WSU 100km

The WSU 100km, (and relay) was my first 100km race. I am so glad I chose this race as my first 100km. Not only was it safe, friendly, well marked and absolutely beautiful, but it was low key and low stress. No noisy, long and dragged out pre-race meetings, just a quiet, peaceful race in the verdant, rolling farmland outside of Washingston State University with a kind and personable race director. Although it was a very hilly course, it was quite runnable, and any physical discomfort could be comforted by the ever changing geology and farmland. The addition of a relay added to the fun, as the relay runners were fresh and enthusiastic, full of support for the solo division.

This race was held near the Washington - Idaho border, in and around Palouse. It started and ended at Washington State University. Running a 100km was a lot different than running a 50 miler, ( of which I have run nearly 50) or a 100 miler. Hitting 50 miles, (in 8:28) knowing I had nearly a half marathon to go was mentally quite challenging. But I managed to run the last 12 miles in just over 2 hours, with a finishing time of 10:35:15. A 1st place female finish, 2nd overall, albiet not a lot of competition. It was a bitter sweet finish, however. My goal was to run sub 10:30:00, to meet two of the qualifications of the 153 mile long Spatathlon in Greece.

Here are some great pictures of some of the beautiful horses and farmland that greeted the runners at every turn. A big thank you to all who helped make this great event take place!

Bataan Memorial Marathon

Out of the nearly four dozen marathons I've run, the Bataan Death March Memorial Marathon has got to be one of the most moving and memorable. It is run in memory of the World War II veterans who were forced to march for days in the terrible heat and humidity of the Philippine jungle in 1942. Some of the surviving veterans were there at the start and finish, and one even shared his story with my husband and I.

Bataan is an incredible event. There are several catagories you can run in. Civilian light, civilian heavy, ( carrying at least 35 pounds) military light, and military heavy. Thousands come out to run or march this unique event, held every march on White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The attention to detail in the race race organization is to be both admired and appreciated. Hopefully I will be able to make it out once again next year for this extraordinary event.

Pictures are of my husband and I after the race, another of the marchers as they climb up one of the many long and often sandy hills on the course, and one of a very happy, fat cat after the race.