September 23, 2025 • 28 mins
Taylor Stack's remarkable transformation from promising college runner to Team USA representative has been nothing short of extraordinary. In this wide-ranging conversation, Stack opens up about his breakthrough European racing season where he finished as top American and 12th overall in the Golden Trail Series, plus secured a podium at the brutally technical Pitz Alpine Glacier race.
What makes Stack's journey particularly fascinating is his balanced approach to high-pressure competition. Rather than buckling under expectations, he emphasizes gratitude for these opportunities and focuses on embracing the experience—a mindset that has paradoxically enhanced his performances against the world's elite. His versatility across different course types—from cold, technical mountain races to scorching hot runnable routes—demonstrates a rare adaptability that's becoming his competitive signature.
The conversation delves into Team USA's unprecedented depth heading into World Championships, with Stack describing how a genuine team atmosphere has developed under the leadership of veteran Cam Levins. This camaraderie was evident when Stack, Levins, and Mason Coppi worked together throughout the Broken Arrow race, showcasing the collaborative dynamic that could prove decisive against European dominance at Worlds. Stack also shares insights about his training base in Salida, Colorado, where immediate access to the highest peaks in the state has prepared him perfectly for international mountain competition.
As Stack prepares to don the stars and stripes, there's tangible excitement about the mountain classic course at Worlds reportedly favoring American strengths with more runnable terrain. Could this be the year an American man finally breaks through for gold? With his rapid development and balanced perspective, Stack represents a new generation of American trail runners closing the gap with European competitors and redefining what's possible on the global stage.
Have you experienced the transformative power of finding the right team and mindset in your own athletic pursuits?
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!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
It's time.
Thank you, Ladies and gentlemen.
(01:00):
We are live.
Taylor Stack, welcome back tothe Steep Stuff Podcast.
How's it going, man?
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Doing really well.
Yeah, Thanks for having meagain.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
Yeah, yeah, absolutely, dude.
It's good to catch up.
I know we were kind of talkingabout this offline, but it's
crazy, man, Since the last timeyou and I have spoken since like
Broken Arrow time, like thingshave really changed for you.
I mean, you've gone on thisEuro trip and become like one of
the most famous American trailracers right now.
Uh, you know, 12th place seriesand all top American, as well
as third place at pits Alpenglacier.
(01:34):
How have things changed for you?
I mean, it seems like you'vekind of like developed in a very
short period of time, which ispretty cool.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Yeah, thanks man.
Yeah, it's been a super awesomeseason.
I'm I'm really happy with theresults so far and, yeah, I
think you know, having theopportunity to go race in Europe
is that was like such a funexperience and that was kind of
my first time really like seeingthat level of international
competition.
I'm going to like really enjoythe opportunity to travel and,
(02:03):
and you know, see the world andrace against the best trail
runners on earth.
So, yeah, it's been super fun.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Pretty crazy man.
And here we are.
We started with a pre-Sunapeeconversation and now we're in a
pre-worlds conversation.
It's kind of crazy four or fivemonths later, um, how are how
are things feeling?
Going into worlds, like what?
How are the nerves?
How is the excitement?
Like you gotta be super stokedfor this right.
Going into worlds Like what?
How are?
Speaker 2 (02:25):
the nerves.
How is the excitement?
Like you got to be super stokedfor this right Definitely very
excited.
Um, you know the nerves.
I feel like the nerves willdefinitely kick in once I get
there and like see the courseand everything, but for now I'm
kind of just grateful.
You know like it's moreexcitement and gratitude for the
opportunity than nerves.
And yeah, I mean I think the mymindset going into this trip is
going to be just like you know,focus on getting the most out
(02:48):
of the experience and like theopportunity to travel the world
and like see a cool place andrepresent team usa and like
really like don't let the race,anxiety or the performance you
know, expectations get in theway of just enjoying that
opportunity, because it's areally cool thing.
And you know, if you would havetold me a year ago that I would
have this opportunity, you knowI I don't know if I would even
(03:10):
believe you.
So I just want to definitelymake the most of it.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Dude, it's kind of weird Like we were chatting
about a year ago a little bit, alittle bit over that.
Um, I didn't like, just beforeyou ran um damn what the hell
was the name of that raceImogene uh at an Airbnb in Estes
park, like before you had likereally popped onto the scene.
It's kind of crazy how faryou've come since then.
Like you think about that andit's like a kind of a pinch me
moment, like now you're wearingthe stars and stripes and you're
(03:36):
, uh, yeah, you've, you've comea long way, which is pretty,
pretty frigging sick.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Definitely.
Yeah, I have no complaints.
I'm super happy with how it'sprogressed.
And you know, to make that teamusa is definitely kind of the
cherry on top of everythingbecause that's like, for me,
that's kind of like the ultimatepinnacle of achievement in
running generally is to like beable to represent your country
and wear that team usa kit.
So, so cool so cool.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Um, let's get into the nitty-gritty on the team,
like we're sending an absolutesquad.
I know you've got to hang outwith a bunch of the guys, not
just obviously at Sunapee duringthe selection process, but also
, um, at a team camp that uh camkind of everybody put together,
just about a month, month and ahalf removed.
Um, can you talk a little bitabout that experience and just
how fun that team building was?
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Yeah, it was super.
It was great that we gottogether and did that.
We got to run some 14 yearskind of around.
I'm located in slider right now, so it was just kind of my
backyard where we were.
We met up and stuff.
But yeah, it's a super awesomegroup.
I really love those guys andthe girls team have gotten to
know kind of all of themthroughout the year because at
(04:45):
Broken Arrow, cam and Mason andI all raced and so it's kind of
a nice little like reunion tuneup thing for what's to come.
But yeah, it's been super funand you know, it does kind of
feel like a team atmosphere, youknow, having the opportunity to
hang out with those guys andyou know Anna and Courtney and
(05:05):
Sydney and and people on thegirls team.
I've done a lot of travelingwith them this year as well, so
I'm super stoked to get backtogether and hang out in Spain
and I think, yeah, I think wehave a pretty awesome team for
the mountain teams and you know,I think guys like Mason and Cam
and David like they haven'tbeen doing the global golden
(05:25):
trail series kind of circuitthis year as much but like I
think people are sleeping onthem, they're going to.
They're going to surprise somepeople in that race because
they're rushers.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Oh, we're sending a squat dude.
Um, can you, can you talk alittle bit about?
I know Mason and cam have toldme about this and I'd love to
hear from you, like your pointof view as well.
