Eight( 8) Principles for Finding the Fountain of Youth-Part 15

It is now 2002, and I was “ready” for the Western states 100. My Western states 100 journey began on June 29, 2002, at Squaw Valley.  On that Saturday morning I was standing, in the front with about 450 other nervous, excited, loud, hyper runners for the 5 AM start.  A rock- salt shotgun blast and we are off and I quickly began the first of many and I mean many climbs.  Initially, the first climb was going over one of the ski runs.  I remembered the cold temperature, my nervousness, snow on the ground, and yes the mosquitoes as I traversed and began this part of the run. There were hungry mosquitoes because of the wet, melting snow.  After running which seemed like toward the sky, I reached and passed Emigrant Pass and Watson’s Monument at approximately 9000 linear feet above sea level. So far so good and the views were awesome and breathtaking. I had pristine Lake Tahoe behind me and more mountains in front. I eventually reached the second checkpoint or aid station referred to as Lyon Ridge some 11.5 miles into the run, at 6500 feet above sea level and briefly talked, to my friend and aid captain Chuck Gabri. A reason for not staying too long at an aid station is because of the time limits. I didn’t want to be pulled by race management. I wanted to complete this historic event, and remain comfortably ahead of the time restraints.

To be continued: