The North Face

Jan 07 | Mike Foote:: Death Valley to Mount Whitney

By The North Face

Adam Peterman and Mike Foote on the summit of Mt. Whitney (14,505 ft elevation)

On December 21st I had the honor of sharing the cold and wind swept summit of Mt. Whitney in the southern Sierras with high school senior Adam Peterman. Grinning into the sun I snapped photos of the cross country runner I have coached for four years as he raised both arms in triumph while trying not to let his skinny frame be knocked over by the 50 MPH gusts we had battled all morning. Adam had just realized one of the biggest goals he had set for himself in his 17 years on this earth and I had front row seats to witness his achievement.

It was 12:15 PM and only 31 hrs prior we had set out on road bikes from Badwater, Death Valley 155 Miles away with the ambition of standing on this rocky perch.  This moment was the apex of months of planning, preparation and hard work for Adam’s high school senior project: To go from the lowest point in the contiguous United States to the highest under his own power while raising money for Outdoor Nation, a nonprofit dedicated to getting youth outdoors.

Only a couple of months ago Adam asked me after practice one day to be his mentor for his senior project, an assignment which all Hellgate High seniors must complete. After getting to know Adam over the last four years I was well aware of his drive and ambition to do extraordinary things.  He is an incredible athlete, and at one point in the XC season was ranked 5^th in the country while maintaining his honor roll status. I knew he would bring this dedication to whatever project we chose, and it came as no surprise to me that he responded with a wide eyed smile when I asked him what he thought of Death Valley to Mt. Whitney.

Shortly thereafter Adam decided that he wanted to raise money for Outdoor Nation.  It is not lost on him that he lives within a five-minute bike ride of a wilderness area with a dozen trailheads a stones throw from his home in Missoula, MT.  Adam has taken full advantage of these open spaces for years and knows how fortunate he is to have these resources at his fingertips, and therefore wants other youth to have the opportunities he has grown up with. 

With the goal of raising $5,000 we worked towards promoting our trip as well as we could. We drafted press releases and developed social media pages, blogs and websites.  Adam did local TV interviews before school and wrote articles for online media all over the country. Book ended by tight schedules and 17 hrs. of driving there and back we had literally a two day window to make this trip work.  With all the prep and planning we had done, we were left with only the hope that the weather would hold for us. We checked the forecast obsessively and crossed our fingers as the dates approached. And on a cold and cloudy mid-December afternoon, we drove away from Missoula in a packed Subaru with the compass pointing south.

As they say, the rest is history. The weather held and we set off from Badwater, Death Valley under a blue-black starry sky. We biked all day long. Adam bonked early on the first climb, then recovered, then bonked again. We pushed our bikes in the dark the last two miles up the icy switchbacks of the road to the Mt. Whitney Trailhead.  Adam crumpled into his sleeping bag without an appetite and questioned his ability to push to the summit the following morning. Accompanied with a little tough love, I focused on getting calories in him and let him go to sleep with the plan that we would just wake up and see how he felt after he got a little rest. 

The following morning I handed Adam a bowl of steaming oatmeal around 3 AM.  He had his appetite back and I could see a fresh flicker of resolve in his eyes as he wriggled out of his sleeping bag.  We passed two groups along our route to the summit who stated quite matter of factly that no one would be able to reach the top on that day, citing strong winds. Yes the winds were strong, but the skies were clear and we were buoyed by confidence with each foot gained in elevation and the subsequent and rewarding views of the stunning Sierras. With the mantra, “everything came together, so that everything could come together” we came closer and closer to our objective until we were standing right on it.

Crouching on top of Whitney trying to catch my breath in the thin air through a tired smile and watching Adam do the same I couldn’t help but think of the day we met four years ago my rookie season of coaching. Adam was a short and scrawny incoming freshman who showed promise, but lacked confidence in himself at times.  I’ve seen Adam progress and grow since that day so much, but nothing was as stark as our brief time together on the highest point in the lower 48. Watching Adams grit and determination while fighting altitude, fatigue and wind that day I saw not a scrawny kid, but a well poised young man with the world at his fingertips.  And I couldn’t have been more proud to be a part of his moment.

Adam triumphant

As a competitive ultrarunner, I have had the fortune of standing on the podium of some of the biggest Mountain Races in the world. Pushing my body to its limits in the mountains is what I live for.  But my trip with Adam two weeks ago reminded me that my life as an athlete is not what defines me. It turns out that being a supporting actor in the journey of a good kid and helping him realize the things that he is capable of feels just as good as any finish line I have ever crossed.

