Singletrack Finn Melanson

Josh Eberly is the Head Coach of the Western Colorado University trail running team.  In this conversation we get into the details of how he's built the team, how it's currently structured, how the team trains, where they compete in the trail and ultra worlds,  and what it's going to take to expand their model to other colleges and universities across the country.

Sponsors:
InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/singletrack) to get 20% off your next order.Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/)  to get 15% off your next orderGnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order
Timestamps:
(0:50) - influence of the Hanson's Brooks Team(6:46) - the benefits of running for a co-located team(11:36) - other pros and cons of a co-located pro running team(12:48) - background as a trail running coach at Western Colorado(15:44) - why Western Colorado is unique among other schools for trail running(20:54) - athletic development of collegiate trail runners(25:38) - the blueprint for making trail running intercollegiate(29:46) - coaching inspirations, motivations(36:40) - how the trail running team is structured, how they train(41:49) - how Josh recruits for the trail running team(49:19) - the compelling nature of trail running for prospective college runners(50:12) - where the team races on the trail and ultra scenes(59:39) - the resources the team provides for the runners(62:16) - the future of the team(65:53) - athletes to watch on the team(67:40) - calls to action

Links:
Follow Josh on InstagramWestern Colorado University Trail Running Team
Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:
#26 - Sam Parsons | How To Build A Trail Running TeamSupport the show

In this episode I’m talking with Scott Kummer who, among a few other roles in the ultrarunning community, is the host of the popular Ten Junk Miles Podcast.

If you’re a longtime listener, you know this show is capable of going on streaks. Sometimes it focuses on the pro athletes, then it'll focus on the business side of the sport, and so on. Right now, I’m really into these conversations with fellow podcasters in the space. So if you enjoyed the episodes with Dylan Bowman, Corrine Malcolm, Jon Levitt, and Matt Chittim, I think you’ll really enjoy this one too.

Scotty and I get right into a few of the hot-button issues including the pros and cons of engaging with Running Twitter, handling praise and criticism as a public figure in the sport, issues with past and current running content, race coverage preferences, athlete sponsorship issues, UTMB, race directing preferences, and way more.

Don't be intimidated by the 3+ hour length of this episode. No time is wasted - Scott is a great conversationalist.

Sponsors:
InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/singletrack) to get 20% off your next order.Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/)  to get 15% off your next orderGnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order
Timestamps:
(0:55) - the pros and cons of Running Twitter(5:07) - handling praise and criticism as a public figure in ultrarunning(12:05) - Scotty’s background in the sport (16:44) - issues with past, present running content (23:10) - why we started our podcasts, why people start running podcasts(30:22) - running podcast style, preferences(47:21) - podcasting as a profession, making money through the medium (62:47) - the bigger “why’s” for doing podcasts (70:49) - UTMB debates, low-key events (77:08) - getting into race directing(99:28) - race coverage debates (117:20) - athlete-sponsor relationship debates (129:06) - guests we want to have on our shows (139:25) - more debate about types of stories to cover(144:07) - corruption, paying for guests and appearances (149:40) - the why for doing this, having an impact, dealing with criticism(155:00) - the podcast preparation, publishing process (168:15) - debates about coaching in our sport Links:
Support Ten Junk Miles via PatreonThe Art of Trail Race DirectingWoodstock '99 Documentary

Support the show

Matt Chittim is the Host of Rambling Runner, a podcast for dedicated amateur runners who are working hard to get better and achieving inspirational results while balancing running with the rest of their lives. He is also the Founder of Relay, a collection of some of the best content creators and athletes in running coming together to put out the most creative and collaborative running content on the internet.

In this conversation, we talk about this new venture in the running media space, the business of podcasting, and our interests and inspirations in other sports and realms of business.