Um, I know, on the start lineof the broken era, 23 K, like
Kim kind of pulled you guysaside and you know kind of like
said like this is our, this isthis is where team USA, this is
where it starts, this is wherewe get to show out a little bit.
(05:57):
Maybe talk about, like how thatdynamic played out in the race,
um, and how you guys kind ofworked together finishing what
six, seven to the eighth orsomething like that, like you
were all together.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Totally.
Yeah, it was awesome.
I mean us three me and Cam andMason we were pretty much
working together the entire race, cause there was like that kind
of lead pack of LZ and Phil Mon, patrick Christian and then
Lucas Earl and they were kind ofimmediately detached from us
and then it was pretty much usthree.
You know we were working withAndy Wacker there kind of
(06:26):
towards the beginning, but thenwe kind of established ourselves
as the chase pack andthroughout the entire climb it
was just us leapfrogging andworking together and it felt
really cool because it was like,oh, this is the team right here
and like here we are mixing itup in the top 10 in a golden
trail race.
You know, it just gave me a lotof confidence that I think
we're going to have some heavyhitters and really show up on
(06:48):
the world, so it's going to befun, wow, um talk about.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
I want to get into one of the things that really
has impressed me a lot and Ihaven't really asked this
question too many times.
I'm just so curious, like itseems like cam has really taken
on like a um, like a teamcaptain kind of vibe, like a
leadership kind of perspective,and I really like that.
It seems like he's brought kindof that that over from schemo
um and has just like taken onthis leadership role.
Would you agree with that?
And like kind of how has thatum helped shape maybe the
(07:19):
dynamic of the team andconversations that you guys have
had thus far?
Speaker 2 (07:24):
yeah, yeah, I definitely get that vibe too.
I think you know he kind ofspearheaded organizing that
whole like team camp meetupthing and everything.
So that was definitely like akind of a leadership, kind of
captain type role that he wasassuming on that.
And I think it makes sensebecause he definitely, as far as
I'm aware, he has the mostexperience kind of being on Team
(07:44):
usa for running and for schemo,because he's made, you know,
multiple teams over the years.
I believe mason did make a team.
Yep, I can check my yeah checkmy a few years ago okay, yeah,
um, but yeah, I think cam kindof he's been through it before
and he, like um, has interacteda lot with kind of the mentors
(08:05):
and the leadership on the USATFside of things, and so I think
it kind of he naturally fellinto that kind of leadership
position and then he's also justtaking it upon himself to like
really do a lot of outreach andkind of bring us together and
organize that type of stuff.
So it's been super fun.
I think it's great to kind offeel more cohesive as a team and
hang out kind of outside ofjust a racing context too.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
I think it's really important, man, like I mean and
I've alluded to this in otherepisodes too Like obviously
we're sending a squad.
Obviously like this is probablywhen you're starting to look at
UTMB indexes, interest scoresand stuff like that Like this is
the deepest team that we've,both on the men's and women's
side, on as far as, like, shorttrail, mountain, classic,
vertical.
Like we're sending squads, theEuro should be scared.
(08:51):
But anyway, I just likethinking about this and like
conceptualizing the depth ofthis.
To these teams, I think it'sreally important to have the
cohesiveness and having theunderstanding and being able to
work together as a team and justknowing one another really well
.
Like I think if there's not asmuch of that team dynamic and
you don't know each other asmuch, like it's just a little
bit different of a vibe, whereaswhen you get to know each other
(09:12):
, I think it's just makes it somuch more special.
I don't know, maybe you, maybeyou agree with that, maybe not,
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Definitely.
Yeah, I mean, I come from acollege running background where
I'm on a cross country team andwe train together every single
day and travel to all of ourraces together and wear the same
uniform, and that environmentdefinitely changes when you kind
of get into the post-collegiatescene and the trail scene where
(09:40):
everyone's kind of like theirown entity trail scene, where
everyone's kind of like theirown entity.
And so if you don't like go outof your way to try and, like you
know, do these team buildingevents, like it can feel like
everyone's just kind of, youknow, on their own or like an
individual and then you just getthrown together.
Um, but I do think that youknow, having that team
atmosphere, you know, reallykind of brings everyone up and
(10:01):
makes you know like we're goingto be running kind of as a unit
and like having trained togetherand race together multiple
times this year and, like youknow, it kind of like gives us a
sense of like, okay, you know,like cams up there pushing the
climbs, I know that I can runwith him and you know like that
gives me motivation, like I'vebeen there before, we've pushed
climbs together before.
You know that's going to upliftme.
(10:23):
But yeah, I I think it's great.
I love the team atmosphere andlike that's kind of one of the
things that sometimes feels likeit can be missing from the post
collegiate scene, um, but it'sreally fun to try and like bring
, bring us together.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
So cool, so cool.
Um, I got to ask you about yourbuild.
Um, did you base out of FortCollins or did you base out of
Salida for this one?
Speaker 2 (10:47):
I moved from Fort Collins at the end of July so I
was there for the first part ofthe summer and then I moved back
over to Salida, um, rightbefore going on that Europe trip
in early August.
And then I've been in Saladasince then so nice.
And I've caught the late partof the summer where things start
to get hot on the front range,moved up into the high elevation
(11:07):
in the mountains.
So that's been really nice.
I've been enjoying it out here.
So cool, very cool.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
Yeah, and I think there's.
I mean, there's something to besaid about both places.
Obviously, I think both providegood training grounds, but
there's something about thatvalley and just the ability to
kind of get into multiple rangesin the summer and and also have
the valley to be able to trainon the flats, and stuff like
that.
I think there's some goodvariety for you out there.
That just makes it reallyspecial.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Definitely.
Yeah, I really love it out here.
I mean, like the mountainaccess is is pretty unbeatable.
We've got the highest peaks inColorado just like right in the
backyard and, like you weresaying, multiple ranges, and
then there's also stuff down inthe valley, you know, flatter
stuff or kind of like moremellow trails right in town in
Salida too.
So that's nice to have.
(11:51):
But you're right, there areadvantages to being, you know,
on the front range or like kindof Fort Collins, boulder,
colorado Springs, like there'smore people to train with, I
think.
So it does get a little bitlonely out here sometimes, but
like we just talked about, youknow people come out and we have
these team camps and like I'vegot friends in Gunnison that I
run with and like some peoplecome through Salida every once
(12:12):
in a while.
So yeah, I'm definitelyenjoying it Super cool.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
You know man I'm so curious about.
So we'll talk about the seriesand all performance and the puts
up in glacier.
But I'm just curious to hearfrom you, like how much have you
grown from that?
