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The Steep Stuff Podcast
Jane Maus - Pre Broken Arrow 46K Interview
From podium finishes to mountain FKT ambitions, Jane Maus has been quietly building an impressive resume in trail running. Just weeks before the highly anticipated Broken Arrow Skyrace 46K, she joins the Steep Stuff Podcast to share her practical approach to one of North America's most competitive mountain races.
Having placed 7th at Broken Arrow in 2022, Moss brings valuable course experience to this year's event. She candidly discusses her race strategy—holding back on the first loop to avoid the late-race blowup she experienced previously. "Last time I raced this, I felt amazing the first lap and was third or fourth place the entire lap," she recalls. "And then I had a bit of an explosion the last four miles and got passed by like three or four women."
What makes this conversation particularly refreshing is Maus' honest self-assessment. Despite strong performances this season, including a second-place finish at Lake Sonoma 50 Miler and victory at GoPro Mountain Games, she acknowledges the specialized nature of Broken Arrow's terrain and the depth of the women's field. While making Team USA would be "absolutely a dream come true," she's focused on executing her best possible race rather than fixating on specific placement goals.
The discussion extends beyond Broken Arrow to explore her ambitious plans for 2023, including potential FKT attempts on Grand Teton and Whirl Peak, several Cirque Series races, and possibly the Leadville 100. Her excitement about blending traditional trail racing with technical mountain objectives showcases the versatility that defines today's elite mountain athletes.
Whether you're preparing for your own mountain race or simply fascinated by the strategic thinking behind elite performances, this conversation offers valuable insights into the mindset required to succeed in competitive mountain racing. Give it a listen, then follow along as Jane takes on one of the year's most exciting trail events.
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What is up, fam? Welcome back to the Steep Stuff Podcast. I'm your host, james Lauriello, bringing you guys another Broken Arrow pre-race episode, this one for the 46k, and I am joined by my last Partiva teammate, miss Jane Moss. Super excited to get to catch up with Jane. She's kind of been on a tear already this year. I mean, despite not meeting her expectation at Black Canyon, she also went and got second place at the Lokesonoma 50 miler. She's had a great finish at the GoPro games.
Speaker 1:I know she raced and won something, I just don't know what it was. I honestly GoPro games needs to, needs to put their, their results out there so I can read them. But, yeah, honestly, jane's been on a heater this year. Super excited to get to catch up with her now that she's, like I said, on the last part of a team. She's already been on the pod. A little bit ago we had her back on I think it was like march, april time frame, um. So it's crazy that we're already here and she's about to raise broken arrow.
Speaker 1:I know she's excited for this race. She had a top 10 finish um seventh place back in 2022, so I know she's eager and looking to improve on that. Definitely one of the most like, insanely talented athletes that is going to be lining up on uh saturday. I know the stoke is high and I think the expectations are high for her as well to go get herself a spot on Team USA. So it's going to be a very fun one to follow along. I'm wishing Jane the absolute best of luck. I know she's primed to go crack a home run at one of these and, yeah, it's going to be fun to see her do it. So, without further ado, none other than Miss Jane Moss. Jane Moss, welcome back to the Steep Stuff Podcast. How's it going?
Speaker 2:It's going well. Yeah, I'm stoked to be back.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm stoked to have this conversation. I'm starting to get the ball rolling now on all the pre-Broken Arrow stuff. I can't believe we're only a few weeks out from the Broken Arrow 46K. I feel like we were just chatting about this. I don't know March or April, I think it was maybe March and it came up so quick. And here we are. It's kind of wild.
Speaker 2:I cannot believe it's already June. It's crazy.
Speaker 1:Yeah, how have you been? What's uh, what's new these days? Since we spoke, I know you've had some good racing uh under your belt and things have been going pretty well, it seems like.
Speaker 2:Yeah, um. Yes, the year has just been flying by, but it's been. It's been great. Um, I did the last race I did was like Sonoma in April. Um, I was planning to do gorge but kind of pivoted and did Sonoma instead. Um, that went really well. Um, overall, training's been going pretty well since Sonoma. I've had a little bit of a bumpy road with um, some stuff pop up on my right leg but, um, I feel like I've kind of turned a corner. So things have been good. The weather's been amazing in Boulder. Yeah, just kind of getting into routine and excited for summer.
Speaker 1:I love to hear it. Have you guys been getting as much rain as we have? Like the Springs has been getting like dumped on.
Speaker 2:We have. Yes, it's been super rainy. It's like I feel like Pacific Northwest vibes.
