This week’s episode takes us from the inevitable weather talk to the impact heat waves have on our training plans. There are lots of thoughts on Western States, especially in comparison to UTMB, because of course. We’re NOT talking about the abysmal performance by the German National Soccer team but wonder what our favorite race distances are and for what race we’d be willing to travel for? Like for LBA, come travel to Olympia and race with us!

It’s good to be a fan right now. Red Bull XAlps is happening, Euro 2020, Lavaredo just kicked off and it’s Western States weekend. So much going on. Perfect time to flee the heat and follow along some incredible events online. Doug and Mathias als talk about their shenanigans of the last week which included night running, and setting up an aid station in the middle of Capitol Forest at 2am, hosting the first orientation run for the upcoming Little Backyard Adventure race and so so so much more.

It’s getting hot in the West. Temperatures are rising, visitors are flocking to our public lands and masks are being dropped. Oh, and speaking of hot, Mathias ran a race last weekend and actually had a good time. Lumberjack 100 was happening in Port Gamble, Washington and he actually had fun. So we talk about that, like we do. We also announce some podcast changes. Your feed might see some disruptions over the coming days. Stay tuned!

This week, we talk He-Man and nostalgia reboots before diving into Doug’s latest trail encounter with a bear and cubs. Mathias has a 100k over the weekend in the PNW, which is a great systems check before the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa race later in the summer. After the appetizer conversation, the problem of trail running’s struggles to be inclusive in the United States. How can the sport grow with people who don’t necessarily want to share the trails? How does the Ironman-UTMB relationship impact the sport today? How will races take place on already stressed public lands? How does the permitting system impact trail running’s growth as a sport? Do we come up with any solid answers? Give it a listen and let us know what you think!

It is hot and we are watching the snow melt, a little too fast.
Mathias shares why his “bro crew” didn’t go up Mount St. Helens during nasty weather, and listens as Doug rants about China’s decision to ban all ultramarathons and “off road running races.” The guys then get back to talking about things they really know- their own running.
Mathias is running and organizing a race, while Doug is debating whether he will race again after he completes his Rut madness. Get vaccinated, smile at people on walks and runs, and remember to bring your reusable bags to the grocery store. This is Singletrack.

Alex Bond, the regional editor of the popular website Fastest Known Time joins us on Singletrack to discuss the excitement and challenges and of chasing and FKT route. We dive into the technicalities of setting up a new route and what it takes to complete and compete on existing routes. We also remind folks about the dangers of running in the mountains and make plans for the summer. Will we see some competition on the Cushman Six?

This is a doubleheader, which doesn’t exist in football, I mean soccer. We’re finishing up season 1 of Ted Lasso and enjoying the rollercoaster of hope, defeat and the promise of at least two more seasons of kindness, locker room talk and loud but adorable English cursing. Bollocks, can’t wait for the new season to hit Apple TV+.

Another German joins the show and Doug is back in the saddle. Florian Herrmann from Munich, Bavaria and now living in Lander, Wyoming shares the mission of his company Herrmann Global. How do we redefine travel in the 21st century and rediscover the hidden places after a year stuck home.

Maggie Guterl and Staci Revel join Mathias on this week’s special episode. Both ran the inaugural Cocodona 250 down in Arizona, the newest, most badass race in North America. Sleepless nights, brutal heat, endless rocky trails, and the obligatory wildlife sighting all create life-altering memories and give reasons of why we do what we do. And yes, we talk about feet again.

The ‘Diamond Dogs’ redefine locker room talk. Relationships are fixed. Then darts are being played, in a pub, in England. So cliche, and so wonderful. This game creates the biggest win for Ted, but leaves us with a cliffhanger reminding us that Becca has had other plans with the team.

Big news is announced in this episode. Mathias is heading to Europe soon, while UTMB is partnering with Ironman. Doug summits a mountain and encounters snow. After a nearly full episode of running talk, your intrepid hosts announce a slight shift of gears for the podcast. Will anyone notice? Only time will tell!

There’s lot of ‘relationshipping’ going on in this episode.
Anger can win games and karaoke brings the team together. Also road trips make people find themselves in each others hotel rooms. We’re glad only the locker room get demolished in episode 7 of Ted Lasso.

How does one launch an outdoor brand in the United States? Especially one that’s already forty years old? Jack Wolfskin is one of Europe’s largest and most loved brands and is finally coming to America. Mathias grew up with the brand and the team can’t contain their excitement to chat with Roberto Gutiérrez, Director of Brand Marketing – Jack Wolfskin North America.

Do people in Britain know about the Red Sox? How do you write jokes for a global audience? What ‘sport curses’ do we know from other cultures? Also: Tart is gone, and the curse is lifted, but not because of his departure. Drink up!

Weather talk is interrupted by geography talk, so you know it must be important. This week, Doug talks about his latest sprained ankle and how it happened. Mathis is healing up and looking ahead to soothing his feet and possibly his ego. We then take a deep dive into how our focus changes when we are doing task oriented activities on the trail versus our focus while only running. Fill out those post-race surveys, watch for ticks and be mindful of the snow still in the mountains.