in mind as you listen to the episode.
Timestamps:
- (1:42) - defining exogenous ketones, experience with exogenous ketones
- (9:23) - differences between endogenous and exogenous ketones
- (12:58) - fueling simultaneously with carbohydrates and exogenous ketones
- (16:35) - debating the performance versus recovery benefits of exogenous ketones
- (23:56) - discussing potential recovery, adaptation, and sleep benefits during heavy training periods
- (35:06) - suggested supplementation protocol for exogenous ketones during ultramarathons
- (49:22) - addressing various criticisms of exogenous ketones
- (67:57) - research requests for exogenous ketones
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.
Links:
06/21/23 • 13 min
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Emily Hawgood returns to the Singletrack Podcast to discuss her preparation for the 2023 Western States 100.
Links:
Sponsors:
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/discount/SINGLETRACK20) 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)
- Hoka - check out the new Tecton X2 and Zinal 2 (https://www.hoka.com/en/us/)
- Maurten - head over to their website (https://www.maurten.com/) and shop for gels, bars, and drink mixes.
03/21/23 • 71 min
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John Kelly is a professional endurance athlete and now 2-time finisher of the Barkley Marathons.
In this conversation, we get his thoughts about the media attention and public perception surrounding Barkley, what draws the general public to our sport, his views on using intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation for high performance, creating the ideal Barkley athlete, and why he’s interested in going after the Appalachian Trail FKT in the future.
Timestamps:
- (1:02) - why you have to be intrinsically motivated to finish Barkley
- (6:42) - what John wrote in his application essay for Barkley
- (9:23) - automated Twitter race narrations
- (12:06) - changing ideas about how to prepare for Barkley
- (19:26) - goldilocks zone of difficulty
- (24:36) - why he returns to Barkley
- (28:50) - mildly fulfilling successes versus stretch efforts
- (32:16) - ideal Barkley athlete
- (37:51) - why Barkley gets so much fanfare, why it appeals to the general public
- (49:10) - addressing Barkley criticisms
- (58:53) - Appalachian Trail FKT interest
Discounts:
- 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
- Trails and Tarmac - get $120 off your first 3 months of coaching (https://trailsandtarmac.com/get-in-touch/)
Links:
01/12/23 • 29 min
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Courtney Dauwalter returns to the podcast to talk about Bandera, the moment she went all in on ultra running, whether she’s interested in returning to Barkley, and for the hometown listeners here in Salt Lake City, whether she will race the Wasatch 100 one day.
Discounts:
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order
- Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) 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:
- (2:00) - whether racing and the pain cave ever get easier, more routine
- (4:56) - challenges at Bandera
- (6:29) - whether improvement is felt in training in addition to race results
- (8:03) - racing intuitively
- (10:52) - Salomon discussion
- (13:06) - what she attributes leveling up in 2016-2017 to
- (17:39) - driving force to go full-time as an ultrarunner
- (20:54) - mentorship
- (22:12) - reducing training, racing load in recent years
- (25:01) - UTMB
- (27:42) - whether she will return to Barkley
Links:
- Follow Courtney on Instagram
- Follow Finn on Instagram and Strava
Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:
- #174 - Courtney Dauwalter | 2023 Bandera 100K Pre-Race Interview
- #54 - Garrett Heath | Switch To Trail Running, Pro Lifestyle, Running Teams, Brooks Beasts
Robin Thurston | MapMyRun, Connected Fitness, Outerverse, Future Of The Outdoor Media Industry
Singletrack
09/14/22 • 53 min
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Robin Thurston is the CEO of Outside, the largest media company in the outdoor industry by orders of magnitude. In this conversation, we discuss Robin's entrepreneurial background building MapMyRun into the largest running community in the world, the state of connected fitness, putting a price tag on running-related and other outdoor media, the "Outerverse", and how Robin thinks about preserving the authenticity of acquired brands like fastestknowntime.com.
