Sunday, 18th December 2011

Last Sunday I woke up excitedly checking the Western States website to see whether or not I was the lucky winner of a 2012 Western States 100 lottery spot. Much to my disappointment my name hadn't been drawn from the hat.

What was surprising though, was that no other Australian entrant had been drawn either. Anyway, I had already resigned myself to the fact that I probably wouldn't have got a spot anyway, so before the year drew to a close I was going to enter a few different races for 2012.

I always like to set myself some major goals in advance. That way, I can enjoy the Christmas break knowing that my following year of racing is pretty much decided and entries taken care of.

Much later that Sunday afternoon, I checked my emails and couldn't believe it when I saw an email from the Western States 100 event organisation, saying that I HAD BEEN CONSIDERED UNDER A SPECIAL CONSIDERATION RULING AND HAD BEEN ACCEPTED TO RACE IN 2012........It had been my birthday on Friday the 9th, and this was an awesomely fitting way to end the birthday weekend.

Earlier this year I had dreamt that if I received a coveted spot for WS100, I would enter the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning.

The Grand Slam of Ultrarunning award is recognition for those who complete four of the oldest 100 mile trail runs in the U.S. The "Slam" consists of officially finishing the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run, the Leadville Trail 100 Mile Run and the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run all in the same year. The Grand Slam of Ultrarunning Award was established in 1986. 

All in the same year is bad enough........the four races are actually all over a period of 11 weeks from start to finish - 2 to 3 weeks between each race!

So in the true spirit of "going out hard and hanging on", this week I entered the Slam. Fingers crossed I will be accepted to race in the Vermont 100 as this was fully booked by the time I had applied. I have been assured by race directors that slots for the race become available as the year progresses.

I am extremely excited about the prospect of racing in these iconic races alongside some of the top ultrarunners in the world. Knowing that the new year will bring a mountain of training, I might just have a beer on Christmas Day and some extra turkey.