As if a hundred-mile race wasn’t hard enough, some ultrarunners attempt to take on the Rocky Mountain Slam (RMS) challenge: four of the hardest 100-mile races in the Rockies, in one summer season. The Rocky Mountain Slam consists of the Bighorn 100, Hardrock 100, Wasatch 100, and the Bear 100.
For one Team Injinji Athlete, this challenge was about more than conquering tough trails. Tara Warren of Ogden, Utah decided to take on the RMS as a personal tribute to her mom, who passed away from ALS in 2016.
We chatted with Tara after her hard-earned RMS title, and she shared about the challenge, the highs and lows of each race, and how this experience has shaped her perspective on life and in the sport of running.
A Dream Bigger than Hardrock 100
Tara is no stranger to the longer, ultrarunning distance, but the Rocky Mountain Slam hadn’t always been a consideration. "I don’t know if I’ve ever really thought about doing this before. I knew what the RMS was all about, but that’s a lot when I hadn’t thought about putting my name in there. It wasn’t until I got chosen for Hardrock 100 at the beginning of December – which is phenomenal, and I waited years for that opportunity,” she explained.
That milestone opened the door to the possibility of something bigger: “I was at a Christmas party with my runner friends – the worst group to influence you – they were on me about trying to do it,” she jokes. Despite knowing how difficult it would be, her familiarity with each race and years of experience running hundred-milers gave her the confidence to take on the challenge.
Yet, Tara’s true moment of inspiration came during a snowy run last winter. “I was running one day, thinking about maybe doing this. I had this bluebird land on a branch near me, in the middle of nowhere, and flew along with me for a minute.” Bluejays were her mom’s favorite. “She would talk to them and make them yell back at her,” Tara recalls. This encounter felt like a sign, and when she discovered that no woman had completed the RMS since 2016, the same year her mother passed, the choice was rather simple: “I knew that it’s what I had to do. I wanted to do something special in her honor, as she was the world to me.”
Familiar Terrain, New Challenges
Each race consisted of its own unique set of challenges, but with her experience, Tara knew what to expect. “I’ve started Bighorn 6 times, finished 4. Bear 100 – started eight times, finished 6 or 7.”
Which race was most difficult to complete? “It depends on which race I was doing at the time. In the moment, that one was the hardest. They’re never easy, and they never get easier.” Bighorn’s rocky, boulder-filled trails tested Tara’s technical abilities, while Hardrock’s immense elevation pushed her to her limits. Wasatch, though less technical, offered its own challenges with relentless heat. Yet, the familiarity of Bear 100 was both a blessing and a curse: “I know the parts you can run, walk, and climb. Sometimes knowing the course so well gets in your head.”
Training & Recovery
Running an ultramarathon requires extensive recovery, but running four in one season demands exceptional physical endurance and strategic recovery. “It might be a book I could write – what I learned from racing, recovering, and preparing in a cycle of four months.” Tara approached training with Hardrock 100 in mind, with high-intensity, vertical-based training over speedwork. At Bighorn, she held back, focusing on maintaining strength for Hardrock. “I was super conservative, almost too much thinking back, but in the moment, you do what you have to do. I felt super strong going into Hardrock but had some nutrition things to work out.”
The biggest challenge post-Hardrock became recovery. “I had 6 weeks from Hardrock to Wasatch,” Tara explains. Her training shifted to less vertical and more turnover-focused running to preserve energy. “As Wasatch arrived, I felt rested and ready to go. I knew if I had one race out of the four where I could push and test things out, it would be that one.”
“Mentally, [the weeks] between Wasatch and Bear 100 were hard. It was a different type of stress. I love the Bear so much, but wrapping my head around doing it was hard. It was the one I was most fearful of, knowing how much it would take out of me.”
Despite having just run Wasatch three weeks prior, Tara crushed Bear 100 – the last and final race in the Rocky Mountain Slam. “My climbing legs were happy and ready to roll. I even surprised myself with a few PRs on climbing segments late into the race. My downhill strides and sore feet weren’t thrilled about going fast, but I did it anyway.”
Tara wore her favorite Injinji Ultra Run socks throughout all four races. “Those got me through with no feet problems. I have been wearing them for 9+ years. Feet are the most important things in ultras, and you must take care of them. I’m glad I can with Injinji.”
Pushing Through Doubt
Even seasoned ultrarunners have moments of doubt, and Tara went into the challenge knowing it was going to push her limits, both physically and mentally.
“Heading into Bighorn, I had some bizarre leg injuries. It was a huge learning curve, trying to work with these [injuries] and make it to the start line. I was nervous because when you put a goal out there – so daunting and publicly – you want to do it, and you can, but you don’t know what it will look like. I think I overwhelmed myself.”
With the encouragement of those around her, and confidence in what her body could do, she persevered.
Tara is the first woman to complete the RMS since 2016, the same year her mom passed away from ALS. “I learned so much about my strengths and weaknesses, what fatigue resistance is, and how amazing our bodies are when we are careful with them, but also push them a little and see what they can give us.”
Moments of Pride
Hardrock takes center stage as one of the most meaningful moments throughout Tara’s RMS experience. “I’d been trying to get into Hardrock for 7 or 8 years. A lot of [Hardrock] moments were ones I had dreamt about – having my family all around me, having everyone at the finish line.”
Still, each race finish was special in its own way, bringing a sense of relief, satisfaction, excitement, and the feeling of being one step closer.
Support from her family, friends, and crew played a vital role in her success. “My husband has had a disappointing season with injury but has been able to support me and be happy for me even though he had the same goals in mind for himself for each race. He’s been there smiling, with hugs and happiness. He is my biggest cheerleader. My kids have been patient with any fatigue mood swings, and they put up with it. Good friends sacrifice so much to come out to these races. Local friends who traveled to Bighorn with me, who turned my headlamp on when my hands were frozen or helped me remember to eat.”
Running For a Cause
Tara’s RMS victory was about something much larger, beyond the miles – raising money for ALS research. With over $16,000 raised, she is humbled by the generosity of her community.
Raising awareness for the disease is just as important to her. “A lot of people think you can just throw money at [ALS]. That only people who have a lot of money can live longer, but that is not the case. There are no real ways to treat it. It is a fatal disease.”
Tara is inspired by the strength of those who face adversity daily. “As ultrarunners, we know how to push and keep going in the face of adversity, but [living with ALS] is unparalleled adversity. I want to provide hope and direction and have hope that this money gets used in a way that people who are recently diagnosed or living with ALS have access to the care that they need.”
Advice for Future Slammers
Tara’s advice for female athletes aspiring to complete the RMS is simple: “Go for it.”
She encourages women to push past the daunting nature of ultra races and have trust in their own abilities. “We put so much emphasis on certain events, that they seem unreachable or unattainable to others. It becomes an anomaly. I don’t want that label. I want to inspire more women to do hundred-milers. It’s not something that only experienced runners can do. I think it’s a big deal to realize that it’s not just about doing something difficult, but also learning the process so you can do something awesome. That’s why I want people to try.”
As Tara reflects on her journey, she hopes to inspire others to take on challenges that seem out of reach, because as she’s learned, “You can do it.”
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We are so proud of Tara’s accomplishments over the past four months. It reminds us that even the most intimidating goals can be achieved with hard work and an incredible support system!
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Photo credits and a big thank you to Scott Hickenlooper!
