Hoka One One Top Trails returns for our fourth season. In this episode, we visit the Folsom/Auburn area of California. The city of Folsom provides miles of paved and single track trails in scenic areas along Lake Natoma, the American River, and Folsom Lake. Folsom is also less than a 30 min. drive from Auburn, CA, which has become known as the endurance capitol of the world- in part because the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run finishes there. In addition to Folsom’s proximity to Auburn by vehicle, an expansive network of single track trails could take a runner from Folsom lake, all the way to Lake Tahoe, 150 miles away.  

Part 1- Humans of HOKA - Cole Watson
HOKA pro runner Cole Watson discusses how approaching this year with patience in training and racing has been paying off for him. Cole also describes how he and his girlfriend Jocelyn Schmidt ended up living and training in Folsom after his time running at the University of Oregon. Here, he is running the trails near the river confluence area at Auburn- less than a 30 min. drive from where he lives in Folsom.

Part 2 - Fishing in Folsom
HOKA pro runner Cole Watson discusses how fishing brings him peace and relaxation, and in many ways, serves a similar purpose as running. Having grown up fishing in Oregon, he enjoys the ease of access to the bodies of water near Folsom.

Part 3 - Humans of HOKA - Jocelyn Schmidt
Fleet Feet Folsom Co-Manager Jocelyn Schmidt leads a group run for the Fleet Feet Folsom Racing team along the Folsom trails to Beals Point. Jocelyn discusses how her boyfriend, Cole Watson, and the community of runners in Folsom has helped to shape her perspective on running and ultra-marathon running.   

Part 4 - Folsom Trails
Hoka One One Top Trails hosts Matt Barnhart and Ian Terpin sit down at Coffee Republic with HOKA pro runner Cole Watson to discuss the trails in the Folsom/Auburn area.  Cole describes how, after moving to Folsom, he was pleasantly surprised with its accessible system of doorstep-to-trail running. He also tells Matt and Ian why Auburn has become known as “The Endurance Capitol of the World.”  Fleet Feet Folsom Co-Manager Jocelyn Schmidt talks about the new “Johnny Cash Trail” and its relationship to the historic Folsom Prison.