A Pre-UTMB Visit with Katie Schide
As longtime friends, we’re so pleased to share this conversation with Katie Schide.
Katie and Run the Alps go way back…to earlier days in our trail running lives. Katie, Run the Alps founder Doug Mayer, and shared pal Hillary Gerardi— now a champion Skyrunner– all had their trail running starts in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. One by one, they made their way to the Alps, and have closely followed each other’s progress.
Katie got her PhD in Geology during her first years in Europe, and now is a full-time athlete for The North Face. Originally from Maine, she grew up hiking in New England with her dad and working summers in the hut system in New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest. She lives in France’s Maritime Alps with her partner Germain Granger, also a North Face trail runner.
This year, Katie already has wins at The Canyons Endurance Runs 100km and Western States Endurance Run, where she scored the second fastest time in Western States history - 15:46:57, not far behind last year’s astounding course record of 15:29:33 from Courtney Dauwalter.
In 2024, she’ll once again be at the start line of UTMB. Katie’s no stranger to the UTMB Mont-Blanc® series. She’s run CCC, OCC, and the UTMB three times, with an impressive win in 2022.
Here’s our visit with Katie:
Run the Alps: You’ve run all sorts of ultras, all around the world. What, in your mind, sets UTMB apart from other ultras?
Katie: I would say the first, for sure, is that UTMB is the most reliable place to find a really high level of competition. Nobody is there just as a training race, nobody’s there with only half of their training done. Everybody’s there because they want to do something special. That brings a new level of energy to the race. Everyone is trying to bring their very best to the starting line.
Then of course, there’s the sheer number of people. People are out on the course supporting the runners– even in the middle of the night. It’s so loud when you go through Chapieux. You don’t get that anywhere else. There’s so much energy, both from the runners and all the people surrounding the race.
Run the Alps: Everyone talks about the energy and emotion of being at the UTMB start line in Chamonix– that it is somehow tangibly different. Has that been your experience? Or, racing at your level, are you focused on putting that energy aside? What does it feel like?
Katie: There’s a ton of energy around the race and it’s something you have to learn how to use to your advantage.
It’s something I’ve had to get used to over the years. I’m trying to get better at finding a way to use it in a positive way, and not let it feel overstimulating or even crushing. I can get overstimulated very quickly and that takes a lot of my energy. So, trying to harness that energy in a positive way can be a challenge for me. I’d like to use it as motivation, rather than feeling like it’s something holding me back.
Run the Alps: You’ve crossed that famous finish line in– we imagine– all kinds of states over the years. What’s the range of emotions you’ve experienced coming back into Chamonix?
Katie: I’ve crossed the finish line in very different states of mind over the last few years. Starting with CCC in 2018, I was so happy with one of my first really big results on a big stage. I was second, Germain finished fifth, and his family crewed for us. I think that might even be my happiest finish line here in Chamonix. It was really special, maybe because it was my first time coming into Chamonix, and I also felt like everything went well. I remember being really happy not only for myself, but for Germain and our little team.
My first two UTMBs left me quite sad. [Editor’s note: Katie placed 6th at the 2019 UTMB, and 8th at the 2021 UTMB.] My first UTMB was in 2019, and I didn’t really know where to set my expectations. So, I was a little disappointed. I think I had dreamed a little too big, and had a really hard time just getting to the finish line. Ultimately, I was proud of myself for finishing because it was my first 100-mile race, ever. I had some mixed emotions that year.
Then came 2021. I was so disappointed in myself, I cried at the finish line. As athletes, we think about this race for the whole year. Again, I think I set my sights beyond where I was at with my fitness and preparedness.
Mid-race, when I realized it just wasn’t going to be my day, I started crying in Arnuva. Honestly, I just tried to hold it together. I was super determined to get to the end, but I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty. It wasn’t going to be how I had dreamed. But I got there. Looking back, it’s kind of unfortunate how sad I was at the finish line. That’s what sport is though. It’s about not knowing what can happen and trying to figure out what to do with what you’re given.
I was just wrecked. But I was happy for Germain, who finished fifth. That’s something nice for us: even if one of us has an off day, there’s often still something to celebrate. I tried to put my race aside and be happy for his performance.
And then in 2022, I was obviously really happy with my race. [Editor’s note: Katie won UTMB in 23:15:12.] That’s the best I could have ever dreamed of. Getting to the finish line was a mixture of relief and exhaustion. And a bit sad too because Germain’s day hadn’t gone that well. [Editor’s note: Covid made its rounds during that year’s UTMB, forcing Germain and several other athletes to drop from the race.]
