Subject: WS Training Runs 2003 From: "Greg Soderlund" Date: Wed, 9 Oct 2002 20:41:25 -0700 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` Training Runs 2003: Get out your calender! 2003 Training Runs for WS: A. NEW YEAR'S DAY TRAINING RUN: Kick off 2003 with the no-guilt annual New Year's Day training run on the Western States course. Plan on arriving at the parking lot near the top of Driver's Flat Road before 8 AM on Wednesday, January 1. We will carpool to Foresthill starting at 8 AM and run the California Street section of the WS course from Foresthill back to the top of Driver's Flat Road, for a total of 18 miles. There is no charge for this very popular run (100 runners typically show); bring at least two bottles and a fanny pack full of goodies. We will attempt to put an aid station at the halfway point and have breakfast waiting at the finish, but no promises; so come prepared for 3 to 5 hours on the trail. Course markings are few (yellow ribbons); so if you're not familiar with the course, stay with someone who is. Remember to leave warm clothes in a car at the finish and giving the car key to the fastest runner in your group. Directions to Driver's Flat Road - - Take the Foresthill exit off of I-80 just a mile east of Auburn. Go east on the Foresthill Road (you'll cross the big bridge) for approximately 8 miles. You will see the Driver's Flat Road sign on your right, turn right. The asphalt road will turn to gravel, veer left at the fork in the road, you are now in the parking lot. B. WS TRAINING RUN NO. 1: This run will acquaint you with the final 20 miles of the trail. Cost is $15 for bus, aid stations (2) and refreshments at the finish. Date: Saturday, February 22, 2003 Time: Bus leaves at 8:00 a.m. sharp. Site: Placer High School, Auburn, California Route: Green Gate to Auburn, 20 Miles. We will meet at the stadium at Placer High School and leave by bus for the Green Gate at Sliger Mine Road. This is close to the river crossing at Rucky Chucky. >From there we will run to the finish line in Auburn, approximately 20 miles. This will familiarize you with the "No Pee Zone" and a section of trail that most will be running at night. C. WESTERN STATES MEMORIAL WEEKEND TRAINING RUNS NO. 2: Training Runs Only: Any runner fit enough to cover the distance is encouraged to attend. No, you don't have to be in the 2003 WS Run. Three days of running will acquaint runners with the final 70 miles of the WS 100 trail. It is recommended that each entrant, especially newcomers to Western States Run, take advantage of these runs as they will acquaint you with both the trail itself and the conditions you can expect to encounter on Race Day. There will be many runners participating in these runs who have considerable experience on the trail. They will be more than happy to share their treasure trove of knowledge and experiences. Plan on carrying your own water and whatever supplies you may need. At least two water bottles and a fanny pack are highly recommended. Aid stations and bus service will be provided. There will be a nominal fee of $15 to cover expenses of the training runs only. Advanced reservations are not required; you can pay each day at check-in. If you plan on deviating from the scheduled run (running a different section of the trail, running farther than the described run, etc.), you will not be permitted to officially participate in the scheduled training runs or training camp. We cannot be responsible for you, and our insurance coverage does not permit it. If you pay for and expect to use the aid stations, do not deviate from the official course. Three Day Training Camp (includes three training runs, four meals, camping facilities and clinics): You must make reservations for the Training Camp. The reservation form for Training Run No. 2 is available at the Western States website at: http://www.ws100.com/training.htm and this website. Three-day training camp for the Memorial Day weekend of May 24-26, 2003. This has been a tremendous success each year with over 750 runners participating during the three-day weekend. You will run the last 70 miles of the course. We will be using the remodeled Foresthill Memorial Hall for the catered meals. The bathrooms and campsites at the Foresthill Middle School will be used again this year. Both improvements will make this three-day experience a positive one for you and any guest you may bring. Maps to both site will be sent to all those who make reservations. Rooms are available at the Forest House in downtown Foresthill, but you must make reservations immediately to get a room. Their toll free phone number is: 1-(877) 367-3783. Website: http://www.foresthouse.com If you are flying to the camp, we suggest that you fly into Sacramento. If you are planning to rent a car, consider renting a van that could be used to sleep in at the campsite. Day 1 Date: Saturday, May 24, 2003 Time: Bus