Speaker 1:Yesterday the trails were like a full mud bath. I was not expecting it, but yeah, it's been nice. Yeah, yeah, it's different. It's like a change of pace, same like Alaska slash, like PNW vibes. I was like this is kind of cool.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and the fog over the flat irons, it's super pretty.
Speaker 1:It is. It is yeah, it's like I don't know. I just feel like I know you're kind of new to Colorado, so it's like, yeah, we don't get this very often. It's very, it's a very unique time of year, so it's kind of my favorite time of the year, which is fun. So yeah.
Speaker 1:So let's talk broken arrow. So obviously this is a heavily contested race. The field is going to be insanely deep. Everybody, who's everybody, is going to be there. How are the pre-race vibes? Are you excited to go throw down at something like this? I mean, how, how, how do you feel kind of as far as like your mindset towards this race, or is your maybe shift this to kind of the conceptualization of like goals, like, is your intention and goal to go get a spot on team USA? Is it to do the best you can Like? What are your thoughts going in?
Speaker 2:Yeah, this race is super stacked. Um, I raced it a few years ago and just like fell in love with the community there and the vibes, and it was just such a fun race, so I knew I wanted to go back. I prefer this style of racing the best, like. I like this stuff, that ski resorts, that steep and mountainous I wouldn't say I'm like a specialist at it, though and the women lining up for this race I feel like a lot of them are specialists at this type of race. Started, though, and the women lining up for this race I feel like a lot of them are specialists at this type of race. Um, so my goal is just to like have a really fun day.
Speaker 2:Um, I didn't sign up for this race with the intention of making team USA. I feel like if I had a shot at that, I probably should have done gorge. Um, that was kind of my intention with doing gorge. I was like maybe I can make team USA. Um, so with this race, that's definitely not my intention. Um, obviously, if I did, it would be like a dream come true. Um, but there are just so many strong women doing this race and I honestly don't think I really have a shot at it, but like, if it happened, that'd be great. But my goals are just to like try my best, um lineup at the start line, healthy, um, just enjoy the vibes in the community, cause it's such a fun race. Um, and I do love this style of racing, so really just to see how I can do. Um, I'm going to compete and like try my hardest, but uh yeah, I would be just, I mean, I would be stoked on a top 10. That'd be amazing.
Speaker 1:It's going to be a crazy one. I like just to double back on what you said. Like it is the vibes there so, so wild. Like it's such a cool race, everybody goes. Let me ask you this I know your goal might not be to make team USA, or obviously it's a. It's a goal, but like it might not be your expectation right away. What would happen if you did it? Like how would? How would you feel? Like what would that mean to you if you were able to pull it off?
Speaker 2:That would be like I can't even like imagine that outcome. Like that would be like absolutely a dream come true. I would definitely take the spot and it would be a huge confidence boost, because I know I'm like pretty good at the steep mountain stuff, but there are people that just train this discipline or like so specialized in it. Um so if I could compete at that level and like get a top three spot, that would be like definitely a very big confidence boost and I would be very excited and absolutely mind blown. Um, and it might change the races I sign up for in the future. Um yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it'd be pretty crazy epic blowups both on the men's and women's side. People race with a lot of grit and a lot of hubris, especially coming off the gun. Usually the person leading the race in the first lap isn't necessarily the person winning the race. Do you have a specific strategy going in, like maybe relaxed a little bit in the first loop, see where I'm at, and then start to make moves in the second lap? It seems like a lot of people do that. What would be your strategy, kind of going in?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I know last time I raced this I felt amazing the first lap and was third or fourth place the entire lap and I came through and I was like I'm feeling great. And then I had a bit of an explosion the last four miles and got passed by like three or four women. So I want that to not happen this time. So I do think I've gotten better at this. Like the longer type racing like this isn't super long but it's still long that you could easily blow up Um, and I've gotten better at kind of holding back in the first half. So I will like plan to hold back a little bit in the first loop. Definitely still want to be in it like pushing hard and competing um, but if the top women just go out, I'm not gonna try and keep up with them if I feel like it might lead to a blow up. So I'll.
Speaker 2:That's my plan is, yeah, hold back a little bit the first lap and really race as hard as I can the second lap, um, because I feel like I'm a bit more used to longer than 50 K. So I feel like a like a 14, 15 mile push for like the last loop is very doable, Like giving it all I've got. Um, I do want to give myself an opportunity to race, so I don't want to have that risk of I mean, you have to take some risk at this level that there is going to be that risk of blowing up. But I really want to avoid an Epic blow up, Um. So I think holding back the first lap will be my best bet and really going as hard as I can that second lap so that I can like bomb the last, like bomb the last descent and go really hard on the final climbs.
Speaker 1:I like it.
Speaker 1:I like it, you know.
