Wasatch 100 2011- Pre-race

Tick-tock, tick-tock…Wasatch 100 is here! This is the 2nd time I will be toeing the line for this monster. In 2008 I got lucky enough to draw out for Wasatch and it became my first ever 100 mile race. Many people couldn’t believe I chose Wasatch to be my first 100. Looking back now I wouldn’t have it any other way. You see, I only put in for the lottery- Wasatch actually picked me! People were saying- “why don’t you do an easier one for experience.” I think- why don’t I experience a hard one for my first?


Well 2008 didn’t go exactly according to any plan I could muster up but I did finish, I did learn a lot. I finished in a time of 34:51. Not fast, not pretty but a finish but I got to spend a lot of time with this guy- too much time in his opinion I am sure. Sure I was flirting with a 36 hour cut-off but there times I was flirting with a DNF too. The experience made me stronger and I believe a better person. Here is my post race report from 2008- WASATCH 2008

Now onto 2011! I was lucky enough to be selected again by this beast of a course in February and it has given me plenty of time to train. Training was going well until July 3rd when someone pushed me down the snowy peak of Ben Lomond and I did a Tomahawk Chop and separated my shoulder. Who pushed me you asked…..well me! I sat out nearly all of July and actually got back to running earlier than the doctor advised me. August has been the best training month of my short running life and I have enjoyed it to the max. I changed my diet and dropped 20 pounds and feel pretty strong. I am heading into Wasatch with expectations because that it who I am and who I have always been. I have never been speedy and most likely never will be but when I run these races, I try not to be competitive but rather accept where I am at and what I am doing. Some say it is you vs. the mountain or the other runners or the clock. I have fallen into the thinking that it is me AND the mountain. I get the opportunity like so many others to smell and see things that most people do not. I get to experience nature, I get to experience pain and I get to experience exhilaration! I never enjoyed running…never. Now through running I am a better person. Sometimes I am like most, I hate to get up early and run, I don’t enjoy the Utah summer heat while slogging out a 20 mile run through the mountains but at the end of the day I can say I have NEVER regretted a run. Even July 3rd on top of Ben Lomond, I didn’t regret it. Running has given me the chance to meet some of the most amazing people and visit some truly remarkable places.

So just a few days out from Wasatch, what am I thinking? Well I am thinking way to MUCH! I just keep trying to remind myself to enjoy the journey. I know there will be highs and lows, pain, suffering, steep climbs, rapid descents and darkness but I also know there will be trees, wonderful people, beautiful single track, animals, family, friends and of course THE FINISH LINE! We always ask ourselves if we are truly ready. The answer is very simple…no. Maybe for the exception of this time…. Am I ready, Yes- I am ready for a 100 mile journey no more- no less. I will be bib #124 for those at home who want to follow along here.

No matter what happens on Friday and Saturday I am confident I will be a better person after it is over. I have the support of my beautiful family, wonderful friends, running mates, world class pacers and I get to feel closer to my dad.

Good Luck to everyone running Wasatch this weekend. I hope we can share a smile before and after the race. Remember to have fun and enjoy the journey!

Wait- what is my expectation or goal? Well, we can share that next time……