Our Western States 100 journey began on Wednesday June 23rd with an early morning flight out
of Wichita to Sacramento through Denver. I must say “our” as I could not have had a successful
race without my head crew chief, Harriet, my wife. Also helping crew was my son, Ryan, who
lives in Palo Alto, CA and met up with us in Tahoe City. I need to thank him for the video and
the pictures he took which are posted to the web at the sites listed at the end of the report. My
daughter Sarah was my offsite crew & relayed web updates to Harriet & Ryan so they knew my
position.

On the way to Squaw Valley USA, we stopped and purchased food that I would eat during the
race and also snacks for the next couple of days. Ryan was bringing a large ice chest and
some folding chairs for me and the crew. We took our time as I thought the first time runners’
clinic started at 2:00 and we would miss it but of course Harriet knew that it started at 3:00. The
clinic covered the basics of the course and the change due to the snow. They also covered the
reasons why most people DNF and how to avoid the most common errors.

On Thursday there was the annual trek up the mountain to plant the flag to remember those
associated the trail running especially those associated with WS that have passed away this
past year. The longest memorial was for the first non-human to be recognized, Starfire, a horse
that carried supplies for over 20 years to help maintain and improve the trail. There were other
meetings that day for blister care, crewing and medical studies. Part of the medical studies from
last year was the maximum mileage a finisher of last years WS ran in their biggest week. The
average was about 80 miles in one week but the ranges were form 30 miles to 200 miles. My
thought on this was how intelligent those 30 mile runners are to be able to complete 100 miles
and pace themselves so they could finish. The Board of Directors of WS really does everything
to help everyone to reach their goals of finishing.

Friday was packet pickup and the mandatory participants meeting. Harriet was a volunteer with
registration.. The swag was great. In addition to a technical shirt, we received a fleeced jacket
with the WS logo, a Mountain Hardware Montrail Fluid back pack (minus the hydration bladder),
Moeben arm sleeves and a bunch of other freebies as well the freebies the expo sponsors gave
us. The mandatory meeting gave all of us a chance to see the top runners from the front as they
were introduces as opposed from behind where we always will be when running against these
fantastic men and women. Gordy Ainsleigh, the first WS runner (1974), gave a few words of
encouragement. On a sad or happy note depending on how you want to look at it, Gordy finished
WS but was outside of the 30 hour time limit and thus not an official finisher. He still received a
standing ovation when he entered the stadium.
Race Day(s)

Race day started early at 2:45 AM with a quick shower, getting all my gear ready and the 15
minute drive from Tahoe City to Squaw Valley. After getting my race number and timing chip
it was breakfast around 3:30. A contintental breakfast with bagels, fruit, etc. was provided for
the runners. I then hung out and stayed calm until I was ready to move toward the start with the
temperature around 40. With a lunar eclipse in the sky the shotgun went off at 5:00 AM and
we were off. Well, we really ran about 100 meters and then started to walk the next 4 miles. At
around 2 miles we ran into the snow, the aid station which normally is at 3.5 miles was moved
to here, and it was snow for the remainder of the climb from 6,200 feet to 8,750 feet. Being in
the back was a blessing as everyone dug steps in the snow for the steep climb. Once over the
summit the snow was gone for awhile due to the exposure to the son and the lack of trees. Once
back in the trees the snow was at least 5 feet deep in places. The trail was hard to follow even
with all the foot prints and the trail markers. When we got within a couple of miles of the Lyons
Ridge aid station we went down to French Meadows instead of to Lyons Ridge. The snow on
the route through Lyons Ridge and Red Star to Duncan Canyon was too deep to get the two aid
stations set up, therefore the new route was used to Duncan Canyon. The run through French
Meadows was gorgeous along the river and lake. The trail was mostly wide with dirt but well
maintained with some paved road.

