At COROS, we don’t just make products for athletes; we live the lifestyle we promote. Our team is made up of passionate people who love the sports and activities we support. This hands-on experience helps us create products that truly meet the needs of athletes at every level.

We want to highlight one of our team members, Sawna, and how her incredible achievement at the Hardrock 100 perfectly captures the lifestyle we embody at COROS.

Sawna's Passion for Running and Ultras

Sawna and her four-legged training crew.

Sawna has been running ultras for over a decade, with many finish lines crossed including seven 100 milers. Some of her favorite races have been Fatdog 120, Cascade Crest and UTX Guatemala 90k.

I don't see it as just running, but more as adventuring. Every day, I'm driven by the energy to explore new places. This passion fuels my love for trail running, hiking, climbing, and simply being outdoors. It's not about speed, but about where my feet can take me.

Her running journeys have opened doors to so many incredible experiences and relationships. Whether it was at a race or running adventures, each experience has been a defining part of the person Sawna is today. Ultrarunning is just one piece of the puzzle, she enjoys being outside and discovering beautiful places on foot.

Training Leading Up to the Race

Over the past 8 years, Sawna's journey has been all about Hardrock 100—a quest to qualify for one of the 146 coveted spots on the starting line in Silverton, CO. Finally, last December, after many attempts, her name was drawn from the lottery. Knowing she needed to step up her game, she teamed up with coach Hannah Allgood. Together, they designed a detailed plan within Sawna's COROS training hub, making sure she was ready for every challenge the race could throw at her.

Her training included hill repeats, VO2 max sessions, and frequent uphill tempo runs. Sawna is grateful to live in an area with access to incredible trails. For some of her more challenging workouts, she headed to Mt. Baldy, LA's local 10,000-foot peak, and even tackled two of California's 14,000-foot peaks—Mt. Whitney and Mt. Langley.

Typical training week for Sawna in Training Hub.

No training cycle is ever perfect, and Sawna's peak month of training quickly changed when she stumbled upon an abandoned puppy at the start of one of her long runs. As a dog lover, she couldn't ignore the puppy and made sure its health and safety were taken care of. The puppy, now named Cedar, added a small speed bump to Sawna's final weeks of training. However, she was able to finish the training block with the invaluable support of friends, dog sitters, and her biggest supporter, her boyfriend, Eamon.

Incorporating COROS in Training and for Race Day

Sawna used the Vertix 2s and Heart Rate Monitor for the Hardrock 100.

Battery life on a watch is important, especially for ultra runners. Throughout her training, Sawna switched between the APEX 2 Pro and the VERTIX 2S. She focused on monitoring her sleep to ensure she was getting enough recovery, especially after Cedar came along in the last month of training. Sawna knew that getting quality sleep was essential so she could perform at her best during workouts and on race day.

She also used the COROS Heart Rate Monitor for all her training runs to track how her heart rate varied with different efforts. On race day, she relied on this metric to ensure she was running smarter, not harder.

During Hardrock, I used the VERTIX 2S and the Heart Rate Monitor. It's easy to go out too hard, but by monitoring my HR data, I was able to scale back in the beginning and on the big climbs to ensure I wasn't overdoing it.

Balancing Life at COROS and Preparing to Run 100 Miles

Training for an ultra requires a lot of time management, especially when you have a full-time job. Sawna got creative with her schedule, using early mornings, lunch breaks, and evenings for her training sessions. She always looked forward to weekends when she could disconnect, be in nature, and explore the trails for her longer runs.

Balancing life as a Social Media Manager at COROS while preparing for a 100-mile run involves meticulous planning and flexibility. One of the perks of working at COROS is being surrounded by colleagues who get it. They might not all be ultra runners, but they understand the grind of training and how it contributes to overall happiness and productivity. With their support and a healthy dose of flexibility, I've managed to squeeze in training around my work responsibilities.

Sawna's biggest tip for those working full-time and training for any distance is to prioritize consistency over intensity.

Set up a practical training schedule that fits your life—not what other elite runners or friends are doing. Regular, manageable workouts each week help build endurance steadily and reduce the risk of burnout or injury from sporadic, high-intensity sessions. Consider fitting in shorter, high-quality workouts during lunch breaks or early mornings to maximize training without overwhelming your daily routine, whether it's juggling work, kids, pets or all of the above!

It's so easy to burnout and lose sight of your passions but Sawna was able to balance work, training, and her personal life by surrounding herself with support not only in her personal life but professionally as well.

The Ups and Downs of the 2024 Hardrock 100

Last weekend, Sawna tackled the Hardrock 100, one of the toughest ultra races out there. Covering 102 miles with a cumulative elevation gain of 33,197 feet, leading runners through steep climbs, rocky paths, and high-altitude passes.

Out of all the ultra races Sawna has completed, the Hardrock 100 challenged her in ways she had never experienced before. The evening and second day were especially tough, and she didn't think she could have continued without the emotional support of her pacer, Anthony Lee.

I soldiered on through nearly 30 miles of sheer exhaustion. From battling GI issues from Animas aid station (mile 57.9) to nearly crawling out of Sherman aid station (mile 72.7), fatigue hit me like a ton of bricks. Desperate times called for desperate measures, I had to take not one, but two separate naps just to muster enough energy to keep going and get to my crew at Cunningham aid station (mile 93.2). It was a first for me, and let's just say, those were some seriously desperate naps.

Sunrise over Handies Peak, the only 14,000 ft peak on the course—most runners experience it in the middle of the night.

A lot can happen over the course of 100 miles. Every runner will face challenging moments that test them, but there will also be unforgettable moments to treasure. For Sawna, three specific events stood out vividly:

• Exiting the KT aid station at 11.5 miles and seeing her friend Katie with her two children was a very special moment for Sawna. Being able to pace Katie seven years ago during Hardrock was life-changing for Sawna and it has now come full circle!
• Hiking up to Grant Swamp Pass was a dream come true for her. While she had experienced some breathtaking courses in her years of ultra running, this moment felt like she had won the lottery. Sawna kept reminding herself, "I'm running Hardrock-I get to do this!"
• Crossing the finish line with her three dogs was pure joy. While Cedar only joined the pack recently, all three of them played major roles in Sawna's training. They are a huge part of her life so it was important to her that they were there to celebrate another big accomplishment.

Kroger's Canteen, situated at mile 32.7 and over 13,000 feet along the Hardrock 100 course, is an iconic aid station.

Post-race Reflections

Sawna’s achievement at the Hardrock 100 is a testament to her relentless spirit and dedication. It also highlights how COROS products are crafted to support and enhance the performance of athletes, from training to race day. At COROS, we take pride in the fact that our employees are living examples of the lifestyle we advocate. Their experiences and insights drive us to continuously innovate and improve our products.

As I reflect on my journey to finish Hardrock 100, I'm filled with gratitude for the challenges, the triumphs, and the incredible support along the way. This race has been more than just a test of physical endurance—it's been a testament to the power of belief in oneself and the strength found in community.

To all the women out there dreaming of tackling an ultra or taking on any daunting challenge: believe in yourself. Sign up for that race, take that risk. Embrace the discomfort, because it's in those moments that we discover our true resilience and potential. Let's empower each other to push boundaries, break barriers, and redefine what's possible. Together, we can inspire and uplift, proving that with determination and support, any dream, no matter how audacious, can be achieved.

Sawna and her supportive crew team!

As we celebrate Sawna's success, we are inspired to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of wearables, ensuring that athletes everywhere can reach their full potential.