Kelly, my sister, the ultra runner

Photo by Stephen Speckman

I'll be driving up to Lake Tahoe on Friday.

We'll be staying in Squaw Valley Village, waking up early to watch nearly 350 runners begin their 100 mile endurance run from the base of Squaw Valley to Auburn, CA. Why will I do that?

My sister is one of those runners. She also has lupus. And a blog. And I'm going up there to help support her along the way. I am so proud of her. Writing this wells up my eyes in tears.

Three years ago, she ran her first 100 mile endurance run there. It was amazing. It is known to be one of the most physically challenging events in the world. Witnessing it first hand was life-changing for me; extremely emotional.

The Western States Endurance Run covers 100 miles of raw, rocky trails, reaching elevations of I think, more than 15,000 feet... running over mountains and down canyons and through pretty extreme temperatures. This was the same trail gold miners would travel during the gold rush days and it was also the trail for the pony express. They say the temperatures could vary from 20 degrees to above 100 degrees, so the runners need to prepare for both extremes.

There is a climb of 2,550 vertical feet in the first 4-1/2 miles of the race alone.

At the 78-mile mark, runners have to use a rope bridge to get across the icy cold American River... which is in the pitch of night for most runners.

We will be driving miles in seemingly no where along rugged roads to catch up to her at Dusty Corners or Robinson Flat. And Michigan Bluff. And Forest Hill School. No cell phone reception there. The car will be bathed in dust driving along unpaved roads. We'll bring a large supply of water.

If you are near a computer this weekend and want to check on her progress. Please go here. She is #344.

Thanks for your support!