The Steep Stuff Podcast

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What happens when you throw away your carefully crafted race plan and follow your intuition instead? For elite mountain runner Remi Leroux, it meant transforming a 15-race schedule into nearly 25 events across two continents in a single summer.

Diving deep into his whirlwind season, Remi shares how his partnership with Brooks teammate Dan has pushed him toward spontaneity and risk-taking. Their contrasting personalities—Dan's high-energy spontaneity balanced against Remy's thoughtful approach—created the perfect dynamic for an unforgettable European racing campaign. From training camps in Les Houches to competing alongside the Brooks team at Golden Trail Series events and during UTMB week, Remy found himself surrounded by a professional team atmosphere that elevated his performance.

The conversation explores Remi's victory at Cirque Series Cannon Mountain despite racing with a significant foot injury, his surprising 5th place finish at the hyper-competitive ETC race, and his specific preparation for the upcoming World Mountain Running Championships in Spain. With remarkable self-awareness, Remy analyzes his strengths—particularly his ability to climb efficiently after descending—and how he's tailoring his training for the unique demands of championship mountain racing.

Perhaps most compelling is Remi's perspective on representing Team Canada on the world stage. Beyond personal achievement, he sees international performance as crucial for growing competitive mountain running in Canada, shifting perceptions from casual recreation to serious sport. His measured ambition—targeting a top-10 finish against running powerhouses like Kenya, Uganda, and Italy—reveals both humility and confidence.

Join us for this fascinating glimpse into elite mountain running through the eyes of an athlete who's learned that sometimes the best decisions come from following your gut rather than your spreadsheet. Whether you're chasing podiums or personal bests, Remy's journey offers valuable insights on balancing structure with spontaneity in pursuit of your running goals.

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What happens when you suddenly find yourself among the world's elite athletes? Mason Coppi, who has exploded onto the sub-ultra mountain running scene with remarkable success, joins us for a candid conversation about his journey to the top and upcoming World Championships appearance.

Despite dominating races and earning his place among the sport's best, Mason reveals his ongoing battle with imposter syndrome. "I would feel uncomfortable putting my name in that conversation," he admits, even as his results speak volumes. Yet he's found a powerful antidote in staying present during competition – deliberately pausing during races to absorb the scenery and experience the joy of the moment.

Having represented Team USA once before at Chiang Mai, Mason approaches this year's World Championships in Spain with fresh perspective. His first European trip represents not just a personal milestone but an opportunity to be part of something bigger. The camaraderie within Team USA has transformed his approach, creating what he describes as a true team environment he hasn't experienced since college. Through pre-championship training camps and races, these elite individuals have formed a cohesive unit ready to challenge the world's best.

As preparation for the technically demanding world championship course continues, Mason shares his philosophy of maintaining successful training approaches rather than making dramatic changes. His balanced perspective extends to his championship expectations – acknowledging the exceptional difficulty while maintaining confidence in his abilities. Most compelling is his vision for what a team medal might mean: "This is an opportunity to really show what we're capable of" and potentially rewrite the narrative around American mountain running on the global stage.

Listen now to this inspiring conversation about athletic excellence, team dynamics, and finding joy in the journey to the top. Follow Mason and Team USA as they take on the world's best mountain runners and represent American trail running on the global stage!

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When Lindsay Allison submitted her application for the US Mountain Running World Championship team, she never expected to be selected. "When I got the call I was like, 'What? Are you sure? Me?'" she shares with genuine surprise in her voice. This unexpected honor comes at the perfect moment in her season—just as she's hitting her stride after overcoming early-season challenges.

Our conversation explores Lindsay's fascinating journey through a summer of unexpected hurdles and triumphant breakthroughs. After battling persistent nausea that severely impacted her performance at Speedgoat, Lindsay discovered she might have been over-consuming electrolytes. "I think my sweat rate changed throughout the summer," she reflects, highlighting how our bodies' needs evolve with adaptation. This experience serves as a powerful reminder that even elite athletes continue learning about their bodies through careful observation and experimentation.

Perhaps the most profound shift in Lindsay's season came when she intentionally disconnected from training technology. As a self-described "type A" athlete, she found herself overwhelmed by data from multiple devices. Her decision to run without her watch for several weeks proved transformative: "It was so liberating... I just felt free." This digital detox allowed her to reconnect with the pure joy of running, making decisions based solely on feel. Her subsequent performances at the Telluride Mountain Run and The Rut—both technically demanding mountain races with significant vertical gain—not only provided perfect physical preparation for Worlds but also rekindled her passion for mountain running at precisely the right moment.

As Lindsay prepares to represent Team USA in Innsbruck, her humble approach and genuine excitement for the experience shine through. With plans to race UTMB Bariloche in Patagonia afterward, she's embracing every opportunity this remarkable season has presented. Join us for this candid conversation about finding balance between data and intuition, overcoming mid-season obstacles, and the unexpected paths that lead to representing your country on the world stage.

