Update: Western States Cancelled due to Wildfires!
June 25th, 2008 , 5:02 pm by Michelle Halsne
Numb and depressed. I just received an email from the Western States 100 President informing all runners that the race is in jeopardy of being cancelled. For the first time in the races 35 year history, it may not go on. After 6 months of training hard and being totally focused on my running for the first time in a decade, it all comes down to Mother Nature. On June 21st there were hundreds of lightning strikes that started more than 300 fires in
California. Currently one of these fires is within 2 miles of a race access point.
There are 418 runners signed up and each of us having support crew of 1-4 people or more. 2000 running enthusiasts are right now processing the fact that life is hard and unpredictable. In ultra running we know something will go wrong, sometimes terribly wrong and the beauty of being an ultra runner is overcoming difficulties. I had a plan for almost everything that could have gone wrong, except for a cancellation of the race itself.
DNF to most runners means Did Not Finish, for ultra athletes DNF means Did Nothing Fatal. The Race Directors, US forest service, Fire Fighters, and many more individuals are deciding right now if allowing us runners to be on the course this weekend means increasing the risks of DNFs. I pray that I can run this weekend in the Western States 100. I pray I have the strength to be okay if I don’t.
I have already decided that if the race is cancelled I will go down and volunteer to support the fire fighting efforts in any way I can. If I would be more of a hindrance than helpful I will have to make a plan B. My sister Julie was to be my crew, she is a fire fighter paramedic and maybe we can still make a difference down there for this beautiful forest and the people the fires are impacting.
The race race was offically cancelled. I don’t know what to do with all this emotion. My brain knows it is just a race…but my heart and soul are totally lost.
Filed under Blogroll, Run, Uncategorized, WS 100
·
Digg! this story.
June 25th, 2008 , 6:28 pm
I hope that the wildfire situation changes and you do get the opportunity to run. I’ll be crossing fingers, toes and other appendages for you.
June 25th, 2008 , 7:48 pm
Dude, I don’t know you at all, but totally feel for you. Hang in there … it may all be for the best. And maybe you’ll find yourself 12 hours into an epic experience in a couple days!
You know when you write something really good, and then your computer crashes and you have to start over … it always comes out better the second time.
Maybe “epic” is now, and maybe it’s soon, and maybe it’s in a year. But I’m sure it will be awesome!
June 25th, 2008 , 8:34 pm
Wow… that’s a bummer! I really hope you get to race.
Good luck!
June 25th, 2008 , 10:26 pm
Michelle, I am so sorry! I still remember the sparkle in your eye when you found out the night before the LVM that you got in. I can not imagine the sense of loss that you’re feeling right now. My heart goes out to you…
June 26th, 2008 , 1:03 am
So bummed to hear it was canceled.
I know you worked so hard for this! And I’m so proud of you for all your hard work.
I wish I could give you a big hug… or better yet, I wish I could snap my finger and somehow make the race happen for you.
But one thing to keep in mind… you’re amazing, and you’re in great shape, and you’ll get another chance.
You’re going to Badwater eventually! I know it!
June 26th, 2008 , 4:27 pm
Bud, That sucks big time!!
June 27th, 2008 , 6:39 am
Michelle,
I am so sorry to hear this. You put so much into your training. You were ready to have a great race.
I know there is nothing that can take the place of the Western States 100. I hope that there is another race that you can do that might give you some sense of satisfaction. You worked so hard, and you are such good shape right now.
Any good trail runs out there?
I’m here for you…whether you need to run, drink or go get pedicures.