Welcome back or welcome to the single track podcast. I haven't said this on an intro in about

eight episodes, but yes, I am indeed your host, Finn Melanson. I'm realizing that with each

passing episode, new listeners come on and they should know that. So what up? Anyways, I had Eric Schrands on the pod a couple weeks ago,

and he made a great point that the best guests have opinions,

that they willingly share and take clear stands on the topics at hand.

And that is why I am excited about this episode,

because the guest checks that box for sure.

Jack Kenzel is a mountain runner currently based on the road.

I think he's just crisscrossing the U.S. right now, seeking out the coolest

mountains to run and ski.

So I think being on the road currently is an accurate description.

He came on my radar after setting the hut to hut traverse in the

White Mountains of New Hampshire, one of the most prestigious FKTs in the U.S. And also for some

of the social media that he puts out there around the sport, his commentary really demonstrates,

in my opinion, his original thinking on a lot of issues. And I think that in particular is why I wanted to have him on the pod.

In this conversation, it's pretty wide-ranging.

We talk about how technology has given us the ability to race when we're ready

and in a disaggregated fashion.

We talk about the athlete sponsorship landscape and the status quo for repting products on social media and what might need the change there.

He gives us an overview of the Northern New England mountain running scene.

We talk about why athletes will need to specialize as the sport gets more mature and competitive and why Americans

should start to embrace personal project slash FKT culture, even more. Jack is a true mountain

...