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Courtney Coppinger takes us inside her journey to the Mountain Running World Championships in this candid conversation about mental resilience, team camaraderie, and the pursuit of excellence on the international stage.

From Colorado's high altitude training grounds to the pristine trails of Europe, Courtney shares the rollercoaster of emotions that define an elite athlete's preparation. "Nothing felt really shiny and nothing felt really good," she admits about her final training block, before describing how arriving in Europe instantly restored her confidence: "The stoke immediately came back because sea level, 60-degree temps, perfect trails... I had a run yesterday and it just all came back and I'm like, yep, you're fit, you're ready."

Her recent performances validate that preparation. At the World Cup Finals in Slovenia, Courtney made a pivotal mental shift, deciding to race aggressively from the start rather than working from behind. The result? A breakthrough third-place finish that transformed her self-belief. Similarly, at the A-Basin Cirque Series race, she pushed through early suffering to claim second place, reinforcing valuable lessons about race strategy and recovery.

What truly shines through is Courtney's deep appreciation for team culture. She speaks passionately about the pre-World Championships camp organized by teammate Cam Smith, where Team USA members formed meaningful bonds. "There were no egos, everybody was just super excited to get to know each other," she reflects. This team-first mentality extends to her Brooks teammates, who have become her closest friends in the sport. "I literally was tearing up because I didn't know that I was going to sign with you guys and find two of my best friends," she shares, emphasizing that these relationships transcend running achievements.

Looking ahead to the World Championships, Courtney's confidence in Team USA is unwavering. "This team, it's just these girls on this team... I couldn't pick a better group of four sub-ultra classic style racers," she declares, believing they have excellent medal potential. With a month in Europe planned after the championships, Courtney's passion for the sport, her teammates, and the adventure of it all promises to carry her through the biggest race of her season.

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When Sydney Petersen toed the line at the Broken Arrow Skyrace this summer, she wasn't sure she'd even finish. After two weeks of complete rest nursing what she feared might be a serious hip injury, her training was far from ideal for what would serve as the US World Championship qualifier. Yet sometimes our greatest performances emerge when expectations fall away.

"I think everything that could have gone wrong leading up to this race went wrong," Peterson reveals in this candid conversation. "I wasn't feeling good, I wasn't even sure if I was going to be able to race." Despite these setbacks, Peterson found herself in a unique mental space—grateful simply to be healthy enough to compete and free from self-imposed pressure. What followed was a breakthrough performance that secured her spot on Team USA's vertical squad for the World Mountain Running Championships.

The drama of that qualifying race unfolds like a thriller as Petersen describes getting caught behind slower runners at the start, methodically working through the field, and misunderstanding her position. Believing she was the fourth American (the final qualifying spot) rather than her actual position as second American, she sprinted desperately to the finish in what she calls "the farthest I've ever gone into the pain cave." This performance marked a profound shift in how she views herself within the competitive landscape: "Before it was like the top American women are in their race and I'll be running my race behind them. Now I consider myself in the same race."

From European racing adventures to Team USA training camps in Colorado, Peterson shares the lessons she's gathered in her rapid evolution as an elite trail runner. With the World Championships approaching, she balances the team's medal potential with her desire to remain present for the experience. Her journey reminds us that in trail running's unpredictable world, adaptability and gratitude often matter more than perfect preparation.

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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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Summits conquered, records shattered, and mountains yet to climb—Jasmine Lowther's extraordinary summer of racing defies conventional limits. Fresh from breaking the Grand Teton FKT and excelling at OCC, she now stands on the precipice of the World Championships in Spain.

The Grand Teton FKT attempt reveals a fascinating dimension of Jasmine's relationship with mountains. Despite having only three weeks to prepare for a challenge that ideally requires months of intimate mountain knowledge, she conquered not just the technical terrain but her own fears. "You're going to be dancing with it," her sports psychologist told her about the mountain, "so get to know it." That dance between fear and achievement colors every step of her journey, whether navigating exposed ridges where one misstep means a 6,000-foot fall or facing wild boars on Spanish training runs.

Now preparing for World Championships, Jasmine paints a vivid picture of what awaits: a course unlike any typical trail race. With significant sections completely off-trail through grassy fields and technical gullies, dozens of punishing switchbacks, and terrain so challenging "it's going to run like a 120K race" despite being only 50 miles. The technical downhills will favor skilled mountain runners over pure speed specialists, creating an unpredictable race where "dark horses" might challenge established champions.

Beyond the physical challenges, Jasmine thoughtfully addresses broader issues facing trail running—from the complexities of anti-doping enforcement to the special feeling of representing Canada on an international stage. Her perspective balances competitive fire with genuine appreciation for the mountain environments and community that make this sport so compelling.

Looking to challenge yourself on technical mountain terrain? Listen now for insights from someone who's mastering the art of dancing with mountains, and follow Jasmine's journey as she carries the maple leaf to Spain's most demanding trails.