Speaker 1:I just think of, like people that have won this race in the past.
Speaker 1:I think of like your, you know, your David Sinclair's, and even like looking at, like this past week, kind of the way on a Gibson race, son of P like just very calm, composed and wasn't leading the race until you know kind of the last descent where she was able to make a move. So I almost feel like that sitting back being observant, still putting yourself in the race but might necessarily not be pressing the pace with the other ladies, might be a smart way to do it. I don't know, I just see how other people have been able to kind of like have success. And it's like I said, it's not the person like going out from the gun and trying to race super aggressively, like usually that does not work well, like it works for some people sometimes, but I'd say seven out of 10 times you're rolling the dice so I find I always do better when I do hold back and then I feel like I'm a stronger second half racer and I can start to pick people off.
Speaker 2:So that would be really cool if it worked out that way. That would be kind of my strategy.
Speaker 1:I think you've got a lot of really good experience that relates to this race, especially because you've been on the course, you've raced this before, you have an understanding of the way this race races. But also, I think, like not just the longer stuff but even like your Cirque series experience. Like you know, like from these Cirque series races, if you don't put yourself in the race initially, like in the beginning, the race will get away from you. So, like you kind of have that really good mix of both that I think will make you know, sets you up for success on race day.
Speaker 2:So yeah.
Speaker 1:Whereas I feel like people may be racing like who are more ultra runners coming into it. Maybe they're a little more relaxed and that's how the I feel like. That's how the race kind of gets away from you for something as fast as this.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm doing a little test this weekend. Now that my body's feeling good, I'm going to do the 20 K at the GoPro mountain games. So it's like two loops. So I'm like maybe I can test out a little mini strategy. But just good to test out some speed before. Yeah, broken arrow.
Speaker 1:I think it's really smart, um, and especially because, like broke gopro is usually notoriously kind of warm, little hot in there, like the sun kind of bakes you and broken arrow is usually a pretty hot race, like the last few years people have suffered, um, so I guess it's a little good. You know, throw out the strategy, see how you do in the, like the heat, heat if, if it does get that hot, but it should be nice. Yeah, yeah, how do you? What do do you? What's your? Do you have like a cooling strategy? Cause for a race like this, cause it it might be a super hot day. We don't really know.
Speaker 2:Yeah, um, I've cooled a few times in races. Um, I have, like some ice bandanas that I'll use. Uh, I wasn't really planning on doing much for broken arrow, um, but now that you bring it up, I'm like it might kind of be smart. Smart to do that, and I think, starting cooling before you think you need it, just in case, cause once your body temperature gets too hot, you're kind of screwed. Um, so I'll probably bring ice bandanas, maybe stock up with them after the first flap and get some water and ice dumped on me. That's probably all I'll do, though.
Speaker 1:Nice, it's been a while since you've raised this race, but like, what's your? If you could say, like, what's your favorite part of this course? Like, do you like the like? I hate this course in my honest. I got a pin just cause it's so up and down and it's like it's it's not just one ascent, right. Um, what's your favorite part?
Speaker 2:It is. It is like technically like a mountain race but it's super runnable and fast, which I kind of have mixed feelings about. Like doing something like the rat is a little bit more technical, um, or like I feel like the rat speed goat and broken arrow broken arrows like by far the most runnable and fast. Um, I do really like Ooh, I don't know, that's a tough question. I kind of like that it is a loop format and you know what you're getting into the second lap and kind of what to prepare for. I really like the descents. Like there are descents on fire roads that you can just go really fast.
Speaker 2:And I'm not like technical downhills not my biggest strength Um, I feel like that slows me down a lot. So just having like runnable fire roads to bomb down is is really fun. Um, I remember I don't remember the course super well, honestly, but I remember there being one very steep climb, hands on knees, hiking up, uh, kind of close to the beginning. I don't remember where it is or what it is, but that was really fun for me where I passed like five or six women on that climb. Um, because I feel like that's kind of a strength of mine, I might be out of practice with like power hiking, but I remember that being really fun, um, but just like the variety of the, the climbs and descents and then you have that fun ladder thrown in the middle and then bombing down the very end on like a mile of fire road is really fun, um, so just the variety, but also that it is very runnable. I kind of like that. It's like a mountain race.
Speaker 1:It's proper, it's full on and that ladder part is so cool. It's like so iconic right, like makes that race like what it is.
Speaker 2:I remember last time, the second time doing it, my quads were like cramping and I was like I can't do this anymore, Going up the ladder. Hopefully that doesn't happen again.
