However, I did not let that stress me out at all. I started extremely conservatively without ever checking my watch until about mile 10 at the first aid station Lyon Ridge, when it showed that I was actually 20 minutes behind sub 24 hour pace.say what? The snow had caused my progress to be much slower than anticipated. the Western States staff had taken the guess work out of pacing, by creating pace charts based on both terrain and previous years' finishers, so all I needed to do is keep an eye on that pace. My plan for this race was simple, just stay ahead of the sub 24 hour pace. It would take an additional 4 years (a total of 5 consecutive lotteries) to finally get drawn for an entry into the most prestigious 100 mile race in the US and arguably the world. In November of 2014, I completed my first 100 miler post injury and reentered the Western States lottery once more. Unfortunately (but ultimately thankfully), I did not get picked for the 2013 race as I got seriously hurt during a soccer match at the end of 2012, leading to a year long journey of physical rehab and recovery after multiple surgeries and other medical complications. I entered the Western States entry lottery for the first time in 2012 after completing my first 100 miler at Rocky Racoon. That's when my quest to run the oldest 100 mile race in the world, the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, began. Not long after, I came across the film 'Unbreakable: The Western States 100' and watched it with my better half. I started Ultrarunning about 10 years ago upon the urging, I meant invitation, of friends.

Western states trail run