The Steep Stuff Podcast
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The Steep Stuff Podcast
Scott Klingonsmith | Speedgoat 50K Pre Race Interview
Meet Scott Klingonsmith, a rising star in the mountain running scene who's ready to take on one of America's most challenging ultramarathons. At just 20 years old, this Utah-based athlete brings fresh energy and strategic thinking to the grueling Speed Goat 50K.
Scott shares his fascinating journey from dabbling in ultras to deliberately focusing on shorter trail races to build speed, and now returning to test himself against the punishing 11,000 feet of elevation gain at Speed Goat. What sets Scott apart is his methodical preparation – he's been exploring the course's notorious rocky back section that has "ruined a lot of people's races," working closely with his Hoka coach Emily Schmitz to build the specific strength needed for Speed Goat's relentless terrain.
The conversation dives deep into Scott's race strategy and nutrition plan, revealing the thoughtful approach of an athlete wise beyond his years. Rather than relying on conventional gels, Scott has dialed in a liquid nutrition strategy delivering 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour, carried in a combination of waist-mounted and handheld bottles. His racing approach balances competitive ambition with practical wisdom, as he plans to maintain contact with the lead group while recognizing when to make strategic moves on the course's long descents.
Coming off an impressive top-20 finish at the US Mountain Running Championships at Sunapee, Scott represents the exciting next generation of mountain runners from the Wasatch. As host James Lariello notes, Speed Goat has historically launched the careers of Utah-based trail stars like Hayden Hawks and Christian Allen – could Scott be next? Join us for this illuminating conversation that captures both the technical preparation and the infectious enthusiasm of trail running's rising talent.
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What's up, fam? Welcome back to the steep stuff podcast. I'm your host, james Lariello, bringing you a pre speed goat 50k interview, this time with Mr Scott Klingon Smith, young gun from the Wasatch. Big fan of Scott's, I got first got to meet him last year at Cirque Series Alta where he's had some great finishes as a bunch of the Cirque Series races and the Wasatch and on top of that this past yearott has uh got himself a top 20 finish at the us mountain running championship, um at the sunupy scramble.
Speaker 1:Um, really fun to catch up with scott. Talk to him about why he's so excited about the speed goat race, um why, uh you know basically his whys. Get to know, you know his interests, what he wants to do with this race, um and just how he plans to assert himself into the race from early on and uh how he thinks he's going to have some success. So I hope you guys enjoy this one. I always love giving the microphone to the young guns. You guys know me with this. So, yeah, it's going to be a fun one. Buckle up, here we go, scott Klingon Smith, it's time. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. We are live. No-transcript.
Speaker 2:Yeah, for sure yeah.
Speaker 1:So before we get started, maybe give me, give me the five minute elevator pitch for the audience on, uh, who Scotty is.
Speaker 2:Alrighty. Well, um, yeah, I'm. I'm 20 years old, I live in Utah right now. Um, and my focus right now is just a lot of, a lot of sub ultra events. But I decided to get back, excuse me, get back into the ultra scene and dip my toes back into the 50 K distance and so, uh, that's what I'm going to be doing this weekend at speed go 50 K. So pretty stoked about it. And, uh, I've had a really good training block leading up to it and had a great coach kind of showing me the ropes. So, yeah, I'm super stoked for this weekend.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's exciting, man. Now you've run um. You've run a couple of distance, like you've over 50 K. You've run a 55 K from what I saw in ultra sign up and you ran a 50 miler as well. Are those the only two that I that I saw?
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, those are the only two I did. Yeah, that 55 K about two years ago and then the 50 miler just like two months after that. So I was kind of, when I was first getting into trail running, thinking, okay, maybe I'll just go right into the ultra scene. But then after those, like I enjoyed them, but I kind of wanted to, you know, use my speed in the shorter stuff. So that's when I kind of went into the sub ultra, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean it's kind of like these types of races, like specifically like speed go it's. I mean it's advertised as 50 K but it runs like a 50 mile just because it's such a long race Right Like I think if I remember right after looking at your 50 mile time it was like six hours and change or something like that Like you flew uh through that race. So that'll be probably closer to like what your speed go in range, like with a you know 50 K race with like 11,000 feet of climbing. So it'll be similar to that, which is kind of crazy to think.
