Fastest Known Podcast

Sean O'Rourke defended his PhD thesis in 2009 (so he is a doctor) and instead of starting a job, immediately moved into is car so he could climb more mountains (thus he's a legit dirtbag too).  And those 18 FKTs?

"I’m a so-so runner and climber who has found a niche and focused on it."

Matt is a longtime endurance athlete who wrote a startling new book, just published on October 6, on the Alberto Salazar doping scandal and the dominant (domineering?) Nike Oregon Project.  This corporate giant was on top of the running world, until Salazar was given a 4 year suspension last September 30, causing the NOP to shut down immediately after.

INSIDE NIKE RUNNING AND ITS CULTURE OF DECEPTION

This is cool!  The two ladies started on the same route at approximately the same time, but from different places - who would complete the route first?

"I’m very surprised we seem to be the first to have done a “race” style FKT, it certainly added a fun element to the attempt." - SARAH

"It was good to know Sarah was out there - a little different because it added pressure, but helpful." - ALYSSA

The 'Beast Coast' sometimes doesn't get enough attention, and the two women describe what makes it special ... and hard.

That's no typo: the Rocky Mountain Slam has 432,500' of elevation gain.  He climbed 205 summits in 1,030 miles, and set FKTs on Colorado's Highest Hundred and the Wyoming 13ers en route, without attempting to do so.

We've heard from people doing the incredible high routes, going non-stop often above timberline for days - now let's hear from one of the fastest FKT runners out there!

"The pinnacle is the World Mountain Running Championships. It is the fastest, most extreme, version of trail running.  The speed and shortness makes you take chances you never would otherwise. One tiny mistake and five people pass you."

Andy has been on 14 US National Teams, so has terrific experience and perspective:

Dang - Milner to Berthoud is the last big route I always intended to do myself!  It's that good, that big of a prize.  Justin Simoni finally accomplished it, then 19 days later Nick Pedatella and Ryan Smith crushed this huge route on the Continental Di

"The World's Toughest Race" - probably is!  After a 17 year absence, Bear Grylls brings back Eco-Challenge on steroids, with a massive budget and plenty of stories, all on a bigger and badder course.  The 417 miles on Fiji, included all kinds of paddling, trekking, biking, ropes, and wading through hypothermia-inducing cold water; the 66 teams were given 11 days to finish, and for 22 teams, that wasn't enough.

What's new, cool, and coming?  Find out on our 100th podcast, with the four people supporting what you do.

Peter: "I really like our new Regional Editors, because it's building a community. They know more about their area than I do.

Jeff: "We've seen a 500% increase in traffic, which required upgrades to the Maps, the Forms, the storage, everything.  It's always all about the improving the user experience."

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.

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?