The Steep Stuff Podcast
Welcome to the Steep Stuff Podcast, your source for all things Sub-Ultra Mountain Running
The Steep Stuff Podcast
#111 - Sarah Kushner
Sarah Kushner captivates listeners with her remarkable journey from childhood jogs through Garden of the Gods to becoming the 2024 Pikes Peak Marathon Champion. With disarming honesty and warmth, she reveals how walking on to Baylor University's track team as a steeplechaser laid the foundation for her trail running success, despite never being the fastest collegiate runner.
What makes Sarah's story particularly compelling is her perspective on competition and community. While fiercely competitive (something she admits hides beneath her friendly exterior), she approaches running with refreshing balance. She's intentionally stepped away from the comparison trap of social media and start lists, focusing instead on her own progress and enjoyment of the sport. This mental approach, developed with coach Megan Roche, has been key to maintaining her passion for running.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Sarah's commitment to giving back stands out. She serves on the Pikes Peak Marathon board of directors, works as a Lululemon ambassador organizing community events, and coaches high school cross-country with special attention to developing runners who aren't naturally the fastest. This service ethic, rooted in her faith and family values, creates a powerful counterbalance to the often self-focused nature of endurance sports.
The conversation delves into practical aspects of her training too—balancing urban runs in Denver with weekend trail adventures, preparing for the elite Broken Arrow 46K race, and her aspirations to eventually tackle 100-mile distances. Throughout, her genuine love for the mountains and the running community shines through, making it clear why she's become such a beloved figure in Colorado's trail running scene.
Whether you're a competitive runner seeking performance insights or simply love stories of determination and community impact, Sarah's thoughtful reflections on finding meaning both on and off the trails will leave you inspired to pursue your own balanced path to fulfillment.
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!
What is up everyone? Welcome back to the Steep Stuff Podcast. I'm your host, james Lariello, and I'm joined today by someone truly special to the Colorado Springs and front range trail running community the 2024 Pikes Peak Marathon Champion and Bartrell Mountain Race podium finisher, none other than Sarah Kushner. Sarah was kind enough to come on the podcast to help tell her story. It was fun to get to talk to her just about her running journey, like where she's kind of you know, from a collegiate level at Baylor University all the way to her trail running career and what she's been up to now, most recently competing at Broken Arrow in the 46K, trying to earn herself a spot on the Team USA for the short trail. It was fun to talk to her also about community service.
Speaker 1:Sarah is very active in the community. Um, she is a member um with me on the pikes, peak marathon, ascent and sorry, pikes, peak marathon and ascent board of directors, so it was good to chat about that as well. Um, yeah, just a fun, fun episode. Uh, sarah is amazing for the community and just what she does, so hope you guys enjoyed this one.
Speaker 2:It's a special one.
Speaker 1:so, without, without further ado, none other than Sarah Kushner time. Ladies and gentlemen, we are live. I was like Sarah Kuhl, kushner, sarah Kushner. We got it All right. There we go. This has been a long time coming. I feel like we've been meaning to have this conversation for literally over a year now. We've kind of planned it to do in person as well, but I think the camera feature. That way we can do something like this. I think is fun.
Speaker 2:So we'll do an in-person one at Colorado Running Company soon, soon, but I think this is a good origin story podcast or something get us going. Yeah, thank you for persevering and being patient, so I appreciate your uh, you continuing to invite me to get with my calendar.
Speaker 1:So, thank you, so glad we're able to do this. How's, uh, how's the summer season going for you? How's everything going so far?
Speaker 2:it's been fun. Yeah, I can't believe it's already almost august. I think that's kind of crazy, but um, yeah, it's been a good season so far. We um I talk about we a lot my husband and I race a lot of the same stuff, but, um, a big race was um broken arrow in june, and then kind of doing some like other local races, kind of some shorter stuff in between that, and then I think my next big one will be mammoth in september. But yeah, it's been really fun. I feel like it's always great when the trails dry out, of course, at the beginning of the summer and you can kind of get to higher altitudes and do some different routes that you haven't been able to for several months. So definitely been enjoying that. And this weather's been pretty toasty here in Denver, so we're getting some good heat training as well.
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh, I feel like it's even worse. Yeah, it's worse for you guys because you're a little further north and the spring has been rough like 80s, but at any time it's an 80-degree day in the springs. It's a 90-degree day in Denver.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, you guys have a bit better climate. I know, I try not to look at it too much. My parents live down and I'm like, oh, I wish I was still there sometimes. But yeah, it's okay.
Speaker 1:We'll talk, we'll get into training, it'll be I'll save that for part of the convo. But I want to like, when we get started, I want to maybe give me the five minute elevator pitch Because, like you've got so much history around, not just Pikes Peak, but just like this, this area, this region.
Speaker 2:And I honestly I had no idea you went to college with Rachel T, so like I find that so crazy. All right, so let's, let's do, let's do the five minute like the five minute elevator. Pitch on, like your, your background and your history with running and um. Going back to like childhood. I grew up in Colorado Springs and we lived by a garden of the gods so my dad would push my twin and I um in a double jogger like through the garden. So I think that's kind of a cool like start, an exposure to the sport and even just like the trails of Colorado Springs and um trail running in general. But um, so started that way and then I think for me that started started myself really running in middle school into high school. I went to Cheyenne Mountain High School it's in Colorado Springs and then I went to Baylor and with Rachel and a lot of other good runners and I walked on there. So very grateful to get to go there. I kind of chose the school because of my major that I wanted to pursue was there and then a bigger school Atmosphere. I love that. It's um, you know, baptist as well, it's important to me. But uh, the coach, let me walk on. So that was a huge like deciding factor for me, um, being able to go down to Texas and race there and run there. And I didn't always make, like you know, the varsity team, but I did get a few um several races over the years. That got to travel and do some fun things race at conference meets and things like that. So long to that and I think that, honestly, was a huge um, I don't know a huge step for me in my confidence level with running just um, even though I was not like at all in like the top group um, most of the time, it was just like something that I felt more confident with Like I know how to train, like I was training with you know some of the best and like you know Rachel's one of them and just um gave me confidence moving forward. That like, yeah, you can still toe the line with people that you know maybe you or whatever, but at least you're like showing up and you have the background to then know how to train.
Speaker 2:And um, after school, I think after college I started to pursue like longer distances and things and that was really helpful for me because I just I just don't have a lot of like short speed like ever in my life, and so it's nice to be able to just like go further and try to maintain. You know what I have for that longer distance. So I think that's kind of why I started like doing more like marathoning stuff like that. A lot of road running after college.
Speaker 2:I think a lot of people transition that way and then um more into trail in recent years and I I really enjoyed that because I just feel like it's not so focused on pace and things. It's more you know like so variable. You don't always know like what times are realistic or like even placement wise, but it's fun to just kind of like grind and then just try to like pick people off. Basically is what I kind of enjoy instead of being so focused on the clock and pace. But yeah, I would say I don't know if that's five minutes, but that's kind of my, my background of running. I would say no I love it.
Speaker 1:I love it. Let's let's talk baylor. Like I, I never let anybody get away without asking, like, asking the question about, like your college experience, right, like I've had a lot of D1 athletes on this podcast and how was your experience? Like, was it a positive one? Was it a negative one? I know a lot of um, just folks in general struggle, um, it seems to be very split 50, 50. It's either a really positive experience or a really negative one. Um, how was yours?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I would say I'm on the really positive side, I think, probably because I had no pressure right, like I'm not, you know someone who's scoring for the team, um, and so I think for me it was kind of like just go out there and try to like push hard and, um, you know, try to pick off maybe some last, um, some of those like six, seven, five, you know position runners, but, um, I don't think I had as much pressure as a lot of them and I think even just like coming in, it's not like I had a scholarship going there, so it's not like I had to run certain times to maintain that.
Speaker 2:So, um, I really loved it. Coach Harbour was the coach at the time when I was there and he just was so, so kind, I think I just I feel so grateful that he even let me be on the team, so made a lot of great friends. I think we had a lot of great girls there at the time and just really fun to have a group to belong to immediately upon starting school. So I look back on that and I just I loved it Like I wouldn't have traded it. And so I look back on that and I just I loved it Like I I wouldn't have traded it and just yeah, oh, I always kind of think back to it and I still keep in touch with a lot of the girls from the team and you know we've we go to each other's weddings and we, like you know, track each other. Now a lot of people having babies or things like that and, um, some of us are still racing, so it's kind of fun. But yeah, I loved my experience.
Speaker 1:So cool. What distance like? What did you specialize in for track?
Speaker 2:Track. I did steeplechase, which basically because no one else wanted to do that Rach actually did that too and she was clearly way better, but it was. I loved that. It was so weird, you know, like going over. I'd never hurdled before, so going over, like bigger years, practicing that into the water was always interesting and then even just like, yeah, practicing some hurdle stuff. Practicing that into the water was always interesting and then even just like, yeah, practicing some hurdle stuff, it was just kind of fun and I just don't, I didn't have enough like speed to do just like a straight 5k and then even the 10k like they start off, you know, even just so fast in that. So yeah, I just kind of picked up steeplechase and loved that.
Speaker 2:So I feel like a lot of trail runners, do steeplechase. It seems like.
Speaker 1:Yeah, oh my God, yeah, it steeplechase. It seems like, yeah, oh my god, yeah, it's like everybody. It's so interesting like I literally have recently had this conversation with alia mac like as to why, like, so many steeplers are so good. Like it's like a literally a one-to-one match. Like you guys, I don't know any steepler that comes over that doesn't do good in trails, which is really interesting to me.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, it's kind of funny heart rate, your appropriate reception of, like the way you can jump, I don't know like what. What do you think it is? Like why you guys are so good yeah, I think.
Speaker 2:I mean I feel like a lot of to do. Steeplechase. You have to have like some grit, I think, and just like a little bit extra like mental toughness, like I remember us doing like workouts, like alongside, like we'd be like lane by lane and my lane would have like hurdles, or rachel, my lane would have hurdles and then like a lot of people would have like no barrier, I mean like still try to keep up with it. You know, I just kind of, I don't know. I think like I feel like it's a different mindset, kind of in, like we like the challenge, maybe I don't know something less than like ideal, I don't know, so cool yeah, I just find it.
Speaker 1:It's perplexing and really neat how everyone seems to do so. Well, all right, so you're out of college. What was the first trail race that you jumped into?
Speaker 2:Ooh, I think when I went to PT school I did one up in Minnesota and I'm trying to remember what that was called. Ooh, it might not come to me, but I think, aside from that one-, um, I did like, I think probably like pike's peak ascent. Honestly, um, I did that pretty young um, I can't remember exactly what year, sorry, but yeah, I think that was probably my first trail race, um, or I did a lot of like. At the time they had like in the they called it the triple crown of running. Now it's the um.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh, I'm going like now it's garden to Peak for Life's Week series. I should know that. Yeah, I know you could help me on that, but they used to have a race called the Summer Roundup and that was in Bear Creek Park and it was kind of like similar distance to what Bar Trail Mountain Race is now. I think it was like 12-ish miles, but not like up, just straight up and straight down, um. So I did that a few times too when I was younger and that um, you know it's pretty rolly, pretty hilly there in bear Creek and Colorado Springs, so I think that was my first trail race, that's all right.
Speaker 1:So I knew that there was another race, but I didn't. Like Mark Tatum and I were talking about this on the podcast long ago and he couldn't remember it and I was like, oh, I always wanted to know what it was. So the summer roundup, thank you, yeah, yeah, yep, all right. So let's, let's talk. Let's talk training, let's talk racing, let's talk you. Um, you're the defending 2024 Pikes Peak marathon champion. Um, just pretty cool. Um, obviously it was a little bit of a shorter course last year, but, like, how does that feel for me to say that? Like, pikes peak defending champion?
Speaker 2:like, that's pretty cool, right yeah, that's very, it just makes it. It's very kind of you to um mention that. But yeah, I, it's kind of odd, I still, I'm like wait, oh, I, you know, um, I think that's that was like such a big, like dream that seems so far off always. So to like have one last year was just like truly a dream come true and just so shocking. There's like pictures of me my crying at the finish line, tears of joy, because I just, you know, it was just such a um, such a huge goal of mine. But uh, yeah, it was kind of a bummer that they had to shorten the course or, you know, the race it was like half um, half of what it would have been.
Speaker 2:But so there's still always a little bit of like doubt. It's like, oh, would I have still won had it been the whole thing? And I just choose to my family's always like yes, you would have just choose to say, yes, you know, like Sarah, yes, it's okay, you can like let that go. But yeah, I think, regardless it was short. Whatever I was, you know, I ran the fastest that day with that course. So I just have to kind of believe that like that would have happened if it was longer and be thankful for the day that I got to have out there.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like I think people forget, like how many like it really gotten to a lot of folks heads that it was a shortened course. So I almost feel like it was a harder challenge in a lot of ways because it had to. You had to run it like a BTMR as opposed to, as opposed to like going to the top and down. So it might I mean you could argue in some ways that it might've been even like a harder challenge in a lot of ways.
