Well hell. When you think you’ve got it all figured out, someone throws a wrench in your plans. And when you come up with a new plan, someone throws another wrench in your new plans. I CAN’T WIN!
After I didn’t get into the Western States (WS) drawing, I was 100% sure that I was going back to Run Woodstock and run the Hallucination 100. 100% SURE. Then my friend David sent me this…
…and my heart stopped. This, my friends, is Mountain Lakes 100. It’s takes place in Oregon and starts at Olallie Lake and runs along more than 25 mountain lakes and will be held on Sept 24-25 of 2016. This was it. I consulted with my coach and we switched gears. This one is has more climb than Hallucination, so my need to get a sub-24 100-miler had to be put aside (but I’m still gonna shoot for it…cause that’s how I roll), and I was going to run a mountain ultra instead.
Until…
I found out that this wasn’t a qualifying race for WS.
So, I reached back out to Coach Whip and we tried to come up with a solution. We looked at other races, but honestly, once my heart it set on something, it takes a whole hell of a lot to change it. Mountain Lakes 100 moved me instantly. It spoke to me. And now I want that. So, do I go after two 100-mile races, Mountain Lakes and another one that’s a WS qualifier? Maybe. Or do I try and find a qualifying 100k? I had to find something.
One of the biggest problems is scheduling. I’m going to Portugal and Spain in May to walk the Camino De Santiago. “The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain.” I had planned to walk about 150 miles of the pilgrimage over the course of 12 days. While it’s not running (I may try and run sections), it’s a lot of mileage. And because I’m doing this in May, it’s tough for me to find a Spring WS qualifier.
Then yesterday we found this!
Image From Perry’s Trails: Laurel Highlands Ultra Race Report 2014
It was perfect! It’s a 70.5 mile WS qualifier in Pennsylvania and it’ll happen on June 11th. So, earlier this evening I went to print out the race application (mail in registration only) and was greeted with this message…
And I did this…
Now, here I am with my heart set on running Mountain Lakes 100 and the need to try and qualify for Western States. The other qualifying races just don’t speak to me right now and after seeing images of Mountain Lakes, I really am not over the moon about going back to Hallucination 100. And while there are plenty of beautiful qualifying 100-milers, I really do want to shoot for the sub-24 and my chances of doing that at one of the other beautiful mountain races is less than what it already is.
So, I need to make a decision. Do I not worry about qualifying for Western States, give up on Mountain Lakes 100 to run a qualifying race, completely take a sub-24 100-miler out of the equation, or go and eat an entire pint of ice cream? If I had ice cream in the house, that would be my choice.
So What? I run. 
Mountain Lakes for sure. No contest. Sometimes you just need to have a fun run. 🙂
Yikes. I don’t know what I would do. But yes go for Mountain Lakes. Have fun!
Yikes. I don’t know what I would do. But yes go for Mountain Lakes. Have fun!
Surely there must be another qualifier race somewhere. Anywhere. Then you can do both. May your search be fueled by ice cream 🙂
The picture is beautiful. I would do the mountain, but I so get the qualifying aspect. I don’t know if you realize HOW MUCH you’ve done in a relatively short time. Why not use this to work on speed and 100 miler technique and start planning now for a qualifier in 2017 and CRUSH IT?
I can’t advise you much on the races, except to do what speaks to you most right now, what will keep you motivated most too, and hope that there is always another chance to qualify another year if that is not the direction you go this time.
However, I recently read about the Way and am completely envious of your plans to go walk it. I can’t wait to see pictures and hear stories- so I hope you’re planning to share both! It looks like an amazing and breathtaking journey to undertake.
I like the idea of running the Mountain Lakes 100 and really think you should stick with running it. Also, you might consider running the IMTUF 100 in Idaho which is a qualifier for the Hardrock 100 (not WS but still a very desirable race to compete in). Just my thoughts, best of luck!
I like the idea of running the Mountain Lakes 100, I really think you should stick with running it. You might want to consider looking into the IMTUF 100 in Idaho which is a qualifier for the Hardrock 100. I know it is not WS but still is a very desirable race to compete in.