I'm primarily starting this blog to track my training and progress towards the finish line of the 2008 Western States Endurance Run.
On Saturday, December 1st, with only a 16% chance of being picked, my name was drawn and I'm one of 350+ people entered in the race. The race will start June 28th at Squaw Valley Ski Resort in CA.
I first heard of this race when I saw a TV broadcast about it back in 1986 or 1987. I've been interested in it ever since. In 2001, I paced a friend over the last 38 miles in his first finish at the race. For 2002, I was selected in the lottery, but tore my ACL during ski season and never made it to the starting line. For 2003, I wasn't in the lottery. For 2004, I lost the lottery.
For 2005, I was selected and I made it to the starting line. But, due to a dumb mistake in training, racing a tough 50 miler three weeks before the race, I fell apart in the later miles of the race, and I was pulled from the race at mile 93.5. That one still haunts me, even though I know I gave everything I had that day.
For 2006, I wasn't in the lottery. For 2007, I lost in the lottery.
In 2008, I plan to finally finish this race.
3 comments:
I just ran across your blog from a Google alert on "ultrarunning," and read your piece on lifting - good stuff. I don't do a lot of lifting myself, just a little dumbell work for my upper body, but it makes me feel better and I think it has made me stronger and a better runner.
That is quite a history with WS you have there. I wish you the best in 2008 and will be rooting for you to finish. Good luck.
Andy
Andyb,
Thanks for the support. I am so happy to be back in the race, and I'm looking forward to doing everything I can to be truly ready on race day.
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Susan
http://dclottery.info
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