Speaker 2:Oh, thank you, I appreciate that. Yeah, I'll look at it that way because I yeah I mean that is true Like it was a lot faster and you didn't have a lot of time to just kind of like, you know, hold back or anything like that. Um, I remember like at the beginning, like going uphill, I had to just be like okay, I've been working a lot on like pacing with my coach. She's like I think you go out too fast for you and like you need to like chill for a bit. And because I think she's like I think you spike your heart rate like immediately and then it like never comes down.
Speaker 2:So I didn't think I was going out fast in my past, but I am, or have been, and so that day I was like, okay, you need to just be patient, and I think that's hard, especially since it was shorter. But yeah, just kind of like letting some people go out in front of me and kind of like leave me in a way, and then, um, just kind of like chip away as we climbed um, so that it definitely paid off that day. But it definitely took a little bit of like self-control because I it's a little, you know, panicky, trying to just let people like leave, go out of your sight and um hope that they'll come back to you. But yeah, it worked out, praise God.
Speaker 1:So crazy. And you're a better descender than you are climber. I think you would say you would. You would probably agree with.
Speaker 2:I think the I think opposite.
Speaker 1:You are Okay, all right, yeah.
Speaker 2:I don't. I've been working a lot on the descent. I think that day I was just like, well you know, yeah, I think I'm better at climbing and I like it more. I think it's more fun to just kind of like grind and get after. I feel like coming down a lot of times. I'll get kind of like complacent, I'll get kind of like not lazy, but I just kind of like relax a little bit too much and like step off the gas, and so I've been trying to work on that too, Just like progressing, yeah.
Speaker 1:It's a weird skill Cause it's like I almost feel like the climbs are more engaging, but descending for me is just not as mentally engaging, so I will tend to do the same thing. It's difficult to like stay mentally there the entire time. I feel like that's a learned skill. I don't know.
Speaker 2:I think, especially if you're like gapped I don't know if that's how you feel too, but if, like you're gapped, you can't see who's in front of you, or if you're in front, but like if you can't see anybody, you can't hear anybody behind it's kind of like okay, I think I'm fine. And then like someone comes up behind you and you're like oh great, so here we go. Love that, do you think?
Speaker 1:now that you've climbed the proverbial mountain, you got your championship Do you think you'll ever go back? Or do you think you're going to take time off, like I know? You're going to mammoth this year, so I know this year is out going to take time off.
Speaker 2:Like I know, you're going to mammoth this year so I know this year is out, but do you think in the future you'd ever go back? I think so and I think that's why I wanted to go to mammoth this year, because I think if I, I just knew like, okay, if I'm ever going to go, this is the year just to go, like try something different and like experience, um, that race. I just have heard a lot of good things and I, I think I've raced on the peak like eight times in 10 years maybe, um, and so that's almost every year and I just love it. I think, growing up, like looking at that mountain, I think it's absolutely beautiful. I, I, you know, I don't know if I'll do the ascent the next time or the full marathon or whatever, but yeah, I'll definitely I'll be back. It's just such a fun course and I think it's like very runnable terrain and, um, yeah, I love getting up like that much vert, um, just straight up, is amazing to me. So you got to race that sometime.
Speaker 1:It's on the list.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Honestly, I think maybe next year, I don't know. Now that my season got totally derailed, I'm like kind of like, oh, I'm just going to do everything next year, yeah.
Speaker 2:It's all happening. It's all happening.
Speaker 1:Everything, Everything. I feel like I have to be there next year. Kathy asked me on Friday she was like at the bar trail thing she's like so are you going to be? Around this year I was like I hate to tell you this, but I'm probably going to be in a Cirque, gonna be the circ series race.
Speaker 1:Sorry, that's okay, you already plan that next year next year, next year, I feel like one of these. It's like a weirder thing. I I don't know how you do like with this and like christina and others, but like everybody lives in this area, right, so it's almost like like it's a hometown race, so I almost feel like pressure, like real pressure so I'm like I'm not ready to answer that question yet.
Speaker 1:Like I don't really like I've never really run a time, like I've run time trials to bar trail or to bar camp, but I've never run one to the peak. I might do one this summer, Like once I start getting like fit again. We'll see yeah.
Speaker 2:I mean it's such a, such an awesome trail. We just have access like so, like close to where you live. And yeah, oh yeah, I could see. I mean I think especially for christina there's a lot of pressure because she's like always training on that mountain. But I also think it gives you know, gives people, local people, an advantage too, because it's like they, they know every turn and every rock and you know. So I think that's helpful. But I get what you mean. You're like I know everybody racing almost in yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's weird, it's a weird, I don't know. It's like, uh, you could spin it positively or you could spin it negatively, it's right um, all right, let's. I want to ask you been meaning to ask you about this in training. So you live in denver. Do you get out on trails a lot, or do you do a lot of your training on roads?
Speaker 2:yeah, I feel like my husband and I were just talking about this the other day. I, I think I mean no, mostly, mostly road. We live in like Wash Park area, so that's like kind of central, like in the city, not too far from downtown, a little South, but so we run, or I run, a lot around like the city park, so of course, Wash Park, Cheeseman City, and then there's like the Highline Canal is kind of like the Santa Fe that you guys have in Carter Springs, so like that fresh gravel which is nice. But yeah, I try to get on trail like both weekend days and then ideally like a Wednesday or Tuesday like a workout day.
Speaker 2:I haven't done as well with that this summer, I don't know, I don't know why. I'd be just kind of reflecting on that. I'm like why haven't I been out there as much? But it just makes for really early morning or like a late evening. But if I do go, usually I'll go to like Morrison or Golden and they have a lot of options there. I think weekends are more reserved for like Boulder or like a trip to Colorado Springs, like something like that or a little like deeper into the mountains. But yeah, that's. I think that's one sad part about living in Denver, but it's also like really close to my work and we love the park and it's close to our church. You know things that we like really value. So for now we're here, but we may I could see us moving up to like golden or evergreen or something like that someday. Yeah.
Speaker 1:Super cool. I almost asked the question like, do you think we'd ever get you back down on the Springs? But it seems like as possible, oh, all right.
Speaker 2:Maybe, maybe my parents still live down there so I could see, like you know, if we had kids or anything, that would be a good option. I think, um, it's also nice to have like a little bit of distance from there. But I also love I mean the springs is gorgeous, I think having Pikes Peak. It's just. I mean it's just the mountains are so close there, so I'm definitely we would be open to it.
Speaker 1:The access is hard. Yeah, I'm always amazed when you come to our Pikes Peak board meetings and I'm like shit, you got to drive a whole hour sitting on 25 traffic. I'm like I feel for you. That's rough man.
