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Imagine grinding uphill at a 30% gradient during the Broken Arrow 46K, your heart hammering against your ribs, legs burning with each step. Now imagine doing it twice—because that's exactly what awaits the elite athletes competing for spots on Team USA this weekend in Olympic Valley.

Trail running standout Cade Michael joins us fresh off impressive performances at Canyons 50K and GoPro Games to share his mindset heading into what might be the most significant race of his career. With candid humor and thoughtful insight, Cade reveals the dramatic details of his Canyons 50K finish, where he experienced "full body seizes" yet refused to DNF, and the surprising nutritional discovery that might have been holding him back for years.

The Boulder-based runner offers a fascinating glimpse into his training environment, where running alongside some of the world's best trail athletes has both humanized these elite performers and boosted his own confidence. His race strategy for Broken Arrow draws inspiration from French pointillist painting—approaching each segment as its own focused effort while maintaining perspective of the complete picture.

Most compelling is Cade's deeply personal motivation: the childhood dream of representing Team USA. As a self-described "Olympics junkie" who would wake at 2 AM to watch events during the 2008 Beijing Games, the opportunity to don the stars and stripes represents the fulfillment of a long-held aspiration. With the trail running world converging on Palisades Tahoe for this selection race, we get an insider's perspective on what it means to chase this dream across 28 miles and 8,000 feet of vertical gain.

Whether you're following the Broken Arrow race this weekend or looking for insights into elite trail running preparation, this conversation captures both the physical and mental elements that define ultrarunning at its highest level. Subscribe now for more in-depth conversations with the sport's most compelling athletes.

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Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello

Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

Use code steepstuffpod for 25% off your cart at UltimateDirection.com!