Regardless of not discovering out he undoubtedly had a spot on the beginning line of the 2013 Hardrock 100 till lower than two weeks earlier than the race, Frenchman Sebastien Chaigneau gained this 12 months’s Hardrock, breaking Karl Meltzer’s counterclockwise document of 24:38 with a time of 24:25. Within the following interview, Seb talks about operating with fellow competitor Joe Grant in addition to his pacer Scott Jurek, his animal encounters on the path, utilizing trekking poles, and whether or not or not he’ll come again to defend his title in 2014.
[Editor’s Note: We also interviewed Seb Chaigneau before the 2013 Hardrock 100 and captured his finish on video.]
[Click here if you can’t see the video above.]
Bonus: Seb Chaigneau’s Publish-Race “Press Convention”
Sebastien Chaigneau, 2013 Hardrock 100 Interview Champion, Transcript
iRunFar: Bryon Powell with Sebastien Chaigneau after his win on the 2013 Hardrock 100. Congratulations, Seb.
Sebastien Chaigneau: Thanks loads!
iRF: How was your journey yesterday and the day earlier than?
Chaigneau: It was an incredible day. Unimaginable. I handed 80k with Joe Grant. After, he had a bit of drawback and he stopped in Ouray. I picked up my younger pacer (Scott Jurek). After, he make superb pacing. It’s unimaginable. I end in nice time. It’s nice.
iRF: I do know earlier than the race you have been speaking about the way you have been wanting ahead to spending time with different runners within the race. You probably did spend 80k with Joe. What was that like? He speaks French. I assume you spoke in French.
Chaigneau: It’s crucial as a result of he proposed to find the nation—his nation. He defined in several angle with the animals—the wild animals. I see quite a lot of animals. Once you cross them it’s simpler to take a look at the animal. It’s nice second as a result of it’s fusion with one other racer. On this second I clarify to Joe that I don’t make a race, I make a jog.
iRF: You two, collectively, generally one in all you’ll exit of an help station a bit of earlier than, however you then would wait. You’ll keep collectively.
Chaigneau: Sure. Collectively about 80k. I take the time when he resolve to cease to talk with Joe and I wish to take an important resolution. After I make my race.
iRF: What sort of animals did you see on the market? Deer? Elk?
Chaigneau: Superb. And moose.
iRF: You noticed moose? Was it shut?
Chaigneau: The infant. Sure, at three meters off the path. Joe says, “Cease, don’t transfer.” Since you have a look at left and also you look proper and you progress slowly as a result of if the mother comes, it’s a really dangerous second for us.
iRF: That should have been thrilling. Scary.
Chaigneau: Sure.
iRF: You picked up your pacer, Scott Jurek, at Ouray at 90k. What was it like having him as a pacer? He is aware of and has gained the race earlier than.
Chaigneau: Sure, I believe if I win and I made the brand new document it’s too Scott’s document as a result of it’s superb the facility and he is aware of the world and he stated, “You eat and drink! Go! Go! It’s good time! Go! Go!” It’s very superb. It’s probability for me and good excuse for make a run with Scott. For every little thing it’s extra higher.
iRF: Not solely did you may have his information when you have been on the market, however I noticed you and him in help stations collectively and also you have been relaxed within the help stations and Scott was able to go. “Two minutes! Go!”
Chaigneau: Sure. I says the primary time he stated, “One minute, then cease!” “No, please, two minutes. Two minutes?” “No, one minute and cease. It’s a race.” “Ah, shoot.”
iRF: So there was a distinction between how lengthy you needed to spend there and the way lengthy he allow you to spend there. Is that the distinction between breaking Karl’s (Meltzer) document or not?
Chaigneau: Sure. I believe if I make a pacing earlier than, I believe it’s attainable to make 23:50 or 23:58. I believe it’s attainable.
iRF: Within the course you went yesterday.
Chaigneau: Sure, on this course. For the opposite course and the opposite document, it’s not the identical.
iRF: No.
Chaigneau: Kyle Skaggs made 23:23 and it’s an incredible time.
iRF: Do you suppose you’ll come again right here subsequent 12 months and go for it?
