Well Western States didn't happen for me - the lottery that is - so it's on to Plan B. Problem being I don't really know what Plan B is right now other than throwing my name into the Hardrock lottery. Registration goes in tomorrow for that.

States being the storied and competitive race that it is, however, has a way of drawing you in. I've got it in the back of my mind now that I should take a few flights and see if I can't earn a spot at one of the qualifiers. The two 100k races - Banderra (TX) & Miwok (CA) - would probably be my best shots at running top two. But it all seems like a lot of time, money and effort when I sit down and think about having to fly out to Texas in early January to race 66 miles the weekend before another long trip out to another long race at the Ghost Town 38.5-miler in NM.

Miwok in May seems like a race I would enjoy more and the timing is certainly better, but that one involves yet another lottery and commitment half a year before the race. I'm beginning to think States can wait another year. I dunno, maybe I'll get lucky in the Hardrock draw.

On a side note - congrats to local trail runners Pete Stevenson and Eric Lee, both of whom hit the lucky ticket this morning.