With only 18 days to go before the WS lottery on December 5, there are 1687 applicants.  1687!  With maybe 200 automatics and a total of about 400 selected, the odds of getting picked out of the GUBrew bucket (did you miss the memo that it’s not called GU2O anymore?) are about as good as AJW breaking five minutes in the mile next week.  Why are there so many applicants this year?

Is it because of the two recent best selling books about ultrarunning?  I can’t count how many people have asked me if I’ve read Born To Run - NO, I haven’t read it yet.

Are the entry requirements too easy?  11 hours for a 50 miler whether it is in the mountains or on the flat roads?  I bet KRW could walk 50 miles in 11 hours.

Is it because the two-time defending champion is just so good looking that people just want to be near him?

Is it because of the 2009 WS Synchroblog Project and all the attention it drew to the race?

Is it because people don’t realize that the two-time loser rule has been discontinued?  I know of at least one guy that just took his name out of the bucket yesterday when I told him it ended in 2008.  If there is anybody out there that thinks there is still a two-time lottery loser rule - WAKE UP - there isn’t.

Is it because the entry procedures were too easy?  No credit card, no proof of qualifications, no checking a box that you understand the requirements?   Any tire-kicker could put his or her name in the bucket without ever intending on paying the $307.  I know of at least one of the 72 Oregonians on the list that doesn’t have a qualifier (BTW, that is the most from any state save California).  Wonder how many folks will get selected in the lottery and then not register?  Should there be some sort of penalty if you get selected and then not register?  Maybe a ban from entering the lottery the next year?

What do you think?

Guest Post by SLF (Rob Cain)

When I suggested this topic to Mr. Balls, he turned it around and offered it as a guest blog.  I think when you’re desperate enough for a topic to confront the ways in which your wife loves you, you’ve started to hit bottom.  My guess is until the lottery, or at least until he knows he’s in, we’re not going to have too many blogs about his obsession.

Skinny Little Fart

So, the topic of the day is best songs for running.  I know the USATF wouldn’t approve of the subject, but let’s go for it anyway.  I’m one of those guys who runs by myself frequently and always listens to music when solo.  Oh, I know what I’m missing: the song of the wind, the mighty percussion of the crickets, the battering of the woodpeckers, and the yawn of the mighty puma as I pass by.  I’m sorry, but I love music.

So, I’m offering my five favorites in order.  I don’t think we want the blog responses (please let there be responses) listing every song that someone listened to from Foresthill to Auburn.  Please, no more than your top five.  Here are mine:

1. LA Woman by the Doors.  The beat is exactly right for my running. And it’s over 7 minutes long.  Fantastic.
2. Can’t Stop Running by Todd Rundgren.  Huge Todd fan here, and well, we can’t stop running can we?
3. Tremble For My Beloved by Collective Soul.
4. Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz.
5. The Call of the Ktula by Metallica (The version off the S & M disc (they played with the San Francisco Symphony.  Oh, and yes, I was at that concert).

After spending another great weekend in this southern Oregon town, I made a few observations.  Here are the top ten indicators you might be from Ashland.

10. You put a Shakespeare quote on your race shirts - Lord, what fools these mortals be!

9. You don’t think Granite St is a hill.

8. You own a house with an elevator.

7. You can pet two cougars anytime you want.

6. You drink beer at a place called the Ultralounge.

5. You don’t have health insurance (oooh, so insensitive).

4. You made your money in California or you’re a trustafarian.

3. Your ultra is an SOB.

2. You know to bring Truffaldino Elvis sandwiches.

1. You run really fast.

What did I miss?

Are you in a giving mood?  Do you have extra cash burning a hole in your checkbook just waiting for an opportunity?  Do you need to atone for your immoral DNF at your 100 miler this year? (relax, I’m just kidding)   Here are some ways to part with your cash - all of which are related to ultrarunners.

Skaggs at Where's Waldo

Erik Skaggs - Medical Expenses

Whatever your position or thoughts are on the current national healthcare debate, one of our own still needs help.  You may recall that Erik Skaggs smashed the course record at Where’s Waldo this year and ran himself right into the hospital with acute renal failure.  His kidneys started functioning again after a couple of weeks, and similar to the ending of Strange Brew, he shed 35 pounds of fluid!  Not sure if he was able to help put out any fires, though, like Bob McKenzie.  Erik’s doing better, and despite getting some coverage from USATF, the medical expenses for the uninsured 27-year-old are substantial.  The folks at Rogue Valley Runners and Southern Oregon Runners have organized a benefit run and raffle for Erik on October 24 in Ashland.  The Birds of a Feather 2 mile and 5 mile races have no set entry fee so you can donate what you wish.  The last day to mail in your entry is Friday.  After that you’ll have to do so in person at Rogue Valley Runners.  In addition to the run there is an accompanying raffle. See the RVR blog for more info and an application.  See you there.

