Fastest Known Podcast

BIG NEWS: We have sold Fastest Known Time to Outside Inc, the publisher of iconic magazines such as Trail Runner, Climbing, Backpacker and of course Outside. Buzz, Peter and Jeff are very happy with what we created, and are very grateful to all of you that have cared and supported our work so that it is now an integral part of the sport of running, utilized by a worldwide community. Most importantly, the community itself will be very happy to know that Outside is bringing a massive amount of knowledge, passion, and resources to greatly improve the services and features of this website, in a way we could not do. This is great news! In next week's podcast you will hear directly from folks on the Outside team who care deeply about our community. As trail runners, backpackers, and multi-sport athletes themselves, they're passionate about maintaining (even improving!) our governing and record-keeping processes while applying their backend expertise to make our web-based experiences and features even better. Stay tuned. So this week's podcast is a special wrap-up. It's our longest ever, but we had fun stories to tell and many great people wanted to share their thoughts directly with you. Enjoy! Peter and Buzz Why did this all get going anyway? "Outside is a perfect fit. I feel quite complete." Peter and Jeff (co-founders) Stories from starting the website (and Jeff refusing to divulge his Marathon PR) “The new website went live March 27, 2018, so this is just about 4 years." Allison Mercer (Community Partnerships) An important tip on how to get a job in the outdoor industry: "In business, life, or FKTs, you just stay persistent, and it pays off! Helping people has been a great experience." Hillary Allen (co-host) Our sometimes Co-Host lights it up with her stories and laughter: “Creativity is such a big part of this. And the FKTOY Award is my favorite time of the year!" Jared Campbell The only 3-time finisher of Barkley shares thoughtful perspectives: “You gave this framework/creation to world, and it kept us all a little more sane." Anton Krupicka Our only 3-time podcast Guest tells what FKTs mean to him: “The one word that comes to my mind is ‘Inspiration.'" Buzz (solo) Final thoughts (very brief; thank goodness): “I was never lonely when hosting this podcast. I always felt like I was with a group of good friends." THANK YOU EVERYONE!!

YOU asked and the experts answered! Re-listen to this episode from a little over a year ago where Andrew Skurka and Mary Cochenour answer listeners' gear questions on a very wide variety of applications.

How many times have you heard bad training advice? Right; there's a lot of it. Here's a quick list, plus some (hopefully) good advice as well. More is Better. Maybe not - without rest and recovery, the stress of training just makes you tired instead of creating an adaptive response. Just Run. Most other sports emphasises technique, while some runners just run a lot - cardiovascular training is imperative, but poor form can lead to injuries and is inefficient. Strength Doesn't Matter. Especially for women and older athletes, and when on technical trails, it does. Strength training can help prevent injuries and prepare you up for increased training load, and aging athletes lose endurance slowly but lose strength significantly. Train Hard All Year. The best runners in the world go easy in the off-season. You should definitely keep moving, but recharge yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Paleo Diet Helps Endurance Performance. While eliminating processed foods is helpful for everyone, ancient humans certainly ate plenty of whole grains and beans. And each individual should do what works best for them. However, glycogen is our main energy source no matter what we eat, especially as exercise intensity increases, so taking in food that is easily converted to glycogen makes sense. "The fat burned during exercise is endogenous." - Hillary (Meaning it's already in your body from various food sources, as ingestion of fat can take hours to become available as energy). To Acclimate to Altitude, arrive at the race a couple days in advance. This may be the worst thing you can do. Most people feel fine the first day at altitude, poorly shortly after, and adjust in 3-4 days, and to actually increase your hematocrit level takes much longer. "It takes 19 days to make a red blood cell." - Dr. Tom Hornbein (told to Buzz personally). So your optimal arrival times are 3 hours, or 3 days, or 3 weeks in advance. There's more! Listen up.

Anton was our very first podcast, 3 1/2 years ago!  He was very articulate even back then:  "Sometimes being successful means getting back to the car. Alive." He was also Episode 127 last year: "I don't identify with any one sport - it's about the pure experience" He's still crushing some huge, creative routes; last summer he cycled to the 6 highest peaks in 6 different mountain ranges, ran up them, then got back on the bike.  Alone, Unsupported. ""Sagebrush & Summits" was the focal point of my summer - it took most of July - and ultimately it set me up to race Leadville again in August." Indeed, after cycling 2,300 miles over 21 days, he finished 3rd in the Leadville Trail 100.   Besides prodigious endurance, Anton also remains a very thoughtful student of the sport, and an extremely articulate spokesperson - don't miss his thoughts: "When I set an objective for myself, I'm really trying to create an experience that's going to be meaningful to me, and put me in a situation that will force me into a headspace and orientation to surroundings I don't get in everyday life. Even having a partner will be a different experience." The 6 summits, from the blog post for La Sportiva: Kings Peak in the Uinta Range (Utah's high point, 13,528'); Grand Teton – the Teton Range's high point, 13,775'); Granite Peak in the Beartooth Range (Montana's high point, 12,807');  Cloud Peak – the highest mountain in Wyoming's Bighorn Range, 13,166';  Gannett Peak in the Wind River Range, Wyoming's high point, 13,804'; Longs Peak (14,255') in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park, the dominant peak of the northern Front Range.

"People think the natural progression is from running to scrambling to climbing, but it's better to start climbing with a rope for safety. You gradually learn the skills, learn what you can do, then when you start scrambling you have the experience to do it safely" "The Grand Traverse was mostly 3rd and 4th class with some technical sections." What? The North Ridge is one of the 50 Classic Climbs of North America. You can tell Nick's background is climbing - very under-stated! Youtube video of a Traverse in the Tantalus Range : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8hROWRHUO8

Tyler twice ran in the Olympic Marathon Trials, and now runs up the biggest mountains in South America. From a 2:15 marathon to climbing Aconcagua (22,841') in 3:32. "A big reason I went to Aconcagua is because that is where the best guys go." No kidding: the legendary Bruno Brnod still has the fastest round trip from basecamp, Kilian Jornet had and FKT before Karl Egloff (#1 FKTOY in 2019 on Denali) broke it, and now Tyler has the Ascent FKT from both Base Camp and the Trailhead (13,838' of vert). We discuss gear and tactics on the 'Big A'. Being one of the Seven Summits it is very popular, and large guiding company's set up lux operations at base camp. Clients then spend a week shuttling loads to camps up the mountain, in standard expedition style. Is this a required tactic, or does it just exhaust would-be climbers? "You are digging yourself into a hole the entire expedition." Tyler is very experienced, with 27 FKTs, climbing many of the big Andean summits. His thoughts on safety are a must-listen: "We see the stuff that goes well, but don't hear anything of what didn't. Out of those 27 FKTs, I've probably turned around or failed a hundred times. No, more than that." "There is a really fine line between being extremely tired and it being really hard, and needing to push through it, and the situation becoming unsafe, and needing to turn back." Tyler is also a professional coach who founded a coaching collective (read his list of coaches). (Correction: In the podcast Buzz said Alex Huber had a previous fast time on Aconcagua, but he had him confused with the Argentine guide Willie Benegas).

Nika Meyers FKT: Colorado Trail (CO) Time: 9d 14h 19m 00s Notes: 22 hours faster than a FKT set last year; Self-supported within 4 hours of Supported time Athlete Comments: "If you have a dream, go for it, because there will never be a perfect time. Be proud that you're going to take the risk." John Kelly FKT: Pennine Way (UK) Time: 2d 10h 04m 53s Notes: First to go sub 60 hours on the UK's most competitive and famous long trail. Athlete Comments: "These trails have a huge history. And the level of support has been incredible; I love the community here. This is a team effort."

