Okay, so I didn't get in. Get into where, you ask? UTMB, I say!!! Damn lotteries! I am bummed about that, I really am. I could envision myself climbing and descending the Alps and conquering them. I was ready to take those mountains on! I am disappointed. First it was WS, then Miwok, now UTMB. What next?
Last Saturday, with Mont Blanc on my mind, I ran a good effort up to the top of Mt. Tam and back again for a total of 28 miles. A group of good friends all training for different races, WS, Vermont, Bear, Bighorn. The good news of the day was when Suz announced that she had made the National Team for the 24 hour race which will be held in France. She qualified at the SF 24 hour in October when she ran 134.7 miles for a course record! She will do awesome!
I am looking at plan B: Bighorn 100. I am not a strong 100 miler but I am just itching to tackle the Bighorn. Let's see if I can get into that one!!
12 comments:
Yeah I have wondered just how random these lotteries are? the St. George Marathon Lottery is my least lucky one.
Question for ya? What do you for hydration needs on long runs? Do you have beverage or capsule of choice?
I use only water during long runs and races. I use either succeed or endurolytes for electrolytes. I usually use succeed because I don't have to carry as many. If you are not familiar with them they are capsules. I sometimes will drink an ensure at aid stations because they have 250 calories and are easy on the stomach. I don't tolerate sweet drinks when I run because the sweetness is just too much. Sometimes I crave ice tea, so I may have to try that sometime :)
I refuse to do races with lotteries; anything that popular isn't worth doing. This year, I'm pacing at Western States to see what all the fuss is about.
Sorry to hear that you didn't get into UTMB Kelly...disappointing to say the least. Seems all the bigger popular races are heading towards the lottery system. Still some good races out there without lotteries, volunteer hours and same day fill ups. Good luck with the Bighorn entry.
Hey Steve, I am pacing at WS too! I hope I get a chance to meet one of my favorite bloggers. WS is awesome. I am betting that you will love it :)
Sue, thanks for checking out my blog. Congrats on making the National Team! My best friend and running partner, Suzanna Bon made the team also. She of course, will be representing the US. I see that you are entered into Bighorn. Have you done that race before? It will be fun to follow your blog. Have a great day!
All I can say is that they will be missing you big time at UTMB. It's a big world. Let's lace up our running shoes, go out the front door, run a few hundred miles till we feel tired, then turn around and run back!
Hi Kelly
I'm not sure about the Bighorn now with the 24HR race in France. I'd like to stay around and see some sights so I might have to pass on the Bighorn. I guess I'll decide on entry day. I haven't done it before but it looks like a great race. Your friend Suzanna is an amazing fast runner. You have a great blog I've been a follower for a long time.
Sorry about your losing out on the lottery. I'm sure you'll find something else you like. At least your running is going well.
That said, I resent this lottery business too. It's one thing to shoot for an event 6 months out that requires a lot of training, but a lot can happen during that time. People get sick or injured, have family or job issues, and might need to change plans. Their only option is to show up un- or undertrained or not at all and waste their entry fee right? Why can't they accomodate more people? All the locales can't have restrictions on #s can they? Couldn't they run the race as heats, with qualifying standards for the more competitive groups?
You would have a much better idea of how to manage this problem- what do you think would work better?
Cynthia
Thanks, Jennifer!
Cynthia, I don't know what the answer is. I can see that having too many people on the trails at once is not good, but there has to be a better way to handle all the people. I resent the fact that a lot of people enter a race like WS and then have no intention of running it. There are others who can not make the cut- offs but they start anyway full knowing that they will not cross the finish line. Those are a few of the things that bug me. Oh, well, no sense in getting me going. :)
Kelly, Bighorn is first come-first serve. You can mail them your self-addressed envelope and they will mail you a form before they put it on the web. They haven't filled up until April as of yet (I mean in previous years), so get on it, don't wait! You'll love the course, it is beautiful.
Post a Comment