From World Championships to Western States – Q&A With Past Team USA Athletes

Statesmas returns! One of the country’s most historic and prestigious ultra-trail running competitions, The Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, after being cancelled last year due to the pandemic, is scheduled for June 26-27 and this year will be one of the most competitive fields ever assembled. With many of the country’s top ultrarunners toeing the line, the 2021 Western States is certain to be an exciting race.

For this article previewing the race, I spoke with eight elite trail runners competing in Western States, who have also represented our national athletics federation – USA Track & Field (USATF) – at World Championship races. Based on their performances at top international races, competitive national races and national championships, these athletes were chosen to represent the United States by USATF’s Mountain, Ultra and Trail (MUT) Council. These speedy trail runners share how they are preparing for “The Big Dance” and what racing Western States and representing the United States at world championships means to them.

Addie Bracy

Addie Bracy at the 2017 World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships in Poland.

Addie Bracy

[TAYTE POLLMANN] When did you qualify for US National Teams?
[ADDIE BRACY] I made my first US Mountain Running team in 2016 after winning the USATF Mountain Running Championship. I went on to compete on five more national teams and each one was a wonderful experience.

[TAYTE] What did these experiences mean to you?
[ADDIE] It’s not often that you get the chance to compete as a team with a common goal. I feel such a sense of pride every time I have had the opportunity to wear the USA jersey.

[TAYTE] How did you earn your Golden Ticket to Western States? What was this experience like?
[ADDIE] I earned a Golden Ticket in 2019 after placing third at the Lake Sonoma 50 Mile. I earned an entry into Western States in 2021 by placing 9th at the 2019 Western States. Both races stand out in my mind as some of the toughest but most memorable races I’ve run. Each of those races is known for having deeply competitive fields. It’s the races that don’t come easy and that require the most grit that stand out to me.

[TAYTE] Are there similarities to qualifying for Team USA as compared to earning a Golden Ticket to Western States?
[ADDIE] Anytime you’re trying to qualify for something that requires some kind of specific performance on a certain day, it can be experienced as pressure or as an opportunity to execute and get the job done. I’ve always felt like I could handle pressure fairly well and when I know I need to put together a certain performance to get where I want to go, I tend to feel more calm and focused rather than anxious or stressed. I enjoy the competitions where something is on the line and those environments are often my favorite ones to compete in.

[TAYTE] How are you currently preparing for Western States?
[ADDIE] I’m training a little bit differently this year than I did for my last showing at Western States. The previous year, I focused on mileage and overall fitness. After running the race, I found that my fitness wasn’t the limiting factor— it was muscle fatigue and debilitating leg soreness from not doing enough uphill and downhill running. That was partly due to life constraints at the time and not having the flexibility to get to the trails as much as I wanted. This time around I’ve focused more on weekly training duration in hours and also vertical gain. I’m averaging about twice as much elevation gain in a week than I ever have before. Having spent many years competing at a high level on the roads and track, I know I have high levels of residual fitness.

[TAYTE] What are your goals for the race?
[ADDIE] I would love to improve on my performance from 2019 where I placed 9th. It’s a deep field as always and I know that won’t be an easy feat. More than anything I would love to walk away from the race feeling like I executed the best performance on that day, whatever that means.

[TAYTE] What does running Western States mean to you?
[ADDIE] I’ve only run two 100-mile races and both were some of the most challenging experiences I’ve ever had with some pretty intense lows. In the middle of a low in 2019 a friend told me “this is what you came here for.” So, going into this race I would like to remember that. We line up so that we have the opportunity to push ourselves to the point where we feel like we have nothing else to give, yet search if we can find just a little more. That’s what these challenges are for me and I hope that I can remember that in the moments it gets really hard.

Matt Daniels

Matt Daniels at the 2018 USATF Mountain Running Championships.

Matt Daniels

[TAYTE POLLMANN] When did you qualify for US National Teams?
[MATT DANIELS] I qualified for the 2016 US Mountain Running Team, 2017 US Long Distance Mountain Running Team, and the 2018 US Mountain Running Team.

