The Real Deal - the 44th Western States 100mile
Race Preparation, August 18, 2017
This is the race report by Fiona Hayvice who placed 5th in the 2017 edition of this famous race
THE REAL DEAL: The 44th Annual Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, 24-25 June 2017 Established in 1974, The Western States Endurance Run (WSER) is the world's oldest 100-mile / 160-kilometer trail race. Arguably, it’s the most prestigious and competitive of For the two weeks leading into the WSER, I'd had the unbelievable good-fortune of being hosted by local running royalty, The Queen aka Meghan (Arbogast) Laws. Meghan has placed Top 10 in all of her 12 finishes at the WSER. She knows the course like the back of her hand, and to my utmost Let’s get the party started! See you in Auburn. As dawn broke the starting gun was fired with very little pomp and ceremony and the merriment commenced. Typically, I bolt out of starting chutes (even at ultras), WSER was different. I moved with purpose out of Squaw Valley, up the sun-kissed summer ski-slopes. Yet, I took I tackled the first climb (800m in the first 7km) in the same vein as my departure from the start-line; with ease and appreciation. I even shed a couple of tears (typically unheard of this early in the piece) in gratitude. I'd worked hard to bring this dream to fruition. The day prior at race briefing, Craig Thornley (Race Director) had warned that we'd encounter a considerable amount of snow and then mud (a direct result of snow melt) traversing the high country. He wasn't wrong! Ironically, it was along this section that I caught up with Craig and somewhat reluctantly slipped passed him; I called out jokingly ‘“I hope it’s not bad karma to overtake the RD!”. A little further down the trail, confronted with a steeper incline I found myself reverting to a hike. I turned my head and who should pull-up alongside but Meghan. She graciously invited me to run with her. This was exactly what I needed. Tucking in behind Meghan, just as I had over the past two weeks, kick-started my triumph of the high country. Pacer Crew taking their role seriously ?? Reporting back on the Escarpment conditions pre race. My nutrition was replenished, my vest, neck Cooling off at Duncan Canyon - under the watchful eye of crew extraordinaire Kiwi Paul. Feeling invigorated, I shot off down the trail. It wasn't long before I came across Amy Sproston (2016 2nd place) walking. I passed by, offering up some encouragement. The next time I saw Amy, she was on the Restock and reassuring words from Todd at Robinson Flat. The incline out of Robinson Flat was just enough for my mind to start testing my mantra; “Mind Over Matter”. Ashamedly (now that I look back), my mind won out a couple of times, and I found myself walking when I shouldn’t have been. Ildiko was just ahead, so I used her to 'pull' me over the crest, and then I chased her down the other side into Aid Station #5 (Miller's Defeat, 34.4mi. / 55.3km, 7hrs 11min elapsed). Coasting into Dusty Corners. Course recce with The Queen aka Meghan Laws, Swinging Bridge, 13 June 2017. Nearing the top I spotted elite ultra-runner and journalist, Andy Jones-Wilkins (AJW) and another guy careering towards me - they were obviously headed down to aid the dilapidated runner. I'd seen AJW earlier in the day through the high country. He'd been quick to call out “here comes ‘The Queen’ - these must be all the smart girls”. I hadn't seen Meghan since Duncan Canyon, so it concerned me that perhaps I'd been moving too quickly. However, I felt as if I hadn't been fighting the course, so I carried on in a similar Approaching El Dorado Creek, I'd felt the presence of a female hot on my heels. Turning to see who it was, I was dumbfounded to find 2014 Female Champion, Stephanie Howe Violett. One of three Reaching Bath Road (1.7 Miles short of Forest Hill), I'd selfishly hoped to see my Pacer Crew (the rules allow runners to be Rounding the intersection of Bath Road and Foresthill Road, I heard loud cheers and my name cried out from a passing vehicle. Turns out it was a Peter Defty of Vespa (a naturally occurring ‘wasp extract’ that Optimises Fat Metabolism (OFM)). In training, I’d The other product I added to the mix for the WSER was Spring Energy. Leading up to the event I’d been warned by 100-mile veterans that I shouldn’t rely on just one type of nutrition (prior to WSER I’d consumed Tailwind Nutrition exclusively at races with great success). Hence, I’d been looking out for something to have on-hand, and that could provide a few more calories, in a non-liquid format. Spotting the likes of Sally McRae and Sage Canaday promoting Spring Energy 100% natural gels, I decided to give them a go. I liked the taste, it felt good knowing I was consuming real