Monadnock Crushers on the White Mountains 100 with Stieg Bertram and Larsen Ojala

This week I sat down with Stieg Bertram and Larsen Ojala to talk about Stieg's recent run on the White Mountains 100. Stieg laid down a time of 31:58hrs at just 17 years old, the second fastest time ever on the route. Larson and I joined him as pacers on the final stretch to help/witness his epic finish over Mount Moosilaukee to the finish line. After running 30 hours, he went absolutely nuclear up and down the Moose, running 8:XX GAP up the 30% climb, and hitting 7:XX GAP down Glencliff with 6:XX pace mixed in on the last two miles on the runnable terrain. I have never seen anything like it before in an ultra. And it was his first hundred miler. He also finished the Hut Traverse this year in 13 hours, a sub 10 hour double Presi Traverse FKT, MMD, Ascutney Star, and just hit 1,000,000 ft of gain on the year. Just wowza.Larsen helped get Stieg into the sport and has one of the most stacked ultra mountain resumes in the Northeast. Larsen was the third person to finish the WM100, the first known person to complete the NH AT 150 in a single push, 18 Monadnock laps in 24 hours, a TRIPLE Pemi Loop, etc. As tough as tough gets. Super pumped to sit down with these two.HOW TO FIND STIEG AND LARSEN:https://www.instagram.com/stiegbertram1/https://www.strava.com/athletes/145876945?oq=stieghttps://www.instagram.com/larsenlimpsalot/https://www.strava.com/athletes/42554386?oq=larsenCORSA LIVE ENDURANCE TRACKING: I live streamed my WM100 effort on Corsa's live tracking. An awesome live tracking hub for thru hikes, FKTs, ultras, and unsupported efforts in the Northeast and across the country. https://www.corsa.run/I've tried a lot of different trail running gear over the years and have refined my ideal kit for the mountains. Below are some of my favorite running and hiking shoes and gear. If you have any questions, please reach out! By using the affiliate links below, I may earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the channel! 🙏👟FAVORITE TRAIL RUNNING SHOES:Hoka Speedgoat 7: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rei.pxf.io/7XBr4r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3RdDZRS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The shoe I have worn for the most miles in the White Mountains. Its a high stack height but I like that for running fast down steep descents. The Speedgoat 7 is my favorite version so far. It's lighter, and slightly reduced stack from the old version and I have been loving it.La Sportiva Prodigio Pro: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rei.pxf.io/0GB7gP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3T1u0Qi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  My top pick for a super shoe in technical terrain. Light, fast, and has really good grip. Mid tier stack so fairly stable but also has some cush to absorb downhill impact. These shoes want to go.Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rei.pxf.io/6kR90V⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/4wGHWh5⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  One of my favorite pair of road trainers. An uptempo, fast shoe which I use on my road runs to work on turnover and speed. ⛰️ESSENTIAL TRAIL RUNNING GEAR:GPS Watch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rei.pxf.io/VOjena⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/4wT0bQq⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  In my experience, Garmin has the best GPS accuracy in thick, dense forest in the Northeast. I trust the mileage and vert data from Garmin over any other watch.Running Vest: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rei.pxf.io/zzD3We⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/4feeEzr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Salomon has been the gold standard for trail running vests. I have always worn Salomon vests and still have all my original packs. In the summer, I use a 5L and in the Winter I use a 12L. Lightweight Water Filter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rei.pxf.io/R0Djza⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/4vErYTK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  A water filter top for a soft flask is one of the most essential pieces of gear for trail running. I always bring the least amount of water possible and fill up at any stream. Super easy to use and can help out in a pinch as well.