Grab your hiking boots and trail candy! I sat down with ultra runner and certified trail-blazer Tara Dower, who absolutely SHATTERED the fastest known time on the Appalachian Trail. What takes most people 5 to 6 months, Tara crushed in just 40 days, 18 hours, and 5 minutes – yep, from Maine to Georgia, 2,197 miles later. No biggie.
In this episode, we dive into how she pulled off such a mind-blowing feat, from navigating mental battles (even record-breakers have imposter syndrome, y’all!) to dodging wildlife and dirt-napping along the way. Plus, the epic planning and teamwork it took to keep her moving forward.
We also get into some bigger conversations about learning from failure, the need for more representation of women in athletics, what she wants her legacy to be and… wait for it… did she really encounter a Skinwalker in the woods?!
Follow Tara:
YouTube: Tara Treks
Instagram: @tara.dower
TikTok: @tara.dower
Website: https://tara-treks.com/
Support Tara's Girls on the Run Fundraiser: https://support.girlsontherun.org/fundraiser/5607331
And don’t forget to keep up with all things Outside of Work on:
Instagram: @outsideofworkofficial
TikTok: @outsideofworkofficial
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2M5G88i_w3M
This was recorded virtually thanks to Riverside. Get a discount with my affiliate link: https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=gentrix
TIME CODES
00:00 - Show Intro + Life Update
03:51 - Tara Intro
04:22 - Tara's Recovery
06:12 - Beating the FKT
06:53 - Tackling Imposter Syndrome
13:30 - Love for the Outdoors
16:27 - Do you believe in callings?
18:52 - Becoming an Ultrarunner
20:40 - Her First Failed Attempt
22:51 - Learning From Failure
27:13 - Deciding to Break the FKT
29:42 - Preparing for the Appalachian Trail
36:44 - Staying in the Moment
42:26 - A Typical Day
50:25 - Dear Tara, Slow Down!
54:25 - Seeing a Skinwalker on the Trail
58:39 - Girls On The Run
01:02:20 - Recovery
01:04:25 - Funding the Run
01:06:00 - Speed Round
01:09:12 - Who is Tara Dower?
01:10:42 - How to Keep Friends as an Adult
01:12:00 - Tara's Legacy
01:13:22 - Final Thoughts + Outro