Defending champion Abby Corridor arrives on the 2026 Western States 100 with the arrogance of somebody who is aware of what she will be able to do on the historic course. Within the following interview, Abby talks about what life has appeared like since final 12 months’s Western States, how she’s discovered that she races one of the best when she’s all-in on the trouble, her love of the Black Canyon 100k, and what she modified in addition to what she stored the identical in her preparation for this 12 months.
To study extra about who’s racing, take a look at our ladies’s and males’s previews earlier than following our dwell race protection on race day.
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Abby Corridor Pre-2026 Western States 100 Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Megan Hicks of iRunFar. I’m with Abby Corridor. It’s a pair days earlier than the 2026 Western States Endurance Run. You’re the defending champion.
Abby Corridor: Fairly thrilling.
iRunFar: How does that sound and really feel?
Corridor: It’s truthfully been such an enormous 12 months of simply taking it in. Yeah, it nonetheless hits each time. It’s nonetheless particular.
iRunFar: Watching your race final 12 months, it was form of a cool vibe to look at. Among the many frenzy and among the many fray, you have been this calm, assured, quiet, simply smooth-flowing-looking particular person.
Corridor: Oh.
iRunFar: And we’ve talked after the very fact about that’s the way it type of felt on the within, too.
Corridor: Yeah.
iRunFar: If you look again at these 16-and-change hours of that day, do you continue to really feel that vibe?
Corridor: I do. Yeah. I keep in mind standing at first line final 12 months simply feeling so pleased and so like I used to be proper the place I wanted to be. And you already know, after all, that’s a sense you may’t drive or invent.
iRunFar: Proper.
Corridor: However this race brings it out in me, and I simply really feel so grateful and pleased to be again right here. It’s form of been on my radar because the monitor final 12 months’s time. I’ve actually targeted on all of it 12 months, and I really feel like I’ve in all probability put extra into this race than I’ve possibly ever put right into a race earlier than. So I really feel like I’m coming at it from a brand new approach, however I feel I’m going to be nonetheless standing on that begin line feeling that very same pleased, electrical. It’s not simply pure calm. It’s like electrical calm, possibly like this buzz.
iRunFar: I really like that. Stroll us by way of a little bit bit the final 12 months. There should have been type of a loopy media frenzy that adopted successful a race like Western States. You then tried to show it round and trip that health excessive with UTMB. I feel you took an sincere off season after that.
Corridor: Yeah.
iRunFar: Speak a little bit bit about, yeah, I don’t know, like that arc of your story final summer time.
Corridor: Yeah. I imply, truthfully, it felt like I used to be coming off of Western States feeling so good. And naturally, Cordis [Hall] and I wish to say, “When it goes properly, it goes properly.” Such as you form of get well properly. You might have this spring in your step. And I felt actually good July, early August. And I feel approaching UTMB, I used to be like, “I really feel like I may form of take it or depart it.” In hindsight, that’s in all probability not how I race my finest. And I used to be curious if that might be a brand new feeling at a hundred-mile begin line, like a lightness or like holding…
iRunFar: Nonchalant.
Corridor: Yeah. Like not holding issues so tightly. After which I obtained on the market within the race and felt not tremendous linked to what I used to be doing, fairly drained, not likely capable of muster what the day required. And so it simply introduced me again to that place of, first off, respect for these massive hundred milers and what they require, and in addition simply realizing that I feel I do finest, and one of the best me comes out once I’m actually all in on one thing.
iRunFar: The psychological relationship is simply locked in.
Corridor: Yeah. Completely. And so I really feel like I then form of spent the autumn form of in these early phases of strolling in for this 12 months, possibly not… Yeah, it was form of a down season, however we really did a visit out to the course in late November, which was fairly enjoyable.
iRunFar: Oh, that’s fascinating.
Corridor: It was actually enjoyable, really. Yeah.
iRunFar: What fascinating issues do you see on the Western State course at the moment of 12 months?
Corridor: Nicely, it was actually fascinating as a result of there was an enormous snowstorm that was about to come back in, like the primary massive correct one of many season. And I feel I obtained one of many final days within the excessive nation.
iRunFar: Oh, cool.
Corridor: So it was fairly enjoyable. After which got here again in April and obtained out to the excessive nation, and I felt almost-
iRunFar: Like the primary particular person again once more.
Corridor: Precisely.
iRunFar: You’re like, “Hey.”
Corridor: Yeah. First one out, first one again in. So yeah, it was enjoyable to get on the market in November after which form of was even making race selections round it, like returning to Black Canyon [100k] and, then in the end, the massive construct. So yeah, it’s form of been all eyes on getting again right here one of the best I can.
iRunFar: And on paper, you probably did a coaching race in December in Arizona, then you definately repeated Black Canyon, such as you did in your construct to Western States final 12 months.
Corridor: Yeah.
iRunFar: You took the identical place, however you ran a heck ton quicker.
Corridor: Yeah. That was loopy.
iRunFar: Given same-same, different-different, I imply, nothing is definitely replicated, however how does this construct and that efficiency at Black Canyon type of resonate or sit with final 12 months this time?
Corridor:. I feel Black Canyon this 12 months, I felt just like the purpose was a little bit totally different since I wasn’t going for a ticket. I nonetheless suppose with these golden ticket races, one of the best performances are at all times going to come back from the individuals who really need these tickets.
And once more, possibly like an identical logic with the UTMB factor, I didn’t know if possibly I’d really feel a unique freedom going into it not needing a ticket and was curious how that might work for me mentally and ended up simply being… Like, what a historic day to be part of. It was so cool. Ran loads quicker.
However even at the moment of the 12 months, the purpose was actually velocity work and form of getting a much bigger extremely on the books to start out the season, after which didn’t actually begin stacking the massive weeks till later in March. So yeah, I really feel prefer it was what it wanted to be to start out the season.
Black Canyon is form of… nailing it someday is certainly form of a sub purpose. I don’t know if it’ll ever be the main target of a season or one thing, nevertheless it’s such a cool race.
iRunFar: It’s form of native for you.
Corridor: It’s form of native and normally I spend a lot of the winter operating on these desert trails. So it’s at all times a very good match, and I feel I’ll in all probability maintain getting FOMO and maintain doing it.
iRunFar: Being the defending champion at a race like Western States, that’s a little bit of a, I don’t know, giant signal in your again, if you’ll. If this have been the Nineties, statistical precedent would say it’s fairly seemingly that you just’re going to win once more. However on this fashionable period, statistics are in opposition to their being a repeat champion. There’s principally one particular person within the fashionable race who’s performed that to this point. It must be form of enjoyable to-
Corridor: Yeah.
iRunFar: … butt up in opposition to like, “Okay, statistics say one factor, however I’m me.”
Corridor: Yeah, precisely. It appears like this actually cool… In all probability one of many cooler alternatives I’ve had in my profession to actually attempt to make historical past, add my little notch to our sport’s historical past. However I additionally really feel like I’ve performed sufficient a whole bunch to know that nothing is assured and obtained to go on the market and earn it once more each time. And every race has totally different challenges, distinctive curveballs.
And yeah, I really feel properly positioned from what I discovered and skilled final 12 months and methods to execute. And there’s loads to the plan that is still unchanged of issues that have been working rather well. However I additionally need to swing larger this time, and I feel there’s extra I can do on this course. So I’m certain that’ll have new challenges related to it.
iRunFar: Nicely, you’ve already arrange my subsequent query for you. Clearly, loads labored for you final 12 months, so there’s in all probability some stuff that you just simply need to press repeat on and say, “That labored completely. I’d like to do this with no bugs within the system,” however we’re at all times refining and at all times evolving. So what are some things that you just’ve actually considered like, “Oh, that I bobbled with final 12 months. I’d wish to work on that,” or “Gosh, that basically labored in Black Canyon. I need to attempt to convey that right here”?
Corridor: Yeah, completely. I’d say diet proper now simply feels so strong.
iRunFar: Okay.
Corridor: Yeah. And it went strong final 12 months. And I really feel actually lucky that that’s in a extremely great place. Yeah. I’m able to devour loads throughout these longer races, which I feel… I don’t really feel like I possibly see the good thing about that at like a Black Canyon, however I do suppose for that-
iRunFar: Longer.
Corridor: … eight-plus hours, I feel it begins to actually have a enjoyable snowball impact. So I imply, after all nothing’s ever assured, however that’s one thing that’s fairly steadily working throughout my coaching and racing and doesn’t have many modifications to it. However I feel final 12 months from Foresthill to the end, I really feel like I ran fairly conservatively simply considering form of like, “Simply don’t mess this up.” Simply sort of-
iRunFar: “Issues are going so properly.”
Corridor: Precisely. Simply form of like, “Don’t do something loopy,” and simply form of like carry on preserving on. And it was additionally then loads to soak in. I imply, these last miles with Cordis, we’d be operating, and I’d simply see him me whereas we have been operating. And I used to be like, “Don’t make me cry proper now.”
iRunFar: Can we maintain our stuff collectively?
Corridor: Precisely. I feel there was a lot pleasure. And naturally, yeah, it’s not like I need to keep away from that feeling, but in addition I need to attempt to be extra locked in these late miles and actually see what I can do there with out being form of on this state of shock and pleasure and worry of messing one thing up. So that might be one purpose that I’ve.
iRunFar: I assume stating that a little bit bit otherwise, it’s like taking the narrative into your individual palms a little bit bit versus being like, “Nicely, what narrative is coming for me across the subsequent nook?”
Corridor: Precisely.
iRunFar: Western States at all times has loads of repeat guests. There’s a rare return of the ladies’s discipline this 12 months, 9 of the highest 10 returnees, some ladies from the occasions handed, some ladies who’ve given it a shot and haven’t gotten their first end right here, some up-and-comers and challengers. So there’s loads of issues which are related. However I feel it’s Tuesday night now. That climate forecast has been sitting the way in which it’s been sitting for a pair days, so I feel we are able to formally audibly say the race might be going to look loads totally different situations smart.
Corridor: Yeah.
iRunFar: Ideas?
