Okay so I am not going to whine about the lottery for Western States. I didn't get in and since JD didn't get in either I will not be pacing it. It was a long shot and I knew going in that it was not likely the first time around. No problem I will keep putting my name in every year until they get sick of seeing it and I get lucky enough to get my ticket pulled. Turns out that I am only luck in love not in lotteries.
As a fall back both JD and I have put our name into the Massanutten Mountain Trail 100 lottery. The drawn is this coming weekend. I hear that its kind of hilly and rocky so just about perfect. I have much better odds of getting in and its a really damn good alternative to WS. I am also making a short list of non lottery alternatives for the spring. Suggestions? The one downfalls of this one is it will mess with my Toronto Marathon plans so if I do get in it will be an earlier marathon for me in the spring.
Last weeks training went really well as I built my long run up to 33km and got 113k in for the week. This week is a much needed and deserved mileage reduction week which works out perfectly with the Egg Nog Jog this weekend.
Speaking of which memory is such a fickle and funny thing. In my last blog I lamented on how I had a bad race at the Jog last year and had not planned to run it again. Strange because when I went back and read my race review from last year I said that "I would run this race again anytime". Weird... this is your brain .... this is your brain on running. Its a good thing I am writing this stuff down because it appears that I might be going senile already.
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Chris,
ReplyDeleteElvis is named "The King" for a reason! No mere prince would be capable of CPR in a fast food restaurant!
You'd be crushing-it running the Western States, that's a crazy race! I'm not even close to that good that I'd be considering it on my "want to race" list.
Thanks for the comment!
Good luck with the Egg Nog this year, I also am beginning to see forgetful jones from time to time in myself, but also blame it on running...bummer about Western States.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny about how memories change about races the further we get away from them. It's usually the opposite for me. I'm always saying I'll never do this again, during the race and then months afterwards, I seem to recall with fondness how great it was.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the Western States. I guess they couldn't handle your awesomeness. Maybe next year!
You are over 4000k this year. Crazy talk. I do 4000k in roughly 3 years!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping the weather cooperates for Sunday not only in terms of the footing but the drive there....
ReplyDeleteSorry about WS, but your turn will come, I'm sure. You'll find a great replacement in the meantime.
ReplyDeletewow, amazing mileage! sorry you didn't get in to western...those lotteries play with your emotions! glad you have a plan b, and a plan c!
ReplyDeletewow that is a lot of miles....
ReplyDeletesorry you did not get in WS :(
i hope you get into the second race
ReplyDelete... reading my blogs makes me laugh because i contradict myself so much, it's ridiculous!
Good luck getting into that race! Thanks for visiting my blog today! I love having new visitors. I think it will be a loooong time until (yes, I said until) I do a 100 mile race but I have already set my sights on the Keys100. Looks pretty cool and I love Key West.
ReplyDeleteSorry you didn't get in! Keep putting that name in there! Are they like NYC and you get in after so many tries?
ReplyDeleteBummer about WS. Your year will come...hopefully soon!
ReplyDeleteSorry about them not picking you in the lottery. With recollecting races, I think the memories of horrible races always are better than it was and the good races aren't as good. Wonder why.
ReplyDeleteDarn!
ReplyDeleteNo WS THIS year. Glad you'll keep trying!
Yeah for early senility. That happens to me all the time!
Nothing you can do about the lottery. Looks like you'll get some great replacements for WS. You'll be in one day. Your distances are incredible, well done! Enjoy the weekend!
ReplyDeleteMy ignorance has been replaced with surface knowledge -- I have never heard of the WS. Sounds very interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteThe MMT has always been "the race" I want to do some day and I've heard it can be just as difficult as Western States under the right conditions. It can boil down to the humbleness of Massanutten versus the Western States' hype. Kinda like Boston to marathoners. I hope this time you're lucky, Chris.
ReplyDeleteLucky in love isn't a bad place to be :)
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of a fall 2011 east coast 50 miler. Any suggestions?
Sorry to hear you didn't get into WS.
ReplyDeleteMass is really hilly. A runner friend did it and she it was really challenging. I can't wait to see what you get workout out.
Your mileage is crazy big!
oh yes..the mind
ReplyDeletehow many times straight after a race 'never again' only to be seen posting next years entry form the next day???
the rollercoaster ride..its one of my loves of our adventures
hey if you're looking for a great 100 for next year, check out www.cascadecrest100com. It's on my wishlist!!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about Western States! I've read that you're planning interesting races for next year. Congrats on your 4000 km this year!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of this weekend!
WS is getting more difficult to get in each year - keep trying, ultra running keeps rewarding the patient ones in more than one way.
ReplyDeleteSorry you missed the lotto - but it looks like you have plenty of good alternatives. That MMT100 looks pretty tough!!! Have fun planning for the upcoming year!
ReplyDeleteplay the power ball or lotto 6/49 ... then you'll feel a lot better on these race lotteries
ReplyDeletekeep at it - you are a running junky
Sorr you didn't make it in the first race but hopefully you will the 2nd one!! :0) Great job with your training!
ReplyDeleteHope the next lottery works out better for you.
ReplyDeleteYou have me thinking about my comments this weekend. Currently, I SWEAR I will never run another marathon without headphones. Wonder if I will be changing my mind on that too. Hmmm!
You should record your results and training with this brand new application. Definitely the best one i have seen.
ReplyDelete220 TriLog for the iPhone!
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/220-trilog/id405993632?mt=8&uo=4
"I would run this race again anytime".
ReplyDeletegreat line..
Sorry about WS - how many people enter that lottery anyway? Do they have a thing like NYC where after you enter 4 times, you're automatically in? Crossing fingers for the other 100 this weekend for you...you're always such an inspiration!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is truly a lot of miles! Rather lucky in love than in lotteries, and finally if you missed out on that particular race, maybe a really cool one is just around the corner!
ReplyDelete