In her debut on the occasion, Germany’s Katharina Hartmuth completed third on the 2024 Hardrock 100 regardless of coping with quite a lot of points all through the race. Throughout this interview, she talks in regards to the first half of the race the place she felt good, the bladder and imaginative and prescient points that plagued her through the second 50 miles, and the way she relied on motivation from her pacer to recover from the ultimate climb to the end.

For extra on how the race performed out, try our in-depth 2024 Hardrock 100 outcomes article.

Katharina Hartmuth Publish-2024 Hardrock 100 Interview Transcript

iRunFar: Meghan Hicks of iRunFar I’m with Katharina Hartmuth, it’s the day after the 2024 Hardrock 100 Endurance Run. You’re the ladies’s third-place finisher, how does that sound and really feel?

Hartmuth: It feels nice. Yeah, it’s a bit surprising, however I take it. So I’m actually completely satisfied.

iRunFar: You had such a combined method to this race. You had some accidents within the winter that we talked about in our pre-race interview, had some good coaching, after which had a reasonably main again damage only a couple weeks earlier than the race. So going into the race, you have been apprehensive about your again, however because it seems, have been there different issues to fret about on this race?

Hartmuth: Sure. So fortunately, the again appeared to not be an issue in any respect, however as a substitute as normal, different issues occurred. So, yeah, effectively, no. To start with, I’m tremendous completely satisfied that the again maintain up so effectively as a result of even on the morning of the race, I assumed, nah, let’s see. Possibly I’ve to drop out on the 10k as a result of it’s simply not potential. However yeah, I’m simply so completely satisfied that the again is okay.

iRunFar: So we are able to put the again factor to relaxation, not less than for now.

Hartmuth: Sure.

iRunFar: The race begins, I believe you spend a few of the early miles with Courtney Dauwalter, after which the three prime girls within the group, your self, Camille Bruyas, and Courtney type of strung out a bit of bit within the early miles. Is that the way it type of went?

Hartmuth: Yeah, so I began with Courtney behind this group of males that have been on the prime. And yeah, it was good. We had a pleasant little chat on the Rainbow Path till the river crossing, after which within the ascent and the primary climb, I let her go. I used to be like, “It’s best to go,” as a result of she requested me if I want to work collectively together with her, and I used to be like, “Nah, I don’t assume so. I shouldn’t push myself too arduous within the first climb.”

So I let her go. After which Camille, she got here in some unspecified time in the future and we run a bit collectively, however then I mentioned the identical to her. I used to be like, “I all the time begin my races with a straightforward tempo.” Nicely, it’s a excessive tempo, however I’ve to begin gradual. And I believe right here it was precisely proper as a result of on the second climb, I already realized that I struggled a bit with nausea and had a lightweight headache. So the altitude…I used to be like, I actually should take it straightforward and simply do my factor and don’t attempt to stick to the others.

iRunFar: Plenty of runners have mentioned that the warmth of the primary day ended up being a problem. I imply, it wasn’t severely sizzling, however it was a number of warmth for this altitude. Did you’re feeling that or what have been the ache factors of the primary day of operating for you?

Hartmuth: So warmth by no means actually bothers me. I don’t prefer it, however I believe I can cope with it fairly effectively.

iRunFar: Okay.

Hartmuth: So it was sizzling, particularly within the valleys, however for me, it was not that a lot of a problem.

iRunFar: Not too unhealthy.

Hartmuth: No, I used to be really glad that there was no rain or thunderstorms to be afraid.

iRunFar: That was the climate that you simply have been essentially the most apprehensive about.

Hartmuth: Yeah.

iRunFar: I believe because the race went on, you say it was a neater tempo for you, however you weren’t that far behind Camille and Courtney in entrance of you. The hole at every assist station was only a couple minutes longer, not any massive gaps of time. So to me, it appeared just like the three of you have been actually operating your personal races, however they have been actually not that far other than one another. It was identical to parallel missions.

Hartmuth: Yeah. Yeah. I used to be really excited to see that. I imply, I by no means wish to hear any splits from my crew-

iRunFar: Okay, that is the no-split crew.

Hartmuth: Even after I was with my pacer later, he all the time was the primary to inform the help station, we don’t need any splits. However clearly once you’re that in entrance of the race, virtually folks will inform you.

So I had a tough concept of the place I used to be and the place the ladies have been, and I believe for me it was thrilling, particularly to see that we had three girls within the prime six for a very long time. I used to be like, that’s cool.

iRunFar: It’s tremendous cool.

Hartmuth: Yeah. I imply, I knew that I must run my very own race as a result of it’s such a protracted race, and the night time was nonetheless forward, and I didn’t know if my again was holding up for your complete race. So I used to be identical to, okay, do your personal factor.

iRunFar: Yeah.

Hartmuth: However it was good.

iRunFar: It’s mentioned at Hardrock that for the quick runners who take not all of 48 hours to complete it, that the race is basically damaged into two components, the daytime after which the nighttime. I believe you had a very totally different nighttime than your daytime.

Hartmuth: Sure.

iRunFar: What occurred for you within the nighttime, and what was the timeline of how issues unfolded for you?

