Katie Schide, an American living in France, has fully adapted to the big mountain lifestyle that living in mountainous Europe affords. In 2022, she won France’s UTMB — her fourth finish in a race that would appear close to her comfort zone. But the following year, she took on a very different kind of challenge — the hot and fast 2023 Western States 100 in California.
“Step by Step,” a new short film by The North Face, looks at her journey between these two big goals, and how she adapted her training to approach the different races.
With insights from Topher Gaylord, her Western States 100 pacer; her partner and 2023 UTMB third-place man, Germain Grangier, and from Schide herself — the film offers a unique insight into the preparation and psyche of one of the world’s best ultra endurance athletes. She confides that her UTMB win brought her new confidence, but also added pressure and expectations heading into her next major competition.
With breathtaking scenes from both UTMB and the Western States 100, and commentary from Schide on the peaks and troughs she experienced throughout her Western States 100 debut, where she took second and finished under the existing course record, the film is sure to provide inspiration and build stoke for your next ultra adventure.
Katie Schide taking second at the 2023 Western States 100. Photo: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
