The perfect day. That is really how to describe my run at the 35th running of the Western States Endurance Run from Squaw Valley to Auburn on June 27-28, 2009. After the cancellation last year due to the fires, everyone was very excited to be in the race again.
It was a hot day that tested the veteran runners as well as the first timers. Experience helped but didn't guarantee anything on a day where 40% of the runners dropped from the race. The race started with the lead runners taking a wrong turn in the first mile and the mid-pack runners (like me) being able to say they were ahead of Hal Koerner, Scott Jurek and Dave Mackey. At least for a couple of minutes.
The gun went off at 5AM with a nervous Greg Soderland (RD) counting down the final 10 seconds. Four hundred runners ran and walked up the access roads of Squaw to the Escarpment. The sunrise was incredible and soon I was running the single track of the Granite Chief Wilderness towards Auburn. It was warm already but a constant breeze on the ridges helped to keep us cool in the early morning hours. I arrived at Lyon Ridge feeling very good and by Red Star Ridge (16 miles, 3:16) I was beginning to think I might have a good day. All systems were go.
I arrived at Duncan Canyon (23.8 miles) to greet my wife with a huge smile. I was feeling great and it was warming up. The climb up to Robinson Flat (30 miles) went better than expected. I passed many people on the climb and felt like I was flying as I entered the aid station. The descent to Miller's Defeat was long and hot and before I knew it I was again seeing my wife at Dusty Corners (38 miles). She put cold wet towels on me to cool me down as I consumed calories for the upcoming hot canyon sections. I ran steady and conversative down to Last Chance (43.8 miles) and finally hit the bottom of the caynon at swinging bridge to enjoy a refreshing dip in the river. The hike up to Devil's Thumb (47.8 miles ) was hot and long and I arrived there at 3:17 pm which is 13 minutes ahead of sub-24 hour pace. I weighed in at the medical check 1 pound over my starting weight. Despite the heat I was maintaining my weight and fluids and most importantly my stomach felt fine. I was beginning to feel that a silver buckle was a possibility.
The descent to El Dorado Creek (52.9 miles) was the hottest part of the day for me. The air was still and the heat was intense. In the shade at the creek crossing it was 90 degrees. I again jumped in the water to cool down for 2 minutes before another long climb to Michigan Bluff (mile 55.7) where my crew and family would be waiting for me. At 5:19pm I arrvied at Michigan Bluff to cheers from the crowds and my crew. I ate and drank as my wife put cold wet towels again on my head and neck to keep me cool. Five minutes later I was heading down the dirt road towards Foresthill. I felt the descent to Volcano Creek was the second hottest part of the day for me. My shirt was completely dry within two miles of leaving Michigan Bluff. I soaked my head in Volcano Creek before heading up to Bath Road and Foresthill (mile 62). My brother and neice were waiting for me at Bath Rd and I recounted most of the day to them as we walked and ran to Foresthill.
I sat down for the first time all day at Foresthill to change my socks and get my night running gear together. I exchanged my two hand bottles for a hydration pack and small hand bottle. In 6 minutes I was heading down California St. with my pacer Robin and looking forward to crossing the river at Rucky Chucky in a couple of hours. We turned on our lights after Peachstone (mile 70.7) and arrived at the river at 10:18pm, 42 minutes head of the 24 hour pace. We crossed the river and I took a full body plunge at the end to cool down one last time before the climb to Green Gate (mile 79.8). The road was busy with crews coming down to the river and runners going up at various speeds. I passed several runners and arrived almost too early at Green Gate as my crew had just arrived there. I switched pacers, threw up once because I ate too fast, and headed out on the final 20 miles of the course.
Michael and I kept up a steady pace despite my feet starting to really hurt. I felt a major blister on my left foot go at mile 91 and any rocky sections of the trail had to be negotiated with care to avoid even more pain. I was getting very low on energy as we climbed up to the Highway 49 crossing (mile 93.5) and I had to sit down for the second time during the race at the aid station. But the magical smoothies they make there perked me up and I was soon running again on our way to No Hands Bridge. It was now 2:42am and we had over two hours to cover the final 6.7 miles. The sub 24 hour time was looking more and more like a reality.
Running across No Hands Bridge at night with the lights is a unique experience and I finally let myself think about the victory lap on the track in Auburn. The trail up to Robie Point felt endless. We finally saw the lights of the aid station and I heard my full pacing crew cheering me on. Tim, Robin and Holland joined Michael and I for the final 1.3 miles to the finish. But first we had to climb the steep hill on pavement to the unofficial mile 99 aid station sponsored by the local residents. The pain from my blisters went away as the five of us made the final turn before the track. As we entered the track, my mom, Ryan and Amy were there to greet us. Ryan and Amy joined us on the victory lap to the finish line. We all crossed the line together in 23:35:06.
Without the support of my family and crew I would not have been able to accomplish my dream of running the Western States trail in a day. And a big thanks goes out to all the volunteers who helped all of us during the race.
Official Results: http://www.ws100.com/results09.htm
Webcast site: http://webcast.ws100.com/
