First Blog - One Chilly Day in Auburn and Beyond

This is my very first Blog! The intent it to keep track of my many adventures, and awesome people that I meet, during this amazing time in my life. It is also a chronicle for myself and family in future years to look back at all the crazy prep it takes to do crazy things. All of this, working towards the date that is circled in RED on my calendar...June 28, 2014 and my first Western States 100 Endurance Run! 

The Western States 100, or "States" as it's referred to, is one of the hardest runs to get into these days. With over 2700 entrants and about 4200 tickets in the hopper, my measly 2 tickets seemed to be grains of sand on a huge beach. Being drawn is a huge honor for a middle-of-the-packer like me. A dream opportunity really. Where do I start?...The Beginning. 

It all started on that day in Auburn, December 7, 2013. It was a chilly day with the typical party atmosphere for the Western States Lottery at Placer High. For the past 3 years I have attended this event for the fun of seeing how excited people get and to cheer on my pals in their hopeful selection. Last year was the first year I went with a ticket in the hopper. I came up empty but it was so much fun just to be there. The excitement is hard to describe. Suffice it to say that if you can you should go. Any runner would really enjoy the experience of being there. 

So there we sit. Chatting amongst ourselves between the ticket drawings. Ever hopeful...but never expecting...that our name would be pulled. Local names being drawn with people bursting into happy yells and cheers from the crowd, and non-locals with polite applause. Then...about 100 or so names in, the announcer (AJW?) (sorry I should know his name and someone will correct me here)...says to the ticket puller "well you may get a steak dinner out of this one since it's a local". He then turns to the crowd and says my name. I rocket up and out of my seat with arms in the air yelling like a lunatic! I am already scooting down the aisle, stepping on feet, before my wife Mary even realizes it was my name announced. She later told me she was kinda baffled why I was going down the aisle before it hit her :). My heart is exploding out of my chest with excitement by the time I reach the stage. They hand me the coveted hat that they give to people selected on that day and I shake the hands of the dignitaries onstage. I only really remember Tim Twietmeyer up there. It's kinda a blur. I do remember the announcer saying "Scott...you need to be more excited". I was still fist pumping at the time. I hang out for a while onstage while the guest ticket puller is done, take pictures, and then head back to my seat celebrating again with all of my friends and wife as I get there. Wow. Then I kick back and relax for the remainder of the drawing but cheer on friends and hoping for more of them to make it with me. 

Picture on the stage

The lucky locals

After the lottery we all head to Auburn Alehouse to celebrate. I was so touched and excited to see all my running friends there to help me celebrate. We drink, laugh, eat, and laugh some more. It was the best meal and company a man could ask for to celebrate a day like this. Then...outside...we notice that it starts to snow. Lightly at first, but over the next 30 minutes or so it gets heavy and really starts coming down. Snow in Auburn? Crazy! Many of us head outside to play in the snow and the snowballs are flying! This just makes the day that much more special. What I remember of the rest of the day is having way too much alchohol at the Alehouse...thanks to my friends for the shots and beers. I remember doing a whiskey shot expecially from Cathleen. And Susan throwing snowballs at everyone. Super fun day. Then being choked up and teary eyed sending a text to my sons telling them I got in. Those of you who truly know me know that I am a sap. 

Celebrating at AA

Playing in the Auburn Snow

So...the adventure begins. I have about 7 months to train for one of the craziest things I will ever do. I have several friends who have already done States and others who have done other hundos (what 100 mile runs are called). So I try and keep it all in perspective...but it still seems kinda crazy to me. And I'm sure I'll look back on this as a pretty crazy time in my life...but also a time when I have great friends, awesome family support, two great sons who, if there was a crazier word than "crazy", they would apply it to me, and an unquenchable lust for living! Good times! 

Fast forward to today. It's been now three great months of training. Good health so far, great friends and some great training events including the Western States Training Camp, an epic rain run with FTRs, wednesday ADO runs with Bruce, Tony and James, and a 26 mile grueling day in the Canyons with Bruce, Jeff, Katy and others.

Lots of work left to do. Lots of miles to run and hills to climb/descend. I've already written more than I intended in my "first blog"...more to come.

Summary of miles and elevation so far:

December - 143 miles and over 17,000 feet of elevation gain

January - 201 miles and 21,000

February - 217 miles and 31,000

Checklist:

Training - on schedule

Choose pacers - Done

Choose Crew - Done

Schedule Crew/Pacer Meeting #1 - TBD

Dial in Nutrition - In Progress

Plan Run - Ongoing

Hotel for Race Week - Done

Talk to Everyone I Can for Advice - Ongoing

Events scheduled:

Way Too Cool 50k

American River 50

Miwok 100k

WS Training Camp Weekend

2014 Western States