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
Links:
Timestamps:
(1:46) - connected fitness, MapMyRun origins, outdoor industry background
(10:36) - the state of connected fitness/running, progress made in this space
(15:24) - incorporating reward cycles into running/outdoor industry products
(18:04) - micro-transactions in running products and services
(20:39) - Outside shop
(22:37) - putting a price tag on running content, building utility into consumption
(28:04) - thoughts on if and when the majority of consumers will accept premium content models
(30:39) - whether the recent layoffs at Outside are a strike against these optimistic business models
(35:58) - whether and how to rally major industries players off the major tech media platforms
(38:32) - Outerverse conversation, screen time, alternatives within Web3
(43:23) - practical examples of the Outerverse in action
(47:23) - how to preserve the quality, authenticity, and trust of acquired brands like fastestknowntime.com
(50:36) - recruiting running and other outdoor creators to the platform
(52:35) - final calls to action
Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:
- #58 - Buzz Burrell | Modern FKT Movement, FKT.com Sale To Outside Mag, Trail Running Business
- #28 - Joe Vennare | Technology For Ultra Runners, Trail Running Media Companies, Business Advice
- #20 - Zoe Rom | Trail Runner Magazine, Running Journalism, Diversity Talks
- #7 - Mark Gainey | Co-Founder of Strava, Trail Running, Athlete Creators
- #3 - Jimmy Daly | Social Media, Content Creation, Branding For Trail Runners
03/11/22 • 60 min
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Garrett Heath is a professional runner for Brooks.
Garrett has demonstrated impressive range over the last couple of decades and with world-class PRs in events from the 1500m to the 10k, he has been a threat every time he steps on a starting line. As a three-time champion of the famed Edinburgh XC race, his gutsy racing style has carried him to victory over some of the world’s most legendary runners including Mo Farah.
I reached out to Garrett a couple of weeks ago after seeing an announcement that he was making the switch to trail running. Maybe it’s up for debate, but in my mind he is the highest level track athlete to ever cross over. The dude is legit.
In this conversation, we cover all the basics - what motivated him to make the change, why now, whether he will be coached and who his training partners will be, and what his race schedule will look like in 2022.
Given his background with the famed Brooks Beasts training group in Seattle, we also have a long back and forth about what it would take to build similar type of team in the ultra world. We get his perspective on being a full-time runner, the pros and cons of the lifestyle, and whether he recommends it. And we talk about perceptions of the trail and ultra world outside our bubble and what it might take to recruit more professional athletes like Garrett into the sport.
Timestamps:
- (2:01) - running background
- (4:00) - motivation to switch to trail running
- (8:03) - why now for trail running
- (11:03) - tentative 2022 racing schedule
- (13:26) - coaching and training partners
- (17:33) - training camps
- (20:35) - Brooks support
- (23:00) - Brooks Beasts, full-time running discussion
- (40:05) - conditions to build a trail running team
- (46:46) - outside perceptions of trail and ultra running
Links:
- Garrett Heath beats Mo Farah at 2016 Great Edinburgh XCountry
- Brooks Beasts
- Follow Garrett on Strava
- Follow Garrett on Instagram
Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:
- #39 - Hillary Allen | Brooks Running, Out And Back, Recovery Process Mindset, 2022 UTMB
- #40 - Lee Sackett | Brooks Running, Running Industry Careers, Running Culture Talk
- #42 - Sarah Cummings | Wasatch Trail Scene, Brooks Running, JFK 50, Lessons From Injury
Support Singletrack:
Long Run Archives #15 | Black Canyon 100K Recap, Golden Ticket Outlooks, Doping In Trail Running
Singletrack
02/14/24 • 98 min
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Brett Hornig, Jeff Colt, and Corrine Malcolm join Singletrack to riff on the latest news in the ultra-trail running world.
In this conversation, we share our takeaways from the 2024 Black Canyon 100K, talk about the entirety of the Western States 100 golden ticket series including some early takes on the Canyons 100K race later this spring, and spend the rest of the time talking about the implications of Stian Angermund’s positive doping test after last year’s UTMB-OCC race, which was revealed earlier this month.
Timestamps:
- (0:42) - Black Canyon 100K Recap
- (35:58) - Wider Golden Ticket Series Discussion
- (48:42) - Stian Angermund / Positive Doping Test Discussion
- (87:24) - Miscellaneous Parting Thoughts
Sponsors:
- Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
- Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).
Additional Links:
Automating Ultrarunning Hydration Strategy And Execution | Meridith Cass (Nix Biosensors)
Singletrack
03/07/24 • 45 min
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Meridith Cass - the Founder-CEO of Nix BioSensors - joins the show to talk about the self-health movement, the latest technology behind hydration intelligence, and the prospect of completely automating your hydration strategy and execution at an ultra-trail race like the Western States 100.
One thing to note before we get started - Singletrack has no financial partnership with Nix, but if you’re interested in trying out their products after listening to this episode feel free to use the code Singletrack15 for 15% off your order on their website.