Help us reach our goal of $5,000 dollars for Outdoor Nation. We are Halfway there!

  Mike showing his Montana Pride

Dec 14 | Infographic: Te Araroa Expedition

By The North Face

Dec 12 | Jez Bragg Embarks on the run of a Lifetime on New Zealand's Te Araroa Trail

By The North Face

Renowned British ultra runner and The North Face athlete Jez Bragg began an expedition that will take all of his mental and physical energy for the next 50 days: a nearly 2,000-mile run the length of New Zealand’s Te Araroa Trail.

The Te Araroa Trail (1898 miles/3054km) opened in December 2011 and runs the full length of New Zealand from the top of the North Island in Cape Reinga to the bottom of the South Island in Bluff. It rivals some of the world’s greatest long distance trails such as the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail in the US. The majority of the route is off-road, through challenging and remote terrain presenting all sorts of different challenges. There are also some short road sections and several estuary crossings as well as a long down-stream paddle on the Whanganui River. 

Jez will, for the majority of the expedition, run solo with a ‘fast and light’ strategy. Since he is used to running ultra-races such as the 104 miles/168km The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc®, he plans to complete the route north-to-south in a period of less than 50 days, averaging between 37-50 miles (60-80km) per day for the full duration. Supported by a support crew of two, medic Dr Mark Taylor and expedition coordinator James Ashwell, the team will follow him in a motor home providing logistical support where possible. Jez expects to encounter long stretches of trail where support won’t be possible, and during those periods he will carry a fast-pack setup to provide complete self-sufficiency. On the South Island, where the terrain is particularly challenging and accumulative fatigue becomes more of a factor, Jez will be joined for intermittent running support from his US teammate, Mike Wolfe. 

Jez will wear products from the Spring '13 collection including the Better Than Naked short sleve, short and jacket; the Stormy Trail jacket and Hyper-Track Guide shoes, along with customized products provided by the product department to his exact specifications. 

Before heading out, Jez said: “Running this trail has been a dream of mine for several years and I have followed its progress with great interest. For me, ultra running is all about this type of adventure; the opportunity to explore remote and challenging landscapes in a very raw and pure way. There is no better way to explore a country like New Zealand with such outstanding natural beauty than to do it by foot. The work that has gone into getting this trail together to its eventual opening is simply mind-boggling. It will be a great honor to be one of the first to run it and hopefully showcase everything the country and the trail, has to offer. It will truly be an adventure of a lifetime.” 

Get up-to-the-minute updates on the Te Araroa Expedition on thenorthfacejournal.com  or follow Jez on Twitter @JezBragg

Nov 28 | The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship Preview

By The North Face

The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship weekend is just around the corner and with rain expected to pummel the San Francisco Bay Area through Sunday, it should be a particularly exciting race. Both the men's and women's elite fields are deep with competition, and The North Face endurance team will be out in full force. 

Some of the The North Face endurance team that will be making a play for the first place finish in the Gore-Tex 50-miler and the $10,000 prize: Five-time Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc winner and 2013 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Nominee Lizzy Hawker, 2012 ECS Champ Mike Wolfe, 2012 UTMB 3rd Place Finisher Mike Foote, 2012 Hardrock 100 Winner Hal Koerner, 2012 Western States 100 2nd Place Finisher Rory Bosio, Mountains-to-Sea Trail Record Holder Diane Van Deren, 2010 USATF Ultrarunner of the Year Kami Semick and 2012 San Francisco Marathon Winner Devon Yanko (formerly Crosby-Helms).

Be sure to check out the full race preview and up-to-the-minute updates from our good friends Bryon Powell and Meghan Hicks at iRunFar.com.

Jun 19 | Countdown to 2012 Western States 100

By The North Face

This weekend in Squaw Valley, California, runners will gather to participate in one of the most well-known and challenging ultramarathons in the world -- The Western States 100. Steeped in a rich history, Western States is often considered  a "Who's Who" of the running community. Last year, The North Face athletes swept six of the top 10 podium spots and this year the prospects look great for the eight of our endurance athletes who are preparing to run this season, including 2011 Men's Endurance Challenge Championship winner and 2011 Western States second place finisher Mike Wolfe. Four-time Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc winner Lizzy Hawker will also be making her Western States 100 debut. 

