About this episode
Send us a text Trail running defies easy categorization, and Jane Maus embodies this truth perfectly. From soccer fields to technical mountain ridges, Jane's athletic journey has been anything but conventional. In this revealing conversation, she takes us behind the scenes of her recent Black Canyon 100K experience, where stomach issues forced her to drop at mile 46 despite running alongside the elite women. Jane doesn't just race trails—she lives them. After relocating to Boulder from Salt Lake City, she now shares a house at 8,500 feet with professional runners Johnny Luna-Lima, Bailey Kowalczyk, and Chris Myers. This immersive environment has transformed her training, though she admits the intensity can be overwhelming. "Everything is running-focused," she explains, which proves beneficial when healthy but challenging during injuries or downtime. What sets Jane apart is her identity as a mountain athlete first and runner second. Her climbing background and comfort on technical terrain have shaped her racing success, most notably at last year's A-Basin Cirque Series where she took the overall women's win against a stacked field. That performance caught industry attention and ultimately led to her partnership with La Sportiva—a connection she initiated herself by reaching out directly. As a registered dietitian now working alongside renowned mountain sports nutritionist Vic Johnson, Jane brings professional insight to her fueling strategy, making her candid discussion of her Black Canyon nutrition failures particularly valuable. The conversation weaves through her mixed feelings about the sport's commercialization, her dream FKT attempts like the Wasatch Ultimate Ridge Linkup, and how she maintains authenticity in an increasingly media-driven environment. Whether you're navigating your own relationship with running, curious about high-altitude training, or figuring out how to fuel your ultramarathons, Jane's thoughtful perspective offers both practical wisdom and inspiration. Follow her journey as she continues blending competitive racing with the pure joy of moving through mountains. Follow Jane on IG - @_janemaus_ Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Ultimate Direction just launched their new Race 6L & Ultra 12L vests ! Go pick one out in their beautiful onyx & green and white & blue colorways and use code steepstuffpod for 25% off ! 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 !