food (the same as I do day-to-day) and most importantly it complemented Tailwind. Spring Energy came Upbeat approaching Foresthill Aid Station - Rick had just shared news of my 9th position. Running down Foresthill Road, now less than a mile from Aid Station #11 and escorted by my Pacer Crew, I was informed of my 9th position. Wahoo! I also learned that at least a couple of the woman ahead of me were looking a bit rough. Entering what’s known as the 'racing section' of the course (numerous people had cautioned me to arrive at Foresthill with running legs – ready for the last 38 miles / 61 kilometers of runnable terrain), I felt strong and ready to run. So, it was game on! Pulling into the aid station (12hrs 48min elapsed) I reminded myself to stay focused. So far, I'd made a good job of executing my race plan. If I continued to be diligent, I'd stay on track and ultimately arrive at Placer High Track (finish line) in one Come on Jose - let’s do this! Leaving Foresthill, headed for Cal-St. Utilizing the gradual descent, I called out to Jose to speed things up a bit. We flew down the trail, hunting for position #8. It wasn't long, probably 1-2 miles, before we caught up to Kaci Lickteig (2016 Female Champion) and her pacer. It was obvious Kaci was struggling. We're yet to meet formally, but that certainly didn't stop us throwing each other a few words of encouragement. I continued to tear down Maneuver complete, we continued on at a reasonable pace, heads held high, hoping to create a decent gap. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite pan out that way - Sabrina wasn’t having a bar of being passed. Almost instantly, she upped her pace, dropped her If the California Trail was to be bestowed another nickname, my suggestion would be ‘Carnage Street’. As it was along this 16mi. / 26km stretch that I encountered a number of runners who were clearly hurting. After It wasn’t only females struggling in the last of the day's rays. I passed seven males along Cal-St, including US Michael Wardian (holder of countless marathon and ultra-marathon records) and another fellow ANZAC and UTWT support elite, David Bryne. I tried to persuade David to ‘tag-on’. Sadly, he declined (and I later learned that he dropped at the next Aid Station #15, Rucky Chucky, 78mi. / 125km). Continuing on, the inclines became more and more of a grind and I felt like I was Most years, dam retention reduces the water flow at Rucky Chucky - allowing runners to wade across with the aid of a cable and numerous volunteers. However, this year high-water flow dictated the use of boats - the spin-off being no refreshing dip. Thankfully, the On the opposite riverbank, I shed the allocated I’d run this next section (20mi. / 32km through to the finish-line) with Meghan, two weeks earlier to the day, just two days after I’d arrived from NZ. In the daylight, we’d purred along, chewing up the miles and chewing each other’s ears off! Now, in the dark, with 80mi. / 129km in my legs, the undulating, single-trail was perpetual. Rick and I took turns at leading. From My mind was on the hunt. Sadly, my feet weren’t playing ball. I could feel that large, multiple blisters had formed both underneath and around my toes. For a while there the toenails on my little toes felt like they were being ripped off - it I was Hearing I’d dropped back at least 8mins, threw me a bit. A touch of The slightly easier trail through this section (Green Gate to No Hand Bridge - which marks the base of the final climb) continued to be offset by my mangled feet, overall weariness and the fact I was traversing it by headtorch. It really was a relief to hear traffic noise and see the flicker of police car lights, signally the Highway 49 crossing. I was now less than 7mi. / 11.2km from the finish-line, and only a mile away from seeing my crew one last time. As I pulled into Aid Station #19 (Pointed Rocks, 94.3mi. / 151km, 19hrs 41min elapsed) Todd asked me how I was feeling. I abruptly answered “crap!”. Looking up to discover I was being filmed I quickly followed-up with “I’m ok, I just want to be finished”. I lapped up a few reassuring words from Todd, stuffed my final quota of nutrition in my vest, and left within the space of a minute. I just wanted to get the job done and of Final restock and ‘firm’ words from Todd at Pointed Rocks. Heading off through the rolling grassland, I could hear cheers from the aid station - another runner had obviously arrived. In my weary, slightly delirious state, I thought I heard a female’s voice, enquiring as to who had just left. Could it be Meghan? She’s renowned for picking off placing in the last miles - ultimately securing herself a ‘Top 10’ position. Almost instantly, I felt like I was being hunted. My 5th place was under