The course runs along the famed Western States Trail ascending from the Squaw Valley floor (elevation 6,200 feet) to Emigrant Pass (elevation 8,750 feet), a climb of 2,550 vertical feet in the first 4½ miles. From the pass, following the original trails used by the gold and silver miners of the 1850’s, runners travel west, climbing another 15,540 feet and descending 22,970 feet before reaching Auburn.

Most of the trail passes through remote and rugged territory, accessible only to hikers, horses and helicopters -- and of course, runners.

Check back this week and next for updates on all of our Western States athletes, race results and athlete race reports. Follow the conversation online with #WS100, and as always, check-in with our friend Bryon Powell and team at iRunFar for the most comprehensive, in-depth video and from-the-trail coverage. 

Mike Wolfe crossing the finish line in second place in 2011

 

Feb 20 | Mike Wolfe - The North Face Endurance Challenge Series 2011 50 Miler Race Report

By The North Face

The competition was fierce last December for The North Face 2011 Endurance Challenge Championships 50 Miler. Mike Wolfe ended up on top after an exceptionally close race. Read below for Mike's recap of the pain, the comraderie, and the test of limits this race provided.

Mike Wolfe:

I’m not one to recount,  let-alone remember, a race in terms of what happened between each aid station, what each section of the race is called, what my split times were, how many gels I ate or how often.  I don’t analyze route, elevation changes, or where aid stations are.  I enjoy the simplicity of just going for it.  I’ve never been a race strategizer.  In the end, it all melds into a blur anyway, where you forget the worst parts, so you keep coming back for more.  Ah, the beauty of how humans’ minds evolved for survival – forget the pain, only remember the glory.

The 2011 edition of The North Face Endurance Challenge required just that: really going for it, and somehow blocking out the pain.  We all knew it going into this race.  With men’s’ and women’s’ fields as deep as ever seen in a 50-mile ultramarathon, everyone who wanted on the podium knew that it would be intense, fast and furious, and anything could happen out there.  

I came into this race in December like most others, on the tail-end of an already long race season.  I had taken September easy, after my disappointing race in August at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc.  After feeling completely depleted after UTMB, I was worried my season was over, and my body just needed a break.  But, in October and November, my enthusiasm for training was reinvigorated.  I had a really solid block of training leading into the Endurance Challenge.  That, along with my favorite fall pastime - chasing elk around the mountains of Montana to fill the freezer before winter – carried me to the first week of December and race day ready for one last hurrah of the year.

Mentally I knew what it would take to be in the mix in this race down to the final miles.  If I have learned anything from racing in 2011, it’s that racing for the win at any of the top races in the U.S., or Europe, means that you have to be mentally committed, 110%.  I figured this race would be run, and won, just like Miwok this past spring, when Dave Mackey, Hal Koerner, Dakota Jones, and myself, pummeled each other relentlessly the entire day.  Turned out, Dakota and I did the same thing at the Endurance Challenge, only it was harder, faster, more painful, and more rewarding than any other race I’ve done.  Not a bad way to finish out the year.

Dakota Jones pretty much summed up my sentiments in his post-race report.  We started in the dark, we ran really hard, then we ran even harder, it hurt a lot, then it hurt more, and we shared a powerful experience together.  One that only comes during that kind of shared intensity.  When you are pushing each other to the edge.

Anyway, I remember a stampede in the early morning dark, with a thunder of frothing-at-the-mouth guys charging for the lead, as I knew would happen.  I settled into the pace, with only the two Salomon Frenchmen striking out ahead.  The rest of us let them go and figured there was no way they could hold that pace.  As morning wore on, the chase pack began to splinter, only slightly.  By the time we hit the swirly singletrack before the turnaround, we had the Frenchmen in sight and I was running in a tight group with Geoff Roes, Dakota Jones, Michael Wardian, and a few other guys whom I’d never met. 

After the turnaround, Dakota and Alex Nichols made a move and I followed.  We were hammering back down the section of tight singletrack where you begin to encounter runners still going the opposite direction to the turnaround.  At some point, I was negotiating not colliding with a woman while running at break-neck speed.  I failed to duck low enough for a low-hanging deadfall tree.  I cracked the top of my head hard enough to let out an “ugh,” but I couldn’t slacken the pace, or Dakota and Alex would pull ahead.  After I regained my senses a little, I noticed what felt to be a water fountain of sorts on my head.  Curious, I looked down to see blood spraying all over my singlet, neck and right arm.  I wasn’t about to stop, and figured it would stop soon, or I would get light-headed…..and be forced to stop.  I was also comforted with the thought of seeing my crew soon at the next aid station.  It’s always reassuring when your crew is a loved one, and a doctor.  My girlfriend, Dr. Steph, would fix me right up if it was really an issue.

Shortly before that aid station, maybe a little over half-way through the race, I heard Alex yelp in obvious pain.  He and Dakota were about a switch-back ahead of me on some ripping downhill.  I rounded the corner to see Dakota helping Alex to his feet.  Alex was hobbling, could barely bear weight on his right(?) foot.  He had rolled his ankle and he didn’t look good. Dakota and I knew the aid station was close, so we each put an arm over our shoulders and attempted to help Alex hobble down the trail.  We were soon caught by another fellow, and about this time Alex said he could make, didn’t need our help, and he was attempting to run a little again.  Dakota and I kind of looked at each other, didn’t know what to say other than “o.k….?” and we blasted off.

I hit the aid station and knew I couldn’t stop.  I saw Dr. Steph and asked her to check my head quickly as I kept running through the aid station.  She gave me a thumbs-up, slapped my little hind end, and told me to get with it! What a rock star.  I knew if she said I was alright, I had no excuse but to keep hammering with Dakota.  It was about this time that Dakota and I pulled away, and I think we both had it in our minds that this might be a two-man race.

From then on out was one of the best race experiences I’ve ever had.  We were fiercely competing against each other, but we were also locked in some kind of synergy, working together.  I can’t speak for Dakota, but I know I would not have been able to race that hard if he hadn’t been clipping at my heals, or goading me on while in front of me.

It seemed like a long period of time where we ran together with only the sound of our labored breathing.  Few words were exchanged, but those that were offered were nothing but friendly, encouraging, and light.  Dakota is a man wise beyond his years and he’s definitely got the fire inside.  I remember us both laughing, and then gagging, as we would both roll through the latter aid stations stuffing our fists into the salt bowl, choking down literally handful sof salt, and then gagging as we ran on.  It was hot day for us mountain boys, even at a cool 65ish degrees, at least for December.  We were both working really hard and salt intake was obviously an issue.

At some point after mile 35, maybe around 40, I remember thinking that someone had to break.  I can’t remember whether Dakota said it or I did, but words were uttered to the effect of “man, it’s been awesome racing with you, no matter how the day turns out from here.”  We both knew that someone had to give…..but neither of us did.  The pain continued.  I finally pulled away from Dakota on a big climb and I thought that was it….no such luck.  Dakota immediately caught me on the next downhill.  I thought, “Damn, maybe Dakota will win this race on his 21^st birthday!” We then pulled into the last big aid station together, around mile 45.  We both gagged-down our customary handful of salt and set off.

I knew I was climbing a bit better than Dakota and we had one final uphill.  I had to go for it.  I was able to ever so slowly pull away from him on that climb, though I don’t know how I did.  Then, once I hit the top of that climb, with only the final long downhill to the finish, I knew I had to let my legs turn over into danger downhill mode to keep Dakota from catching me.  At that point in races, when you are trashed and all you got is adrenaline to get you to the finish, you never really know how fast you’re running, but it feels like you’re flying.

Then, I hit the flat pavement right before the finish.  That last handful of salt had already worn off and I was reduced to a ridiculous shuffle by spasm leg cramps.  I kept looking over my shoulder, thinking Dakota would surely be bearing down on me.  I was able to get er’ done, and that was that.

What an amazing day. I feel lucky and blessed to have had that experience.  Regardless of who came out on top, it’s truly exceptional to test your own limits, and go well-beyond what you thought you were capable of.  I think that’s what so special about racing—you can’t have that experience alone.

Jan 31 | The North Face Endurance Challenge Series Registration Opens Today

By The North Face

Ready. Set. Go. Registration for the sixth annual The North Face Endurance Challenge series, presented by Gore-Tex series opens today at 12:00pm EST today for the 2012.

The North Face Endurance Challenge series, hosted by internationally recognized ultrarunner Dean Karnazes, offers a variety of distances from 5k to 50 miles and a unique running experience, welcoming people to push and exceed their personal limits on the trail and road. For the past several years, The North Face Endurance Challenge has sold out in almost all cities, with waiting lists for each distance.

