Katie Schide Is All In at Hardrock

Jul 8, 2025

Katie Schide, an elite ultra runner and geologist, shares her journey ahead of her Hardrock 100 debut. She reflects on her evolution as a competitor and her ambitions in the sport. Katie describes UTMB as the 'Goldilocks' race, explaining how her geological background influences her running perspective. Buzz Burrell, a trail running legend, discusses potential exciting showdowns in the sport and highlights the importance of community among female ultra runners. Their conversation emphasizes both personal growth and the changing dynamics of ultra running.

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ADVICE

Choose Challenging Races to Grow

Choose races that motivate you to train harder and stay focused.
Accept fear of not winning as part of growth, aiming to become a better athlete regardless of outcome.

ANECDOTE

Facing Unknowns at Hardrock

Hardrock 100 remains a 'black box' with little information available due to few participants.
Training involves managing unknown factors like altitude and varying snow conditions.

INSIGHT

Technical Trails Shape Running Style

Growing up on technical trails raises your standards for what qualifies as technical running.
Different mountain terrains require distinct running techniques and perception of difficulty.

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UTMB champion. Western States course record threat. Field hockey state champion. Rock doctor. Katie Schide is one of the most accomplished ultrarunners on the planet, and somehow, still one of the most quietly focused. In this episode of The Trailhead, Zoë and Brendan catch up with Katie ahead of her Hardrock 100 debut to talk about how she's evolved as a competitor, why she used to downplay her ambitions, and what's changed in both the sport and herself since her eighth-place finish at UTMB back in 2021.

They dig into why UTMB might just be the "Goldilocks" race of the sport, how Katie and her partner are spending the summer training in Colorado's San Juans, and how her background in geology shapes the way she sees, and runs through, the landscape. Katie also shares her take on the term "sub-ultra" and why she thinks we've maybe overcomplicated what's just... running.

Plus, Buzz Burrell drops in for a TrailCon Hall of Fame recap, a preview of a potential Katie vs. Courtney showdown at UTMB, and a quick nod to the real MVPs: New England moms on Facebook.

This episode is brought to you by SIDAS, makers of high-performance insoles, socks, and footbeds specifically designed for trail running. Whether you're grinding out vert or trying to keep your feet happy past hour six, SIDAS gear is built to handle the unpredictable trail, so your feet don't have to. Check them out at sidas.us and give your feet the upgrade they deserve.

And if you're dreaming of a trail experience that's less race and more wild adventure, don't miss our featured adventure: Ruta de los Arrieros, a three-day expedition run through Colombia's ancient gold routes. Expect big climbs, river crossings, waterfall rappels, jungle villages, and about as much trail magic as you can handle. It's capped at just 10 runners this year and kicks off September 14, so if you're into chasing moments instead of PRs, this one's for you. Registration closes August 20 at UltraSignup.