threat. Feeling vulnerable, I pushed on down the last dusty, uneven descent towards historic No Hands Bridge. Unfortunately, my ears hadn’t been playing tricks leaving Pointed Rocks. Before long, an impressively strong Kaytlyn (last seen at Mile 38, 12hrs earlier) came hurtling past, kicking up a cloud of dust in her path. In her haste to overtake me and then Nicole Kalogeropoulos only a few 100m ahead, she tripped and was down. But, not for long. She was definitely having a second wind! Not having the energy to set chase, I too passed Nicole and her pacer (retaining my 5th position), and then settled back into a steady pace. Following behind Rick the dust hindered my navigation, so I called out for him to take a back seat. Crossing the American River, one last time, using historic No Hands Bridge (Aid Station #20, 96.8mi. / 155km) was like running down London’s Oxford Street in December (except for the temperature!). No Hands was lit up like a Christmas Tree. I glanced around trying to take it all in. However, my ability to comprehend was blurred, and my sights were now firmly fixed on the finish-line. Having no need to stop, we ran straight past the aid station, over the bridge and out the other side - marking the beginning of the final 200m or so climb. I mustered any energy I had left and focused on maintaining my running (in all reality it was more like ‘jogging’) momentum. I knew if I reverted to a walk it would be hard to get going again. More importantly, I had no idea how much of a gap, if any, I had on the next female. I really didn’t want to be battling for 5th place (or heaven forbid lose grip of 5th place) in the last 5 miles of the race. I jogged as far as I possibly could. Then power-hiked, with the last Aid Station #21 (Robie Point, 98.9mi. / 159km) locked in my peripheral. Apart from a couple of hardy volunteers, Robie Point aid station was pretty deserted when we passed by at 1.37am (20hrs 37min elapsed). We barely paused as we topped up a soft flask with water - just encase I needed a mouthful in the final 1.3mi. / 2km (which I didn’t). Even in the small I spotted the permanent WSER Mile 99 sign jutting out from a corner berm. Instantly, I was awash with the overwhelming As we ran down the last descent, the Placer Track floodlights illuminating the night sky up ahead, I registering the enormity of what I was about to ‘sign-off’. I launched into enthusiastic vocal (I’m not sure if any of it made much sense!), fist pumped and thanked Rick and Jose profusely (as a tag-team they’d been at my ‘beck and call’ for the last 38mi. / 61km / 8hrs). There’s no denying that stepping onto Placer Track and hearing my name announced over the loudspeaker, was surreal. Since discovering ultras in 2010, I’d read many recollections of this moment and watched a lot of finish-line footage - now here I was with 100-miles in my legs, it was my DAY! I rounded the track at what felt like my fastest pace of the day (it wasn’t quite, but it was up there). I had a new lease of life, and within one-eighth of a mile / 200m, I had a new string to my bow. At 1.51am Sunday 25 June 2017 (20hrs 51min 27sec elapsed) I completed my first 100-Miler. To top it off, I’d held onto 5th place (24th overall). I’d proved I am the ‘real deal’. I couldn’t have been prouder of my debut performance, and neither could all my crew (well almost all, Spike was asleep - I’ll let him away with it this time, something to work on for next year!). Their beaming smiles, and the tears of joy streaming down their #Joy. I've toyed with whether or not to put this next comment out there. Race Day Outfit Shoes - Salomon Sense Ride (blue bird) Socks - CEP Run Ultralight (viper) Shorts - Salomon Agile (soft, lightweight internal short (no briefs needed) and superlight outer shell) Bra - Medium Impact Visor - XA Race Vest - Salomon, S-Lab Sense Ultra Set Nutrition Apart from taking water and ice at aid stations, I was self-sufficient - I didn’t once, not even for a second, look at the nutrition offerings. The following saw me right; Tailwind Nutrition (3,000 calories) - all day, alternating between two Spring Energy (1,000 calories) - 100% natural, real food gels that worked a treat with Tailwind Vespa (6) - helped Water (approx. 12L) On-going Support The Healthy Runner (NZ distributor of Vespa) Shift Your Movement (Fascial Stretch Therapy) Coach Scotty Hawker of Mile27 My two boys; husband Todd and son Spike - who are always behind me; sometimes physically, more often in spirit. I couldn’t achieve my goals without their boundless support. 2017 Top 10 Females, from left to right (F1-F10); Cat Bradley, Magdalena Boulet, Sabrina Stanley, Kaytlyn Gerbin, Me, Nicole Kalogeropoulos, Jacqueline Merritt, Ildiko Wermescher, Meghan Laws, Andrea Huser.