leaves at 8:00 a.m. sharp. Site: "Old Sawmill" site, Foresthill Highway and Bath Road. Route: Robinson Flat to Foresthill (snow permitting), 32 Miles. From the "Old Sawmill" site we will have bus transportation to Robinson Flat, a drive taking approximately 1 hour. You will run from Robinson Flat (depending on snow conditions) back to the campsite, a distance of approximately 32 miles. This section will acquaint you with the canyons and the two most difficult climbs of the entire race (Devil's Thumb and Michigan Bluff). Depending on the weather, the run could also help acquaint you with the heat you are likely to experience in the canyons on Race Day. If we are unable to get to Robinson Flat, a substitute route over as much of the scheduled trail as possible will be run. The exact route of this training run will depend upon snow and weather conditions in the high country. Following the run, we will spend time resting and relaxing until supper. Use tents, motor homes, vans, or whatever you have available to sleep in. We will provide you with supper, breakfast the next morning. The campground has toilet and shower facilities. Clinics and some form of entertainment will be on the evening agenda. Day 2 Date: Sunday, May 25, 2003 Time: Run starts at 8:30 a.m. Route: Foresthill to Rucky Chucky (and back to White Oak Flat), 20 Miles. The second day, we will walk or drive to Foresthill and run the California Street section of trail. Departure time will be 8:30 a.m., and a shuttle bus will return runners to the campsite from White Oak Flat. First bus will return to Foresthill at approximately 12:30 PM. We will again camp at camp headquarters, and the same services will be provided. Day 3 Date: Monday, May 26, 2003 Break camp and drive your vehicle to Placer High School (finish of WS) Time: Bus leaves Placer H.S. at 8:30 a.m. sharp. Route: Green Gate to Auburn, 20 Miles. The third day, you will drive your own vehicle to Placer High School (30 minutes) and buses will transport us to the Green Gate (50 minutes), where we will run the final 20 miles of the trail back to the official WS finish line. Driving Instructions: To Foresthill Middle School - Take Interstate 80 past the three Auburn exits (if you are coming from the west) or prior to reaching the Auburn exits (if you are coming from the east). Exit at the Foresthill exit. Head east (proceed down the long hill and cross the Foresthill Bridge). It is 15.5 miles to Foresthill Middle School. The school will be on your right. Signs will also indicate the campsite. To Foresthill Memorial Hall - Upon entering the small business community of Foresthill, you will see the Forest House Hotel on the right side of the highway directly opposite Soap Street. If you reach Bath Road, you’ve gone too far. Turn left on Soap and go to the end of the street. The Memorial Hall is located here. "Old Sawmill" bus departure site for Saturday training run - Take Interstate 80 past the three Auburn exits (if you are coming from the west) or prior to reaching the Auburn exits (if you are coming from the east). Exit at the Foresthill exit. Head east (proceed down the long hill and cross the Foresthill Bridge). It is 17 miles to Foresthill. Prior to entering the town of Foresthill, you will pass Foresth Hill Middle School on the right side of the highway. Upon passing through the small business community of Foresthill, you will pass a second school on the right side of the highway. Proceed ˝ mile and you will see signs and yellow trail marking ribbon directing you to the parking lot on the right hand side of the highway. If you reach Bath Road, you have gone too far. Additional Information: The Race Director must receive reservations no later than May 16, 2003. Aid stations will be provided for all training runs, but they will be few in numbers. Come fully prepared for a run in the mountains, however, as we can't promise anything. For the safety of all concerned, cut-off times for all of the training runs will be established at all of the aid stations based on an 18-minute mile. If you do not arrive at an aid station before the cut-off time, you will not be permitted to proceed any further. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in your disqualification from participation on Race Day. We cannot be responsible for runners being out on the trail after dark. If you are interested in participating in any or all of these training runs, please contact us as soon as possible (Greg Soderlund, 916/456-1122 or wser100@attbi.com ). Please RSVP for training runs A and B at wser100@attbi.com so I can plan accordingly. You must submit the reservation form for the WS Camp. Have a great fall as we head into the Holidays! Greg Soderlund, RD Western States 100 Presented by TNF www.ws100.com Way Too Cool 50 Presented by GU www.run100s.com/snu Phone: 916-456-1122 E-mail: WSER100@attbi.com 242 Hartnell Place Sacramento, CA 95825