[TAYTE] What did these experiences mean to you?
[MATT] Every time you get to wear the Team USA singlet and represent your country is a special experience, but 2016 was extra special. For the first time in the history of the US Mountain Running Team, we took the gold! I will forever cherish that moment and the bond we had as a team.

[TAYTE] How did you earn your Golden Ticket to the Western States?
[MATT] I earned my golden ticket by winning The 2020 Black Canyon Trail 100K. It was an awesome experience as it was my first race I finished over the 50-kilometer distance, and it meant that I would be racing in the world-famous Western States.

[TAYTE] Are there similarities to qualifying for Team USA as compared to earning a Golden Ticket to Western States?
[MATT] Qualifying for both events is special. There are many similarities. In both races, you are competing for a spot that is difficult to obtain. They both required much of my time and energy to train specifically for them. They both come with immense pressure to perform at a high level.

[TAYTE] How are you currently preparing for Western States?
[MATT] I’ve been putting in a good condensed training block. I had a small injury and other health-related issues I fought through most of this winter/spring. I look at that downtime as a blessing though. It allowed for that fire inside of me to grow and now I’m really excited about putting in the work needed to do well at Western States. I’ve been putting in the miles, vertical gain and am taking the time to get the mind ready for such a huge undertaking.

[TAYTE] What are your goals for the race?
[MATT] I’d love to be able to place in the top ten again. But at the end of the day, I want to get the most out of myself on that given day and have an extraordinary time doing it!

[TAYTE] What does running Western States mean to you?
[MATT] Getting to run Western States is a privilege. I am beyond elated to get to step foot back on the Western States trail and shred for life in a day!

Keely Henninger

Keely Henninger

[TAYTE POLLMANN] When did you qualify for US National Teams?
[KEELY HENNINGER] I competed on the US team at the 2017 Trail World Championship in Bradia Prataglia, Italy.

[TAYTE] What did this experience mean to you?
[KEELY] I was new to trail running, so I was grateful to have the opportunity to represent my country and run beside some of my trail running idols. While it was probably one of my worst races, I learned the most from it, and realized that when you’re running for a team and your country, you don’t give up.

[TAYTE] How did you earn your Golden Ticket to Western States? What was this experience like?
[KEELY] I was given my Golden Ticket by the Ultra Trail World Tour in 2020 (which rolled over to 2021 due to the pandemic).

[TAYTE] Are there similarities to qualifying for Team USA as compared to earning a Golden Ticket to Western States?
[KEELY] Both are equally exciting. Getting the opportunity to represent your country in these extremely prestigious races and compete against the best ladies in the world is one of the best gifts of the sport. The motivation to push yourself to run the best you can is high at these types of races and there’s an incredible sense of community.

[TAYTE] How are you currently preparing for Western States?
[KEELY] I have raced once this season as a tune up (around 36 miles) and I felt really good. Now, I am living in Park City, Utah for altitude training and logging time hiking, running, and mountain biking to keep my legs and feet healthy as I build up for the big race.

[TAYTE] What are your goals for the race?
[KEELY] My number one goal is to not take it for granted, listen to my body, and really push my limits. I want to run a solid time, compete at the front of the pack and stay mentally resolute throughout the entirety of the race.

[TAYTE] What does running Western States mean to you?
[KEELY] My running career has been filled with ups and downs (more downs than ups!) and a lot of learning. I cannot wait to finally tackle the 100-mile distance and see what my potential is in this distance.

Anthony Costales

Anthony Costales at the 2018 World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships in Poland.

Anthony Costales

[TAYTE POLLMANN] When did you qualify for US National Teams?
[ANTHONY COSTALES] I qualified for the 2018 US Long Distance Mountain Running Team which competed at the Long Distance Mountain Running Championships in Karpacz, Poland.

[TAYTE] What did this experience mean to you?
[ANTHONY] It was an honor to be selected on the team and to put on a Team USA jersey for the first time. It was also my first time doing an international race. The most enjoyable part was getting to know some of the other USA athletes who I still connect with today. Running for a team was also a highlight, knowing that your finishing place reflects more than just yourself was big motivation.