Chaigneau: Sure. I believe sure. It’s within the different means. It’s a distinct race. Yearly it’s a distinct race.
iRF: Eager about your race this 12 months, you had Joe with you to Grouse Gulch at 80k. You then picked up your pacer, Scott Jurek, round 100k. You solely had that one part alone. How was it from Grouse to Ouray?
Chaigneau: I stayed with Joe from Grouse to Engineer. I made 7k in solo. Simply.
iRF: That’s it? All race. It’s superb.
Chaigneau: It’s superb. After, it’s a really nice course for me as a result of the target of this race after I take the bib is to run with the opposite. With the end result, I run with the opposite.
iRF: You probably did. How have been the flowers on the market? Superb?
Chaigneau: Unimaginable. Unimaginable.
iRF: Congratulations on the market. I’m so comfortable you’ll be coming again subsequent 12 months.
Chaigneau: Thanks loads. See you subsequent time.
iRF: I’ll see you in Chamonix.
Chaigneau: Sure, UTMB. Thanks.
iRF: One additional query for Seb. At many races like UTMB you employ poles (sticks). You didn’t at Hardrock. Why didn’t you employ them?
Chaigneau: I used them. To the final half to Sherman to the end line I take the poles within the final descent in my bag.
iRF: Not earlier than that. Why not?
Chaigneau: I believe I had extra energy. After for the final half it’s simpler throughout the night time for kind of help for the final half to Chapman to the end, Scott used the sticks. He says it’s to not the American spirit, however…
iRF: However some have them… I believe Karl did one 12 months and I believe it might have been the 12 months he ran quick.
Chaigneau: Sure, and extra folks use slowly time after time and it’s a good assist.
iRF: Will you employ them at UTMB?
Chaigneau: Sure.
iRF: Thanks very a lot.
Chaigneau: Thanks.
Sebastien Chaigneau’s Publish-Race “Press Convention” Transcript
Press: Who was your pacer?
Sebastian Chaigneau: With Scott (Jurek). He is aware of the race. At the entire checkpoints I see Anton Krupicka, I see Dakota Jones, Krissy Moehl.
Press: They’re all on the market. That is your first time operating Hardrock.
Chaigneau: Sure, I attempted the lottery for the primary time.
Press: What number of instances have you ever put your identify within the lottery? That is your first time? And you bought in?
Chaigneau: Sure, after a very long time as a result of I gained the bib and it’s very difficult (waitlist). I keep on the waitlist in fourth place from December 16. The waitlist didn’t change till the primary day of June.
Press: So that you didn’t know till June that you just’d be operating this race?
Chaigneau: Sure, six days in the past I acquired the bib quantity.
Press: That’s superb. Wow.
Chaigneau: Sure. However I stayed in June within the first place of the waitlist and no motion. I take the chance.
Press: Did you purchase your airplane ticket upfront? So that you have been hoping…
Chaigneau: Sure. If I’ve no bib, I could tempo for one of many racers. However I wish to make this race a very long time in the past, however I didn’t take the time to ask for entrance, however now I’m a Hardrocker.
Press: Any issues with the climate on the market? Lightning? Fairly loopy?
Chaigneau: Sure. After I climbed to the highest of Handies Peak with Joe Grant, Joe stated (He speaks French. It was implausible.) that the dangerous climate comes if the wind activates high of Handies and it’s not simple. The wind didn’t flip, however after and throughout the night time. Whoooosh! On the summit, nothing however very chilly. However on the ft (valley), rain. Rain, no rain; rain, no rain.
Press: Who have been your pacers?
Chaigneau: My pacer was Scott Jurek. He gained in 2007. He prepares for the race in Leadville and it’s good acclimatization. 80k at 4,000 meters.
Press: So that you solely had the one pacer, Scott? When did he be a part of you?
Chaigneau: Sure, sure. Ouray to the end line.
Press: Oh, wow. That’s nice. He’s aware of the course.
Chaigneau: Sure, and it’s very attention-grabbing as a result of I’ve the likelihood to talk with the opposite racers and the most effective racers that Scott referred to as me in France and say, “You make Hardrock?” I say, “No, for a second I didn’t know (him) at the least.” I say, “I believe you run Hardrock. I make you pacer.”