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Standing at the base of Pike's Peak, staring up at the formidable 14,115-foot summit piercing the Colorado sky, runners face more than just a grueling physical challenge—they confront what veterans call "the ultimate mental battle." Every year, over 2,500 athletes from 46 states and eight countries gather in Manitou Springs to test their limits in America's most iconic mountain race.

What keeps bringing elite and recreational runners back to this punishing course year after year? As one participant puts it: "You know this is a test against yourself... everybody that's out here is doing it and everybody's testing themselves." The Pike's Peak Marathon and Ascent aren't merely races; they're deeply personal journeys of self-discovery set against the backdrop of one of America's most magnificent mountains.

We dive deep into what makes the 2025 edition particularly compelling, examining the stacked elite fields in both the Ascent and Marathon races. The Ascent competition looks especially fierce this year, with Seth DeMoore, Brian Whitfield, Mika Bowdoin, and rising star Zach Erickson headlining the men's field, while Reena Schwartz leads an equally impressive women's contingent. Meanwhile, John Sinclair and Christina Conati both chase historic fourth consecutive victories in the Marathon.

The podcast also explores what sets Pike's Peak apart as one of America's three oldest trail races alongside Dipsea and Mount Marathon in Alaska. We examine the community cultures surrounding each event, race strategies for conquering the mountain's brutal upper sections, and ideas for enhancing the Pike's Peak experience for both participants and spectators. Whether you're a competitive mountain runner or simply fascinated by what drives humans to push their limits at 14,000 feet, this episode offers an inspiring look at the physical and psychological journey that awaits on America's Ultimate Challenge.

Ready to test yourself against the mountain? Join us as we unravel what makes Pike's Peak the definitive proving ground for trail runners from around the world.

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Pike's Peak isn't just a mountain—it's America's Ultimate Challenge. Rising dramatically from 6,000 to 14,000 feet, this Colorado landmark draws over 2,500 runners annually from across the globe, all seeking to test their limits against its unforgiving terrain.

What makes this race truly special? As elite mountain runner Kiern Nay explains, "It's just you're constantly wondering if you're going too hard and if you're going to die." Unlike strategic ultra events where pacing and problem-solving matter, Pike's Peak demands maximum effort from start to finish—a "total red line from the gun to the top." Pull back even slightly, and the mountain makes you pay.

For Kieran, who grew up in Colorado Springs with Pike's Peak as his constant backdrop, the mountain represents both personal history and professional benchmark. After finishing an impressive fifth place in his first competitive trail race there at age 20, he returns year after year, drawn by the mountain's brutal honesty and the race's rich tradition. "You know this is a test against yourself," he reflects, highlighting why this race transcends competition to become something more profound.

The podcast explores Kieran's evolution as an athlete, from focusing on shorter mountain races to embracing longer challenges like the Grand Traverse and Speed Goat. We also dive into his upcoming adventure representing Team USA at the Continental Sky Running Championships in Mexico, where he'll race at elevations exceeding 15,000 feet. Throughout our conversation, Kieran shares insights into high-altitude training, race preparation, and building community among elite mountain runners in Colorado's Gunnison Valley.

Whether you're a dedicated trail runner or simply fascinated by what drives athletes to push their limits, this episode offers a compelling glimpse into the mind of an elite mountain runner and the iconic race that continues to define his journey. Subscribe now and join us for more inspiring conversations with the remarkable athletes who call the mountains their proving ground.

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The mountain looms ahead, a vertical challenge that tests not just physical endurance but mental fortitude. "It's just you're constantly wondering if you're going too hard and if you're going to die," says one elite runner, capturing perfectly why uphill racing has become such a compelling discipline within trail running.

We dive deep into the world of vertical challenges, exploring America's Ultimate Challenge at Pike's Peak, where over 2,500 runners from 46 different states and eight foreign countries gather annually to push their limits. The conversation takes us across continents as we compare the established European uphill racing scene with its growing American counterpart, examining what makes these pure tests of human endurance so addictive for those who attempt them.

From the grueling Bar Horn race in Switzerland with its staggering 10,500 feet of vertical gain to the community-focused Mount Ashland Hill Climb, we explore different race formats and what makes each unique. Elite runners share their strategies for conquering these monsters – from specialized nutrition approaches that favor liquid carbohydrates to equipment choices like modified road shoes that maximize efficiency on the climbs.

Perhaps most fascinating is the psychological component of uphill racing. The successful athlete must master the art of measured effort, knowing when to push and when to conserve, while constantly battling the inner voice that questions if they're going too hard or not hard enough. As one runner puts it, "You know this is a test against yourself... everybody that's out here is doing it and everybody's testing themselves."

Whether you're a seasoned mountain goat or curious about why anyone would willingly subject themselves to thousands of feet of continuous climbing, this conversation reveals the pure, primal satisfaction that comes from starting at the bottom and finishing at the top – testing your limits against gravity itself.

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