70 year old woman finished Western States 100 miler

[labbie]

I watched the video of the finish and really teared up- how inspirational, and to see the race winner come back to pace this woman in for the finish just says it all. 
I'd also read that she actually went off course for three miles at one point, so holy hell she did 103 miles, at the age of 70!


knpr.org/npr/2015-06/seconds-spare-70-year-old-woman-finishes-100-mile-endurance-race

[2doxies]

I love this, really amazing!

[itsme]

Damn!!

[mrs.jacinthe]

What they didn't mention in the article and what couldn't be conveyed in the video is that conditions were *brutal* this year.  Temps in the 90s, higher-than-average humidity, and possible smoke from a wildfire (if the wind shifted or picked up).  It's even more impressive when you consider that almost a THIRD of the competitors dropped during this year's race. 

Here's a video for the whole event, if you're interested:

[fuckyourcouch]

Wow. What a badass lady. Way more badass than me. Lol

[reginaphalange72]

SO awesome. Her video has been flying around FB for the last couple days. I never cry when I read books or watch movies, but race videos always give me a little lump in my throat. I can not WAIT for September!

Some day I would love to get good enough to qualify for WS100. For now, I just need to get through RRR. If a 70 year old can do WS in 30 hours, I can do RRR in 35, dammit!

[mrs.jacinthe]

Jul 1, 2015 10:14:05 GMT -5 reginaphalange72 said:

SO awesome. Her video has been flying around FB for the last couple days. I never cry when I read books or watch movies, but race videos always give me a little lump in my throat. I can not WAIT for September!

Some day I would love to get good enough to qualify for WS100. For now, I just need to get through RRR. If a 70 year old can do WS in 30 hours, I can do RRR in 35, dammit!

You can!!!  

RRR is a WS100 qualifier just for completion, is it not?  So if you finish RRR, you'll be qualified for WS.

ETA: AND if you enter the WS100 lottery and get in, I'll totally crew for you. 

[reginaphalange72]

Jul 1, 2015 10:23:58 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Jul 1, 2015 10:14:05 GMT -5 reginaphalange72 said:

SO awesome. Her video has been flying around FB for the last couple days. I never cry when I read books or watch movies, but race videos always give me a little lump in my throat. I can not WAIT for September!

Some day I would love to get good enough to qualify for WS100. For now, I just need to get through RRR. If a 70 year old can do WS in 30 hours, I can do RRR in 35, dammit!

You can!!!  

RRR is a WS100 qualifier just for completion, is it not?  So if you finish RRR, you'll be qualified for WS.

ETA: AND if you enter the WS100 lottery and get in, I'll totally crew for you. 

I'm holding you to that   But I have to finish RRR first.  Yikes!!

[Mushe]

Jul 1, 2015 10:35:06 GMT -5 reginaphalange72 said:

Jul 1, 2015 10:23:58 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

You can!!!  

RRR is a WS100 qualifier just for completion, is it not?  So if you finish RRR, you'll be qualified for WS.

ETA: AND if you enter the WS100 lottery and get in, I'll totally crew for you. 

I'm holding you to that   But I have to finish RRR first.  Yikes!!

Heck yes, crew, and I can help pace too! That would be awesome.

[labbie]

Jul 1, 2015 10:14:05 GMT -5 reginaphalange72 said:

SO awesome. Her video has been flying around FB for the last couple days. I never cry when I read books or watch movies, but race videos always give me a little lump in my throat. I can not WAIT for September!

Some day I would love to get good enough to qualify for WS100. For now, I just need to get through RRR. If a 70 year old can do WS in 30 hours, I can do RRR in 35, dammit!

You can do it! 

[Mushe]

I had some friends there at the end, and they said they all cried. She is one BAMF! Did you see the photos of Rob Krar coming out to see her too, and running with her a bit in his flip flops? What a wonderful example for the ultra running community.

[ktzmoh]

Unbelievable. I love that her race number was 70 too. Amazing. And reginaphalange, I'll crew too if you complete RRR and get picked in the lottery!

[reginaphalange72]

You are all awesome. And I just checked - it is a qualifier for finishing.

The ultrarunning community is so fantastic. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that he came out to run the last couple miles with her. Everyone (elites included) is so damn nice and welcoming.

That woman is totally badass. I can't imagine doing this stuff at 70. Incredible.

[kams]

Just unbelievable. I've been loving the reports and videos on her lately