Barkley Marathons 2024

The pacing strategy for ultramarathons is the single most important element I had to master before tackling the legendary Penyagolosa CSP. As a runner who has tasted both the sweetness of summit finishes and the bitterness of bonks, I can confidently say that without a solid pacing plan, this 100-kilometer technical race in the Spanish mountains will break you. The race and what makes it brutal To begin with, Penyagolosa CSP isn’t just about distance—it’s about elevation, heat, rocks, and relentless terrain. With over 5,500 meters of vertical gain, your quads are under siege from the moment you start in Castellón until you reach the sanctuary of Sant Joan de Penyagolosa. However, what makes it especially tricky is its technicality. Sharp descents, loose stones, forest

Sierra Nevada off-season running isn’t something most people think of when they plan their training year—but it should be. When I first signed up for a week-long, low-key running camp during the quietest time of year, I was honestly just trying to stay fit. What I didn’t expect was to reconnect with everything I had forgotten I loved about running. Escaping the race routine By the time October rolled around, I was burnt out. Although I had pushed through a busy race calendar, ticking off finish lines and personal bests, it all started to feel mechanical. So when a friend mentioned a rustic training camp in the Sierra Nevada off-season, I was intrigued. No bib numbers, no sponsor banners—just trails, altitude, and space to breathe.

The Hardrock lottery is a beast of its own. As a runner who finally heard my name drawn after years of trying, I want to share what I’ve learned—not just about the process itself but about how to stack the odds (and tickets) in your favor. This isn’t just a technical breakdown; it’s the story of grit, strategy, and community, all wrapped in one of the toughest ultra lotteries out there. My first encounter with the Hardrock Lottery Back in 2018, I watched a video of the Hardrock 100 and immediately knew I had to run it someday. The terrain, the altitude, the sense of camaraderie—it struck a chord. But my dreams were quickly met with reality: this race doesn’t just require legs; it demands