#3 Female: Anna Troup FKT: Pennine Way (UK) Time: 3d 00h 46m 37s Notes: The premier long trail in the UK is also very competitive; 8 hrs quicker than her own FKT set 2 weeks earlier Athlete Comments: "It was typical English weather, which means it rained most of the time.” "The classic style in the UK is full Support, partially because we've been doing this a long time, before GPS and watches and so forth, so people were just there to watch and verify you. And to share in the joy." #3 Male: Timothy Olson FKT: Pacific Crest Trail (CA, OR, WA) Time: 51d 16h 55m 00s Notes: Very consistent pace (51.3 mpd) on a very long trail (2,653 mi) while navigating numerous Fire Closures; 16 hrs faster than Karel Sabbe 2016 Athlete Comments: (None at this time) Previous Podcast: https://fastestknowntime.com/podcast/137-timothy-olson #2 Female: Mikaela Osler FKT: Long Trail (VT) Time: 6d 11h 33m 00s Notes: Unsupported fast time on a gnarly Premier Route; 7min faster than Nika Meyers 2020 Athlete Comments: "If I had went Self-supported I could slept at my own house next to the trail! I underestimated the food so I was hungry the whole time. This Trail is so hard; there are no switchbacks." Previous Podcast: https://fastestknowntime.com/podcast/118-fktoy-2020-p1 #2 Male: Karel Sabbe FKT: Via Alpina, Red Trail (Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France, Monaco) Time: 30d 08h 40m 00s Notes: Traversed the entire Alps through 8 countries, starting and finishing on the sea; 14 days faster than Self-supported from 2019 Athlete Comments: "My plan was 87km/day, the same at the AT, but the Via Alpina has 20-25% more vertical gain. Originally I desperately wanted to hike the PCT, but didn't have enough time off work to do it slowly - that's how I got started with fast thru-hiking." Previous Podcast (our 2nd ever!): https://fastestknowntime.com/podcast/episode-2-karel-sabbe

#5 Female: Addie Bracy and Corey Conner FKT: Grand Canyon R2R2R (AZ) Time: 08h 06m 41s Notes:  Unsupported quick double crossing of the Grand Canyon; a Premier Route. Athlete Comments: "Corey) "This was the longest run of my life by 3 hours! I was so scared my teeth were chattering. I may have over-compensated, because I ate and drank so much at the beginning I had to relieve myself 5 times in the first hour.  But that meant I felt strong on the brutal climb out at the finish." #5 Male: Pawel Szafruga FKT: Colorado Fourteeners (CO) Time: 43d 6h 49m 34s Notes: He not only climbed all 58 summits over 14,000' high in Colorado (Premier Route), but hiked between them all with no support. Athlete Comments: "I sprained an ankle so had to take a half day off. Unfortunately that was in Aspen, where the hotels were the most expensive. My budget was like a Little League team.  Fortunately, gas station food can be pretty good." Previous Podcast: https://fastestknowntime.com/podcast/157-pawel-szafruga #4 Female: Brooke Thomas FKT: Te Araroa (New Zealand) Time: 57d 12h 16m 0s Notes: This route traverses the entire country North to South, coast to coast!  Includes 150km of kayaking. Athlete Comments: "Logistics were by far the hardest part. My parents supported me, but 2/3 of the time I was by myself, and once I had 8 straight days out with no Support.  I didn't mash myself, and enjoyed every day, even though some were really hard, and I didn't know how to kayak. All your lows become your highs." #4 Male: Joe McConaughy FKT: Arizona Trail (AZ) Time: 14d, 3h, 21m, 0s Notes: Supported; encountered deep snow, quit, re-started. 2d 19h faster than previous. Athlete Comments:  "This is an epic 800 mile trail; the most bang for the buck of anything I've done.  You think Arizona you think desert, but there's a ton of vert, and I almost got snowed out. Seek out the adventures that matter to you." Previous Podcast:  https://fastestknowntime.com/podcast/129-arizona-trail-race; https://fastestknowntime.com/podcast/92-joe-mcconaughy; https://fastestknowntime.com/podcast/119-fktoy-2020-p2

46 people from around the world have been Nominated for the Fastest Known Time Of the Year award!  Wow.  Let's talk about it with Hillary. "Can you believe this guy?  He not only did the 58 Colorado fourteeners, but he walked the entire distance between them, with no support!" "I really like what Kelly is doing - she ran Gannet Peak by herself, which is high, remote, and technical." "Great to see Hong Kong on the List. And 5,000 meters of vert?  That's over 16,000 feet in a city that's on the ocean!" "I'd never heard of the Larapinta Trail, but I liked what she wrote: 'Hot, remote, wild; very Aussie in experience.'" Interesting!  So definitely go to the Nominations List to click on the route name, and see photos and read stories written by the athletes themselves.  This is your world bucket list of cool routes to do. Podcast Schedule 12/31/2021: We catch up with Hillary, and review the year. 1/7/2022 (This one):  We discuss the FKTOY contenders 1/14/2022:  We announce the #5 and #4 winners (Female and Male) 1/21/2022:  Announce the #3 and #2 winners 1/28/2022:  Announce the #1's  There was no advertising on this podcast - we rely on YOU.   Please show your support here!  (The Internet is NOT free). Please Review and Rate the Fastest Known Podcast (this helps people find the show).

We catch up with the "indomitable force" for a quick introduction to the upcoming Fastest Known Time Of the Year award, and more. "This is my favorite time of the year!  We get to discuss all the cool FKTs." But first, we delve into the wonderful world of gravel-bike racing.  Many runners got into SkiMo, which we've discussed here, but now the new cross-training sport is gravel riding.  "I got into cycling after an injury, and now I love it.  It's so fun.  And so easy on your body - you can ride all day, and the next day you feel fine." We discuss the 'super bowl' of gravel racing, Unbound Gravel, in Emporia Kansas. "It was really hot, and windy, and sunny ... it was carnage out there ... riders were flopped out the shade on the side of the road." "There was this guy drafting me, and he wouldn't come around.  He just wouldn't take a pull.  So I started crying. That's what you do, right?  He finally comes around, then doesn't do anything, so he's actually slowing me down.  So I pass him back, and this time pull away, still crying." "That's what endurance sports are.  It's so incredible what the body can do.  And the mind." Rob Krar on the Tonto Rim, "Hole to Hump" in the Grand Canyon, and why there are many FKTs in the UK but few in France ... this is a fun conversation. And lastly:  Buzz propositions Hillary live on air!  What was her response? There was no advertising on this podcast - we rely on YOU.   Please show your support here!  (The Internet is NOT free). Please Review and Rate the Fastest Known Podcast (this helps people find the show).

Our Co-Founder and our Director of Community Partnerships gives us the scoop - - - PB: "Races are resuming so FKTs are coming in at a more manageable rate. The UK has a very strong tradition so a lot of action there, including in winter.  Australia is active as well." AM: "It's been an amazing year!  We forget that Rob Krar and Mike Foote did R2R2R.alt almost a year ago. Then Stringbean beat the AZT by 3 days after temporarily quitting due to snow." FKTs are now a standard part of the sport.  The term is used all over the world, the same in every language, pro runners go for FKTs like they would a race, and we all can participate ourselves. PB: "You can - and should - find what is meaningful to you." AM: "I love FKTs!  I met my husband doing them, and am continually amazed and what people come up with." Their advice? PB: "Learning and growing is fun. That's probably how I got into this." AM: "Do your homework." It's time for year-end gifts.  Consider us!  There was no advertising on this podcast - we rely on YOU.   Please show your support at fastestknowntime.com/support!  (The Internet is NOT free). Please Review and Rate the Fastest Known Podcast (this helps people find the show).

