Hardrock Fever (180 pg. perfect bound) ISBN 1-884778-84-4, $12.95 + $2.50 P&H. by Bob Boeder published by Old Mountain Press
A first person account of running the Hardrock 100 through Colorado's San Juan Mountains. To purchase a copy, send your check or money order made out to Bob Boeder (not Hardrock Fever) PO Box 318, Silverton, CO, 81433 E-mail: boedr@hotmail.com
Also see Bob's first book Beyond the Marathon


   “Like Bob, I have a terminal case of Hardrock Fever.  He’s done a great job here of putting into words the physical, psychological, and emotional effort that finishing Hardrock requires.”
     Kirk Apt--Six time Hardrock 100 Finisher.

   “Bob’s book brings the spirit of the Hardrock 100 to life.  One can truly see that the San Juans are worthy of a pilgrimage.”
     Laura Vaughan--Former Hardrock 100 Women’s Record Holder

Contents
Book 1 – The San Juans
Book 2 – Preparation
Book 3 – The Race
Hardrock Hundred Course Profile
Hardrock Hundred 1999 Results
Hardrock Hundred Historical Results, 1992 – 1999
Hardrock Fever by Bob Boder

About the Author


     In 1999, Robert Boeder finally finished the Hardrock 100 Mile Endurance Run after three failures.  In this first person narrative he describes the challenge of completing this most difficult of all 100 mile trail races.  He also writes about the history of the San Juan Mountains where the race takes place and the town of Silverton, Colorado, Hardrock 100 race headquarters.  The author of Beyond the Marathon: The Grand Slam of Trail Ultrarunning, Boeder is an avid runner and race organizer.  He has a PhD in history and is employed by the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Excerpts
     It’s July 5, 1999, and I’ve journeyed to Silverton on my annual pilgrimage to participate in the Hardrock 100 Mile Endurance Run. This will be my fourth attempt to complete this wildest and toughest of all the 100 mile trail races. After three failures, I have become obsessed with Hardrock. Some necessity of my heart brings me back to the San Juans each summer. I can’t say that I understand it. Perhaps it’s the raw power of the San Juan landscape. All I know is that being here makes me happy.

     A dozen switchbacks eventually bring me to the top of Oscar’s Pass, the third of Hardrock’s climbs at 13,120 feet. The sun is out and it’s a beautiful day as I pause to survey Bridal Veil Basin spread out in a breathtaking panorama at my feet. Turning around, I marvel at the long distance view of Swamp Canyon and the terrain I have just crossed. Why do I keep entering this race? Just look around for the answer. Of course, the moments of exaltation are followed by hours of punishing toil.

 Sitting down on the edge of the cliff I take the rope in my right hand, raise my left hand, and push off. This is the real Jetman, shooting like an express elevator down the nearly vertical slope, my feet raised so I don’t snag something and start tumbling. The rope runs out. As I continue free falling somehow the water bottle that was attached to my Sport Vest comes loose and pops up into the air. I grab it so now I’m holding both hands in the air and only come to a stop when the slope levels out at a bench. What a rush. 


Ultra Links
  • UltraRunning On Line: UltraRunning is devoted to covering the sport of long distance running, also known as ultramarathoning, or, as they prefer, ultrarunning. Find everything you ever wanted to know about this incredible sport here.
  • 2000 Hardrock 100 Mile Run: Matt Mahoney's site covers the eighth annual Hardrock 100 mile run held in Silverton, Colorado on July 7, 2000 with training tips.
  • Ultramarathon World:  David Blaikie's site has everything you ever wanted to know about Ultras.  Great links and more!
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