After racing world wide for years, Claire Bannwarth is making her U.S. racing debut on the 2023 Hardrock 100. On this interview, she talks about her background as a lifelong runner, how she balances the calls for of excessive quantity coaching and racing alongside a full-time job, in addition to what else she has deliberate for her time within the U.S.
For extra on who’s racing, take a look at our in-depth preview. Comply with together with our Hardrock 100 dwell race protection from Friday.
Claire Bannwarth Pre-2023 Hardrock 100 Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Sarah Brady of iRunFar. I’m right here simply earlier than the 2023 Hardrock 100 with Claire Bannwarth. Claire, how are you doing?
Claire Bannwarth: Yeah, advantageous.
iRunFar: Nice. And I imagine you solely obtained right here a few days in the past. So, have you ever obtained an opportunity to get out and see among the course, and what do you suppose?
Bannwarth: I feel simply the primary 20k yesterday and it’s so robust. [laughs] It took me like, six hours. So, yeah. I feel it will likely be stunning, however very onerous.
iRunFar: I feel so. It’s robust, however you’re robust. So, you’ll be advantageous. Since we haven’t interviewed you earlier than, I feel everybody wish to hear just a bit about your background. So, how did you first get into path operating?
Bannwarth: I began path operating I feel 5 years in the past. I imply, I’ve run for all my life since I used to be very, little or no, however as I lived in cities, I by no means went to the mountains till 5 years in the past. I did my first path race 5 years in the past and I simply cherished it. Regardless that it was very onerous for me. After which I began doing races longer and longer, and I’m now into, like, 500k races, like Tor des Géants, like very, very lengthy races, yard extremely, 24-hour races, so. And 100 miles, too, even whether it is brief for me.
iRunFar: Wow, yeah. You probably did climb as much as 100 mile+ actually rapidly. So, what’s it in regards to the actually lengthy ultras that you simply like? Is it simply that you simply really feel such as you’re higher at them, or do you simply take pleasure in being out for that lengthy?
Bannwarth: I feel I’m higher at them, as a result of I’m not quick. [laughs] However I can go gradual for days. And likewise, I like to have the ability to take a while, you realize, as a result of even in 100 milers, you’re in a race, you realize. You’re actually, you don’t wish to lose any seconds. In very lengthy races, it’s extra like I’ve time to eat. I’ve time to relaxation. It’s extra pleasant.
iRunFar: Okay, yeah, much less strain, I suppose.
Bannwarth: Yeah.
iRunFar: Okay, nice. After which like, you clearly should have to place in an terrible lot of hours in coaching. How do you’re employed that with the remainder of your life? Like, are you a full-time runner now, or do you’ve got one other profession to handle alongside?
Bannwarth: No, no, I work in an insurance coverage firm full time, 40 hours per week. I practice virtually the identical period of time. So, I don’t sleep. I don’t sleep a lot. I feel I sleep much less, and I run or work. So, it’s troublesome to handle, but it surely’s value it.
iRunFar: Okay, I used to be guessing not a lot sleep have to be the reply to that! And then you definitely simply race so usually. Like I’m certain I’ll neglect one thing however, this yr alone, I do know you’ve carried out, you gained the 260-mile Backbone Race within the UK in January, and also you’ve carried out UTS 100 Mile. You probably did the Path Cat 200 Mile. I imagine you probably did a stage race final month, then the Path Montreux 70 mile. So how do you handle to recuperate in between these and be capable to go once more? Is it like, to do together with your coaching or is it extra of a psychological factor?
Bannwarth: I imply, for me, however many of the races I do are coaching. So, I recuperate very effectively. I imply, in a single or two days I’m good to go as a result of I’m not 100%. And likewise, I’m used to doing excessive quantity, excessive mileage since I’m possibly 10 years outdated. So, I’m used to it, so it’s one thing I really want one or two days to recuperate, and I imply, it’s one thing I’m used to doing, so.
iRunFar: Okay, nice. And yeah, we have been chatting simply earlier than this interview, you have been saying that you simply’ve had just a few mishaps with different occasions you’ve tried to come back and run within the U.S., so that you appear very pleased to be right here finally. However what’s it about Hardrock particularly that you simply wished to do versus only a completely different American extremely?
Bannwarth: I imply, there are plenty of races that I wish to do within the U.S., like Western States [100], Leadville [100 Mile]. However Hardrock, I feel, is admittedly the difficult one. And it’s the one I’m not certain to have the ability to end, as a result of it’s excessive altitude. I’m actually not used to that. And likewise very technical, rocky, snow, lot of snow. However I’m actually pleased to be right here and to, yeah. I hope to complete.
iRunFar: Okay, so is it truthful to say that the chance that you simply may not be capable to end is form of a part of the attraction of eager to strive?
Bannwarth: Sure.
iRunFar: Nice. And yeah, so we chatted once more off digicam. You’re not having a calming vacation after that is over. You’re doing the Tahoe 200 Mile every week later. How do you’re feeling about that one? Have you ever regarded on the course for that?
Bannwarth: Yeah, I’m actually wanting ahead to it. As a result of I feel it’s actually my factor, 200 miles. Stunning panorama, not that a lot elevation. Must be, I ought to have a superb time.
iRunFar: Okay. It appears like a great restoration run. [laughs]
Bannwarth: Yeah. [laughs]
iRunFar: After which after that you’ve a hike deliberate. What was that?
Bannwarth: Yeah, I wish to hike the Colorado Path in 10 days or so, one thing like that. So, it’d be a primary time for me to thru-hike one thing, and to spend 10 days alone. I imply, I already did 1,000 kilometers nonstop, however I used to be with a pal. Now, I will likely be alone, with the bears, and moose, and wild animals. So, I’m form of excited, but in addition afraid to do this form of journey. However I actually wished to do this. And I feel it was an ideal alternative to do it right here within the U.S. and never in a basic path in Europe.
iRunFar: Okay, I feel you’re positively getting worth out of your transatlantic flights anyway.
Bannwarth: Yeah. [laughs] I imply, I’ve to compensate my carbon affect.
iRunFar: Okay, that’s nice. Properly, thanks a lot. I’m certain you’ll have a unbelievable race. It appears like it will go well with you all the way down to the bottom. So, thanks very a lot.
Bannwarth: Thanks.
