Born in 1987, and raised in the mountains of Catalonia, Spain, Kilian Jornet learned to ski before he learned to walk. “Before taking the first steps on foot, we had our first kilometers on skis,” he wrote of his sister’s and his first experience outdoors on snow. Today, Jornet, age 23, is an elite ski-mountaineer and a competitive ultra runner. His resume cites victories in North America and Europe as significant as the 166km Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in France, and California’s Western States Endurance Run, a 100-mile ultra that he won last month in 15 hours, 34 minutes. We caught up with Jornet to talk gear, the Western States, and the limits of a human body on the run. —Stephen Regenold
Gear Junkie: Congrats on the Western States! What did you do differently this year than last year?
Kilian Jornet: All! Last year, I didn’t take water, I just drank at the aid stations, and I didn’t eat enough. Just two sandwiches and some gels. And I did not eat salt pills last year. This year, I ate and hydrated differently, and I ran at an easier pace. I didn’t force myself all the way. I fought to control legs cramps.
What was the most difficult part this year?
No real difficult points this year! I ran very conservatively, and I ran very stable and finished well. I kept some energy in case someone was coming [from behind trying to pass] or if I was to have any physical problems [later in the race].
What did you eat during the race?
Gels every 30 minutes from the Foresthill checkpoint to the finish. I took Aliment Liquide [liquid food] two times. Salt pills at one or two an hour for most of the race. And a few sandwiches at aid stations with tomatoes, ham and cheese.
