2018 Western States Endurance Run

Wow is probably all I need to say about this race.  However, that would make a boring blog and I need to indulge myself.  I am going to split this into two posts.  This first one will be the details of my race, while the second will be memories that I want to share from this run.

Pre-Race Photo

First, I need to thank everyone for the support throughout these long few months of training.  Mark had to kick me out the door on days when I didn't want to run. And of course, he suffered dearly when I dragged him to CA for wine and golf all week.  I also want to thank Coach Corrine Malcom and the CTS crew.  The guidance and support that I had was wonderful.  Corrine understood my needs and desires and shaped a training plan that works for me. 

Western States Endurance Run...the Boston Marathon of ultrarunning.  I think that's the best way to describe it.  However, unlike Boston, you need a qualifier and the luck of the lottery gods to join the field of 369 runner in Squaw Valley, CA on the 4th Saturday in Jun.  

The trip to Auburn wasn't easy.  I was shocked when I found out that my ticket was selected. Corrine and I started planning to make sure I was prepared for this journey.  From Dec to Jun, I ran just over 1300 miles, not only putting in long runs, but speed as well.  I completed two training races (Black Mtn 40 miler and Big Turtle 50 miler) as well as attended the WSER Memorial Day Training Camp, where I got to experience the last 70 miles with no pressure.  My biggest month was almost 250 miles.  That’s a lot for me.

The week before the race, Mark and I headed out to CA for some relaxation in the form of wine and golf.  What a perfect way to taper.  A few rounds of golf, a private wine tasting at Terra d’Ora, a few easy runs (well, except that last speed workout after golf and lunch in the heat of the day).

The temperature in Auburn the week prior wasn’t looking good.  It was shaping up to be a hot race.  At one point the forecast called 101.  That meant that the canyons would be closer to 110.  Luckily race day never got that high, but it was the 9^th hottest WSER at 98, with the river crossing showing 106 at 4 pm (about the time I was climbing up Devil’s Thumb, the steepest climb of the day).

Per my normal ops, I was planning the race as if I had no crew or pacer.  Turns out I was able to have both without much extra planning or effort!  CTS went all out to provide support to their athletes, both elite and those of us normal humans (ok, normal is not what most people call me).  The provided crew support at Robinson Flat, Foresthill and Pointed Rocks.  Another friend Debbie, who was crewing a mutual friend was at Michigan Bluff and kept me moving.  At Foresthill, a gentleman name Jim Carman asked if I wanted a pacer for 20 miles.  Sure, why not.  Jim met me after the river crossing at ran with me in.  I was much appreciative of the company.  I never realized how much just having someone nearby can keep you moving.

To break down the race into chunks…the start was amazing.  The energy was so much more than I had ever seen at an ultra.  People at 4 in the morning were hiking and biking up the trail to watch runners come up.  

As the sun rose over the mountains, I stopped and looked back a few times.  Fog had formed over the golf course (my picture didn’t turn out too well).  It was spectacular!  There was some scrambling up to the top of Escarpment. I stopped and asked a spectator to take a picture of me. 

The high country was beyond belief beautiful. The running was a bit more challenging than I had imagined, with lots of loose rocks.  I had a hard time getting a climbing rhythm.  At one point I was running with a group and one of the guys asked if we all had 24 hr aspirations.  While that had been a stretch goal if conditions were right, I also found that I couldn’t keep up with them, so let them go.  I needed to run my race at my pace.  

I was in/out the first aid station pretty quickly, just refilling my flask and grabbing some chips.  Coming into Red Star Ridge at mile 15, it was chaotic.  Everyone grabbing for ice that was melting already in the morning heat.  I finally stepped away and started going through my dropbag, when a volunteer came up to me and helped me out.  In the chaos, however, I left without getting food.  Luckily, I had enough in my pack, but it was a mistake that I don’t like to make. 

The rollers down to Duncan Canyon Aid station at mile 24 were still more of the same, loose dirt and rocks.  Here I completely topped off with ice.  To include my bra.  I was not going to overheat.  Down to Duncan Canyon, I went.  I sat down in the river to cool off before heading up.  The climb to Robinson Flat was getting hotter and I knew what was coming up wasn’t going to be easy. 

