Hoping To Win The Lottery!

I received an email from the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run confirming the receipt of my application for the race lottery. On December 1st, around 350 lucky names will be selected out of over a 1,000 applications. Those individuals will then have the right to run the 2008 100 Mile trail race from Squaw Valley, CA to Auburn, CA. Here’s a piece of the race description from the WS100 website:
“… following the original trails used by the gold and silver miners of the 1850’s, runners travel west, climbing another 18,000 feet and descending 22,970 feet before reaching Auburn. Most of the trail passes through remote and rugged territory, accessible only to hikers, horses and helicopters. Due to the remoteness and inaccessibility of the trail, the Western States Endurance Run differs substantially from other organized runs. Adequate mental and physical preparation are of utmost importance to each runner, for the mountains, although beautiful, are relentless in their challenge and unforgiving to the ill-prepared.” I’m hoping some of Shannon’s luck of the Irish comes my way and I get picked in the lottery!

I snapped a few shots and ran the beginning few miles of the WS100 course this summer:

Looking through Squaw Valley to the Sierras

At the base of the mountains (Start of the course)

Looking back down toward Squaw Valley

Up over Emigrant Pass

The WS100 confirmation email ended with a cool quote:

“See the best in every one, expect the best from yourself.”