The Western States 100 on June 25, 2005 was my first 100 mile run. Many of my fellow runners have asked me "why Western States?" on the first try. Why not? Western States is legendary, I qualified, and I knew I'd have a lot of support from my friends, family and WS volunteers. Once I sent in my application -- I worried about being accepted. Once I was accepted -- I worried about being accepted -- now whether I could finish. My running buddy, Mariela, who finished WS in 2004, offered to pace me. I knew then that I had a really good chance of finishing.

Mariela is tough. She's bossy (but not annoying) and knows "how to get it done." She knew the course and knew my capabilities. While I'm slower than she is -- we are very compatible. She's well organized and when she's on a mission -- nobody (not even me, her runner) better get in her way. More on Mariela later.

One of my goals leading up to the run was to rest, relax and stay calm. Once taper time began, I did just that. I avoided anybody that I thought would stress me out -- mostly other runners who had done a 100 miler or were going to run WS. I did not want any more advice or "horror stories." My sister, Jenni, was with me for the run so I spent time with her and relaxed. (I even slept well the night before the run.)

The start of the race was very exciting. I had seen the initial climb when I checked in the day before and knew I would be walking the first 4 miles. Once we began -- I felt very energized and happy to be running. I had a sense that I would be pushing the time cutoffs but that I would be able to beat them. (We had an extra hour to make it to Robinson Flat [24.6 miles] because of snow conditions through Little Bald Mountain [28.6 miles] but the hour would need to be repaid by Forest Hill - 60.6 miles into the run.)

Mariela and Jenni met me at Robinson Flat. Mariela slapped (I'm not kidding) sunscreen on me, I drank a Sobe energy drink, and at a cream cheese sandwich they made for me. After assuring them I was doing well and having fun -- I moved on to Little Bald Mountain where they would meet me again (4 miles later) to give me dry shoes and socks. Mariela moved into high gear when I got there to help me quickly change my shoes and socks. I think she already knew that I was going to push the cutoffs throughout the run. But she didn't say anything about it because she knew I would worry.

The next 20 miles from Little Bald Mountain up to Devil's thumb (47.8 miles) are very runable and fairly easy. I was in very good spirits and could not believe the beautiful scenery and good weather conditions. Then I arrived at Devil's Thumb. After significant steep downhills -- which I handled well -- the uphills for both Devil's Thumb and Michigan Bluff were steep and very difficult for me since I'm not strong on the uphills (remember -- I live in Houston). I was sweating a lot and breathing very heavy, which I did on every uphill.

Once I was through Michigan Bluff (55.7 miles) I saw Mariela at the aid station! I was so happy to see her! She arrived early (not a surprise) to pace me for 44.5 miles instead of only the last 38 miles. Again, she didn't let on that she was worried about the cutoffs. She was calm and encouraging and let me talk and describe how much fun I was having and how well I was doing on the downhills. I also mentioned that I was having trouble with the climbs.

By the time we got to Foresthill (62 miles) -- it was dark. I was doing well and moving well but slowly. My sister was there with dry, clean clothes and a turkey and cheese sandwich. Again, I was happy to see her. I made the cutoff to Forest Hill with a one-hour cushion. Mariela and I ran the next 14 miles with little trouble. We had a number of other runners / pacers around us. Since we had seen other runners along the way -- I was not surprised when I saw "trail helpers" for the first time crouching along the trail. I noticed them as it got darker (in my mind only) but didn't say anything to Mariela for a while. These "trail helpers" were runners that were sitting / standing along the trail to help us along. I honestly thought she'd notice them and mention them to me. Finally, I told her about them. I realized that I was hallucinating because then I began to see lawn chairs, tents, garden hoses and antique dresses. These images were all very pleasant and I'd mention them to Mariela as I saw them. She simply acknowledged my mumbling.

