Tara Dower on Her Appalachian Trail FKT, Falling 200+ Times, and Her Crew’s Role (BPR #278)
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Interview with Tara “Candy Mama” Dower
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:55 – Reminders: Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content, join us in Denver on December 7th and apply to be a 2025 blogger!
00:07:55 – Introducing Tara
00:09:29 – Are you still recovering?
00:10:45 – What mantras did you have?
00:13:00 – What was your origin story in the outdoors?
00:17:12 – When did you decide to pursue the Mountains to Sea Trail FKT?
00:19:00 – Did you impress yourself at that moment?
00:21:30 – Tell us about getting off the AT because of anxiety
00:23:05 – How do you manage anxiety during an FKT attempt?
00:24:25 – Were you tough growing up?
00:26:45 – What inspired you to want to continue pursuing FKTs?
00:29:55 – Tell us about the John Muir Trail
00:31:20 – What part of running do you dislike the most?
00:32:30 – Tell us about the Benton MacKaye Trail FKT
00:34:40 – Tell us about the Colorado Trail FKT
00:36:20 – Discussion about support classifications
00:40:25 – How do you deal with critics?
00:44:30 – How did the Colorado Trail change your outlook on future FKTs?
00:46:00 – When did you decide to go after the AT FKT?
00:48:38 – Did you initially plan to beat the overall record?
00:50:08 – Were you intimidated by others who tried and failed to beat the record?
00:51:30 – Did you notice a transition in social media as you were running?
00:55:18 – Why did your anxiety influence which direction you went?
00:57:20 – How long before you started was the Hard Rock?
01:00:00 – What was it like going through Mahoosuc Notch at FKT pace?
01:01:44 – Tell us about being behind pace at first
01:05:27 – How did your crew chief motivate you?
01:07:03 – Did you ever disagree about decisions?
01:08:00 – How much of a trail was solo or with a pacer?
01:09:50 – What was your adjustment like after the FKT?
01:12:45 – How has your nutrition changed over the years?
01:18:55 – Did you have any near injuries?
01:19:40 – Can you pinpoint a low moment?
01:23:30 – Did you hallucinate?
01:26:45 – Tell us about your average mileage and sleep during the FKT
01:30:40 – Is Rascal’s position a paid position?
01:31:34 – Did you have any paid sponsorship during this run?
01:32:26 – When did you know you had it?
01:35:02 – Did you conceptualize how big of a deal it was going to be?
01:36:35 – Tell us about raising money for Girls on the Run
01:38:20 – Fuck Marry Kill: thru-hiking, FKTs, ultraracing
01:39:31 – Fuck Marry Kill: Outside Magazine, Washington Post, The Trek
01:40:34 – Kumo Question: What’s something you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t had the courage to do yet?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: Tara Dower Sets Overall Fastest Known Time on Appalachian Trail by Kelly Floro
QOTD: What is the most unrealistic thing you thought you could be when you were a kid?
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Comments 2
Did anyone else notice that this was sponsored by Topo Athletic and Tara was wearing an Altra hat and sneakers? Just wondering if she enjoyed wearing Topos for her FKT or if they would no longer be her first choice? Just completed a thru-hike in Topo Terraventures and ‘loved’ them, but now having a very slow recovery with joints and feet pain. Second guessing whether my shoe choice played a role and why it is taking so long to recover. Anxious to get back on trail, but ordered to rest and physical therapy and going crazy! Just curious.
Did anyone else notice that this was sponsored by Topo Athletic and Tara was wearing an Altra hat and sneakers? Just wondering if she enjoyed wearing Topos for her FKT or if they would no longer be her first choice? Just completed a thru-hike in Topo Terraventures and ‘loved’ them, but now having a very slow recovery with joints and feet pain. Second guessing whether my shoe choice played a role and why it is taking so long to recover. Told it could take months to get back to baseline. Anxious to get back on trail, but ordered to rest and physical therapy and going crazy! Just curious.