Soon after starting Conduct the Juices in December 2008, I had this idea. It might be fun, entertaining, unique, and possibly informative, provocative and impactful, to get a group of bloggers together who share a passion for the Western States 100 and synchronously post on different topics leading up to the June 27, 2009 race. The bloggers who agreed to join me in this project are Andy Jones-Wilkins, Bryon Powell, Scott Dunlap, and Sean Meissner. They were specifically chosen because each of them has a different perspective on or role in the race. AJW is a five-time finisher (’01, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07) with the last four consecutive years in the top ten (the only one in the field who can make that claim). Bryon is a three-time finisher (’04, ’05, ’06) and is pacing AJW this year. Scott, the de facto king of ultrablogging, is running the race for the first time and has been interviewing WS runners for many years. Sean will be going for his second silver belt buckle (’05), runs a race every weekend, is an RD, and manages a running store. They are also prolific bloggers, and now synchrobloggers. I have five finishes (’01, ’02, ’04, ’05, ’07) and am as obsessed with the race as you can get.
The way it works is we agree on general topics for five different dates. We write our posts independently, without influence from or knowledge of the others. We share our links the day or two before the publish time so we can include them in our own posts. We set our posts to publish at the same time in the middle of the night. We do not read the others’ posts until we wake up in the morning. Pretty simple.
I chose the first topic, “make a request, suggestion, or plea directly to the Western States Board of Directors,” to start us off on January 15. We had a few technical difficulties, but I think overall it went fairly well. It definitely was fun, entertaining, unique, informative, and provocative. Only time will tell if it was impactful. We had a mix of serious requests (Bryon asked for accountability and transparency, Sean wrote about letting Scott Jurek into the race, and I questioned mandatory volunteerism), an interview with a trustee by Scott, and a humorous post by our self-proclaimed class clown AJW. Lots of people read the posts, including the WS Board of Trustees. Traffic on our blogs increased significantly. We even got blogged about by rootsrunner and trailrunningsoul. Bloggers blogging about other bloggers … and now I’m blogging about that. Not sure what that means.
The remaining topics will be determined by a consensus of the five of us. Since we’re each passionate about the race it won’t be difficult to find topics or to write the posts. If you have suggestions on what we can do to make the remaining four better please feel free to share your ideas.
Jan 15 Synchroblog #1 (request to WSER board of directors)
- AJW writes a humorous piece suggesting WS course changes
- Bryon Powell asks for accountability and transparency
- Scott Dunlap interviews WSER trustee John Trent
- Sean Meissner writes about letting Scott Jurek into the race
- I question mandatory volunteerism
Feb 19 Synchroblog #2 (what we like best about WS)
April 2 Synchroblog #3 (an idea to improve WS)
- AJW on 100 mile entry requirement
- Bryon Powell on the awards ceremony
- Scott Dunlap on using Twitter at WS
- Sean Meissner on mandatory WS buckles
- I on the Haggin Cup trophy
May 7 Synchroblog #4 (WS aid station we’re most looking forward to)
June 18 Synchroblog #5 (open topic)
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Craig,
I just got to work and I saw the title of your post in my RSS reader just moments before thinking “Oh crap, how did I miss that we were posting again already!” Perhaps I should get more than four hours of sleep tonight…
-BPow
“Bloggers blogging about other bloggers … and now I’m blogging about that. Not sure what that means.” It means you are stuck in a continuous loop and your life is hanging in limbo from spending every waking hour blogging or thinking about blogging.
How about a synchroblog on your most memorable WS, regardless of whether or not you ran in it.
and I thought my life was pathetically boring. ok, I’ll admit, it has been a goal of mine (since 1987) to one day run western states. I wouldn’t mind some information about how you over 40 people keep turning out ultra after ultra, year after year. It’s not going to count if I just cyber-run WE. Thanks for your suggestions.
Bloggers blogging about bloggers… who cares?! Did anyone actually WATCH that amazing sychronized swimming routine? What choreography!
I do believe we all would be better if our x-training involved such H2O workouts. Just having to hold your breath while trying to extend your leg up above the water=altitude training
@Bryon Powell – You mean you didn’t post today? I just figured I needed to explain the process since I kept getting questions about it. Plus, I wanted to say something nice about our class clown before he goes and runs a 100 miler this weekend.
@Meghan – That’s a good idea. I have lots of memorable years to choose from.
@noultra/noname – Maybe JizzleWizzle should address this since he seems to be defying his age. I only do a handful of ultras each year. After a good break in the fall, just a slow buildup in terms of mileage. Track workouts year-round so I’m never too far from what speed remains. Motivation is a biggie. I keep the goals realistic and don’t use up mental energy by going out and doing those tough-to-get-out-the-door runs until it is important. For instance, if I’m tired after a patrol day in January and I come home and do not feel like going out for a night run, I don’t. But when it comes to April, May, and June, I don’t miss many. Yeah, this could be a topic for a future post.
@hairclub – Could you pick out JizzleWizzle in the pool?
I thought I recognized those Tan Mitts.
AJW the Great is in that pool? that proves my point…
Hi Craig,
Being a WSER-junkie I’ll add some synchro-blog topic suggestions to the list.
1. You have touched on this one already. The philosophical direction of WSER for the next 10-years. To become the avowed world championship of 100-mile trail runs (almost exclusively elite), to remain a more local based event (like now) or some sort of shift with a higher proportion of elite runners.
2. The future of the Montrail Ultra Cup? Why not expand the ultra-cup worldwide with WSER remaining the “championship race” of the series? Which of the worlds great ultras would you add to some sort of new global ultracup – UTMB, Comrades, London to Brighton, Marathon de Sable …?
3. Interview some of the long-term aid station captains (those 20 year+ super-volunteers)
4. Interview some of those runners who tore it up in the early years – Jim King, Jim Howard.
5. Maybe a quick list from all five synchro. bloggers on the lead-up races they think are particularly good for WS. A short sentence or two for each race.
6. how to maximize your day as a spectator at WSER. If you are lucky enough to be there in person, how to plan your day so you get to see some hardcore dirty trail action and be a part of the event (volunteer or pace).
7. How to make a lot of money and attract women by blogging about Western States.
Cheers, PC
@Paul Charteris – Those are a lot of great suggestions. Thanks!