It was almost six months ago, when I started the journey to the Western States 100. Early December while doing the Devil Dog 100, I was selected during lottery pick. [596]
I did many races since, both big and small. My training has not been consistent like the first few weeks in the winter or as focused as I would like.
Originally, the biggest concern was finding a coach. By March, I got a coach through the Vermont 100 signup. A side story, starting with Western States 100, I signed up three additional 100 mile races, for a traditional ultra grand slam. My choice: Old Dominion, Western States, Vermont and Wasatch Front (minus Leadville). These are all heavy big races. Even too big for me to comprehend. So through Vermont 100 race, I found a coach for the journey. Coach assigned me running plan and warmup/cool down excercises and as well as body conditioning. But my hectic race schedule interferes much.
The dates for the first two 100 (grand slam) are drawing near. Training period is over. WS is next month, so maybe couple more weeks of specific training (I will focus on heat!).
Summary, I have not trained as much as I wanted specific for WS100 race. Originally, I should be training for hills (especially for the downhill), second is heat, third is just volume training (run a lot of trails/mountain runs). Of the three things, running a lot was what I had done.
It is too early to say if my training is adaquate for a 22k descent and 18k ft of climbing at WS100.
This past weekend, I was able to go onsite to run part of the actual course. It was tremendously helpful.
The course is generally downhill as all literature mentioned. There are a couple big climbs (our training had only two). We ran from mile 30 to the finish over a three day span (about 70 miles).
I enjoyed the run. I saw couple friends from our area. I made a few new friends who will be running in the race. Three people from NC. One from MO, and a father and daughter team from CA, Steve and Kate. Steve ran it two years ago. This year, he will be supporting his daughter.
During my visit, I was able to finalize some race day concerns such as locking in my pacers and crew. My friend from Sacramento, Susan will be able to pace me from mile 62 to 78 (and beyond). She recruited some from her running club friends, especially Karen to pace me the ‘beyond’ part.
On Sunday, we were able to celebrate one of her friends finishing the Canyon Endurance 100 mile. He had like 10 people crewing him for the first time. I had a bit of down time after my training run. It was better than staying alone in a hotel. Most of these running friends will be helping out at the WS100 race in some capacity. One of their friends, Bruce, will also be running in it.
At least two aid stations I will have a familiar face. Steve and Pam will be at Dusty Corner (I think around mile 34-ish?) Another will be at Green Gate from midnight to seven in the morning, that is mile 80.
The most important thing for me is to lock in my second pacer (Christy) for mile 78 to the finish. On our last day of training, I went out as usual. I was running behind this woman, whom I have seen last three days. Her pace was decent, and ideal for the last stretch. So I asked, if she would be willing to pace for me since she is not in the race and she was near the area (she lives few hours away, 5 maybe, but she said she does not mind since she could stay with a friend at Sacramento on the race weekend). Everything seems to be working out. She would be able to do the night run, I told her there is definitely couple hours running in the night. She is highly enthusiastic. She knew all my other friends I made from the past three days. Her pace doesn’t degrade too much over the long stretch. I told her, she does not need to run fast, but keep a constant steady pace like we were doing. The last stretch does not have big climbs, which many people including her was struggling. To me, everything seems working out.
Personally, for me as an outake from the training run is take care of my feet. The downhill has a lot of grit and they can get inside the shoes. Also the trail is sandy and dusty. I might need to tape my feet to prevent blisters.
Heat. It was already hot during the training runs but it will be much hotter in a month from now. Nothing we can do about it. They say run with ice. Keep cool. Keep drinking. I also got a good sense about the pace I should be running.
Finally, the big question, can I do it? After the training run, my confident increase a bit. As of now, I think I can do it (at least over 50%). They say the first half is hard (at least the first 50k, which we were not able to run on during the training). So I can’t confidently say, I got it. Second half though wasn’t too bad.
There always will be something pop up during race day. So we have to wait and see. The race is a month away.
In the meantime, I need to get ready for my 3rd 100 this coming weekend. OD100, the first of the slam. It is a heavy race. Almost as big as WS or equally so. I will report once is over. Also unfortunately, I was not able to devote more time in training up for this event. I know I will have many friends there, especially one coming down from Vermont to do this. (did I mention, I locked in for Vermont, fulfiling all requirements?) Everything is tying together.
In awe 