Timestamps:
- 2:10 The Importance of Self-Health and Personalized Health Management
- 5:15 Accuracy and Meaningful Metrics in Biosensing
- 8:34 Personalized Feedback and Dynamic Recommendations
- 10:05 The Limitations of Intuition in Hydration Management
- 12:26 The Impact of Dehydration on Performance
- 14:17 How the Nix Patch Works and Measures Sweat
- 15:06 Refining Hydration Plans with Patch Data
- 17:30 The Nix Index and Environmental Conditions
- 21:05 The Value of Wearing the Patch Before and After Workouts
- 23:42 Triangulating Data with Other Sensors
- 25:04 Accuracy of Recommendations and Tolerable Error Rate
- 27:24 The Role of the Patch in Changing Consumer Purchasing and Brand Marketing
- 29:30 Granularity of Electrolyte Profile Data
- 31:06 The Future of Hydration and the Role of the Nix Patch
- 37:09 The Impact of Nix on Personalized Purchasing Decisions
- 39:39 The Need for Lab-Based Sweat Tests and the Role of the Nix Patch
- 41:00 Exciting Research in Sweat Science and Partnerships with Researchers
- 42:27 Automating Hydration Strategies with the Nix Patch
Sponsors: - Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.
- Brooks Running - check out their High Point clothing collection and new and improved Cascadia 17 shoe at this link (https://www.brooksrunning.com/singletrack).
- deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.
Links:
08/11/24 • 103 min
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This conversation with Warren Doyle might need a bit of context if you’re not well-versed in the long-distance thru-hiking scene in North America. Warren is a prominent figure in the Appalachian Trail community. While there's some debate about the exact beginning of the modern fastest known time (FKT) scene on the AT, Warren's impressive 1973 record of 66 days and change is widely considered a significant milestone.
Warren’s contributions to the trail are extensive. Over a 45-year period, he led eight large-group “circle” expeditions with near 100% completion rates. He founded the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association and established the Appalachian Trail Institute, which has helped thousands of hikers achieve their thru-hiking goals. He has also played a key role in preparing notable figures like Jenn Pharr Davis and Liz Derstine for record-setting endurance attempts, and has advised many other prominent endurance athletes, including Karel Sabbe.
I’m excited to have Warren on the show for several reasons. First and foremost, my deep love for the AT and my ongoing quest to understand its history. Warren has been a central figure in shaping the trail’s scene over the past 40 to 50 years. In our conversation, we’ll explore topics like the nature of endurance records on long trails, the purpose of the AT, social change, the impact of the outdoor industry on thru-hiking culture, the relationship between government and nature, and much more.
Regardless of your familiarity with the scene, I think you’ll find this episode engaging. Warren is a vibrant and generous conversationalist, and I’m sure you’ll gain a lot from our discussion.
Timestamps:
- 02:00 Introduction and Backlash on the AT
- 10:34 The Commercialization of the Outdoor Industry
- 17:48 The Relationship Between the Trail and the Government
- 25:22 The Importance of Substantive Conversations on the Trail
- 40:10 Regulations and Policing of Mount Katahdin
- 44:39 The Amateur Aspect of Endurance Hiking
- 47:26 The Role of Support Crews in Endurance Record Attempts
- 01:03:36 Challenges of Reintegrating into Society after the AT
- 01:11:54 Embracing a Wilderness State of Mind
- 01:17:04 Supporting Dreams and Moving Forward
- 01:24:05 The Role of a Social Change Educator
- 01:31:55 Concerns about the Future of the Appalachian Trail
Sponsors:
- Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack10 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 10% off your next order.
- Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.shop/) to get 15% off your next order.
- deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.
Additional Links:
12/10/24 • 60 min
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Chris Chavez returns to the Singletrack Podcast to discuss the latest developments at Citius Mag, the influence of Netflix's Sprint series on Track and Field, shifts in the sports media landscape, his key content and event strategies for 2025, and his perspective on Michael Johnson's "Grand Slam Track" league.
Timestamps:
- 2:00 The Evolution of Citius Mag and Track and Field Media
- 9:49 Retaining Talent in a Competitive Media Environment
- 20:50 The Impact of Media on Track and Field
- 26:59 The Future of Track and Field Media
- 32:19 "Sprint" And The Evolution of Sports Documentaries
- 39:51 Challenges in Media Access In Track and Field
- 45:04 Grand Slam Track
- 50:04 The Role of Influential Figures (Michael Johnson) in Sports
- 55:27 Business Strategies for Sports Media Success
Partners:
- Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
- Rabbit - use code Singletrack10 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 10% off your next order.
- Pillar Performance - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout on their website (https://pillarperformance.us/) to get 15% off your next order.
- deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLET...) to get 20% off your next order.
Additional 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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