Speaker 1:Uh, I noticed on Strava you've been getting on the course a little bit. You've been exploring, I mean you kind of you live in Provo so you know the course is not necessarily right in your backyard but it's not far away. You're able to kind of get on up there and kind of train in the Valley. Um, what have you thought of the course so far? I know you've run some of the uh Cirque series races as well, kind of on that course and around that course. So it's probably just kind of like second nature to you, right?
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, I think, um, I think I maybe have like a little bit of an advantage going into speed go, just cause, yeah, I've run some of the Cirque series that are on parts of the course go up to some of the peaks and, yeah, I did a long run, I think it was like three weeks ago, four weeks ago. Um, that takes that, took me on like the back loop that dips down into AF Canyon and then goes back up and, um, yeah, if I was running on the right trails which I'm pretty sure I was that that are going to be on the course, um, yeah, some of them are pretty, pretty rocky so it'll definitely be kind of a chunky section on the back half, but, um, I think, having run it and knowing what to expect, I'm feeling pretty prepared, so I think it should be good.
Speaker 1:I think that's really smart of you. It's actually a note that I had made. Like I kind of stalked your Strava before going into this conversation and saw that you kind of specifically ran that backend. And I know just from talking to others that have run the. I've actually personally never run the court like did run the entirety of the course. I've been on sections of it at like Cirque series races, but one of the things I've heard from people is that the backend kind of has given people problems before. So to kind of see that um on the other side, and I think that's probably pretty smart to at least know what you're getting into.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, cause um, one of my buddies, he um, yeah, I was talking to him. I was like, hey, cause I? He, yeah, I was talking to him. I was like hey, because I'm pretty sure he had run Speedgo a couple of years back and he was. I was talking about the course, just asking for some tips. And he's like, yeah, this little back loop can be pretty rocky and kind of ruin a lot of people's races. And so, yeah, he sent over this course GPX for me to download on my watch. And he's like you should get this running before, before you race. And so, yeah, that's what I did. And, um, yeah, so it'll definitely be gnarly that last, that last little loop, but, um, it should be good. So.
Speaker 1:I'm excited for you to take a stab at this race Like. You texted me months and months ago and you're like, dude, I'm thinking about doing the 50 K. I was like, oh, that's a rough race, dude. I was like, go win the 28k or go podium at the 28k and then use that one like to like, build up your career and continue to go. And you're like, nope, I think I'm going to do the 50k. I'm proud of you for going to do it, man. I think that there's you know there's a lot of opportunity there. Um, you know, to have a good race yourself at Sunapee a few months ago. I'm sure the confidence from Sunapee probably shows that you can hang with some of the best in the country. Would you agree with that?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, I think still being so young, you know, there's definitely parts of me that are like, okay, I could probably stick with a good majority of some of the top guys, but maybe those very, very top guys, you know, maybe it might be a little bit more difficult, but I was looking at Davidson Claire's Speed Goat course record, I think two years ago no-transcript. So based off my training, I think I have a pretty good shot at, um, yeah, sticking with the top guys in this race and just putting myself out there for a pretty good performance.
Speaker 1:I think it's a smart way to go. What, um, what's your strategy? Are you going to obviously go out with elite pack? Are you going to kind of just keep them in sight, or are you going to assert yourself into the race right away?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I don't think I'll assert myself into the race right away, but I think I want to be hanging around probably the top 10 group of guys, um, because I know the first, pretty much the first 10 miles are all climbing um, and then you get like this five, six mile descent, um, and so I think, knowing that I'm a pretty good descender, I I'll probably try and make some moves there. And then, yeah, just see what my legs have going back up towards snowbird on that loop. So, yeah, I think I'll just kind of play a conservative test out the water, see what the field is like on the first 10 mile climb and then just kind of go from there.
Speaker 1:Nice, nice, climb and then just kind of go from there, nice, nice, what um have you got any like? I know, christian you know, or friends with, have you got any like feedback from him on how to run the race or like any, any tips and tricks, um? Or have you talked to others besides your friend that like have run the race before um, maybe at the front of the race, that can give you, you know, some insight on like you know how to, how to have been prepared and just kind of you know tips and tricks for race day?