Allie "Mac" McLaughlin flies down the trails (USATF Trail Marathon Champion 2 years in a row) and in the air (300 skydiving jumps). And did we mention riding dirt bikes? "It was super technical. So I revved the engine, closed my eyes, and took off." "I've gotten hurt way more times from running than from sky diving." At the Moab Trail Marathon in November, her BASE-jumping friends were on the cliffs high above the course as she went by the halfway point. "When I came out of Hunter Canyon, they could see me down below, and let out a 'ca-caw'. I heard that and yelled a 'ca-caw' back. It was echoing up and down the canyon. Then they jumped." "It was definitely a 'high on life' moment." Allie formerly lifted weights, which might have helped her on the Manitou Incline FKT. "I weighed 85 lbs and squatted 175." She also has some tips for downhill running: "You gotta remember to run. You just gotta send it." Photo: Peter Maksimow

John lives in Australia, where the whole country is sports-mad, the runners are fast, the routes long ... and it's now summer. "Normally it's starting to get hot, 40 degrees, but it's a La Nina year so it's raining now and the conditions are still good." He's been exploring the tricky canyons of the Blue Mountains, which are very different.  His recent FKT is "Passes of Narrow Neck", which took 16hrs 40min.  He and his partner did 14 passes in one day.  What does that mean? "A pass is an unlikely, in-obvious, or difficult passage through a rock cliff." This route is a mixture of scrambling, hiking, running, and canyoning.  At one point he and his partner climb a tree to surmont a pass.  As the Route Page says, "This route is only for experienced scramblers who understand the risks, and who have rehearsed every metre in advance. Only two of these passes are maintained by National Parks - any other ropes, spikes, chains or ladders you encounter could snap."  As John's partner Keith wrote: "The Passes Of Narrow Neck is a significant undertaking that definitely needs thorough preparation and familiarity with the route and terrain, as well as a good head for heights & strong scrambling ability.  By the end expect to be covered in charcoal, battered and scratched by the scrub and to have had an unparalleled adventure in the wilderness of the Blue Mountains."

Gary Cantrell, aka Lazarus Lake, (or is it the other way around?) could be the most creative person in the entire sport. That is a low bar, but possibly by accident he has single-handily changed ultrarunning forever. The Barkley Marathons is an iconic, world-renowned event, and the subject of two films, even though only 40 people enter, there is no website, and the time and even the date of the race is secret. "It's good clean fun. But not always clean, and not always fun." "A 'Barker' isn't someone who says, "This isn't fair!" and goes home. They are someone who goes home and works to get better." "It's a 1% race. It's designed so only 1% of entrants should be able to finish. Since 40 people are in each year, two finishers every five years is about right." In 2006 a runner got lost on Loop 1. He didn't find his way back until 32 hours later. "If you run off the map, the map doesn't help much anymore. He went about two miles. That's 16 hour miles." Backyard Ultras are another Laz invention ("Just One More Loop") and will possibly be his most enduring legacy. The original Bigs Backyard Ultra is still is held on his farm in Tennessee, where 35 people competed on October 16, but this year 25-30,000 runners will enter an official Backyard Ultra in 65 countries. Who'd have imagined such a wild success? Not Laz: "This is like a fantasy, because I'm just an old hillbilly who lives in the woods. I wonder if I'm going to wake up and it's not real." "I wonder if we stumbled on a whole new sport." "People don't stop when they can't keep going; they stop when they think they can't win." You need to listen to this. Laz is one of the most unique and insightful people we've ever had on the podcast. Or that you have ever heard. "The job of a race director is to help people find greatness in themselves."

Jack is a Regional Editor for fastestknowntime.com - he volunteers his time to process your FKT submissions. And he is young, fast, knowledgable, and passionate. Don't miss this view of our sport from behind the curtain! "I think the FKT scene is where the elite runners should be. Races are fine, but the courses are not - we can't get permits to hold races on our best terrain. But with an FKT, you can race up the best mountains and the best routes in the country." "You don't have to go to Europe to run up mountains. With FKTs, you choose the best course, on the optimal day, with good weather ... and it's all free!" Jack has outstanding advice for FKT hopefuls: Be very efficient at aid stations Research the course conditions Scout the course many times in advance Choose the right footwear (cushion vs grip?) Nutrition ("sold on Maurtens") What Style is the competition? (instead of looking for the slowest style, do what the top people have also done) He thinks the White Mountain 100 is under-appreciated: its 34,000' of vert is the same as UTMB and Hardrock (which is almost twice that of WS100). And it will never be a race - it's an FKT Route. This is a outstanding 10min video of the Hut Traverse that precisely illustrates what Jack describes.

"I'm a mom to three teenagers and on the verge of turning 50. The fastest I normally travel is in my mini-van shuttling kids around town. Achieving an FKT as an amateur middle-aged athlete with minimal time to train was a huge stretch of my comfort zone. So adding my name to this roster was one of my proudest and most rewarding moments." Boom! Isn't Nancy the type of person you want to meet on the trail (or listen to on a podcast)? She is a SAR volunteer who raised $30,000 with this FKT, and was inspired to undertake this project by the tragic death of another mother of three who died of hypothermia one mile from the trailhead. She has excellent safety advice for all of us: "Don't forget to pack what's between your ears." "STOP. Which means: Stop - Think - Observe - Plan. When lost, wandering or leaving the trail is never a good idea." Is this more inspirational than listening to a professional runner who can run really fast? "We care. With all the anger and divisiveness in the world, I want to say there are millions of people like us out there, who really care." Nancy also found the time to write a book, which we recommend: "Chasing the Smokies Moon; An audacious 948 mile hike, fueled by love, loss, laughter, and lunacy." Purchase signed copies at www.nancyeast.com.

This is a re-airing of our November 15, 2019 episode exploring the relationship between speed and safety. What is the boundary and how do you know when you're hitting it? Ultrarunners have the fitness to get really far into the backcountry, but do they have the skill and experience to get back safely? "People are drawn to these routes, because they're super aesthetic, iconic lines. But are they over their head?" "You can download a .gpx file and just follow your watch on a trail, but on technical terrain, that doesn't work." You need to practice. To take time. It's more rewarding to spend years, learning the craft. "Kyle did the First Flatiron over 320 times before setting the FKT." "Kilian has zero chance of breaking Kyle's record on the LA Freeway" What can we all do to be safer? What are the best tips? "By far what makes you safest is your mind." "Don't be in a hurry to go fast." Episode photo: Joe Kennedy

On October 18, Drew ran back and forth across the Grand Canyon 4 times (R2R2R2R2R). It was his third try, so he learned some things! Which he shares with you ... "They start turning off the water when the weather gets cold. So there's a narrow window when most people try this. I did the first R2R2R at night, so the warm sun made starting the second lap easier." This route was 83 miles, with 22,000' of vert. And unlike running in the mountains, to finish it off, you have to run almost 5,000' back UP! "Your quads must be preserved. The "box" is good running, so you'll lose big chunks of time if you're already beat up by then." Drew loves the Grand Canyon, and it shows. Even though it's not always easy, as he describes one trail in the western section: "You can hardly see the trail. My lower legs were shredded. If I were to do that route again, I'd put KT Tape all over my shins in advance." This Episode Sponsored by Rabbit: The free-spirited California brand dedicated to all things running. Drew used their cool-weather kit for his night-time start, and their super-light gear for the rest of his FKT - check it out here. Subscribe to their email list (bottom of page) to stay in the know for new gear drops and sales, and get 10% off your first order. And follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runinrabbit

We finish our 3-2-1 countdown interviews from the Men's podium of the US Mountain Running Championships with the winner, Joe Gray. Joe is one of the best mountain/trail runners in history.  He is very articulate and insightful, and is extremely well respected by other runners, while some casual runners may not have heard of him.  How can that be?  Let's correct it! Joe has won a ridiculous 20 National Championship races, as well as 2 World Championships, in addition to wins at countless (literally) other races - see his Bio below.  "I value the work. Someone can post a post a picture on Instagram, and it's gone 2 days later. I win a championship, and it's there forever." How has he been so successful for 15 years? "The biggest thing is being smart. Take pride out of the process. Coming to the line healthy is better than showing up really fit but hurt." There is a preponderance of people of African descent on the podium of road and track races, while on the trail and mountains, the ratio suddenly reverses.  Has he ever felt isolated? "Early in my career, you look around, and no one looks like you. So I wondered. And occasionally someone makes a racist comment. "But as I've gotten older, I realize, I'm not there for those people. They have an agenda, and it's not mine.  If I act out, if I lose my focus, then I can't do my best, I can't inspire the next generation." Joe told me something in person 6 years ago and I never forgot it - indeed, I've quoted him on three previous Podcasts!  Let's finally hear it in his own words: "There are two ways to build a running career. One is on social media; by talking about yourself. The other by winning races." Boom!!  Don't miss Joe's wonderful insights. And please support Fastest Known Time!  You are burdened with almost no advertising on this website and podcast - we rely on YOU.   Please show your support here!  (The Internet is not free; your contribution keeps this real).Please Review and Rate the Fastest Known Podcast (this helps people find the show).