From May through December 2012, six endurance events will be held across the country. The first of the year kicks off in Bear Mountain, NY, then to Washington, DC, Madison, WI, Atlanta, GA and a road event in Kansas City, MO.  The Endurance Challenge will culminate at the championship in San Francisco, CA where men’s and women’s top 50-mile finishers will each be awarded $10,000.

Bear Mountain, NY - May 5-6  (Trail)

Washington, DC - June 2-3  (Trail)

Madison, WI September 15-16  (Trail)

Atlanta, GA October 13-14  (Trail)

Kansas City – November 17  (Road)

San Francisco, CA - December 1-2  (Trail)

Trail events will be held over two days, with the Gore-Tex 50 Mile, 50K, Marathon, Marathon Relay and kid’s races held on Saturday, and the Half Marathon, 10K and 5K races on Sunday. The Kansas City road event will be a one-day event, with the 50K, Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Kid’s Race all running on Saturday

In addition to The North Face Endurance Challenge, The North Face global endurance events include The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (Europe), The North Face Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji (Japan) and The North Face Lavaredo Ultra Trail (Italy). For more information about The North Face global endurance events check out www.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge

 

Dec 05 | The North Face Endurance Challenge Championships Recap

By The North Face

Mike Wolfe after finishing first in the Endurance Challenge. He endured 50 miles, even after hitting his head on a tree early in the race Photo:Tim Kemple

Race bibs for The North Face Endurance Challenge Gore-Tex 50 Mile Championships this weeked north of San Francisco read like a veritable “Who’s Who?” of the endurance running world. In its fifth year, the race boasts a $10,000 prize purse for first place, magnificent views of the Bay Area and serious bragging rights, which attracts an elite field of ultrarunners from all over the world. Check out iRunFar's full coverage of the event for more behind-the-scenes details.

The North Face global endurance runner Mike Wolfe of Helena, MT battled it out for 50 miles to come in first place with a time 6:18:57, edging out his steepest competition and earning a course record by a full 15 minutes. Dakota Jones of Durango, CO, who trailed Wolfe by mere minutes through the last 20 miles, came in a close second with a time of 6:21:43 and was followed by Adam Campbell of Vancouver, British Columbia with a time of 6:34:28.

Mike Wolfe is all smiles after his first place finish

“It was really close the entire race,” an exhausted, but elated Wolfe said at the finish line. “We were really well-matched, [Jones] was killing me on the downhills, but I was just a stronger climber. It really came down to climbing that last hill, and I was able to pull away.”

New Zealand’s Anna Frost was the first female finisher with a time of 6:56:00, followed by Ellie Greenwood of Banff, British Columbia with a time of 7:07:16, and Mary Beth Cadwell of San Anselmo, CA with a time of 7:28:29.

Anna Frost after taking first place in the women's race and earning her $10,000 prize

Other top athletes who participated in The North Face Endurance Challenge Championships, included: 2011 San Francisco Marathon winner and USATF 100K Champion Michael Wardian, two-time Western States winner Hal Koerner, winner of the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc in Chamonix, France Lizzy Hawker, and Western States Champion Geoff Roes.

An additional three races were held Sunday, including a Half Marathon, 5K and 10K. The weekend’s events end The North Face Endurance Challenge Series, which held events in Bear Mountain, NY, Washington, DC, Kansas City, MO, Madison, WI and Atlanta, GA earlier this year.  However, The North Face Endurance Challenge will return next year with at least one new race addition, beginning in May 2012. For information on The North Face Endurance Team and where they’ll be next, head to www.thenorthface.com or www2.thenorthface.com/endurance.

Aug 24 | UTMB: Pre-Race Interviews (Cont.)

By The North Face

The North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc is right around the corner.  Today we're featuring IRunFar.com's pre-race interview with two of the men of The North Face Endurance Athlete Team, 2010 UTMB Champion Jez Bragg and Mike Wolfe. Check out the full post here. You can also read interviews with two of The North Face women competing in the 103-mile race here.

 

As this article goes up, the iRunFar team is on its way to cover the 2011 The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc. (Well, I’m running it, too.) I know it’s overused, but this very well might be the most competitive 100 mile race in history.

