On 23rd June
at 5am I will line up in the half dark above the crystal waters of Lake Tahoe
California. Around me will be 370 others, drawn from the diverse and everso
slightly bizarre world of ultra running. Some professional world class
athletes, some who have dedicated their whole lives with a passion to running
through the mountains, a few exceptionally hairy mountain goat-like
individuals, and many like me who just love the challenge and the excitement we
are all anticipating.
This is
Western States 100. A 100 mile trail race from Lake Tahoe to Auburn, crossing
the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. The event is legendary in the world of
ultrarunning, being the first ever 100 mile foot race, and one of the hardest
contested to get a place on the start line. Just to arrive here I have had to
run 100 kilometer races and put in hours of voluntary service, and then only to
earn a 1 in 15 chance of getting a place in the lottery. But luck smiled on me
(even if not everyone sees that as lucky!) and here I am. Since the end of last
year I have pounded over 1200km of trails, 20km of ascent and narrowly dodged
an array of injuries, and as a result I am just about ready to go!
A little bit of curious history. The route used
to be an annual horse race, until 1974 when one guy had a lame horse and
decided to enter anyhow – but without his horse – and modern long distance trail
running was born. Looking back it seems improbable that anyone would
elect to do this, as the toughness of the course usually got the better of a
good number of horses each year, often in a terminal way. Full marks for spirit of adventure!
The course
So the horn
will sound across Tahoe and we will bound (struggle) up the first hill
together, a crippling 1000m ascent over the first few miles to the highest
point above Squaw Valley ski resort, the start of a 16 hour journey for the
leaders, though more like 30 hours for me.
We will slip
and slide through freezing temperatures, snow and ice at the top of the
mountains, then descend into the dusty canyons where temperatures can exceed
40C. We will climb a total of 5.5 kilometers, and descend another 7.5km,
through rocky trails, streams, and forests.
We will not
stop except to refuel. As the participant guide explains, as far as we know, no
one has ever finished a race while in a chair. And once sitting down it is near
impossible to stand up again, so keeping up and moving is the only way!
And of course
as it takes 30 hours, I will be running through the dark, with the company of
my good friend Jordi who will stop me from falling asleep and disappearing over
a cliff! And then the sun will rise and I will arrive seeking chips, beer and
massage, into the arms of my family at Placer High School Stadium. A happy man
too, if I can make it over the line in one piece!
The hows and the whys
Everyone I
tell about this seems to have a similar initial reaction, which is how on earth
can you run for 30 hours non stop. Then after a few minutes of reflection, they
soon arrive at ‘why?’, and I confess that I don’t have great answers for either
of these. But I will by the time I have finished, so check back here after the
event and I can tell you all about it!
In short,
getting to the end is going to be part an eating and drinking competiton (what
gets used up must be replaced, or I will fall over), part mental game of making
myself suspend reality and keep the motivation and self belief in tact through
inevitable discomfort and fatigue, and a little bit of being fit and well
trained, though this is definitely the least important of the three, I
believe...
Why?, is more
about enjoying the process of doing something that I once could not even
understand, let alone see as a realistic goal for myself. Whether I end up
being one of the 65% who finish or not this weekend, the process that has got
me to stand on the start line has been life changing and inspiring. And more importantly
I just love the liberating feeling of being able to run through wild country
like this, there is nothing quite like it, makes me feel alive, so why not! And
to top it all, I get to take the family to California for a holiday as a result
too, a great bonus.
This is also a
great way to do some good for my adopted charity Deafness Research. If all of
you lot can do your bit to support me by donating to this great cause ( https://www.justgiving.com/JulianPieters
), the additional motivation that this will deliver will be invaluable, you
will help me to succeed and you will help do a great job through this fabulous
charity. So please go there now, please do your bit if you can!
And when all
the running has been run, I think I will be glad to be able to put my feet up
at the weekends a bit more often. I think Emily and the girls are keen to have
me back home a bit more, so one major source of motivation for this weekend is
knowing that if I succeed I will never have to go out and do it again!
The last few days...
 |
| Training at Red Rocks - 43C out there |
I have had a
crazy few weeks, culminating in a week in Las Vegas for a trade show, slipping
out once in a while to run in the >40C heat, including a couple of trips the
magical red rocks. I would have stopped for a climb, but it was frankly too hot
and sweaty to contemplate anything (including running for that matter).
 |
| Another shabby training venue, Mammoth Lakes |
I have a few
days now up in the high country getting used to thinner air, climbing the peaks
near Yosemite for a few days. Then to San Francisco to collect Jordi, my pacer.
Being small and Catalan means he is a lucky charm for me, as the world leading
ultra runner is from a similar mould! Then picking up all of my girls (very
excited about this!) and heading to Tahoe. Other than that, lounging around
combined with excessive eating and drinking are the order of the day!
Then off we
go. The race is phenomenally well managed, attracting a huge number of
volunteers and crews. One benefit is that you can follow me as I battle in and
out of each checkpoint here http://www.ultralive.net/ws100/webcast.php
following runner 316.
And that’s all
there is to say, until I lie smiling in the sun in Placer High School stadium
on Sunday, and then I will be sure to let you all know about it!
 |
| Battered toes. Don't do it kids... |
