tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post8749573848165537412..comments2023-12-18T21:30:49.318-08:00Comments on AJW's Blog: Western States - 2009AJWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04387120797582582699noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-22436417693603314922009-07-08T13:18:16.454-07:002009-07-08T13:18:16.454-07:00Great job AJW! I love your enthusiasm for the race...Great job AJW! I love your enthusiasm for the race, and enjoy your blog. I'm really happy you grabbed that last top 10 spot, so I can look forward to more WS posts next year. I agree with Paul on his experience comment.Burtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16110769254907746877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-5725230214351995562009-07-04T13:09:26.081-07:002009-07-04T13:09:26.081-07:00AJW,
Congrats on your fantastci finish. You wanted...AJW,<br />Congrats on your fantastci finish. You wanted that top-10 spot and you got it. Great work.<br /><br />I was working at the Michigan Bluff AS and could see you enjoying every minute of the race as you came in. You also had one of the best support crews!<br /><br />I posted some pictures on Flickr, including some nice ones of you and your kids (feel free to grab them, of course):<br />http://www.flickr.com/photos/90115338@N00/sets/72157620954747256/<br /><br />I guess your "Trashed Feet: Pay me now or pay me later" did not quite work out this year. I'd suggest trying Balega socks and Heavy Bag Balm instead (an no, I am not sponsored by either on), but maybe it was just a fluke.Peter Lubbershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-59739284868325007872009-07-02T09:16:29.854-07:002009-07-02T09:16:29.854-07:00A wonderful report Andy and a remarkable finish. ...A wonderful report Andy and a remarkable finish. This is truly Classic Western states stuff!<br /><br />Jez and I hung out for a week before the race and I must say i admired his attitude. As the in-form ultra-runner in the UK he has represented his country at the world champs and UTMB etc. Repeatedly, he told me this one was very very special - easily the biggest race of his career. He respected the course, high calibre of athletes (in fact everything about the race) and was determined to do well. <br /><br />Experience schmerience did count for a LOT in this race. Scanning the entire drop list for names of those runners that I run the course with a lot (and I included visiting Oregoneans here), I see only about 4 familiar names -me included. I'd say the drop rate of course-trained and course-knowledgeable locals was perhaps in the 10-15% range. Well below the average for the entire field. Experience counts. <br /><br />Cheers, PaulPaul Charterishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02831196294867106529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-15204646872946876522009-07-01T18:45:10.505-07:002009-07-01T18:45:10.505-07:00Epic!Epic!Joe Kulakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06873533366495453535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-21378342437006064722009-07-01T12:06:43.262-07:002009-07-01T12:06:43.262-07:00Nice run, AJW, especially your finish.Nice run, AJW, especially your finish.Dave Mackeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13582815873942037665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-87974626119064922922009-07-01T09:58:53.906-07:002009-07-01T09:58:53.906-07:00As I was walking along enjoying my yummy ice cream...As I was walking along enjoying my yummy ice cream, I saw you come into Foresthill. It was so endearing to see your family running alongside you. It brought an answering smile to my face to hear you ask your sons to run with you. It sounded as if you were asking for the bestest : ) present in the whole wide world! WS 100 really is a family fun run for you. Thanks for sharing your adventures.Jacqueline Florinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07350487427790209699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-24678214069685244562009-06-30T19:34:25.759-07:002009-06-30T19:34:25.759-07:00To hear Lantz and Ballesteros recount your final s...To hear Lantz and Ballesteros recount your final surge...it was nothing short of heroic. Congratulations! Be sure to post that pic of your feet - I stole it for my <a href="http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20090628/SPORTS/906289981/1063" rel="nofollow">blog entry</a> too. I sure hope they heal for Hardrock!