A Look Forward to Operating Hardrock – iRunFar

In two days, I’ve the dignity of getting to start out the Hardrock 100 after a half-decade break. In contrast to my three earlier runs, I received’t be heading into the race in peak health, however my latest coaching has confirmed to me I’m match sufficient to complete (acknowledging that numerous issues can derail a race.)

What follows isn’t meant to be any form of cohesive dissertation. I suppose I intention for it to be an correct pre-race accounting for myself that I’m sharing in case there’s something that others can glean from it. For ease of navigation, you possibly can soar forward to sections on On-Course Situations, Preparedness and Confidence, Shifts in Mindset, Help, Gear, and Ephemeral Ideas.

On-Course Situations

This yr’s Hardrock will probably be a yr of fireside and ice.

The San Juan Mountains had a giant snow yr and there’ll be loads of snow close to the occasion’s excessive level of Handies Peak and much more later within the course. This’ll imply slippery situations in lots of locations, not simply on snow, however within the more-frequent-than-normal moist sections of path and tundra. On the upside, there’ll even be loads of water to drink on the course, which isn’t all the time the case.

On the hearth facet, it’s forecast to be a excessive of 80 levels Fahrenheit on Friday at 9,300 toes in Silverton, Colorado, the place the occasion begins and finishes. That doesn’t sound scorching, however with a bluebird high-altitude sky, these are puke-fest temperatures. A good afternoon breeze is forecast, which matches up with our unseasonable winds of late. Additionally, it’s forecast to be extraordinarily low relative humidity, like single digits. This mixture of wind and really low humidity may present a little bit of aid warmth smart, particularly for runners who moist themselves in creeks and at help stations. However, it’s really easy to get fairly dehydrated in these situations during which runners are unlikely to note a lot sweat aside from the very warmth of the afternoon. Additionally, I’d guess that the extraordinarily dry air may result in extra higher respiratory irritation amongst runners than most years.

Preparedness and Confidence

I’ve assessed myself at a B-level of health going into Hardrock. For a mess of causes (together with a protracted, exhausting winter, my troublesome Achilles, and a personally unsettled first half of the yr), I didn’t begin coaching in earnest till Could. Sure, I ran each day all winter and definitely maintained first rate base health, however I didn’t run any lengthy runs after January and my general coaching quantity was modest.

In all actually, I thought-about not operating Hardrock this yr. There’s no method I’d begin Hardrock considering I had something lower than a a lot stronger than even likelihood of ending. Fortuitously, I turned a nook in Could. Of all issues, I really feel like a spontaneous hill exercise helped me course-correct. That run and a sequence of different hill exercises within the following weeks helped me construct calf energy and confidence in my Achilles. Additionally they received me again on the rehab prepare. Certain, there have been some health positive aspects to be made, however these have been true rust shakers that received my physique and thoughts buzzing alongside once more.

Whilst Could wrapped up, I’d not run longer than 16 miles nor had I logged considerable vert, each points which I’d already be crushing by that point in earlier Hardrock buildups. That modified as I kicked off June with a 50-kilometer run/fish journey. Considerably surprisingly, it went rather well, with me feeling good late within the run, and even after two days of journey instantly thereafter. I adopted this with a busy week protecting the Path World Championships in Austria, however with a twist. You see, the Alps soar skyward from the outskirts of Innsbruck. In simply three quarters of a mile from our house, I may begin climbing and never cease for 4,000 vertical toes, typically in bits of as much as 1,600 vertical toes per mile. That week, and through a barely extra relaxed week thereafter in Innsbruck and, then, Nuestift im Stubai, allowed me to get my vert on. Fortuitously, my physique held collectively.

Again residence late in June, I used to be lastly capable of run the San Juan Solstice 50 Mile in close by, however far-to-drive Lake Metropolis, Colorado. Ostensibly, nearly all the things went rather well throughout Solstice. My legs and vitality typically held up and I used to be capable of eat rather well all through, with a deliberate easing over the lengthy stretch close to and above 13,000 toes on the Continental Divide Path. My foremost subject was heel blisters — a ultra-career-long nemesis for all 50-mile-and-longer races — that drastically slowed me on the very steep and rocky begin to the second descent and, admittedly, took the wind out of my sails. Though I shouldn’t have had any expectations, having the race go fairly darn properly and operating almost 13 hours was deflating for a pair days. Fortuitously, that handed, even when it did give a snapshot of my health. Even on the end, I used to be fairly psyched to have almost doubled my longest run of the yr, whereas operating robust within the later miles and feeling fairly properly on the end. That constructive evaluation was buoyed after I had no points within the days to comply with other than fully affordable fatigue. My Achilles have been good, my quads weren’t crushed, and all the things else labored properly sufficient.

