...well, not really, "epiphany" is a pretty strong word, but I have decided not to enter Western States. This decision comes after a lot of thought on the matter, it's strictly based on my thoughts alone, there were no naysayers who influenced what may seem like a sudden change of heart.
Here's how I see it and why I'm making the decision that I am. First and foremost, if I were to get in, I wouldn't feel right about it, there are a lot of people out there who dream of running WS100, of those people, I think it's safe to say that the majority have been running ultras longer than I've been running (in any terms). Western States is an important race to a lot of people, by even entering I would make it more difficult for some one else to get in. The race will still be there next year and the year after that and so on, I'll have my chance, and hopefully, when my time comes, there'll be some 'rookie' thinking the same thing.
Beyond all that, I think it would be ashame to run WS100 and to then be possibly 'let down' by any 100s I would choose to follow it up with. It's no offense to the other 100 milers out there, I'm sure each is great in it's own way, but, at this point, I've built up Western States so much it could possibly diminish the others. Why have dessert first when there are so many delicious looking appetizers and main courses to be had?
And finally, there's bound to be some stress involved in the preparation for any 100 mile race, one easy way to reduce some of that stress is to allow maximum amount of prep time. If I know I don't have to sweat a lottery system that's just one less thing to think about.
I'm sure I have some more reasoning behind all this, but at this point I've been composing this post for 2 days so I've lost a little of my steam.... never-the-less, this does mean there's an unanswered question. Which 100 miler will I attempt to break myself in with? I'm fairly certain I know the answer (and it probably wouldn't be hard to guess) but I'll save that for another post.
Here's how I see it and why I'm making the decision that I am. First and foremost, if I were to get in, I wouldn't feel right about it, there are a lot of people out there who dream of running WS100, of those people, I think it's safe to say that the majority have been running ultras longer than I've been running (in any terms). Western States is an important race to a lot of people, by even entering I would make it more difficult for some one else to get in. The race will still be there next year and the year after that and so on, I'll have my chance, and hopefully, when my time comes, there'll be some 'rookie' thinking the same thing.
Beyond all that, I think it would be ashame to run WS100 and to then be possibly 'let down' by any 100s I would choose to follow it up with. It's no offense to the other 100 milers out there, I'm sure each is great in it's own way, but, at this point, I've built up Western States so much it could possibly diminish the others. Why have dessert first when there are so many delicious looking appetizers and main courses to be had?
And finally, there's bound to be some stress involved in the preparation for any 100 mile race, one easy way to reduce some of that stress is to allow maximum amount of prep time. If I know I don't have to sweat a lottery system that's just one less thing to think about.
I'm sure I have some more reasoning behind all this, but at this point I've been composing this post for 2 days so I've lost a little of my steam.... never-the-less, this does mean there's an unanswered question. Which 100 miler will I attempt to break myself in with? I'm fairly certain I know the answer (and it probably wouldn't be hard to guess) but I'll save that for another post.
1 comment:
Dude... I was counting on you being in WS100. Now *sniff* my dream of knowing a 100miler-while-not-being-one-myself is nearly dashed. Don't keep me in suspence! In what 100miler will you lose your proverbial cherry?! (or is that too graphic an analogy?) :-)
Seriously... we're proud of you, Nic. Honestly.
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