Editor's note: Paul DeWitt, of Colorado Springs, 35, won last year's Leadville Trail 100 in a time of 17 hours, 58 minutes and 45 seconds.

In 1997, I ran my first real mountain race (the Pikes Peak Ascent), and for the next several years focused on trail races and shorter road races. I ran my first marathon in 1999 and ran my best marathon in 2000 at the first Boulder Backroads marathon (2 hours, 36 minutes).

I had run several shorter races in Leadville and just loved that area. Sort of on a whim, I signed up for the 2001 Leadville Trail 100 even though I had never run more than the marathon distance.

In February 2001, I ran my first ultramarathon, which was a 40-mile trail race in North Carolina (where I grew up). About 30 miles into that race, my legs just fell apart and I wondered what I had gotten myself into: How would I ever run three times this far?

After that race, in which I finished second after leading the first 35 miles, I talked to the winner and realized most of my problems were from not eating or drinking enough. I realized that if I was going to run ultras, I had to get a lot more serious about staying hydrated and fueled.

In my next ultra, which also was a 40-miler, I basically made all the same mistakes as in my first one. In my third ultra, a double marathon (52.4 miles) in Winter Park, I finally got it right and was amazed at how good I felt at the end.

This race gave me the confidence I needed going into my first 100-miler. I had set a goal of 20 hours for that first Leadville 100 and ended up finishing in 19 hours, 52 minutes, which was good for fourth place.

Even though I went on to lower my time by almost two hours and win the 2003 race, that first finish by far was the most satisfying.

I'm looking forward to returning to Leadville for this year's race, but first I am going to California to race the oldest, most prestigious trail 100 in the country - the Western States 100.

Training program

While the LT100 is a hilly race, there is a surprising amount of flat, runnable terrain; so I think it is wise to include quite a bit of flatter, faster running in your training schedule. Of course, for at least half of your long runs, you want to run/walk hilly terrain to get your legs used to the pounding of the downhills. I generally alternate between flatter/faster long runs (3 hours or less) and longer runs with more hills (4 hours-plus).

Each year, I plan to either race a 50-miler or run a 50-miler in training four or five weeks before race day. This is always my longest single run.

On non-running days, I still try to get some aerobic exercise, such as biking or hiking. Hiking Fourteeners actually is great training for the Leadville 100.

• Fall: I generally take it easy, running if I feel like it but not shooting for any particular mileage. This is the time to do the other things I like to do, such as hiking and climbing.

• January-February: Run four days a week, including a 4-mile hill tempo run and a longer run. Average: 40 miles a week.

• March-April: Run five days a week, including a 4-mile hill tempo run, a flat tempo run and a long run. Average: 55 miles a week.

• May-July: Run six days a week, including a 4-mile hill tempo run, a flat tempo run, a medium long run and a long run. During this period, I try to run or hike at a high elevation as often as possible. Average: 75 miles a week.

• August: Taper the last three weeks before the race. I still do my hard run but greatly reduce the long runs and total weekly mileage.

Leadville Trail 100 tips

• Run as much of the course beforehand as possible: Try to hook up with a veteran who knows the course. Try to figure out the split times you will be shooting for.

• Practice walking uphill: You'll be doing a lot of it during the race.

• Practice running at night: You need to be sure whatever light you will be using is sufficient.

• Find a good crew and pacer: You still have to run the whole way yourself, but a good pacer and crew can make the difference, particularly for a first 100. Be sure all your crew understands that you will look and feel miserable for a lot of the day, and you might even get sick. They shouldn't be alarmed by this.

• Have at least two pairs of whatever shoe you like ready and broken in: You may want to change shoes at 60 miles (after the second river crossing).

• Have plenty of dry, warm clothes for the night: Your body will be fatigued and it will be hard to stay warm.

• Eat and drink: Set a schedule and stick to it.

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