Smash Notes
Scott Jurek
Episodes
Notes
Backpacker Radio · #37 | Jenny & Scott Jurek on the Appalachian Trail Speed Record…
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Do Women Participate in Ultrarunning as Well
The number of women in ultrarunning has always been high compared to marathoning, but even more so now. Sometimes races will be 50/50 which makes races fun and interesting.
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How Did the “eat and Run” and “born to Run” Books Change Scott’s Life
They brought a new spotlight to the forefront of ultrarunning and to his life and experience personally and professionally. It exposed his career to a lot of people who may have otherwise had no awareness of the sport.
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What Is Scott’s New Book
“North” is written by Scott and Jenny and details the AT endeavor from 2015. It gives both of their perspectives, which offers unique insight into the adventure.
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What Did Scott Anticipate He Would Be Doing Career-wise
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. But, his goals and trajectories evolved.
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What Is Attractive About the Ultrarunning Sport
It is not only physical, but very mental. It levels the playing field. One can make up for lack of one of those with the other which makes the sport interesting.
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What Sports Are the Jureks Hoping Their Children Will Try
They never want to push their kids into anything, but desire to provide them with opportunities to be exposed to sports, music, etc. and let them determine what they enjoy. Scott hopes they might not become as competitive as he is because of the grueling pace that is required.
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Will Scott Be Back on the Trail Anytime Soon
He doesn’t anticipate being as competitive as he once was because of the natural process of getting older. At 45, he realizes that the younger athletes entering the sport are probably able to surpass his current abilities.
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How Did Scott and Jenny Jurek Find the Writing of North?
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. They asked more than once to be put back on the trail, because suffering out there was easier than the manuscript. His editor was surprised he wanted a second book at all. Jurek is not a writer by trade. North was not a career memoir like his first book. It was about the through-hike and the speed hike, and they wanted readers to go find a challenge of their own. He says it took three drafts and all-nighters, and that he once told Jenny it was already good enough. They kept going anyway.
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Has Scott Jurek Raced Seriously Since His 2015 Appalachian Trail FKT?
Scott Jurek tells Backpacker Radio that he has not competed at a high level since his 2015 Appalachian Trail fastest known time. He calls the next level having kids and writing a book. North, the book he and Jenny Jurek worked on for two years, was that project. He had expected to be back on the trail doing something big. Their daughter Raven, and another child sooner than they planned, changed the calendar. At 45 he describes himself as less of an elite athlete than Jabba and Badger. A 24-hour run or a 100-mile race for fun still appeals. What he has stepped back from is racing the way he used to.
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What Advice Do Scott and Jenny Have Regarding Their Lifestyle and Entering Parenthood
Relationships cannot be one-sided and parenting requires a balance between partners. They have learned much about each other and demands ebb and flow as Scott and Jenny train for different races. Sacrifice is necessary and things cannot be all about one person.
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What Does Scott and Jenny's Active Lifestyle Look Like With Balancing Parenthood
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. But, changes have had to be made and they are more restricted on what they can do.
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What Trails Does Scott Jurek Still Want to Hike?
The GR trail that goes across Europe as well as the Camino and trails in the Himalayas. He would also like to explore the Colorado and Arizona trails in the United States.
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What Advice Would Scott Offer to Someone Who Wants to Go After an FKT Trail
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.
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Why Did Scott Jurek Hike the Trail Backwards?
Scott would have potentially switched his course, but did it for aesthetic reasons. The previous records were set going northbound, which was motivating for him. The weather was brutal, though.
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How Did the Trail Spotlight Feel for Scott Jurek?
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 and for Jenny Jurek. The energy was shared. People were on their own hikes and inspiring people back home, and his view is that the world is better when that gets passed on. He thinks he may share too much, and he is fine with other people keeping things to themselves, as long as someone is willing to pass the spark. Had he closed off, he says, he and Jenny would have missed the through-hikers who came out to meet them on a trail he still wanted to experience as a social one.
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What Is Scott's Personality and How Did That Translate Into the Hike
He considers himself an introvert who enjoys people. He took time to enjoy the fans that would find him on on the trail, but he also had to keep in mind his goal of hiking 50 miles per day.
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Regarding Marriage, What Was the Expectation for What This Time on the Trail Would Look Like as Jenny Followed Along in a Vehicle
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. Scott and Jenny found energy through the fans, but Scott also needed space.
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What Is the Normal Amount of Time Needed to Recover From the Issues He Was Dealing With
It is usually 4-6 weeks, which was the entire time slated for his trail adventure. Scott's wife Jenny thought he was certainly done and would not be able to finish.
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What Injuries Did Scott Endure on His Appalachian Trail Hike
He tore his quadriceps muscle very early on and endured kneecap issues on the other leg. Two bad injuries at the same time meant he had to use his hiking poles as crutches.