HARDROCK 100 COURSE: CLIMB FROM TELLURIDE, COLORADO MOUNTAIN RUNNING TRAILS - Vo2maxProductions

Aug 13, 2025

Intro

This is a quick summary of HARDROCK 100 COURSE: CLIMB FROM TELLURIDE, COLORADO MOUNTAIN RUNNING TRAILS from Vo2maxProductions. It’s a great watch — we’re breaking it down so you can try the workout today. Be sure to watch the full video for all the details.

Key Points

The runner is training for the ultra‑marathon “Ring of Steel” (18‑mile race with ~6‑7 000 ft of climbing) and shares a recent high‑intensity hill workout.
Main training method: 20 % grade hill repeats on a treadmill, focusing on both uphill power and technical downhill handling.
Strength focus: glute activation, hamstring & calf work, X‑bar deadlifts, and reduced mileage for recovery.
Nutrition tip: high‑carb plant‑based diet with berries and nut‑butter breakfast to fuel altitude training.

Workout Example

Treadmill Hill Repeats (20 % grade)

Warm‑up: 10‑15 min easy jog.
8 repeats of:
- 2½–3 min uphill at 20 % grade (≈ 400 m or ¼ mile) at a hard but sustainable effort.
- 1‑minute sprint/“fartlek” surge at the end of each repeat.
Cool‑down: 10 min easy jog.
Add high‑intensity hill reps on trails with good form (short, steep climbs) and focus on strong, upright posture.

Practical Tips

Incorporate glute activation drills and X‑bar deadlifts to boost climbing power.
Reduce weekly mileage a bit and schedule “down weeks” to allow calves and knees to recover.
Keep a high‑carb, plant‑based diet (berries, nut‑butter, whole‑grain bread) to support altitude training.
Monitor vitamin D, B12, iron, and overall blood markers, especially at altitude.
Keep the head up, maintain good posture on technical terrain, and stay aware of wildlife.

Closing Note

Give this hill‑repeat workout a try on the treadmill or on a steep trail, and feel free to adjust the paces and intervals in the Pacing app to suit your own fitness level. Keep climbing, stay healthy, and enjoy the altitude—your next ultra is waiting! 🚀