MOG 100 As Your First 100? Survey Says: YES

Jen LaughlinPost-Race Interview, Race Report, Ultra Thoughts

The Mogollon Monster 100 mile is not only a notoriously tough race, it’s also Arizona’s only Hardrock 100 qualifier. With around 18,000ft of total elevation gain on mostly technical and exposed trails, this race challenges the most seasoned mountain runners who throughout the point-to-point course will trudge up and down the rugged and steep escapement known as the Mogollon Rim a total of six different times. In a nutshell, the Monster is not for the faint of heart, and certainly not known for being a popular choice for a “first 100 mile”, but there are a handful of runners who beg to differ, and four of them just happen to work here at Aravaipa Running: …

travis swaim

Travis Swaim, Pass Mountain 2016

Melia CouryPost-Race Interview

Travis Swaim Melia Coury: Hi, I’m Melia Coury here with Aravaipa Running and Travis Swaim. Travis Swaim: Hello. Melia: And you just set a new course record today at our 25K for Pass Mountain. Travis: Yeah it was pretty awesome. I heard it was held by Jamil so I had to gun for that one. He’s a legend so it’s fun to chase after him. M: Yeah…so you just signed up this morning is that correct? T: Yeah, I’ve been having some leg issues and I did Ragnar last weekend. So having to do the quick go and stop but I decided to give today a try. But I think it went well. M: Sounds …

andy pearson

Andy Pearson, Mogollon Monster, 2016

Melia CouryPost-Race Interview

ANDY PEARSON Melia Coury: I’m Melia Coury here with Aravaipa Running, standing here next to Andy Pearson who just won our 2016 Mogollon Monster. Andy Pearson: I did. Melia: Congratulations. Andy: Thank you. M: And you kind of lead it out from the gate. How was that? A: I ran it in the inaugural year in 2012 so I came in knowing what the course was like and it was an advantage to be able to visualize all parts of the course throughout the day. And knew what I was getting myself into. I was like well, someone’s got to win this might as well be me. M: How were you preparing for that? A: …

veronica rudolphi

Veronica Rudolphi, Mogollon Monster, 2016

Melia CouryPost-Race Interview

VERONICA (RONI) RUDOLPHI Melia Coury: I’m Melia Coury here with Aravaipa Running and Roni Rudolphi and you just won our Mogollon Monster 2016 100 miler, and this was your first 100 miler along with setting a course record here by like 4 hours! How are you feeling right now? Roni Rudolphi: Pretty happy, very satisfied. Melia: What was it like for you out on the trails yesterday and this morning? Roni: Beautiful, really hard. Yeah I just felt really lucky to be out there among a great group of people. M: So what in training for this did you do something in particular to prepare for your first 100? R: I did a couple of …

bill dittman

Bill Dittman, Mogollon Monster, 2016

Melia CouryPost-Race Interview

BILL DITTMAN Melia Coury: I’m Melia Coury herewith Aravaipa Running and Bill Dittman who just placed second at out 2016 Mogollon Monster. Congratulations. Bill Dittman: Thank you. Melia: So tell me a little about your journey throughout the day. There was a little point where you got lost and then rallied at the end. Bill: Yeah, I got lost about miles 20 thorugh 40 I was hitting a little bit of a slow patch. It was hot out so I kind of wanted to keep it low and slow . And once the night came and it got a little cooler I was able to turn it on and use the parts above the rim …

james bonnett

James Bonnett, Mogollon Monster, 2016

Melia CouryPost-Race Interview

JAMES BONNETT Melia Coury: I’m Melia here with Aravaipa Running and James Bonnett, and you just placed 3rd at the Mogllon Monster 2016. Congrats. James Bonnett: Thanks. Melia: So what was it about this race that made you want to do it? James: Just getting a Hardrock qualifier, that’s about it. M: So what was your training like leading up to the race? J: Ah, my training. There wasn’t much training leading up to this run. I did a 30 mile run on my birthday, that was August 14th and I did a couple runs leading up to that run on my birthday. And then I ran like 20 miles a week training the middle …

susan kramer

Susan Kramer, Mogollon Monster, 2016

Melia CouryPost-Race Interview

SUSAN KRAMER Melia Coury: I’m Melia Coury here with Aravaipa Running interviewing Susan Kramer who just placed second at the 2016 Mogollon Monster, congratulations. Susan Kramer: Thank you, thank you. Melia: How was the run for you out there? Susan: It was tough. It’s not a course for the faint at heart. It’s a good course if you like a challenge. M: And this isn’t your fist time, what keeps you coming back? S: Ah well, actually I wasn’t going to do it but I had done it last year and it was a choice I could pick and I was like well I might as well do it again. M: Is there a part …

fred roberts

Fred Roberts, Mogollon Monster, 2016 3rd Finish

Melia CouryPost-Race Interview

FRED ROBERTS Melia Coury: I’m Melia Coury here with Aravaipa Running and Fred Roberts and you just finished your 3rd Mogollon Monster, congratulations! Fred Roberts: Thank you. M: You actually hold the most finishes. F: I know it kind of puts some pressure on me to keep running. Which I think I will do. M: What is it about this race that keeps you coming back each year? F: You know a lot of races you have a good chance of finishing. And this is one of those races where you can get to mile 50 or 60 and then it really comes down to how bad do you want it. That’s what I like …

Michael Versteeg

Michael Versteeg, Silverton Alpine Marathon, Male Champion 2016

Melia CouryPost-Race Interview

Michael Versteeg Melia Coury: Alright, I’m Melia Coury sitting here with Michael Versteeg, the Whiskey Man and you just won the Silverton Alpine Marathon. Michael Versteeg: Oh yeah, I did. Melia: Yeah, that happened today. Versteeg: Yep, it was fun. It’s been a long week but I’m glad I did it. M: Well you did run the Silverton 1000 this week. V: Well I didn’t run all 1000. M: True, but you did run 100. V: Yeah I ran 100 this week so that’s pretty good. M: So how was the legs and everything feeling during the marathon? V: Legs felt okay. Obviously it has been a big week up at 12 and a half …

Cari Kimball

Cari Kimball, Silverton Alpine Marathon, Female Champion 2016

Melia CouryPost-Race Interview

Cari Kimball Melia: I’m Melia Coury here with Cari Kimball and she won our Silverton Alpine Marathon today, congratulations. Cari: Thank you so much. M: So how was it for you out there? Did you have any struggling moments or were you just conquering the mountain the whole time? C: I don’t know if conquering would be the right word, but um, it was a really good day. The climbs are pretty steep and good but for the most part it is really runnable and the views are incredible. M: Did you have a favorite portion of the view? C: I would say that when you are up by Hurricane Pass. That portion when you …