David Roche returns to the Singletrack Podcast fresh off his 12:18 , second-place performance at the Javelina Jundred.

In addition to the race report, David dives into how high-carb fueling, recovery science, and fearless pacing are rewriting what’s possible in trail and ultrarunning, why overtraining and under-fueling are essentially the same thing, how athletes like Will Murray, Canyon Woodward, and Tara Dower are redefining performance ceilings, and what the next five years of the sport might look like.

Beyond the science, David opens up about aging in the sport, balancing family life with competition, and rediscovering joy in racing after the pressure of Western States. He shares lessons from his YouTube “Road to Western States” series, what he learned from stepping back, and how he and Megan Roche plan to rebuild their creative work heading into 2026.

Partners:

• Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)
• Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.com/) 
• deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website to get 20% off your next order (https://partners.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20)
• Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)
• Gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website (bit.ly/3JVNIbL) to get 30% off your purchase.
• Naak - use code SINGLETRACK15 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 15% off your purchase.

Additional Links:

• Follow David on Instagram, Website, Youtube
• Follow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Youtube

Support the show