3/13/2023 0 Comments Western states endurance run![]() I can get 5,000 feet in elevation if I’m doing loops. There are two places close to where I live where I like to train: Black Mountain has some extraordinary trails. I’m very fortunate to live in the Bay Area. ![]() Where do you train? Eric Spector taking a selfie while running on a local Black Mountain trail. Write what you did - time, miles - just to give yourself a sense of your own progress. Make a routine. Do whatever works for you, but stick to a routine. Do some reading, learn about hydration, especially as the distances get longer. What only matters at first is that you get there. Same with ultras - start with more experience on trails. You’ll be more successful if you lower expectations do it gradually. What are your top training tips for beginner ultrarunners? You can have hail and snow at the beginning of the race, and in the same day have 110 degrees in the canyons. You have to have a good understanding of what you need: nutrition, hydration, considering the weather. Running a 100-mile course requires a plan. Give yourself more recovery intervals in training. Self-monitoring is important, being cautious. With any injury, you are taking a step backward but older runners, you are taking a longer step backward. If something’s not right, you’ve got to listen to your body. What are your top training tips for older runners? Once your mechanics start falling apart, everything just gets worse. I’m excited, optimistic, and doing a lot of things I should’ve done in the past, like core strengthening. It was disappointing to not have the chance to run. And now, we have some light at the end of the tunnel. Last year was a dark time for everyone, not racing. ![]() I’ve run it twice, Boston, and it’s community. Western’s like that, but in the ultra world. It’s kind of like the Boston Marathon in a way, just in terms of getting in and qualifying, and then running a difficult course. I’ve volunteered at Western States, manning an aid station at the Rucky Chucky at the crossing. With COVID, it’s now been 6 years since my journey began. I’ve run in three qualifiers and qualified last year.īut, of course, because of COVID that didn’t happen. I’ve run as a pacer for 2 years at Western States, and I run with a bunch of guys who’ve run in it. GearJunkie: Is this your first time running Western States? Q&A With Eric Spector Photo credit: Jay Boncodin. This year, he’s following that love for the trails to the start line of the Western States 100 Endurance Run. Originally from the East Coast, Spector cut his teeth on road running and New York City marathons. Hardest race finish: Rio Del Lago 100 Miler.If Spector or Trafecanty finish, they will also be the oldest finishers in Western States history. So for the first time in history, Western States will have three septuagenarians at the starting line. Recently, Denis Trafecanty, 78, was added to the entrant list through the Western States raffle. And, of course, to pick his brain on training methods and gear.Ĭoincidentally, Spector’s the same age as the pioneer who started it all: Western States’ founder Gordy Ainsleigh who’s run - and finished - the 100-miler 23 times over the years. We dropped him a line to learn what it’s like to be an older runner in the ultraendurance race space. This summer, he’ll attempt one of the hardest 100-milers in the country.Ĭome June, Eric Spector, 74, will be the second-oldest runner at Western States this year - and the oldest sponsored athlete (Spector is sponsored by Nathan). Home » Endurance » Running » Meet Western States’ Oldest Sponsored Athlete: Q&A With Eric SpectorĮric Spector ran his first 100-miler in 2018 - at age 71.
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