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, actually, I did DM um Christian about it, cause I knew he had run the 50 K and so I asked him a few months back or I think maybe it was right after I signed up. I was like, what are some of you know the go-to tips and tricks for speed? Go, cause I know it's one of the gnarliest 50 Ks in the U S. And he was like, really you just have to prepare your legs for just a bunch of up and down because it's just relentless, it's. You do a big climb, little descent, big climb, big descent. You know just all all these ups and downs. And so, yeah, he just told me to train a lot of vert and just, yeah, go to a peak, go down, go to another peak, go down. So that's kind of what I got from him. And, um, yeah, I've been talking to my coach about it too and she's had me on a really good training plan. Um, that I feel has built my legs to be pretty suited for this race. So, yeah, I feel really prepared and I'm really excited.
Speaker 1:Yeah, dude, your workouts have looked good too. Man, I saw you on the track a couple of days ago like doing your thing and like that workout I mean just like some of the workouts that you've done like you kept the. You know, obviously the speed is in your legs, so that's not the issue. It's just a matter of just, I guess, having the durability. How has it been working with a coach? Is that kind of rolled over from like college where obviously in college you know, like you work with a coach, you do that whole thing? Is this just more of a continuation of that or like what are your thoughts so far being coached?
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, I mean I, I love my coach. Yeah, emily Schmitz, yeah, she's a runner for Hoka, she is just awesome. She, yeah, she really listens to my concerns whenever I have something come up with with my body or if I have like a little injury here or there. Um, but yeah, it's just helped me a lot to be more structured with my training, whereas when I didn't have a coach I was just kind of going out and just running kind of without a plan, and I mean as as much fun as that was kind of just being able to have that freedom and do whatever I want, it's a lot nicer to um know that, like, like, I'm gaining a lot more fitness gains from having a coach and a structured training plan. So, yeah, I'd much rather have a coach than not have a coach looking back. So, yeah, it's really nice to have her.
Speaker 1:Oh, it helps a ton. Um, let's talk, let's talk. Nutrition for race day Like what do you've been, I'm sure, especially for like a six or seven hour five somewhere, I guess what five to seven hour race? Like what have you been doing for nutrition to prepare yourself? Like, uh, lots of gels, liquid calories. Like what are you?
Speaker 2:doing for for that? Yeah, it's funny Cause I, I've been trying to get myself to like gels and I've used them in the past for races, but it's not necessarily a taste thing, it's just a texture, and I just, I, I just hate gels, and so I've been resorting to liquid calories and liquid carbs. Um, so I've been doing tailwinds like 90 grams of carbs, like their drink mix thing, and so I've been able to stomach 90 grams of carbs an hour, like pretty comfortably. So that's probably what I'm going to do. Well, that is what I'm going to do on race day, as well as um, yeah, as well as I think I have like one one 90 gram precision fuel gel pack thing that I'll probably sip on. So that's my plan regarding nutrition.
Speaker 1:I got to ask this about the tail one just because it always drives me crazy in these long races. When you got to, like, bring the packets with you, rip the top off, put it in the thing, are you going to have, like bottles already ready to go that you can just grab at aid stations? Or like, are you going to play that game where you get the pack?
Speaker 2:you got to rip it off, you got to do like what's the plan there?
Speaker 2:this is why, right, it drives me crazy. Yeah, no, I get that. Um, yeah, I mean, my plan actually is to carry um, all, I think, because I have my bottles next to me. I think I'll be carrying five with me, five, five, five, five 500 milliliters water bottles and, um, they're all just gonna come with. Yeah, they're all going to be all ready to go. I'll mix stuff with the stuff and I'm just going to be having three in my belt and then two in my hands, cause I've been doing a lot of running with, like, flasks in my hands and it doesn't bother me and it makes it so I don't forget to actually take my carbs. So that's what I'm going to be doing and, um, yeah, so I won't have anything that I'll need to pick up from aid stations. I can just kind of run through unless I need to stop for something.
Speaker 1:So yeah, wow, that answers my next question. So no, vest, we're going, we're going belts, there's a lot of, there's some like required gear for this race. Do you like have that already figured out, like with the belt as well? Or like, what are you, what are you going to go in through there?
Speaker 2:I'm good to go out on the on the race course, but, yeah, it would be very nice if I could just fit everything into my belt, because I have been practicing, uh, running with a vest and it works well for me, but it just feels like it slows me down, which I don't like, and so just having a belt makes me feel a lot lighter and quicker. But, yeah, I'll have to check that gear list to make sure that I have all the all the gear needed I'm totally just fucking with you, dude like I honestly just wanted to see your face like I, so the only required gear is a is a phone and like a car.
