Tara Dower is a trail runner and thru-hiker from Virginia. Last week, Tara Dower managed to lower the overall Fastest Known Time on the Appalachian Trail (AT), previously held by the legend Karel Sabbe, by 13hrs. This is her first appearance on the podcast.

Topics discussed:

- Tara’s background

- Her failed attempt to thru hike the AT in 2017 and her struggles with anxiety

- Her relationships with former record holders like Karl Meltzer & Jenn Pharr-Davis

- Her decision to go southbound instead of northbound

- Doing Hardrock only three weeks before the attempt

- Her slow start and need to make up a lot of time

- We talk about her crew known as chump change and her crew chief Rascal

- The saying that “the trail provides” and what that means practically

- Compare and contrast her strategy with Karrel Sabbe’s

- The character of the trail itself, what makes the AT different

- We talk about the practical tactics of sleep and self care

- A lot more!

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Follow Tara on Strava

Sponsors:

• Use code freetrail10 for 10% off Speedland Footwear
• Grab a trail running pack from Osprey
• Use code FT15 for 15% off Gnarly Nutrition
• Go to ketone.com/freetrail30 for 30% off a subscription of Ketone IQ

Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts

Dylan Links: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Strava

Jean-Marc Djian is the brand new VP of Footwear for SATISFY and one of the OG shoe dogs of trail running. Jean-Marc worked at Salomon for almost 20 years, pioneering trail running footwear during an important moment for the sport. After Salomon, Jean-Marc went to The North Face where he was able to significantly improve the brand's footwear offering. We talk about his career and learnings from both brands and look ahead to the goals for SATISFY.

Topics discussed:

• The intersection of science and soul
• Jean-Marc's Olympic hockey career & the psychology of the goalie
• The birth of Salomon trail running
• His relationship with Jean-Luc Diard, the Co-Founder of HOKA
• The 0 to 1 process for TNF footwear
• His transition to SATISFY and the intention behind it
• The evolution of trail footwear over time
• Athletes who are pushing their sport forward
• A lot more!

Follow Benjamin Vadrines

Sponsors:

• Use code freetrail10 for 10% off Speedland Footwear
• Grab a trail running pack from Osprey
• Use code FT15 for 15% off Gnarly Nutrition
• Go to ketone.com/freetrail30 for 30% off a subscription of Ketone IQ

Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts

Dylan Links: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Strava

Freetrail’s first time at a Cirque Series event, the A-Basin event is the final of the 2024 series and has drawn an incredibly competitive field. Dylan talks to the race champions including Jane Maus, Patrick Kipnengo, and the breakout star from today: the men’s second place finisher, less than 45 seconds behind Patrick, Johen DeLeon. Johen is one of our favorite guests we’ve ever hosted and we are absolutely blown away by his race today. He is a master storyteller and we expect him to be the next big thing in trail running.

Thanks to On for sponsoring Freetrail’s coverage this weekend!

Want to learn more about Freetrail? Check out Freetrail.com to learn more and consider joining our membership community, Freetrail Pro, to be part of the best global online community of passionate trail runners. Best sport in the world!