Smash Notes
#37 | Jenny & Scott Jurek on the Appalachian Trail Speed Record, Parenting, and What's Next

Backpacker Radio

#37 | Jenny & Scott Jurek on the Appalachian Trail Speed Record, Parenting, and What's Next

In 2015, Scott Jurek was the most talked about person on the Appalachian Trail, even the trail community at large. As soon as the legendary ultrarunner announced that he was bringing his talents to Appalachia, a flurry of fanfare and press followed suit. Though his record has been broken a pair of times since, the swell of attention has yet to be matched…

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Notes

  1. How Does Scott Jurek Say People Cheat in Ultrarunning, Besides Doping? at 0:00

    On Backpacker Radio, Jabba and Badger raise blood doping and EPO, with Lance Armstrong's cycling case as the comparison. Full answer

  2. What Trails Does Scott Jurek Still Want to Hike? at 0:00

    The GR trail that goes across Europe as well as the Camino and trails in the Himalayas. Full answer

  3. What Does Scott and Jenny's Active Lifestyle Look Like With Balancing Parenthood at 0:00

    Scott and Jenny’s kids love the outdoors and being active. The couple has been able to figure out a way to still infuse their lifestyle into their lives. Full answer

  4. What Advice Do Scott and Jenny Have Regarding Their Lifestyle and Entering Parenthood at 0:00

    Relationships cannot be one-sided and parenting requires a balance between partners. Full answer

  5. Has Scott Jurek Raced Seriously Since His 2015 Appalachian Trail FKT? at 0:00

    Scott Jurek tells Backpacker Radio that he has not competed at a high level since his 2015 Appalachian Trail fastest known time. Full answer

  6. How Did Scott and Jenny Jurek Find the Writing of North? at 0:00

    On Backpacker Radio, Scott Jurek says North, the book he wrote with Jenny Jurek about his Appalachian Trail speed hike, sat on their plate for two years. Full answer

  7. Will Scott Be Back on the Trail Anytime Soon at 0:00

    He doesn’t anticipate being as competitive as he once was because of the natural process of getting older. Full answer

  8. What Sports Are the Jureks Hoping Their Children Will Try at 0:00

    They never want to push their kids into anything, but desire to provide them with opportunities to be exposed to sports, music, etc. Full answer

  9. What Is Attractive About the Ultrarunning Sport at 0:00

    It is not only physical, but very mental. It levels the playing field. Full answer

  10. What Did Scott Anticipate He Would Be Doing Career-wise at 0:00

    Scott saw himself as a game warden and he studied hard. Education was important to his parents and they saw it as necessary for him to succeed. Full answer

  11. What Is Scott’s New Book at 0:00

    “North” is written by Scott and Jenny and details the AT endeavor from 2015. Full answer

  12. How Did the “eat and Run” and “born to Run” Books Change Scott’s Life at 0:00

    They brought a new spotlight to the forefront of ultrarunning and to his life and experience personally and professionally. Full answer

  13. Do Women Participate in Ultrarunning as Well at 0:00

    The number of women in ultrarunning has always been high compared to marathoning, but even more so now. Full answer

  14. Who Is Scott Jurek at 6:01

    Scott Jurek was arguably the most talked about person on the Appalachian Trail in 2015 as he was a very popular ultra runner who took his abilities to the… Full answer

  15. Do You Lose Your Mind During Long Ultra Races at 7:58

    You do, and in fact Jurek tries to lose his mind on purpose by relaxing and not thinking too much of the race. Full answer

  16. When Did Ultra Running Turn Into a Feasible Career at 12:42

    Scott was in debt from ultra running for longer than he was making money. Full answer

  17. What Are Ultra Running Prize Packages Like Today at 13:43

    On the high end, a $5,000 prize might be available. Often, there are $1,000 prizes. Occasionally, there are $10,000 races. Full answer

  18. Who Paid Scott Jurek When Race Prizes Stayed Small? at 14:59

    From sponsors, not from the prize check. Full answer

  19. What Does Scott Think About the Eastern States 100 Race at 15:50

    It is a new race that includes 30,000 vertical feet in a 100 mile race. Full answer

  20. How Did Jenny Jurek and Scott Jurek Meet? at 17:38

    Through his shoe sponsor. Full answer

  21. Has the Ultra Running World Changed in the Last Decades at 19:09

    It has gotten a lot bigger and is more on the map. There are a lot of popular races that people want to get into. Full answer

  22. Is There Any Drug Testing in the Ultra Running Sport at 20:30

    With the increase in popularity and potential prize money associated with ultrarunning, testing is now done more frequently. Full answer

  23. What Injuries Did Scott Endure on His Appalachian Trail Hike at 25:18

    He tore his quadriceps muscle very early on and endured kneecap issues on the other leg. Full answer

  24. What Is the Normal Amount of Time Needed to Recover From the Issues He Was Dealing With at 30:36

    It is usually 4-6 weeks, which was the entire time slated for his trail adventure. Full answer

  25. Regarding Marriage, What Was the Expectation for What This Time on the Trail Would Look Like as Jenny Followed Along in a Vehicle at 36:03

    There wasn't much space for alone time. Fans appeared on and around the trail and increasing crowds meant that Scott's adventure was a bit overwhelming for her. Full answer

  26. What Is Scott's Personality and How Did That Translate Into the Hike at 41:04

    He considers himself an introvert who enjoys people. Full answer

  27. How Did the Trail Spotlight Feel for Scott Jurek? at 43:36

    Scott Jurek tells Backpacker Radio that the attention around his Appalachian Trail hike felt crazy and, at times, a little overwhelming, and also fun, for him… Full answer

  28. Why Did Scott Jurek Hike the Trail Backwards? at 55:31

    Scott would have potentially switched his course, but did it for aesthetic reasons. Full answer

  29. What Advice Would Scott Offer to Someone Who Wants to Go After an FKT Trail at 58:21

    Know why you are out there. When things get difficult on the trail and you feel you cannot go on, Scott says that one must know your original motivations. Full answer

  30. How Much Weight Did Scott Lose on the Trail at 1:08:19

    19 pounds. Full answer

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