Speaker 2:Okay, so I just I just wanted to see yeah I was getting nervous for a second. I was like, oh man, do I have to bring like a heated blanket or something like what's going on here, or pants?
Speaker 1:or some shit like that.
Speaker 2:You're totally fine um, at least that's what I read. I think it's I got it over here.
Speaker 1:It's phone, uh, collapsible cup and then a water supply of a liter, which I think you've checked. All those boxes, um, what kind of belt do you use that could fit three giant bottles in there and like not bounce or like fall apart? Like are you using the raid belt? Like what are you? What are you rocking?
Speaker 2:No, it's just one of those naked belts. Um, it can fit all three of my Solomon 500 milliliter flasks. So, yeah, it's been really comfortable and, um, yeah, I think it should work pretty well.
Speaker 1:Nice, nice, you checked the weather for race day.
Speaker 2:Is it supposed to be pretty toasty or? Um did check the weather. I just looked up the weather for snowbird and last time I checked, which was a couple days ago, so it might have changed, I have no idea, but last time I checked, I think, it said the high was like 71 and partly cloudy, so it shouldn't be too toasty. But obviously, going being out there for that long with the sun shining down, you're gonna feel a lot hotter than just you know 71 degrees outside.
Speaker 1:So yeah, you get cooked in the canyon man, like I can remember like, uh, I think it was cirque series out. That was the last time I was out there and yeah, it was it gets. It gets toasty, like even early in the morning. It gets toasty with it's early in the morning. It gets toasty with it's like it's a little bit of humidity, but like as soon as the sun hits you it's like Ooh, yeah, so that's going to be, that'll be fun. Are you excited? Are you pumped for this one? This is a big deal. This is like a next step in your career, or is it all business for you?
Speaker 2:I mean I don't know. I think I'm more excited just because I know there's going to be like five to ten just really strong runners in this race. So I think I'm more just excited to see if I can hang with them, see if I can put myself out there and see what type of result that can draw. Um, but yeah, I mean obviously I've been thinking to myself about this a lot, whether I want to try and go for, you know, fast time or just play strategic and just kind of sit behind the leaders until I can make a pass. But yeah, I think I'm just kind of going in this with an open mind and just going to enjoy it and just enjoy running in in the beautiful UNS. So it's going to be fun.
Speaker 1:Oh for sure, for sure, dude. Um, one thing I want to get on before I let you go is uh, um, sunapee, you had a great top 20 performance. There. Are you? Are you confident coming off that Like? Were you? Were you excited, like, with that result? Like, um, obviously there was a lot of unknowns. You know, going into a race like that, it's super stacked. There's tons of people that are vying for those top positions. Like, what was your? You know, how did you come back from that?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, um, yeah, my, my goal actually going into the race, um was to get top 20, just cause I knew there were going to be tons of just really, really just good runners, um. And so, yeah, yeah, coming away with 19th, I was pretty stoked about it and, um, yeah, I finished right behind one of my friends who, um coached me for a hot sec last year when I went to the youth world running or the youth sky running world champs, and so it was fun to race against him. And then then, yeah, after that, place behind, yeah, some of the best U S trail runners. So, yeah, I was really excited about that and I think, yeah, a lot of confidence um has been drawn from that as well, just because, um, I know, if I just keep going with this momentum at such a young age, that I can make big, big gains throughout, you know, mid twenties. So, yeah, no, it's a, it's an exciting time for me, yeah no for sure.
Speaker 1:I just find it really cool, cause you know Hayden Hawks, like his first big race that he won with speed goat, christian Allen his first big race that he won with speed goat. So like we're just waiting for that next, like Wasatch guy to come out and go, I guess Utah guy to come out and I guess when speed goat and you know kind of start their career and I feel like you know it's gotta be you Hawk call like somebody has got to go do it. So it's going to be exciting to see like where things take you.
Speaker 2:So yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1:Yeah, awesome, buddy. Well, wish you the best of luck. Um, get after it, have a great race day, have a safe race, have a fun one and, uh, hopefully we'll be chatting afterwards, sweet man. Yeah, I appreciate it. No problem, scott, awesome man. Listen up, guys.
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