Zach Bitter Interview July ’14

We’ve spoken with Zach on the show twice before. Once before his inaugural hundred in ’12, and once in Dec’ 13 after he busted Yiannis Kouros’ 12 hour record. Zach currently has the WR for the 12 hr and the AR for the hundred miler (a speedy 11:47.)

Today he joins me talk about his upcoming 12 hour at SixDaysInTheDome in Alaska where he’s looking to break records again. Take notes folks, he plans on running sub 3hr marathon pace for 100 dang miles.

Let’s find out how he does it, what he eats, how he trains, and what drives him towards success.

Episode Notes:

Zach runs for Altra footwear

Here’s his site with his coaching information.

Team RWB Trail Running Camp

Outro music: Take it Back, by Pink Floyd

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9 Responses to "Zach Bitter Interview July ’14"

Chris says:

July 8, 2014 at 7:22 pm

Good Luck, Zach. I have learned a lot from you. Excellent interview. Watching your ultimate race adventures and winning success. Appreciate your mentorship/ guidance at Team RWB trail camp ’13.

Reply
rob says:

July 9, 2014 at 2:59 pm

Great interview! Can’t fathom holding that pace for 100 miles/12 hrs. Crazy stuff.

Reply
Paul says:

July 10, 2014 at 7:40 am

Great interview. Especially for ppl living in urban areas with minimal access to trails, while at first running timed races sounds crazy, the idea softens with time and getting to know more people who participate. I say this after having watched the SC 6/ 10 day races the last 2 years, the 3100 this year, 3 Days at the Fair, and other NYC area races.

As you and Zach said in the interview, time (really any kind of road race) races keep you honest. If you are not equipped to run the entire time, you’ll find out. With that sort of context, his weekly mileage isn’t so crazy.

It should be noted, that while Zach did get the WR from Kouros for 12 hours, I don’t think that was ever a distance Kouros raced – or even the top Russian 100mi folks. Kouros’ “record” was merely his *split* en route to his 24hr 188+ miles.

Reply
1. Paul says:
  
  July 10, 2014 at 7:44 am
  
  I hope Zach gets the record and would love to see some of the other fast guys race him some time. I would think Max and Sage have the best chance at the record, as they have the fastest natural leg speed of the domestic ultrarunners. I would love to see Max, Sage, Flaherty, Wardian, Sharman, Bitter, and Co. have a throwdown. Fortunately, it will be fun to watch Flaherty and King run Comrades in 2015 in the most competitive and international ultra around.
  
  One would think a number of the fast trail guys could make for some good competition too, but I don’t anticipate them touching roads. Some hate the idea, others may be allergic to pavement like Kilian at UROC.
  
  Reply
  1. eric schranz says:
    
    July 10, 2014 at 7:48 am
    
    That’s why the Las Vegas idea is so great. All those guys duking it out with live betting!
    
    Reply
    1. Paul says:
      
      July 10, 2014 at 7:51 am
      
      That’s what happened in the great 6 day Pedestrian Races of yesteryear (about 100 years ago) when some runners with crappy shoes, no body glide or calf panties, topped 600miles! The races in MSG practically encouraged what we now call banned substances. People just wanted to see great performances.
      
      Fejes would love to see betting on runners on a track.
      
      Reply
    2. Jill Will Run says:
      
      July 11, 2014 at 12:01 pm
      
      I live in Vegas… I’d totally spectate that event!
      
      Reply
Ed "The Jester" Ettinghausen says:

July 10, 2014 at 8:18 pm

Great podcast. Very intrigued by his diet. The complete opposite of so many of the vegan/fruitarian proponents. Different strokes for different folks. Loved hearing Zach’s strategic approach to a possible new 100 mile World record at 6 Days in the Dome. Was blessed to high five him as he whipped by me on his final lap at Desert Solstice for his 12-hour World record finish. Looking forward to another World record high five in Alaska.

Reply
Zach says:

July 11, 2014 at 6:02 am

The 100 mile WR was a strait up 100 mile effort on a track back in 1991. There was a prize put out for anyone who could beat Don Richie’s previous WR. It was a total throw down right to the last couple 100 meters.

http://www.americanultra.org/news/2002news/23oct02b.html

Yiannis did indeed run 11:46 in route to a 24 hour time, but NOT his 188 performance (not sure what his 24 hour distance was at that event). He came through 100 in 12hrs for his 188 WR. So naturally it shows a major regression in pace (almost walking in some instances) by folks who go “all out” the first 12 hours. Yiannis is so good that a 12 hour 100 mi isn’t quite all out for him 🙂

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