Western States 100 training run

On Memorial Day weekend, The Western States 100 mile race holds three days of practice runs for anyone who wants to come run and learn the trail. Dave did the Saturday training run from the Robinson Flat Campground to Forest Hill, CA -- 32 miles with two big descents and climbs. The Saturday Run was in the high Sierras, west of Tahoe, heading east toward Sacramento. The race website has a map of the whole 100 mile race.

 

There was a fresh dusting of snow on Robinson Flat when he started at 8AM.

 

 Here is a picture of one of the aid stations. All you can eat! Dave mostly stuck with the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

 

Dave's friends Jeff and Nicole Giumarra also ran the practice runs. They are both running 50 milers and trying to get into the real WS100 race.

 Here is a picture of the canyons along the Western States trail.

 Dave running up the trail.

Dave running down the trail.

 This is a stream at the bottom of one of the canyons on the trail.

 Dave, looking tired and dirty just before entering Michigan Bluff.

 It took Dave about 6 hours to run the 32 miles. Here he is once he got home.

 He tripped and scratched his knee up on the run. He is used to road running, which doesn't require you to watch where you step as much.

 That evening we met Jeff and Nicole and their three boys and had pizza in Grass Valley. Here is Alex with their twin boys, about six months younger.

 Lily drinking chocolate milk.

 Sarah was a little lonely without any kids her age. But she was a good sport and liked the pizza.

 Dave had a lot of fun, and wants to run the training run again next year. He'll at least do one day and maybe two -- redo the Saturday run and/or maybe the Monday 20 miler to the finish in Auburn, CA.