Let’s start with one hell of a rematch – everyone the top five at this year’s Western States will toe the line in Chamonix on Friday. That includes, Kilian Jornet, Mike Wolfe, Nick Clark, Jez Bragg, and Tsuyoshi Kaburaki. To that you can add 2010 Western States champ Geoff Roes, 2010 The North Face Endurance Challenge champ Miguel Heras, 2011 Hardrock 100 second place finisher Dakota Jones, two-time Western States champ and The North Face runner Hal Koerner, SEVEN-time Western States champ Scott Jurek, as well as a slew of top Europeans and Asians.

As with all races, not all who entered with be out there on race day. On the American side, the no shows include Anton Krupicka (recovering from a broken leg), Karl Meltzer (back injury), and Dave Mackey (scheduling conflict). I’m sure there are similar withdrawals from the overseas crowd.

 JEZ BRAGG

iRunFar: We last saw you at the Western States 100 in June, where you ran to 4th place and a blazing sub-16 hour finish. How has your summer of recovery and then training been since then? Did you bounce back pretty quickly or take a nice break?

Jez Bragg: The recovery – train – taper phase between Western States and UTMB has been a bit blurred to say the least. I recovered pretty quickly from Western States so I really just threw myself straight into UTMB-specific stuff without too much of a break. I did quite a bit of road cycling and swimming to supplement the running early in the summer, which I always find works well to spin the muscle soreness away. With only 9 weeks between the two races it’s not a lot of time, but I’ve done all I can and I’m definitely feeling ready to go. My real focus has been on building leg strength. I know I can run 100 miles pretty quick, but there are obviously a few lumps and blumps along the way at UTMB, so plenty of long days going up and down the mountains has been top of the agenda.

iRF: It looks like you spent some time training in the Alps during July. Did you train on the course or on similar terrain? How did that go for you? Are you feeling like you’ve been able to train to your potential?

Bragg: I’ve spent quite a bit of time in the mountains over the summer – several days in the Lake District (North West England), a couple of weeks in the Alps and a few days in Snowdonia (North Wales) too. The Alps training was brilliant. I fastpacked the ‘Walkers’ Haute Route’, a high level route between Chamonix and Zermatt, then did a 3-day training weekend with The North Face Team covering the full UTMB route, as well a load of other single training days. As a whole, it’s all gone really well and should pay dividends in the race. It’s a difficult balance to strike with UTMB training. It’s obviously a super hard race so it follows that the training needs to be pretty hardcore too, but it’s so easy to over step the mark and completely trash your legs before you even start. With a bit of luck I’ve got it about right. We’ll soon find out….

iRF: You’re UTMB’s defending champion. What’s it like returning to the race in this way? Are you going back this year to defend your title or to run your own race? Or, do those two goal equate to each other for you?

Bragg: A bit different! Last year was a strange one. It was a great experience which gave me a taste of winning a big race, but it wasn’t the real UTMB race. I’m looking forward to running the full distance and seeing what happens. I will always run my own race and that definitely won’t change just because I’m wearing race number one. I know how to bring out the best in myself and that’s not necessarily battling it out at the front from mile one. It’s a long race and a lot can (and will happen). It’s gonna be very, very interesting.

iRF: One thing we’ve noticed about you is the joy you seem to derive from running in wild places. Is the scenery of the UTMB course at all motivating to you?

Bragg: I love nothing more than running solo in a super remote places. The UTMB course is very inspiring for me. Every time I go round, and I think it’s over ten times now, I’m just in awe of the incredible views – it certainly never gets boring. UTMB is very special race and the biggest reason for that is the beauty of the course and surroundings. When you’re feeling super tired and overwhelmed by the challenge, you just need to catch a glimpse of Mont Blanc or one of the other mountains to draw some extra strength to keep you going.

iRF: The UTMB men’s roster has some serious talent on it. With whom are you looking forward to spending some time out on the course? Who are your top five picks for the men?

Bragg: It’s certainly going to be a great race for the spectator. I enjoyed running with Mike Wolfe last year. We’re very similar in ability and we seemed to spur each other on a lot, so hopefully we will be get chance to run together again. Other than that, any english speaker will do! We all know how friendly the ultra community is, even amongst the elites, so it would be great to get to know some new people through running together out on the course – what better way to get to know someone that going through hell and back out on the UTMB course?! I’m going dodge that top 5 question. I think we know there is a young spaniard who will take some beating…..

MIKE WOLFE

iRunFar: You placed second at the Western States 100, just four minutes back of Kilian Jornet. That must have been a performance you were proud of. How did recovery go for you? And, in the two or so months between WS100 and UTMB, what kind of training have you been up to?

