2016 Hardrock 100 Race Report By Ryan Martin

Training and Lead-up to the Race

This year, I was blessed by the lottery gods again to get into my 4 th HR
100.
I had a late start training due to a lagging injury that finally
cleared up in late winter. Leading up to the event, I had averaged 40mile weeks and few longer mileage weeks (70-100) a few weeks before
the race. Additionally, my training was supplemented by some races,
including the Salida Marathon (March), Cheyenne MTM 50K (April),
Dirty 30, and 35 miles in Bighorn in June.
After I got my core mileage in, I focused on altitude. In the weeks
leading up to the race, I got in three 14er hike/runs and three 13er
workouts before the weeklong taper before the race.
For those who are unfamiliar with the event it has four legs, linking
areas near Lake City, Ouray, Telluride, and Silverton. The start and
finish each year is in Silverton on a loop course that switches directions
each year. The course is 100.5 miles long, has a cumulative vertical
gain of 33,050 feet of climbing and 33,050 feet of descent for a total
elevation change of 66,100 feet, and takes place at an average
elevation of about 11,000 feet. The high point is 14,048 feet. There
are over 100 water crossing (I counted 122 in 2015), snowfields, scree
climbs/descents, open terrain with no true trails, sections along cliffs,
and unpredictable weather. Finally, the race is very organized with the
best staff and volunteers in the sport with 13 well-stocked aid-stations
with buffets of food, dink, and medical staff to keep us going.
To ensure success and share the experience, I was able to a great team
to crew/pace me. I got my girlfriend Kelly Goode, Kimberly Jacobs, and
Phil Snyder from the Runners Roost MUT Team. Logistically, we stayed
at my friend Jasons condo at Durango Mountain Resort and also got a
place during the race in Silverton.
The Race
At the 6:00am start of the race it was warm and the sky was crystal
clear outside foreshadowing the days ahead. Unlike most races, the
majority of the field hit the first hill out of town with a fast hike verses
running the modest incline, which is the reality of a race of this
magnitude.
Silverton to Telluride
(9:57 hours running, 27.8 miles, +9,609 climbing, -10,169
descending)
The first 18 miles to Chapman went really smooth. I felt good climbing
and descending, yet after reaching the top of Grant-Swamp Pass, the

descent was more challenging than usual off the top. With the dry
conditions, the dirt and rock did not clump together as usual and I even
crab crawled the 20ft to avoid losing control until I got to more rocks to
rock-ski down the remainder of the hill.
After six hours and 18 miles I made it to the Chapman aid-station. I
made sure I ate some solid food, drank lots of extra tailwind (the
calorie/electrolyte mix that was provided at each aid-station), and then
refilled my bottles with First Endurance EFS mix. To avoid blisters and
go out fresh, I changed into a fresh pair of shoes and socks.
Leaving Chapman the heat really started to show its ugly head as I
climbed up Oscars Pass. The thick brush radiated its own heat but
eventually I made my way to the top. After crossing a few snowfields
and a quick moving descent, I made it to the Bear Creek trail
descending down to Telluride. In this section, I had one misstep and
slid down a small snowfield but most of the descent went much faster
then 2014. I arrived in Telluride to meet my team for the fist time at
4:00pm.
Telluride to Ouray
(17:35
hours
running,
mile
43.9,
+4,438/-2,360
climbing/descending)
Each year my low point has been leaving Telluride in either direction
and again I found myself hating life as I climbed my way up to
Krogers. The heat was really getting to me as well as everyone else. I
did a 15-minute break on a rock just before the Mendota Ridge, which
really made a difference along with another good 20 minute rest at
Krogers to enjoy some snacks and company.
I have to point out the collective mindset of the veteran runners
around me. They all seemed to be experiencing lows too yet they all
believed they would get through it and it would be a better race after
they got over the summit.
The descent from Krogers is always an adventure beginning with rope
descent followed by sliding on my butt through the snowfields before
reaching the jeep road to Governors aid-station (15 hours at mile 35).
Soon it was dark, yet I was able to run the next eight-mile stretch on
the road to Ouray arriving at 10:35pm.
At the aid-station I caught up with my team and I enjoyed some soup, a
leg message with arnica oil, and put on a fresh pair of socks to dry out
my feet.
Ouray to Grouse

23:29 running, mile 58.4, +5,795, /-2,765 climbing/descending)

