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: …

My Mogollon Monster 100 Experience

Noah DoughertyCommunity, Race Report

The Mogollon Monster 100 is a special race for myself and Jeremy. Saturday, September 16th would be the sixth annual racing of the Mogollon Monster in Pine, Arizona and my nerves were through the roof. This time with the anticipation of toeing the line in my first 100-mile endeavor. The course has acquired a reputation of unparalleled views and incredible single track, but also unrelenting, technical trails that will beat you down everywhere you turn – and climbing – lot’s and lot’s of climbing. More than a few times have we heard runners finish with a, “what the F@#k was that?!” What better 100-mile race with which to start than MOG 100? In 2012 my older …

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 …

Mogollon Monster 2016 Race Recap

Melia CouryRace Report

Ultra Running Family Mogollon Monster is a race for the (ultra) family. The ultra community finds its strong foundation from the hearts and soles (feet variety) of each runner, volunteer, radio personal, pacer and even those following the story from twitter posts, that never seem to come fast enough. It is not often anymore that we are able to find a race that embodies so much of what we love about the ‘classic’ races of yesteryear. These races have a few ingredients that create an undeniable attraction and Mogollon Monster is one of them with: ‘ultra-crazy’ people (those long time supporters, runners and volunteers), traditions and a course that is unlike anything in the world. ‘Ultra-Crazy’ …

Nutrition Experiments at 100 Mile Races

Jamil CouryUltra Thoughts

I’ve had my fair share of nutritional disasters during ultra marathons, especially during 100 mile races. The nature of a 100 miler magnifies all of the little factors that go into running or racing long distances. Sure you can miss a couple of gels or get behind on hydration in a 50K and still be able to push through to a reasonable finish, but in a 100 mile race, mistakes are sure to catch up with you at some point. While I would like to go into other keys to success in 100 mile races in future posts, today I will focus on nutrition. This will not be an scientific article or a dogmatic preach, …