Mike Wolfe: I was definitely happy with my performance at WS this year.  I felt great afterwards.  I think it was the fastest I’ve recovered after a 100.  I was generally fatigued for a bit, but that’s it.  Since WS, I have just been focusing on lots of vertical, in terms of training.  I was able to get in a good hard block of training late July through first couple weeks of August…. we’ll see whether that pays off in a few days, I suppose.

iRF: It looks like you might have raced and won a 50k in Montana earlier this month, the HURL Elkhorn 50K. We imagine it was a UTMB tune-up race. How did you feel during it? Did you experience the results you wanted for the day?

Wolfe: I decided to run the Elkhorn 50km two days prior.  It was during my big block of training, and I did it solely as a “beat myself up” training run.  Elkhorn was right at the tailend of a BIG 12-day block for me.  My legs were fatigued, but I got out of it what I wanted, then put in 11k of vert in 20+ miles the next day.

iRF: You’re obviously quite fit. And, you’ve been to UTMB before, having placed second there last year, so you know all about the Euro-racing scene. Signs point toward this being a pretty spectacular race for you. What do you think?

Wolfe: I try not to ever speculate or go into races with any significant expectations on myself.  I want to run my heart out, and I am excited for the depth of competition. Ultimately, for me, it’s about pushing my personal limits and relishing the love of the mountain environment (and, at UTMB, enjoying the amazing spirit/culture for this race).  The competition always pushes me to explore my limits and that’s what its all about.

iRF: You put up a good fight against Kilian at WS100. What will it be like to compete against him and other top Euros on their home turf?

Wolfe: Tough, and tougher. No doubt about that. In addition to Kilian, there are a bunch of top Euros that will certainly be pushing up front.  They have the advantage of training over here and course knowledge.  But, no excuses.  We are all equal when the race gun goes off.

Aug 23 | UTMB 2011: Pre-Race Interviews

By The North Face

The 103-mile The North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc is just days away and our friend Bryon Powell over at iRunFar.com is on the ground in Chamonix, France getting the full scoop. Check back here at the Never Stop Exploring Blog, or at I Run Far all week for race updates. You can also get real-time updates by following @thenorthface or @iRunFar on Twitter.

Today, we're featuring Bryon's pre-race interview with two of the women of The North Face Endurance Athlete Team, Lizzy Hawker and Helen Cospolich. Check out the full post here. You can also read interviews with two members of the men's team, Jez Bragg and Mike Wolfe here.  

 

Many a fast femme will be running the 103-mile The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc this week. Five different ladies have won UTMB in the past. Three of them will face off at this year’s race: Lizzy Hawker (’05, ’08, ’10), Krissy Moehl (’03 & ’09), and Karine Herry (’06). They’ll be joined by the second, third, and fourth place finishers from last year’s race: Nerea Martinez, Agnes Herve, and Fernanda Maciel. Two strong Americans will be joining Moehl in representing the states: Darcy Africa and Helen Cospolich. We caught up with two women’s contenders for the 2011 The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, Lizzy Hawker (post-2010 TNF UTMB win video interview) and Helen Cospolich (pre-2010 TNF UTMB video interview).

Lizzy Hawker

iRunFar: You have a lot of experience with UTMB. You won in 2005, 2008, and 2010. In addition, in 2009, you were second to Krissy Moehl. What’s it like returning to race that you know so well? What’s it like returning to a race as a defending champion, knowing that the women’s field is deep with talent?

Lizzy Hawker: The UTMB becomes something that is so much more than just the incredible challenge of the race itself. Every runner, every volunteer and every supporter becomes part of something truly special – the shared passion and dedication make this so much more than just a race – more a shared journey of exploration and endurance within the greater journey of our own life.  I’m just looking forward to the challenge of going deep within myself and making my own journey, while sharing the experience with so many.

iRF: How has your training been going this summer? Have you had any particular training days or trips that were really good or memorable? What kind of training do you do? Lots of days in the mountains? Speedwork? Some of everything?

Hawker: Training during the summer race season inevitably includes something of everything – and is specifically focused towards the races that I am next aiming for.  Thinking towards UTMB then two memorable training stints were a 2-day solo run over the route of the UTMB in June, and a 2-day solo run following the Tour de Monte Rosa just last week.  Each time, I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the mountain environment and felt a deep joy in the freedom of being able to move …

iRF: We understand that you’ve raced this summer, most recently winning the 78km Swiss Alpine Davos in late July. For iRunFar’s readers who might not be familiar with this race, can you tell us about it? Can you also tell us about how you felt out there? Did winning that race instill in you some confidence for UTMB?