[TAYTE] How did you earn your Golden Ticket to Western States?
[ANTHONY] I took first at the 2021 Canyons Endurance Race and earned a Golden Ticket to Western States. It was a fun day where everything was clicking just right. Training had been going well in the months before the race and the course translated perfectly with my training environment in Salt Lake City, UT.

[TAYTE] Are there similarities to qualifying for Team USA as compared to earning a Golden Ticket to Western States?
[ANTHONY] There were not too many similarities in qualifying for Team USA as compared to earning a Golden Ticket for Western States. When qualifying for Team USA it was an application process, which made the excitement come through an acceptance email. At The Canyons Endurance Race the excitement happened during the second half of the race as I got closer and closer to winning the race and earning a Golden Ticket.

[TAYTE] How are you currently preparing for Western States?
[ANTHONY] I’ve currently been battling injuries for the past few weeks. It is not ideal with the timeline of the race, but I will see what I can pull together if my heath comes back quickly. I have a strong base of miles in my legs and have learned not to stress too much when injuries happen. I do hope that things get better soon to give me a chance to toe the line at Western States.

[TAYTE] What are your goals for the race?
[ANTHONY] Race goals are something that I keep to myself. That is just a personal thing that I like to think about on my solo training runs. One goal that I do tell people is that I just want to compete with the competition.

Camille Herron winning the IAU 24 Hour World Championship.

Camille Herron

[TAYTE POLLMANN] When did you qualify for US National Teams?
[CAMILLE HERRON] I set a goal six years ago to make every US Mountain, Ultra and Trail (MUT) team. I’ve made road teams in the marathon, 50K, 100K, and 24 hours so far. I have five gold medals from these World Championships. I hope to qualify for the US team at the inaugural combined World Mountain and Trail Running Championships this coming November in Thailand.

[TAYTE] What did these experiences mean to you?
[CAMILLE] It means a lot to me to represent our country. I feel motivated each time to do my best and help elevate the team to the top of the podium. There’s a huge sense of pride hearing the Star Spangled Banner— that’s the pinnacle of excellence.

[TAYTE] How did you earn your Golden Ticket to Western States?
[CAMILLE] I won the 2020 Black Canyon Trail 100K, but I already had a Golden Ticket from the Ultra Trail World Tour (UTWT). I’m grateful for the support from the UTWT and for the opportunity to run Western States again.

[TAYTE] Are there similarities to qualifying for Team USA as compared to earning a Golden Ticket to Western States?
[CAMILLE] They’re different experiences for sure. At World Championships you’re competing against the best in the world and you are part of Team USA. I feel a sense of pride when I represent our great country. The opportunity to compete at Western States is special because it’s difficult to get into the race, has an interesting history, and has a special meaning to the American trail running community. I equate Western States to the Boston Marathon in the sense that there’s a lot of pride and personal achievement in saying you completed it.

[TAYTE] How are you currently preparing for Western States?
[CAMILLE] We actually just moved from Alamosa, Colorado to Oro Valley, Arizona. I felt like I needed to get back to lower altitude, heat, and the amenities of a city. Oro Valley is amazing with massive mountains, a variety of trails, and a network of bike paths for my road running training. I feel happy, healthy, strong, and heat adapted right now. I’m looking forward to doing the Western States training camp as well.

[TAYTE] What are your goals for the race?
[CAMILLE] I will have the biggest smile on my face if I can make it to the finish line on the Placer High School track. I’ve had injuries and been humbled twice by this race. I’ve focused on being healthy and strong this year. I’ll be fueled by the emotions of everything I’ve persevered through. I believe it’s my destiny to win and hope the third time’s the charm.

[TAYTE] What does running Western States mean to you?
[CAMILLE] It’s been a very long two years coming back together again for Western States. I think we’ll all appreciate being there and being able to celebrate. Let the magic come out!