Speaker 2:I'm like why did they accept me on the board? I don't know why. But yeah, I try to get down there. I think it's important to be in person if I can, but I know sometimes it's just too much to drive. You give me no excuses. Like I can't go on virtually.
Speaker 1:You guys better not be logging on virtually. No, it's okay. I want to chat with you about Broken Arrow. You rolled the dice at Broken Arrow. You went out there. I think you had a great race. I know you were when we talked about it before you were being a little hard on yourself, but I have to be honest with you, dude. That was the deepest 50 K we've had on American soil.
Speaker 1:Um what was it? What was it like for you, like, how was the energy? Obviously, this wasn't the first time you've been out there, um, but this year was a little bit different as far as just like all eyes were on this race. Like what? How did it roll?
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah. So, like last year, I think this is this is my third year going to Broken Arrow. So the first year I went, three years ago, I did the 23K and then last year I did the 46K. This year again, so I think you know yeah, I agree with you Like way more competitive, of course, because it's a US selection race for Worlds and I mean I knew it was going to be more competitive. I don't know if I realized like to the depth that I was, but yeah. So last year I finished fifth, yeah, fifth place, and then this year 17th, so like quite a big change in placement.
Speaker 2:Um was, of course, hoping everybody, you know everybody racing that day wanted to like finish higher, of course, um, unless you were already in the top group. But, um, yeah, I ran faster. I mean the weather was better, but I also think I, like I don't know, I ran a smarter race. I really stayed on top of like hydration. I think I focused more on like my downhill. You know strategy of descending was better, but, yeah, I, I was.
Speaker 2:It was really fun. I mean it's always cool to get to race against like the best in the world and I mean the nation and um, yeah, those girls like went out really really fast. That was not in my like plan at all. I want it to be like maybe top, like 10 ish, maybe coming through the first lap and then at least give myself a chance to like potentially move up. But I was like honestly like 20th around there.
Speaker 2:Um, happy that I so grateful I got to run and I think they just run such a good race out there and the organization and just like the energy and the hype and like the elite housing program makes it so much more affordable than a lot of other races that you travel to. So really glad that I got to go and overall felt like pretty good during the race. I mean, of course it's hard, it's a lot of climbing and things like that, but yeah, I felt like I paced it a lot better. Um, still want me to work a little bit on some of my descending. I mean I ran a lot both years last year and this year with Amanda Basham I think I'm saying the last name correctly but um, and this year she like passed me. We've kind of yo-yo each other and she was like you got better at your descending but you could still do better. So she's really sweet, like she's funny and she cracks me up, but um she's the biggest calves I've ever seen on a human Like.
Speaker 1:I wish I had calves like that. Oh yeah, I know Crazy Anyway.
Speaker 2:But I wish I had calves like that. Oh yeah, I know Crazy. Anyway, yeah, I always pass her, always pretty much on the uphill, and then she always passes me on the downhills and I always pass her on the uphills. So I'm kind of like dang, I wish this race ended uphill. But yeah, so it was good. It was an awesome race. I love that. It's competitive and it's growing the sport and all all the attention that was like on that weekend was really awesome and especially like leading into Western States and stuff. It's just it's a really cool weekend to be part of.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Did you feel any like cause? I know I talked to a lot of people about this and, like they, some people spectated the Friday VK or sent.
Speaker 1:I should say I see, I'm the type of person when I go to like, for instance, like broken arrow, like I haven't been there in a few years, but I like to stay away from all the energy, and then, when race day happens, that's the day to do what I got to do, but there's so much energy that I feel like you can get caught up in that. Did you go spectate the ascent or did you stay away, fly in late and do your?
Speaker 2:own. Thing.
Speaker 1:What did you do?
Speaker 2:Last year we did go, I went to the ascent, but this year I didn't. I kind of was the same feeling of what you're kind of describing, of just like I don't really want to be on my feet extra. I know I will be if I go watch like. I watched the live feed, which was cool. The Hemings were kind of narrating a little bit during that, so that was really cool to see. But yeah, I didn't go, I just kind of went to like pick up my bib when it was open and available and then that was kind of it. Um, we like did a little trap.
Speaker 2:My husband and I, travis um, went and did like one of the film screenings. Like we went and saw that like after we raced um saturday night, but otherwise we kind of stayed away from the village, which is kind of a bummer because it is so fun, yeah, um. And when the race got like closed down, ours did because it was like snowing, um, also a bummer because we had to like get our food, like kind of go. But um, yeah, it was. Yeah, I kind of stayed away. But I also understand if people went like so awesome to get to see all those athletes and competing and stuff.
Speaker 1:For sure, for sure. Um race race specifically for you. Did you purposely start off easier, because I know you have experience in the 46k? I feel like so many people start off so stupid fast and it's like you either hold on or you don't, and it's like there's a lot of implosions in the first loop. Usually they're coming into the second loop did you? You were must have been aware of that and knew like, okay, I'm gonna make moves in the second lap, right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah. So, again, based on last year's experience, that did help me come up with a strategy with my coach this year. And so, yeah, last year I found myself in first at the top of the climb, the first climb right before we started descending, which was not good. So I didn't really realize I was in first. Sometimes you sometimes you're just like running and climbing and and then you find yourself like a little higher than you think and then it's too late, kind of.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, this year we did purposely, we planned to like, okay, let's watch a little bit of heart rate, um, kind of like make sure we're monitoring our how, our body's feeling, and um, really like, kind of like hold back a little bit. And so, yeah, I did kind of go out slower. I think my coach didn't want me to go out too slow. It's kind of like hard to find the balance. So did I go out too slow? I don't know. Also, people just went out so fast, hard to say. But yeah, definitely didn't want to be like trying to get in like top five or something in the beginning of the first lap, because I would have totally died.
Speaker 1:It's like writing that line trying to figure out like, okay, is this too fast, is this not? Am I in the mix? Because it's like if you don't put yourself in the mix, then you're not going to find yourself.
Speaker 2:It's a tough race to nail.
Speaker 1:That is a hard one to figure out. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Right, right, right, right. Yeah, I mean like when someone was like yelling out placements, like kind of at the first lap and it was like you're on 17th, 18th, 19th, and we were all like, oh great, you know, because that's you're kind of out of it at that point but still trying hard, but, um, yeah, it's just too far back, not too much, but yeah still in a great race, amazing and I'm sure, you must be stoked on Mammoth.
Speaker 1:You're doing the 26K, not the 50K right.