Like, did that give you a tonof confidence being able to like
race really well at basicallythe most competitive outside of
worlds it's probably the mostcompetitive trail race on the
planet Like, what kind ofconfidence do you have like
walking away from that?
Speaker 2 (12:40):
yeah, it's definitely a confidence booster.
I think you know both of thoseraces.
They're both golden trails,sears and all is obviously, I
think, more competitive justbecause it's such a high status
rate race and like everyone'sthere.
Um, but yeah, I think I, youknow, I heard from a lot of
people that like sometimes yourfirst big international trip
like it can like throw you offphysically, mentally, with the
(13:03):
time changes in the travel andyou're in this new place where
no one's speaking English and itjust like is a lot.
Um, and so to be able to justlike go and like still have
really good performances on myfirst experience with that
definitely gives me a lot ofconfidence that I can, you know,
still run well and compete atmy best level, you know, at the
(13:23):
world stage and afterinternational travel and stuff.
And I think a lot of it comesfrom just having the mindset of
like you know this is a trip togo race and like I care about
performance, but I'm also justlike trying to enjoy the
experience of like having thisopportunity to travel the world
to do this and I think, havingthat, you know, putting it into
(13:44):
that perspective and, and youknow, trying to just enjoy the
experience in that way puts mein a really good mental space
where it's like, yeah, theperformance matters, but like,
like, the bigger picture is that, like this is just a cool
experience, and having thatpeace of mind, I think,
translates to a good performancetoo.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Amazing.
I got to ask you about range.
One of the things that's reallyimpressed me about you is that
it doesn't really matter whatcourse it is.
It puts up in Glacier seemedlike a pretty ridiculous course
and you perform well on that.
You also perform at Series andAll You've had great races at
Broken Arrow.
You have immense range.
Is that just come from justbeing?
(14:22):
Do you think just Is it one ofthose things where fitness just
it doesn't really matter.
If you're bad at something,fitness is the most important
aspect of it.
Or have you worked on littleaspects to be better on little
technical pieces and things likethat?
Where do you fall on thatspectrum like better on little
technical pieces and things likethat?
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Like, where do you fall on that spectrum?
It's a good question.
Yeah, well, thank you.
I, it was interesting doingthat like pits Alpine, which was
like cold, rainy, muddy andlike like stormy, like snow on
the high peaks and lightning andstuff and it, and then like a
week later, sears and all waslike 90 degrees at the start and
(14:59):
super hot and dry.
So it got like completelydifferent ends of the spectrum
there with conditions and hadyou know like strong
performances at both.
So that feels good to be ableto.
You know like translate, youknow like, yeah, like put it
together in any kind ofconditions that show up, because
in trail running, you know likeyou have to be ready for all
(15:21):
those different types ofconditions and all different
types of courses and stuff, um,but yeah, I don't know, I I
think that, like you, youmentioned fitness kind of
dominating everything, and Ithink it, like what you lack in
in like skill on that particularcourse can definitely be made
up for with fitness, um, but Ido think that, like you, to
(15:44):
compete at the highest level ona given day or on a given course
, like you do have to be able tolike um execute in the like
nuance.
There was like a little bit offast flat, um.
So it was an interesting mix oflike fast, flat, so you had to
(16:04):
have some leg speed to behanging.
But then there was like thecrazy steep 40 grade like super
technical, super wet.
So like you kind of had to havea little bit of everything and
you also had to be okay withlike getting wet and
uncomfortable and cold and muddy.
Um.
So to me that was like realtrail running right there, you
know, and sierra zanella, um.
So to me that was like realtrail running right there, you
know, and sierra zanella isobviously you know it's like
super intense climb but it'salmost.
(16:26):
You know, a lot of that race isis not very technical, like not
very steep too.
Like the first part is supersteep, but like you have to kind
of have like conventionalrunning endurance and like speed
on kind of flatter stuff aswell.
So I think both of those raceskind of tested every aspect.
Um, you have to have a littlebit of everything to be involved
(16:46):
.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
So how did you deal with the heat at series and all?
I've heard everybody complainabout it.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
Yeah, it was pretty hot.
I think I was fairly heatadapted because I was doing most
of my training was in FortCollins leading up to it and I
would like run in the middle ofthe day and it was like 90
degrees and stuff.
But I did take some like iceand put it on my neck kind of
during the warm up and stufflike that to try and stay cool
before the start and all the aidstations had like sponges you
(17:15):
could grab and ring over you andlike water.
So I was constantly likeputting water on myself and
cooling down and it definitelywas hot, especially kind of
towards the beginning stages,but I felt like those cooling
strategies definitely helped.
Um, and it didn't.
The heat wasn't like the majorissue for me, it was more just
the brutality of the course andfast pace at the start.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
Yeah, yeah.
What did you?
What did you?
Um, how about this?
Like, how did it?
Obviously you have thispreconceived idea of what you
think this is going to be right,even if you preview the course,
you have this preconceived ideaof how it's going to play out
on race day.
You can visualize, you can doall these things, but it's
obviously different when youactually get there and race it.
Um, I didn't.
Did it meet your expectations,or was it like, did it blow your
(17:58):
mind?
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Yeah, it's like talking to everyone, kind of
leading up to it, people whohave done it or people who like
know about it.
Everyone like emphasizes howlike brutally competitive it is
and how like fast it goes out atthe start and like, oh, you're
going to be in 50th place andcompletely buried, and like, and
it's super steep and like.
All of that is pretty true.
(18:23):
So I was mentally prepared forthat type of stuff.
I think one thing that maybelike I wasn't as prepared for is
like a lot of people say likeoh, yeah, it starts off with a
double VK and then it just itgets flat for a while and then
you go downhill but like, yeah,the first part is very steep,
(18:44):
but this like the flat part isreally not even that flat.
Like you still gain 2 000 feetof elevation in that middle
section and so it's kind of like, oh, I was like ready to open
it up and run on flat here, butI like feel like I'm still
getting my ass kicked by thislike second climb after already
blowing your legs out on thedouble vk at the start and then
(19:05):
also the downhill.
Like there were some moretechnical spots than I was
expecting.
Like people don't reallyemphasize the technicality of it
, but it's like you have to beready for that, I think.
Um, but yeah, super fun.
I mean, it's like so brutal.
I think the the course and thevert, mixed with like the heat
(19:26):
and the crazy level ofcompetition and how aggressively
the race goes out, just makesit like one of the hardest races
that you think will go back.
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
That's what I like to hear.
All right, all right, very cool.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
Having knowledge of the course and the vibe and just
like having one out of the way,like I.
Looking at people who've run itone time and then another time
like it, they almost always doway better on subsequent races.
