Bob Hearn and the Science of Pacing
Bob Hearn set out at Desert Solstice to run 154.5 miles and came within a few hundred yards of doing so. That’s pretty incredible planning and precision, and it’s nothing to new to the guy known as the Prince of Pacing.

Bob’s unique background includes an insatiably curious mind and a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science, then he takes that knowledge and performs experiments until he’s figured out that particular aspect of running. Is it pacing? Bob’s building a computer model that will work to predict outcomes of races. Is it diet? You’ll hear him talk about mixing his own powders in his kitchen for a week until he got the right combination. Is it sleep? He compares Coke to No-Doze to caffeine. To Bob Hearn, racing ultramarathons is one giant experiment in optimization.

But Bob’s not just a science geek. He’s also got the record for the naked 50k at Burning Man and is heavily into yurt design and construction. We talk about how his varied interests all follow one overriding theme: Figuring out the puzzle of how something works.
Bob Hearn Episode Sponsor: Strava

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Bob Hearn Episode Notes
Here’s Bob’s blog with his mort recent report on Desert Solstice. Block off some time for these. They’re worth your full attention.
Here’s the interview with Burning Man 50 RD/Founder Cherie Yanek.
New word/term I learned: Ab initio.
Here’s more on Maurten hydration/energy drink.
Intro/Outro music by David Rosales. Our interviw with David is right here.

Gear in Review with URP Gear Editor Ben Zuehlsdorf
Shoes
- Review: HOKA One One Torrent
- TOPO Athletics Ultraventure Video | Review | Purchasing
Tech/Wearables
- Garmin 935 Review | Purchasing
- Suunto 9 Purchasing
Apparel
- Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts Purchasing
- The North Face Better Than Naked Shorts Purchasing
- Ice Breaker Cool Lite Merino Wool Shirt Purchase
- Ultimate Direction Moonlight Jacket Review | Purchase
- Gore Shake Dry Purchase
- BUFF Info and Purchase
Packs
- Naked Running Band Review | Purchase
- Nathan Vapor Zach Video Review | Purchase
Lighting
- Petzl Bindi Purchase
- Kogalla RA Info and Purchase

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