Max King

Max King

[TAYTE POLLMANN] ] When did you qualify for US National Teams?
[MAX KING] I think I’ve qualified in 2010, 2011, 2013, and maybe one other?**

[TAYTE] What did these experiences mean to you?
[MAX] I love competing at the world level and the US Mountain Running Team has always been one of my favorite teams to make. The team is always a lot of fun and you get to explore the coolest parts of the world, the mountains.

[TAYTE] How did you earn your Golden Ticket to Western States? What was this experience like?
[MAX] I ran the 2021 Canyons Endurance Race to earn my Golden Ticket. This was probably the most difficult ticket that I’ve gotten to Western States, but I was also the most prepared I’ve ever been. This preparation is what allowed me to hold up against a strong field of runners and get a ticket. It was an absolutely loaded field, so I knew I had to be smart about racing. Of course, when the gun went off, I immediately found myself in the lead, a position that I definitely didn’t want to be in. I regrouped with the lead pack of 6 through about 30 miles just trying to be conservative and take it easy. I was always worried about taking it out too fast because the Canyons Endurance Race is known to be difficult in the last half. In the end, moving back into 2nd place after a wrong turn was such a confidence builder for me and nice to know that the training I’ve been putting in is resulting in some great fitness, even at my advanced age.

[TAYTE] Are there similarities to qualifying for Team USA as compared to earning a Golden Ticket to Western States?
[MAX] There are some similarities but also many differences. You can compare Western States to a World Championship these days. It’s known among us ultrarunners as “The Big Dance” for a reason. It’s not easy to get into and it’s always a stacked field. This year more than ever.

[TAYTE] How are you currently preparing for Western States?
[MAX] I just completed an expedition length Adventure Race of 300 miles and 100 hours. So, there’s that. Maybe not the most specific type of preparation but I’m hoping that being on my feet for hours and hours will help me at Western States. I’ll switch gears now into some more specific training with long runs and increased weekly running mileage.

[TAYTE] What are your goals for the race?
[MAX] My main goal is just to run faster than I did in 2014. I was asked if I’m aiming for the master’s record and I realized that if I run the time I did in 2014 I’ll have that record by 36 seconds.

[TAYTE] What does running Western States mean to you?
[MAX] Golden Tickets are scarce and hard to get so I’m excited to make a go at another 100 mile race. I feel honored to be running again at Western States.

Camelia Mayfield

Camelia Mayfield

Camelia Mayfield

[TAYTE POLLMANN] When did you qualify for US National Teams?
[CAMELIA MAYFIELD] I was on the 2016 US Long Distance Mountain Running Team. It was my first time traveling internationally for a running event.

[TAYTE] What did this experience mean to you?
[CAMELIA] I was a couple of years post-college athletics, so it was awesome to be back on a “team” and connect with like-minded runners. I remember crossing the finish line with tears in my eyes. It was a very moving experience to represent the USA.

[TAYTE] How did you earn your Golden Ticket to Western States? What was this experience like?
[CAMELIA] I placed 3rd at the 2018 Lake Sonoma 50 to earn my Golden Ticket. It felt like a dream to have one of my lifelong goals come true to have the chance to run Western States.

[TAYTE] Are there similarities to qualifying for Team USA as compared to earning a Golden Ticket to Western States?
[CAMELIA] The biggest similarity is that you sign up for the race being excited, not knowing what to expect, and also super nervous about preparing for something that you’ve never done before. After years of racing, it feels like a breath of fresh air to have some of those competitive nerves come back.

[TAYTE] How are you currently preparing for Western States?
[CAMELIA] I had some minor setbacks with an injury this past March, so I have just started to increase my mileage and vertical gain. My training focuses on effort-based interval workouts combined with long, slower, and steep runs and hikes.

[TAYTE] What are your goals for the race?
[CAMELIA] My top priority is always to finish the race feeling healthy. My goal is definitely to place in the top ten again. I think I can place much better if I can manage my training goals over the next month while also keeping injuries at bay.

[TAYTE] What does running Western States mean to you?
[CAMELIA] Western States feels like a family reunion to me. After the really difficult pandemic year, I am so excited to give a (vaccinated) hug to the volunteers, race director, fellow competitors and friends that I have missed seeing. While I am proud of my past performances at this event, the best memories I have are things like a popsicle at the top of Devil’s Thumb, the cool water of the river crossing, and cheering on the Golden Hour finishers.