Sponsors:
InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/single...) to get 20% off your next order.Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/)  to get 15% off your next orderGnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order
Timestamps:


(2:56) - reflecting back on the Business and Sports Discourse Podcast(17:37) - benefits of running podcast network(28:48) - the middle class of running content creators (44:07) - the declining power of legacy running media brands (49:11) - where the gaps are in running content(53:05) - incentivizing running creators to publish on Relay(59:32) - the merits of a paywall for running content(64:10) - the willingness of running fans to pay with money instead of attention for content(68:00) - the pitch for Relay(75:04) - how Relay becomes the best running content on the internet
Links:
Check out the Rambling Runner PodcastCheck out Relay on PatreonFollow Matt and Rambling Runner on InstagramBusiness and Sports Discourse Podcast
Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:
#131 - Jonathan Levitt | For The Long Run Podcast, State of Running Content, Athlete-Sponsorship Landscape#130 - Robin Thurston | MapMyRun, Connected Fitness, Outerverse, Future Of The Outdoor Media IndustrySupport the show

Jonathan Levitt is the Host of the "For The Long Run" Podcast, a show that explores the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated. In this conversation, we talk in-depth about the state of running podcasts, changes in the athlete-sponsor landscape, and how to build a career in the endurance world.

Sponsors:
InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/single...) to get 20% off your next order.Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/)  to get 15% off your next orderGnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order
Timestamps:
(5:17) - riffing on what's damaging to the craft of running podcasting(12:58) - sponsorship dilemmas, incentives in running podcasting(16:08) - considering how sponsors spread in the running world(18:15) - Jon's background in the endurance sports world(37:42) - the "burnt ends" philosophy of running content creation(44:36) - how to serve your podcast audience(49:11) - optimism and pessimism in the running podcast space(54:19) - not overcomplicating running content creation(59:47) - endemic versus non-endemic sponsors in running(72:10) - the opportunities non-endemic sponsors provide to the running world(78:16) - how athletes can identify and start non-endemic sponsor relationships(85:33) - understanding and appreciating the sponsorship grind(95:51) - importance of supporting running creators (102:20) - investing more into performance, content creation, lifestyle(111:43) - the changing athlete-sponsor relationship(121:23) - examples of the changing athlete-sponsor relationship (130:49) - next evolutions in the running media space(134:00) - opportunities for next generation running content creators(140:47) - what's next for Jon and For The Long Run Podcast
Links:
Check out "For The Long Run" PodcastFollow Jonathan on InstagramFollow Jonathan on Twitter
Additional Episodes You May Enjoy:
#130 - Robin Thurston | MapMyRun, Connected Fitness, Outerverse, Future Of The Outdoor Media Industry#20 - Zoe Rom | Trail Runner Magazine, Running Journalism, Diversity Talks#3 - Jimmy Daly | Social Media, Content Creation, Branding For Trail RunnersSupport the show

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:

- Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website (https://kodiakcakes.com/)  to get 15% off your next order
- Gnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://gognarly.com/) to get 20% off your next order
- InsideTracker - go to (https://info.insidetracker.com/single...) to get 20% off your next order.

Links:
Outside PlusConnect with Robin on LinkedIn
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 RunnersSupport the show

Des Linden is a professional runner for Brooks Running. She joins the Singletrack Podcast to talk about a range of topics including her interests in sports psychology, her nascent career as a commentator for NBC in their running broadcasts, and perhaps most notably to this audience - her intentions to transition more significantly from road marathons to trail and ultra running as early as next year.


Timestamps:
(0:37) - running background, accolades(2:01) - interests in sports psychology(5:00) - how she thinks about and handles pressure(7:31) - broadcasting, running commentary career(17:38) - reflections on the current stage of her marathoning career(19:28) - 50K world record, interests in ultras after that experience(22:14) - how she thinks about career transitions(24:39) - talks with sponsors about switching to/trying trails and ultras(25:39) - memorable moments visiting Chamonix this year, spectating UTMB(28:57) - strengths and weaknesses on trails(30:49) - other trails and ultra races she's interested in(31:50) - inspirations in our sport(32:43) - whether she will go "all-in" on trail and ultra running(34:08) - how her training and lifestyle would change switching to ultras(35:21) - miscellaneous questions 
Sponsors:
Kodiak Cakes - use code Singletrack15 at checkout on their website to get 15% off your next orderGnarly Nutrition - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next orderInsideTracker - go to insidetracker.com/singletrack to get 20% off your next order.

Links:
Follow Des Linden on InstagramLinden X TwoChoosing To RunSupport the show