We are counting down the podium from the US Mountain Running Championships!  Last week: Joe Demoor, #3.  This week: Max King, #2.  (Stay tuned for next week!) Max runs everything ... does he have the widest range of any runner ever?  He was the World Mountain Running Champion, which is a steep hammerfest of only 12km, then 3 years later became the World 100km Champion, running on a flat paved circuit.  He's done a 1:03 Half Marathon, the Western States 100, won the Warrior Dash Championships (an obstacle course), and next year wants to run the 3000 meter Steeplechase on the track. "I'm uncoachable. I train for tempo, strength, endurance and speed, year round." Max is now 41 years old, and can still compete in the open class. Does he have some expert advice for the rest of us?  Yes! "I'm always stretching and rolling.  I lift weights in the winter, olympic style. It's important to keep everything in balance." Max's run camps are a level above just running with a group of people: "Our over-arching goal is to create capable trail runners and stewards with a lifelong love of nature." Listen and learn!

When asked if he wanted to be a guest on the podcast, Joe wrote back, "I realize this will be a bit about talking about myself, which I have to admit is one of my least favorite activities." Right on! Joe is the kind of person we especially like talking with. Called the "quiet crusher" by some friends, Joe is a classic mountain person: he works hard, runs hard, and doesn't need to talk about it. He has no shoe sponsor, and says with a laugh, "The company's basically tell me I either need more Followers on social media, or to win UTMB." Is living in a Colorado mountain town a dream come true, or just a dream? "In order to make this lifestyle work, you have to be really committed; really want it." "There's still a lot of heart in these ski towns; people out grinding every day, doing it for the right reasons." Mentioned in this podcast: Our podcast with Seth DeMoor here Protect Our Winters organization ("Your passion for the outdoors can help save it")

Welcome back to a classic episode of the Fastest Known Podcast. That's right, this week we are re-airing our August 15th, 2020 interview with Kelly Halpin who had just completed the Wind River High Route, solo and unsupported. The route is about 97 miles with 30,000 feet of vertical gain. Her standard point to point route FKT still stands over a year later. A new men's FKT was set this summer by David Aalya in ​​1d 13h 41m 0s, beating Gabe Joyes by about 9 hours. David's first FKT on the route was back in 2019. We interviewed him on episode #118 during our FKT of the Year 2020 show if you want to learn more about him. ORIGINAL SHOW NOTES We receive 50 FKT submissions per day but this one immediately caught my eye: the Wind River High Route is big, wild, and rough, and a woman just did it alone, faster than anyone except one male. Women have always been athletic equals of men, but we don't often see them alone on the high routes. Turns out Kelly Halpin does a lot of the big routes. WHO IS SHE? "I grew up in the mountains, my favorite way to challenge myself is to do firsts, in the mountains, usually Unsupported." The WRHR traverses the length of the Wind River Range, perfectly bookended by the northern and southern most 13,000' summits in the range. What did she think? "It comes close to being technical, but never is - it's an incredibly beautiful, challenging, high alpine route ... it's one of the most beautiful places in the world." Kelly was over a day faster than the previous women's team - listen to her description as she makes it sound normal, matter-of-fact: "I really like to go light and fast. I'm pretty good with sleep deprivation. I brought no emergency gear, no sleeping, tarp or stove, just to move as fast I can." "And I gotta admit ... I stopped and went skinny-dipping; otherwise I would be a little faster. But it was refreshing."

This is a 42 day thru-hike with almost 300,000 feet of elevation gain, summiting all 58 Colorado 14ers ... entirely self-supported, solo, never getting into a car ... how did he do that?! "For the 3 months leading up, I did more pre-planning on this than my work." "I didn't publicize this in advance. You have to Walk the Walk before you Talk the Talk". "Some people are like, "Why isn't there more on the Internet?"  I'm not changing the world with what I do, so I like to stay private." "People can get addicted to getting "Likes".  If there wasn't any Likes, how would you feel about it?  What would you be doing if no one was watching?" Pawel is a wealth of insight and information. All students of multi-day efforts should listen to this.  "My Base Weight (all clothes and gear) was 8.5 lbs. Which included a helmet." But did not include a stove - he used the 'cold soak' method.   And he finished with a degree of liver and kidney malfunction; his doctor told him "No alcohol" for a few weeks. "It would be super hard to travel long and fast and eat healthy.  Going through towns, I would eat a comical amount of food.  I would eat 3 breakfasts at one sitting."  Gear Lists Pawel personally builds out custom camper vans with the same ethic as his thru-hiking: lightweight and efficient.  This is his company's van Instagram and this is the website. His hiking gear list is very accurate and helpful (his entire 'kitchen' setup totalled 2.2 ounces).

Bethany wrote to us: "One year ago, Katlin Rhodes and I came together and became the first women to complete the 46 unsupported thru-hike. That summer was my first with Strava and a GPS watch. She and I have learned a lot in one year and have combined for 23 FKTS, going after some big and small. From the thru-hike, I began ambassador work with SheJumps, a national non-profit that promotes more women and girls to get outside. I think we'd make a cool podcast." AGREED! Join Bethany as she speaks confidently on the importance of mental health, how until 2 years ago she lived "off-the grid" and didn't even have a cell phone, and her work as a wilderness therapy instructor: "Katie found me on the FKT website. We did the Adirondack 46 Unsupported. We've learned a lot since then ... FKTs have become the perfect niche!" "It's important to keep public lands open to the public. This has saved people." (Note: Katie was also scheduled as a guest, but experienced technical difficulties). This podcast releases on September 17, the one year anniversary of their A46 thru-hike. Success stories like this are wonderful to hear. And what's next? "I've done 19 FKTs; I'd like to get to 50 by 2023!" "The A46 FKT can go lower ..."

Scott is the best US Male Ultra Runner ever.  That may change, but for now, no one can match 7 consecutive wins at the WS100 plus wins at other marquee events. He set the S-N FKT on the fabled Appalachian Trail in 2015, with a desperate effort at the end, eclipsing Jennifer Pharr Davis' time by 3hrs 13mins.  The next year Scott's friend Karl Meltzer lowered it by 9hrs 29mins, then "the Belgian Dentist" Karel Sabbe demolished the overall AT FKT by doing it 41days 7hrs 39mins.   Scott and his wife Jenny co-authored, "North: Finding My Way On The Appalachian Trail" and were the 3rd ever guests on the Fastest Known Podcast.  Karel was actually our 2nd guest ever (take a look and listen - three years ago and these episodes are worth it). Time to catch up! On August 4, Scott went back for another go.  This time with plenty of preparation and knowledge, unlike the first time when he and Jenny "On-sighted it".  How did that go? "I started to feel my left quad on the 4th day. I shifted weight to the right, then that tightened up badly. I tried to slow down and walk it off, but that is not possible on the northern section of the AT." Very disappointing.  Listen as Scott describes his specific training for this effort, as well as nutrition specifics.  He feels that starting in the north, where the terrain is more difficult than in Georgia may have been a factor. "You don't get warm by sticking your head in a furnace." It's still too early to think about this, but we have to ask .... will he go back? "I still have so much to learn, and I still have more to give.” "You had to go and wake the dragon". - Jenny to Scott

This year, hundreds of square miles in the western US has been on fire, resulting in terrible air quality which often has exceeded EPA guidelines.  Dr Kevin Shilling is a long time ultrarunner, was 10th at the HR100 this year, and is a pulmonary physician based in Salt Lake City.  So we ask him an important question: When does air pollution get so bad it's better not to exercise? "That depends on how badly you want to go for a run." He really did say that!  Kevin provides intelligent, balanced, nuanced, and personal answers.  Four factors are: How healthy are you, are you experiencing any problems, how does it feel? What is your level of effort? An easy hour is different than a hard workout. When was the last time you ran?  If yesterday, maybe take a day off and wait for better conditions; if you've already taken 3 days off, well ... What is the AQI?  Over 100 might be unhealthy for some people while over 150 can still be tolerated by most; an AQI over 200? "I wouldn't do it." Check the Air Quality Index where you live right now.  If you live in some parts of the west, checking the AQI may become as common as checking the weather report.

