So....Western States has become my nemesis.  Wasn’t all that thrilled about doing the race in the first place. I like to go fast. When training for a 100 miler this body does not go fast. To train for WS100 I had to stop my speed training and train for endurance meaning my first love, multisport had to take a back seat. It’s cool, I’ll do this race as it’s an honor to do such a prestigious race then I will get back to racing.  Well...Not so simple.

Trained for the race last year but it was cancelled because of forest fires.  Ok, no big deal, nothing anyone can do about that.  Automatic entry for this year but just as last year, I will have to give up speed and racing.  Ok, I can do it. For this race, I’ll do it.

I trained well, felt awesome entering the race, felt a little cranky but good during the race. Nutrition was awesome, thank you GU. Feet- blister free, thank you Injinji. Legs felt as good as one would expect climbing mountains at 9000 feet. Didn’t feel the altitude all that much. Didn’t notice the 105 (in the shade) heat.  Didn’t feel the 6 pound weight gain from being waterlogged.  After a small tumble at mile 14 that severely bruised my elbow making it impossible to squeeze my hand and some skinned up legs, my newly tweaked knee forced me to walk down steep descents. Sad as my nickname is “trixie goat” as I enjoy flying down hills.  Oh well, I’ll deal. Few miles and I’ll be good as new.

I soon found myself barely making the cutoffs so was happy to reach some runnable sections of the course. Gained an hour and a half back and made it to arguably the toughest climb in the race.  A roughly 1500 foot gain in .7 miles, steep switch backs up to Devil’s Thumb. Felt great hiking up and when I reached the aid station was enjoying some tasty snacks when all of a sudden my left achilles waved a white flag. It was done. I could no longer flex my foot or put much weight at all on the ankle. It’s cool, I’ll walk it off. The next aid station my crew was at so we’d figure out what to do from there.

I started down the deep descent walking as best I could and after nearly an hour was stopped by some of the med staff. Asked me what I was doing....uh, heading to the next aid station, what else?  Just a few miles ahead...No, it was still SEVEN miles ahead. I figured after an hour I’d at least traveled 2 miles or so...I’d gone .5 miles. One half mile in 55 minutes. Kirk, my new found hero told me I was done and put me on his back and proceeded to carry me up the mountain to the previous aid station.  The man CARRIED me UP a mountain in 105 degree heat.  Wow.

MEDICAL DNF.

I did not quit the race. The race quit me. And now it’s my nemesis. I will finish this damn race if it’s the last thing I do.  A friend of mine said the third time is a charm...Fire, Fall and Finish.  Sounds good to me.

Special thanks to Maryann and Robyn for crewing me. Sorry I was not able to cross the finish line with you.  Next time...