Backpacker Radio 63 | Courtney Dauwalter on Ultrarunning, Temporary Blindness, and Ultra Puke Culture

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we are joined by ultrarunning legend Courtney Dauwalter.  For those who might not be into the ultrarunning scene, Courtney is an absolute powerhouse long-distance runner, with a young race resume that’s hard to fathom, including wins at the Moab 240 (in which the 2nd place finisher was more than 10 hours behind her), the Javelina Jundred 100K, Run Rabbit Run 100-mile race *twice*, Western States 100, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc—referred to as the Super Bowl of ultramarathons—and other races.  Courtney is incredibly humble. Chaunce and Badger had to act as her hype team throughout the episode, a blast to chat with, and a fellow Goldenite.  There are some gems in this conversation, including when Chaunce told Courtney her poop story (like a good movie, it’s even better the second time), how Courtney sees giraffes and flying eels on trail, that time she went blind, and how she continues to chisel away at her pain cave.

Chaunce and Badger wrap up the episode with a triple crown of spring things that make us tingle, we plan a soon-to-be thru-hiker’s going away party, and, of course, another listener poop story.

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• Courtney  Dauwalter
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• Save 10% at Greenbelly.co by using code “TREK2020” at checkout.
• Save 15% at Gossamergear.com by using code “ATDRINK15” at checkout.
• Save 10% at AppalachianGearCompany.com by using code “BACKPACKERRAD10” at checkout.
• Hikerlink!
• QOTD: If money weren’t an object, what job would you have and why?
• Interview with  Courtney Dauwalter 
• Intro Song: Walking Slow by Animal Years
• Intro beats: Pauly Boy Shallcross
• Check out Trail Correspondents
• Check out The Attempt!
• Feature photo courtesy of Max Romey

Interview with Courtney Dauwalter

00:04:39 – QOTD: If money weren’t an object, what job would you have and why?

00:07:48 – Courtney Dauwalter: Intro and Race Roster

00:08:59 – A Profile of Courtney on The Trek

00:09:35 – How and when did Courtney get into ultra-running?

00:13:42 – How Ultra-Running Became a Career

00:18:07 – Balancing Teaching (and Life) with Training

00:20:20 – Where does the money come from in ultrarunning?

00:23:50 – Planning a Year of Ultra-Running

00:24:58 – 2020 Races

00:27:28 – Race Recovery

00:28:38 – Ultra-Running Diet

00:33:50 – Running Through Temporary Blindness

00:40:00 – Biggest Race Challenges (Including Hallucinations)

00:44:00 – When to Quit and When to Keep Pushing

00:46:04 – Body Maintenance, Recovery Routines, and Dry Needling

00:51:47 – Race Day Diet

00:53:45 – Mental Strategies

01:00:10 – Chaunce’s Poop Story

01:03:38 – Commercial Break: Appalachian Gear Company -coupon code: BACKPACKERRADIO – 10% off

01:07:05 – Puke (Go-to Stories, Consistency, Tips and Tricks)

01:11:04 – Beer & Joe Rogan

01:15:00 – Tips for Getting Into Ultra-Running

01:17:13 – Courtney’s Sponsors and Products She Uses

01:18:00 – Chaunce chafed on the AT!

01:23:00 – Does Courtney listen to music during races?

01:25:10 – Rapid fire: would-you-rather?

SEGMENTS

01:29:00 – Trek propaganda –Hikerlink, The Evolution of Backpacking Gear by Lisa Pulsifer, The Attempt, and Chaunce’s book

01:32:00 –Triple Crown of Spring Things

01:47:22 – Mail Bag (Planning a Thru-Hiker’s Sendoff Party)

01:59:00 – Listener Poop Story

02:01:10 – Five Star Reviews

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Feature photo courtesy Max Romey