In Pursuit of a Golden Ticket
Why only 369 spots?
This number is the amount of racers in 1984, the year before the Granite Chief Wilderness Area was created. Although events are not normally permitted in wilderness areas, Western States was grandfathered in with a maximum number of racers based on the number of racers prior to being designated as a wilderness area, hence a 369 runner limit.
With the support of my husband, I am attempting a top ten finish at North America’s most prestigious ultra marathon - Western States 100. Not only that, but Western States is one of the three most prestigious ultra marathons in the world! Since joining the IRONBULL team, I have been motivated to pursue goals that I had put on hold for years, and am thrilled to lead by example how to embody the IRONBULL spirit. I very well may fall short of this ambitious goal, but IRONBULL’s “WHY NOT” attitude reminds each of us that we should set goals to challenge ourselves.
I’ll need to hold a similar pace for another 12 miles as my course record time eight years ago at the North Face 50.
Just getting to the starting line at Western States will be a challenge in itself. Last year, 5,862 racers applied for the race by finishing one of the qualifying ultras under the time requirement. But with only 369 spots, odds of being selected in this year’s lottery held December 7 are slim. Since I did not do any of the qualifying races (there is only one is Wisconsin), I am not eligible. (Had a done a qualifying race my odds would only be about 2%!) So my only way into the 2020 Western States 100 is a Golden Ticket. To earn a Golden Ticket, I must finish first or second at one of the five qualifying races.
As I researched these five races, I looked at historic winning times, researched the course difficulty, and compared my past times. I decided my best shot was the Georgia Death Race. But when I went to register, I found out the race was already full. I recalled an exception for elite athletes, so I contacted the race director to register, but they had allowed more than the advertised quota in already. In that case, my odds may not have been as good as I thought (or at least that’s what I’m telling myself).
Moving onto Plan C. There was one race that looked like I didn’t even stand a shot, so I ruled that one out. I registered for the remaining three Golden Ticket races - one in Texas, another in Arizona, and the last in California.
My lifestyle choices directly impact my three little ones!
First up is the Bandera 100k on 1/11/20, where I expect needing to average just over nine minute miles for nine and a half hours. This is just slightly slower than my course record time at the North Face 50, but with another dozen miles of course to cover! This appears to be my best shot at nabbing a Golden Ticket.
Next up is the Black Canyon 100 on 2/15/20, which sold out just days after I registered. With a net downhill course, I’ll need to an even speedier time. The last Golden Ticket race, The Canyons 100k on 4/25/20, is on the same historic trails as the Western States 100 and sold out within days of opening registration. I am sure glad I registered early for that one! With 16,500 feet of descent, I expect this race will be a great quad trasher. And downhills are what’s killed me in each of my 100 mile races. So far from a sure bet.
Knowing my odds aren’t good and my time to train is limited today with three children, I am forming a plan to punch that Golden Ticket. I’ve looked at exercises to increase my weakest links - my quads from downhills and hip flexors. No matter what, I’ve found the journey to the start line is the best part of racing. And I’ve already experienced that as I spent most of the weekend designing the IRONBULL Y Summer Triathlon run course! Logging over 20 hours of running in just a week, mostly at Rib Mountain State Park has brought me a runner’s high each day.
Also, committing to this goal has finally been the impetus I needed to heed my husband’s advice to eat healthier by reducing added sugar. After watching a documentary by Katie Couric about six years ago called Fed Up, we knew I was addicted to sugar. Now that we see how our choices impact our children, this is an important change for our family. By improving my diet, I am showing our children how to make better food choices that will last a lifetime. I challenge each of you to improve your (and your family’s) health by reducing added sugar in your diet.