From Squaw to Auburn | My Western States 100 Race
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- On June 27, 2015 I toed the line at the race of my dreams: the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run from Squaw Valley to Auburn. Here is my personal account of that day and all the people that helped me rally to the finish line. It wasn't the day I had envisioned in my head in the days, weeks and months leading up to it, but it was still the experience of a lifetime. Thank you to all that helped encourage me along on that journey.
Film by: Billy Yang
Shot by: Joel Silva
Crew/Pacers: Josh Spector, Jimmy Dean Freeman
© Billy Yang Films 2015
One of the most underrated gems of this video is the parallel storyline that starts at 13:13, and 19:50
John Trent: "Katie is 15 minutes ahead of cutoff, so yeah." (attitude suggests she probably won't make it)
Then she finishes with less than 4 minutes to cutoff.
Few things move me to tears quite the way this did. Especially seeing the Golden Hour finishers.
I was a golden hour finisher back in 1999. Always appreciated the people there cheering me on to the finish. Meant a lot back then.
Literally balled when I saw a 70 year old had seconds to finish and the whole finish line was cheering her on until she made it
I still love this film. You're the reasons I've started making my own movies. Well done Billy
This is another great film from you. I ran my first marathon this year at the age of 53. You, your films and your ultra running friends supported and helped me achieve my goal. You have all inspired me to progress on wards, who knows where it will lead. Good luck and success with your future adventures.
+Soraya Meah that's amazing to hear Soraya. thanks for the kind words and much success to you too!
I love that video, Billy. You were awesome. Way to conquer those early troubles and finish strong. And thank you for attaching Katie Trent's and my finish at the end.
You are awesome. its so inspirirng to watch you finishing this race. God bless you.
Gunhild, your race inspires me, breathes hope for the many years ahead!
What a spectacular finish! Way to go!!
You are an inspiration!!
You did good, Gunhild, real good.
The moment realized this film was about Billy, I knew this was going to be a great film....and it was. I laughed, I cried, I clapped and cheered as you crossed the finish line!!
Great race. You're lucky to have such a great crew. I met Jimmy Dean at the Bulldog 50K at one of the aid stations. He was helping and attending to me and everyone like they were part of his team. Such a nice guy.
Bravo.... > Mr. Billy. Dang...fighting back the tears...... Congratulations on an epic day in every sense of the word. Thank you for bringing us along and letting us into your world again!
Billy Yang! These videos made by you were my initial source of inspiration to venture into ultra. Thank you
Brilliant job, Billy. Just amazing. This film is going to inspire millions of runners out there. Thank you for making this film.
I will honestly say that I have watched this everyday at least once in the morning and once in the afternoon. It has helped me organize my life and focus on getting better. Since my last post over 3 weeks ago, I have managed to start my training back up and had no issues with the IT band. This almost brings me to tears every time and reminds me to not give up my dream of running. Thank you for being such an inspiration!
I can't get enough of Billy Yang Films! Fantastic story! Very inspiring!!
Loved it Billy. Felt your torment. Inspired by your achievement. Great film.
Congrats, Billy. Inspiring to say the least. Thanks for making your films giving us some lofty goals to shoot for :)
Amazing and inspiring! Now I really want to run a 100 miler. Thank you for such awesome and artistic films about our sport of ultra running.
Well done, man. Got a few lumps in my throat along with tons of inspiration for my first ultra next weekend. Thanks for sharing this, Billy. Keep up the good work.
Wow, I have no words. Amazing, Billy, truly amazing. And thanks for including that perfect ending, truly inspiring
Thanks for sharing this film, and being so open with your feelings and mindset throughout the race.
Well done Billy. What a brilliant video. Thank you for sharing. And congratulations for finishing.
That was AMAZING and inspiring! A real tearjerker at the end to boot. Congratulations on the finish - hopefully the sole of your foot has healed!
Awesome. I was listening to this movie as a podcast during my first 40Mile Solo Ultra this Summer. Thank you for all of the inspiration und passion you are spreading with your content. Love from Germany!
Currently bingeing your channel. Just wow.
thank you Demyanii :)
Billy, thank you. Anytime I want a smile or to feel positive I just need to click on one of your videos....keep staying positive and living in the moment!
Wonderful. Congratulations Billy.
Thank you for sharing your story Billy!
F yeah, Billy Yang!!! Love to see it!!
Gosh danggit I cried yet again at one of your videos! Thanks Billy! These are amazing :)
Nice one Billy, thanks for sharing. Awesome effort and film.
So inspirational!! Emotional and full of reward. It's all worth the miles! Congrats Billy.👏😊
Awesome job Billy and fantastic heartwarming video!
Incredible! You're a superstar!
I love this video I've seen it a couple of times already so inspiring brilliant
Great, great video and congrats Billy.
One day I'll watch one of these videos without crying. Maybe.