<br /><br />SDScott Dunlaphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16096284778835123584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-3086798947406915972009-06-30T18:14:55.515-07:002009-06-30T18:14:55.515-07:00Nice job on yet another year in the top ten! I'...Nice job on yet another year in the top ten! I'm sure you worked hard for it, and it's particularly impressive given the level of competition that was present this year. You looked strong and steady out there. It's amazing that you guys can run 100 miles and still have to sprint the finish.<br />Best of luck at HR.Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01132576974564001603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-9490181825779660102009-06-30T11:10:56.795-07:002009-06-30T11:10:56.795-07:00Andy,
Great report! You are such an inspiration, ...Andy,<br /><br />Great report! You are such an inspiration, and I know you are going to Rock Hard out at Silverton. Look for my VHTRC friends Joe Clapper and Michele Harmon out there--Joe is running his third HR and Michele is pacing him. Michele and I finished together at Highland Sky a few weeks for third place women :-)<br /><br />Training is going really well and I look forward to running the 1200s with renewed zeal, knowing how they made the difference for you!<br /><br />Happy summer!Sophie Speidelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-32794276020213717042009-06-30T08:56:57.409-07:002009-06-30T08:56:57.409-07:00Been lurking the blog for some time now ... impres...Been lurking the blog for some time now ... impressed by the whole approach, the level of dedication and the incredible execution come race day. Well done.GZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12623054918799881730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-20231255338125569132009-06-30T08:23:23.018-07:002009-06-30T08:23:23.018-07:00Really, really great, Andy. Rest well and eat wel...Really, really great, Andy. Rest well and eat well. Good luck at Hardrock. Can't wait to get the gory details when you're back in the valley. Cheers.<br /><br />HankHank Darthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16168709676047000763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-22610367686996072852009-06-30T07:50:45.518-07:002009-06-30T07:50:45.518-07:00AJW, congrats. It was fun watching you guys on the...AJW, congrats. It was fun watching you guys on the WS Webcast, even though it took 2 iPhones and a desktop to do it. Huge internet followers I suppose.northtexanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17014652881368728196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-55002762303149899012009-06-30T07:20:43.962-07:002009-06-30T07:20:43.962-07:00AJW,
Very impressive run at WS! It was fun follo...AJW,<br /><br />Very impressive run at WS! It was fun following you moving up online! Congrats on keeping the streak alive! Best of luck to you at HR!Jamie Donaldsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741494085810360900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-53148370410908345702009-06-30T07:15:18.319-07:002009-06-30T07:15:18.319-07:00Congrats on another hard fought top 10. It's b...Congrats on another hard fought top 10. It's been great following along on your training up to WS and leading into HR. Best of luck!Derrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05226053638415425937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-40863734221621670512009-06-30T07:05:00.501-07:002009-06-30T07:05:00.501-07:00AJW - Man, I (we) were pulling for you all day her...AJW - Man, I (we) were pulling for you all day here in the Wood River Valley.<br />You gutted it out and showed what it takes to stay focused and be positive. Well done! Be proud!<br />For now, recover, acclimatize and enjoy your "vacation". Best of luck at HRH. We can't wait for all the details.Brad Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00228005088902766243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-39458187551976598492009-06-30T06:37:46.633-07:002009-06-30T06:37:46.633-07:00I appreciate what you said about being passed by A...I appreciate what you said about being passed by Anita, because it happened to me too - she took a wrong turn, I got ahead, so she comes storming back, knocking down 6 min miles until she regains her lead. She's not the slow and steady type. She's the best runner.Buzzhttp://adventurerun.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-25525095208732665172009-06-30T06:30:11.907-07:002009-06-30T06:30:11.907-07:00AJW...
