Aliza Lapierre Interviews iRunFar’s Bryon Powell
September 25, 2012 by Bryon Powell · 33 Comments
Despite my best attempts at keeping things right side up, Aliza Lapierre was determined to interview me, iRunFar’s Bryon Powell, before the 2012 Run Rabbit Run 100. Why? I can’t say, but in the following interview, you can find out about my (race coverage) season, why I’ll be stepping back onto an ultra course next month, which ultra team uniform I prefer, and whether I think I could rock white spandex tights… among other things.
[Click here if you can't see the video above.]
Bryon Powell Pre-2012 Run Rabbit Run 100 Interview Transcript
Aliza Lapierre: Aliza Lapierre of Williston, Vermont, here with Bryon Powell of iRunFar. How are you doing, Bryon?
Bryon Powell: I’m doing great. How are you, Aliza?
Lapierre: I’m doing well. Here we are in Steamboat, the site of Run Rabbit Run. How are you feeling?
Powell: I’m good, but I’m just here to cover the race. You’re here to run the race. So how are you?
Lapierre: Uh, don’t defer and change the conversation here, Bryon. You’ve had a pretty long season in the spectrum of things. You just did UTMB; you did Leadville… Western States; you were down on the volcano. How are you feeling?
Powell: It’s been a long season. Truthfully, I was a little bit worn out going into Leadville. I almost didn’t make it to the starting line.
Lapierre: How did you push through?
Powell: It’s all about the people.
Lapierre: It’s all about the people. Well, that’s good to know. I certainly appreciate your coverage, and I know the people at home do as well. So my understanding is that you used to be a lawyer.
Powell: Guilty as charged.
Lapierre: And then you left that and pursued iRunFar as a full-time career.
Powell: That is true.
Lapierre: And has it gone the direction you would have predicted?
Powell: I, fortunately, went into it with an attitude of, “I don’t know what is going to happen.” There was a whole laundry list of things my life and iRunFar might have turned into. Many of them are still on the board, and many things that weren’t on that have happened. You kind of have to take it as it comes.
Lapierre: I think you’ve definitely grown—your website and your “corporation.” You now have other writers like Geoff Roes, Andy [Jones-Wilkins], and coaches writing for you as well. Any more ideas for the future?
Powell: Well, the first idea is making my life a little more livable. That’s the goal for 2013 is to make sure iRunFar is a sustainable endeavor. I’ve got to get myself out on that trail and enjoying the mountains I moved out West for. Other than that, I think, I hope there will be additional coverage of more events—the likes of Vermont, Wasatch, Superior, etc. This year and last year iRunFar has really been focused on in-depth coverage of a few of the most competitive races around the world. I’m there; Meghan is there on occasion; some other contributors are there. That’s worked really well, and we’ve had a blast doing that. As iRunFar grows, there will be room for getting, maybe not such in-depth coverage of all these races, but people reporting from on-site and really giving some insight into those events.
Lapierre: Do you think races like this that have large money at stake are going to draw more coverage or not necessarily?
Powell: I don’t think necessarily for iRunFar [that] it’s all about where the money or prize purses are. We were at Leadville and Western States and UTMB; it’s not about the money. If the money is going to bring top competitors here, like Run Rabbit Run this weekend, yeah, we’re going to be there. But if the races that don’t want to have prize money continue to find ways to draw the top competitors, we’re going to be there—Hardrock. We love Hardrock—the atmosphere, the environment around there. I can’t see there being prize money there for quite some time. You’ll see it at Western States and UTMB before you do at a race like that.
Lapierre: So you’re loving the mountains. Do you think you’re going to get back to competitive racing in the near future or racing in general?
Powell: Competitive racing, yes. I sort of just decided… well not just decided… I have a spot in next year’s Western States. A good friend and his wife won the raffle for next year’s race. They’ve never run a 50 miler and, unfortunately, don’t have the work schedule to allow them to train for and run one. So, in the next two months, I need to get a Western States qualifier. I did not plan on running an ultra all year; I really wasn’t planning to run a race all year. But I’m going to go run Le Grizz 50 miler up in Montana to see if I can use 20 years of running experience and a little bit of knowledge to get me through that.
Lapierre: Well, you’ve done it before; we know you can do it again. Don’t roll your eyes.
Powell: Yeah, I did 75 miles per month in July and August, excuse me.
Lapierre: You need a coach.
Powell: I do need a coach. Are you free?
Lapierre: Alright, last thing. Quick questions. No bias. Don’t think of sponsors, just truthful answers. Supportive shoes or minimal shoes?
Powell: I am… I lean most of the time towards supportive shoes. I use minimalist shoes as a training tool.
Lapierre: Best cup of coffee you’ve ever had?
Powell: Probably some Jamaican Blue Mountain french pressed at home.
Lapierre: Which team has the best running wardrobe?
Powell: Right now? Pearl Izumi.
Lapierre: Could you rock white spandex like Kilian?
Powell: Could I rock white spandex like Kilian? No. Could I rock white spandex? Probably.
Lapierre: High-5 or a hug?
Powell: Hug?
Lapierre: Alright, thank you, Bryon. Yay, we’re done! See, that wasn’t so bad!
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Filed under Interviews and Profiles, Video ·
Bryon Powell is the Editor-in-Chief of iRunFar.com, which he founded five years ago. Also the author of Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons and a contributing editor at Trail Runner magazine, he's quickly approaching 10 years as an ultrarunner and 20 years as a trail runner. These days he calls Park City, Utah and its trails home.
All posts by Bryon Powell
Aliza looked soo comfortable interviewing, watch out Bryon! Thank you for all the coverage thus far Bryon, we dont get to see all the “behind the scenes” RACE scuffles that occur to get the info out to us, and Im sure I speak for everyone, when I say, Thank You! Youve put on a great webiste all year long. Gracias amigo! Fernando Najera Baeza, San Antonio, TX
ok…I’ve stopped laughing… I think.
That was awesome. Aliza you are a remarkably charming and brave girl; Bryon was digging in his heels and you stuck with it and broke through that “standing before the judge” posture that your subject briefly assumed.
Bryon, my best wishes to you my friend. You have done a fantastic job with iRunFar and many, many of us are extremely thankful for the positive, upbeat and informative forum you have created.
Now get ready to kick some WS100 ass…..and stay healthy.
Bartman
PS. There’s your motto Bryon, iRunFar.com “It’s all about the people.”
Well, now you need to put those white spankies on!
Please, no. He actually has a pair, not spankies but the knee-length compression stuff. Don’t encourage him. ;)
Great interview! Glad to hear the possibility of expanding coverage, especially the mention of Superior (selfishly love to see the Midwest represented further). If you ever want a place to crash in the Duluth area get in touch, I’m sure we can set you up. Hope you get some more time on the trails yourself. Keep up the good work!
So that was Aliza’s audition so she can cover races out East for iRunfar in future? Loved it! (and good luck Bryon for your 50!)
I’d better watch what I say or you might “audition” for the Canadian correspondent role on Friday. ;-)
I do remember AJW starting to write iRF articles shortly after he interviewed Bryon upon his 2011 WS100 finish. She did a nice job here!
Haha, great stuff! Aliza seemed so comfortable. The role reversal definitely tripped Bryon up! Good luck in Montana, Bryon! I’m sure your legs will remember how to run 50 :-)
This was awesome! Thank you again Bryon for all of your, and your teams hard work! You guys are great! Running my first 50 this weekend (VT), and look forward to seeing you at a race sometime!
Have a blast, Michael!
Still laughing, great interview Bryon…
Good luck in Montana, I’ll be rooting for you.
Thanks, Robbie. Might be one of the more followed 10+ hour flat 50s in the US this year. ;-) Maybe I should set up an iRunFar tracker or something!
About time :) Good to get your thoughts in a more raw form :)
Good luck Bryon in Montana. I will be running my first 50 on the same day as the Le Grizz in california. I hope you crush it.
Great interview…
Will we see the white spandex for Le Grizz or will you be saving the official ‘roll out’ for Western States? I’ve gotta believe Salomon will set you up with a free outfit considering all you do for the sport…
Guy, I’ll be running in tried and true running shorts at Le Grizz… although I could use all the help I can get!
Bryon, I think you should consider running in your Western States 2010 outfit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAQh9Be3nyk#time=4m8s
Personally it’s not my cup of tea, but whatever floats your boat… ;)
Seems like my pathetic attempt at being a smartass failed. This link should work better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAQh9Be3nyk#t=4m8s
This is awesome!
Too much fun! Loved it.
P.S. You have that 50 in the bag. No problem.
The Le Grizz, Nice choice! That area is beautiful this time of the year. I was going to run it this fall but decided my mileage wasn’t quite up to par, although I do have you beat quite a bit for July & August. So hopefully your past training carries you through – Good Luck!
Never mind white Spandex. I’ve run with Bryon whilst he’s wearing much more lurid clothing.
Pink, blue & red combo anyone?
http://www.maindruphoto.com/product_info.php?products_id=7839883&language=en&cPath=2020_2021
It takes a real man to wear such an outfit! ;-)
Great interview! Thanks to everyone at IRF and Best of luck on the 50.
Aliza was just great. I only have 5 favourites on my computer (how sad am I?)and iRunfar is one of them. I live in France but you guys keep me connected to the Ultra World…many thanks to you Bryon and your team.
Very entertaining!
awesome! thanks for making me laugh guys :)
More great entertainment! Keep it coming!
what a thoughtfully rad gesture on Aliza’s part – her good humored inflexible vibe is charming as shit! stay human, irunfar!
Michael – you’ll dig the VT 50. i did it last year as my first ultra and thought it was tits (although i am new to running and without taste – ha). i’ll be there again this weekend to run it as my second ultra. looks like we might be in for some rain.
That was awesome- thanks. Although I was hoping for one of those hilarious Bonus Questions that have been on so many interviews recently.
For my money, the best interview of the year was Dakota and Joe just talking at the HR finish line…
Great interview, and great site, Bryon! Very inspiring to someone like me who is thinking about running their first ultra. The only “problem” I had with the interview is that Aliza was so darn cute I now have a crush on her.