I think, just like having gonethrough the experience once,
like for whatever reason, likeyou're just better prepared to
(20:00):
perform better subsequent timesvery cool.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
I mean, listen, man, I'm rooting for you.
Hopefully we get you could bethe first american to finally
win this thing since like 1980something.
Yeah, american men, for somereason, man, we get.
We have a hard time at thisrace, so it's good to see, it's
good to see someone doing good,which is exciting.
Um, all right, let's shiftgears.
I want to talk, um, I want totalk worlds.
(20:32):
Man, I got to ask you, justwith the squad that we're
sending, I mean it's a very Imean we talked about this like
the, the people that are goingover UTMB indexes.
It's a very deep field or avery deep group that the
Americans are sending.
What would it mean to you tocome home with a medal, like
would it mean a ton?
Speaker 2 (20:45):
Yeah, that's like that's the dream.
You know, like the first dreamis just making it and toeing the
line and wearing the team usakit.
But now that that's a done deal.
Well, I think the next dream isto like, yeah, you know, like
we're not just here to show upand jog a victory lap, we're
here to actually try to executeand, you know, shoot for that
medal.
So that would be, yeah, mean,that would be like the extra
(21:07):
dream to achieve, whether it'sthis year or, you know, sometime
down the road.
I think that's kind of the nextbig idea.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
Very cool, have you?
I know you work with a coach.
Have you guys tweaked anythingin training or have you kept it
mostly kind of the same for whatyou've been doing for this
specific build?
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Pretty mostly the same.
I think there's like definitelysome periodization involved
with kind of like how the seasonprogresses and like um this,
you know, recent phase has beenmore um speed oriented, I think
you know like doing moretargeted track workouts to just
like really you know I have areally solid base have been
putting in really consistentvolumes since like January, um.
(21:52):
So I think right now it's about, you know, like the hay is kind
of in the barn and now it'sabout just kind of sharpening
everything so that you knowyou're ready to just be like
fresh and ready to go and sharpon the day.
So cool.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
It's interesting.
I was talking to Remy LaRueyesterday, um, who's also
running the mountain classic,and he gave me he's your
teammate, coincidentally Um, hegave me some beta on the course
that I didn't realize until, um,he had said something.
It's that.
I guess there there's anotherfamous is either famous race or
something or other that was onthat course.
So it's not as rugged as, let'ssay, the short trail or the
(22:28):
long trail.
It's a little bit more buffedout, a little bit faster.
It's just.
It's a kind of a different flowto it, if you will, um,
compared to some of the othercourses.
So I think that that bodespretty well for the runnable
climbs which the American theAmericans in general tend to be
better at.
I don't know if you would agreewith that, or?
Speaker 2 (22:48):
For sure.
I think you know it seems likeAmericans in particular tend to
have kind of a track and crosscountry background A lot of the
time.
There are exceptions, obviously, but I think you know the
culture, the running culturethat we have in the States is
definitely more geared towardskind of like flat, fast, you
know, road track, cross-countrybackgrounds.
(23:10):
That um courses that are, youknow, have more runnable terrain
, less technical, um, I thinkprobably play to our advantage,
or at least my advantage, Iwould think you know, relative
to some of the other guys.
Like I know a lot of theeuropeans kind of get into the
sport coming from more of like amountaineering background or
(23:31):
like stuff like that, um,because they don't quite have
the same like high school crosscountry and track into college
kind of like collegiate trackand cross country pipeline that
we do so like they get into itfrom more of like a technical,
mountain, rugged standpoint, um.
But yeah, I've also heard thatabout the, the classic course
that you know like there's alittle bit of flat and then some
(23:55):
steep climbs and downhills butit seems kind of smoother and
more runnable and and tailoredtowards someone who has a little
bit more leg speed, I think so.
I think that bodes well forsomeone like me with my running
background for sure, and, youknow, like Mason Kofi, kind of
similar thing, and he's run faston the roads too.
(24:15):
So, yeah, it could work outpretty well for us, I think.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
Yeah, it's crazy, man , it's good stuff.
It's so obviously the ummountain classics the last day,
um, are you going to be hangingout like cheering, cheering
other teams on?
Are you going to be laying low,like what's, what's your game
plan for this?
Like it's almost like weird.
It's like you want to capturethat energy but almost like not
get, not overdo it, obviously inthe days before the race, like
how do you, how do you thinkabout that?
Speaker 2 (24:41):
Definitely.
Yeah, I mean I'm, I definitelywant to be cheering, especially.
I mean I'm, I definitely wantto be cheering, especially, you
know my girlfriend SydneyPeterson's running the vertical
and you know Christian andeveryone you know like I've got
friends doing all the races andso I'm probably going to be out
there cheering, ideally, um, butat the same time definitely
want to conserve my energy, um,but I think it can be done.
(25:01):
I don't want to just sit in thehotel the whole time,
definitely want to get the mostout of the experience and watch
the races and get stoked andinspired for my race on the last
day.
I it is kind of a bummer,though I I'm jealous of the
people who race the first day,cause they just get it done and
then they're just partying therest of the time.
Speaker 1 (25:19):
Right, right.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
But yeah, just how it crumbles.
So yeah, it'll be great.
Speaker 1 (25:25):
Save the hardest for last right, Always fun.
I guess that's the task, right?
Let me ask you this Are youhanging out in Europe then until
the Golden Trail World Seriesfinal?
Speaker 2 (25:37):
Yeah, that's the plan .
Yeah, it's like two weekendsapart, so it doesn't really make
sense to come back and do allthat international travel.
So, yeah, I'm going to hang outto come back and do all that
international travel.
So, yeah, I'm going to hang out.
My parents are coming out toSpain to watch world, so hang
out with them for a few daysafter and then fly over to Italy
and hang out for the goldentrail final.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
So nice little European vacation man Jealous.
Speaker 2 (25:59):
Yeah, it's pretty, it's been a good summer.
We hit Austria, switzerland,now we hit Spain, italy.
So doing it all, doing it all,yeah, now we hit spain, italy.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
So doing it all, doing it all, yeah, what's uh?
I know this is always a hardquestion.
Um, obviously everyone kind ofthinks ahead.
What's next after golden trail?
Are you gonna take some, takeit down, take some downtime in
the winter and off season, or doyou still have?
Uh, is there anything that likekind of piques your interest on
the schedule?
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Yeah, I think the plan right now is to do a UTMB
50K late November, try toqualify for OCC next year.
Obviously, you know, we'll seehow cooked my body is after
Golden Trail, but that's theplan.