Corridor: I imply, it’s tremendous thrilling. Admittedly, I really like a scorching day, and so I used to be secretly-
iRunFar: You like to endure.
Corridor: I used to be secretly hoping for a little bit little bit of a scorcher.
iRunFar: I really like that everyone says that.
Corridor: Do they?
iRunFar: Yeah.
Corridor: Actually? Okay.
iRunFar: Yeah.
Corridor: That’s humorous.
iRunFar: Yeah.
Corridor: I wasn’t certain.
iRunFar: Nicely, it’s as a result of it’s what you’ve gotten ready for and also you’ve been visualizing it, proper?
Corridor: Precisely. And I like that form of connection. You already know, among the hotter days I’ve performed at residence down within the desert and all that. But it surely’s nonetheless going to be a bodily heat day. It’s not prefer it’s going to be 45 levels or…
iRunFar: Proper.
Corridor: So I feel we’ll all get to nonetheless use our beloved warmth coaching.
iRunFar: You’ll all be lined in salt and sweat and-
Corridor: Precisely. So I feel it’ll nonetheless be a heat day, nevertheless it positively restructures among the objectives a little bit bit by way of… I imply, dry excessive nation, plus a cool 12 months, which is loopy, too, as a result of usually the cool years are a snowy excessive nation.
iRunFar: Superb level.
Corridor: The splits are all a little bit totally different, and so it appears like a extremely cool alternative to go massive. And I’m certain everybody else is feeling that approach, too.
iRunFar: Are you serious about like, “Oh, I’m simply not going to take a look at my watch as a result of these splits are going to be scary quick,” even when the trouble is… You’re simply not going to have the governor of the intense warmth. Such as you mentioned, it’s going to be scorching, nevertheless it’s form of just like the altitude governor that as you get larger, the governor will get stronger. It’s the identical factor with warmth.
Corridor: Yeah.
iRunFar: So that you’re going to really feel scorching, however you’re not going to have, I don’t know, that noose coming down on you fairly a lot.
Corridor: Yeah.
iRunFar: Instances are going to be, I feel, a little bit surprising at occasions.
Corridor: Yeah.
iRunFar: Did I say that proper?
Corridor: Yeah, I’d agree. I feel in actuality it would really feel nearer to what it’s been like on scouting journeys out right here the place it’s like, oh, only a gentle good day the place I’m not utilizing ice bandanas and all that and also you’re form of identical to in a circulate. I feel I do form of like my watch and the numbers for a course particularly. I like understanding totally different splits and all that. And I really feel like I’m beginning to have logged sufficient time on this course the place the splits I can form of do my math in my head.
iRunFar: Yeah.
iRunFar: So that you’re nonetheless going to be trying on the watch?
Corridor: Undoubtedly. However I’m going to roll with it when it’s totally different than deliberate.
iRunFar: I’d actually wish to take a photograph of you with google eyes checking your watch, coming into Dusty [Corners], being like, “Oh, all proper. Okay.”
Corridor: Yep. Precisely.
iRunFar: “That is what we’re doing right now.”
Corridor: Precisely. I imply, it’s such a cool alternative, so yeah. In loads of methods, I’m excited for the prospect to simply go run a extremely quick time, hopefully.
iRunFar: Final query for you. Your watch sponsor simply put out a video about you. And one of many takeaways or enjoyable factors of that was you saying that final 12 months was only a massive previous fats query mark of like, “What can I do at this race?” type of unknowing of your potential. Nicely, now you already know what you are able to do at this race, so the mindset is type of like a 180 swap. Speak about that for a second should you may.
Corridor: Yeah. I feel for anybody who’s aware of my trajectory at hundred milers earlier than that, I used to be actually hoping to form of get one on the board final 12 months, and I definitely had the hopes that it could possibly be the 12 months the place it will all of the sudden work. I felt like I had been teeing myself up for that for some time with a few of these more durable march-it-in-type days. And I felt like my day was occurring, and I used to be like, “That is the day I’ve ready for for years.” I used to be capable of lastly attain what I consider my potential is at these form of races for hundred milers.
And this 12 months, it’s coming at it from this totally different angle of not this like, “Can I?” however extra beginning at like, “I do know I can. So then how do I construct up that confidence, that perception within the small moments that…” You already know?
iRunFar: Then add as much as one thing higher.
Corridor: That add as much as what I do know I’m able to. That doesn’t actually make sense, but-
iRunFar: It does, although. Yeah.
Corridor: Yeah.
iRunFar: As a result of we don’t run 100 miles by operating 100 miles. We run 100 miles by operating a mile and a second at a time.
Corridor: Precisely. And there’s so many small moments like that within the coaching, within the lead up the place you’re considering, “Okay, I feel this plus this plus that is going to get me this.” And it doesn’t at all times work that approach, nevertheless it provides me extra confidence in my equation, if you’ll.
iRunFar: I really like that. Abby Corridor-
Corridor: Megan Hicks
iRunFar: – Western States Endurance Run defending champion, better of luck to you on Saturday.
Corridor: Thanks, Megan. I admire it.