Speaker 1:I had Michelino on the other day and he was telling me about I forget what year he was running it. He was in like second place and like he was on the final descent, like two or three miles out, see everything seized up and he like like had to like walk it in. I was like dude, that's a, that's a terrible feeling to be in, cause you I couldn't imagine being that high up in that race and then like getting passed by like 10 people. It's horrible. Yeah, it's. It's cool though.
Speaker 2:You know.
Speaker 1:Um so shoe, I would imagine I could probably guess your shoe choice for race day. But you tell me, what are you rocking?
Speaker 2:The Prodigio Pros. That's really all I've been training in and racing in all year long. I'm obsessed with them, so that's just. I'll be sticking with that for the race. I feel like there'll be a good a good shoe for that Sweet shoe.
Speaker 1:Have you got to play with the Max's yet? I have not. Davide, last time I saw Davide he had like a like, a like a pre-production pair of them. They're pretty sick. I was, like, thoroughly impressed. I'm excited for those to come out in August as well.
Speaker 2:I actually only saw them on Davide too, and I was like those are, those are big shoes.
Speaker 1:Yeah, they're different, right, they're like serious, like a Parisio Mac, like it makes sense. But yeah, boys like they're, they're no joke. So, yeah, super cool, all right, yeah, good choice in the show. I think that makes perfect sense. Uh, just because it's so runnable, you need that stuff for the.
Speaker 1:You know it's got a good outsole. She just makes good sense for it, so cool, all right. So we're getting trying to think of what else we could probably get into. We talked about team usa, talk about everything else. What else? So, after arrow, are you going to take some downtime or like, how much time are you going to do in between races?
Speaker 2:Big TBD, as I feel like was the last time we chatted too. I feel like I have so many things that I want to do this year, um, and I'm having a difficult time deciding on what to do. Um, I'm sticking out in the Tahoe area to crew, uh, my roommate at Western States. I've never been to Western, so I'm really excited to just kind of have that experience and be out there. Um, and then I'm currently signed up for the Ludville 100.
Speaker 2:So yeah that's uh, with the current knee issues that have popped up and I've never raised a hundred miles before Um, I'm very much considering if that's realistic or not, but that is one of my potential goals. Um, that would be in August. Uh, other than that, I'm planning to do three or four series. So I'm going to be doing snowboard Cirque series, uh, mid July. So that'll be the first thing after broken arrow. Um, I also have you inspired me actually to try this. The Grand Teton FKT in August, oh my gosh.
Speaker 2:Okay, let's go. So I'm planning on spending a decent amount of August in the Tetons, kind of like scouting that and checking that out. So that would be probably picking between Leadville or that objective. And then in September I want to try for the World FKT as well. So those are kind of my plans for the year. And then I want to do Kodiak 100K to get a CCC qualifier for next year. So a little bit of sub ultra mixed in there, potentially some ultra. I'm signed up for everything right now. I have objectives. I'll have to pick what I actually want to do.
Speaker 1:But yeah, I love it. Whirl makes perfect sense, obviously, being from the watch that's right there. And then I'm so stoked that you want to do the grantee, especially because, like you have, like with the scrambling background that you have and that comfortability of like being able, like to like be comfortable on rock and exposure, like, I feel like that's such a large component of it. Um, yeah, I'm, we gotta talk more about this offline.
Speaker 2:I'm super excited to hear more and I've been spending a lot more time like rock climbing and scrambling. I mean, I've still, running is my favorite thing in the world and I want to do that the most Um, but I've just been incorporating a lot more of that and definitely it's one of my strengths, is like my comfortability on rock so and it's what gets me like super psyched. So I'm like I want to blend in some of that uh with kind of like my goals, and I feel like the support of last Portiba is awesome for having objectives like that. So we'll see what the year holds.
Speaker 1:I love it, just don't take, don't cut the switch back. I'm kidding.
Speaker 2:Absolutely not. I've learned not to do that.
Speaker 1:Well, listen, jane, I'm wishing you the absolute best of luck. I'm super excited to hear about your broken arrow experience. Uh, no doubt you'll be up there with a lot of other strong ladies and, yeah, we'll be in touch, and after this we're going to chat a little bit more about the grant, so super cool.
Speaker 2:Amazing. Thanks so much. Yeah, I'm excited for the race.
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Speaker 1:Like I said, it's summer, it's broken arrow week. It's crazy. The vibes are high, the stoke is high. You're going to need a new vest. You're going to need a hydration solution. Like I said, go to ultimate direction. They've got you covered 25% off with the code steep stuff pod and you are all set out the door. So, guys, enjoy your week. It's broken arrow week. Go crazy, go wild, guess what? Next week is Trail Con, and then we are in Western States. This is the best few weeks of our sport. So it's wild, thank you. We'll see you next time.
