Rob Mackay :: Notes from the edge

Here is the email that I received yesterday - makes me want it even more!

Dear Western States Applicant:                                                                    December 5, 2007

I regret to inform you that your name was not drawn in the December lottery for the 2008 Western States Endurance Run.

I know this letter comes as a significant disappointment. For some this is your first rejection letter and for others, your second. As the protocol currently stands, following your second consecutive rejection letter, you have the notable luxury of being an automatic entrant the third consecutive year. Be aware that the WS organization is considering a modification to the two-time loser rule, however, and your two-time loser status may be impacted by change to the protocol. A word of caution for two-time losers: You must reapply by the deadline of the following year, you must requalify and you must pay the entry fee to be eligible.

PS. Jar, take some time to rest your back…let me know if you need any help with anything.

Between these two lucky WS entrants.

Jar, looks like we’ll be running together after all!

Victoria is a great place to train - for flatland racing. Training for a mountain run is a bit more of a challenge.

I’ve added in my training 30-60 minute blocks of steady running uphill using a treadmill - plus warm-up, cool down. Then I do squats, leg extensions, curls. The first week I did squats I was walking like a cowboy for 3 days after. Towards April of next year I plan to do some uphill backwards running to  further strengthen the quads.

For Western States, the long downhills can blow apart your quads.