You'd be hard pressed to find an ultra runner that doesn't have WSER on their bucket-list. It's been on mine ever since I discovered ultras (June 2010). My desire to someday take on the 'grand daddy' of 100-Milers’ was quickly cemented whilst reading
The 44th WSER would commence at
On race morning, instead of hovering on the start-line, chatting to fellow competitors as I typically would, I felt like laying-low. So, I did. I tucked myself into a corner of the 'breakfast' room and
One quick start-line photo, two
By the time I crested the Escarpment (the highest point on the course at 2700m), I had snow underfoot (the last of the hard-packed winter base). Sarah Keyes (a La Sportiva athlete I'd
The snow was firm to slushy and some patches were pretty slippery (as opposed to soft, powdery and
Suddenly, up ahead I spotted a female struggling in the slippery conditions more than I was. Instantly, I
Pulling out of Lyon Ridge I turned and spotted another familiar face – fellow ANZAC Nic Errol. He was quick to shout out some encouraging words, spurring me up the departure 'ramp' –
Happily, I found myself tackling this next ascent with
Another couple of factors I believe aided my journey through the high country, were;
a) my use of an Environmental Simulation Suite before I left NZ. A couple of times a week, I'd trained on a treadmill, in a chamber with heat and altitude set as close as possible to expected race conditions. Through the high country, others noted feeling the
b) some sound words of advice Paulo had received and kindly shared with me; “don't fight the course”. I tweaked this phrase slightly to “be at one with the course” and added it to my repertoire of mantas.
By the time I reached Aid Station #2 (Red Star, 15.8mi. / 25.4km) 3hrs 35min had elapsed. The sun was well and truly up, the temperature was rising, it was time to commence heat-management. I doused myself with a couple of cups of water (refilled my water flask) and moved on. From here the trail opened up, became drier and rockier and
After what felt like a decent amount of time,
Careering down the hill into Aid Station #3 (Duncan Canyon, 24.4mi. / 39.2km, 5hrs 6min elapsed), I immediately spotted my crew. All experienced ultra runners, they'd wisely positioned themselves in prime real estate. For my debut 100-Miler, I'd had the good fortune of securing two support crews, and a pacer crew.
Crew
Crew B : Family and Friend represent; husband Todd,
Pacer
As an ultra-runner I spend a considerable amount of time alone; self-reliant and self-motivating. However, when events roll around, support and encouragement from others
At registration the day before, Sarah (Crew A) stood in the queue with me (in the baking sun, I must add) for a considerable length of time. She quizzed me on all the finer details of my crew expectations. With
For a
Heading up the other side of the canyon towards Aid Station #4 (Robinson Flat, 30.3mi. / 48.7km) Ildiko and another eventual Top 10 runner, Kaytlyn Gerbin caught me up. For the next 10 or so miles we ‘pushed’ each other along.
Arriving into Robinson Flat (6hrs 29min elapsed) was quite overwhelming. Located almost a third of the way into the race, it was the first of the more accessible 'crew-allowed' aid stations. As such, it attracted a large crowd. Even before I reached the official cordoned-off area, the trail was swarming with spectators eager to see how the field was playing out. Seems fitting to add here, that all along the course both side-liners and fellow competitors offered up enthusiastic, encouraging cheers.
