Few endurance events carry the mystique of the Hardrock 100 Endurance Run. For the second straight year, Vermonter and UnTapped’s own Aliza Lapierre will toe the line in Colorado’s rugged San Juan Mountains, where altitude, weather, and 100 unforgiving miles demand equal parts preparation, patience, and grit. Here’s what she had to say about training and nutrition for ultra marathon training.
I think I’ve heard you say the chances of being accepted into Hardrock are around 2%. You’ve been accepted two years in a row and this is your second year competing. It seems like it’s about time to buy a scratch ticket! How do you approach being accepted into the race?
Before you can register for the Hardrock Endurance Run lottery you must first complete a qualifying race, because this event is what is referred to as a “graduate level course.” With a qualifier you can enter a weighted lottery designed to balance first time participants with returning finishers while preserving the race’s community and traditions. Tickets are accumulated each time you enter the lottery and also can be earned through volunteer work. Additionally gender representation is built into the draw.
The lottery happens live in early December so you can watch online as names populate one by one. I was drawn later in the process this year. I had started to accept it wasn’t going to happen, but then my name appeared! My phone immediately started pinging with congratulatory texts. For me, once my name is drawn I contact my coach, then the focused work begins!
Coming from the thick, humid air of Vermont to the high mountains of the Rockies isn’t simple. Tell us about some of your tricks and tips, how you approach nutrition for ultra marathon training, acclimatization techniques, or where you just roll the dice?
Going from Vermont’s thick, humid air to 10,000-14,000 feet in Colorado is always a shock. The biggest mistake I’ve made is trying to pretend it isn’t. In the past I’ve attempted to just push myself harder rather than to respect the process. I’ve learned that my goal isn’t to arrive feeling like I live at altitude, but rather it’s to arrive healthy, rested, and ready to adapt.
Once at altitude I prioritize patience and sleep. I start off with some easy days of hiking/easy running and then work into some longer days while incorporating some race effort. I try to not worry about pace and go by effort and remind myself that fueling and hydration become more important at altitude because your body is under greater physiological stress. I pretty much carry around a bottle of UnTapped Mapleaid with me whether I am running or not.
Wildfires seemingly pop up as early as ever these days. The air quality index in southwest Colorado, the area in which Hardrock takes place, is on most racers’ minds right now. We’re sorry you’re having to juggle that right now amid everything else that goes into a race of this magnitude! How challenging is this period of limbo? What are the race organizers’ plans as of now?
Sadly the fires have grown and multiplied since we have arrived in Colorado. The Hardrock board has been transparent that they have been meeting daily and consulting with the outside organizations that they rely on for safety to gather all the information they need to keep the runners, volunteers, spectators and, communities safe. Currently the fire has not touched the course, but the air quality index has been over 160 the past two days. These levels warrant wearing a mask outside and staying inside if you can.
With all that said, it has been hard to mentally prepare for if the run goes, but at the same time prepare for if the event doesn’t go. It’s a lot to balance, especially while tapering (lots of time to sit around and overthink)! Ultimately this is just a run — life, structures, and wildlife are the top priority!
Given your race experience at Hardrock and at other ultra events, what nutrition strategy have you landed on for this 2026 edition?
My nutrition for ultra marathon training is pretty boring when it comes to variety! I like what I like and I like it a lot. I will aim for 230 to 250 calories per hour. I will primarily use Salted Cinnamon Spice Gels (currently in my fueling plan I have allocated 78 of them) and will rely on Grape Mapleaid and Maple Mapleaid for my hydration. I’m planning on incorporating some Vegan Strawberry Recovery Drink Mix mid-race for the carbs and protein; some easily digestible protein will be beneficial to help reduce muscle breakdown. Also because of the duration of this race I will incorporate some solid foods like mashed potatoes, rice noodles, and cold soaked oats.
When you picture a successful Hardrock, what does that look like?
Hardrock isn’t a traditional race; they call it the Hardrock Endurance Run. Yes there is a clock and you put on a race bib, but it’s about experiencing the San Juans on my own two feet and staying present for all of it. Coming from Vermont, getting the opportunity to move in these mountains is something I never take for granted.
Of course, I want to kiss the rock and finish strong, but I also want to make smart decisions throughout the day(s). That means pacing patiently, staying on top of fueling and hydration, adapting when things don’t go according to plan, and remembering that highs and lows are part of the journey.
As I discovered last year, Hardrock has a way of stripping things down to what really matters. Success is moving through the mountains with respect, sharing miles with friends old and new, thanking the volunteers who make the race possible, and appreciating the privilege of being there. If I can cross the finish line knowing I gave the course my full attention, stayed true to my run, and never lost sight of why I came, I’ll consider that a successful Hardrock.
What else Aliza?!
Thanks to UnTapped for fueling my journey!
You can follow along with Aliza’s progress on the Hardrock 100 website.
Bonus content: Watch Aliza in pre-race interview with iRunFar!
Salted Cinnamon Spice Gels
Organic pure Vermont maple syrup infused with organic cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and a touch of sea salt.