I definitely felt a whole spectrum of emotions each year coming into Chamonix.
Thinking about this race all year, we come into it with our own expectations. And whether we like it or not, we also come in with the expectations of others, which we try not to focus on too much. But this mix of expectations sets us up for lots of emotions.
Run the Alps: Do you have a favorite stretch of the UTMB race course? What about one that you have really come to dread?
Katie: If you were to tell me I can go for a run on any part of the course, I would go to Col de La Seine and the Val Veny. Both the French and Italian sides are absolutely gorgeous, especially when there aren’t too many tourists and getting to see the area in daylight. Unfortunately, during the race, it’s always a tough part of the race because you’re in the middle of the night, it’s dark, and still sort of the beginning with a whole lot left to go.
My least favorite part of the course is actually very specific. It’s right when you exit the last aid station at La Flégère. There’s an incredibly steep descent before you get onto the piste to start the real descent. It’s so steep and in the worst time of the race where you’re falling apart. It’s always painful to get down this tiny, super-steep section. If you know where I’m talking about, you know. That’s definitely my least favorite part of the course!
Run the Alps: What’s ahead for you this trail season?
Katie: I’m actually running UTMB again this year, and what’s ahead of me is … UTMB. I’ve never done two 100-mile races this close together – I’m interested to see how it goes. [Editor’s note: Katie won Western States just 2 months earlier.]
Last year, I took everyone’s advice to not run UTMB, and did the 55 km OCC instead. I was super excited to run OCC, and it seemed like a good opportunity to try something new, but I kind of played it on the safe side last year.
Now, I just want to see what’s possible. Can I do both Western States and UTMB? There’s always a chance I blow up horrifically in the middle of this race, but that’s the fun part of the sport – I’m curious to try.
Also, having been away from the race for two years, I’m wondering if I can find some improvements.
Then, there’s the female start list. There are only a few races in the year with this many strong women on the start line. I really want to be part of it, and use the strengths of those other women to help see where my best is at now. I’m excited to be out there racing with these other girls. I think it’s going to be an interesting race. That’s what’s motivating me at the moment.
Run the Alps: Having run UTMB three times, what advice would you give to yourself the first time?
Katie: I always say I wouldn’t give myself any advice. I think it’s important to learn things firsthand and not skip any steps. It’s nice when people can get things to work the first time. I’m inspired by those people. But I think I’m someone who needs to learn the hard way, no matter how painful and uncomfortable it can be. I think what’s gotten me to where I’m at now is learning those things on my own. So, I don’t think it’s a good idea to go back and change anything.
Run the Alps: Everyone running UTMB has to have ticked off at least a few ultras simply to qualify. Presumably, they know the basics. But what advice do you have that is specific to UTMB?
Katie: Number one is to be ready for anything. The weather can be anywhere from super hot and sunny to snowing. Be aware that you can face any weather, and it’s not really the time to skimp on the required gear. Even when the weather is warm during the day, it can be super cold on some of the high passes in the middle of the night. It’s always good to have everything with you in case you get cold and want to put on a jacket or pants or gloves or a hat. I’ve put on all of those things during UTMB before, so just keep that in mind.
Number two would be to take a few moments every couple hours to simply enjoy where you’re at. It’s really easy to put your head down on these trails and zone out, because they are quite non-technical. That’s good to do sometimes in an ultra, but I occasionally like to take a moment, look up, and say, “Wow, this is really cool!” Outside of the race hype, what we’re doing is really amazing – I’m going on this big run in a beautiful part of the world. I think it’s important to take some moments to savor the experience.
My third piece of advice is to use the energy you find along the course. There are so many people supporting the race. Soak it all in. Enjoy those moments when you see people out in crazy places cheering and saying, “Hi!” That’s not something you get in every race. It’s not something to take for granted.
Katie, good luck out there on your next loop around Le Mont Blanc. We’ll be cheering for you!
Katie’s UTMB results:
2023 UTMB – OCC 2nd
2022 UTMB 1st
2021 UTMB 8th
2019 UTMB 6th
2018 UTMB – CCC 2nd
Learn more about Katie Schide:
The Rise of Trail Running’s Quiet Champion Katie Schide
Courtney Dauwalter, Ludovic Pommeret Win Hardrock 100 in Course-Record Time
We Have Nothing But We Have Everything
Katie Schide | 2024 Western States 100 Pre-Race Interview
The Marmots : Katie and Germain
