The following was mailed to 2013 WS Entrants on 12/11/12
Dear WS Entrants – -
Congratulations on your acceptance into the 2013 Western States Endurance Run.
This update is the first of several updates you will be receiving prior to the Big Day. The updates will contain critical information; so please read each update carefully. The updates accomplish two things: They allow us to share important information with you and save you the painful experience of listening to Craig go on for hours and hours about race weekend details at the mandatory Friday briefing.
The entrant database is nearing completion and stands at 388 entrants. The entrant list can be found here. There are four Montrail Ultra Cup qualifying events left in the season leading up to the grand finale at WS. The top-two men and women Montrail Ultra Cup winners from the Bandera 100K, the Lake Sonoma 50, the Leona Divide 50 and the Ice Age Trail 50 are still to be determined and may be added to the database at the conclusion of each event. To find out how you can be part of the series, go to Montrail Ultra Cup.
- Most, if not all, events have gone to online registration. Race results and race histories rely on the registration data from various run websites. The data is only as good as the information that you provide. If you would like to see accurate race histories for yourself, please use the same exact name for all your online race registrations.
- Four training runs are scheduled for February 16th and the Memorial Day weekend of May 25-27, 2013. This has been a tremendous success each year with over 750 runners participating during the three-day weekend. Conditions permitting, the training runs will cover the last 70 miles of the course.
- The WS Participant Guide is an important document and should be thoroughly reviewed by you and your crew. Please take the time to read it carefully.
- The WS Service Requirement Form must be received no later than May 15. This is a very important requirement and must be completed before you can participate in the Run.
- Snowpack is always a concern, although it is much too early to begin worrying about the amount of snow you’ll be facing on race weekend. It will be at least April before we can begin to project race weekend snow conditions. A snow-tracker link will be added to the WS website in February.
- GU Energy Labs generously provides WS runners with GU Energy Gel and GU Electrolyte Brew on race weekend. A variety of Energy Gel flavors will be on the course. The Electrolyte Brew will be available in lemon-lime and raspberry flavors. The flavors will alternate with each aid station. Make every effort to train using their products. The last thing you want to do is try something new on race weekend. Below is a review of their products.
- GU Energy Gel
GU Energy Gel was developed specifically for endurance athletes. GU is designed to be an easily digestible carbohydrate. The ingredients provide an athlete with the correct mix of complex and simple sugars, electrolytes for water balance, branched-chain amino acids to fuel the brain, and antioxidants to combat free radicals. GU Energy Gel will sustain blood sugar levels when ingested during endurance events. Each GU packet is 100 calories, and should be ingested every 30-45 minutes concurrently with GU Electrolyte Brew or water. - GU Roctane
GU’s Roctane Gel is GU to a “higher power”. Key functional ingredients are increased in Roctane to aid those who do ultra-endurance events. In fact the formula was originally developed for an ultra endurance athlete (our founder’s daughter). There is one ingredient in Roctane that is not present in GU Energy Gel: ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG). OKG acts to prevent the body from breaking down muscle during periods of trauma. Roctane’s formula, which contains 100 calories, will maintain blood sugar for an entire 100-mile race if one packet is ingested every 30-45 minutes with GU Electrolyte Brew or water. - GU Electrolyte Brew
GU Electrolyte Brew, as its name states, is a beverage mix formulated to provide sufficient electrolytes and calories (when used in conjunction with GU and Roctane). Electrolyte brew helps maintain physiological osmotic balance — this is key for maintaining hydration and preventing stomach bloating. It is recommended to drink 20-30 oz per hour during training or competition along with the recommended intake of GU Energy Gel or, preferably, GU Roctane Energy Gel. - GU Recovery Brew
GU Recovery Brew is a beverage mix designed to aid recovery after a long hard workout or competition. The idea is that the ingestion of a carbohydrate source and a protein source will help the body decrease catabolic affects post exercise and increase anabolic affects needed for subsequent training. Recovery brew is a simple mix that contains both carbohydrate and protein components along with antioxidants for a quick recovery from a long run. GU Recovery Brew provides adequate recovery for those ultra endurance athletes that have to continue training every day. It can also be used during an ultra endurance event to add easily absorbed calories to your nutrition regimen. The recommended intake of Recovery Brew is 16-24 oz directly following training or competition. - GU Chomps
Chomps contain the same ingredients as GU Energy Gel; however, additional ingredients are added to provide the semi-solid properties. Special ingredients such as electrolytes, antioxidants and amino acids are in Chomps, providing the same benefits as in GU Energy Gel. During an endurance race, Chomps can be substituted for GU or added to increase caloric intake. The recommended amount of Chomps is 8 chews for every 1.5 to 2 hours of activity concurrently with GU Electrolyte Brew or water.
Train smart, stay healthy and Happy Holidays.
Greg Soderlund, Race Director through December 31, 2012
Craig Thornley, Race Director starting on January 1, 2013