Once inside the aid station I made a beeline for the ice and sponge-bath depot. Just as I had at Duncan Canyon, I requested ice in the back pocket of my vest. Sadly, as I moved away I felt all but a few pieces slip down my back and out onto the dusty ground. Not one to
Todd conferred with me over the ice debacle. I assured him I was comfortable continuing with negligible ice. At the next aid station, I'd make sure my instruction was clearer and that I took more notice of the execution. Noticing that I was frustrated by my splits, he quickly pointed out “everyone's behind their estimated times”. This little snippet of information boosted my morale (even though it was still too early to be concerned with what others were doing).
Running in the company of Ildiko and
Approaching Dusty Corners (7hr 45min elapsed) I received a couple of high fives from my Pacer Crew, before being greeted into the aid station by another new friend, Lee McKinley. Like so many of the local trail-runners, Lee is heavily involved in the WSER; training with many of this year's entrants (including myself), track maintenance, and on race day volunteering at aid stations and pacing (around
Whilst Lee attended to my heat management requests, Paul and Sarah were quick to hand over my next ration of nutrition and gather up my empties. Departing I'm pretty sure they threw “Top 10” my way. A post race review shows I was inching my way up the field, but I wasn't quite there at Dusty Corners. Either way, I parked this information - it was still too soon to be pondering placing.
Approaching Aid Station #7 (8hrs 32min elapsed) I recalled Meghan's
The first of the canyons is Deadwood; dropping 600m, then ascending an extremely steep 450m to Devil's Thumb. Once I reached the bottom of this canyon I'd be on familiar terrain. Excited by this prospect, I scooted off down the hill. Perhaps a little too fast, as suddenly I found myself toppled over, on the upper berm of the trail. Somehow, I'd
Part of my preparation for WSER involved evenings on the sofa (not somewhere you'd typically find me!) watching historic race footage. As WSER novices, Todd and I watched attentively, eager to catch glimpses of the trail, observe aid station layouts, critique support crew and
A week and a half earlier, Meghan and I had scoped out the area on a training run. We'd found an alternative flowing creek that was right on the trail (no sidetracking needed!). It was only a few hundred meters up from Swinging Bridge. The water was deep enough for a step-in and dunk, so I paused here to do just that.
The 450m climb up to Devils Thumb (Aid Station #8, 47.8mi. / 76.9km) was the steepest, most brutal of the day, exasperated by the 40+ degree temperatures. Feeling refreshed from my creek submersion, I glanced at my watch so I could keep an eye on my progress (ETA at Devils Thumb was 40mins), and started to climb. I encountered a handful of men along the way – I'd passed one of them on the descent into Swinging Bridge, he was clearly more in his element going up. Another was bottomed-out on the side of the trail, looking very much worse for wear. A couple of guys had just left him to send help.
I can't deny that it was a relief to pop-up into Aid Station #8 (9hrs 48min elapsed). Nearing the top of the climb, wildfires (from a few years ago) had stripped the hillside, leaving the trail completely exposed to the beating sun. For a split second, a volunteer’s popsicle offer appealed. However, I was quick to graciously decline, envisaging the inevitable sticky melt-mess a few
I
Clasping onto some praise from Scott, I collected my composure and set-off up the hill towards Aid Station #10 (Michigan Bluff, 55.7mi. / 89.6km). It wasn't long before I stumbled upon Sarah Keyes again. She'd passed me
Arriving into Michigan Bluff (11hrs 35min elapsed), I felt upbeat and in control. Even though I'd just been overtaken by Steph (she was “trying to make-up for lost time”), I still wasn't concerning myself with placing. In fact, I still had no official indication of where I was in the field. A quick heat management pit-stop, followed by a nutrition replenish and brief 'how's everyone going?' with Todd, Spike and July (camped out on the side of the tarmac) and I was on my way again.
Spectators lined the street – their enthusiastic cheers washed over me, as I embarked on what would be the last leg on my own. At Aid Station #11 (Foresthill, 62mi. / 100km) I'd be joined by my first Pacer – Jose Cervantes – hooray! I was looking forward to having company. But first I had to conquer the third and final canyon - not as deep as the other two, but
