After pacing at last year’s event, Fu-Zhao Xiang will run this year’s Western States 100. In the following interview, Fu-Zhao talks about what went right for her at least year’s UTMB where she placed fourth, why she wants to run Western States, and what she’s done to prepare for the race.
To learn more about who’s racing, check out our women’s and men’s previews and follow our live race coverage on race day.
Fu-Zhao Xiang Pre-2024 Western States 100 Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Bryon Powell of iRunFar here with Fu-Zhao Xiang before the 2024 Western States 100. Welcome, Fu-Zhao.
Fu-Zhao Xiang: Thank you.
iRunFar: You had a very good 2023 season, including finishing fourth at UTMB. How do you feel about your run at UTMB last year?
Xiang: I think it was amazing.
iRunFar: Yeah?
Xiang: Because the first attempt is 20th place and the second is 11th and the third is 7th place, and the last time is first place. I feel very amazing.
iRunFar: Yeah. What was the best thing about the race? Besides the finish, what were you most happy with your performance?
Xiang: [through a translator] The happiest thing is not only the proposal, but also last year I didn’t sleep during the race. The first three years, I sleep every time.
iRunFar: During the race.
Xiang: During the race. Last year I finally didn’t sleep.
iRunFar: That’s the secret. No sleep.
Xiang: Yes.
iRunFar: So no sleeping during Western States?
Xiang: Yes, not. Because it’s more shorter finish.
iRunFar: Than UTMB, yes. So last year, you also came to California for the Broken Arrow races.
Xiang: Yes.
iRunFar: While you were here did you run some of the Western States course?
Xiang: Last year, actually, I’m a pacer for the third place Eszter [Csillag] Yes.
iRunFar: Yeah? So you’ve seen some of the course then. How long were you here in 2023?
Xiang: Just about one week last year.
iRunFar: Okay. So running the Broken Arrow, pacing Western States, and then home.
Xiang: Yes. Yes.
iRunFar: And this year, you’ve spent five weeks in the United States, in California.
Xiang: Yes.
iRunFar: How have you enjoyed it?
Xiang: Yes. Very enjoyed because I went to a different place for a race. I try walking around. Yes.
iRunFar: So have you managed to do some training while you’re traveling?
Xiang: Yes, of course. Most of the time I train here on the course. Yeah.
iRunFar: What is your favorite part on the course?
Xiang: I think the first 50.
iRunFar: The first 50k?
Xiang: Yes. More comfortable because the weather is better. After, the weather is more hotter and have different grasses. You will, poison grasses.
iRunFar: Yes, poison oak. So you have had great success at big 100 mile races with big mountains, like UTMB, and other races with lots of mountains. This race is both faster and hotter.
Xiang: Yes.
iRunFar: How do you feel about that?
Xiang: Because the UTMB has two miles on the up and the down, so sometimes we can walk or hike, but Western States is too flat [and you have to do] more running, so maybe more tired.
iRunFar: Yeah. So have you trained more for that this year?
Xiang: Yes. When I’m in China I’ll train more flat.
iRunFar: Yes. And you also maybe I think I saw in results, you’ve run some shorter races this season?
Xiang: Yes. Because in China it’s too many races, so every week will have a different race. I will choose some shorter races to train for me.
iRunFar: Especially this course where you have to run fast, yes?
Xiang: I’m not sure, because I go too hard last months, so I will try my best to do too long.
iRunFar: And how are you thinking about the hot weather?
Xiang: Because my hometown is Chongqing, so Chongqing is very hot. Hot, hot, hot.
iRunFar: Very hot.
Xiang: Yes, but it’s different hot. Chongqing is the humid hot. Here is dry hot. No problem. I think hot is no problem. I just don’t like the cold weather.
iRunFar: You don’t like the cold weather.
Xiang: Yeah, yeah.
iRunFar: Well, this is a perfect race for you then.
Xiang: Yes. It’s perfect.
iRunFar: It’s more comfortable.
Xiang: Yes, yes.
iRunFar: What are you most excited about? Why do you want to run Western States?
Xiang: Because the Western States Endurance Run has almost 50 years history.
iRunFar: This year, yes.
Xiang: Yeah. Fifty years of history, and it’s very, the most famous 100-mile race and very limited runners, I guess 400 runners. So it’s very limited, so I want to run it. You must be very lucky to get into the Western States.
iRunFar: Yes. And you are.
Xiang: Yes.
iRunFar: Well I hope you enjoy the race.
Xiang: And I think this is my first time, maybe I will do second time and third time like UTMB. First time, even run not very good, but with another chance, I will do my best.
iRunFar: So you know, to be in next year’s race automatic, if you’re in the top 10 women, you get to come back. Yes?
Xiang: Yes. The goal is to make the top 10.
iRunFar: Good luck.
Xiang: Thank you.
