After racing world wide for years, Claire Bannwarth is making her U.S. racing debut on the 2023 Hardrock 100. On this interview, she talks about her background as a lifelong runner, how she balances the calls for of excessive quantity coaching and racing alongside a full-time job, in addition to what else she has deliberate for her time within the U.S.
For extra on who’s racing, try our in-depth preview. Observe together with our Hardrock 100 dwell race protection from Friday.
Claire Bannwarth Pre-2023 Hardrock 100 Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Sarah Brady of iRunFar. I’m right here simply earlier than the 2023 Hardrock 100 with Claire Bannwarth. Claire, how are you doing?
Claire Bannwarth: Yeah, high quality.
iRunFar: Nice. And I imagine you solely received right here a few days in the past. So, have you ever received an opportunity to get out and see among the course, and what do you assume?
Bannwarth: I believe simply the primary 20k yesterday and it’s so robust. [laughs] It took me like, six hours. So, yeah. I believe will probably be lovely, however very laborious.
iRunFar: I believe so. It’s robust, however you’re robust. So, you’ll be high quality. Since we haven’t interviewed you earlier than, I believe everybody want to hear just a bit about your background. So, how did you first get into path operating?
Bannwarth: I began path operating I believe 5 years in the past. I imply, I’ve run for all my life since I used to be very, little or no, however as I lived in cities, I by no means went to the mountains till 5 years in the past. I did my first path race 5 years in the past and I simply beloved it. Regardless that it was very laborious for me. After which I began doing races longer and longer, and I’m now into, like, 500k races, like Tor des Géants, like very, very lengthy races, yard extremely, 24-hour races, so. And 100 miles, too, even whether it is brief for me.
iRunFar: Wow, yeah. You probably did climb as much as 100 mile+ actually rapidly. So, what’s it concerning the actually lengthy ultras that you simply like? Is it simply that you simply really feel such as you’re higher at them, or do you simply take pleasure in being out for that lengthy?
Bannwarth: I believe I’m higher at them, as a result of I’m not quick. [laughs] However I can go gradual for days. And in addition, I like to have the ability to take a while, you understand, as a result of even in 100 milers, you’re in a race, you understand. You might be actually, you don’t wish to lose any seconds. In very lengthy races, it’s extra like I’ve time to eat. I’ve time to relaxation. It’s extra gratifying.
iRunFar: Okay, yeah, much less stress, I suppose.
Bannwarth: Yeah.
iRunFar: Okay, nice. After which like, you clearly will need to have to place in an terrible lot of hours in coaching. How do you’re employed that with the remainder of your life? Like, are you a full-time runner now, or do you have got one other profession to handle alongside?
Bannwarth: No, no, I work in an insurance coverage firm full time, 40 hours per week. I practice virtually the identical period of time. So, I don’t sleep. I don’t sleep a lot. I believe I sleep much less, and I run or work. So, it’s tough to handle, nevertheless it’s price it.
iRunFar: Okay, I used to be guessing not a lot sleep have to be the reply to that! And you then simply race so usually. Like I’m certain I’ll neglect one thing however, this yr alone, I do know you’ve executed, you received the 260-mile Backbone Race within the UK in January, and also you’ve executed UTS 100 Mile. You probably did the Path Cat 200 Mile. I imagine you probably did a stage race final month, then the Path Montreux 70 mile. So how do you handle to get better in between these and be capable of go once more? Is it like, to do together with your coaching or is it extra of a psychological factor?
Bannwarth: I imply, for me, however a lot of the races I do are coaching. So, I get better very properly. I imply, in a single or two days I’m good to go as a result of I’m not 100%. And in addition, I’m used to doing excessive quantity, excessive mileage since I’m possibly 10 years previous. So, I’m used to it, so it’s one thing I really want one or two days to get better, and I imply, it’s one thing I’m used to doing, so.
iRunFar: Okay, nice. And yeah, we had been chatting simply earlier than this interview, you had been saying that you simply’ve had just a few mishaps with different occasions you’ve tried to return and run within the U.S., so that you appear very joyful to be right here finally. However what’s it about Hardrock particularly that you simply needed to do versus only a completely different American extremely?
Bannwarth: I imply, there are numerous races that I wish to do within the U.S., like Western States [100], Leadville [100 Mile]. However Hardrock, I believe, is de facto the difficult one. And it’s the one I’m not certain to have the ability to end, as a result of it’s excessive altitude. I’m actually not used to that. And in addition very technical, rocky, snow, lot of snow. However I’m actually joyful to be right here and to, yeah. I hope to complete.
iRunFar: Okay, so is it honest to say that the likelihood that you simply may not be capable of end is type of a part of the enchantment of eager to strive?
Bannwarth: Sure.
iRunFar: Nice. And yeah, so we chatted once more off digicam. You’re not having a calming vacation after that is over. You’re doing the Tahoe 200 Mile per week later. How do you’re feeling about that one? Have you ever regarded on the course for that?
Bannwarth: Yeah, I’m actually trying ahead to it. As a result of I believe it’s actually my factor, 200 miles. Lovely panorama, not that a lot elevation. Needs to be, I ought to have a great time.
iRunFar: Okay. It seems like a really perfect restoration run. [laughs]
Bannwarth: Yeah. [laughs]
iRunFar: After which after that you’ve a hike deliberate. What was that?
Bannwarth: Yeah, I wish to hike the Colorado Path in 10 days or so, one thing like that. So, it’d be a primary time for me to thru-hike one thing, and to spend 10 days alone. I imply, I already did 1,000 kilometers nonstop, however I used to be with a pal. Now, I might be alone, with the bears, and moose, and wild animals. So, I’m type of excited, but additionally afraid to do this type of journey. However I actually needed to do this. And I believe it was an ideal alternative to do it right here within the U.S. and never in a traditional path in Europe.
iRunFar: Okay, I believe you’re undoubtedly getting worth out of your transatlantic flights anyway.
Bannwarth: Yeah. [laughs] I imply, I’ve to compensate my carbon impression.
iRunFar: Okay, that’s nice. Nicely, thanks a lot. I’m certain you’ll have a improbable race. It seems like this can go well with you right down to the bottom. So, thanks very a lot.
Bannwarth: Thanks.
