Reigning UTMB champion Katie Schide is working her first Western States 100. On this interview, she talks about her preparation for a extra runnable extremely than what she’s accustomed to, and her pleasure at having her household right here to cheer her on.
For extra on who’s racing, try our in-depth ladies’s and males’s previews. Comply with together with our WS 100 reside race protection on Saturday.
Katie Schide Pre-2023 Western States 100 Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Sarah Brady of iRunFar. I’m right here earlier than the 2023 Western States 100, and I’m with Katie Schide. Katie, how are you?
Katie Schide: I’m doing alright. I’m a little bit bit chillier than I anticipated, although.
iRunFar: Yeah, I believe it’s chillier than all of us anticipated. So, you’re from the States, however you’ve been residing in Europe, and also you’ve been doing most of your racing over there. So, does it really feel actually particular and completely different to be nearer to residence and at the beginning of an iconic American extremely?
Schide: Yeah, I might say nearer to residence, in that I’m in the identical nation, however I’m truly from Maine. So, it’s fairly removed from right here. However yeah, it’s fascinating to be in a spot extra like the place I grew up, and there’s extra older mates round who I’ve identified for an extended time period. In order that’s cool. And this would be the first time my household will be at one in every of my huge races. So, I’m actually enthusiastic about that.
iRunFar: That’s thrilling. Are they crewing for you, or they simply are available in right here to look at?
Schide: My sister might be serving to with crewing, however my dad and mom, I allow them to off the hook. They’re simply going to be in help mode.
iRunFar: Yeah, it’s essential to have steadiness as nicely. So, how lengthy have you ever been over right here making ready? I believe you have been in Flagstaff for some time, have been you?
Schide: Yeah, I came to visit on the finish of April, and I’ve been in Flagstaff since then. I had fun, and it was enjoyable to be within the desert for a couple of months.
iRunFar: Nice. So that you’re clearly the reigning UTMB champ, and also you’re higher identified for actually mountainous races. However you probably did a 50-miler in Paris, a reasonably speedy one lately, that was fairly flat. So was that a part of your Western States plan?
Schide: Yeah, I in all probability wouldn’t have run Eco Path Paris if it I hadn’t been fascinated with Western States. It’s a race I’d been for some time, however it by no means actually slot in with the ski season, so to say, till this 12 months. It was a superb problem, and it positively gave me one thing to have behind my thoughts all through the winter of perhaps, let’s say, much less inspiring runs.
iRunFar: And what was ending a race on the Eiffel Tower?
Schide: One of the best story about that’s that I used to be instructed that it completed on the primary ground of the Eiffel Tower, so I used to be pondering it was only one flight of stairs. So I approached the steps at a run and realized that the primary ground is definitely, they meant the massive bridge that connects the primary degree. So perhaps it was 10 flights of stairs. So truly, the tip was fairly painful as a result of I used to be not anticipating a lot climbing.
iRunFar: And lots of people watching as nicely, so you may’t actually again off the tempo?
Schide: Yeah, fortunately within the stairwell, nobody can see you. However once you get to the highest, yeah.
iRunFar: Okay. So, I used to be simply questioning what sort of introduced you to Western States? Is it simply that you just bought the Golden Ticket and also you’re like, Oh, I’ll do that, or is it one thing you’ve needed to do for some time?
Schide: It’s positively one thing I’ve needed to do for some time. Nevertheless it simply by no means actually match, and I didn’t have the fitting 12 months to sort of goal a Golden Ticket. And the entire stuff that goes into making an attempt to get a Golden Ticket was just a bit too complicated. And I’d had my sights set on UTMB for a very long time. So when UTMB went nicely, and I bought a Golden Ticket in like September of final 12 months, then it completely made sense to take it and sort of goal this 12 months in direction of a brand new occasion.
iRunFar: Good. So, what’s been actually completely different about making ready for this versus UTMB?
Schide: That’s an enormous query. No poles, no required gear. Operating much more. Not mountaineering as a lot. Yeah, getting used to the warmth. A variety of issues. Yeah. I spent in all probability method too lengthy debating the working vest versus handheld factor. So, there’s been numerous issues in my head.
iRunFar: Yeah. I’ve carried out UTMB races as nicely, and I’ve a lot anxiousness with the gear examine, moreso than the run. Yeah, so simply curious to see the way you’ll strategy race day. As a result of in UTMB you ran a very courageous race. You took it out actually onerous, and also you managed to carry on. So, I’m simply questioning, are we going to see one thing related this weekend? Or are you going to inform us?
Schide: I actually don’t know. I believe it can, we’ll see what occurs as soon as the race begins, and the way issues progress, yeah, by way of the patchy snow and this starting half. I’ve by no means seen the primary 50k, so I actually don’t know what’s going to occur there. And it’ll additionally rely how different folks begin. I do know UTMB begins at like a dash, primarily. And I’m anticipating this to not exit as sizzling, hopefully. It might be good to have a couple of stress-free kilometers in the beginning. However, we’ll see. I believe all of it simply relies upon how I really feel.
iRunFar: See the way it unfolds? Yeah, so I do know you haven’t seen the entire course. So, is there something from what you’ve seen, or what you haven’t seen, that you just’re simply excited to get to and to see on race day?
Schide: Yeah, I’ve heard so much in regards to the starting being actually stunning within the excessive nation, and I haven’t seen that half but. In order that’s sort of what excites me essentially the most proper now.
iRunFar: Yeah, that ought to be fab. So after the race, are you going to move residence for some time? Are you spending extra time within the States or is it again to Europe?
Schide: Yeah, again residence to France on Tuesday. And yeah, I’m wanting ahead to the race, however I’m additionally very a lot wanting ahead to being again within the Alps, and again with my associate, Germain [Grangier], and with family and friends there.
iRunFar: Okay, fab. It’s good to have that to stay up for. So yeah, better of luck, and we are able to’t wait to observe you on the market.
Schide: Thanks.