And then, yeah, I think youknow, just listen to the body
and definitely I like to take alittle break at the end of the
(26:46):
season, I think you know, um,but it would also be nice to
kind of keep it rolling somewhatand maybe try to run something
on the roads in the winters andlike kind of use that fitness.
Um, but we'll see kind of up inthe air.
I'm really just focusing onwhat's in front of me right now
and and kind of make those callsas they come.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
Nice.
I think it's a smart way to doit.
For sure, Taylor, wish you thebest of luck, man.
I hope it's an amazing day foryou.
Um, I hope you guys I hope youguys kill it Definitely going to
be cheering you guys on and, uh, wishing you the best of luck
and safe travels out there.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
Yeah, I appreciate it , man.
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
Yeah, dude, of course We'll see you next time, thank
you.
It's time.
Thank you, Ladies and gentlemen.
(01:00):
We are live.
Taylor Stack, welcome back tothe Steep Stuff Podcast.
How's it going, man?
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Doing really well.
Yeah, Thanks for having meagain.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
Yeah, yeah, absolutely, dude.
It's good to catch up.
I know we were kind of talkingabout this offline, but it's
crazy, man, Since the last timeyou and I have spoken since like
Broken Arrow time, like thingshave really changed for you.
I mean, you've gone on thisEuro trip and become like one of
the most famous American trailracers right now.
Uh, you know, 12th place seriesand all top American, as well
as third place at pits Alpenglacier.
(01:34):
How have things changed for you?
I mean, it seems like you'vekind of like developed in a very
short period of time, which ispretty cool.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Yeah, thanks man.
Yeah, it's been a super awesomeseason.
I'm I'm really happy with theresults so far and, yeah, I
think you know, having theopportunity to go race in Europe
is that was like such a funexperience and that was kind of
my first time really like seeingthat level of international
competition.
I'm going to like really enjoythe opportunity to travel and,
(02:03):
and you know, see the world andrace against the best trail
runners on earth.
So, yeah, it's been super fun.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Pretty crazy man.
And here we are.
We started with a pre-Sunapeeconversation and now we're in a
pre-worlds conversation.
It's kind of crazy four or fivemonths later, um, how are how
are things feeling?
Going into worlds, like what?
How are the nerves?
How is the excitement?
Like you gotta be super stokedfor this right.
Going into worlds Like what?
How are?
Speaker 2 (02:25):
the nerves.
How is the excitement?
Like you got to be super stokedfor this right Definitely very
excited.
Um, you know the nerves.
I feel like the nerves willdefinitely kick in once I get
there and like see the courseand everything, but for now I'm
kind of just grateful.
You know like it's moreexcitement and gratitude for the
opportunity than nerves.
And yeah, I mean I think the mymindset going into this trip is
going to be just like you know,focus on getting the most out
(02:48):
of the experience and like theopportunity to travel the world
and like see a cool place andrepresent team usa and like
really like don't let the race,anxiety or the performance you
know, expectations get in theway of just enjoying that
opportunity, because it's areally cool thing.
And you know, if you would havetold me a year ago that I would
have this opportunity, you knowI I don't know if I would even
(03:10):
believe you.
So I just want to definitelymake the most of it.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Dude, it's kind of weird Like we were chatting
about a year ago a little bit, alittle bit over that.
Um, I didn't like, just beforeyou ran um damn what the hell
was the name of that raceImogene uh at an Airbnb in Estes
park, like before you had likereally popped onto the scene.
It's kind of crazy how faryou've come since then.
Like you think about that andit's like a kind of a pinch me
moment, like now you're wearingthe stars and stripes and you're
(03:36):
, uh, yeah, you've, you've comea long way, which is pretty,
pretty frigging sick.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Definitely.
Yeah, I have no complaints.
I'm super happy with how it'sprogressed.
And you know, to make that teamusa is definitely kind of the
cherry on top of everythingbecause that's like, for me,
that's kind of like the ultimatepinnacle of achievement in
running generally is to like beable to represent your country
and wear that team usa kit.
So, so cool so cool.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Um, let's get into the nitty-gritty on the team,
like we're sending an absolutesquad.
I know you've got to hang outwith a bunch of the guys, not
just obviously at Sunapee duringthe selection process, but also
, um, at a team camp that uh camkind of everybody put together,
just about a month, month and ahalf removed.
Um, can you talk a little bitabout that experience and just
how fun that team building was?
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Yeah, it was super.
It was great that we gottogether and did that.
We got to run some 14 yearskind of around.
I'm located in slider right now, so it was just kind of my
backyard where we were.
We met up and stuff.
But yeah, it's a super awesomegroup.
I really love those guys andthe girls team have gotten to
know kind of all of themthroughout the year because at
(04:45):
Broken Arrow, cam and Mason andI all raced and so it's kind of
a nice little like reunion tuneup thing for what's to come.
But yeah, it's been super funand you know, it does kind of
feel like a team atmosphere, youknow, having the opportunity to
hang out with those guys andyou know Anna and Courtney and
(05:05):
Sydney and and people on thegirls team.
I've done a lot of travelingwith them this year as well, so
I'm super stoked to get backtogether and hang out in Spain
and I think, yeah, I think wehave a pretty awesome team for
the mountain teams and you know,I think guys like Mason and Cam
and David like they haven'tbeen doing the global golden
(05:25):
trail series kind of circuitthis year as much but like I
think people are sleeping onthem, they're going to.
They're going to surprise somepeople in that race because
they're rushers.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Oh, we're sending a squat dude.
Um, can you, can you talk alittle bit about?
I know Mason and cam have toldme about this and I'd love to
hear from you, like your pointof view as well.
Um, I know, on the start lineof the broken era, 23 K, like
Kim kind of pulled you guysaside and you know kind of like
said like this is our, this isthis is where team USA, this is
where it starts, this is wherewe get to show out a little bit.
(05:57):
Maybe talk about, like how thatdynamic played out in the race,
um, and how you guys kind ofworked together finishing what
six, seven to the eighth orsomething like that, like you
were all together.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Totally.
Yeah, it was awesome.
I mean us three me and Cam andMason we were pretty much
working together the entire race, cause there was like that kind
of lead pack of LZ and Phil Mon, patrick Christian and then
Lucas Earl and they were kind ofimmediately detached from us
and then it was pretty much usthree.
You know we were working withAndy Wacker there kind of
(06:26):
towards the beginning, but thenwe kind of established ourselves
as the chase pack andthroughout the entire climb it
was just us leapfrogging andworking together and it felt
really cool because it was like,oh, this is the team right here
and like here we are mixing itup in the top 10 in a golden
trail race.
