How to heat train in the Canadian winter

Learn how Canadians train for a Hawaiian 100-miler over the winter

Tory Scholz January 6, 2019

On January 19, 2019, seven Canadians plan on toeing the line in the Hawaiian rainforest at The Hawaiian Ultra Running Team’s Trail 100-Mile Endurance Run (HURT 100). Simon Garneau (Que.), Derek Anaquod (Sask.), Karen Johansen (Alta.), Lourdes Gutierrez-Kellam (Alta.), Craig Slagel (B.C.), Lori Herron (B.C.), and Pargol Lakhan (B.C.) will head to the Hawaiian Nature Centre in Honolulu and run five 20-mile loops over rugged terrain. With temperatures expected to 30 C and humid for the race, Canadian ultrarunners are getting creative while training in the winter.

High mileage isn’t enough when training for HURT 100. The gnarly and technical 100-mile course in the rainforest requires specific training. Johansen has been training in Alberta and wearing extra layers on her runs to adapt to the Hawaiian heat. Nothing like some extra perspiration during a long run in the snow.

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Gutierrez-Kellam has also been training in Alberta, and alternating outdoor days with indoor days for more specific runs.

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Although Lakhan was on the HURT 100 waitlist until recently, her training has been consistent. The Vancouver ultraunner took a weekend trip to Palm Springs for some warmer training runs. Her other heat training tactics include wearing multiple layers for long runs in mild Vancouver weather, as well as hitting the sauna or hot yoga after a hard workout.

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Want to know what HURT 100 is really like? Three-time HURT 100 finisher Yassine Diboun describes the HURT 100 course as “The most irrational thing you can do.”

Hurt 100 course record older Canadian Gary Robbins recently decided to not race, due to injury.

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