Speaker 2:I'm going to do the 50K actually. Yeah, and then I think I'm going to do the Ascent too, just for fun. I've never done like a VK thing, so I'm excited. Nice, yeah, I'm so curious you got to report back situation.
Speaker 1:I have a buddy, I have a buddy doing the 200 mile and I think I'm gonna go out there and pace them and and hang out. Yeah, it should be fun. Yeah, that's a newer race, but they add it right. I think it is. It is yeah, yeah, he's. Um, yeah. Shout out to teddy toneli uh, francesco sinceri, his podcast, the uh chasing trail. If you ever listen to it, it okay.
Speaker 2:It's a hoot.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah so all right, who do you? Let me ask you guys, who? Are you coached by Megan Roach? Are you coached by Megan Roach? I didn't know that. Talk about that experience. Like what is it like working with? Because Megan and David are, like some of my favorite humans in the sport, like, obviously, some of the best coaches. I feel like I I feel like I literally just had Sarah Carter on the podcast before this.
Speaker 1:She's coached by David, so literally the yeah, they coach kind of everybody, which is kind of cool. Uh, maybe talk about what it's like working with Megan and kind of that experience yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, Megan I mean like David, Megan is so positive. I think she's like so encouraging, um, but still like realistic Like I think she I don't know I really just appreciate that she like builds me up. Um, I'm like a words of affirmation person, so she's very like positive and like the running log um, and like a tenant to any like if I'm feeling any like niggles or like any fatigue or things like that, we'll kind of like problem solve together. But, um, yeah, she's just super positive. I think very, um like she has a lot of belief in whoever she's coaching and I think that that goes a long way with a lot of us, especially me. Just, um, that I'm like okay, Megan believes she's like tracking me. She's like always engaged with like race day stuff and um responsive over text or we usually her and I usually like schedule a phone call kind of like a week out from bigger races and just talk through everything. And that's been really nice because, um, yeah, it just kind of allows us to like kind of do a little more back and forth and get like more more answers to things that maybe you know are a little bit harder to communicate over like text or email. But um, yeah, I really enjoyed working with her a lot.
Speaker 2:She is very patient with me. I don't always update my log like super regularly, like I'll go like five days and like update it, but she's like, oh, whatever works, and she works a lot with me. I do a lot with my family like hiking or like kind of like vacationing and things like that, and so she is like totally open to kind of like adjusting things and letting me even move some stuff around if I need to, so for my work or whatever. But um, yeah, she's just a joy.
Speaker 2:She's really awesome, like so wise, and I just like love how her and David are like trying to, you know, push the sport forward and I love how like open they are about like their training and like their philosophy and like all their research and things like that. I think that's like super rare to find in writers. I feel like a lot of writers are so secretive and just kind of like private and like kind of like want to keep information to themselves, and I feel like they're really good about being like no, we want to like better everybody and at least like put it out there. So, um, yeah, she's wonderful. I love her.
Speaker 1:No, they're amazing I do. Even from their podcast, I learned a ton of information.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh.
Speaker 1:Their stuff. Oh my gosh, their stuff is like they put out like. I just listened the other day.
Speaker 1:It was like one of them there was talking about like uh, just I think it was something with strides, like 30 second strides, and then improving vo2 like only three to four weeks, and it was like, just like this new white paper that came out and I was like, damn, like they, really, like they're on the up and up, like they really know their shit, they're very, um, like they they really do, like pay attention, like they're very involved, involved with understanding, like the latest science, which is really cool.
Speaker 2:So yeah, so smart, so engaged with like all this research coming out. Yeah, I think it's. And I love when, like she starts laughing or that they crack, crack each other up and I think that's like so. So their dynamic just cracks me up, yeah.
Speaker 1:Great podcast, great podcast. So one of the cool things about you as well is you are an ambassador for Lululemon, correct? Yeah, yeah, can you talk about that, like what it's like working with it, because I know, like in the store, sometimes you do like. No, I don't want to say outreach is the right word, but yeah, like events and things like that. Yeah, yeah, maybe talk about it Like what is that all about?
Speaker 2:no-transcript they're in. So I applied to be an ambassador with them and they said yes. So I think, partially because I help coach I help coach a high school team up here, so I'm an assistant coach at Chaparral High School in Denver and so I think they liked to see that, cause I'm like involved in the community and then like I work here, you know, I run here up like you know, most days and things like that. So yeah, it's been really fun. They basically just want to like partner with their ambassadors and whatever we're passionate about and like kind of make some of our dream events and like community things come to life. So, like things that I've done, I did like a trail running, like group run, maybe early summer, like June, and that was kind of to introduce people to their new trail shoes, so the wild field shoe. They're trying to kind of like start a trail running shoe brand or line. So that was really fun.
Speaker 2:I've done like a goal setting session with, like my high school kids and, um, we're about to do like another one with the high schoolers and do like some product giveaway and um, they also like to do like little micro moments with people too. So like sometimes I'll bring in like one or two friends or co-workers or like family, neighbor, um, and they can try, like you know, a new product that just came out or um, if they just sometimes they'll just like we want to outfit one of your friends, so like, bring someone in, um. So I think I just I don't know, I think it's a very like generous brand and um, they're very like others oriented and like growth oriented and they just like really value, like movement, um, for all people. So it's been fun that is so cool.
Speaker 1:Do you live close to the store, like do you go into the store a lot to do like activations and stuff like that's kind of it's kind of.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I lived pretty close so cherry creek mall. So if you go to cherry creek mall or parkman is mall, both in denver, my picture is in both of those that's why I asked that's so cool yeah, I know it's kind of funny. Some people will just like send me a picture with you yeah and send it.
Speaker 2:I'm like, oh my gosh, you're at the mall, but um, yeah, so my home store is Cherry Creek, so that's like who I'm based at or where I'm based at. So I'll go there and sometimes I'll partner with their events too, like if they're like, oh, we're doing like a March Madness thing you know, shop experience for for people. So like I went, you know, in March and did that or things like that. But yeah, I go in like a fair amount. It'd be interesting to talk to them and see if they think I come in enough.
Speaker 2:But they don't really have any like rules about like, oh, we need you to show your face at this many times. You know they're very like flexible and just, yeah, they just want to support me and like, show me love. Yeah, they just want to support me and like show me love. I feel like, so it's been a really fun, fun group. And, yeah, my co-ambassador who's at that store, she does like train. They have like yoga train and run and so she's trained and it's been fun. I've gone to like some of her fitness classes and yeah, just like a really unique group of people in like the Colorado area just to like learn from and just I don't know. It's fun to be with some other individuals that aren't just from work or just running.