Precisely two weeks out from Hardrock, my expectations shattered on a run. I began exterior of Silverton, climbing Prospect Gulch for the primary time. All good. Nonetheless, as quickly as I began the steepish rocky descent, I had a pointy ache in my left facet just under my ribcage. Two weeks earlier, I’d fallen exhausting sideways whereas descending on my final run in Austria. Slightly than hit my facet, I braced myself and had a pointy ache precisely the place this ache had surfaced. I made my method painfully down Prospect Gulch and began slowly operating the now mellow descent. Strolling rapidly adopted. I slowly walked/jogged the seven miles again towards city, hoping to hitchhike my method again at any level, however no vehicles drove by. Ouch. I’d hoped to make a last coaching push the next three days, nevertheless it’d as a substitute be simple days whereas I healed up. Therapeutic was crucial. If my facet didn’t enhance, I wouldn’t begin Hardrock. It was the form of ache that will have made operating 100 miles completely depressing, although it’d be tolerable if it resurfaced at, say, mile 75 of the race. Fortunately, it feels significantly better as of late, though I’m hesitant {that a} single unhealthy slide on the slick Hardrock course may carry it again instantly. Therefore, my choosing extra shoe lugging than regular in my gear part under.

Three days later, I got down to scout the Pole Creek and Cataract Lakes part of the Hardrock course for fish. (Extra on that later.) I’d deliberate for the run to high out round 20 miles, realizing it would solely be a couple of miles if my facet harm. Properly, a lovely day spent operating … and kicking off my high-country fishing season became a splendid 27 miler. Other than a lone off-road automobile a mile in and a mile from the tip, I noticed one particular person and their canine in 25 miles of dust street, Hardrock course, and the Continental Divide Path, all on the day earlier than the Fourth of July vacation. It was splendid. The run itself went very properly whereas informing some Hardrock gear selections, most notably on the footwear facet (extra lugging wanted.) That is method nearer to the race than I’d usually cowl 27 miles and spend the higher a part of a day operating, however the dividends in confidence and, importantly, excessive nation enjoyment, absolutely outweighed any fatigue that would linger 11 days later.

Shifts in Mindset

Yeah, so this yr’s Hardrock necessitates some shifts in my mindset.

At first, this yr can’t be about efficiency, in contrast to my earlier Hardrocks. Every time I’ve run Hardrock, I’ve aimed to run my quickest attainable time. I don’t assume I’ve ever hit that point, however with my present stage of health, I’m not operating 31 hours and alter … or quicker. I’m okay with that. I’ve to be. That in and of itself was a giant mindset shift.

I’ve had a couple of events to recount my 2014 Bear 100 Mile just lately and that brought on me to learn the article I wrote after the race entitled “Experiments in Exuberance.” I ran that race primarily to get a Western States 100 and Hardrock 100 qualifier and, secondarily, to have as a lot enjoyable as I may. The handful of occasions I’ve learn the article since I wrote it, I’ve by no means didn’t smile. Happiness begets extra happiness. And I nonetheless relearn classes that I can apply in the present day and, certainly, hope that I’ll apply in a couple of days throughout Hardrock.

I doubt I’d learn the feedback to the article in a really very long time, however I did this time and a pair of feedback struck me. A reader, Billy, kindly wished me luck into entering into Hardrock and, in my reply, I famous “I’m considering I’d a lot desire a ‘enjoyable’ 40-hour Hardrock to a depressing 30-hour end.” Though I’ve by no means cracked 30 hours, I’ve run fastish-for-me occasions at Hardrock and whereas every has been past rewarding, there’s been loads of distress the final third to half of every race, undoubtedly due partially from aiming to achieve my high attainable efficiency. This time I’ll be aiming firmly at my most pleasant Hardrock efficiency. I need to take up, expertise, and exude pleasure as a lot as I can throughout this loop across the San Juans.

A method I intend to get pleasure from myself is so as to add in just a little fishing alongside the way in which. No, I don’t plan on stopping for hours at a time like I would throughout a devoted run/fish outing, however I’ll moist a line a pair occasions alongside the course. In concept, there are all 4 species within the Colorado grand slam of trout — brook, brown, cutthroat, and rainbow — alongside the course, and it could be actually cool to catch all 4 species throughout Hardrock. Nonetheless, concept and actuality don’t all the time align, and I haven’teasy entry to all 4 species on the course whereas scouting. Nonetheless, even one five-minute fishing try someplace on the course will carry a smile to my face, as did my two unsuccessful makes an attempt throughout the San Juan Solstice a couple of weeks in the past. On the identical time, I’ve promised myself that I’ll eat a very good bit earlier than any try to cease and fish, so, hopefully, I can at the least course of a pair further energy whereas I take a quick pause in ahead progress.