It's a great time to re-air our 2020 interview with Courtney Dauwalter who - only 1 week ago - won her second consecutive Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc title, setting a new women's course record in the process. On top of all that she was the 7th finisher overall. During 2020 when UTMB was canceled, Courtney turned her attention to setting an FKT on the Colorado Trail, going from Durango to Denver. In this interview she discusses why the attempt was eventually stopped and much more. This is our most popular episode of all time and for good reason! ORIGINAL SHOW NOTES Courtney once ran 279 miles ... and received a "DNF"!  Huh?  How did that happen?   "They ring a bell when it's time to start, and if you don't go right then, you're out.  That's it." "It takes two to tango, two to keep the game going, to see what's possible." From choices of candy, to Bronchitis on the Colorado Trail, and the amazing world of Big's Backyard Ultra, Courtney offers wonderful, simple, and helpful insights. "Running is so cool … it's such a cool way to explore, and to spend time with people, and with ourselves.” "Running is a choice ...to live our lives however we want, to make choice to do or not do things.  I'm choosing every day to run and explore these long distances because I love it.  To keep this perspective every day is helpful, and I feel very lucky for that."

"Mediocre"?  I don't think so! Zack has done 7 ultra races and won all of them.  And he's from Kentucky, proud of it, and why maybe you haven't heard of him. "I like the east. It's green. I'd like to try some things out west, but I'm happy here." Zack graduated in 2017 with a double degree, went to work ... and quit 3 days later. "Running is what I love.  Yes, I took a pay cut, but this is what I want to do." Find out why. This episode is sponsored by Speedland Speedland is a brand new shoe company, founded by two longtime designers from Puma, Nike, and Under Armour. Their debut shoe is the SL:PDX, likened more to a piece of equipment than to a shoe. It is trail footwear made from the most premium components available today. Listen to this trail-runner-wish-list: 1. It's the first shoe ever to feature BOA's Li2 Fit System, dual dials with multi-directional incremental dialing for a perfect fit. 2. The midsole uses a new formulation of Pebax foam for ultimate energy return. 3. Then there's a Carbitex carbon-fiber plate with asymmetrical flex – stiff in one direction, flexible in the other. 4. Finishing it off, the SL:PDX uses a Michelin wrap outsole with a customizable lug pattern that can be adjusted for any terrain. When we say it's all there, it's all there. Plus, Speedland gives back 10% of all profits to outdoor organizations chosen by their athletes, and once the shoe reaches the end of its lifecycle, you can send it back where it will be disassembled and recycled. Check out the Speedland SL:PDX over at runspeedland.com and follow them on Instagram at @runspeedland. Drop them a note if you have any questions.

Riding and Running on trails is more connected than you know!  The Western States 100 originally was a horse race, not a running race.  And this year Susie Kramer did both, with one of the fastest combined times ever.  With a broken toe, after her horse stepped on it. "I guess some scar tissue had formed, so the pain wasn't too bad." Yeah, endurance horse riders are tough. Ride and Tie is a very tactical and exciting race, always on trails at least 20 miles long, with two runners alternating riding one horse ... got that?  Courtney will explain it! "My 14 year old daughter said, 'Dad, if you will learn to ride a horse, I will start running and we can be a team.' When your daughter says that, there is only one answer!" This is NOT like riding a bicycle - these are dynamic teamwork events with a human and horse, both of whom have minds of their own.  As Courtney describes Coda: "He can't stand to be behind another horse. It's like, 'You decide how fast you want to go; trot, canter, gallop, doesn't matter, because I'm going to pass you." "It's like he trained the other horses - they would move to the side when we came up, whether their rider reigned them over or not." Courtney goes first in this Episode, describing the strategic intricacies of Ride and Tie, and we note many of the top ultra runners of the era who also were Ride and Tie competitors. Susie is next, who describes why she thinks riding the Tevis Cup is harder than the running the WS100. This episode is sponsored by Speedland Speedland is a brand new shoe company, founded by two longtime designers from Puma, Nike, and Under Armour. Their debut shoe is the SL:PDX, likened more to a piece of equipment than to a shoe. It is trail footwear made from the most premium components available today. Listen to this trail-runner-wish-list: It's the first shoe ever to feature BOA's Li2 Fit System, dual dials with multi-directional incremental dialing for a perfect fit. The midsole uses a new formulation of Pebax foam for ultimate energy return. Then there's a Carbitex carbon-fiber plate with asymmetrical flex – stiff in one direction, flexible in the other. Finishing it off, the SL:PDX uses a Michelin wrap outsole with a customizable lug pattern that can be adjusted for any terrain. When we say it's all there, it's all there. Plus, Speedland gives back 10% of all profits to outdoor organizations chosen by their athletes, and once the shoe reaches the end of its lifecycle, you can send it back where it will be disassembled and recycled. Check out the Speedland SL:PDX over at runspeedland.com and follow them on Instagram at @runspeedland. Drop them a note if you have any questions.

89 FKTs is a lot!  And 51 of them have been in 2021, including sometimes 2 in one day.  I presume this is intentional? "I used to race more, but the pandemic caused me to focus on where I live.  And we have a huge history here - some of these routes go back hundreds of years." "It's always about the journey, not the goal.  But FKTs are great - this has provided the structure for me to learn and explore in my own surroundings." We discuss how new Routes are Approved (it's subjective).  And we discover that I once (or twice?) dis-allowed a new Route David had Submitted - dang - I'm called out on my own podcast! David has interesting stories and a great perspective on discovering FKTs in the United Kingdom: "It's like "brutalism" - on one hand it looks ugly and un-loved, but there is so much there." "This one route was an absolutely wonderful find - there as a huge amount of crazy graffiti and old architecture in an industrial section of old London, including a boat being used as a sauna - you wouldn't find this if you didn't know about it." "You don't need to "win" - there's great richness in the stories people are sharing, the logistics and the techniques of FKTs." "More people need to find out about these things." This episode is sponsored by Speedland Speedland is a brand new shoe company, founded by two longtime designers from Puma, Nike, and Under Armour. Their debut shoe is the SL:PDX, likened more to a piece of equipment than to a shoe. It is trail footwear made from the most premium components available today. Listen to this trail-runner-wish-list: 1. It's the first shoe ever to feature BOA's Li2 Fit System, dual dials with multi-directional incremental dialing for a perfect fit. 2. The midsole uses a new formulation of Pebax foam for ultimate energy return. 3. Then there's a Carbitex carbon-fiber plate with asymmetrical flex – stiff in one direction, flexible in the other. 4. Finishing it off, the SL:PDX uses a Michelin wrap outsole with a customizable lug pattern that can be adjusted for any terrain. When we say it's all there, it's all there. Plus, Speedland gives back 10% of all profits to outdoor organizations chosen by their athletes, and once the shoe reaches the end of its lifecycle, you can send it back where it will be disassembled and recycled. Check out the Speedland SL:PDX over at runspeedland.com and follow them on Instagram at @runspeedland. Drop them a note if you have any questions.