Patrick Reagan

Patrick Reagan

Patrick Reagan

[TAYTE] When did you qualify for US National Teams?
[PATRICK] I competed for Team USA at the 2016 IAU 100-Kilometer World Championships in Los Alcazares, Spain. I qualified again in 2020, yet the championship was cancelled due to the pandemic.

[TAYTE] What did this experience mean to you?
[PATRICK] Competing on a US team was a special experience. As a college athlete, I would have never expected to earn a US singlet. I was fortunate to meet one of my closest friends, Zach Bitter, by running on the team. I also loved getting to know Pam Smith, Meghan Canfield, Geoff Burns, Chikara Omine, Matt Flaherty, Lin Gentling, Timo Yanacheck, and Lion Caldwell.

[TAYTE] How did you earn your Golden Ticket to Western States? What was this experience like?
[PATRICK] I was invited in 2018 and 2019 by the Ultra Trail World Tour (UTWT) to compete based on my points from UTWT races. The experience of receiving an invite from the UTWT was quite the honor since Western States has been a mystical, dream race for me since I first began running 100 mile races. I earned my way into the race this year because of my eighth place finish at the 2019 Western States.

[TAYTE] Are there similarities to qualifying for Team USA as compared to earning a Golden Ticket to Western States?
[PATRICK] The two are mutually exclusive to me. I enjoy both road ultras and trail hundreds. Earning a spot into Western States could be a once in a lifetime experience much like earning a USA singlet, but it is very much about the individual experience. Competing at a World Championship while representing your country is special for any athlete, and feels much like when I would compete on my college cross country team. I miss that feeling as a former college cross country athlete. The aspect of “team” in sport is a rare experience to have as an adult, which is what makes it so special.

[TAYTE] How are you currently preparing for Western States?
[PATRICK] Living in Savannah, GA presents it’s challenges due to a lack of elevation gain/loss. Much of my training is on extremely flat terrain in 80 to 100 degree weather with 70-90% humidity. This heat training is a huge advantage that many runners don’t have access to. My home turf is a great place to train for Javelina Jundred, Brazos Bend, Tunnel Hill, and similar hundred mile races. To train for Western States, I must pivot my natural training environment into “mountainous terrain” by utilizing the treadmill to acquire elevation gain and a weight vest (I use the vest for strength training routines and walking/hiking).

[TAYTE] What are your goals for the race?
[PATRICK] My number one goal for every 100-mile race is to finish. I’d like to stay present in the moment and create great memories with friends. My good friend Ian Sharman is pacing me from Foresthill to the finish this year. We plan to have a speedy close much like my 2019 performance. There is always the ultimate goal of winning, but I feel as though top ten and possibly top five on a perfect day are realistic.

[TAYTE] What does running Western States mean to you?
[PATRICK] Western States is the heart and soul of ultrarunning in my eyes. The event is mythical and the energy you feel when your feet touch the Western States trail is deep like a winding river. There is history that no one person can encapsulate with a killer performance on the course. All that said, I suppose my summary quote would be, “Stay present, and let the Western States trail humble you.”

Western States

2009 Western States champions Hal Koerner and former US Mountain Running Team member Anita Ortiz.

Stay tuned for our post-race article featuring these eight athletes. We’ll catch up with them after the race and share their experiences from this year’s race. Keep informed about the latest USATF MUT news, results and team selection at this special section of our website.

Other former US National MUT Team members scheduled to compete in the 2021 Western States 100 Mile include Tim Tollefson, Hayden Hawks, Sarah Keyes, Magdalena Boulet, Alex Nichols, Clare Gallagher, Brittany Peterson, Cody Lind, Jim Walmsley and Jared Hazen. For a complete start list check out the entry list on the Western States website.

** Max King won the 2011 World Mountain Running Championships in Tirana, Albania and the 2014 World 100 km Championships in Doha, Qatar.

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