Within the vein of shifting mindsets, however extra associated to cultivating an pleasant expertise, I’ve received a pair different ways tucked away. As in my first Hardrock, I plan to make a listing of a selected particular person (or folks) and factor to consider between every set of help stations. A buddy really helpful a sci-fi audiobook that I began listening to throughout Solstice, actually loved, and have deliberately saved for race day. I’ll take tons of pictures like I all the time have at Hardrock, as they assist me take within the splendor. I’ll spend extra time in help stations, each fueling my physique with actual meals and fueling my spirit with good chats with volunteers. As I’ll write about within the subsequent part, I hope to spend extra time than ever operating and chatting with my fellow Hardrockers.

Help

Two weeks earlier than the race, I didn’t have any pacer or crew. I hate to ask something of anybody and I didn’t need to pull any of my associates away from the iRunFar crew protecting the race. I used to be at peace with this. I ran Hardrock in 2018 with solely the reminiscence of my expensive buddy Invoice Dooper to information me and it was a rewarding expertise. I’ve by no means run Hardrock and not using a crew, however I’d accomplished lengthy ultras and not using a crew abroad and ran 66- and 75-mile self-supported runs final summer season.

Nonetheless, over beers at Avalanche Brewing Firm, a visiting Andy Jones-Wilkins requested if I had any crew or pacers. I indicated a giant ol’ zero with my palms. After a brief pause, Shelly Jones-Wilkins, AJW’s higher half, requested if I wished a crew. It didn’t take me lengthy to take Shelly up on that, realizing it was conditional on her firming issues up. I’ve seen Shelly in motion as an all-star crew going again to 2007, particularly within the handful of occasions I’ve paced AJW at races. A couple of days later, Shelly confirmed that she was in with the bonus that their center son and iRunFar writer, Logan Jones-Wilkins, was additionally becoming a member of the crew.

I’m nonetheless trying ahead to going into Hardrock with out pacers. I’ve been a spontaneously-picked-up pacer at Hardrock earlier than and wouldn’t hesitate to ask for one if the necessity got here up. Although, since I first wrote this, Logan’s stepped up as a attainable pacer ought to I want one. In actuality, I hope to spend extra time with my fellow racers throughout this yr’s Hardrock. Now, I’ve spent a number of time with fellow Hardrockers within the first half of previous Hardrocks, however that not often works out for very lengthy later within the race. Not that almost all (any) of us at my level within the pack try to seize an additional place, however, fairly, paces are inclined to differ wildly part by part, runner by runner late within the run. With the shift in mindset described above, I hope that I’ll spend at the least a short while longer catching up with any runners who I would stumble upon late within the occasion.

Gear

For essentially the most half, that is a straightforward gear yr at Hardrock. There’s completely no likelihood of rain all through this yr’s race and it’s forecast to be fairly heat, as properly. I’ve received loads of favorites on the attire entrance for these situations and I’ll follow them.

I’ll begin with:

• Patagonia Strider Professional 5″ Shorts — I like these. Interval.
• Raidlight half-zip shirt — I’ll begin in a brilliant skinny Raidlight half-zip that I don’t assume is made any extra. I’ve received different favourite shirts general, however the mixture of excessive breathability and half zip is killer for the situations we’ll face.
• Drymax Sizzling Climate Socks — After going with Drymax Hyperthins in 2018, I’ll transfer again to the marginally extra cushioned Sizzling Weathers this go round. It’ll be very moist on the course, so I’ll carry an additional pair of Sizzling Weathers, swap out the pairs on the course, and dry one pair whereas operating.
• iRunFar Headsweats Race Hat — That is my fishing hat. 😉 There’s a pad for storing flies caught atop the brim.
• Salomon Adv Pores and skin 12 — This (and the five-liter model) have develop into my go-to packs. I’ll take the additional quantity of the 12-liter for Hardrock, particularly with some fishing en route. I solely want I had a colour lighter than darkish blue! Oh, and I’ll use a Path Quiver with it to alternately retailer my fishing and trekking poles.
• Smith Pinpoint Sun shades — These are my go-to glasses and there’s no cause to vary them.
• Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hoody Jacket — After a decade of use, it solely comes out for particular events. It’s an superior full-zip hooded jacket that additionally occurs to be lighter than something that’s come since.
• Jaybird Tarah Professional headphones — They won’t make these anymore and I’ve switched to Apple Air Pod Execs for my every day runs, nevertheless it’s exhausting to beat the battery life of those and I just like the tethered design.
• Final Path Kicker Valve Bottle and Katadyn BeFree — I’ll undoubtedly carry my tried-and-true Kicker Valve bottle for filling in help stations. I’ll carry the BeFree for dipping from streams … or I would simply go the route I’ve prior to now and dip from streams larger up, particularly as they’re flowing clear and copious this yr.

