A lot has changed in trail and ultra running over the past 20 years.
For starters, trail running is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States, and ultra running is not far behind. We have more races, better equipment, access to training plans and coaches, and hype from media coverage.
We have countless blogs dedicated the sport, and fan pages along with them.
So it’s easy to forget that not that long ago, most of us never considered running off the pavement, or had even heard of a foot race longer than 26.2 miles.
An Interview with Speedgoat Karl
But even with all the growth over the past 20 years, some things have stayed the same. For the most part races are still intimate and low key, the community is supportive and welcoming, and Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer is still lighting up the trails.
I’m absolutely thrilled today to share a recent interview with elite runner Speedgoat Karl. The guy has completed over 100 ultramarathons, and has more 100-mile wins than any other runner out there. He’s a HOKA ONE ONE athlete, former Ultrarunner of the year, coach, and the race director of the uber tough Speedgoat 50k.
Over two decades after his first ultra, Karl is still competing at the top of the field, and doing so as a perfect example of what the sport is all about.
Today I was lucky enough to chat with Karl and pick his brain on a number of trail and ultra running topics.
Here are a few topics we discussed:
- How Karl’s race day strategy has changed with improved nutrition and gear
- Newbie mistakes — Nutrition and pacing
- Strategy changes between flat and mountainous races
- The appeal of a tough ultramarathon
- What every Race Director wants you to know
- The appeal of a max cushioned shoe … and why Karl loved HOKA ONE ONEs when they were just a prototype
Interview with Karl Meltzer
Click here to download the audio version.
HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat Giveaway
If you just listened to the interview, you know how passionate Karl is about the new HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat trail shoes. While I haven’t tried them yet myself (a pair is in the mail as we speak!), this is the shoe I’ve been most excited to check out all year.
They’re built to be tough, comfortable, and the perfect shoe for long trail miles.
Weighing in a just 9.7 oz, and with a 5mm heal to toe drop, the Speedgoats have a light-weight ride with all the generous cushioning I’ve come to love with HOKAs.
Click here for more information: Men’s | Women’s
And in honor of today’s interview with the Speedgoat himself, the good folks over at HOKA ONE ONE have offered to give away a free pair of Speedgoats to one lucky runner.
Enter to win a free pair here:
4 Chances to Win
Entering couldn’t be easier, just complete this form first. After that, you’ll have 3 additional ways to gain bonus entries:
- Leave a comment on this post about what you’ll do with a free pair of HOKAs
- Tweet the giveaway and tag Rock Creek Runner and HOKA ONE ONE
- Share on Facebook and tag Rock Creek Runner and HOKE ONE ONE
Simple as that. What are you waiting for? Enter to win a free pair of Speedgoat trail shoes here.
For international readers, I’m sorry to say that these can only be shipped within the United States.
Disclaimer: I am a HOKE ONE ONE Social Ambassador, and HOKA ONE ONE is donating the shoes for this giveaway.
I’d love a new pair of shoes – I’d go exploring a nearby very hilly area that I haven’t gotten to yet!
I would have super comfy feet as I finish my first 100 miler this fall.- well as comfy as feet can be for that distance.
I would use them in an upcoming 50k that I will be running in November!
(listening to the interview now) And I’d love to try this new pair of Hokas! I’m exploring new trail shoes, and I’ve got the Golden Ultra coming up in a MONTH! I need to find the right shoe for that 3-day event.
I’d use them in my first 50k – running it in October. Can’t wait 🙂
Listening to the interview now and would love to wear these at the Superior 50 coming up in a few weeks!
I am doing my first 6 hour race in November and these shoes would be awesome for it. As a beginner it was nice to hear some good tips!
I’d love to run all over these Georgia hills this fall and add to my Hoka collection!
I’d hit the trails hard and long with these bad boys. They look fast!
Excellent interview with some great insight. Thanks Doug!
I would certainly enjoy going long on the wild trails from La Belle Province in these shoes!
Try my first pair of Hokas on some Ozark hills!
I’d break them in on my favorite trail and have them all muddy.
I would log many miles on some Cambodian Roads with them! #LetsGoHoka
ran my first trail marathon in a pair of challenger atr’s would love to run my first ultra in a pair of speedgoats!
I’d love to give Hoka a try. Currently training for a marathon and would like to incorporate these to decrease my risk of injury! I posted a tweet with the handle @FireRunner2379.
Use them to train for my first trail marathon!
These look awesome. If I win these shoes, I will kick butt at Grindstone 100 in them this October.
I’d be able to run the local “technical” trails (mountain bike trails in the coastal forests of eastern NC) a lot more comfortably in these Speedgoats than my road shoes!
I’d love a new pair of Hokas so my older hokas won’t be so lonely.
I’m excited to try out these shoes as well. I will use them for the Big Cedar Ultra in October, my first Ultra.
I’m hoping that these Hokas will be leaps and bounds better than my current trail shoes.
I would run the trails of Rock Creek Park. And all the other trails around Washington DC.
Looking to enter my first 50 mile race next spring- some new shoes would be great!
I LOVE HOKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They make me love running more than I did before 🙂
Hokas have become my favorite shoe. Started wearing them a few months ago and won’t wear any other brand now. Would love a new pair of Speedgoats for some fall trail running!
I’ll run the bear 100 in them..the race Karl Won.
Train for my first ultra.
Would love to try these out on a good desert run!
Break them in just in time for my next race, the Rugged Red at Red River Gorge in Kentucky.
I have heard many good things about these shoes and would love to try them. I would train with them and use them in my first trail race in October.
I would use them for long runs on the AT.
I would sign up for my 2nd ultra!!
I would give the shoes a thorough work out over a few weeks and if that was good, a few months. Tried Hokas once and was not impressed. Always willing to take a second look.
I would give them to my son for his outdoor training.
I tweeted https://twitter.com/buddlakequilts/status/635145431719133184
Best part of interview was Newbie mistakes — Nutrition and pacing
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/Sillysiamese/status/635687076978028544
Facebooked
https://www.facebook.com/MsCarolsueA/posts/912657465458082?pnref=story
I’d finally be able to kick my friends A** at a race.