Dave looking sharp

Dave Terry - Memorial Rock

With the unexpected passing of ten-time WS finisher, ten-time Wasatch finisher, and mentor to many ultrarunners in the Pacific Northwest, Dave Terry, friends of his are trying to secure funds to create a memorial rock to be placed in Forest Park in Portland.  The total raised so far is a paltry $500.  In the words of his friend Steve Smucker:

“For those wanting to make a donation in Dave’s name, we have set up an account at the Forest Park Conservancy, which maintains Portland’s Forest Park, which houses Dave’s favorite place to run, the Wildwood Trail. We will be placing a plaque on a rock on the trail in Dave’s memory. Contributions of all sizes, even $25 to $50, are much appreciated. It will be so nice to have a rock memorial in a location where so many runners will be able to see it. Thank you.

http://www.forestparkconservancy.org/support

The Forest Park Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Tax ID number: 94-3103055.”

Pierre at Where's Waldo

Nathan Blair - Edurelief

Not sure what you were doing at 24 years old, or maybe you’re not even there yet, but I sure wasn’t thinking about needy kids in Mongolia.  I was just out of grad school and starting my new first “real” job as a nerd in Arizona.  Not so with my friend Nathan K. Blair, a.k.a. Pierre, who has been training with us in Eugene going on two years now.  Pierre, who paced me at Western States this year, thought of combining his new found love of ultrarunning with his desire to help impoverished kids get an education through an organization called Edurelief.  So, he got pledges to earn money if he completed his goal of Way Too Cool 50k, PCT 50 miler, Where’s Waldo 100k, and then Hundred in the Hood 100miler.  He finished each in fine style and with a great attitude. I originally pledged to give him $100 but then John Ticer came along and pledged a dollar a mile so I’m now having to cough up 243 bucks.  Here’s to you, Nathan.  What a great example for the rest of us.

Guest Post by White Trash

LAGOS, NIGERIA.

ATTENTION: GOOD AND HONORABLE CRAIG THORNLEY

DEAR SIR,

CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL

HAVING CONSULTED WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND BASED ON THE INFORMATION GATHERED FROM THE NIGERIAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO REQUEST FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE TO TRANSFER MY ENTRY INTO THE 2010 WESTERN STATES ENDURANCE RUN INTO YOUR POSSESSION. THE ABOVE ENTRY RESULTED FROM AN ARRANGEMENT EXECUTED COMMISSIONED AND PAID FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS (5) AGO BY A FOREIGN CONTRACTOR NAMED THE HONORABLE MR TIM TWEETMIER. THIS ACTION WAS HOWEVER INTENTIONAL AND SINCE THEN THE ENTRY HAS BEEN IN A SUSPENSE ACCOUNT AT AN ACCOUNT AT ULTRASIGNUP DUE TO ONGOING CIVIL WAR.

WE ARE NOW READY TO TRANSFER THE ENTRY OVERSEAS AND THAT IS WHERE YOU COME IN. IT IS IMPORTANT TO INFORM YOU THAT AS CIVIL SERVANTS, WE ARE FORBIDDEN TO ENTER THIS EVENT; THAT IS WHY WE REQUIRE YOUR ASSISTANCE. THE TOTAL SUM FOR OUR ARRANGEMENT WITH HONORABLE MR TWEETMIER WILL BE SHARED AS FOLLOWS: FOREIGN ENTRY FEE FOR US, ENTRY FOR YOU AND PAYMENT FOR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXPENSES INCIDENT TO THE TRANSFER. OUR ENTRY FEE FOR YOU TO REIMBURSE FOR A SPOT IN THE 2010 WESTERN STATES IS ONLY $2,000 (TWO THOUSAND) USD.

THE TRANSFER IS RISK FREE ON BOTH SIDES. I AM AN ACCOUNTANT WITH THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC). IF YOU FIND THIS PROPOSAL ACCEPTABLE, WE SHALL REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

(A) YOUR BANKER’S NAME, TELEPHONE, ACCOUNT AND FAX NUMBERS.

(B) YOUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS — FOR CONFIDENTIALITY AND EASY COMMUNICATION.

(C) YOUR LETTER-HEADED PAPER STAMPED AND SIGNED.

ALTERNATIVELY WE WILL FURNISH YOU WITH THE TEXT OF WHAT TO TYPE INTO YOUR LETTER-HEADED PAPER, ALONG WITH A BREAKDOWN EXPLAINING, COMPREHENSIVELY WHAT WE REQUIRE OF YOU. THE BUSINESS WILL TAKE US THIRTY (30) WORKING DAYS TO ACCOMPLISH.

PLEASE REPLY URGENTLY.

BEST REGARDS