It wasn't long ago that Coronado High School graduate (Colorado Springs) Hannah Green won the Sailin' Shoes 10K in downtown Colorado Springs. But she has made some backcountry discoveries about herself during the past few years, and last week she won the San Juan Solstice, arguably the toughest 50-mile ultra run in the country. An artist now living in Durango (http://www.hannahgreenart.com/), we tracked her down for a quick interview. (Photo above provided by Hannah)

Since we last talked, and it has been a few years, you've transformed yourself into a competitive ultrarunner, how did that happen? It’s funny because I still don’t see myself as a competitive ultrarunner. I tend to run races fairly spontaneously and ultimately just like having a day to roam the trails with friends. I started running more in college up at Boulder, and not being on a team, I had the freedom to explore the local hills. Unfortunately I struggled with injury after my first ultras back in 2011 and it took a while for me to relax and realize that running is indeed a privilege and something I should never take for granted. Finally in August of last year I was able to hop back on the ultra bandwagon. It’s a wild ride!

< Photo by Grant Houston, Lake City Silver World: Hannah at the 2015 San Juan Solstice, 

What attracted you to the ultra community? The community of ultra runners is the entire reason I run races, otherwise I’d always be out there alone. The community is made up of fellow lovers of nature. Getting up, getting out. Seeing what’s out there, not just thinking about it, but doing it.

The San Juan Solstice is widely known as one of the most difficult races in the country, how did you make the decision to give it a try? There were a few races I heard of when I first started reading up on ultra running back in my high school years. Hardrock, Leadville, Jemez, and the San Juan Solstice were ones that caught my attention. I signed up this year, and didn’t get chosen in the lottery. A couple weeks before I got an email saying I was in, and I was stoked to jump in and race among a fun group of friends.

What was your training like leading up to the race? Training, I think that word might be my nemesis. Because of being prone to injury I’ve been taking to the approach of just get outside and move. I don’t have a schedule or plan of any kind. Of course I run longer on my weekends, which are pretty random, but I just try to go with how I’m feeling. I’ve sprinkled in some backpacking this year because ultimately for running long races it’s aerobic and backpacking, or even just hiking steep stuff, gives you that without the pounding of running. That’s also the beauty of ultrarunning, all you really need is an adventurous spirit and the “training” takes care of itself as you naturally go over hill and dale with the curiosity of seeing what’s out there. It’s about as simple as it gets, your feet and the land.

You finished in 10:49:52, with Sadie Magnifico nipping your heels only four minutes behind, how did that play out? Sadie’s a great person and I knew she would be in the mix. I mean her last name is Magnifico so of course she’s amazing, both in running and as a friend. I lead from the start of the first climb up Alpine. Kerrie Bruxvoort dropped into the aid station at Williams’ right behind me. Figured she would surely pass me going up the second climb. Honestly I wasn’t feeling that great all day but I thought I’d try to hang on as long as I could. I felt better hiking up to the Divide and running along there, but still expecting any of the ladies to come sweep me. Sadie turned it on the second half of the race, the opposite of what happened to me. I fell apart dropping down into Slumgullion at mile 40 and those last 10 miles were pretty long but had no clue that Sadie was crushing it behind me. Given another mile she surely would have won!

PikesPeakSports.us Photo: Placing second at the 2011 Cheyenne Mountain Trail Run 50K >

Tell us about the moment you knew things were going right for you? I tend to be a fairly positive person, but this race was humbling. I was grateful to be surrounded by a truly magical landscape. The sunrise, the primrose glowing in the morning sun, the vistas from the Divide, all were incredible. But it was tough, I questioned myself all day and it wasn’t until I finally hit the street in Lake City that I knew I would make it.

It must have been a thrill running to the finish line as the women's champ. What were you thinking and feeling? I really was surprised I managed to hang on. Wished I had felt better after finishing! I was super nauseous the last 10 miles and after finishing. I’ll spare you the details, but I was apparently way dehydrated. I ended up getting a few IV’s at the local medical clinic, which helped a ton. Glad I had friends to let me know it was OK. But I got to ride in an ambulance for the first time so that was exciting!

You picked a great place to live and run in Durango, how did you come to move there and what's the running scene like? My connection to Durango came from the Springs as well, Brendan Trimboli (went to St. Mary’s), an awesome guy and great roommate (he’s running Hardrock next weekend!) I was housesitting in New Mexico in the winter and the timing worked out to where I switched places with Colorado Springs-bred runner and stunner Paul Hamilton! The Durango running scene is incredible. Everyone’s dreaming and scheming awesome routes and it’s fun to join in on them. The San Juan Solstice was the perfect example of the Durango running community coming together, racing, spectacting, and camping together. I used to always run alone, prior to moving here, now I find myself calling friends up all the time to get out and about.

So what's up next, and what do your long-range plans in ultrarunning look like? As far as this year goes I plan to race the Power of Four 50K in Aspen and then the Leadville 100 in August. Beyond that I’m not sure. Many more mountains to explore and valleys to navigate!