Congrats man! What a finish after such a start!
Boss vid Billy.
It's not the destination,
It's the journey, especially against the odds !
Oldest female finisher, within the 30 hr cutoff, 70 years young WTF !
BEAUTIFUL!
This video is so amazing!
Awesome video!! Congratulations!!
Well that wrecked me. You inspire Billy.
Nice job, Billy! Hoping to hit that track myself next year!
I cant stop watching this, very inspirational Billy, great job. Have a 50mile on the calendar May6th and going to try and PR Vermont City Marathon 3 weeks later, and tips on good recovery work during those 3 weeks? PS, Iam not a fast runner, looking to go 4:15 at VCM
Fantastic Phil! I'm not a coach but anecdotally, I would say to definitely take a few days off after save for active recovery (hiking, biking, etc) before picking running back. Good luck!
Incredible!
Mighty fine Billy, mighty fine! ;o)
Nice! Thanks for sharing....
Damn that was really well done.
Awesome :) this is really an inspiration :D
Dammit that was a great video!!
Just can't those smiles. 😃👌
Damn good camera work. Wish someone that good would shoot my races.
Love it !
Anyone know what that bottle stuff Billy was drinking? I looked like those old Pearl beer bottles but I know it could not have been that.
But wow...awesome video...makes me want to work harder and hopefully run a 100 in a year or so.
Marc Henn I thought it was this: duckduckgo.com/?q=bundaberg+sarsaparilla&t=ffab&ia=images
gsdfgsdferv correct.
+Billy Yang Films just watching this for the first time and can't believe I see a bottle of Bundaberg in your hands. I myself would drink the Ginger Beer over anything else but have you ever been to Australia? Great films by the way. I'm glad I found them. How did you discover a team to train and race with?
"bacon's for closers" haha good one Billy.
What is in that brown small glass bottle he's drinking from?
emotional :)
What is that brown bottle?
Don't mind me, crying like a baby from 18 minutes on. Race finishes always get me.
me too
Right?
yup!
I was crying too. This stuff speaks to my heart. This brings back memories of finishing a marathon and my dad seeing me with a big ole smile on his face.
Billy, this was the most moving trail running film I've ever seen. Incredible work during the race and making this film. Keep it up man!!! :)
Awesome! Next year i hope i will run my first 45mile trailrun. But 100mile , this is so far away! I hope your feet recover fast!
Dude... what an inspiration! Thank you so much for sharing. Amazing race, great film!
Sorry for the 'dude', you don't know me, but I've been following you the past couple of years and your films and experiences (along with Sally and Ethan and the whole ultra community) inspire me to run and this particular film couldn't have come at a better time, in a low period when I haven't run for quite some time and this might just be the push I needed to get back at it.
Well, this turned out longer than expected... keep it up Billy, from 11,100klm away, thank you.
Andreas A Y I hope it did the trick Andreas. thank you so much for the kind words
BILLY YANG YOU MY FRIEND ARE A FREAKIN GENIUS STORY TELLER I LOVE THIS SO MUCH AND THE RUNNING COMMUNITY IS LIKE NOTHING IVE EVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE! SO Proud to be amongst great human beings... Im not an ultra runner yet but this inspires me so much!!
Great job finishing. Very similar to my experience in 2013, took the early downhills too fast and fried my quads. I could climb with no issues, but I couldn't run downhill after the first 30 miles and feet were a mess, making for a very long day and golden hour finish. Still, I loved it! Awesome video, well done.
That was epic. I cried. I am so happy you filmed this too. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. I am inspired .
I discovered your work, your videos only few weeks ago, but I love them, and I'm so impress by your commitment to deliver high quality vidéos, and also be impressed by your fight during this race. A lot of congratulations, a lot of thanks for all of your job, and you're a source of inspiration and motivation for working, training, and enjoying the life by sharing with people. Thank you Billy :-)
From the bottom of my heart, thank you Jean.
Amazing job, Billy. I was tracking you online that day and when I saw other super strong runners dropping I was worried but you hung on for a great finish. Congrats!
Thanks for making this movie and sharing your experience. Watching this makes me want to train harder so I can get into this race some day. I enjoy all your movies - keep up the great work!
Billy, I absolutely got chills when you pulled into the track at the end. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. What an accomplishment.
Billy thank you for the inspiration. Almost all of my training this year has been on the treadmill. Videos like yours are what keep me from burning my shoes and taking up sewing.
That is absolutely incredible!!!!! Amazing Accomplishment! I ran my 1st full marathon 3 weeks ago at 16 years old and hope to one day run Western States 100.
Thanks Billy. That was an amazing film and an amazing run. Thanks for a good story. Not about the fastest guy or gal but about the emotion that the regular Joe goes through.
i think that is yellowrunner.. watching another quality minutes by billy. kudos!!
awesome video! what was the song in the end credits?
