Ultra Uncovered

Hardrock Uncovered is Ultra Uncovered's exclusive interview series leading into the 2026 Hardrock Endurance Run, bringing you inside the stories, preparation, and mindset of the athletes taking on one of ultrarunning's most iconic races.

In Episode 11, we sit down with two-time defending Hardrock champion and course record holder Ludovic Pommeret as he prepares to return wearing bib number one.

At 50 years old, Ludo continues to compete at the highest level of mountain ultrarunning, but what stands out most is his perspective. He reflects on first dreaming of Hardrock nearly three decades ago, why he spends more than a month living out of his vehicle while preparing in Colorado, and how the race has become as much about exploring the San Juan Mountains as competing on them.

Ludo shares why he believes his greatest strength isn't climbing or descending, but having no real weakness, allowing him to maintain a relentless rhythm over 100 miles. He also discusses the importance of adapting to altitude, embracing the unpredictability of the mountains, and returning each year not simply to defend a title, but to chase the elusive "perfect day."

Throughout the conversation, Ludo offers a thoughtful perspective on longevity, family, community, and why Hardrock remains one of the most unique experiences in trail running.

It's a conversation with one of the sport's true masters about finding joy in the process long after the trophies have been won.

Thanks for tuning in to Hardrock Uncovered. Stay tuned for many more fun conversations coming up in the second half of 2026!

Hardrock Uncovered is Ultra Uncovered's exclusive interview series leading into the 2026 Hardrock Endurance Run, bringing you inside the stories, preparation, and mindset of the athletes taking on one of ultrarunning's most iconic races.

In Episode 10, we sit down with Meghan Slavin as she prepares for her long-awaited Hardrock debut.

Meghan traces her Hardrock journey back to 2017, when she stood at the Telluride aid station and watched Kilian Jornet race through with a dislocated shoulder, stopping to thank every volunteer before continuing into the night. That unforgettable moment planted the seed for what would become a nearly decade-long dream.

Now, after years of qualifying, learning the course, and working alongside coach James Bonnet, Meghan arrives in Silverton focused not on finish times, but on soaking in every mile of one of the world's most iconic mountain races.

We also talk about training for Hardrock from the Arizona desert, why embracing "Hardwalk" became part of her preparation, the advantages of being both a physical therapist and an ultrarunner, and the incredible support system of family, friends, pacers, and mentors that has helped make this dream a reality.

It's a conversation about gratitude, preparation, and finally standing on the start line of a race that has inspired her for nearly ten years.

Stay tuned as Hardrock Uncovered continues with more athlete conversations leading up to race weekend.

Hardrock Uncovered is Ultra Uncovered's exclusive interview series leading into the 2026 Hardrock Endurance Run, bringing you inside the stories, preparation, and mindset of the athletes taking on one of ultrarunning's most iconic races.

In Episode 8, we catch up with Tara Dower just days after an impressive sixth-place finish at the 2026 Western States Endurance Run as she prepares for the second half of the Western States-Hardrock double.

After finishing fourth in her Hardrock debut in 2024, Tara returns with a new level of confidence born from experience. She reflects on the nutrition mistakes that nearly unraveled her first Hardrock, the lessons she learned about pacing and consistency, and why she believes this year's race is about racing smarter, not simply racing harder.

The conversation also explores why Hardrock feels more like an adventure than a competition, the incredible community that makes the event so special, her strategy of attacking the descents, and how she's approaching the challenging two-week turnaround from Western States by focusing on recovery, trust, and showing up mentally fresh.

It's a conversation about growth, resilience, and returning to one of ultrarunning's most iconic races with both confidence and humility.

Stay tuned as Hardrock Uncovered continues with more athlete conversations leading up to race weekend.

Hardrock Uncovered is Ultra Uncovered's exclusive interview series leading into the 2026 Hardrock Endurance Run, bringing you inside the stories, preparation, and mindset of the athletes taking on one of ultrarunning's most iconic races.

In Episode 9, we sit down with Arlen Glick as he prepares for his second Hardrock and the opportunity to become a True Hardrocker by completing the course in both directions.

After finishing fourth in 2023 just three weeks after the Western States Endurance Run, Arlen returns with a very different approach. Following ACL surgery and a patient two-year recovery, he's finally healthy and able to devote his entire season to preparing for Hardrock.

Arlen shares why spending nearly a month living and training in the San Juan Mountains has been just as much about exploration as preparation, how mountain experience outweighs chasing numbers on a training log, and why learning to manage altitude, weather, gear, and nutrition is every bit as important as fitness.

The conversation also uncovers his excitement for racing the clockwise direction, his love for Hardrock's unique community, his family-centered crew, and, of course, the legendary brisket waiting at Animas Forks.

It's a conversation about resilience, patience, and arriving at Hardrock healthy, grateful, and ready to see what the mountains have to offer.

Stay tuned as Hardrock Uncovered continues with more athlete conversations leading up to race

Hardrock Uncovered is Ultra Uncovered's exclusive interview series leading into the 2026 Hardrock Endurance Run, bringing you inside the stories, preparation, and mindset of the athletes taking on one of ultrarunning's most iconic races.

In Episode 8, we catch up with Tara Dower just days after an impressive sixth-place finish at the 2026 Western States Endurance Run as she prepares for the second half of the Western States-Hardrock double.

After finishing fourth in her Hardrock debut in 2024, Tara returns with a new level of confidence born from experience. She reflects on the nutrition mistakes that nearly unraveled her first Hardrock, the lessons she learned about pacing and consistency, and why she believes this year's race is about racing smarter, not simply racing harder.

The conversation also explores why Hardrock feels more like an adventure than a competition, the incredible community that makes the event so special, her strategy of attacking the descents, and how she's approaching the challenging two-week turnaround from Western States by focusing on recovery, trust, and showing up mentally fresh.

It's a conversation about growth, resilience, and returning to one of ultrarunning's most iconic races with both confidence and humility.

Stay tuned as Hardrock Uncovered continues with more athlete conversations leading up to race weekend.

Hardrock Uncovered is Ultra Uncovered's exclusive interview series leading into the 2026 Hardrock Endurance Run, bringing you inside the stories, preparation, and mindset of the athletes taking on one of ultrarunning's most iconic races.

In Episode 7, we sit down with Jimmy Elam as he prepares for his long-awaited Hardrock debut after nearly a decade of patiently waiting for his opportunity.

Known for seeking out many of the sport's classic mountain races, Jimmy shares why Hardrock has always stood apart. After earning a coveted special selection, he made the difficult decision to pass on a Western States opportunity and instead devote his entire season to preparing for the San Juan Mountains.

Jimmy reflects on spending more than a month living and training in Silverton, his intuitive approach to training without rigid schedules, and why he's more interested in mastering the mountains than chasing data. He also shares his passion for trail running footwear, the reasoning behind his race-day shoe choice, and the mentors and local community who have helped him prepare for one of the toughest 100-mile races in the world.

It's a conversation about curiosity, patience, and embracing the challenge of a race that can never truly be mastered.

Stay tuned as Hardrock Uncovered continues with more athlete conversations leading up to race weekend and please give us a follow and review if you're enjoying the coverage!

Hardrock Uncovered is Ultra Uncovered's exclusive interview series leading into the 2026 Hardrock Endurance Run, bringing you inside the stories, preparation, and mindset of the athletes taking on one of ultrarunning's most iconic races.

In Episode 6, we sit down with Dylan Bowman as he prepares to return to Hardrock for the third time and complete the clockwise direction, earning "True Hardrocker" status.

Dylan reflects on two vastly different Hardrock experiences: his unforgettable runner-up finish in 2021 and the humbling challenges of 2023. Together, those races have reshaped how he thinks about suffering, competition, and what success looks like at this stage of his career.

Now balancing fatherhood and leading FreeTrail, Dylan shares why he's approaching this year's race with more maturity, gratitude, and excitement than pressure. He also discusses the mentors and volunteers who have shaped his Hardrock journey, why he's proud to race wearing FreeTrail colors for the first time, and how reconnecting with training has reminded him why he fell in love with ultrarunning in the first place.