Wow - a new running shoe company! That's gotta be hard - why are these two men doing it? "We've been designing shoes for 25 years for other company's. There was always a compromise. We wanted to build a shoe that was the absolute best - no compromise." "We're always told what the price has to be, and then worked backward from there - we wanted to start with the best product and go forward." Can a new shoe company succeed? "If you work hard, and create a product that means something, you will succeed." "And if we took the same approach as everyone else, you're going to get the same result." Is this a version of the now iconic Nike Zoom technology? "Our SL:PDX is very trail-specific. Effort has gone into new road shoe design, and to some degree track shoes, but trail running requires a very different set of features which has been largely ignored. People have been running incredible FKTs and mountain races, while the technology has not kept up with what they're doing. Until now." This episode is sponsored by Speedland Speedland is a brand new shoe company, founded by two longtime designers from Puma, Nike, and Under Armour. Their debut shoe is the SL:PDX, likened more to a piece of equipment than to a shoe. It is trail footwear made from the most premium components available today. Listen to this trail-runner-wish-list: It's the first shoe ever to feature BOA's Li2 Fit System, dual dials with multi-directional incremental dialing for a perfect fit. The midsole uses a new formulation of Pebax foam for ultimate energy return. Then there's a Carbitex carbon-fiber plate with asymmetrical flex – stiff in one direction, flexible in the other. Finishing it off, the SL:PDX uses a Michelin wrap outsole with a customizable lug pattern that can be adjusted for any terrain. When we say it's all there, it's all there. Plus, Speedland gives back 10% of all profits to outdoor organizations chosen by their athletes, and once the shoe reaches the end of its lifecycle, you can send it back where it will be disassembled and recycled. Check out the Speedland SL:PDX over at www.runspeedland.com and follow them on Instagram at @runspeedland. Drop them a note if you have any questions.

He's done it again! After 5 YEARS of planning, Andrew climbed the hundred highest summits in Colorado in a huge non-stop effort of 22 days. And established two new Routes and FKTs within that effort along the way. And he claims he's not that fit ... "I don't know what it is about me; I can just suffer and keep going." No argument there! He tells great stories of being alone at night in the high mountains, and also discuss the history of the Colorado 14ers, from "Rick and Ricky" to "Cavedog". This is a wonderful, lively, edifying conversation you will enjoy. "Someone analyzed all these attempts - Rick and Ricky were 1 full day faster than me running, but I was 4 days faster than them on the logistics! Cavedog and I were the same, so I beat his time only by taking a more efficient line (a longer and bolder linkup) in the Elks." "Cavedog redefined the game, and we all follow that. He realized it wasn't about speed (note: Rick Trujillo won the Pikes Peak Marathon 6 times and the HR100 once!) - the defining factor became efficiency during the entire effort." What about technical proficiency? Rick and Ricky were great runners, but not mountaineers. "It's a style thing. You have to do the Blanca - Little Bear Traverse. These are the things that excite me." Listen and find out the two new routes Andrew considers to be on par with the famous Nolan's 14, the Weminuche Wipeout and the Centennial Elks Traverse ("Sorry, I couldn't think of a cool name for that one"). And his closing advise? "The battle plan never lasts longer than the first contact with the enemy." His Trip Report is a very thorough and thoughtful read. This is the summit-to-summit thread on 14ers.com, with over 400 Comments. "Great story, great writing. I still cannot wrap my head around how this is even possible." - susanjoypaul

There are 490 FKT Routes in the UK - get the insider scoop on them - Our two Regional Editors from the UK tell us what is new and cool, and then walk us through some classic FKT routes. "1,051 FKTs have been reviewed and Approved in the UK in the last 12 months - that's 3 per day - it's been really busy!" These are all really long, super hard efforts - many of these are multi-day, and some have over 100,000' of Elevation Gain. Why is that? "Really good runners are looking for good adventures!" "Because on the other hand, we have hundreds of fell races that people do all the time. Many take place mid-week: you show up on a Thursday at 7pm, pay 2 Pounds, run up the local fell and back, have a beer, and socialize with your friends. It's great!" "And these Classic FKT Routes are all very competitive, in spite of their length and difficulty. Many of the best runners have a go every year. But the Grand Round (all 3 of the Big Rounds, back-back, self-powered) is not a classic because it's not competitive - only John Kelly has done it!"

The 2021 Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run starts today. Two days before the run an important meeting took place where the event announced a new policy to increase women's participation. Starting in 2022, the percent of women's entrants will be no less than the percent of women's lottery applicants. Darcy Piceu who won the the race three times (2012-2014) is now a Hardrock 100 board member and she's returning to the race this year as a participant. What better time to revisit episode 36 (originally published May 31, 2019) where Darcy and Trailsisters.net founder Gina Lucrezi spoke about the challenges and opportunities to make the sport of ultrarunning more inclusive and equitable for women. Original Show Notes Darcy Piceu and Gina Lucrezi share thoughts on this important topic. "We're in a real interesting time right now. If I do nothing else in the sport, it would be to raise awareness." This is a different conversation for Fastest Known Time, and quite worthwhile. Trail Sisters has established 5 recommended practices for races: 1. Equal podium spots 2. Equal prize money and awards 3. Women's-specific swag (not just unisex) 4. Menstrual products at aid stations (events over a Half Marathon) 5. Opportunity for Women at the front of the Starting Line Citations from topics discussed in this episode www.trailsisters.net www.outsideonline.com/2312071/ultrar…gender-problem www.nytimes.com/2019/05/12/opinio…ernity-leave.html time.com/5594356/alex-morgan-world-cup/

You need to hear this inspiring story! Jim Mann, a top ultrarunner from Scotland, had this brilliant idea: ask race directors to give runners the option of having a tree planted in their name instead of being given still another t-shirt that won't get used. "The reason for starting this was 2 fold - I had loads of race t-shirts and kept getting more (I couldn't wear them all and they don't wear out). We wanted to plant more trees and it seemed like a great way to solve a bad problem whilst creating something good." The amount of water it takes to produce a single cotton t-shirt is the same water as a person drinks in 2 1/2 years. Polyester is worse. Why pollute our environment when we can plant a tree instead? "We've planted hundreds of thousands of trees this year alone - our goal is 50 million trees in the ground in the next few years." This is for real. They purchase the land the trees are planted on so they will not get cut down. Each runner receives a Certificate for what they've done, which lists the race name and sponsors (so no one gets left out). And it's all optional. There are 30,000 races in the US alone, and this program is now coming to America. There are 621 million runners in world - we can make a big difference. YOU make this happen: please reach out to all the races you enter, and tell the director this is what you want. That's how this works - you request it. Suggested by Mick Jones, co-Regional Editor for the United Kingdom.

Coree rose to prominence after his 21 day FKT on the Ice Age Trail, exactly one year ago. Before that he was seen rockin' a Speedo on the 10-part "World's Toughest Race" show on Amazon Prime (a great series). Coree has fun, and he has style. This is a very fun conversation with an intelligent and unique person - don't miss his captivating thoughts! "We intended to start everyday at 5:30am - the first day I woke up and said, 'Screw this; I'm going back to sleep.' Now we've changed the plan for FKTs: Start whenever I wake up - 10am or Noon - I'm totally fine with that. I prefer to run at night." Would it be safe to say you're not a methodical planner? "Absolutely. I don't like the logistics or planning - too much time to think. I want to be in top shape, and then just do it." In April Coree set the FKT on the 335 mile Pinhoti Trail in Alabama and Georgia. In this part of the country, there is no shortage of confederate flags flying. As a black man, out there sometimes alone at night, did he feel safe? "I didn't think about it. At mile 13, there was a giant confederate flag - I mean, giant. If anything, it made me more motivated. We want the outdoors experience to be available to everyone, and this demonstrates that. I never felt unsafe." "It was amazing. The people along that trail were awesome people. Pacers came out of the woodwork - they were working 8-5 jobs, showed up at night and ran with me until past Midnight, then were back at work at 8:00 the next morning." "People were dropping off hand-made food. One night I was freezing - I was so cold, all I wanted was warm soup. So a woman heard that, cooked home-made soup, and ran it out to me in the middle of the night on the trail." "Rural people are the best. So many people invited us into their homes. My crew is 3, 4, sometimes 5 people, and there was always room for us. I wanted everyone to know I felt safe. And: the Midwest is a friendly place!"