The climb from French Meadows up to Duncan Canyon was surreal. This area was substantially
devastated by the 2008 fire. I felt like I was on a different planet with all the burned trees, death,
and ash in the dry dust. In all fairness though there is some growth but it will be years before it is
back to normal. I felt good running through this part of the run and was on my “A” goal pace of 24
hours.

Robinson Flat was the next stop and the first time I would see my crew. The climb was not that
bad up to Robinson Flat but is only 30 miles into the run. The creek crossing before Robinson
Flat which is normally not too bad was supported by a rope to keep you from losing your balance
and floating downstream. All of the snow melt provided for a lot more water on the trail and in
some streams that would normally be dry. Up to this point you are still above 5,280 feet and will
be for about the next 8 miles to Dusty Corners. It was good to have a refried bean and turkey
wrap from my crew. Leaving Robinson Flat it is a nice downhill run into Last Chance. Leaving
Robinson Flat I was still on schedule for a 24 hour finish. For what ever reason I started to lose
time to my “A” goal as I ran down to Last Chance but I did not dwell on it or get depressed as I
knew the ultimate goal is to finish. . A 27 hour was still very doable.

Last Chance is exactly that the last chance to bail before the first of the two big canyon climbs.
This was where I placed my first of two drop bags. The course is so well supported that unless
you really wanted something special you did not need drop bags. In my case I wanted a quart
of pedialyte before hitting the heat of the canyons. As soon as you get out of last chance there
is 3 miles of easy running downhill before crossing the bridge and starting the 1.7 mile steep, 36
switchbacks, climb to Devil’s Thumb. This the toughest climb on the course but not the longest.
The climb was difficult but I felt good as I kept a constant pace. At Devil’s Thumb aid station I
had gained 7 pounds to 171 and the medical staff asked how many S-caps I had taken and told
me not to take any more. I was in and out quickly and started the 5 mile downhill to El Dorado
Creek. The downhill is not that difficult in most places but it is very long. I was not feeling that
good and did not push the downhill as I needed to and lost about 15 minutes on the 27 hour
pace. At the bottom of the downhill on the far side of the bridge is the El Dorado Creek aid station.

Once you leave the aid station it us up for 2.8 miles to Michigan Bluff. The climb is long but not
quite as steep as Devil’s Thumb and I actually gained a few minutes on the climb. As you reach
the top of the climb you have about 1/3 mile to the aid station. Ryan received permission and met
me after I crested the top and walked with me into the aid. It was comforting to have him along
and it lifted my spirits. I had my second drop bag at Michigan Bluff but did not use it. Harriet and
Ryan were set up just past the food table on the road. I had not planned on changing socks but
I had dirt and a few small pebbles in my shoe so I decided to do so. With my swollen feet it was
a bit of an effort to get my shoes off. Harriet washed my feet and I put my new socks on, laced
up my shoes and got ready to leave. When I entered the aid station I was 20 minutes ahead of
27 hour pace. I knew I took extra time here and when I left I walked out. In retrospect I should
have run a little bit more here as the road was wide and not very steep either up hill or down.

The next stop was Bath Road and Foresthill. The drop through Volcano Canyon and back up to
Bath Road was not bad but not real good either but I plugged along. Once I got to Bath Road
Ryan was able to run the 1.4 miles with me to Foresthill. This is a paved road up to Foresthill
Road and then about .5 mile of flat into the aid station. Unfortunately, by this time I was 20
minutes behind the 27 hour pace. At Foresthill I pick up my pacer, Jeff Collins, and took a break
to eat. I took too much time here as the saying goes “beware of the chair” and I sat too long. I
could tell Jeff was getting impatient.