Additional gear with my crew and drop bag:

• Patagonia Strider Professional 5″ Shorts — In case I need to change shorts as soon as.
• Additional short-sleeve shirts — I’ll possible have one other two or three short-sleeve shirts chosen from the identical Raidlight shirt, a decade’s previous Mountain Hardwear Way2Cool shirt, and a Montbell Cool Mild T. All are nice within the warmth.
• Additional socks — I’ll throw 4 or 5 pairs of socks into my crew bag (and one into my Sherman drop bag.) It could appear foolish to vary socks when the course will probably be so moist, however I feel footcare will probably be worthwhile.
• Lengthy-sleeve shirt — Relying on the mid-week forecast for lows on Friday and Saturday night time, I’ll pack both a light-weight Columbia half-zip or a skinny Smartwool half-zip. (The Columbia shirt is packed for now.)
• Montbell Tachyon Pants — Ultralight wind pants that I’ll choose up earlier than the night time.
• Trekking poles – I don’t prepare with trekking poles, so I’ll use them as little as I can. I’ve received a pair Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles stashed at mile 30 earlier than Handies Peak and I’ll have some Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlites in my crew bag that I plan on choosing up in Telluride at mile 75.
• Gloves — I grabbed a random skinny pair of gloves from my shelf. I’ll carry a pair of gloves to make use of from Sherman (mile 30) on, each to make use of on snowy sections and if wanted for cooler temperatures at night time.
• Yellow tent spike — I’ll carry a yellow tent spike from Sherman to go up Handies and possibly choose up a second at Ouray for the snow climbs afterward the course.
• Black Diamond Spikes — I’ve not determined whether or not I’ll carry the Distance Spike or Blitz Spike from Ouray onward. This is perhaps a game-day determination.

I’ve received two details of drugs indecision as I write this the weekend earlier than the race.

First, in contrast to earlier Hardrocks, I don’t have a no brainer alternative for sneakers. I’m merely not robust sufficient to make use of my trusty New Steadiness 1400 street flats (with a forefoot rockplate) for all of this yr’s Hardrock. Drat!

So what’s a man to put on?! Whereas the Nike Pegasus Path has develop into my most frequent shoe on each roads and trails and I wore them for all 50 miles of San Juan Solstice, there’s fairly minimal grip and whereas that’s not been a consideration for me prior to now, the slippery nature of this yr’s Hardrock course and a pre-existing torso damage has me wanting a bit extra chunk this go round. I’ll possible depend on a rotation of sneakers all through the race, with the Nike Pegasus Path 4, Craft Professional Endurance Path, and Inov-8 Trailfly Extremely G 280 being within the combine. It’s attainable that I’ll put on the 1400s for the primary 9 miles the place grip received’t be a problem, and even by to Sherman at mile 30.

I additionally don’t know what I’ll do for a headlamp. I began enthusiastic about this earlier than I had a crew, which difficult the battery subject contemplating a second night time is perhaps in play. I’ll possible choose up one in all many short-usage headlamps at Sherman at mile 30, and have one of many Petzl NAO+, Petzl NAO RL, or an 18650-battery-based Nitecore at Animas Forks at mile 45. In the long run, I’ll most likely defer to the NAO+, because it’s what I’ve used prior to now.

Ephemeral Ideas

• For the primary time, I’ll head into Hardrock with out burying myself in coaching for first rate stretches of time. There’s little question that I’m coming into Hardrock recent!
• Whereas I suppose I’ll all the time discover my Achilles/calves, the much-reduced quantity means a lot diminished pressure on each. No, my calves aren’t as robust … however my Achilles additionally aren’t as harassed.
• Taper tantrums are method much less while you’ve not skilled as exhausting.
• I ate a bunch of strong meals at San Juan Solstice (yay, rice crispy treats!), and I hope to do the identical throughout Hardrock.
• Most likely a facet of fixing mindsets, however I hope I can maintain my coronary heart charge not a lot larger than 130 beats per minute within the first half of the run. I did an honest job of preserving it underneath management as Solstice, however intention to do even higher right here … and much better than the early goings of previous Hardrocks!
• I’m making ready my Hardrock plan and kit a couple of days sooner than regular this yr. Hopefully, this implies coasting into Hardrock a bit extra relaxed this time.
• Whereas I hope to not be centered on my temporal efficiency, my high day possible has me again to the rock round 37.5 to 38 hours … if I don’t fish too lengthy. I’d say that 39 hours is correct round the place I’d end on a strong day, once more, minus the fishing time. Something after that and nonetheless underneath 48:00:00, it’s nonetheless a end!