The Boundary Waters is 1.1 million acres of incredible glaciated terrain way up in northern Minnesota on the Canada border, and yet is the most-visited Wilderness Area in the United States. Because it is so good. Even if YOU have never been there! "Boundary Waters is as remote as it gets. Alex had everything dialed - those people are hard-core canoists - they paddled over two hours to get to the support locations!" - Clare "This is an incredible idea Alex had - he combined his ultra running passion with his passion to protect this place." - Clare "This is one of the most pristine places on planet Earth - you just dip your bottle into the lake or stream and drink without any filtration". - Alex "It was next level! I've never seen anything like it - it's the most wet I've ever been on land - it was so hard-core Minnesota!" - Clare Please listen to Clare, and support Alex and this fabulous wilderness The Boundary Waters is under threat from a proposed massive sulfide-ore copper mine that, if built, would generate acid mine drainage in the form of sulfuric acid and flow straight through the heart of the Wilderness and also into Canada's Quetico Provincial Park and Voyageurs National Park. The mine site and waste rock tailings would perpetually pollute turning this world class wilderness and pristine watershed into a polluted chain of lakes, rivers, streams and marshes forever. Website with full information Sign this petition! (Corrections from the audio:) Joni Mitchell's 'advice" to Clare: "Wild things run fast" Isle Royale is the least-visited National Park, with 18,216 annual visitors Special thanks to onX Backcountry for supporting Fastest Known Time. onX Backcountry is “All in for Outdoors” during the month of June; you can plan that next FKT and navigate offline with a year-long subscription to the onX Backcountry mapping app for only $10 in June with all net proceeds going to support Leave No Trace. Learn more at onxmaps.com/greatoutdoors

“The animals never forget who we are because they see us every day in their world,” added Angelo. “The best way to remind ourselves who we are and where we belong is to go out into the world and have relationships with our relatives.” Angelo Baca is a Navajo and Hopi filmmaker, and a PhD candidate in sociocultural anthropology at NYU. A graduate of the Native Voices Program at the University of Washington, he has created numerous documentaries and collaborative works around such subjects as indigenous food sovereignty, Native youth development and indigenous international repatriation. He's also taught Native American literature and media courses at Brown University. In 2016, he directed the ethnographic documentary Shash Jaa': Bears Ears, in an effort to illuminate the Utah landscape's significance to indigenous peoples of the region. Support Bears Ears - donate to Utah Diné Bikéyah here! Shásh Jaa' (Bears Ears) is a proposed 1.9 million acres of Utah wilderness considered sacred lands to the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition (Navajo, Ute, Ute Mountain Ute, Hopi, Zuni) coming together to protect this pristine area from natural resource extraction and make this area a designated National Monument in collaborative management partnership with tribes. Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland submitted her first report. https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_c27c346e-c999-11eb-9150-67ce4083279b.html Special thanks to onX Backcountry for supporting Fastest Known Time. onX Backcountry is “All in for Outdoors” during the month of June, finally you can plan that next FKT and navigate offline with a year-long subscription to the onX Backcountry mapping app for only $10 in June with all net proceeds are going to support Leave No Trace. Learn more at onxmaps.com/greatoutdoors

Dave is old school: extremely nice and will never talk about himself ... but don't enter a race that he is in, because you will probably get beat by a guy with one leg. How would you feel about that? (He feels fine.) On May 22, 2015, during a casual run above Boulder, Dave stepped on a large boulder which rolled 30' downhill, landing on top of his leg. He lay pinned there for hours, calmly directing his rescuers. A year later, after multiple surgeries, he decided it would be best to amputate it. "It took a year and a half to come back." Understated? That's Dave. This was a epic comeback for anyone, that Dave makes sound almost casual. He recently did the Grand Canyon R2R2R, 15 years after his 2007 FKT (when he was the first person to go sub-7 hours). "Proprioception is different. You have to register each step, pay attention where you're putting your foot. It's just another form of ultrarunning ... maybe little more advanced." With that in mind, has Dave ever considered running roads or easy trails, where technical footwork is not required? "No. Not at all. Too boring." Dave is supported by Altra Footwear, the original zero-drop shoe with the wide toe box ultra-runners (and thru-hikers) love. 24% of WS100 runners use Altra's. Their motto "Zero Limits" fits Dave. Thank you Altra! Special thanks to onX Backcountry for supporting Fastest Known Time. onX Backcountry is “All in for Outdoors” during the month of June, finally you can plan that next FKT and navigate offline with a year-long subscription to the onX Backcountry mapping app for only $10 in June with all net proceeds are going to support Leave No Trace. Learn more at onxmaps.com/greatoutdoors

Co-Host Hillary Allen asks Jason the obvious question, "Why go for 100 FKTs?" "It's been a wild journey; in the works for two, going on three years. I had a wild 2020; I did 60 FKTs last year." "The game gets harder the more you play it. I had to learn new skills, get more creative, become better." How do you find the time to do all this? "If you know Ironman training, you know I was used a lifestyle of constant movement." "I was the kid who struggled to fall in line. Now I'm a poor employee but a great teacher - I'm not good at compliance but great connecting with the kids. The same with FKTs - I can see the possibilities, and dedicate myself to doing it." Besides being extremely bold and energetic, Jason is very intelligent and insightful - you'll appreciate this conversation! Special thanks to onX Backcountry for supporting Fastest Known Time. onX Backcountry is “All in for Outdoors” during the month of June, finally you can plan that next FKT and navigate offline with a year-long subscription to the onX Backcountry mapping app for only $10 in June with all net proceeds are going to support Leave No Trace. Learn more at onxmaps.com/greatoutdoors

Many climbers and hikers visit Indian Creek and the Needles District of Canyonlands NP each year; they run a trail for 10 miles, or climb a couple of 200 foot routes, then leave, feeling pretty good about their accomplishment. Heidi has been everywhere on 350,000 acres for 56 years, winter and summer. She knows every spring, every route, and countless Anasazi petroglyphs you never knew existed. Dugout Ranch is an icon of the American West located in the heart of the Colorado Plateau, at the entrance to Canyonlands National Park. It is so iconic, Heidi supplemented the ranching income by leasing it as a location for movies and TV commercial; countless short documentaries have also been made, such as this one. In 1997 it was purchased from Heidi and her ex-husband by the Nature Conservancy, fulfilling her goal of preserving the landscape.

Hillary Allen speaks with Kelly Newlon of Real Athlete Diets: "Delicious, performance orientated food for active people"!  On June 1 Timothy Olson will start his attempt on Pacific Crest Trail, and Kelly will be there as part of his crew. For 52 days.  What will that be like?  How can diet support a huge effort like this? “I reach out to a Registered Dietician in order to fill in the holes of my knowledge. And I put in protein powder in almost everything, plus coconut milk for fat, and greens whenever possible, even dried greens like Spirulina which also has protein." “The goal is to run 50 miles a day as many days as possible.” "Flavor fatigue" can be a big part of long efforts - what you want and don't want can change quickly and unexpectedly. "We also have Snickers Bars on the list." (the 'traditional' food of the old-school thru-hiker! :-) Kelly is very prepared, and will arrive at the southern terminus a few days in advance. “The more organized and prepared I am, the more enthusiastic I become.  So we already have a spare bedroom filled with great food, all labeled and organized.” And do not think trail diet is not important:  "Two researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Department of Integrative Physiology published a study suggesting that a thru-hiking lifestyle may lead to troubling changes in vascular health." Any attempt on the PCT is a huge project. Adidas is a major supporter and is playing an important role - thank you Adidas! "We’ve done our best for the best." Started in 1924, the company as we know it with the 3 stripes was founded in 1949.

