Live Chat with Matt Hart - December 27, 2007

Hey, Matt! Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. and congrats on a great 2007 racing season!

Thanks to the Team PR gang for having me.

Yeah, great job this year Matt! I take it the Grand Teton 100 miler was your last big event in September?

Yeah the Grand Teton was my "A" race for the year. 
I went into the race with a pretty bad injury and when it was all said and done I had to address it.

What was your injury?

 I had a double inguinal hernia. Both sides were blown through the abdomen. It happened in Oct, 2006 and I raced all last season with it. 
The pain came on so gradually that I before I knew it I was in a lot of pain.

Ouch... its amazing that you finished 2nd at Grand Teton considering everything.  Not to mention your other 1st and 2nd place finishes.

Are you now recovering from that injury? Will it affect your future, or did the surgery take care of it?

Yeah I'm still recovering. The doctor says at 3 months I should be pain free. 
Right now, when I run long, ski tour or really push my body I still have pain. Hopefully a couple more weeks and it will be gone. 
Then it's full steam ahead for the 2008 season.

A friend of mine had that pain after too much work following his surgery but it got less and less with more time.

Yeah, I'm hopeful that the patches are just settling in and that discomfort will go away.  
The pain is already considerably less than it was prior to surgery.

The Grand Teton 100 looks like a pretty gnarly course out there in WY. Would you say that's the toughest race you've done?

Hmm. That is really hard to say. I certainly felt worse after the 24hr Solo Mountain Bike Worlds in Whistler, Canada , and after the 2006 Primal Quest expedition adventure race.  As far as last year goes, it was my hardest race for sure.

At the 24 hour bike worlds does everyone try and get as many miles in as they can? What are the rules?

Yeah, 24hr solo mountain bike races are basically who can ride the most loops of the course (generally 10-14 miles long).  It is a pretty cool scene. You have a pit area, a mechanic and crew waiting for you. Every time you come through you can stop and do whatever you need.

Is the 24 hr mountain racing loop after loop of the same course? How long a course is it typically? 
Is it a race to cover the most miles, like 24 hr runs, or pacing to beat your competitors?

Yes 24hr mountain bike racing is loop after loop of the same course. Just the sun goes down. It's a different kind of challenge. 
Every lap you know the course and how to ride sections better, but you are getting more fatigued as well.

Do you think the cross-training you do for your adventure racing gives you an advantage when it comes to ultra running?

I think the cross training for adventure racing does give me an advantage. Ya know it's a tricky process. 
But because I have other sports I can go to I feel like I'm more of an all around athlete.

How did you get your start in endurance sports? I know you do adventure racing, is that where it began?

I got started with adventure racing. Training for that brought me to ultra running and 24hr solo mountain biking as a solo athlete.

Matt, when I started cycling longer distances my hamstrings really started bulging in size, a good thing, but only from the back of my knees to halfway up the leg. Does that sound right, or should the whole length develop?

I haven't heard of hamstrings developing in that manner before. I generally see it the other way around. Bigger from the glutes down 3/4 of the way.

Any ideas of what you'll do in 2008 once you are recovered?

I'm going to try and do a few more adventure races this year as well. Last year I only fit two in. 
I am thinking at least one or two 24-48 hour races this year with my team DART-nuun.

Any key ultras you are considering?

Hardrock 100 if I can get in would be my big goal for 2008. That course is a killer.. 32,000ft of gain in 100 miles... all at elevation. 
I'm hopeful I can get in.  We'll see.  I also have some fun adventure runs in the works. Maybe the Kokopelli trail... and some others.

Getting used to altitude there is key I guess?

Yes. Both of last years winners were there 3-4 weeks in advance to acclimatize. I'd do the same if I get in.

Might do the Big Horn 50 Miler this year as well. I did the 50k last year and loved the terrain, the course, the setup. It's just a great race.

Where is the Kokopelli trail located?

Kokopelli is a trail from Moab , Utah to Fruita Colorado . 140+ miles

What is your favorite type of racing? Cycling, running, adventure racing?

I've had such joys in each type of racing. But right now.. it's ultra running. Being a part of the Montrail Team has been an awesome experience.

Aren't they are eliminating the Montrail team?

No, the Montrail Team is alive. They just cut the team down from about 90 national and regional runners to just 16 national runners.  
It was a bummer to see a lot of top athletes and great ambassadors go.. but at 90 runners you'd have to assume that is unsustainable.

What are your favorite nutrition products that you use?

For my hydration I use nuun. They are electrolyte tablets you drop in your water bottle. I drink them throughout the day because they taste good and don't have calories or sugar, just electrolytes. For fuel I am a Clif Shot and Clif Blok guy.

Whats your favorite shoe? Do you do any barefoot training?

I don't do any barefoot running no. Right now my favorite shoe is the Montrail Highlander. Super light and minimalist.  Next on my list is the Montrail Odyssey. However this year there is a 9.5oz shoe called the Streak coming out - i can't wait to get my hands on that one.

What is your typical week of training like? Or does it vary a lot?

I don't have a typical week. It depends on what race I have coming up. right now I'm trying to get my mileage up. I hit 70 miles last week.  I do a lot of weights in the off season, some cross fit, some yoga. My main training hours are running or riding.  I'm big on periodization. building up for 3 weeks then taking a recovery week.

I just started CrossFit a couple weeks ago. How long have you been using it? Has it worked well for you?

For a few months now I've been trying to incorporate some of the cross fit workouts in. some of them with all the heavy weights I'm not a fan of. However I love the overall idea of functional, multi-muscular exercises. It's great stuff.

Hey gang, I've got to run (literally) down to the gym to teach a spin class. Thanks for the interest and hope to see you on the trails!!

Thanks Matt.  Best of luck recovering, and in your 2008 racing!