Coming to you every Friday: interviews with FKT-setters and other athletes in the world of Fastest Known Times.
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This is a re-airing of our November 15, 2019 episode exploring the relationship between speed and safety.
Original Show Notes
What is 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?"
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!
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.
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!)
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,
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.
This is a 43 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".
Bethany wrote to us: "One year ago, Katie 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!
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.
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."