My friends Wade, Dom and Ryne are without a doubt among the best long distance runners in Canada.  They had trained very hard and very smart.  They were all very ready for the Western States 100-mile endurance run.  And yet all 3 failed to complete the 100-mile distance on race day.  There had to be a conspiracy! 

Dom was still running down the Western States trail in the night.  Wade had removed himself from the race.  Wade and I lounged in the hotel room drinking beer and watching the bloody conclusion to Braveheart on TV and reviewed what could have gone so wrong.  Here are some of the theories we discussed: 

It Was Too Hot for Northerners

All 3 of my buddies live in a part of Canada where it rarely gets hotter than 30C.  The Western States 100 mile Endurance run is held in California in late June where it can get to 50C.  While this year the temperatures were cooler than normal for the WS 100, they were way hotter than what the boys trained in.  Is the WS-100 simply too hot for a Canuck? 

This theory is unlikely, as many Canadians have been top finishers and about 30 (including Dom and me) have earned the coveted silver buckle. 

The Food or Water Was Bad 

Given all of the fantastic aid and encouragement that was available out on the course, it hurts to even think this thought.  But, what if some of the food or fluids that the boys consumed early in the run was contaminated?

Possible, but why would these 3 runners be singled out from all of the others?

Vegans Don't Have Proper Nutrition

Dom, Ryne and Wader are all vegans.  All 3 did not finish the Western States 100.  Therefore, vegans can't cut the distance.

Very unlikely, as Scott Jurek, a vegan, has won Western States many times.   

In the end, we resolve nothing, but we do come up with the following quotable quotes:

"I was whipped like a rented mule"
-- Ryne Melcher describing his experience at Western States in 2007

"What is missing in our lives to make us want to do this?"
-- Dom Repta reflecting on why he runs 100-milers

Encore?

Moments after the race officially ended at 11:00 on Sunday, we headed back home to Vancouver.  It was clear that my 3 buddies were disappointed, but all were in good spirits as we reviewed what had gone wrong over a big brunch and a few craft ales in Sacramento.

We toasted the Western States 100 and an honest effort.  We toasted good friends and lessons learned.  Then, Ryne, Dom and Wader pledged to join Bill and me at STORMY, where in 6 weeks time, they would give the 100-mile distance another try!

Resources and Wrap-up 

I tried to take a lot of photos of our adventure.  Check out this slide show!

The official Western States website is at www.ws100.com.

This is the last in a series of notes I wanted to share about the adventures we shared since I agreed to pace my friend Wade Repta at the Western States 100-mile Endurance run.  You can read about the adventure as it unfolds in my Club Fat Ass blog at:

Pacing Wader - A New Adventure 

Pacing Wader - The Road Trip

Pacing Wader - Race Day

Pacing Wader - The Conspiracy Theories (this post)