Today we interview Derrick Lytle, who has been a staple at most big trail running events, tackled ultras himself and even gone after the Arizona Trail FKT.

Follow Derrick online: https://www.instagram.com/derricklytle/?hl=en

Derrick Lytle is a videographer and photographer who got his start in video production by shooting paintball videos. He later transitioned to capturing trail running footage and found a passion for storytelling through visual journalism. He discusses his experiences in the trail running community, including his attempts at the Arizona Trail FKT. Lytle also shares his thoughts on nutrition in endurance sports, emphasizing the importance of fueling appropriately for the level of intensity and duration of the activity. In this conversation, we discuss the topics of fat adaption and fat burning in ultrarunning, the importance of individualized nutrition strategies, and the challenges and rewards of stage racing and bikepacking. We also share stories of their adventures, including a terrifying experience on dangling ladders in Mexico.

Takeaways

• Derek Lytle started his career in video production by shooting paintball videos and later transitioned to capturing trail running footage.
• He emphasizes the importance of storytelling in his work and how it has evolved from a hobby to a career.
• Lytle discusses his experiences in the trail running community and the challenges of balancing work and personal goals.
• He shares his thoughts on nutrition in endurance sports, highlighting the need to fuel appropriately for the level of intensity and duration of the activity. Ultrarunners are likely burning more fat than they think, even during high-intensity efforts.
• Individualized nutrition strategies are crucial for success in endurance events.
• Stage racing offers a unique challenge of pacing oneself and managing nutrition over multiple days.
• Bikepacking allows for greater distance and exploration compared to hiking or running.
• Creating and completing self-designed routes can be fulfilling and rewarding.
• Adventure activities often involve calculated risks and require problem-solving skills.
• Safety standards may vary in different countries and outdoor activities.
• Connecting with the running and outdoor community can enhance the overall experience.

Sound Bites

• "I wear a lot of hats, but the main thing would be making videos, taking photos."
• "I think more than anything, it was just like learning to tell stories."
• "To shoot something and make it good, I feel like you have to do that sport for the most part."
• "All ultrarunners are burning fat to a certain extent."
• "Your body is naturally going to be in a fat burning state versus high glucose burning."
• "No one winning or doing well at these races shows up and does 100 grams of carbs an hour for the first time."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Derek Lytle's Career in Video Production

05:19 The Power of Storytelling in Visual Journalism

13:19 The Importance of Immersion in the Sport for Capturing Footage

18:07 Fueling Appropriately for Endurance Sports

29:46 Fat Adaption and Fat Burning in Ultrarunning

32:11 Individualized Nutrition Strategies

35:01 The Importance of Accurate Fueling

36:27 The Challenges of Stage Racing

38:49 The World of Bikepacking

43:38 The Fulfillment of Creating and Completing Self-Designed Routes

52:46 Adventure and Risk-Taking

57:28 Connecting with the Running and Outdoor Community

Keywords: Derek Lytle, videographer, photographer, video production, paintball, trail running, storytelling, visual journalism, Arizona Trail, FKT, nutrition, endurance sports, fat adaption, fat burning, ultrarunning, nutrition strategies, stage racing, bikepacking, adventure, Mexico