Coming into Robinson Flat at the 50k mark, I was feeling good.  I found the CTS tent, where Koop, AJW and others were waiting to help me out.  Clean socks, some food and off I went with some sage advice from AJW.  The next 4 aid stations are a bit of a blur to me. Lots of ice and more ice.  Filling both bottles with electrolyte and the bladder with ice.  Ice in the hat and down my bra.   I do, however, remember the ladies at Dusty Corner.  They were wonderful, filling me up with ice and sponging me down.  Deanne was my ‘handler’.  As I left, she asked to snap a picture of me, as she loved my attitude and the joy I was having.   I was having a blast!

Somewhere in this stretch, I ended up getting my head wrapped around my times.  I noted a sign at one of the stations that had times on it for 24 hr finish, 30 hr finish and cut-offs.  I looked at my watch and noted that I was between the 30 hr and cut-off.  WTFO?  I started to get down on myself for not moving fast enough and I wasn’t sure why.  Finally, I unscrewed my noggin and realized that I had been doing 4 mph average and cut-off is 3mph. Ignore the signs and keep moving...

Now it was time to head down to the dragon’s lair and Swinging Bridge.  The long descent gave my legs a beating.  The climb back up to Devil’s Thumb almost killed me (figuratively). I could tell it was a furnace and I was slowing down.  However, I wasn’t over-heating.  In fact, I was cold at times from being so wet with ice.  However, climbing wasn’t as easy as I am use to.  I had to stop a lot to settle my breathing and heart rate.  While I was eating at every aid station, and even in between I’m not sure I was taking in enough calories.  I wasn’t hungry which from my experience is my indicator to eat.  If I eat on a set schedule or too much, I’m more susceptible to tummy problems.

When I finally got to Michigan Bluff, it was so great to see Debbie.  She walked with me through town and got me to eat some noodles.  Into Volcano Canyon and up to Foresthill I went.  It was almost dark when I got to Foresthill (mile 62).  Although I had a headlamp in my pack, most of my night stuff was there, as I had expected to be there an hour earlier.  Again, CTS coaches were awesome!  I told them I wanted to be out of the chair in 10 mins.  At 9 min they had me up and tying my shoes.  David and Jim walked/ran me out to Cal Street. 

Cal Street…I should just skip this section altogether.  It was my nemesis.  I thought I had ran the first 100k conservatively, but my legs just didn’t want run.  Then I started to sleepwalk.  It was way too early to be feeling that tired.  I got to Peachstone (Cal-2), got some iced coffee and a bit of food in me and started to feel better.  I put the powerhike into full afterburner.  The feeling didn’t last too long, within 5 minutes of leaving the next aid station at mile 73, I was vomiting.  That was a first for me (and it wouldn’t be the last for this race, as a similar situation came up around mile 92). 

The river was a sight to see.  The energy here was radiant.  I took a long time here, probably too long, but I needed it.  First on the near side, eating some broth and crackers.  Then the dip in the river.  Brrr….that was cold.  On the other side, I did a full change of clothes/shoes and we (Jim as promised was waiting) started power hiking up to Green Gate.  I was alive again!  I passed quite a few people in this climb.  We chatted a bit, but for the most part it was just the two of us running/hiking along silently clicking off the miles the best I could. 

I got my running legs together a bit for the last few miles and ran into Pointed Rocks at mile 94.5.  CTS was here again.  I handed my pack to Koop and left with a handheld.  I was so glad to be rid of the pack.  Climbing from No Hands Bridge up to Robie Point was not as bad as I remembered if from the training run a few weeks ago.  Maybe it was the energy there and people lining the streets.  Deirdre was there to snap a few photos.  

Once I hit the track, Jim stepped off and I saw Mark standing there.  I almost cried then and there.  Coming around the corner, I could hear the announcer call my name and running history.  People were cheering me on.  Raw emotions were felt when I crossed that line and I just stood there in disbelief.  While I had not run my goal time, I finished on a day when things could have gone really wrong.

So how do I feel 4 days later?  A bit sore.  My feet are swollen and my lower leg is a bit wonky.  I’m not running for a few days that’s for sure.  I had no blisters, despite wet feet for most of the day.  I few toes are bruised from kicking rocks, but that’s it.  I ran in Altra King MT’s for the first 78 miles, then switched to the Superiors.  The Swiftwick socks worked great.  Squirrel’s Nut butter prevented chaffing in spots that I normally chafe, but other spots are raw due to the ice.

I got lucky getting in with one ticket, and yes, if given the chance I’d go back again.  It may be a few years, but it’s worth the wait.

#seeyouinsquaw #ctsathlete #altrarunning #snb #wser100