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Ruby Lindquist has experienced a meteoric rise in the trail running world this season, securing a coveted spot on Team USA for the World Trail Championships following a gutsy sixth-place finish at the hyper-competitive Broken Arrow 50K. Our conversation dives deep into the mental strategies that allow her to push through pain barriers when races aren't going according to plan.

"You feel this awful feeling and you just have to pass right through it," Ruby explains, describing how she managed to stay focused at Broken Arrow despite not feeling her best. This acceptance of suffering rather than resistance to it has become a cornerstone of her racing philosophy. It's particularly relevant as she prepares for the World Championships course with its punishing 12,000 feet of vertical gain—terrain that should play to the strengths of the strong Alaskan contingent heading to the event.

Ruby's evolution as an athlete extends beyond the mental game. She's embraced a data-driven approach to nutrition, working with professionals to determine she's actually a "low salty sweater"—contradicting the high-sodium approach she'd previously followed. This personalized nutritional strategy has eliminated much of the trial-and-error that plagued her longer races in the past. Combined with targeted strength training and focused vert sessions, Ruby is methodically addressing every aspect of performance.

What stands out most in our conversation is Ruby's balanced perspective on competitive running. Despite her elite status, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining joy in the sport: "The reason why we do this is to be outside," she reminds us. This philosophy extends to her vision for trail running's future, where she believes Olympic-level competition can coexist with the community-oriented soul of the sport—much like what's happened with climbing and surfing.

Want to follow Ruby's journey or discover what fuels one of America's most promising mountain runners? Listen now to hear her full story, from eating udon daily in Japan to finding herself on the start list with some of the world's best ultra athletes.

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Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello

Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod