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The plan was simple: go test the 100K waters. The reality was a masterclass in pacing, hydration, and what happens when marathon instincts meet an eight-hour mountain day. Chad Hall brings candor and clarity to his Kodiak debrief—why he went out hard, where the wheels came loose around Snow Summit, and how he’ll rebuild for another shot. From there, we widen the lens: short trail versus ultras, why 50K deserves more respect in the U.S., and how cycling’s strength engine can transform uphill running without sacrificing leg speed on descents.

We trade notes on altitude strategy for Pikes Peak, the balance between sea-level power and high-elevation adaptation, and practical ways to integrate strength—heavy lifts, bike blocks, or ski mountaineering—when schemo isn’t an option. Chad traces his arc from triathlon to domestic elite cycling to trails, and explains how coaching, long mountain days, and flat-speed workouts all fit inside a program designed to resist fatigue and stay smooth on technical terrain.

Then we go deeper. We push on the professionalization of trail running, UTMB-style event culture, and the line between authentic partnership and hollow consumerism. Chad is honest about sponsorship: only promote what you’d buy, center the mountains, and protect the community’s soul. We also challenge the hype cycles of social media and the attention economy, where presentation can outrun performance and algorithms shrink our view of the world. Finally, we wrestle with AI and work—what jobs mean, where meaning comes from, and how a conscious buyer base can reshape the outdoor industry for the better.

If you enjoy conversations that braid training insights with bigger questions about culture and purpose, this one will stick. Follow Chad on Instagram at @chadoflife, hit play, and then tell us: are you team short trail, team ultra, or somewhere in between? Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review to help more curious runners find the show.

Follow Chad on IG - @chadoflife

Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello

Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod