Tomorrow, exactly one year ago, I won the Western States lottery with only one ridiculous ticket. A lot has happened since then, including running Western States. Obviously. While I am 99.9% sure that I won’t be able to pull off last year's magic trick a second time (I do have one ticket in the lottery, though), this race does not let my mind rest. Its impact was far beyond anything else I ever went through in running, and ranges head to head with some of the most influential experiences of my life. Even 5 months after running that last lap on the Placer High School track, I still describe my Western States 2022 as life-changing. For which I am eternally thankful.
I never published a proper race report or any more detailed narration of what actually happened between Olympic Valley and Auburn. The reason for this is the following: As soon as I started writing, it literally broke out of me and within minutes exceeded the length and format of an IG or blog post. Long story short, within 2 weeks of basically nonstop writing, it had become a book instead. At least that’s what I thought.
When I showed my manuscript to a couple of people, reactions were very positive. However, especially when speaking to other authors, it became clear to me, that I had only told half the story. While I meticulously describe my road to Western States and everything that happened to me during the race, I omitted much of the bigger context, especially my personal one. Why did I run Western States? Why do I run at all? Which past experiences gave me the courage to start? Which ones brought me to the point of total mental and emotional collapse? What hidden power allowed me to continue the race, nonetheless? And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
There’s so much more to tell. That’s why I am taking my time to really work on that book, until it’s become a truly moving and inspiring read. One that I would devour myself if I had not written it.
And big love for everyone who threw their tickets into the Western States lottery this year. This race is pure magic and I truly believe that winning this lottery is much more about fate, than it is about luck.