This is a conversation about perspective, legacy, and discovering that sometimes the greatest victories aren't measured by a finish time, but by simply finding your way back to the joy of racing.

Stay tuned as Hardrock Uncovered continues with more athlete conversations leading up to race weekend.

Hardrock Uncovered is Ultra Uncovered's exclusive interview series leading into the 2026 Hardrock Endurance Run, bringing you inside the stories, preparation, and mindset of the athletes taking on one of ultrarunning's most iconic races.

In Episode 5, we sit down with Careth Arnold, whose journey to Hardrock has been built on more than training miles. After volunteering, sweeping the course, and spending over a month immersed in the San Juan Mountains, Careth has developed a deep respect for both the race and the community that surrounds it.

She shares why she declined a Golden Ticket after earning one at Canyons Endurance Runs, choosing instead to devote her full attention to Hardrock. We also discuss the lessons she learned from her victory at TDS, how motherhood and professional running continue to intersect, and why this has become the biggest and most intentional training block of her career.

Throughout the conversation, Careth reflects on the wild beauty of the San Juans, the friendships she's built through volunteering, and the sense that Hardrock operates on its own timeline. It's a thoughtful discussion about patience, preparation, and falling in love with a place long before ever standing on its starting line.

Stay tuned as Hardrock Uncovered continues with more athlete conversations leading up to race weekend.

And be sure to tune in to Mountain Outpost to follow the race live!

Hardrock Uncovered is Ultra Uncovered's exclusive interview series leading into the 2026 Hardrock Endurance Run, bringing you inside the stories, preparation, and mindset of the athletes taking on one of ultrarunning's most iconic races.

In Episode 4, we catch up with Hardrock veteran Nick Coury as he prepares for another journey through the San Juan Mountains, this time with a completely different perspective.

After welcoming his first child this past year, Nick shares how fatherhood has reshaped both his training and his expectations. Rather than chasing results, he's focused on enjoying the experience, staying healthy, and embracing the adventure that makes Hardrock unlike any other race.

Nick also dives into the often-overlooked challenge of Hardrock's relentless descents, explains why he believes downhill durability is the key to success, and reveals the custom-modified road super shoe he's betting on for race day. Along the way, he reflects on memorable moments from nearly a decade at Hardrock, the people who shaped his journey, and the unforgettable feeling of cresting a ridge above Telluride beneath a sky full of stars.

Whether you're a longtime Hardrock fan or preparing for your own mountain adventure, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at how life, family, and experience continue to reshape an athlete's goals.

Stay tuned as Hardrock Uncovered continues with more athlete conversations leading up to race weekend.

Hardrock Uncovered is Ultra Uncovered's exclusive interview series leading into the 2026 Hardrock Endurance Run, bringing you inside the stories, preparation, and mindset of the athletes taking on one of ultrarunning's most iconic races.

In Episode 3, we sit down with ultrarunning veteran Kaci Lickteig as she prepares for her long-awaited Hardrock debut after spending ten years in the lottery.

Known for her 2016 Western States Endurance Run victory, ten Western States finishes, and earning the coveted 1,000-mile buckle, Kaci reflects on why Hardrock has remained a dream race despite spending her career training in the flatlands of Nebraska.

She shares how she's preparing for one of the toughest mountain races in the world from the rolling Loess Hills of Iowa, why she's focused on soaking in the entire Hardrock experience rather than chasing a result, and the incredible community that has inspired her journey.

The conversation also takes a heartfelt turn as Kaci opens up about losing her grandmother earlier this year, the woman who first worried that ultrarunning would "kill her" before becoming one of her biggest supporters. It's a moving reminder that the people who shape us are often with us long after they're gone.

Whether you've followed Kaci's career for years or are just getting to know one of ultrarunning's most respected veterans, this is a conversation about patience, gratitude, resilience, and finally getting your chance.

Stay tuned as Hardrock Uncovered continues with more athlete interviews leading up to race day.

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