Fastest Known Podcast

Strava is everywhere!  Quietly, not saying much, even though this company is fundamental in our recreational lives.  But what goes on behind the curtain?

Strava reminds me of Apple - the minimalist interface, the super clean look - and they don't spray, they let the products do the talking. 

We're focussed on what athletes need and want.  We were able to hire the best people in San Francisco because they believed in Strava - we're mission-driven, and they got to build products for a sport they really cared about.

On June 15 Joe "Stringbean" McConnaughy took an entire DAY off the previous best Unsupported time on the oldest long trail in the US, Vermont's 273 mile Long Trail.  How did he do it?

Jason Hardrath and Ashly Winchester have notched 81 FKTs - 61 for Jason, and 20 for Ashly - in only the last two years.

"I'm not fast, but opportunistic, and will snag the women's FKT whenever possible."

"I go back to what Peter Bakwin told me: FKTs are like art - you know it when you see it, and you know it when you don't."

Their most recent FKT is the Lava Beds National Monument Traverse:

What is the difference between a "path", a "trail", a "way, and a "walk"?  And why does everyone say they are from "Great Britain" when there is not a country called that?  It's a little different over the pond - listen to Tim explain it all - coming from the birthplace of trail running.

"When the Romans arrived, they built trails starting right at the sea, and going east to west across the country.  It was their road system.  They are called National Trails, are still here, and you can still run them, two thousand years later."

Listen to me horribly mispronounce Bart's name, his kind correction, and then Bart explain the situation in Belgium:

"Starting today, we have entered the 'Exit Strategy' in Belgium - groups of 20 can go for a run - but no competitions until at least 7/31."

Western Europe has a VERY organized trail running scene - routes not only have their own webpages, but are all are clearly marked and identified.  Bart explains the difference between "GR" routes, and the new "Extra Trail" designation.

One of the best mountain runners in the world started as a Jiu Jitsu champion in Brazil.  Visiting New Zealand in 2006, she got involved with Kiwi adventure multi-sports, then ran a Half-Marathon in the mountains - in the exact same time as her previous best, set on a flat paved course.

"My family were fighters. Then I discovered mountains."

Fastestknowntime.com volunteer Craig Randall discusses with Buzz Burrell that this virus is not going away any time soon ... so what are we going to do about it?

"We put our own country into a medically-induced coma ... I think it's time to revive the patient."

The pandemic is certainly an enormous tragedy, which we fortunately took extreme action to limit.  And now two months in, we have learned a few things so we can correct some early misconceptions, and hopefully develop a sustainable plan.

There was something wrong with our statistics: during April, there were 31 FKTs ... just from Connecticut! What's up with that? Turns out 7 were from ONE person?  Did Sarah Connor call the Terminator for help?

"There are a lot of people out there doing more impressive things right now; I'm just doing a lot of smallish ones. It's been fun!"

This is inspirational: you can be 100m runner and long jumper in high school, work at Starbucks in the morning, and set an FKT in the afternoon.  After your nap.  During a pandemic. 

Marshall has been there, and been doing that for decades. His output, especially for the hugely long routes, is prodigious (think running across the US).  

"What I was doing was kicking back and having fun.  Showing people you can do more".

Outdoor and running shops are closed!  Which is bad for us - but how about for the world's leading brand in mountain footwear? What does it look like from behind the curtain?

"It hurts. It's not easy right now. We hit the Pause button on our entire business in mid-March."

Jonathan Lantz is President of La Sportiva North America. This is a 93 year old company based in the Italian Dolomites. What does it look like over there?