You know, it just gave me a lotof confidence that I think
we're going to have some heavyhitters and really show up on
(06:48):
the world, so it's going to befun, wow, um talk about.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
I want to get into one of the things that really
has impressed me a lot and Ihaven't really asked this
question too many times.
I'm just so curious, like itseems like cam has really taken
on like a um, like a teamcaptain kind of vibe, like a
leadership kind of perspective,and I really like that.
It seems like he's brought kindof that that over from schemo
um and has just like taken onthis leadership role.
Would you agree with that?
And like kind of how has thatum helped shape maybe the
(07:19):
dynamic of the team andconversations that you guys have
had thus far?
Speaker 2 (07:24):
yeah, yeah, I definitely get that vibe too.
I think you know he kind ofspearheaded organizing that
whole like team camp meetupthing and everything.
So that was definitely like akind of a leadership, kind of
captain type role that he wasassuming on that.
And I think it makes sensebecause he definitely, as far as
I'm aware, he has the mostexperience kind of being on Team
(07:44):
usa for running and for schemo,because he's made, you know,
multiple teams over the years.
I believe mason did make a team.
Yep, I can check my yeah checkmy a few years ago okay, yeah,
um, but yeah, I think cam kindof he's been through it before
and he, like um, has interacteda lot with kind of the mentors
(08:05):
and the leadership on the USATFside of things, and so I think
it kind of he naturally fellinto that kind of leadership
position and then he's also justtaking it upon himself to like
really do a lot of outreach andkind of bring us together and
organize that type of stuff.
So it's been super fun.
I think it's great to kind offeel more cohesive as a team and
hang out kind of outside ofjust a racing context too.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
I think it's really important, man, like I mean and
I've alluded to this in otherepisodes too Like obviously
we're sending a squad.
Obviously like this is probablywhen you're starting to look at
UTMB indexes, interest scoresand stuff like that Like this is
the deepest team that we've,both on the men's and women's
side, on as far as, like, shorttrail, mountain, classic,
vertical.
Like we're sending squads, theEuro should be scared.
(08:51):
But anyway, I just likethinking about this and like
conceptualizing the depth ofthis.
To these teams, I think it'sreally important to have the
cohesiveness and having theunderstanding and being able to
work together as a team and justknowing one another really well
.
Like I think if there's not asmuch of that team dynamic and
you don't know each other asmuch, like it's just a little
bit different of a vibe, whereaswhen you get to know each other
(09:12):
, I think it's just makes it somuch more special.
I don't know, maybe you, maybeyou agree with that, maybe not,
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Definitely.
Yeah, I mean, I come from acollege running background where
I'm on a cross country team andwe train together every single
day and travel to all of ourraces together and wear the same
uniform, and that environmentdefinitely changes when you kind
of get into the post-collegiatescene and the trail scene where
(09:40):
everyone's kind of like theirown entity trail scene, where
everyone's kind of like theirown entity.
And so if you don't like go outof your way to try and, like you
know, do these team buildingevents, like it can feel like
everyone's just kind of, youknow, on their own or like an
individual and then you just getthrown together.
Um, but I do think that youknow, having that team
atmosphere, you know, reallykind of brings everyone up and
(10:01):
makes you know like we're goingto be running kind of as a unit
and like having trained togetherand race together multiple
times this year and, like youknow, it kind of like gives us a
sense of like, okay, you know,like cams up there pushing the
climbs, I know that I can runwith him and you know like that
gives me motivation, like I'vebeen there before, we've pushed
climbs together before.
You know that's going to upliftme.
(10:23):
But yeah, I I think it's great.
I love the team atmosphere andlike that's kind of one of the
things that sometimes feels likeit can be missing from the post
collegiate scene, um, but it'sreally fun to try and like bring
, bring us together.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
So cool, so cool.
Um, I got to ask you about yourbuild.
Um, did you base out of FortCollins or did you base out of
Salida for this one?
Speaker 2 (10:47):
I moved from Fort Collins at the end of July so I
was there for the first part ofthe summer and then I moved back
over to Salida, um, rightbefore going on that Europe trip
in early August.
And then I've been in Saladasince then so nice.
And I've caught the late partof the summer where things start
to get hot on the front range,moved up into the high elevation
(11:07):
in the mountains.
So that's been really nice.
I've been enjoying it out here.
So cool, very cool.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
Yeah, and I think there's.
I mean, there's something to besaid about both places.
Obviously, I think both providegood training grounds, but
there's something about thatvalley and just the ability to
kind of get into multiple rangesin the summer and and also have
the valley to be able to trainon the flats, and stuff like
that.
I think there's some goodvariety for you out there.
That just makes it reallyspecial.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Definitely.
Yeah, I really love it out here.
I mean, like the mountainaccess is is pretty unbeatable.
We've got the highest peaks inColorado just like right in the
backyard and, like you weresaying, multiple ranges, and
then there's also stuff down inthe valley, you know, flatter
stuff or kind of like moremellow trails right in town in
Salida too.
So that's nice to have.
(11:51):
But you're right, there areadvantages to being, you know,
on the front range or like kindof Fort Collins, boulder,
colorado Springs, like there'smore people to train with, I
think.
So it does get a little bitlonely out here sometimes, but
like we just talked about, youknow people come out and we have
these team camps and like I'vegot friends in Gunnison that I
run with and like some peoplecome through Salida every once
(12:12):
in a while.
So yeah, I'm definitelyenjoying it Super cool.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
You know man I'm so curious about.
So we'll talk about the seriesand all performance and the puts
up in glacier.
But I'm just curious to hearfrom you, like how much have you
grown from that?
Like, did that give you a tonof confidence being able to like
race really well at basicallythe most competitive outside of
worlds it's probably the mostcompetitive trail race on the
planet Like, what kind ofconfidence do you have like
walking away from that?
Speaker 2 (12:40):
yeah, it's definitely a confidence booster.
I think you know both of thoseraces.
They're both golden trails,sears and all is obviously, I
think, more competitive justbecause it's such a high status
rate race and like everyone'sthere.
Um, but yeah, I think I, youknow, I heard from a lot of
people that like sometimes yourfirst big international trip
like it can like throw you offphysically, mentally, with the
(13:03):
time changes in the travel andyou're in this new place where
no one's speaking English and itjust like is a lot.
Um, and so to be able to justlike go and like still have
really good performances on myfirst experience with that
definitely gives me a lot ofconfidence that I can, you know,
still run well and compete atmy best level, you know, at the
(13:23):
world stage and afterinternational travel and stuff.
