Jared Burdick Interview

Meet Jared Burdick.

We went into this interview knowing very, very little about Jared, other than that he’d just finished 2nd place at Cayuga Trails 50M championship in New York. We’d heard that it was his first ultra, and that he had some decent times on the road. But we also knew he was Zach Miller’s college teammate and figured he’s have some stories to share.

We found a soft-spoken Korean-American electronic engineer who’s barely dipped his toe into the MUT scene, but already likes what he sees.

In this episode we talk about:

How he chose a tough championship race as his first ultra.
His nickname “Rufio.”
What advice Zach gave him before the race.
What he learned during and after the event.
Why he likes cats.
What Eric and Ethan think of the whole Alberto Salazar issue.
Ethan tries out some new trekking poles from LEKI.
Top five most clicked-on Daily News links of the week.

Episode Notes:

Here’s a link to the Garbage Plates Ethan and Jared were talking about. Gross.
Outro music: Do it Again by Steely Dan
Here’s the YardOwl beer Ethan and I were enjoying. And here’s the podcast with Jay Friedman, one of the owners and an awesome runner with some great stories.

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5 Responses to "Jared Burdick Interview"

Pete K says:

June 6, 2015 at 9:27 pm

Hey Eric,

Cool to hear another east coaster on URP! I live in Ithaca and the ran Cayuga Trails, and the course was every bit as difficult and beautiful as Jared described it. Interestingly enough, I recently met another guy who was college teammates with Zach Miller, and he told me how he was trying to convince Zach to come out and run Cayuga. This also made me go back and give the Jay Friedman podcast another listen, as Jay also ran Cayuga.

Didn’t realize before that Ethan was born in Ithaca and is an alum of RIT. Ethan, if you read this, what’s stopping you from coming back here? Hope to see you at Cayuga Trails next year!

Reply
Eric Ahern says:

June 8, 2015 at 12:25 pm

I enjoyed the interview and getting to know another speedy young ultrarunner crossing over from road marathons. Jared sounds like a formidable runner and a humble guy. I also thought it was great that he wanted to know more about the trail culture. However, I think asking someone who happens to have an Asian background, yet is adopted, to explain the lack of Asian MUT runners just odd. The guy is clearly not connected to that culture, so he can merely speculate. Although it might be an interesting question, he has no intimate perspective to offer on it. Otherwise great interview.

Reply
1. eric schranz says:
  
  June 8, 2015 at 3:13 pm
  
  Totally fair criticism. Boy, hang out with me in person and you’d really have to get used to inappropriate questions! 🙂
  
  You’re totally right in that Jared is genetically Asian, but that’s about it, so it was essentially pointless–at best–to ask him about Asian cultural issues. I’m simply obsessed with the Japanese and other Asian running scenes (HK, Malaysia) and am dying for more input and discussion.
  
  Hope he wasn’t offended, but a guy who goes by “Rufio” is probably pretty cool with it.
  
  Reply
Nathan says:

June 9, 2015 at 8:37 am

Hey Eric,

This interview sparked my interest as soon as I saw a photo of an Asian runner + a non-Asian surname. My immediate thought, ‘Adopted.’

I too am adopted, Korean-American, 31. Lived my entire life in/around primarily Caucasian communities. My most recent years of my life, found me returning to Korea to live with my birth family, whom I recently discovered, and also meeting my wife there as well.

I remember you mentioning you had lived in Korea as well, for a short period of time? You would like to know, I am sure the running community hadn’t changed much since the time you were there, and about one-year ago. Primarily older men, white gloves, white visor or hat, and Asia specific Asics, or Mizuno running shoes, and a knack for saying, ‘fighting,’ to spur some motivation amongst their running groups.

However, in the most recent year, the running community in Korea specifically, has taken a huge turn. You now see a lot of running groups, or crews if you will. I have noticed it become a more social, group hangout type of mentality within the younger Korean generations, and as it had started with a 5k, or 7k, Nike sponsored event, has now grown into a more invested sport for some, albeit, a fashion show on the run, or jog, for most others.

I see these kids pumping tons of money into brands like Salomon, Nike, Adidas, and New Balance, because.. it’s the cool brands that make you run the fastest. Trail running is becoming more popular in Korea, and recently they created the Ultra Trail Korea, which I believe provides UTMB points for finishing well. There is of course, the coast to coast races in Korea, and the long standing Jeju-do Ultra Marathon as well.

One thing I find funny about running and Korea. The term ‘marathon’ means any sort of racing, regardless of distance. When I was living in Korea, everyone regarded themselves as “running marathons,” if they had ran a race, 5k, 10k, 1/2, full, it was all the same. I found this interesting, and cringeworthy, all at the same time.

Anyway, about Asians in Ultras stateside, I couldn’t tell you why there aren’t many. But I can honestly say, I have found excitement in watching Billy Yang progress in his running pursuits, and film career, and also now eager to follow Jared Burdick, while he continues his entry into Ultra running, it’s nice to know, there are others out there like me too.

Best, and keep up the good work,
Nathan

Reply
piper says:

June 11, 2015 at 6:07 pm

Sim Jae Duk. Solomon has acquired a Korean superstar to represent!

You can read more about him here in The New York Times

http://nyti.ms/1hTnFuP

Also, your question about lack of Asians in ultra is not offensive at all. An honest and curious question is never offensive! I speak as a Korean-American myself.

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