A Look Forward to Operating Hardrock – iRunFar

In two days, I’ve the dignity of getting to begin the Hardrock 100 after a half-decade break. In contrast to my three earlier runs, I gained’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 kind of cohesive dissertation. I suppose I purpose 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 may bounce forward to sections on On-Course Circumstances, Preparedness and Confidence, Shifts in Mindset, Help, Gear, and Ephemeral Ideas.

The Colorado Path and Continental Divide Path on the Hardrock 100 course throughout my ultimate long term. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell

On-Course Circumstances

On the fireplace aspect, it’s forecast to be a excessive of 80 levels Fahrenheit on Friday at 9,300 ft in Silverton, Colorado, the place the occasion begins and finishes. That doesn’t sound sizzling, however with a bluebird high-altitude sky, these are puke-fest temperatures. An honest 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 mix of wind and really low humidity may present a little bit of reduction warmth clever, particularly for runners who moist themselves in creeks and at support stations. However, it’s really easy to get fairly dehydrated in these circumstances by 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.

Easy accessibility vert above Innsbruck, Austria. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell

Again residence late in June, I used to be lastly in a position to run the San Juan Solstice 50 Mile in close by, however far-to-drive Lake Metropolis, Colorado. Ostensibly, virtually every part went rather well throughout Solstice. My legs and power typically held up and I used to be in a position to eat rather well all through, with a deliberate easing over the lengthy stretch close to and above 13,000 ft on the Continental Divide Path. My foremost difficulty 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 nicely and operating almost 13 hours was deflating for a pair days. Thankfully, 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 sturdy within the later miles and feeling fairly nicely on the end. That optimistic evaluation was buoyed once I had no points within the days to observe other than utterly affordable fatigue. My Achilles have been good, my quads weren’t crushed, and every part else labored nicely sufficient.

Precisely two weeks out from Hardrock, my expectations shattered on a run. I began outdoors 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 aspect slightly below my ribcage. Two weeks earlier, I’d fallen exhausting sideways whereas descending on my final run in Austria. Slightly than hit my aspect, I braced myself and had a pointy ache precisely the place this ache had surfaced. I made my manner 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 manner again at any level, however no vehicles drove by. Ouch. I’d hoped to make a ultimate coaching push the next three days, but it surely’d as a substitute be straightforward days whereas I healed up. Therapeutic was crucial. If my aspect didn’t enhance, I wouldn’t begin Hardrock. It was the kind of ache that might 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 a lot better today, though I’m hesitant {that a} single dangerous slide on the slick Hardrock course may deliver it again immediately. Therefore, my choosing extra shoe lugging than regular in my gear part beneath.

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 number of miles if my aspect harm. Nicely, a fantastic day spent operating … and kicking off my high-country fishing season became a splendid 27 miler. Except for a lone off-road automobile a mile in and a mile from the top, I noticed one individual and their canine in 25 miles of dust highway, 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 nicely whereas informing some Hardrock gear selections, most notably on the footwear aspect (extra lugging wanted.) That is manner 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, certainly outweighed any fatigue that would linger 11 days later.

I’ve had a number of events to recount my 2014 Bear 100 Mile just lately and that triggered 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 did not smile. Happiness begets extra happiness. And I nonetheless relearn classes that I can apply right this moment and, certainly, hope that I’ll apply in a number 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 pondering I’d a lot favor 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 realize my high potential efficiency. This time I’ll be aiming firmly at my most pleasant Hardrock efficiency. I wish to soak 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 somewhat 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 idea, there are all 4 species within the Colorado grand slam of trout — brook, brown, cutthroat, and rainbow — alongside the course. As I write this the Sunday night earlier than the race, I’ve obtained dialed in places for the brookies and cutties, and plan to scout the one possible location for browns and rainbows within the morning. (Subsequent scouting means I’ll skip the “slam,” however have a enjoyable time fishing for a couple of minutes anyway!) Even one five-minute fishing try someplace on the course will deliver a smile to my face, as did my two unsuccessful makes an attempt in the course of the San Juan Solstice a number of weeks in the past. On the identical time, I’ve promised myself that I’ll eat a superb bit earlier than any try to cease and fish, so, hopefully, I can at the very 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 obtained a pair different techniques tucked away. As in my first Hardrock, I plan to make a listing of a selected individual (or folks) and factor to consider between every set of support stations. A good friend beneficial 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 photographs like I all the time have at Hardrock, as they assist me take within the splendor. I’ll spend extra time in support 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.

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 wish to pull any of my associates away from the iRunFar crew overlaying the race. I used to be at peace with this. I ran Hardrock in 2018 with solely the reminiscence of my pricey good friend Invoice Dooper to information me and it was a rewarding expertise. I’ve by no means run Hardrock with out a crew, however I’d finished lengthy ultras with out 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. Just a few 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 wanting 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 potential 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 plenty of time with fellow Hardrockers within the first half of previous Hardrocks, however that hardly ever works out for very lengthy later within the race. Not that the majority (any) of us at my level within the pack try to seize an additional place, however, quite, 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 very least a short while longer catching up with any runners who I would encounter late within the occasion.

• Patagonia Strider Professional 5″ Shorts — I really like these. Interval.
• Raidlight half-zip shirt — I’ll begin in an excellent skinny Raidlight half-zip that I don’t assume is made any extra. I’ve obtained different favourite shirts total, however the mixture of excessive breathability and half zip is killer for the circumstances we’ll face.
• Drymax Scorching Climate Socks — After going with Drymax Hyperthins in 2018, I’ll transfer again to the marginally extra cushioned Scorching Weathers this go round. It’ll be very moist on the course, so I’ll carry an additional pair of Scorching 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 turn out to be 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 coloration 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 purpose to alter 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, but it surely’s exhausting to beat the battery life of those and I just like the tethered design.
• Final Course Kicker Valve Bottle and Katadyn BeFree — I’ll undoubtedly deliver my tried-and-true Kicker Valve bottle for filling in support stations. I could deliver the BeFree for dipping from streams … or I would simply go the route I’ve prior to now and dip from streams increased 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 wish 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 outdated Mountain Hardwear Way2Cool shirt, and a Montbell Cool Gentle 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 alter socks when the course can be so moist, however I believe footcare can be worthwhile.
• Lengthy-sleeve shirt — Relying on the mid-week forecast for lows on Friday and Saturday evening, 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 evening.
• Trekking poles – I don’t prepare with trekking poles, so I’ll use them as little as I can. I’ve obtained 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 deliver 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 evening.
• Yellow tent spike — I’ll deliver a yellow tent spike from Sherman to go up Handies and perhaps choose up a second at Ouray for the snow climbs in a while 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 may be a game-day choice.

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

First, not like earlier Hardrocks, I don’t have a no brainer alternative for footwear. I’m merely not sturdy sufficient to make use of my trusty New Steadiness 1400 highway 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 turn out to be 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 harm has me wanting a bit extra chunk this go round. I’ll possible depend on a rotation of footwear 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 potential that I’ll put on the 1400s for the primary 9 miles the place grip gained’t be a difficulty, and even by to Sherman at mile 30.

I additionally don’t know what I’ll do for a headlamp. I began excited about this earlier than I had a crew, which sophisticated the battery difficulty contemplating a second evening may be 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 in all probability defer to the NAO+, because it’s what I’ve used prior to now.

Excessive nation operating on the 2023 San Juan Solstice 50 mile. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell