The legendary Kilian Jornet has completed the Colorado section of his ‘States of Elevation’ project – and the stats show the astonishing impact it has already had on him.
Jornet needs no introduction – his feats in the world of endurance are unmatched as he’s pushed the boundaries of what is possible.
But this latest challenge, which sees him aiming to connect the 14,000-foot peaks across three states, is right up there with his toughest.
In the lower 48 states, only three regions have peaks about 14,000 feet (known as 14ers): the Rockies of Colorado, the Sierras of California and the Cascades in Washington. Together, they form a sacred high-altitude corridor, hence Kilian’s ‘States of Elevation’.
Nine Mt Everests
Colorado featured 56 14ers and Jornet clocked a combined 255,888 feet of elevation gain, or nearly nine Mt Everests.
As he did with his ‘Alpine Connections’ last year when he climbed all 82 4,000-metre Alpine peaks in just 19 days and said it was “the most challenging thing I’ve ever done”, he is relying entirely on human-powered travel, cycling between regions and ascending or connecting each peak by foot.
Jornet is a COROS athlete and the data from his watch, bike computer and heart rate strap makes for fascinating reading as it underlines just how tough it has been.
Three key metrics, which will resonate with many, are:
Average Sleep – less than 5 hours since beginning the project. Some days there has been no sleep at all.
Kilian’s HRV (Heart Rate Variability) has plummeted from an average of 50ms (pre project) to 31ms as accumulative fatigue sets in.
And his RHR (Resting Heart Rate) has risen because of the strain the long days are taking, climbing from a pre project average of 43 bpm up nearly 10 beats to 52bpm and rising.
‘Pacing is everything’
Jornet says having that data and knowledge helps him manage his pacing and recovery more efficiently – meaning he’s now in a much better place than he was at the start.
“Colorado taught me the importance of listening to my body, respecting the terrain and understanding that pacing is everything,” he explained – indeed it was perfectly-executed pacing that helped him improve his Western States time by 80 minutes this year compared to his 2011 victory.
“The altitude, the weather, and the tough terrain all demand a strategy where you don’t push too hard too soon. I focused on controlling the effort – managing my energy and trying to respect some recovery time so you can keep going for many days.
“There was definitely a ‘low battery’ moment after the first stages where I was jetlagged, dehydrated, and felt the physical toll of the long days. It was hard, but knowing my body and checking the data reminded me that I had to take better care of myself. I slowly managed to feel better and it has been going super well ever since.”
‘The journey is what matters’
Asked about what brought him to the States and the key aims of the project, he added: “The landscapes and mountain culture have always inspired me in North America. It felt like the right time to explore that more deeply, not just through competition, but through a slower and more immersive journey. It’s also a chance to connect with the local community and bring awareness to environmental issues here.”
And while his latest journey is on an epic scale, he hopes it will inspire others to take on their own challenges.
Asked if he has a message for those following his progress, he said: “I think it’s just to get out and try things, and to start things.
“Even if the outcome is very uncertain. I don’t know how far I will go and I don’t know how I will feel. It doesn’t matter – the experience, the journey, is what it matters.”
But even he admits that there are certain aspects he’s not looking forward to: “Like riding in the desert for a thousand miles, in a straight line. It’s not fun, but at the same time, it’s part of the experience.”
For a deeper dive into Kilian’s stats, check out the COROS blog here.