Press: Okay.
Chaigneau: After, he posted a message, “What number of kilometers?” “80k?” “Okay.” It’s not simple.
Press: At one level, it appeared such as you would set a course document. Had been you pondering of that in any respect? You have been very quick.
Chaigneau: No. The target for the race was only one goal is the loop and operating with the others. After, the document and the great place is only a consequence with the race and with preparations, nevertheless it’s not an goal. It’s unusual as a result of I’m 41 years previous, and through final two or three years, three years in the past, I modified my imaginative and prescient of the race. Now I want to make the race or the run with the others racers with out goal as a result of I believe it’s one goal… it’s within the spirit of the path. In ultras, in case you are not a quantity or a bib…
Press: You set objectives? Run as laborious as you possibly can and that’s it? You simply don’t wish to put stress on your self?
Chaigneau: No. I come and if I end 5 or 10, it’s the identical. I run with the others.
Press: Do you suppose that mindset is liberating and makes it simpler for you?
Chaigneau: After… I’m so previous now for making a contest with the opposite. It’s very difficult.
Press: In Hardrock, age doesn’t appear to matter as a lot, it’s extra about psychological toughness.
Chaigneau: Sure. I wish to come to the end line to see totally different pals. One was Hans(-Dieter Weisshaar). As a result of if Hans makes the loop—73 years previous—it’s a cause.
Press: A Frenchman (Julien Chorier) gained the race three years in the past? 4 years in the past? Are you pals?
Chaigneau: Sure, sure, however I don’t make the run of the race with the identical spirit. He has an goal of the competitors and really concentrated and really… nevertheless it’s not me to place there. It’s very difficult.
Press: Tomorrow it’s Bastille Day?
Chaigneau: Sure!
Press: What was the toughest a part of the race—probably the most tough half?
Chaigneau: The ascent of Handies Peak. It’s not simple. The primary half is difficult since you keep very excessive.
Press: The altitude?
Chaigneau: Sure, throughout very long time, and after my descent.
Press: Did you are feeling sick?
Chaigneau: Sure.
Press: From the altitude—headache.
Press: Did you may have any hallucinations?
Chaigneau: Sure.
Press: What did you see?
Press: What in regards to the stretch after Ouray to Governor Basin. After Ouray it’s such a protracted, sluggish climb.
Chaigneau: You shut the eyes and also you run. It’s not simple. It’s very lengthy with the automobiles.
Press: You’re on the street for a very long time. You like to be on the steep.
Chaigneau: I believe if Scott was not right here, in the course of that I’d come again to Ouray, and I cease.
Press: Did you concentrate on stopping in any respect? Dropping out of the race? The place did you concentrate on stopping?
Chaigneau: No.
Isabel Levionnois (Seb’s spouse): No… He defined that it was actually laborious within the mountains. However he by no means felt the feeling to cease. That’s a part of the pacing, within the second a part of the race, the primary a part of your physique is drained. His pacer Scott helped with that. However he by no means stated he needed to cease.
Dale Garland (race director): You possibly can sit so long as you need.
Press: Did you say that you just and Joe Grant have been talking French collectively?
Chaigneau: Sure.
Press: That’s cool.
Chaigneau: I do know Joe very long time in the past. I believe he has really feel of me. I believe it’s crucial to talk loads with Joe and to clarify totally different ideas for the U.S. and for the nation… [obscured by background noise]
Press: Completely different mentalities?
Levionnois: It’s a distinct mentality… [obscured by background noise]
Press: Did you bonk a lot?
Chaigneau: Sure, within the final half.
Press: On the downhill.
Chaigneau: Sure. I don’t know why as a result of it’s not excessive altitude, however little or no, however had that sensation. I needed to go down that final descent, however I ate little or no. I believe with the vitality merchandise over the day, over 24 hours…
Press: How about gels? What number of did you may have?
Chaigneau: I don’t know, 40, 45? In Japan (at UTMF) I consumed 45 gels for 100 miles.