Speaker 1:That's where I was going to go with it. I don't know when you're with a bunch of trail runners, obviously that's all you talk about is trail running. It's nice to get other folks' perspectives on how they view your sport or how you view their sport and vice versa. You could talk about other things, like there's other things in life than the trail yes, so yeah, I know, I love it.
Speaker 1:I appreciate that um, yeah, no, what a cool brand and like they've made a big push in the trail, or they've been been in the last few years trying to make a big push in the trail.
Speaker 2:So yeah, absolutely, they're like go further event event with all the women a few years ago, just like running like so many miles. That was really cool. And yeah, they're always trying to, like you know, change their product to like fit the needs of what people are wanting. So, yeah, I'm excited to see what else they keep coming out with and yeah, it's been fun Super.
Speaker 1:I gotta ask you this One of the things I find very interesting about you is you give a lot back to your community. You're involved with Pike's Peak on the board, you are a coach, you do an ambassadorship with Lululemon. What does community mean to you? I know this might be a hard question to answer, but obviously community must mean a lot to you, given all the things that you do to put yourself back into it and give back.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, I think like I mean, I definitely think sometimes like doing too many things is probably like counterproductive. So I have had moments where I'm like, okay, am I like doing well in every area, you know, like in my, for my own like standards, but so sometimes it's like, okay, this is maybe too much, but I think I don't know, I just think it's really important. I love, like you know, like the cross country team. I love like youth runners, like I love, you know, young kids trying to get out there and um push themselves. So I think for me, like that group is like important to me, because I especially like to focus on, like the kids that aren't the best runners, cause like that's that was me, you know, and that's like most people, like most people aren't going to be winning every race they run and um. So I think I try to like focus on those kids that are, like you know, the B team, almost um or at least second tier, and like show them like you have value and like you're running is not just your only place of value, and also like let's see what we can do. You know, like you never know um where you can go with the sport. I think like that's important to me, like just to kind of like develop like the next group of runners and kids.
Speaker 2:I think, like Pikes Peak, like that's important to me just because it's like the board Um, just because I think that race is really cool for the community. I think, like I don't know that, just it's been around for so long and it, um, it is a pretty small race at times, um, really tight knit, so I think it's fun to like think about like how can we grow that? And, like you know what, how can we make that like better and like a great experience for so many people? And I think again, like I am passionate about like the elite runners and, like you know, obviously have been able to compete at like an elite level in many races. But I also like love the middle of the packer and I love like the last finisher too, um, because I think like that's super important to celebrate, um, and then what else? I guess, like Lululemon, that's. You know, we kind of talked about that, but yeah, I just I don't know.
Speaker 2:I think it's really important to like kind of look beyond myself. I think running can be a very selfish sport. So I think, think like it's important to like seek, you know, seek to love others. I think, and that's kind of I don't know, that's like a strong thing for me with faith too is just like it's not just about me, and so I think like if I can like show up to others or bring joy to somebody else, I think that's like great. You know, then I feel good about like the day and the year.
Speaker 1:No, I love it. And the reason I ask, like, let me ask you this, Cause I've never, even though your mom and dad live in the Springs, I haven't like crossed paths with them in a race yet. But like, uh like, did you learn that from mom and dad, or is that very much in bed, like embedded from faith, Like cause? It's just interesting to me Like I really appreciate that like thing about you because you meet a lot of folks I have a lot of folks on the podcast too, and but, just like friends and peers, you don't meet too many people that like want to give back to their community. Like people are very insular, like nowadays you know, it's like they're more.
Speaker 1:It's more about like what can I do for myself or how can someone help me. But I really appreciate folks that are like more, what can I do for you and how can I serve my community, like that's a a really rare trait that you don't see in a lot of people anymore yeah, I think probably a mix like my.
Speaker 2:I mean, my dad still does like trail maintenance stuff. He like, you know, I think both my parents like in their careers, like they were always like studying to try to be better. Like my dad was not time of choice, he would like go on missions trips, and so he'd be like studying to like see, like, okay, this random thing that I'm gonna see one time in my career, like I just want to be prepared for it. You know, like I think he like modeled a really good work ethic. My mom's a coach. She coaches at Carver College for basketball. She's an assistant coach there for the women's team, but so she's always like invested in, like youth, and so I think they both kind of like modeled, like you got to be involved in like what's going on around you and then, yeah, I do think like having the faith like baseline. That's like my whole family has that too.
Speaker 2:But, um, just like, why are we here? Like I, I believe, like I'm here to, like you know, show love to others and like point others to Jesus basically. So, um, that's why I'm like, okay, let's like take an opportunity to like get involved with some other stuff. Um, so yeah, and my husband really encourages that too I think we've had a little conversation since we've gotten married about like, okay, do we need to give something up? Is it maybe too much? Because, like when it's just me, I can do, you know, I can film my nights and stuff. But I now, being married, I'm like, okay, that's also like something I really out, like I, the wife and I, have conversations about this a lot Like what is too much? How do you balance?
Speaker 1:everything. Yeah, it's. It's a tricky thing, you know, cause you want to make sure you make time for them, you know. And also you know, make time for everything and everybody. It's. Yeah, the balancing act is. It's hard to get right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, you're similar because you do. You do a lot of things too, like outside of just like your job, and running like you work full time. You're running full time training. You know you're doing this like you're on the board, all the other things. So, yeah, you can really.
Speaker 1:It's interesting, yeah, sometimes I'm like I wish I didn't have to relate, but yeah, I get it, I get it, um, all right. So one thing I want to ask about you is like you seem like you're in such a good place with running. Like you seem like running is very healthy thing for you. Like a lot of people like put so much pressure on themselves and it seems very unhealthy to a lot of folks where it should be healthy. Like that's just me viewing you from the outside and knowing you, um, would you agree with that? Like you have a healthy relationship with running.
Speaker 2:I think, like for the most part, I think it'd be interesting, you know, to ask like family, like ask my husband that and my parents may be like do you think, because I think they probably hear a lot more of my like, frustrations or, like you know, I think I used to do a lot of like I would compare a lot on like Strava. I think Strava was really fun. I think it's also like can be really dangerous to compare a lot on that and I would like sometimes before races, like really be researching like who else is in the field, like who else you know, which can be fun but I think also damaging sometimes to like the confidence or um. So I think in like the last like year or two, I've been really like not really paying attention to like start lists, like not looking at Strava. I barely like post, like update it. I think it just like automatically uploads, but I don't like write a ton on there. Um, so I think it just like automatically uploads but I don't like write a ton on there. So I think that's been a really helpful, helpful.
