On the Origin of Pacers

by Means of Western States 100, or the Preservation of Safety in the Struggle for a Finish This post was originally posted in June 2009 as part of the synchroblog project. As the sport of trail ultrarunning becomes more and more popular, the eyes of the world are beginning to notice us. And what do …

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The River Crossing

Do you remember where you got drunk for the first time?  At a party?  A friend’s house?  The prom?  I was late to the partying scene compared to my friends as I was a goodie-goodie in high school: only one B, student body president, athlete … and it wasn’t until the end of my senior …

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The Haggin Cup

As one might expect, since the Western States Endurance Run (WSER) evolved from the Western States Trail Ride (a.k.a. The Tevis Cup ride) – after Gordy Ainsleigh started and finished the 1974 ride without a horse – many of the traditions from the horse race found their way into the run. There’s the 5 a.m. …

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The Western States Family

Last year, before I had my own blog, I wrote a guest post on AJW’s site about my obsession with the Western States 100 (see post). I wrote about my inadvertent inauguration into the event in 1978 while camping down on American Canyon Creek with my brother — how these tired, dirty runners kept coming …

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The Western States 100 Synchroblog Project

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.  …

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