Hawker: The 78km Swiss Alpine is a beautiful and challenging race and it was a privilege to return for my third win.  Each race stands alone, but the end of one race is the beginning of the journey to the next (a week later I won a 2-day double mountain marathon). Each and every race is unique with its own challenges and demands – but each gives you something to learn and something to take forward to the next race.  These last two races gave me a deep joy and reminded me that if we dig deep in there to really ‘be in ourselves’ at every moment of the race – then surely we can reach beyond what we believe possible.

iRF: Krissy Moehl is returning to UTMB this year, as you know. Who else do you see as your competition out on the course? Are there any other runners with whom you’re looking forward to racing?

Hawker: It will be a privilege to be part of such a deep and talented women’s field, but for me the important thing is to focus on the race rather than to think about the competition.  I hope just to run the best that I can at each moment of the race, to give ‘all’ that I can, to feel joy in my run, and to share an incredible experience with so many people.

Helen Cospolich

iRunFar: We last saw you when you finished the Western States 100 in 20:44 back in June. After that, you went on to win the Silver Rush 50 in July. Have we missed any other summer races for you?

Helen Cospolich: This year I did most of my racing in the spring as preparation for WS100 in June, so my schedule was intentionally heavy then. I raced Way Too Cool 50K in March, Spring Desert 50 Mile in April, Miwok 100K in May, and then Dirty Thirty 50K in June leading up to Western. Because Western was a focus for me, I spent much of my training time on flat ground working on speed, and I think it paid off in my early season races as I PR’d in all of them.

iRF: How has your training been this summer? We imagine UTMB is a goal race. That said, how have you structured your training to lead up to this race?

Cospolich: UTMB is a goal race for sure, but it’s been an interesting season leading up to it this year. I think I’ve found that racing two 100s in one summer pushes my limit for training. Last year I focused solely on UTMB by running the mountains all summer, starting in June. This summer I was still training for WS100 in June, and there was too much snow up high to run the peaks until mid-July. So I feel a bit like I’ve had to cram my vertical training into a month or two. I’m not sure how it will work out for the race, but I do keep telling myself that the altitude shouldn’t be a problem because I live at about 10,000 feet. I’ve spent the last few weekends running 14ers and ski areas. On the weekdays, since I’m working, I’ve been leaving the house as early as 4:30 a.m. to put in some mountain trail running before work. I’ve seen a ton of bears this summer, too.

iRF: You’ve raced in Europe before, and you placed seventh at the 2010 UTMB. Is course knowledge and experience with the abroad racing culture important? That is, is this an advantage for you?

Cospolich: Yes, absolutely! While we didn’t see all of the course last year with the mudslide and reroute, I got a really good sense of the culture and the “scene” of the race, as well as the trails. I went into it last year expecting a course as technically difficult as the Hardrock 100, and was kindof shocked that it wasn’t at all like that. Yes, there’s a ton of vertical, but the trails are so well-used over hundreds of years that they are easily distinguishable, and pretty runable in most places. Last year I was so intimidated by the whole scene of the race, but this year I’m happy to be returning knowing what it’s like. And I think in some regards it’s easier to run your own race when there are so many people around you. I enjoyed being relatively anonymous last year and hope it will be that way again this year.

iRF: You must have a few goals for the race. Can you let us in on perhaps one of those goals?

Cospolich: Honestly, I haven’t yet pieced together my goals for this year’s race. I’m working on that now and should have a good sense of it after I study the other competitors and the course more. There are a lot of very fast American women running this year, but to my knowledge, few of them have done this event before. I’m actually more concerned about the Americans than the Europeans. I think we will have a great American showing there for both men and women! I came off of Western States a little burnt out, raced the Leadville Silver Rush 50, and then I got the stomach flu and spent a family vacation at the beach. When I returned to Colorado I jammed my leg pretty good on a scree face at 13,000 feet, but I’m feeling pretty good now and trying to enjoy the taper leading up to the race and gain motivation over this time. I figure maybe it’s a good thing that I’ve been really busy with work and getting my daughter ready for school and extracurricular activities, which start the week I’m away. But overall, I’m excited to run in the Alps and really looking forward to racing UTMB again.