Jeff and I walked out of Foresthill down to California Street to get back on the trail. Once on the
trail we started running again. It is 16 miles and three aid stations until you get to the aid station
at the Rucky Chucky river crossing. There are some steep climbs in this section but not very
long. However, after 62 miles of running every climb seemed long. The rest at Foresthill was
good and my legs and mental state were good. Due to the late heavy snow fall this year the river
crossing was a boat crossing as opposed to a rope crossing. During the Memorial Weekend
training runs several people told me that at certain times you may have a 30 minute wait to get a
boat. As Jeff and I approached the river the trail widens out with fairly easy running. We pushed
the pace and passed about 20 people in the last 1.5 miles before the river. We quickly did the
medical check, got some aid and went to the boat. We were fortunate and walked to the river
and got the last two seats in the boat. Ryan was waiting for us on the other side to take pictures
and walk with us to Green Gate. I took a couple of minutes to sit in the river to soak my quads.
The cold water felt excellent. By the time we started our climb to Green Gate I was only 8
minutes behind the 27 hour pace.
As we walked the steep 1.7 mile climb from Rucky Chucky to Green Gate we were passed
by several groups. Jeff told me that we were going to take this easy and that we would pass
everyone that passed us and we did. Harriet was waiting for me with a refried bean turkey wrap.
It tasted good but I did not feel like eating too much. Even with the easy walk up the hill we did
not lose any time on our 27 hour pace.

The next stop was Auburn Lake Trails where it all unraveled. I stepped on the scales with the
anticipation of a quick stop and I weighed 172. They started to ask trick questions to see how
alert I was mentally but that was not enough. They made me stop and pee twice and eat half of
a PBJ before they would let me continue. Sitting next to me was a runner that was there when
I arrived and not in good shape and he wanted to continue in the worse way. Finally the doctor
convinced him to take an IV. I watched as they snipped off his medical bracelet signifying that he
was an official DNF. That was a horrifying picture for me mentally and all I wanted to do was to
get out of there and not have my own DNF at mile 85. After 45 minutes or so the doctor finally let
me leave with strict orders not to drink anything for awhile.

The next medical check was 8.3 miles away at Highway 49. It was difficult running with no water
but on the bright side I did not have the extra weight of two water bottles. Even though I did
eat two gels by the time I reached Highway 49 and mile 95 I felt spent. The run from Auburn
Lake Trails is rolling up and down until about the last ¾ mile to the Highway 49 crossing and
aid station. The climb is hard single track but I felt relatively good and pushed the pace. I
actually gained a little time back but by this time the only goal was to finish. The first thing I did
at the aid station was to step on the scales. I weighed 165, a drop from 171 to 165 in 8.3 miles.
We left the aid station and started our climb to a beautiful meadow. By this time I was moving
very slowly and very timid on the downhills. The grass was great to run through and the trail
fairly smooth until you get about 1 mile from No Hands Bridge and then it drops down, very steep
at times. At No Hands you know you have it made as you only have 3.4 miles to go. Jogging
across the bridge is cool with the river so far below and the trail is wide. I walked most of this
and the arduous climb to Robie Point. Ryan met us at this aid station and went the last 1.3 miles
with us. This section is in town with a paved road. All the fans are sitting out in their lawn chairs
with their programs looking up your number and yelling encouragement at you by name. Finally
with .5 mile to go the road levels out and you head to the track for the final .2 mile. We slowly ran
(really shuffled) to the end. I finished in 29:06:38. This was not my “A” or “B” goal but a finish is
a finish. I really did not notice the heat all that much for most of the race as I felt trained for the
heat but I did feel it the last 3 miles. It felt very hot by that time and the actually temps were in the
90’s.

Once I crossed the finish line I had to be weighed once more and my weight was back up to 170.
After that I was weighed and had blood drawn for the medical study I volunteered for. After that I
just sat for a very very long time. I finally got the energy to take a shower but could not eat. The
awards did not start until 1:30 but by 12:30 I was ready to get out of there and get out of the heat.
We left for Sacramento and a bed. After getting up at 2:45 AM Saturday morning I finally got to
bed at 6:15 PM Sunday. Of course we had a 6:00 AM flight home Monday morning and had to
get up at 3:15 to catch a 4:00 shuttle.

I have the opportunity to run the 2011 WS 100 as I won one of the free entries given away at the
raffle used to raise money for the trail.