By the time we got to Rucky Chucky (78 miles) -- I was hungry and getting tired. We had to wait behind other runners for at least 10 - 20 minutes before crossing the American River by rowboat (because the water was too high to cross on foot.) We knew then that the time cutoffs were going to be a challenge to make. I was down to 30 minutes or so to spare. Mariela kept encouraging me but did not appear to be panicked. As I was getting more tired, I told her how tired I was. She wouldn't even let me say I was I little tired! She just kept telling me that I was not tired.

The sunrise on Sunday morning was beautiful. It energized me a bit and I ran a little more and a little faster through one of the most gorgeous parts of the trail. It was more of a forest with tall trees and forest flowers. My pleasant hallucinations continued.

By the time we got to Brown's Bar (89.9 miles) I was hot, sweaty, stinky and tired. I had 15 minutes to spare and the aid station volunteers let me and Mariela know it. They told Mariela to get me moving! I did just that. As we got to the Brown's Bar and the remaining aid stations -- Mariela took over. She told me to keep moving. She was patient when I kept asking her "how far to the next aid station?", which I asked a dozen times. When she said, "not much further," multiple times -- I told her "YOU ALWAYS SAY THAT!" She refilled my water bottles and told me to eat. As she was running behind me -- she unwrapped butterscotch candy for me and stuck it in my hand. At one point, she dipped pretzels in peanut butter and put them in my mouth and told me to chew.

By Highway 49 (93.5 miles) I was able to take and follow Mariela's instructions but I didn't do much talking. With only 15 minutes to spare again at Highway 49 -- the first doubt about whether I'd make it in 30 hours kicked in. I knew I'd finish but I wanted to get in under 30 hours. Mariela literally nudged me along the course. I could feel her nudge me up the climbs both physically and verbally. She told me I had to finish within 30 hours because my family was counting on me. She knows my kids very well (Christopher, Devin and Ashley). Christopher and Devin have run with us at home in Houston and Ashley cheered us on at Rice Stadium when we were training for the ups and downs for WS. She used my "Mom" instincts very well. She kept talking about how proud they were going to be of me when I finished and showed them and my husband, Kenneth, my medal / buckle. I got a burst of energy and ran! She kept telling me how well I was running.

But the last climb before we reached the pavement at Robie Point (98.9 miles) was steep and hard. By this time -- I was exhausted. Mariela told me I could do it and would do it. When we reached to top -- there was one more hill on the pavement but Mariela put her arm around my shoulders to support me. She held my hand on more than one occasion during the run but here it was so reassuring. When people came out of their homes to cheer me -- I knew I was going to make it! Finally, I could see that I would finish -- but would it be within 30 hours? I started running and asked Mariela where the finish line was? She told me it was sooo close. When I saw the track at Placer High School -- I could see my sister -- she had my husband on the phone and I could hear him. Everybody was cheering! I sprinted (really I did) as fast as I could to get across the finish line with less than 7 minutes to spare!

I was so proud that I finished! I was the 3rd to last finisher. I felt bad for the 3 finishers who came in after 30 hours. Once they blew the horn at 30 hours -- that's it. No belt buckle. I was glad that these 3 runners were recognized at the awards' ceremony.

I know that that there were some critical points that allowed me to finish at all (let alone under the 30-hour cutoff):

1. The weather was perfect.
2. Mariela's training program that she shared with me (i.e. stadium workouts)
3. Relaxing and taking it easy a couple of weeks before the run and no workouts 1 week before.
4. My sister's help with my shoes and food. Plus, I was just so happy to see her at the aid stations -- it gave me a boost.
5. Mariela's decision to meet my at Michigan Bluff and not wait until Forest Hill.
6. Mariela's knowledge of my personality and my family. She used it to motivate me and it worked.

Thanks to everyone who supported and encouraged me. If you ever need a pacer -- Mariela is the best! But if I'm running too and she's available / willing -- I get her first!

KIMBERLY PILCHER -- HOUSTON, TEXAS