Ouray is the first place where pacers are allowed and Kelly joined me
for the next section, which includes a 5,700ft climb (the longest of the
race). I really appreciated the cooler night and wind going up Bear
Creek (yes, there at three separate Bear Creeks in the race). This is a
section that I have dreamed of doing in daylight but Im still not fast
enough. The trail runs along a narrow shelf with fatal drops to the river
below. I know the elites fly through this section yet I try to be safe
especially since it is dark and I cant fly. This is also one of the wet
sections of the race with 5 or 6 river crossing before reaching the
remote Engineer aid-station, which we arrived at 2:30am.
Leaving the aid-station we were cold for the first time but I actually
enjoyed the feeling and I always enjoy the solitude of night running.
After another 1.5 miles of climbing, we reached the top of our climb
and we then had our descent down to the Grouse aid-station arriving at
5:30am. At the aid-station the only issue I was facing was bathtub feet
from bing wet for hours so I switched into my third set of fresh shoes
and socks to begin the next phase of my journey.
Grouse to Sherman
29:16 running, mile 71.9, +4,188/-5,258
The next section Phil joined me to enjoy our 14er experience to the top
of Handies Peak. This would be the second year in a row for Phil to
pace me and many of the cool pics attached are from him. The climb
went smoothly up and over American Basin to the top feeling strong.
Things started to change as I descended down to the Burrows aidstation. I was beginning to feel the effects of the heat and my feet
were feeling as if blisters were beginning to form.
Leaving the aid-station we had another four miles to Sherman on a flat
descending dirt road. My legs felt strong yet I decided to lay off the
gas and be more conservative and do run-walk to prevent blisters and
not be worn down by the heat.
When we reached Sherman, I decided to get one of the medical aid
volunteers to look at my feet. The tissue was soft with a few minor
blisters so he cleaned them up and padded them with moleskin. I
enjoyed the foot attention while dining on some blueberry cobbler and
drinking some ice-cold water.
Just before noon, Phil and I began the climb out of Shermans. It was
the hottest part of the day with heat radiating from all the vegetation
but as we reached the high section we were greeted by a strong wind
that helped cool us down. The challenge going to Pole Creek and the
few miles beyond is constant stream and marsh crossings. The idea of

having dry feet is an impossibility in that section but what helped my

time was running downhills.
After a quick bottle refill at Pole Creek we took off on a quick (still took
2 hours) section to Maggies. There were a few more creek crossings
and a 1,300ft climb, which I hardly noticed. We arrived at Maggies at
5:28pm where Kimberly was waiting to take on the pacing duties. To
play it safe, I went to the medical tent and the wonderful medical staff
redid my foot protection as Kimberly was getting me food and
preparing my gear for the final push of the race.
Sherman to Silverton
(42:50:59 mile 100.5, +9,020/-9,350)
At 6:00pm we departed the aid-station for a daunting 1,700ft climb up
Canby Mountain. When I did this in 2014, we crawled up this section
but this year I felt strong with only an unexpected bloody nose that
slowed me down. I was really focused on the goal of getting to
Cunningham before dark.
We quickly hit the summit and crossed Stony Pass for quick climb to
the top of Green Mountain. I was very excited to be there at 7:00pm
verses 8:30pm like 2014. We stopped and got some great pictures and
began our descent. The first few miles went real fast and I could see
the trail since it was light outside (2014 we took for ever in the dark
trying to find the flags). The only thing that slowed us down was a
heard of sheep and pair of runners that were scared of the sheep dogs.
Finally we got past them and descended the last two yet very technical
miles down to Cunningham. Despite the technical challenge I always
love looking across the valley at our final yet still daunting climb of the
race.
At 8:48pm we reach Cunningham and that turned on my competitive
switch. I wanted to get out of the aid-station ASAP. To save time I
skipped changing shoes (I was originally going to change on the other
side of the river) but that would have taken too much time.
We got out in just six minutes and began our charge up 2,770ft Little
Giant. A lot of elevation is covered in just a few miles yet it has many
switchbacks to make it seem easier. Kimberly and I were able to pass
many racers on the way up as adrenalin was flowing through my body
and we managed to hit the summit in just over 1.5 hours.
The first mile descending down into the Little Giant basin was one of
the most technical sections of the race with a few areas where the trail
was washed out and it was just a steep dry scree. Kimberly, I, and a

lost runner did the crab craw to survive (my preference is not to fall of
a mountain near the end of a race).
When we finally reached the road we were able to begin running again
and we used my high-powered flashlight to spot the flags at each
major turn. When we reached the river trail, Kimberly took the lead
spotting obstacles and keeping track of the course. I was still feeling
fresh to the point I was running the uphills and we were able to pass
another 5 to 8 runners before finally reaching the Kendal Mountain ski
area at the edge of town.
Our last half-mile our only challenge was navigating down the correct
streets. Before I knew it there was the rock that I have fallen in love
with. At 42:50:59, I bowed over and kissed the famous Hardrock
officially completing my 4th Hardrock 100.
After a few pictures with my wonderful crew/pacers and friends
including Ashley Saloga (she was supporting another runner who was
near my pace and was with us since the beginning), we all went to
enjoy some beers over at the Montanya Bar.
Final Thoughts
I love this event! I think about it year-round and it is unlike any other
running event I have ever done (I have completed over 60 ultras
including 11 hundred milers). To finish this race, it is 80% mental 20%
physical. You have to believe before you cross the starting line that
you will cross again later whenever that might be. You have to
embrace the low points and wait them out because things will change.
I choose to run my 100 milers conservative with a goal of finishing.
Each year I have learned where I can and should push it a little harder.
Finally, each year has been different yet I come prepared for anything
and most importantly I want myself and my team/crew to have fun and
enjoy the Hardrock experience.