Caitlin Fielder —Western States Q&A
“I’m most looking forward to that finish line if I get there haha"
We’re 1.5 days away from The Western States 100, Murica’s🌭 most iconic 100-mile race, and for the first time ever, Caitlin Fielder will be toeing the line.
She’s made her name on the European circuit, competing at the pointy end of the Golden Trail series and finding the podium at Zegama, OCC & Festival Des Templiers. Of course, I can’t forget the bazillion Tarawera 50KM trophies stuffed in the cupboard in the spare room😂.
But this? This is different.
This is 100 miles of Californian trails, quad killing descents😫, hot AF canyons🥵 and just when you think you’ve had enough, a drag race down Cal Street.
Caitlin qualified by going toe-to-toe with Ruth Croft at Tarawera 102k and grabbing herself a Golden Ticket in the process.
Since then? She’s won the UTA 50k on minimal prep after life doing life things, and squeezed in just enough time on the WS course to know what she’s in for…
”F🤬CK WHAT HAVE I DONE”
It’s her first 100-miler, her first Western States, and I couldn’t be more excited to see her line up against the best in the world on the biggest stage.
Caitlin took a break from sauna sessions and talking to the actual media to answer a few questions about how she’s feeling, what she’s learnt from her crew of ultra legends, and why the aid station queen Meredith might be her secret weapon.
Back in February at Tarawera, you finished just six minutes behind Ruth Croft and punched your ticket to Western States.
How has going toe-to-toe with Ruth shaped your mindset heading into States?
“Yeah, I think my mentality has shifted a bit since Tarawera, and knowing that I can even run that well was a huge boost.”
“I would say given a few life circumstances that have happened over the last 8 months I am not sure I am as ready for States as I was Tarawera, but I think Tarawera still helped my confidence a lot.”
When you signed up for Tarawera 102k, was the Golden Ticket the plan — or did this whole Western States mission evolve more organically?
“I wanted to race the 102km because I had raced the 50km so many times before, and the course being closer to the OG Tarawera 100km route appealed to me a lot.”
“I think taking the ticket more comes down to taking opportunities that are presented, because you don’t always know if they will come around again.”
You recently won the UTA 50K with fellow Kiwi Ali Wilson giving you a good nudge.
Was that a race you've always wanted to do, or more of a chance to get in a good race simulation?
“Yeah I’m not always around New Zealand or Australia that time of year, so it hasn’t really been on my radar with tangible races. But I was in New Zealand with family circumstances, and the timing meant I was able to squeeze in the race which was great.”
“I didn’t feel super fit during it, but it was awesome finally being able to race in Australia and see the UTA course that everyone always talks about!”
When did you land in the US, and how much time do you think you'll get on course before race day?
“I landed here on the 7th of June, so three weeks out from the race. I flew in from NZ, and my initial plan was to be here to do the memorial camp weekend but that didn’t work out, so I came a bit later.”
“But it’s actually been great, I’ve managed to check out most of the course apart from 20 odd km in the high country which is right at the start, so I’m not sure I need to see that anyways.”
“And I do get the feeling on this course once you’ve seen a bit you get a good idea of what the rest will be llke, but it’s always good to know anyway.”
You’ve got some pretty handy mates who’ve crushed it at States — DJ, Ruth, Emily Hawgood, Courtney Dauwalter.
Have you been picking their brains, or is your approach more ignorance is bliss and trying not to overthink it?
“Yeah I absolutely like to ask people how they approach the race and what they would change if they did it a second time around.”
“It’s always really awesome to have people around you that are such good athletes but are also open to having a conversation about races they’ve done, even though sometimes we’re competing. But I realise I am totally green at this distance, so I am really taking any advice on board.”
Western States is famously hot. You’ve raced in some warm conditions before (OCC last year comes to mind) — how do you go in the heat? Have you joined the sauna-and-track-suit crew?
“Yeah, this year looks like it will be pretty hot as well. I have been doing a lot of sauna and heat training lately, buut I do a lot of saunas usually, as we have a sauna at home in Andorra. So it’s not necessarily a new thing. I’m pretty good at looking after myself in races, so I am hoping that will continue even with these longer ones.”
Is there a part of the WS course you’re especially looking forward to? How do you think your strengths line up with the terrain?
“I’m most looking forward to that finish line if I get there haha. Nah, theres a cool section from Robinson flat to Michigan Bluff that I really loved, so I am looking forward to running that, even though I am sure it will be baking there.”
“I really love downhills usually, but I think they could be killer on this course. I also realised that I can be a great runner on the flatter stuff, so hopefully I still have some of those legs from Tarawera.”
The aid stations at Western States are like F1 pit stops these days. Who’s in your corner, crewing you?
“I’ve got our team nutritionist and good friend Meredith who is the absolute queen of aid stations, and has crewed some of the best runners in the world.”
“So I feel super luck yo have her there for me, and also my team manager Julia will be out there as well, and she was here last year so is all over the crewing duties. I’m not so sure I will be as fast in and out though haha”
Western States is steeped in history and notoriously hard to get into. Has it sunk in yet that you’re actually racing it?
“I think it probably hasn’t hit home yet, maybe because I also dont necessarily feel ready for it, so in that sense I have tried to remove any pressure and I am just viewing it as a long day out. But it’s for sure cool to be lining up on such a prestigious course.”
You recently made the jump from Salomon to Adidas Terrex. How’s the transition been?
“Yeah it’s been really great the team is super welcoming and the ASU shoes are super quick which is what I want!”
Got any quirky pre-race rituals? A song on repeat? Lucky socks? A must-have night-before meal?
“Nah not really, Im hoping to be pretty relaxed before this but who knows haha. I eat a lot of carbs the days before and morning of, but no lucky undies or anything!”
Adidas Terrex duties aside — what are three international races still on your hit list? And what about ones back home in NZ?
“I would really like to race Lavaredo one day, it just seems like such a beautiful race to do, also doing races in Brazil, Mexico, Canada, that would be awesome.”
“NZ has some awesome races, I still haven’t managed to make it to Mototapu and haven’t been back to Old Ghost Road in a while so I am probably long due there as well!”
Thanks for your time, Caitlin, and all the best with your final prep for race day!
You can follow Caitlin on Instagram here.
The race kicks off at 5 AM Saturday in California, which, if my calculations are correct, is midnight Saturday night/ Sunday morning here.
There will be a live stream on YouTube, which you should be able to find with not too much drama.
1 more sleep!
(If you’re planning to stay up to watch the start)