Singletrack With Mathias Eichler

Matt Urbanski is back on Singletrack and he's calling in from freakin' Chamonix. Jealous! Matt just ran the Hardrock 100 and is here to share what it means to toe this extraordinary start line for the first time and run alongside the legends of our sport. We chat about what makes a race so remarkable that people want to sign up for it year after year. And of course I had to ask Matt a bit about th...

In this episode we take a new look at the difference between trail races in Europe and North America. German trail runner Steve Auch joins us and share his experience running the Zugspitz Trail, Lavardo, and Squamish and The Rut. His dream race, is and will be Western States, until the lottery gods finally grant him his wish. LINKS Steve Auch's website Steve Auch on Instagram Steve Auch on Strava...

Fresh off a fantastic race Brent Miller joins me to talk all about the Beast of Big Creek. It was an incredible day of racing and I loved hearing Brent stories from the trails, that I, as the race director didn't experience just sitting in camp waiting for runners to cross the finish line and hoping everything would go smoothly. Thanks to all the runners, volunteers, helpers and sponsors who made...

This week we're traveling back to the Alps with Lauren Head. To be precise, we're heading to the magical, wonderful Dolomites. Lauren shares her story as she runs Lavaredo Ultra Trail around Cortina d'Ampezzo and rewards herself with all the gelato and pizza. LINKS Lauren Head on Instagram Lavaredo Ultra Trail Cinque Torri Beast of Big Creek on UltraSignup Connect with Singletrack on: Instagram Tw...

It is almost time to race.  Beast of Big Creek is just around the corner and I couldn't be more excited. To share a bit of the history of the race and what makes it such so a special event, I have fellow podcaster, trail runner, and Olympia local Ben Mead with me this week. Thank you Kevin Hayward State Farm , Tailwind Nutrition , and Wildernest Outdoor Store for sponsoring the 2022 Beast of Big C...

Just nine days before the race Melissa Tucker got the call off the wait list and got to fulfill her dream to run Western States. This week on Singletrack she shares how she dealt with being undertrained, how she was not being able to eat due to the heat and how she still made it to Auburn in one piece. Melissa is also the new race director for Secret Beach in Gold Beach, Oregon and we chat about t...

In this episode of Singletrack I am chatting with Tomasz Drybala from Poland. He's a long, long, long distance runner, motivational speaker and book author. Searching for a new direction, Tomasz discovered running, and through it a new perspective on life, while covering huge distances in Asia, the UK, and Poland. LINKS Tomasz Dryballa's website Flow Up – the book The US Tour Electric Cable Car Co...

Historian, Bavarian, author and ultra runner Andrea Löw joins Singletrack to talk about running as balance to lots of work and a full life. She shares adventure stories from multi-day races in Mozambique and Australia, the festival feeling at UTMB - CCC and the joy of spontaneously signing up for a local overnight 50 Miler. LINKS Andrea Löw's blog Andrea Löw on Instagram Andrea Löw on Twitter Andr...

Just a handful of runners finished this year's Mount Baker Ultra race and Jeremy Anderson was one of them. He joins Singletrack to talk about one of the nuttiest racing days the Pacific Northwest has seen in awhile. Jeremy shares his motivation to find that flow state while running long in the mountains. And we talk about the practical preparation and planning required to keep one safe. LINKS Jere...

Adam Lee, " Substacker " and fellow trail podcaster joins me this week on the show. In between interval training sessions he talks about discovering trails in Vancouver, BC and launching a newsletter for the trail running community, and a podcast, where I was guest on a couple of weeks ago. LINKS Adam Lee on Substack Adam Lee on Instagram Ultrapostie , with yours truly La Sportiva – Vento Joshua T...

Riley Nachtrieb joins Singletrack to share her incredible journey to set a new FKT on the Olympic Discovery Trail. This 135 mile trail leads from Port Townsend long the northern side of the Olympic Peninsula to La Push and the Pacific Ocean. Riley has been dreaming of completing this project for several years and a couple of weeks ago she did just that. LINKS Riley Nachtrieb on Instagram Riley Nac...

This week I am joined by Eva Sperger - mountain athlete, ultra runner, psychotherapist from München, Germany. She's part of the Salomon Trailrunning team, the German Ultratrail Champion, and she stood on many podiums across the Alps. Eva takes us from the Zugspitze to Mont Blanc and we talk about her incredible high-alpine mountain project from last year, and her preparation and training for big r...