And I think a lot of it comesfrom just having the mindset of
like you know this is a trip togo race and like I care about
performance, but I'm also justlike trying to enjoy the
experience of like having thisopportunity to travel the world
to do this and I think, havingthat, you know, putting it into
(13:44):
that perspective and, and youknow, trying to just enjoy the
experience in that way puts mein a really good mental space
where it's like, yeah, theperformance matters, but like,
like, the bigger picture is that, like this is just a cool
experience, and having thatpeace of mind, I think,
translates to a good performancetoo.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Amazing.
I got to ask you about range.
One of the things that's reallyimpressed me about you is that
it doesn't really matter whatcourse it is.
It puts up in Glacier seemedlike a pretty ridiculous course
and you perform well on that.
You also perform at Series andAll You've had great races at
Broken Arrow.
You have immense range.
Is that just come from justbeing?
(14:22):
Do you think just Is it one ofthose things where fitness just
it doesn't really matter.
If you're bad at something,fitness is the most important
aspect of it.
Or have you worked on littleaspects to be better on little
technical pieces and things likethat?
Where do you fall on thatspectrum like better on little
technical pieces and things likethat?
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Like, where do you fall on that spectrum?
It's a good question.
Yeah, well, thank you.
I, it was interesting doingthat like pits Alpine, which was
like cold, rainy, muddy andlike like stormy, like snow on
the high peaks and lightning andstuff and it, and then like a
week later, sears and all waslike 90 degrees at the start and
(14:59):
super hot and dry.
So it got like completelydifferent ends of the spectrum
there with conditions and hadyou know like strong
performances at both.
So that feels good to be ableto.
You know like translate, youknow like, yeah, like put it
together in any kind ofconditions that show up, because
in trail running, you know likeyou have to be ready for all
(15:21):
those different types ofconditions and all different
types of courses and stuff, um,but yeah, I don't know, I I
think that, like you, youmentioned fitness kind of
dominating everything, and Ithink it, like what you lack in
in like skill on that particularcourse can definitely be made
up for with fitness, um, but Ido think that, like you, to
(15:44):
compete at the highest level ona given day or on a given course
, like you do have to be able tolike um execute in the like
nuance.
There was like a little bit offast flat, um.
So it was an interesting mix oflike fast, flat, so you had to
(16:04):
have some leg speed to behanging.
But then there was like thecrazy steep 40 grade like super
technical, super wet.
So like you kind of had to havea little bit of everything and
you also had to be okay withlike getting wet and
uncomfortable and cold and muddy.
Um.
So to me that was like realtrail running right there, you
know, and sierra zanella, um.
So to me that was like realtrail running right there, you
know, and sierra zanella isobviously you know it's like
super intense climb but it'salmost.
(16:26):
You know, a lot of that race isis not very technical, like not
very steep too.
Like the first part is supersteep, but like you have to kind
of have like conventionalrunning endurance and like speed
on kind of flatter stuff aswell.
So I think both of those raceskind of tested every aspect.
Um, you have to have a littlebit of everything to be involved
(16:46):
.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
So how did you deal with the heat at series and all?
I've heard everybody complainabout it.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
Yeah, it was pretty hot.
I think I was fairly heatadapted because I was doing most
of my training was in FortCollins leading up to it and I
would like run in the middle ofthe day and it was like 90
degrees and stuff.
But I did take some like iceand put it on my neck kind of
during the warm up and stufflike that to try and stay cool
before the start and all the aidstations had like sponges you
(17:15):
could grab and ring over you andlike water.
So I was constantly likeputting water on myself and
cooling down and it definitelywas hot, especially kind of
towards the beginning stages,but I felt like those cooling
strategies definitely helped.
Um, and it didn't.
The heat wasn't like the majorissue for me, it was more just
the brutality of the course andfast pace at the start.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
Yeah, yeah.
What did you?
What did you?
Um, how about this?
Like, how did it?
Obviously you have thispreconceived idea of what you
think this is going to be right,even if you preview the course,
you have this preconceived ideaof how it's going to play out
on race day.
You can visualize, you can doall these things, but it's
obviously different when youactually get there and race it.
Um, I didn't.
Did it meet your expectations,or was it like, did it blow your
(17:58):
mind?
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Yeah, it's like talking to everyone, kind of
leading up to it, people whohave done it or people who like
know about it.
Everyone like emphasizes howlike brutally competitive it is
and how like fast it goes out atthe start and like, oh, you're
going to be in 50th place andcompletely buried, and like, and
it's super steep and like.
All of that is pretty true.
(18:23):
So I was mentally prepared forthat type of stuff.
I think one thing that maybelike I wasn't as prepared for is
like a lot of people say likeoh, yeah, it starts off with a
double VK and then it just itgets flat for a while and then
you go downhill but like, yeah,the first part is very steep,
(18:44):
but this like the flat part isreally not even that flat.
Like you still gain 2 000 feetof elevation in that middle
section and so it's kind of like, oh, I was like ready to open
it up and run on flat here, butI like feel like I'm still
getting my ass kicked by thislike second climb after already
blowing your legs out on thedouble vk at the start and then
(19:05):
also the downhill.
Like there were some moretechnical spots than I was
expecting.
Like people don't reallyemphasize the technicality of it
, but it's like you have to beready for that, I think.
Um, but yeah, super fun.
I mean, it's like so brutal.
I think the the course and thevert, mixed with like the heat
(19:26):
and the crazy level ofcompetition and how aggressively
the race goes out, just makesit like one of the hardest races
that you think will go back.
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
That's what I like to hear.
All right, all right, very cool.
Speaker 2 (19:39):
Having knowledge of the course and the vibe and just
like having one out of the way,like I.
Looking at people who've run itone time and then another time
like it, they almost always doway better on subsequent races.
I think, just like having gonethrough the experience once,
like for whatever reason, likeyou're just better prepared to
(20:00):
perform better subsequent timesvery cool.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
I mean, listen, man, I'm rooting for you.
Hopefully we get you could bethe first american to finally
win this thing since like 1980something.
Yeah, american men, for somereason, man, we get.
We have a hard time at thisrace, so it's good to see, it's
good to see someone doing good,which is exciting.
Um, all right, let's shiftgears.
I want to talk, um, I want totalk worlds.
(20:32):
Man, I got to ask you, justwith the squad that we're
sending, I mean it's a very Imean we talked about this like
the, the people that are goingover UTMB indexes.
It's a very deep field or avery deep group that the
Americans are sending.
What would it mean to you tocome home with a medal, like
would it mean a ton?