Speaker 2:And the high school coach I like coach with. He always talks about, like you know, comparison is like the thief of joy, basically. So it's like if you're going to compare, like you're going to be frustrated and you're going to, you know you're going to lose some of your joy for the sport. So I'm trying to like take that to heart more I. So I'm trying to like take that to heart more.
Speaker 2:I think I still get like frustrated sometimes and I'm like, oh, I wish I was doing better, like you know. And then you kind of sit back and you're like you're trying your best, that's all you can do, and like I also know like I have some talent, but I don't. I'm not going to be an Olympian, you know. I'm just not. Like I know that and that's okay, you know, like I think it's still worth pushing hard in the sport and stuff and trying to PR, and I don't think that's just like, oh well, it doesn't matter, but I think still giving your best. But I also think if you're giving your best, that's all you can do. So I think I've just tried to take that to heart more.
Speaker 1:No, I agree, it's a difficult balance I find myself. I only follow five people on Strava I'm very picky and choosy about and I don't go on Strava and look at other people's stuff because I just don't want to mess with my psyche. I used to look at start lists. I don't look at start lists anymore. I just want to show up, knowing that I prepared the best I possibly could. Whatever happens happens If I have a shitty race, then hey, that's on me and that's the only thing you just control. What you can control because if you get caught up in that comparison is the thief of joy stuff like it's like, yeah, you can, you know, you see what other people are doing for workouts, and all this person's faster than me, or this, that and the other, and it's like right, you're just going to get in the cycle of never just being happy with you know where you're at and working towards yeah, you know, yeah, yeah, totally.
Speaker 2:I think that's really important. I think like, yeah, I think that's hard and injury. Be interested to hear how you've done that, like even in the last like month or so, because I think that's hard when you're injured too and you're just like kind of waiting I deleted the app.
Speaker 1:I didn't even go that's good, that's good, totally got off of it yeah, yeah it's uh, yeah, it's been. It's fun, like once you're coming back, because it's like, oh, you can see the numbers drop and it's like things right come back actually like surprisingly quick. I'm like, oh, that's awesome this is legit. Yeah, I was like this whole aerobic system is a cool thing.
Speaker 1:Yeah, um, but that said like, yeah, when you're, you know, you see, especially like I really was hoping to race centipede, I really wanted to do some early cirque series races and uh, yeah, you see people doing stuff, you, you're like damn, I wish I could be there, you know, and it's like you love the sport so much and it's like you just want to be, you know, with your people and, yeah, if you can't be there, it's it's a, it's a bummer but hey, it makes you appreciate it when you actually get to the start line, healthy it, when you're like feeling strong, I think that's really good yeah yeah, let me ask you this what?
Speaker 1:um? You've done a lot in your career like you, and you've had so many like amazing races. Is there anything like you haven't done yet race wise that you want to get to like? Is there any like european races or any north american races like? Is there anything like it's like a bucket list race that you'd love to do?
Speaker 2:yeah, I mean, I think like what first comes to mind is like maybe distances, like I think I would like to try to go, like longer. Um, I think I'm like getting into the high I don't know if everybody else is, but like the hundred mile high, if I'm like, oh my gosh, like after watching like western states and things like that, I'm like I'm in, I'm so sold, and then I'm like, do I want to be that hot and like that tired for that, you know, or like things like that, I don't know. So I think, longer, I would love to do a hundred mile in my life. My husband would say, no, you're not allowed, but he did a hard time, but he just raised lead mill last year, but, um, yeah, so I think I want to run further.
Speaker 2:And then I think it would be fun to go, like I would even just love to go watch like utnb or do any of that, like those races, kind of in in that time period, um, out there, just like to see some more of that trail. Um, I haven't raced in europe at all, so I think that would be really fun. I've heard it's like super steep, like technical, um, so yeah, probably I would be fun to do something international, um, but yeah, we'll just kind of see, like timing wise, I would also I want to keep running like, I want to run like another you know marathon pr, like on a road or things like that. But um, yeah, I think right now maybe focusing and going like a little further, yeah, what about you?
Speaker 1:I need to hear yours bucket list for me is probably series and all that's a race I'd like to do um, yeah, series and all, or zagama or I don't know and then I start like once I say series and all, then I say zagama and then I start opening up my brain to like a million different races but I think the top one, or you know what there's also like vks that I'd love to do.
Speaker 1:I love uphill running, um yes yeah, it's slippery slope, I don't know. You know, mount marathon's another one, I probably going to do that next year, just stuff like that. You know I can. You know we'll see where Pikes is at next year, but like Pikes is also, you know, got to throw that one on the list at some point.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but yeah, it's an entry. Yeah, that's right, I'll advocate for you.
Speaker 1:I appreciate that. I don't know. At this point, kathy and Michael probably are like I'll advocate for you. I appreciate that I don't know at this point. Kathy and michael probably are like nope, get this guy out of here. But no, in all seriousness, I um, yeah, it's like there's I don't know, it's such a cool sport and there's so much to do, so it's like, especially now, like I'm old, I'm 34, the clock's ticking so it's like start getting to more stuff, as I, you know, start to age out of like anything that would be like competitive.
Speaker 2:So yeah, yeah, well, there's still hope. There's still who won? Was it um Joe's old hard rock or something? Yeah, and.
Speaker 1:Ludo Vuck Pomeroy, yeah, ludo's like 50,. It's like 49, 50. So crazy.
Speaker 2:That's cool to see.
Speaker 1:I love that there there's longevity, like, and I think where things are at now, I don't know. You know the way technology is like. I'm just yeah I'm just now like coming back from india. I'm starting to like really lean into for the first time ever like like getting hardcore about like recovery stuff stuff like I never used to do before. I know you can understand this as a pt. Like everything from like um, I almost said micro needling. What is it, the um?
Speaker 1:oh, dry needling yeah I've gotten really into that and that's helped a ton Go ahead All kinds of stuff.
Speaker 2:Yeah, cold plunge.
Speaker 1:Do the cold plunge now.
Speaker 2:Yes, sleep I sleep a lot.
Speaker 1:Yeah, sleep is important, but yeah, all that stuff Absolutely. Well, listen, sarah, I think we're pretty close to an hour, all right, so let's get to some ending questions. I've got some fun ones for you.
Speaker 2:First one is who inspires you? That's a good one. Who inspires me, I think, I would say, unless I have to stick with a runner, but he might be mad at me, but my brother. My brother really inspires me a lot. He does actually run. He's like a? Um big dude. Uh, he's in the Navy, he flies helicopters and he, um, yeah, he is just like this massive dude that really trains so hard to run marathons, like road marathons and just like workhorse, like complete, like, yeah, just so mentally tough, um, and always like he always believes in the others around him and stuff. And so I think, I don't know, he just really really strong, um, just mentally and physically, but, um, really awesome dude, everybody loves him, everybody. So, yeah, he's he. I think he's my inspiration. A lot of times when I'm working out, I'm like okay, if he can do this and like drag his body through, um, all that he does. I think I need to keep pushing yeah, it's a good one, super cool.
