Western States Training Camp

May 26th, 2008 , 9:30 am by Michelle Halsne

Day 3

This was definitely the best day of the Memorial weekend. The weather was perfect the sun shone as we covered the last 21 miles of the WS 100 course. I had no idea what my body would do today. Often I am not able to get 3 quality workouts in a week, much less three tough ones in a row. I had set a mental goal to finish the 21 miles between 4 and 5 hours. I have heard that there were a couple of nasty hills to conquer in the last 3 miles.again.

As we took the bus to the drop off point I looked in awe at the beautiful scenery and again felt honored that I would shortly be on a trail hidden behind the forest covering this landscape up close and personal. The chatter on the bus is always fun to listen to. It is surreal to hear other runners talk about running 100 milers and 50 milers as if this was normal. I over-heard way too much information about chaffing, blistering, nausea, and all kinds of nonsense that happens to the body after 24 hours. One guy was actually bragging about taking over 40 hours in his last 100 and what the 2nd night was like.

So as I started running, I was genuinely surprised that the legs didn’t buckle underneath me. I had dressed the quarter sized blister on my right foot and reversed laced my shoes to change the pressure points on my feet: (this was a brilliant idea-good job Me). I found a really nice rhythm and of Pierre was right there! This guy is amazing, he ran whatever pace I prescribe and always seemed delighted to oblige. I teased him once that I was trying to lose him, but he always had my back and pulled me up the last hill with words of encouragement.

We hooked up with a few other runners on the trail, and we stayed within a turn of the trail of this group. What a mental boost when at the day’s end I found out they were pacing each other in hopes of achieving a 22 hour WS effort. I thought getting 24 hours was a long shot, but if I look at this 3 day training camp in it’s entirety I think it may just be doable. Hope that doesn’t jinx me.

We arrived at the track that will serve as the finish 32 days from now for us and I wanted to keep running, everything was just so right. It is not too smart to use words like easy when describing long mountain runs, so I will use comfortable instead.

The only downside of the day: there was no access to showers and I had checked out of my hotel room at 6:30am. So I borrowed a baby wipe and a bottle of water and “showered” in the parking lot. I put on my big fleece sweatshirt that covers me to mid thigh, and changed clothes underneath it. I lathered on deodorant, brushed my teeth and ran my fingers through my very gnarled hair and called it good. I apologize to the passengers who had the seat next me for the flight to Seattle; luckily it is a short flight.

Workout:

  • Type: Run
  • Date: 05/26/2008
  • Time: 09:30:00
  • Total Time: 3:49:39.00
  • Distance: 21 miles
  • Average Pace: 10:55.74/mile

Filed under Blogroll, General Cardio, Run, Running gear, WS 100 · Digg! this story! Digg! this story.

4 Comments

  1. andreabona said,

    May 26th, 2008 , 10:12 pm

    thanks for getting this all online so quickly! i was thinking of you this weekend and sending good thoughts. how great to get this under your belt before you get ready for the race.
    keep those legs moving! talk soon…

  2. bigdave_nv said,

    May 27th, 2008 , 2:28 pm

    awesome blow-by-blow. thanks so much for sharing! smart idea on the laces & great performance.

  3. timlooney said,

    May 28th, 2008 , 5:42 pm

    I jst found this site and stumbled upon your blog. Good luck at WS100!! I ran my first 100 miler there last June. Believe me the next time you run on that track in Auburn will be an experience you will never forget. Make sure you get to experience it. Run smart, don’t trash your quads and remember - “Quitting is not an option”.

    I’m going to read through the rest of your blog now.

    If you want to read my race report from last year you can find it here:
    http://timlooney.blogspot.com/2007/07/epic-journey-through-sierras.html

  4. carriejean said,

    May 29th, 2008 , 8:23 am

    WOW!! Thanks for the reply….I was curious!! 100 miles….WOW!! That’s AmAzInG!! GOOD LUCK!! I can’t wait to hear about how you did…. :) HAPPY RUNNING :)