maybe that didn't sound right... but it...AJW...<br />maybe that didn't sound right... but it did in my head... good luck at HR<br /><br />see you at Javelina?<br /><br />TedTed Nuneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17532689096419533285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-56313989400705823642009-06-30T05:12:05.902-07:002009-06-30T05:12:05.902-07:00Great Job Andy! What an awesome race it turned ou...Great Job Andy! What an awesome race it turned out to be this year. Minutes between 2 - 5 after 100 miles is hard to fathom. You have fun in Silverton, enjoy our great state, and get those feet ready for Hard Rock. Thanks for the nice report and insider's view.<br />SteveHappyTrailshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17651141743444721517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-27352034877096920082009-06-30T05:11:41.424-07:002009-06-30T05:11:41.424-07:00WOW as Jasper says the race for m2-5 and m9-11 was...WOW as Jasper says the race for m2-5 and m9-11 was great! It would be great to have you or the blogger gods to interview each of the runners to get their views published on the experience of hittng that track and knowing what was at stake. The public would love to hear from all those runners. Anita's run was out of this world..it looked easy from my bath road vantage. <br /><br />TonyTony Laffertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08803559031879184386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-27107369280744900662009-06-30T04:37:38.345-07:002009-06-30T04:37:38.345-07:00@Old Goat - Just curious, what place did Nikki get...@Old Goat - Just curious, what place did Nikki get? You're not proposing that WS drop the distinction between men and women are you? Top twenty overall get to come back instead of top ten men and top ten women? I just might be into supporting that idea :-)<br /><br />AJW, excellent work. You do have what it takes to be M10! Kinda stressful, huh?Craig Thornleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08078058470943851119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-74588903014507928602009-06-30T04:28:31.209-07:002009-06-30T04:28:31.209-07:00Very impressive run, especially considering the he...Very impressive run, especially considering the heat, the blisters, and number of great competitors. With all your training miles and experience, I would be interested to learn why the blisters and your thoughts on how to prevent. <br /><br />To test your humility just a bit, here's another question. Not being a school teacher, I guess I do not understand this new math. So how many times does it take getting "chicked" to end your "top-ten streak"? In the old days, #11 meant just outside top 10.Old Goatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-46675636826649372009-06-30T03:57:10.999-07:002009-06-30T03:57:10.999-07:00AJW,
The race was beyond all expectations in term...AJW,<br /><br />The race was beyond all expectations in terms of every aspect of the day, the AS, the excitement, competition etc. It was great to run with such a talented group of runners. I never expected to be up there but it was truly a blast.<br /><br />Way to gut it out, man. Your ability to focus on what it takes to keep that top 10 streak going is impressive (and instructive - thanks). <br /><br />As for the feet, Drymax socks dude. Got get 'em.<br /><br />Jasper, props to you man. I was in awe to see you come back so strong - you earned it. See you out on the trails.kjsullyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07796256892180484688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-66156932607061104902009-06-29T23:30:04.704-07:002009-06-29T23:30:04.704-07:00SD100
You got that Ten Thousand Dollars in escrow...SD100<br /><br />You got that Ten Thousand Dollars in escrow? Doesn't look like your prediction panned out. <br /><br />I think you owe Hal an apology.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-65607775321041005242009-06-29T23:06:52.823-07:002009-06-29T23:06:52.823-07:00Ted,
Thanks for the kind words. Not sure about t...Ted,<br /><br />Thanks for the kind words. Not sure about the "voice of ultrarunning" but if it works for you it works for me.<br /><br />Jasper,<br /><br />Great race. I knew you had it in you and you got it done. Here's hoping it's the beginning of a great top-10 streak of your own. It's fun while it lasts and I think five years is about as much as I have in me which is why I'm heading to HRH. As for the shoo-goo, I'm afraid my feet need a bit more than that!<br /><br />And SD 100, glad Jasper was smiling but you can rest assured I was too. And, if I wasn't "big" enough to concede on #3 I wouldn't really be honest, would I? That is what's it's really all about. You know, honoring the race...Maybe I'll see you there next year.AJWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04387120797582582699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1899309861714342259.post-61259268864335579122009-06-29T22:32:01.830-07:002009-06-29T22:32:01.830-07:00Conceding on point #3 was very big of you.
I had ...Conceding on point #3 was very big of you.<br /><br />I had the pleasure of seeing Jasper at Michigan, Foresthill, and Green Gate and man that guy had a smile on pretty much the whole way. The only other person who pulled off that feat in the heat was Hal. Jasper wins WS100 2010? I wouldn't be against it.Michael Alfredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09509266926300967209noreply@blogger.com