What next? Chasing Hardrock qualifiers

In pursuit of other interesting running challenges. my goal for next several years is going to be completing all the Hardrock 100 qualifiers. I love running mountain races and here is a list of HR qualifiers I intend to complete down the road. In the interest of having realistic chances of finishing I am skipping Barkely for now.

• Angeles Crest: 7/23/2011 website
• Bear 100: 9/23/2011 website (Hopefully 2015)
• Bighorn: 6/16/2011 website (Hopefully 2016)
• Cascade Crest Classic: 8/27/2011 website (Hopefully 2015)
• Chiemgauer 100 mile: 7/29/2011 website
• Grindstone: 10/7/2011 website
• HURT 100: 1/15/2011 website
• Leadville: 8/20/2011 website
• Massanutten: 5/14/2011 website
• Pine to Palm 100: 9/17/2011 website
• Plain 100: 9/10/2011 website
• Superior Sawtooth: 9/9/2011 website
• Tahoe Rim Trail: 7/16/2011 website (Completed 34:10 2007)
• Tour de Mont Blanc (163 km version): 10/7/2011 website
• Wasatch: 9/9/2011 website (Hopefully 2016)
• Western States: 6/25/2011 website (Completed 29:39 2012)

Onto holy grail of Trail running: WSER 100

June 23rd, 2012 I will start my first WSER 100M run. Its been a long wait and finally race week is year. my progress can be tracked at ultralive.net #326.

After I started running in 2002, which began as a preparation for Eco-challenge along with my friend Kaveesh, I happened to see a documentary on Western States 100 in CBS. It interested me immensely but didn't dig further on that. After several marathons and shorter Ultra's in 2003 and 2004 I got know more history about WS100 and then enthusiasm to run this event began. I missed a opportunity to volunteer at 2005 WS due to conflicting event, but since then I managed to join this mother of all trail ultras in various capacities.

2006: Volunteered at Michigan Bluff with Rajeev and Rashmi
2007: Not selected in lottery(Qualified at Helen Klien 50M 2006)
          Safety Patrol: Squaw to Robin Flat(a nice account by Rajeev)
          Pacer for Chris Marolf(28:37 finisher): Foresthill to highway 49
2008: Cancelled (Due to fire)
2009: Volunteer at Last Chance (AS mile 43)
          Pacer for Shawn Wallich(27:02hr finisher): Foresthill to finish
2010: Not selected in lottery
          Remote spectator
2011: Remote spectator
2012: Selected in lottery (Qualified at Firetrails 50M 2011)
          Runner

As a result of various volunteering opportunities over the years I am familiar with the course in entirety, but I will get to experience the grandeur of the event in one single day fully in few more days.  My training for this event has been 100% on target I can't expect anything more, thanks to Rashmi who has been extremely supportive. I had a pretty reasonable heat training over past 3 weeks and I have 3 of my best buddies helping me out along the course; Rajeev Patel, Darshan Thaker and Todd Anderson are pacing me from Foresthill to Finish.

Just few more ticks and the wait ends.. a fascinating journey begins.