Episode 40: Katie Asmuth on Winning Bandera 100k and Running with Joy & Gratitude

by Nikki Parnell — January 22, 2021 — 📸: Howie Stern

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This week we chat with Katie Asmuth – a mom of two boys, a nurse practitioner and the recent winner of the 2021 Bandera 100k. Many of you out there have probably heard of Katie – she is now known as the woman who broke her nose mid race, shoved a tampon up it and still went on to win and secure a golden ticket to Western States 100 in June. We get to hear all of the glorious play by play leading up to the race and of course the gory events as they transpired. What stood out to me was her humor and how she embraces the true ultra runner spirit of smiling through the suck, not taking herself too seriously and rolling with the punches that can happen during a race – even if those punches are to the face! It really was hilarious hearing about how spontaneously the stars had to align for Katie to even make it to this race (ex: got both of the COVID vaccines, decided to run a couple days before the race, managed to fly to Texas, and borrowed a crew and pacers she had never met from Ryan Miller, the winner of Bandera on the men’s side). 

And I’m not going to call it rivalry because it really seems more like camaraderie and friendship at this point, but we loved hearing Katie talk about racing other women, especially Emily Hawgood who finished 3rd at Bandera and who Katie had finished behind at IMTUF back in September. Now Katie is going to pace Emily in Black Canyon 100k in February with the hope of helping Emily earn a golden ticket to Western. That says a lot about Katie’s character and true desire of wanting everyone to succeed – even if they are her competition. She wants women to work together, feed off each other’s strength and bring out the best in each other.

In this episode we also get a snapshot of Katie’s history in this sport of ultra running and how her running has evolved from frolicking in the mountains to a more serious (but still fun) frolic as she’s learned how to train hard and race at a competitive level. She is coached by David Roche who has taught her to run with perspective and self-worth while keeping things joyful (because there’s no point in doing this sport if you’re not enjoying it)! Both Katie and her husband are endurance athletes, so they balance training together and find success by communicating about their goals, scheduling their A-races a couple months apart when possible and supporting each other 100%. Her boys seem to be invested in her running as well. When her kids first saw her after Bandera they were scared because of the swelling and abnormal coloration on their mom’s face, but once they knew she was OK they saw her as a hardcore warrior (while also letting her in on the secret that next time she races she should probably look where she’s going). 

So while Katie is a badass mother runner, she also has a passion outside of running – her job as a nurse practitioner at a low-income clinic serving vulnerable, underserved populations. She has seen a lot of struggle, especially in 2020. Katie acknowledges her own privilege, doesn’t take her life for granted and carries a deep sense of gratitude with her into all parts of her life. She inspires us to bring joy into what we’re doing each day – whatever our jobs are or passions, we can lift up others with joy and gratitude. Even as runners, we can inspire others to move, come together in community and we can be a platform for change.

We were so energized by talking with Katie and we hope you have FUN listening to this episode! Click the link below or search “Run Hard Mom Hard” on you preferred podcast platform to hear it! Don’t forget to subscribe and share with all your friends! Thank you!

Show Notes:

Find Katie on Instagram

Read more of Katie’s story in this article written by coach David Roche and the Bandera 100k Preview and Recap articles on Treeline Journal written by Chase

Katie’s coach: David Roche with SWAP coaching

Katie’s sponsor: Fluid Nutrition

Katie’s Favorite Race: Angeles Crest 100

Katie’s Favorite Meal: A couple staples in Katie’s household; she diversifies her kids’ meals by having them pick colors from the rainbow that they might be missing on their plates, the whole family eats massive cereal bowls for breakfast filled with all the good stuff (multiple kinds of cereals, berries, chia seeds, cacao, etc…) and they always have their Asmuth Family Dutch Apple Babies for every holiday and birthday (a lot of butter and a lot of love).

Asmuth Family Dutch Apple Baby Recipe:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3 tsp cinnamon
• 3 green apples, peeled and sliced
• 5 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup flour
• 1 lemon
• Powdered sugar, optional

Preheat oven to 400. In frying pan, slowly cook on low heat the butter, sugar, cinnamon and apples. While apples are simmering, blend together eggs, milk and flour. Pour blended mixture into skillet over the hot apples and quickly place skillet into the oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes. To test for doneness, insert a clean knife into the center. If mixture is still doughy bake 2 more minutes and check again. Serve with lemon and powdered sugar.

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