Tahoe Rim was not my first race choice of the year, but it turned out to be a fabulously run, well supported event that I enjoyed tremendously. I came in to the 50 mile mark at 14 hrs, about half an hour behind schedule. There was a generous cut off of 35 hours, so I knew I was going to finish. The sub 30 hr finish I had planned was in doubt. Realistically, you can take your 50 mile time, double it and add 2 or 3 hours for most of us mortals who finish back in the pack. With some cushion, I lingered in the aid station over a bad allergic reaction to whatever was blooming at 7000 ft near Lake Tahoe, and then set out about 7 pm on a Saturday night with my friend Scott for the evening of running.
Drove up to Reno on I-80, the same Eisenhower interstate that runs 10 miles from my farmstead, albeit 2000 miles east. Turned south towards Tahoe and faced the snow covered peaks. Arriving on a Thursday afternoon, we checked into the race hotel in Carson City, Nevada and then went for a course tour. Only two parts of the 50 mile loop really accessible by car, we took a 5 mile up and back hike from 6500 to EL 85000 ft in two miles of climb up a ski slope...Diamond Peak. Slow slog...and what is with this sand?
Met some familiar faces from other races during the registration. I met David Tosch and his wife MaryJo at Leadville in 2009, and again here at Tahoe. David is from Alabama, and has done many 100 mile races. Trail work in Telluride is improving his chances for the Hardrock lottery.
After starting at 5 am Saturday, the first 6 miles of the race is on well groomed, mostly uphill trail leading from the start at Spooner Lake to the first aid station at Hobart, above Marlette Lake, The race follows the east side of Tahoe from south to north. After Hobart aid, another 5 miles comes Tunnel Creek aid, with a pirate theme. During the two 50 mile loops, I will see Tunnel Creek 6 times. They had a fully stocked bar, and I took a nip or two. That doesn't happen in a triathlon. Only an ultra.
Leaving Tunnel Creek at mile 17, after a weigh in, finds me a bit over hydrated. Gained a pound and a half from the start, I decide to cut back on water. Ditched my poles in the drop bag...I am not using these much. But then the snow fields start....
Came into a small aid station at mile 20 feeling good at the top of Diamond Peak feeling good. This part was familiar...having hiked it on preceding Thursday. Hugging the divide, could see both Carson City, Nevada and Lake Tahoe depending on the direction looked.
Back through Tunnel Creek at mile 35 and up the east side of Marlette Lake via the highest point on the course....Snow Valley Peak Elev 9000 ft or so. Lots of snow fields. Butt slide. Eagle scouts had an aid station at the summit, secured against the high winds by healthy anchorage. Hot soup never tasted better. Out of Snow Valley at mile 43, it was only 7 miles down hill to Spooner Lake....end of first 50 mile and start of the next.
Between Snow Valley and Spooner, there is a good trail, initially single track. Rocks kept this from being a quick run, but the views of Tahoe and Marlette lakes were spectacular. Got some great photos. After dropping to 7000 ft, the vegetation got thicker and the path wider. Something allergic got me. I could not see....both eyes burning. Nothing to wipe my face with. Took an anti-histamine, but it took an hour of tears and running with one eye closed to purge the toxins. Finally pulled into Spooner, at about 14 hours. My initial hope was 12:30 on the "plan".
I felt good, but the course was tough. Tougher than course map or elevation chart could say. Not as high as Leadville, but less runable. All on single or double track, the footing was: 50% loose sand, 25% rocks and 25% snow. Maybe not so much snow, but it seemed like it as you picked your way through. I really wasn't expecting the extra effort of running on sand...
The night is rarely pleasant running. Your body wants to sleep, tells you to rest. Wind started to pick up to 20 mph gusts and the temperatures dropped to below freezing. The snow fields started to re-freeze, and the creeks rose in response to the day's melt. The second Red house loop near midnight was my low point. Still holding steady weight and fluid, started taking a bit of gels and caffeine to keep moving. Changed socks and shirt in the night, putting on long sleeves and long pants against the chill.
After dawn, got my second wind for the climb up Diamond Peak. Started pulling on my friend Scott. At the top, he took my extra water bottle and poles. He told me "go for it'. Felt good enough to run at mile 82. Caught Karen and another lady Debra. Debra was safety runner for two 100 milers who had dropped out in the night. She was finishing for her own benefit.
Came into sight of Spooner Lake and finish, Karen asking me "What have you learned?" She is a PE teacher, fitness instructor and girls track and cross country coach. She always asks this question of her students. We talked all the way in. I guess I learned something of nutrition and hydration. No problems of the major causes of not finishing 100 mile races. I can take gels during an ultra I find, and my stomach doesn't go sour. Real food helps too, but variety important when nothing tastes good. One bottle an hour of water by day, one bottle in two hours by night. Clothes barely wet by sweat in the dry climate.
Finished strong, feeling better than any other 100 miler. Ate the ominously named "Burito Bar'...had a beer, took a shower. Came back for awards. Got my buckle.
All in all...the best 100 mile mountain race I have ever run. Ran 4 days later. Speedwork 8 days later. Back in the groove with little recovery. Now I just have to decide what to do for fall.
Best-
Larry