Nick Coleman from the Miles, Mountains and Brews podcast joins Singletrack to share his personal story of pain, perseverance and triumph. His journey takes us to a military base in Germany, a DNF at Badger, and a climb up Mt. Hood in freezing cold winter conditions. LINKS Miles, Mountains & Brews podcast Miles, Mountains & Brews on Instagram Connect with Singletrack on: Instagram | Twitter | Websi...

Alex Bond is back on Singletrack and after his season kickoff race, the Yakima Skyline 50K he has stories to tell and questions to ask. This race is not an easy one but Alex's training was on point. So, what do you do during the a race when the doubts start creeping in? How do you respond and fight back when things turn out the way you hoped? And how do you pick yourself up afterwards and look int...

German pro trail running athlete Moritz auf der Heide joins us from Innsbruck, Austria today talk about his stellar performance at the Madeira Island Ultra Trail trail marathon. We talk about balancing priorities as a pro athlete, training philosophies and the real challenge of the shorter race distances. LINKS Moritz auf der Heide on Instagram Moritz auf der Heide on Strava Madeira Island Ultra T...

Gretchen Ta is back to talk injury recovery, race directing and giving back to the trail community. She shares the origin story of this fun and gnarly race outside Bremerton and what it takes to put on this community celebration at Green Mountain year after year. LINKS Dirty Turtle website Dirty Turtle on UltraSignUp Dirty Turtle on Facebook Fall Trail Work Parties with Evergreen Turtle Rockets

This week Brian Morrison from Seattle shares some insights into the challenges of running a brick and mortar running store and what it takes to turn the dream of a 100 Mile race in the Teanaway Country into reality. These first few years of this epic race were bumpy, but if you're looking for a truly tough race in a truly beautiful place you gotta check out the Teanaway Country 100. LINKS Fleet Fe...

Zion 100 double finisher Aum Gandhi joins Singletrack this week to share what it takes to actually finish this race, why he runs for a higher purpose and how you can support him in raising funds for a cause near and dear to his heart. We also unveil the new Beast of Big Creek race for 2022. Come race Mt. Ellinor with me. LINKS Aum Gandhi on Instagram Zion 100 On Singletrack: 70 is the new 100 Rich...

This week I chat with running legend David Papineau from Vancouver, BC about mask collecting, running every single street, designing logos and running marathons. Oh, and David's Chuckanut 50 story is one for the history books. You're welcome. LINKS David Papineau on Instagram Vancouver's Broadway Run Club Schindell Gallery Coast Mountain Trail Running Squamish 50 Perverted Ice Cream Connect with S...

Michael Linscott joins Singletrack this week again to share his experience at this year's Badger Mountain Challenge. This time I get to be the sounding board and hear all about the challenges a 100 mile race can throw at your even if you're a seasoned and experienced ultra runner as Michael. But, not all is lost as new plans are already in the works with Lumberjack 100 looming large in the not so...

In this episode of Singletrack I meet up with German superstar ultra runner Hannes Namberger from Bavaria. We chat about the differences in support systems for professional athletes, races in Germany and his sponsor Dynafit. We also talk about his Watzmann FKT, his breakout performance at UTMB in 2021, and what's on the horizon for Hannes for this year and beyond. Danke Hannes für's Gespräch! LINK...

This week we're traveling east to meet up with Virtual VERT finisher Lou D'Onofrio. Learn about deciduous forests, famously rocky trails and pretzel races. This episodes makes us long for a cross country train ride to the other coast. LINKS Lou D'Onofrio on Facebook C&O Canal 100 Pretzel City Sports Hammer Nutrition Ultraspire Early Bird Pricing is ending March 31st for Rock Candy Running's Little...

This week I'm sharing miles and the mic with good friend of the show Keith Yates. He's about to run Badger and turned this 100 mile adventure into a fundraiser for his local summer food program for kids in need. Running creates community and Keith runs for his local community. Please do check out the fundraiser and support him in any way you can. LINKS Running for Yelm GoFundMe Running for Yelm –...

Alex Hasenohr Borsuk brings cabbage noodles, nutrition advice, and rad stories of mountain adventures to this week's episode of Singletrack. She holds multiple massive FKTs in the Pacific Northwest and her adventure lust for big days out in the mountains is intoxicating. Exactly what we need to get the season in the high country kicked off on the right foot. LINKS Alex Borsuk (Hasenohr) Alex Hasen...

Breaking news from this morning: Fastest Known Time sells to Outside Interactive. Here's a first commentary by Alex Bond, Ashly Winchester and Jason Hardrath on the possibly exciting changes and the worries for the trail running community. LINKS New Owners of Fastest Known Time Outside Interactive, Inc. Acquires Fastest Known Time Alex Bond Instagram Ashly Winchester Instagram Jason Hardrath Insta...