Hartmuth: Yeah, So I can principally cut up my race in two halves.

iRunFar: Okay.

Hartmuth: First 15 hours have been nice, and the second 15 hours have been horrible.

iRunFar: Okay.

Hartmuth: Yeah. Nicely, the issues started already when it was nonetheless daylight as a result of I one way or the other developed a bladder an infection, which was painful when operating.

iRunFar: Very painful.

Hartmuth: Yeah. So it bothered me not a lot on the climbing on the uphill, however as quickly as I used to be operating, it was simply tremendous uncomfortable.

iRunFar: Like feeling the organ sort of jostle.

Hartmuth: Yeah. And it was simply ache. And so particularly do not forget that street coming down from Oh Level to Animas. I imply, normally I ought to be capable of run the entire street, however I couldn’t as a result of it was simply insufferable. So each couple of minutes I needed to simply take a brief strolling break and that, effectively, it was a bit annoying. I puzzled how that might play out all through the remainder of the night time. However the primary drawback really actually occurred within the night time as a result of, as I mentioned earlier, I had already issues with the fueling attributable to me feeling not so effectively on the primary and on the second and third climb. So I already amassed the deficit in energy, and it’s all the time troublesome for me to gas through the night time. It’s method more durable for me than through the day. And I believe I pushed myself perhaps a bit too arduous on Handies, and I actually felt it after I was on prime of Handies. I used to be like, oh, I must get in some energy. However then I forgot about it on the downhill and it simply amassed. And I imply, I made it to Sherman and nonetheless felt not too unhealthy. And I picked up my tempo and we did the climb, and nonetheless it was all nice. However then on the highest of the climb in the midst of the night time, I used to be simply, okay, now it’s going downhill.

iRunFar: Okay.

Hartmuth: From one second to the following, I felt terrible. I might simply not transfer effectively anymore. And that was actually a tough time up there. I believe I’ve by no means been that low in a race when it comes to simply how I felt. After which we spent, I believe half-hour within the Pole Creek station simply making an attempt to get one thing inside me that I wouldn’t throw up once more. In order that was actually difficult, and I knew that I needed to eat. There was no hope for ending the race with out consuming, however on the similar time, I simply felt so sick on a regular basis. In order that was actually, actually robust. And I believe we managed one way or the other to get a bit of bit out of it with daylight approaching. However ultimately it was once more an issue for the final climb, I felt actually terrible once more.

iRunFar: Okay, so that you haven’t talked about the eyesight factor.

Hartmuth: Yeah.

iRunFar: So yeah, there’s the bladder, there’s the fueling deficit and never having the vitality to maneuver the way you wished, after which your eyes went in some unspecified time in the future?

Hartmuth: So clearly there was one thing else.

iRunFar: Clearly, as a result of hassle is available in threes and we now have to have our third.

Hartmuth: Like with my crashes. I’ve three crashes, so I do know three different main points within the race. So yeah, when daylight was approaching, I used to be lastly a bit higher with the energy. Instantly I had the issue that I misplaced my imaginative and prescient to a big half. So it was all blurry and foggy in entrance of my eyes. And I believe the large drawback was that I couldn’t see the markers anymore, and I additionally couldn’t see the map on my watch, so I couldn’t examine on my watch if I’m nonetheless on the correct path.

iRunFar: At the least your watch wasn’t beeping at you or one thing, proper?

Hartmuth: No, no, no. However it was very difficult and I used to be fortunate that I used to be with my pacer who might principally present me the best way, however in some unspecified time in the future I misplaced my pacer as a result of I needed to drop him. And, yeah, it was actually difficult happening to Cunningham, principally seeing…

iRunFar: Nothing.

Hartmuth: … only some blurred colours, and I couldn’t even acknowledge my crew when arriving in Cunningham and it was a bit embarrassing,

iRunFar: In Maggie Gulch assist station, which is the second to final main assist station, you stayed for perhaps 10, 12, 14 minutes to gas your self, and then you definitely had an extended cease in Cunningham. Possibly you have been even within the medical tent for a bit?

Hartmuth: Yeah, I believe in Cunningham it was even 40 minutes.

iRunFar: Okay.

Hartmuth: As a result of once more, I used to be simply so low with my vitality and I needed to eat one thing to make it over that climb. After which I had this eye drawback they usually tried to assist me with some eye drops which not less than it obtained a bit of bit higher. However I knew that I needed to take somebody with me over that climb as a result of I knew the street that was developing, and I wouldn’t have been ready to do this street with out assist as a result of I simply couldn’t see the stones within the street. And that street was so painful to run down. I believe that is the race I’ve spent essentially the most time in assist stations simply sitting there and making an attempt to get some meals in and simply to …

iRunFar: Get well your self a bit of bit.