Speaker 1:I get asked the music question do you uh listen to music and workouts like running workouts?
Speaker 2:I haven't for a while. Um, I listen to, like during like easy stuff I easy days. I will listen to like you know. Like I'll listen to your podcast. I'll'll listen to you know. Yeah, david and Megan, I listen to a lot of like audio books, probably more than music right now, but, yeah, definitely not on workouts. I like to just like I just don't even bring my phone or like headphones.
Speaker 1:Oh I like that. I like that. See like I'm the opposite Easy stuff. I don't listen to music, but like if it's a track workout I gotta have something going. I hate listening to myself breathing heavy Like it's so weird. No, no, I don't race with music. In fact it's funny Like I hadn't raced in a while, and then I went and raced Killington and like obviously, race effort feels different than most things and it's like man, you start getting going and you're listening to yourself breathing. You're like shit, I hate this, I hate myself.
Speaker 2:I hate everyone here.
Speaker 1:I just want to quit like this I want to be done. Yeah, yep, just want to be it's, so it's. Yeah, it's. The ripping the band-aid off is so much fun, but yeah, it's that listening to yourself breathe is awful. Uh, do you? Do you have like a hype up on though, like, do you listen to like anything before races, or anything like that?
Speaker 2:honestly, no interesting. Yeah, I am not a music I had so bad. I like I'm not cultured. I feel like in that way, I just like do not listen to music and if I do, everybody's gonna hate me for this. I listen to, like country music that's my dad likes country everybody.
Speaker 1:I've been on country kicks before, yeah yeah, so, yeah.
Speaker 2:So right now, though, like truly like nothing. I can't even tell you like last time I like opened Spotify, besides like podcast stuff.
Speaker 1:Cool, cool.
Speaker 2:Everybody's different. Everybody's different yeah.
Speaker 1:Um I you know, I've never asked you this and it's hard for me to get a read on you about this. Are you super competitive or like on a scale of like one to one to ten like? Where do you fall on that, on that scale?
Speaker 2:yeah, I think I like come across like very, like, sweet, kind, nice, but at least I think um, but yeah, I think I'm pretty competitive. I would say I mean I would say like 10, like I do not like to lose it. Like board games, I don't like to, you know, like I do not like people like cheating on things, I I don't like, you know, I don't know I'm pretty competitive, yeah.
Speaker 1:Oh, okay, all right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, it's like hidden beneath the nice exterior. Inside, it's just like, yeah, yeah, it's in there.
Speaker 1:All right, All right. So when you're playing board games with the husband, he's in, he's in fear. Then he doesn't he doesn't win.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, I won't be like mean or angry but I'm like I definitely want to win, like I'm not just going to be like, oh, like, even when I I work at, you know, craig hospital and so I like work with patients with, like, brain injury, spinal cord injury, so like we'll be playing games sometimes.
Speaker 1:Take a breath, it's okay. Yeah, well, listen, sarah. Thank you so much for coming on. This is a great conversation, hopefully the first of many. I always love having you on the pod. Well, we're going to do an in-person. I think we should do one at like Colorado running company. We should maybe after mammoth I think that'd be kind of fun to do a race debrief. Talk about your time there.
Speaker 2:And yeah, that'd be kind of fun cool yeah, I love it.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much for your time.
Speaker 2:Yeah, thank you for coming on. Appreciate it have a good one.
Speaker 1:What'd you guys think? Oh man, what a great episode. Thanks sarah so much for coming on the podcast. Um, like I said, really appreciate it. And the best way you can support sarah is if you want to give her a follow on instagram. You can find her at sar S-A-R-A-H-H-H Kushner. So three R's yeah, just type in Sarah Kushner, you'll find her. And give her a follow. Let her know what she thought about the episode. Yeah, she's a beast, amazing athlete in her own right and yeah, just amazing for what she does for the community.
Speaker 1:Guys, if you enjoyed this episode, please give us a five-star rating and review, or on apple, spotify, youtube or wherever you consume your podcasts. We would greatly appreciate that. That's how we can continue telling the stories of all these amazing athletes. Guys, tonight it's going to be a big night. We've got uh, at 11 o'clock pm, mountain standard time.
Speaker 1:Uh, a, the second half of, uh, I should say both halves of the steep stuff podcast collaboration with the sub hub. Um, big stuff, really excited for that. It's going to be the state of sub ultra dropping tonight at 11 PM. Uh, part one will be dropped on the sub hub podcast. Part two will be dropped on the steep stuff podcast. So keep an eye out on that. Um, it's like a cross promotional kind of thing so we can promote both podcasts. It's kind of dope. Uh yeah, danny and MK are amazing, so appreciate them for bringing me on. So, guys, have a great rest of your week. Thanks so much. Tune in people. What's going on? It is summer guys, super exciting adventures in the mountains, summer races Um, you know it's about that time to start thinking about your gear, you know I, uh, I want to say our brand partner, ultimate directions, got you guys covered, pop on over to ultimate directioncom.
Speaker 1:Check out a whole quiver of a quiver and, uh, new vests and belts that have just dropped um. Pop on over to check out the new race and ultra vests race vest and a six liter, the ultra vest and a 12 and beautiful new aesthetic colorways Definitely dynamic and stretchy, cool new materials and definitely something that can definitely buff out your kit for 2025. On top of that, we did just drop a brand new pole quiver that's compatible for all of these vests Definitely something you're going to want to add. And if you're not a vest person, pop on over to the belt section. You can check out the utility belt and the comfort belt. The utility belt is a little bit more of an ultra belt more storage capacity, a little bit thicker and ability to hold poles. The comfort belt's a little bit smaller Think sub ultra or workout maybe oriented belt that's going to hold your gels and your phone. Still super durable but just a little bit tinier for those smaller adventures or maybe shorter races like a Cirque series race or something like that in the mountains.
Speaker 1:So pop on over to ultimate directioncom. They have you covered for all your hydration solutions. Use code steep stuff pod for 25% off. Again, that's steep stuff. Pod one word for 25% off. Ultimate Direction's got you covered and if you have any questions, shoot me a DM, let me know. I'd be happy to answer any product-related questions for you guys. So thanks, so much. Check out Ultimate Direction. Thank you, we'll see you next time.
