#23 Hellah Runs Western States 100 | Run Streaking, Racing, and Overcoming in Life & Sport
Jul 7, 2023
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Hellah Sidibe, global runner known for his incredible run streak, talks about his upbringing, soccer career, and first experience running Western States 100. They discuss the power of hope, starting today, and maintaining a running routine. They also highlight the importance of trust, support, and gratitude in racing.
Having a reliable and trusted coach or pacer is crucial for endurance races.
Maintaining focus and following instructions are key components of trust in endurance races.
Setting realistic expectations and embracing unexpected challenges are important in ultra-distance races.
Deep dives
Preparing for Western States
Hela qualified for Western States by running the Leadville 100 and received a BIPOC entry from Hoka. He took his training seriously, including heat training and hiking, and felt fully prepared for the race.
Challenges on the Course
Hela faced challenging terrain, including icy snow in the beginning and multiple steep climbs throughout the race. He dealt with blisters and intense Achilles pain, but remained determined to finish.
Mental Fortitude and Crossing the American River
Hela's mental fortitude from running across America helped him overcome pain and discomfort during the race. He crossed the American River on a boat, a relief from the difficult terrain.
Pacing with Sally
Sally joined Hela as his pacer at mile 80. Despite Hela's pain, they had a joyful and encouraging experience. Hela pushed through the pain and finished the race under 27 and a half hours, surpassing his expected finish time.
Pacing and Trust: The Importance of Pacing and Trust in Endurance Races
In this podcast episode, the significance of pacing and trust in endurance races is discussed. The speaker highlights the importance of having a reliable and trusted coach or pacer to guide and support an athlete throughout the race. The concept of trust is emphasized, particularly when it comes to following instructions and maintaining focus amidst physical and mental challenges. The speaker shares personal experiences of pacing someone in a race and how their dedication, discipline, and specific goals influenced the pacing strategy. The role of reminders and motivation in helping the athlete stay on track is also highlighted. Overall, the episode underscores the role of pacing and trust in achieving desired results in endurance races.
Lessons Learned and Future Plans: Reflections on the Western States 100 Race
This podcast episode features a conversation between two friends, one of whom recently completed the Western States 100 race. The episode dives into the runner's reflections on the race experience and lessons learned. The runner talks about setting realistic expectations and embracing the unexpected challenges that can arise during ultra-distance races. They discuss the importance of having a supportive crew and the role it plays in helping athletes overcome physical and mental hurdles. The runner candidly shares the physical discomfort they faced during the race and how they pushed through it to achieve their goal. They also touch upon the idea of future races and how the experience of Western States has shaped their approach to training and preparation. The episode concludes with a discussion on the power of community and the significance of celebrating personal achievements, regardless of finishing times.
Hellah Sidibe aka HELLAHGOOD on social media is well known globally not only for his incredible run streak (since 2017) but for his relentless light and positivity. I was so honored to sit down with my good friend and listen to him share about his upbringing, his soccer career that ended up brining him to running; and his first experience running Western States 100.