Hartmuth: … get better, yeah. So, really, after we began the final climb, I wasn’t positive if I might make it. It appeared unimaginable as a result of I used to be so low and I couldn’t see something. So it was identical to, what am I doing right here? However on the similar time I assumed, effectively, I’ve made it up to now now, it will be a pity to not end. So fortunately my crew, she was actually good and he or she was like, “You must stand up there. There’s no method out of this, and we are going to convey you to the stone.” And yeah, we made it.

iRunFar: I like the ending of the race in whichever path you go, since you get this little run into city, you’re closing the loop. You’ve come from method out in a few of the most distant locations of the San Juan Mountains again to this tiny civilization. And there’s simply this aesthetic factor about closing the loop and getting to do this method. Did you may have any emotions as you have been coming by way of city of, sure, I’ve lastly accomplished this by way of all the challenges, or have been you simply numb to it. Let’s simply get there and I’ll take into consideration issues later?

Hartmuth: Yeah, I believe I used to be nonetheless very numb.

iRunFar: Okay.

Hartmuth: After I got here down the path as a result of I used to be like, “Rattling it, I’m simply accomplished.” It took quite a bit out of me, particularly the final climb. After which after I got here to the end line, I believe first I used to be really a bit upset as a result of I noticed that I used to be over 30 hours and I knew that with out all these stops and the fueling points, I imply it will’ve been two or three hours sooner.

iRunFar: Yeah.

Hartmuth: And that was a bit disappointing for me as a result of I had the legs for a superb time. However then after I was on the rock, I used to be like, no, it’s good.

iRunFar: A 30-and-a-half-hour Hardrock is a superb day.

Hartmuth: It’s undoubtedly not a foul, no, no, no. And particularly after I thought-about the whole lot that occurred and after I then realized how a lot time I additionally spent not operating throughout this 30 hours.

iRunFar: That provides up too, proper?

Hartmuth: That provides as much as fairly a while, yeah. So no, then as quickly as I used to be on the end line, really, it was a really optimistic second.

iRunFar: One of many worst inquiries to ask at the moment after 100 miler, however it’s the one which most individuals are interested in. You’re from overseas, so coming to race Hardrock is a very massive deal within the first place, however now you’re a finisher of Hardrock, which makes it a bit of bit simpler to get in one other time.

Hartmuth: Hopefully, let’s see.

iRunFar: I imply, would a second Hardrock be one thing you want to do sometime?

Hartmuth: Sure. I used to be advised by sure people who it’s important to do the opposite method round as effectively, to be an actual Hardocker.

iRunFar: Nicely, I assume which means it’s important to put in once more.

Hartmuth: Yeah, I assumed a lot doing the race about how it will be operating the opposite method round. I’m very curious as a result of I believe that the opposite method round, I believe this, how we did it this 12 months, the clockwise spherical is perhaps my favourite.

iRunFar: Okay.

Hartmuth: However I nonetheless should see how it’s the different method round.

iRunFar: There’s a sure particular person on the, iRuFar staff who likes to say that their favourite is, “Whichever path the race goes.”

Hartmuth: Yeah, probably. I’ll say this then after I’ve accomplished the opposite method.

iRunFar: Or one of the best ways is the one that you simply get the entry to do, proper?

Hartmuth: Precisely. No, I imply, I might be tremendous stoked to return again. Really, this 12 months, it was a bit robust to get right here within the first place as a result of I used to be by myself and organizing the whole lot. I used to be fairly exhausted.

iRunFar: However now you realize your method round, you’re going to be a Hardrock professional.

Hartmuth: Yeah, and now I do know so many extra folks right here, which is tremendous useful. And now I’ve been right here, I’ve seen the mountains. I skilled how lovely they’re, and I believe I’ve actually fallen in love a bit with the place right here. So yeah, it’s not that troublesome when you may have such a fantastic, nice mountain.

iRunFar: Yeah.

Hartmuth: No, I undoubtedly wish to be again. And I imply if I can’t make it as a runner, then perhaps as a pacer or crew, or no matter that’s.

iRunFar: That’s music to my private ears. My final query for you, Hardrock is a reasonably difficult race in and of its personal, however you could have one thing much more difficult in your race calendar for this 12 months.

Hartmuth: I believe so, sure.

iRunFar: You’re going to race the Tor de Géants within the begin of September or mid-September.

Hartmuth: Sure. Nicely, starting of September.

iRunFar: Yeah.

Hartmuth: Yeah, precisely. So I assumed quite a bit about this additionally through the race as a result of I used to be like, ah, that’s one other Hardrock added.

iRunFar: It’s in all probability not one thing it is best to take into consideration in the midst of that.

Hartmuth: Yeah, particularly not once you’re in a foul place and hurting. No, I’m actually a lot wanting ahead to it. It will likely be the primary time for me racing over 100 miles. And I believe, particularly the sleep deprivation, that’s an enormous subject that doesn’t actually come up in 100 miler, however once you transcend, it’ll. In order that’s one thing that I actually don’t know the way it’ll work out, and I’m actually excited to seek out out.

iRunFar: Yeah.

Hartmuth: And likewise a bit scared, however I’ve seen components of the course already final 12 months, and it’s so lovely over there. It’s an enormous problem, however I actually want to full it this 12 months. And yeah, let’s see how issues will end up.

iRunFar: Nicely, there’s a massive, lovely finisher’s breakfast ready for you simply over there that has your identify on it.  Katharina Hartmuth, congratulations in your first Hardrock end and your third-place end at 2024 version.

Hartmuth: Thanks very a lot.