The PCT is one of our 10 Premier Routes for good reasons! It is 2,597 miles long, with 420,880' of vert, passes through 25 national forests and 7 national parks ... and is competitive.   And Timothy has been a top ultrarunner, with two wins at the Western States 100 including a Course Record.  Game on! "When you have an opportunity like this, you take it. You go all in." His byline is "Mindful mountain ultra runner".  On a massive effort that will likely take 52 days, which includes the heat of the Mohave Desert and going over 13,153' Forester Pass all in the first two weeks, and then the likelihood of Fire Closures and re-routes, how will his meditative practice help him cope? "Meditation plays a huge part of my life.  On the PCT, I can go into a place where, 'An FKT would be cool, but that's not why I'm out here'." The Sierra snowpack was at 15% of normal when this podcast was recorded (May 4) - there will be minimal snowpack to contend with, but potentially many fires. Timothy will be using shoes and apparel from the Adidas Parley line - this is important as they are made with intercepted plastic waste. Plastic waste is found everywhere from the deepest seas to the highest mountain ranges; this technology turns plastic into high-performance fabrics.  He will use the Agravic Boa shoe and the Terrex Two Ultra Parley "I like the BOA system. You can be going down a scree field, get some gravel in your shoe, and pop it off and empty it out without tying and re-tying your shoe." Adidas is the 2nd largest sporting good company in the world, and with major cred - Jesse Owens used their shoes in the 1936 Olympics!

GOOD TIMING! This podcast was recorded on April 26; when asked "What is next", Dylan divulges he's going for an (undisclosed) FKT "This coming weekend" ... But first, Co-Host Hillary Allen asks D-Bo about his FKT on the Wonderland Trail last year. "I fell into a pandemic funk, too many IPA's, so needed a goal.  We had just moved to Portland Oregon, a couple hours from the Wonderland Trail. I was inspired by Kyle Skaggs, and knew I wanted to do this." He did it - a new FKT by a hour and half!  But it only lasted 5 days - Tyler Green snatched it by a scant 18 minutes - that's after almost 17 hours of running!  There were7 successful FKTs on the Wonderland in 2020 alone. "I had 5 days of glory, then some sadness, and now I feel good about it.  I learned a lot from Tyler, and how to actually prepare for FKTs specifically, as opposed to racing, which is different.  And Tyler is a class act and a good friend." So what about that FKT attempt he didn't want to disclose? The Backbone Trail!  An increasingly popular and competitive route right above the Los Angeles basin.  And he did it - new FKT of 9 hrs 49 min 14 sec. "Wow, what an incredible trail!  Pure SoCal bliss."

Hillary is a podcast host (this one and two others), North Face athlete, gravel bike racer, scientist, and now a book author - this is a good conversation! "I don't recommend falling off a 150' cliff, but everyone has a place where they can grow." Hillary almost died while running the Tromsø Skyrace in Norway in 2017.  It was a hard road back.  She learned a lot and describes this process with total honesty and authenticity. "I had to accept the darkness. And not let it hold me back from the PT work. For months, months on end." PURCHASE the BOOK HERE! https://amzn.to/3t6dpZ6 May 7th:  Live Chat, Women’s Running Magazine Book Club – Virtual Event, 6pm MST "There are a few rules in life, and 'Never huck anything' is one I'm following now!"

Co-Host Hillary Allen discusses bike-packing with two of the best, as they explain the style of these races, which is informative to hikers and runners. The ethos for all bike-packing races is Self-Supported. "Generally the consensus is you are carrying your own food and water, you are not caching; the point is you can buy or obtain anything along the route as long as it is available to everyone else. Trail Magic is OK, but you can't ask for it or plan for it." "You are pushing your boundaries, and you are ready and able to take care of yourself." "And drafting and pacing is not allowed. It would be interesting to see how much faster we could go on the Arizona Trail for example, if we did that." - Kait The rules have evolved over the years, and are constantly being discussed. And the White Rim FKTs have become a thing in the past year. (Editor Note: Buzz was the first person to ride this route in Canyonlands National Park in one day). "The question has come up, 'Is it OK to have film crews?' The answer has evolved that No, it is not. Knowing someone is up there may give you confidence to push harder." "There are no tiers in bike-packing like there are in hiking and running, such as Supported - everything is Self-supported or Unsupported". The Tour Divide rules are here, and are worth reading: "Tour Divide strives for equal opportunity within the GC. TD requires that every challenger—from those living along the route to those living on other continents—have an equal playing field. Therefore, outside assistance with navigation, lodging or resupply is prohibited." The Colorado Trail Race ethos is similar: "The rules are simple and brief - if you can't do this ride without outside or pre-arranged support, don't enter the race." And the Arizona Trail Race is the same: "Guiding principles are self-support and equal opportunity." 1. Complete the entire route, under your own power. 2. No support crews, no pacers 3. No caches 4. No motorized transport or hitch-hiking, EXCEPT for travel to hospital/medical care 5. Gear - Nothing required, nothing prohibited

The FKT scene in New England has always been very competitive - rather than inventing obscure new route they go faster on the existing lines. The Presidential Traverse is the marquee route - new fastest times often are better than the previous by less than 2 minutes! "People now will train specifically for a route, then do a full taper; the FKT is their race, not an extra thing they do on the side." So why did Ben try the Presi in winter conditions? "I think some future Presi Traverse FKT action will happen in the winter. I'll go out on a limb and predict that March and April will become Presi race season." Did Ben just totally redefine how to do a fast FKT in the mountains? Is it actually faster to run rough terrain when it's covered with firm snow? "I disassembled strap-on spikes and screwed the spike plates directly into my shoes. This weighed only 35 grams per shoe." On March 23, Ben ran the Presi much faster than anyone. And that effort was Flagged so it will not count. And Ben was fine with that. "To me it's all fun and games, and if it's not fun, I shouldn't be doing it."

Ryan Ignatz is an expert on electrolyte replacement and hydration, and can perform a Sweat Test to determine the exact amount of Sodium YOU lose when exercising. Everyone is very different so this is important! He tested me - what was the result?? "You lose 1,453mg of Sodium per liter of sweat. You are a very salty sweater." I rarely supplement my fluid intake with electrolytes. Does that mean I've been doing it wrong for 50 years? Probably yes! Aack! The current wisdom is "Drink to thirst". Is that good advice? "No. Your body always will protect its Sodium concentration, so will reduce your thirst sensation to avoid diluting its Sodium." Don't you continue to make the same mistakes I have. Listen to Ryan on this podcast, and consider being tested yourself. This episode was proceeded by Andy Blow of Precision Hydration, Episode 122 - listen to both to learn more. Ryan is offering a discount to our listeners - here is a link to schedule a sweat test - https://squareup.com/appointments/book/jkoqb7oy11lbfh/LRJPMGSX4AVF4/services - put "FKPODCAST" in the notes section when you book to receive 20% OFF this one time test. The test must be done in-person.

There are a million newsletters out there, and Semi-rad.com is the only one I subscribe to. Why? Because Brendan illustrates (literally) how runners actually feel and think - and laugh! "Pizza is a better invention than the Internet." He wrote and produced an excellent video, which has received over 5 millions views because it was real, called "How To Run A Hundred Miles." He even once interviewed me (Buzz) on the Off The Couch podcast. "Whenever I'm having a bad day, I remember that at least I did not invent Facebook." His new book, published March 16, is, "I HATE RUNNING and you can too. How to Get Started, Keep Going, and Make Sense of an Irrational Passion." It's worth it especially for the illustrations. I recommend it. Here is our very brief Book Review. Listen to this podcast, as Brendan makes sense of our "irrational passion".

Co-host Hillary Allen asks, "You set an FKT just two days ago - what FKT did you crush this weekend?" Tyler quickly answers, "It crushed me! I've been wanting to do the Lost Coast Trail for years, and finally did it." The Lost Coast is called that for a reason - located in a state with a population of 40 million, one runs along a deserted beach (be sure to first check the tide tables), then over and over steep hills with the Pacific Ocean on one side and a Redwood forest stretching out on the other - and for 57 miles, you might not see another person. "FKTs are these incredible adventures - races can't be held on this fantastic routes."