WEEKEND RECAP: Stephanie Case Takes On the Rugged Peaks of Andorra

Returning to Andorra for the third time, Stephanie Case sought out the steep, technical, and wild ridges she loves so much. Between managing suffocating valley heat, climbing to nearly 2,900 meters of altitude, and navigating a course with minimal crew access, this 105km journey was less of a traditional race and more of a true mountain expedition.

Stephanie’s goals were clear: enjoy the breathtaking views, test her fueling under hot conditions, and celebrate her sixth ultra-marathon finish since welcoming her daughter just over a year and a half ago. Little did she know, the rugged terrain would test her resilience in ways she didn't expect.

The Strategy of Performance: Stephanie’s Expedition Protocol

To tackle the brutal Andorran profile, Stephanie worked closely with her nutritionist, Renee, to lock in a demanding target of 80g of carbohydrates per hour, paired with a heavy 1,000mg of sodium per liter.

• The Heavy Pack Routine:With only two checkpoints across the entire 105km course where crew aid was permitted, Stephanie had to start the race carrying an immense 38km worth of gels and sodium on her back. While it added extra weight to her pack, having the right calories and electrolytes immediately on hand was well worth the expedition-style effort.

• The Neutral and Pineapple Rotation: The BOOST™ Gel 30 Neutral served as her reliable energy base, going down smoothly without causing early sugar fatigue. Later in the race, she transitioned toULTRA™ Drink Mix Pineapple in her flasks, utilizing the refreshing flavor profile to keep her gut moving.

• The Downhill Kick: True to her plan, she strategically delayed her caffeine intake until reaching the top of the major climbs near the end of the race, providing the mental sharpness needed to push through the descents.

Overcoming the Technical Terrain: "I will run until I can't"

The true turning point of the race came early. At just 20km in, Stephanie severely sprained her ankle out on the technical trails. Coming into the first crewed aid station, it was touch and go whether she could even continue.

In a true team effort, her crew sourced ice, tracked down freeze spray, and researched taping techniques on the fly. After consulting a physio, her ankle was locked down, and Stephanie set back out onto the course with a relentless mantra shared by her crew:

“I will run until I can’t.”

Defying the pain, she didn't just survive, she smashed her original estimated time to cross the finish line as the 6th lady overall.

Adapting on the Fly to the Heat

Everything executed flawlessly up until the 80km mark, with Stephanie hitting her exact carb and sodium targets while maintaining great energy levels. However, as the afternoon heat peaked, keeping up with heavy fluid losses between the distant checkpoints became a major hurdle. Despite carrying three flasks (1.5L) of liquid mix, mild dehydration set in, triggering waves of nausea.

Showing resilience, Stephanie adapted instantly: she shifted her focus entirely to fluid and salt intake, relying on fresh watermelon from the aid stations to stabilize her stomach and carry her safely to the finish line, a massive stepping stone and learning experience for her upcoming starts.

Nutrition Breakdown : Trail 100 Andorra in Details