Speaker 2 (20:45):
Yeah, that's like that's the dream.
You know, like the first dreamis just making it and toeing the
line and wearing the team usakit.
But now that that's a done deal.
Well, I think the next dream isto like, yeah, you know, like
we're not just here to show upand jog a victory lap, we're
here to actually try to executeand, you know, shoot for that
medal.
So that would be, yeah, mean,that would be like the extra
(21:07):
dream to achieve, whether it'sthis year or, you know, sometime
down the road.
I think that's kind of the nextbig idea.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
Very cool, have you?
I know you work with a coach.
Have you guys tweaked anythingin training or have you kept it
mostly kind of the same for whatyou've been doing for this
specific build?
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Pretty mostly the same.
I think there's like definitelysome periodization involved
with kind of like how the seasonprogresses and like um this,
you know, recent phase has beenmore um speed oriented, I think
you know like doing moretargeted track workouts to just
like really you know I have areally solid base have been
putting in really consistentvolumes since like January, um.
(21:52):
So I think right now it's about, you know, like the hay is kind
of in the barn and now it'sabout just kind of sharpening
everything so that you knowyou're ready to just be like
fresh and ready to go and sharpon the day.
So cool.
Speaker 1 (22:06):
It's interesting.
I was talking to Remy LaRueyesterday, um, who's also
running the mountain classic,and he gave me he's your
teammate, coincidentally Um, hegave me some beta on the course
that I didn't realize until, um,he had said something.
It's that.
I guess there there's anotherfamous is either famous race or
something or other that was onthat course.
So it's not as rugged as, let'ssay, the short trail or the
(22:28):
long trail.
It's a little bit more buffedout, a little bit faster.
It's just.
It's a kind of a different flowto it, if you will, um,
compared to some of the othercourses.
So I think that that bodespretty well for the runnable
climbs which the American theAmericans in general tend to be
better at.
I don't know if you would agreewith that, or?
Speaker 2 (22:48):
For sure.
I think you know it seems likeAmericans in particular tend to
have kind of a track and crosscountry background A lot of the
time.
There are exceptions, obviously, but I think you know the
culture, the running culturethat we have in the States is
definitely more geared towardskind of like flat, fast, you
know, road track, cross-countrybackgrounds.
(23:10):
That um courses that are, youknow, have more runnable terrain
, less technical, um, I thinkprobably play to our advantage,
or at least my advantage, Iwould think you know, relative
to some of the other guys.
Like I know a lot of theeuropeans kind of get into the
sport coming from more of like amountaineering background or
(23:31):
like stuff like that, um,because they don't quite have
the same like high school crosscountry and track into college
kind of like collegiate trackand cross country pipeline that
we do so like they get into itfrom more of like a technical,
mountain, rugged standpoint, um.
But yeah, I've also heard thatabout the, the classic course
that you know like there's alittle bit of flat and then some
(23:55):
steep climbs and downhills butit seems kind of smoother and
more runnable and and tailoredtowards someone who has a little
bit more leg speed, I think so.
I think that bodes well forsomeone like me with my running
background for sure, and, youknow, like Mason Kofi, kind of
similar thing, and he's run faston the roads too.
(24:15):
So, yeah, it could work outpretty well for us, I think.
Speaker 1 (24:18):
Yeah, it's crazy, man , it's good stuff.
It's so obviously the ummountain classics the last day,
um, are you going to be hangingout like cheering, cheering
other teams on?
Are you going to be laying low,like what's, what's your game
plan for this?
Like it's almost like weird.
It's like you want to capturethat energy but almost like not
get, not overdo it, obviously inthe days before the race, like
how do you, how do you thinkabout that?
Speaker 2 (24:41):
Definitely.
Yeah, I mean I'm, I definitelywant to be cheering, especially.
I mean I'm, I definitely wantto be cheering, especially, you
know my girlfriend SydneyPeterson's running the vertical
and you know Christian andeveryone you know like I've got
friends doing all the races andso I'm probably going to be out
there cheering, ideally, um, butat the same time definitely
want to conserve my energy, um,but I think it can be done.
(25:01):
I don't want to just sit in thehotel the whole time,
definitely want to get the mostout of the experience and watch
the races and get stoked andinspired for my race on the last
day.
I it is kind of a bummer,though I I'm jealous of the
people who race the first day,cause they just get it done and
then they're just partying therest of the time.
Speaker 1 (25:19):
Right, right.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
But yeah, just how it crumbles.
So yeah, it'll be great.
Speaker 1 (25:25):
Save the hardest for last right, Always fun.
I guess that's the task, right?
Let me ask you this Are youhanging out in Europe then until
the Golden Trail World Seriesfinal?
Speaker 2 (25:37):
Yeah, that's the plan .
Yeah, it's like two weekendsapart, so it doesn't really make
sense to come back and do allthat international travel.
So, yeah, I'm going to hang outto come back and do all that
international travel.
So, yeah, I'm going to hang out.
My parents are coming out toSpain to watch world, so hang
out with them for a few daysafter and then fly over to Italy
and hang out for the goldentrail final.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
So nice little European vacation man Jealous.
Speaker 2 (25:59):
Yeah, it's pretty, it's been a good summer.
We hit Austria, switzerland,now we hit Spain, italy.
So doing it all, doing it all,yeah, now we hit spain, italy.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
So doing it all, doing it all, yeah, what's uh?
I know this is always a hardquestion.
Um, obviously everyone kind ofthinks ahead.
What's next after golden trail?
Are you gonna take some, takeit down, take some downtime in
the winter and off season, or doyou still have?
Uh, is there anything that likekind of piques your interest on
the schedule?
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Yeah, I think the plan right now is to do a UTMB
50K late November, try toqualify for OCC next year.
Obviously, you know, we'll seehow cooked my body is after
Golden Trail, but that's theplan.
And then, yeah, I think youknow, just listen to the body
and definitely I like to take alittle break at the end of the
(26:46):
season, I think you know, um,but it would also be nice to
kind of keep it rolling somewhatand maybe try to run something
on the roads in the winters andlike kind of use that fitness.
Um, but we'll see kind of up inthe air.
I'm really just focusing onwhat's in front of me right now
and and kind of make those callsas they come.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
Nice.
I think it's a smart way to doit.
For sure, Taylor, wish you thebest of luck, man.
I hope it's an amazing day foryou.
Um, I hope you guys I hope youguys kill it Definitely going to
be cheering you guys on and, uh, wishing you the best of luck
and safe travels out there.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
Yeah, I appreciate it , man.
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
Yeah, dude, of course We'll see you next time, thank
you.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.