Loved this film, the end brought me to tears. The joy and achievement was incredible! These races and your films about them truly are inspiring!
I'm so happy for you Billy. This is what ultra running is all about. You strip away the barriers and let your emotions fuse with the power of your training. And in the end, it is pure faith and heart that breaks you through. Well done my man. You exemplified heart, strength, intelligence and courage. Well done indeed.
Billy, after watching your film and your effort I don't hardly know what to say...I's am so inspired to run, period.. thank you...
This was incredible! Great story, great editing, and super inspiring. I'm running my first half marathon (which is literally nothing compared to 100 miles) in a couple weeks and this video is definitely pumping me up for it! Keep making/doing great things :)
Rooting for you Julie - my first race (also a half) was just as memorable as this one!
Have you ran your ultra yet?
Your films always bring tears to my eyes. Thank you for being so open and honest and for show casing "The Golden Hour" with Katie and Gunhild.
It's been said, but that was very beautiful. You're amazing.
Huge huge congratulation guy, your performance is amazing, after this I want to scream how much I love humanity. Olivier from France
Congrats man. You gutted it out and freaking ruled.
Great film Billy! Having grown up in Auburn these are the kind of stories that inspire me to someday do this race and finish in my hometown. Great perseverance and attitude man and of course, great job!
Awesome film my friend, I really love your work which is highly professional. I love the fact your finishing time was only a few seconds different to my first 100mi finishing time in OC100. Thanks for making this film man as it adds to my motivations for my Eastern States 100 coming up in august, you rock brother and congratulations.
this made me cry, YOU ARE AWESOME! you are such a strong and resilient human being💪🏼 you’re a badass
Really impressive, Billy!
Congratulations for this great finish and your strong mental discipline.
Best wishes from Germany ;)
One of the ladies helping him was Anne Trason...13 time winner of WS 100, this is exactly why Ultra running is so awesome.
+jesse murray 14 times!
Happy 5-year anniversary for officially completing the Western States 100 Billy!! Thank you for the inspiration that your wonderful film continues to give runners all around the world and for generously including Gunhild Swanson's and Katie Trent's finishes at the end, which totally reduced me to tears of joy!!!
aw, thanks Bev!
Amazing Billy, you are an inspiration. One day I hope to also toe the line at Squaw...
Thank you.
Of all the Western States videos this is my favorite, love watching a self proclaimed middle of the pack competitor struggle and overcame adversity time and again. Inspiring.
Great run, great story, great narration, great music, great film! By the way: can anyone tell me which music was used for the soundtrack?
lacapra13 email me at BillyYangFilms at Gmail
Leaves me speechless, Billy. Such an incredibly open, honest, moving and motivating story. Congratulations on your amazing accomplishment and sharing the rawness of it all. Outstanding job in the WS and on the video. Cheers, Scott
This is at least my second time watching this. Let's make a video Billy! My journey back from Zero to Western States?
It's videos like this that fuel my passion to make this race a reality for me as well. thanks for being raw and vulnerable in the video. Killer!
You capture the deepest human emotions in your films. This is a race I SO want to do and if I never do it, I will have gotten as close as I can because of this film. Just tremendous, and WELL DONE!!!!!
In Italy we say: "Da pelle d'oca"
Great job man!
Veramente da pelle d'oca!!
Google Online Translator: "Da pelle d'oca" = "From goose bumps"
Awesome films Billy! I'd love to meet and work with you one day! I am a fatty getting into shape as we speak. I am riding a century in late October and I plan on running my first marathon in 2019! Let me know if you need a cameraman sometime, 4 real.
Hi Billy,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the world. I love watching personal accounts on these special moments. Your films are wonderful and I hope to keep seeing more from you!
Someday I would like to do a 100-miler but I have been fighting with my IT band for almost 2 years now. I will persevere because this is a dream. And I will never give up on this dream.I couldn't help but shed a tear with how beautiful this was made and how amazing the race looks.
Once again thank you for giving me motivation and determination to make my dreams come true!
Nodough
Good one Billy. Makes me want to do this race even more! Way to inspire runners, to push and not give up.
Thank you so much Billy for sharing this beautiful experience with us.
You have no idea how inspiring it is and how much I really needed it right now.
#RunStrong!
What a great tribute to this event and to all of us who had the chance to run this amazing
adventure. Looking back 30 years to the last time I had the privilege of running WS100 this film and the others that have come out of this experience reminds me of the time spent with the members of this special club. Thanks Billy!
Beautifully done, as always. I could not be more proud of someone's drive and determination, you continue to inspire me to dig deeper and push harder than I believe I can. But most importantly, I did a wonderful job showing us the importance of friendship and how that bond can build us up to be much more than we ever could be without it. The trail running scene is so rich with these bonds, that it makes it such a wonderfully rewarding sport...not just for one race...but for a lifetime. Congrats and well done.