Earlier this summer, Colorado welcomed athletes from all over the country to the Leadville Run and MTB Series Training Camps. The Blueprint for Athletes Trail 100 Run is known as the perfect training tool for this year’s endurance race series. Athletes were met by seasoned veterans to experience an informative look at — and test it themselves — the country’s most scenic and challenging ultra-run course. Throughout the summer, HOTSHOT has been along for the ride, offering samples at the EXPOs, aid stations and along the course of both Leadville Silver Rush 50 and this past weekend’s Leadville 100 MTB. To prep for this weekend's Leadville 100 Run, ultra-marathoner and #TeamHOTSHOT influencer, Clare Gallagher, divulged her training tips, facts about the course, and how HOTSHOT has kept her primed for the finish line.
Why would someone benefit from HOTSHOT at Leadville?
Due to the extreme nature (altitude, dry summer heat, relentless terrain) of the Leadville series events, cramps are inevitable for many racers, both mountain bikers and runners. HOTSHOT isn’t meant to replace routine hydration, electrolyte intake and nutrition. Instead, it prevents and treats cramps by targeting the root of the problem: the nerve. With its proprietary formulation, HOTSHOT activates TRP channels in the mouth, throat and esophagus, directly influencing nerve regulation and calming hyper-excited motor neurons that cause the cramp. Athletes feel its kick instantly and it works within minutes. Imagine reaching for it at the first sign of a twinge near the top of Hope Pass at 12,620 feet—the high point of the Leadville 100 run—and ingesting a 1.7 oz bottle in two gulps. It’s a quick and easy cramp solution.
Where can someone find HOTSHOT in Colorado?
HOTSHOT can be purchased at any of these select retailers in the Boulder region.
How did you train for Leadville 100 Run?
Since I’m coaching myself, my mantra has been less precise than one may expect considering I have goals to place high on race-day. More or less, I’m “running a ton between now and race day.” I have big runs close to every week, hopefully squeezing in a 50-mile run or race in July, but I’m also taking organic chemistry this summer in order to apply to medical school next year. I’m not trying to put all my energy eggs in one basket or else I’ll over train and get injured. I am, however, a glutton for road runs around Boulder, especially in the heat of the day when it’s so hot that my sweat evaporates before it can sting my eyes. Also since I have weak ankles, I prefer to log serious efforts on the insidious climbs around the Boulder canyon roads versus logging vert on the shadier mountain trails. Strange, I know, but I come from a college track background so anything is better than infinite laps around an oval. Hence, why Leadville is truly next level.
What are some of your highlights and favorite parts of training and racing for Leadville?
En route to Leadville, if driving from the Front Range of Denver/Boulder, there’s a section of highway in between Copper Mountain (a popular ski resort) and Leadville that doesn’t receive any standard phone reception. No phone calls, no XM radio, just your buddies in the car and/or favorite off-line tunes. Every time I drive through this section, which also happens to be through a winding valley of awe-inspiring mountains splotched with snow patches even in the height of summer, my mind transitions to the serene mindfulness that epitomizes Leadville for me, and I’m sure for most other Leadville racers and outdoor enthusiasts: you are there to experience the beauty, the challenge, the present. While gearing up for a big training day, like 20-30 miles on the run course, I embrace the humbling scenery, blast my indie rock (LCD Soundsystem), amplifying my stoke for the ensuing suffer fest. The process is what I love about training for a Leadville event, and since this is my first year training for the 100—I broke my foot in the marathon last year—I couldn’t be more green and happy-go-lucky about this buildup. Yes, I’ll see a fair bit of the course while training, but I’ll also go off-course to run up 14ers with friends and embrace non-race elements of Leadville, which are arguably the area’s most precious gems. Maybe a veteran racer would tell more about how to actually endure the training and racing…
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