About this episode
Send us a text From defending 28K champion to 50K challenger, Robin Lesch brings her trademark consistency and strategic approach to this year's Speedgoat 50K. The mountain ultrarunner from Durango shares a refreshingly honest assessment of her racing philosophy: "I'll either blow up, and that'll be a learning, or I won't, and that'll be a learning." Robin's consistency across diverse race distances and terrains stands out in a sport where many experience dramatic performance swings. She attributes this to her measured racing style—staying within herself during the first half before hunting down competitors in the latter stages. With coaching from Robbie Britton for four years, she's developed a dependable approach that regularly lands her near podium positions. Training in Durango provides the perfect playground for mountain race preparation. With the La Plata Mountains essentially in her backyard and the San Juans just an hour away, Robin has easy access to punishing vertical gain—ideal for preparing for Speedgoat's brutal 11,000 feet of climbing. She's also simplified her nutrition strategy over time, moving away from complicated plans to focus primarily on gels and water, with her sister Celia providing crucial crew support during the race. What truly sets Robin apart is her mindset toward goal-setting. Rather than fixating on placement or times, she focuses on process-oriented objectives: pushing hard on specific sections or maintaining a higher effort throughout. This approach allows her to concentrate on her own performance rather than getting caught up in what others are doing. As women's ultrarunning continues to evolve with increasingly competitive fields, Robin's thoughtful approach to racing and training offers valuable insights for runners at all levels looking to find consistency and joy in mountain ultras. Follow Robyn on IG ! - @Trails4Smiles 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 ! 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 !