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Sydney Petersen stands at the threshold of a defining moment in her trail running career as she prepares for the Sunapee Scramble—a race that could earn her a coveted spot on Team USA. In this candid pre-race conversation, she opens up about her journey, aspirations, and the meticulous preparation leading up to this pivotal competition.

Fresh from attending the Brooks Summit with what she describes as "the most stacked trail team in the world," Sydney offers unique insights into the professional side of trail running. Her training build has been comprehensive, mixing tempo runs and flat speed work while waiting for mountain trails to melt, then transitioning to technical terrain work as conditions improved. A recent 20-mile effort—her longest run ever—has provided a crucial confidence boost heading into race week.

Sydney's refreshing perspective on race strategy reveals the mind of an elite athlete who has learned from experience: "Every time I go into a race with a really concrete plan, it never turns out well for me." Instead, she emphasizes presence, adaptability, and responding to the flow of competition in the moment. This approach seems particularly well-suited for the unpredictable nature of the Sunapee course and its formidable field of competitors, including aggressive front-runners like Allie McLaughlin.

When asked about her preference for race day conditions, her answer speaks volumes about her mental toughness: "The poorer the conditions are and just the gnarlier it is, the better." Training in the extreme climate of Colorado's Gunnison Valley at 9,000 feet has prepared her to embrace rather than fear challenging environments.

Listen in as Sydney discusses the emotional significance of potentially making Team USA after coming close but falling short of goals throughout her running career, her equipment choices for the technical East Coast trails, and her ambitious plans for the season beyond Sunapee—including competing in both events at the ultra-competitive Broken Arrow Skyrace. Her journey represents the evolving landscape of American trail running as it continues to attract world-class talent and global attention.

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Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello

Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

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