2013 Tahoe Rim Trail 100 Mile Endurance Run

Why I enjoy this course and ultimately returned this year for my third finish.

I had one overriding goal.  I promised myself I'd get back on the horse and finish my first 100 mile event in three years.  Little did I know, however, that this mare wasn't coming peacefully.  She was a beastly nag, one of the meanest creatures I'd ever come face to face with.  I had other, lofty goals as well, but she reared quickly and bucked those off and into the dirt along with my ego.  She made her rounds at this year's Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs (100 mile, 50 mile and 50K).  Many folks weren't able to hang on to the reins as is evident in the near 50% DNF (did not finish) rate for the 100 mile event.  Above normal temperatures, a course that hovers between 7000' and 9,000', and some significant climbs would cause many to call it a day before they crossed the finish line and most others to revise their pre-race goals.  In the end, I got 'er done in 28 hours.  Though this didn't come easily.  

It would be very interesting to me if there were some way to record the mood swings we undergo during these events.  During the dark of night, as I shuffled along at a pace that would make folks at the mall laugh, I formulated many schemes for my demise.  I searched for the perfect way to end the misery.  Maybe a rock would fall on me, a mountain lion would eat me, or, perhaps, a stray lightening bolt from that distant storm would find it's way to my head.  Things I would never ponder on any other day.  In the span of a few hours I hatched the most perfect DNF plans, including descending from the Bull Wheel aid station to the Diamond Peak aid station and my truck (only two miles distant) in order to save me what would surely be a grueling 8.5 mile trek if I stayed on course.  A little further on I almost whispered to Emily (my pacer) to continue on without me, get the car, and to pick me up on the Mt. Rose Highway only a mile from where I stood at that time.  I managed to make it around to Diamond Peak, sleep a few hours, eat, drink, and get my body's systems operable again.  The final 20 miles were quite enjoyable.

Though this dismal experience seemed to last for an eternity it was but a very small speck of time in the grand scale of things.  I knew that if I dropped I'd be a sodden sack for quite a while and I'd be breaking that quintessential promise I made to myself before the race: "You just finish."

Let's just say that I couldn't have done it without the help of my very patient and loyal crew Emily Harrison, Evan Reimondo, and JB Benna.  Thanks you guys and gal!

After hearing about my experience at Tahoe, a friend of mine pointed out an apt quote by Theodore Roosevelt that sums up what we must all remember when our ego fights against our every grain (thanks Adam).

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." 

Let's now travel through time in this photo montage.  Thanks to Emily, Evan, JB, Michigan Bluff Photography, and Mountain Peak Fitness for the photos.

Moments before the 100 mile start.  At previous Tahoes I remember shivering at the start line, not an issue this year.

Sharing some quality trail time with iRunFar's Bryon Powell.

adiUltra Teammate Josh Brimhall set a blistering pace for 80 miles, even coming within 15 minutes of the 50 mile course record on his first lap.  He'd eventually succumb to quad stiffness and cramping.

Weighing in at Diamond Peak (mile 30) on the first loop.  I remember uttering over and over again, "Man, it's hot!"

Brimhall at Spooner Lake (mile 50) with his pacer Matt Koppenheffer.

Weighing in at Spooner.  Weight was never a problem, but fueling was definitely an issue.

Getting ready to head out for lap two as Emily Harrison looks on.

Heading up to Hobart aid station (mile 57) on lap two.

Moving slow enough so JB Benna could get some still shots on Marlette Peak.

Running off Marlette into Tunnel aid station.

Making my rounds in the Red House Loop.

A great oasis.  Red House aid station on lap two.  We were told that this aid station would not be there this year.  Thank goodness it was...it saved a lot of arses, including my own!

Ascending out of the Red House Loop.

At the top of the Red House Loop as the sun sets.

The Hub: Tunnel Aid Station.  100 mile runners would see this spot at 11, 17, 35, 61, 68, and 86 miles.

Knowing that it was going to be a long, rough night I tried smiling.  Emily helped.

Naps are great way to rest the body and mind in the dire moments of a 100 mile.  I enjoyed this downtime tremendously!

Tunnel aid station at night.

A runner weighs in at Tunnel.  Though they were in costume, the medical personnel did an excellent job of creeping us out.

As the sun rose so did my spirits.

Running was an option again.

Heading around Spooner Lake to the finish with Evan Reimondo clapping all the way.

The final steps.

Buckle time with good and old friend, Grand Junction's Kevin Koch.

Your Moment of Zen

Zoroaster and Bee were the unsung crew members.  Waiting all day, night, and morning for me to finish.

2013 Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run: "I don't think I can do this any longer!"

This photo ruins the surprise ending.

For a road marathoner, with a personal best of 2:32, the act of shuffling at 12-minute pace feels like failure.  

Under headlamp Emily Harrison, the racer, and I, the pacer, stumbled downhill into the small canyon where the Auburn Lake Trails aid station (85 miles into her 100 mile adventure) is located.  As we neared the oasis of lights and activity, after covering the last 4 miles since sunset alone and in the dark, Emily blurted out, "I don't think I can do this any longer."  I snickered, like any good pacer would do, and reassured her that in my past 6 finishes at Western I've NEVER moved this well at this point in the race.  The rest of my response, "I'm sure you think that, but we gotta stop thinking and keep moving."

She did, and finished 7th woman in 102 degree heat and against a field of top notch ladies.  She now has the luxury, after that Frankenstein-like walk wears off and her swollen, sausage feet return to normal, of deciding if she'll toe the line a year from now.

Congratulations Emily!  You killed it!  I hope you enjoyed the trip as much as I did.

On to some photos...

Some of the adiUltra boys after a run on The Flume Trail (on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe) a few days before the race.  I'd pace Emily, Brian Tinder (without his shirt) would pace 2nd place finisher Rob Krar, James Bonnett (in the yellow) would pace 5th pace finisher Dylan Bowman, and Josh Brimhall (in the black) would join early pace setter Hal Koerner.

A view of the ladies on their way up to the sky in the early morning hours.  Photo by Bob MacGillivray.

Emily Harrison covering the early miles of the race in good form. Photo by Glenn Tachiyama.

Emily is smiles at Robinson Flat (mile 30).  Photos by crew member and Emily's mom, Cheryl Harrison.

Brent Hollowell, from Nathan Sports, helps Emily ready her pack at Foresthill (mile 62).

And we're off!  I begin running with Emily at Foresthill and stick with her to the finish.

An appetite at Highway 49 (mile 93.5)!  I'd be puking by now.

The top ten men!

The top ten women!

TrailRunnerNation.com Podcast and Interview

I had the great and rare opportunity to sit down with the folks at TrailRunnerNation.com.  In the podcast we discuss, among other things, how to build a bonk proof body.  Go here and listen to the podcast in its entirety.  Thanks and enjoy!

Your Ultra-Training Bag of Tricks: Using Races to Prepare for Your Goal Event

My next training installment on iRunFar.com:  Using Races to Prepare for Your Goal Event

The concept of using shorter ultra races as training runs for a longer goal event has been embraced — with mixed results — by ultrarunners for decades. Ultrarunners can use these events wisely to peak perfectly for their “big race” or find themselves over-raced on game day. Read on to find out how to race yourself into shape in a smart, healthy, and effective manner...read the rest here.

The 2013 Zane Grey 50 Mile: Remote, Barren, and Brutal

Zane Grey grows rocks...Yup, this is the right way.

Thirty miles, as the crow flies, from the finish line of the Zane Grey 50 Mile lies Young, Arizona:  The heart of the true, real, and unforgiving west.  In the late 1880's the biggest family feud in US history took place there.  The Hatfield-McCoy feud seems to always take front and center and make the story line for a Kevin Coster series.  However, the Tewksbury-Graham feud was a much bloodier and more graphic affair.  During shoot outs between these families, they allowed each of the other's fallen family members to be devoured by hogs, all while continuing to fire on the other family.  The battle between lineages would wage on for more than a decade as family demolished family.  Depending on the historians you check with, between 12 and 36 people have been killed during this fighting.  What's more, the feud may or may not be over today.

However, for all of its rocks...this course definitely has its equal share of beauty.

The 50-mile long Highline Trail, which the Zane Grey course traverses, had a front row seat to much of this mayhem.  Had there been a Starbucks and Whole Foods on every corner at that time, things would have been much different.  The hatred ran deeper than just cow verses sheep herder.  This was a hard, unforgiving land.  A wild land.  Survival depended on your ability to get from point A to point B without losing your horse, life, or loved one.  Dehydration and starvation were consistent possibilities.  The Mogollon Rim territory, through where the Zane Grey ultramarathon passes, still remains like it did 130 years ago.  Remote, barren, and brutal.  That is why this race will always be the toughest in America.

Every year dudes and dudettes challenge its miles.  Ask them all...and they'll tell you it sucked and was one of the hardest races they've ever run.  So why return?  I'm not sure, but I'm willing to blame it on great race management, awesome volunteers, best friends, the Arizona weather, killer terrain, and a beat down that I'll never forget.  Photos came from Justin Lutick, Aravaiph Running, Emily Harrison, Kristin Wilson, MAP photography, and others.  Thank you!

Friends converge just before the start.

Smiles at the start at Pine Trailhead.

Still grooving at Washington Park (mile 17).

Things more difficult at Fish Hatchery (mile 33).

Oh, it feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders at See Canyon (mile 44).

Is that a smile?

5.5 miles to go...does anyone have a fork...I'm done!  Toasted strudel!

Some of the many other characters at this year's Zane (in no particular order).

She's there every year!  Diana Finkel rocks another Zane!  This year she takes second.

Dom Grossman comes to play at Zane and gets a timeout at Hatchery.  I have a feeling he'll be back now that he knows what it's all about.

Chris Thornley, a 2013 Zane finisher, (and many others) spend an inordinate amount of time each year before race day clearing the trails.  Thanks ya'll!

adiUltra Teammate James Bonnet rips to a Zane Grey victory!  Nice work brother!

Bonnett at See Canyon.  Making it look easy peasy!

Jamil "Jam Jam" Coury takes board shorts to a whole new level!  This year's third place dude.

Jay Donosky warms up, literally, for his Grand Slam attempt.

Mogollon Monster 100 Mile race director Jeremy Dougherty finished a strong Zane!  

It's a true story:  adiUltra Team member, Emily Harrison, did get to run a few steps as she paced the ever -walking Torrence.

Your 2013 Zane Grey winner:  James Bonnett focuses on focusing.

Salomon sponsored athlete, Kerrie Bruxvoort, your 2013 Zane Grey women's winner, is paced by adiUltra Team member Brian Tinder.

Always consistent and always in front...Michael Carson.

I'm honored to have finally met the elusive Montanan Mike Foote.  This year's second place finisher.

Pre-race dinner at Gusippee's, no, Heraldo's, no, Ronald's...ah, heck, that place just down the road on the right!

FUC'er Scott Bajer has a solid day at Zane!  But still exclaims "Holy crap!" upon finishing.

Nice chops and 'stach Bonnett!  Looks...familiar.

Silverton, Colorado, resident, Anthony Culpepper, overcomes the heat to finish a rough and tough Zane.

Bret Sarnquist...this guy keeps rolling and improvin'.  A new Zane PR!

Pearl Izumi's captain, Scott Jaime, rolls on in!

Your Moment of Zen

Justin Lutick claims we'll both be sub-10 hours in 2014.

We encourage you to come find out next year at the 25th running of the Zane Grey 50 Mile. 

4 hours, 9 minutes, and 43 seconds: the 2013 Boston Marathon

4:09:43.  That's what the marathon clock read when the first of two blasts ripped through hundreds of spectators and runners along the finish line of the 117th running of the Boston Marathon; a race I had just finished an hour earlier.  

Today, as I struggle to comprehend the events that occurred in Boston on Monday April 15, 2013, I truly realize just how close I had become to being in the middle of the devastation.  9/11, Virginia Tech, Newtown, Atlanta, Columbine, Aurora, Oak Creek, Oklahoma City, the list grows.  You can't truly grasp the enormity unless you or your loved ones are involved.  I get it now.

The lights of downtown Boston the night before the marathon

Greg McMillan released his new book at this year's Boston Marathon Expo.  In doing so, McMillan Running Company had a booth for the three-day event.  We sold copies of the book, watched Greg sign away, and, most importantly, had the opportunity to meet hundreds of athletes that have worked with us over the years.  

The McMillan Running booth at the expo.

Greg McMillan, Miguel Almeida, and I at the Boston Marathon Expo

I saw old and new ultrarunning buddies.  Hung out at the adidas booth and attended one of their event soirees.  On race day, I bumped into a number of friends on a race course with more than 27,000 runners strung out across it.  I miraculously dodged countless runners as we dipped, wove, and danced through fast moving and crowded aid stations.  Several friends were able to spot me from the sidelines and cheer me on through the throngs of runners.  Our weather was ideal, much better than the heat and humidity folks struggled through a year earlier.  I ran for 26.2 miles and just barely squeaked under the 3-hour mark by 28 seconds.  I had finally run the famous Boston Marathon!  All amazing benefits of good timing.  

Greg and I post race.  The explosions would occur 40 minutes later and a block to our right. (photo by Tracy McMillan)

However, when timing really counted, I found myself among the extremely lucky.  I was back in my hotel, about three quarters of a mile from the finish line, when the bombs exploded.  Many of my friends and athletes I coach were much closer and missed the explosion by mere minutes.  Then there were those literally standing on the bombs when they detonated.  I, you, we could have very easily been in their place, with their injuries, and emotionally and physically scarred forever.

After the initial disbelief had faded, anger was certainly one of my first real reactions.  "What I wouldn't give to get my hands on the person or persons responsible."  I actually spent time scheming of ways how I, personally, could end that person's life as slowly and as painfully as possible.  Then I took a breath and realized I had immediately brought myself to their level and that the health of my family, my friends, and myself were paramount.  I had to reach out to everyone:  my friends, my coaching athletes, my colleagues and their families and make sure everyone was okay.  I had to let my own family know I was safe.  

Monday evening I ventured from my hotel, skirted around the closed and closely guarded city blocks, to Boston Common to have dinner with friends.  Columbus Avenue was lined with at least two dozen pre-postioned ambulances.  I walked by a building that had been turned into a staging area.  Soldiers dressed in full body armor and armed with assault rifles guarded the doors.  Within stood marathon runners still dressed in their day's running attire and wrapped in foil blankets.  They still hadn't made it back their hotels.  News vans and trucks of all sizes littered the streets as reporters spoke into cameras.  Though the state of emergency was apparent this city was still alive with people continuing to do what they needed to do.  Boston did not close shop and lock the doors.

Ambulances staged on Columbus Avenue.

What makes the bombings at the 2013 Boston Marathon so horrific are the fact that they were carried out intentionally and with such malice and evil intent.  The purpose being to incite terror, fear, and destruction on the innocent and to alter the way YOU live your life and make decisions.

I believe in karma.  Those that caused the Boston Marathon tragedy will get what they deserve.  We need not worry about that.  Now is the time we must support those injured and those that have lost the ones they love.  Reach out to those who love you, let them know they are in your thoughts.  We will continue to run forward.  The 118th Boston Marathon will go forth on April 14th, 2014.  27,000 ambitious runners will again toe the line and show more strength and solidarity than ever while striding down the home stretch on Boylston Avenue.

The start of the 2013 Boston Marathon (photo by the Washington Post).

Here are a few other pieces by running authors I admire.  Here they share their thoughts on the awful tragedy in Boston:

Scott Douglas: Marathon Sports at epicenter of first boston bomb

Brian Metzler:  More than ever, running matters

Jonathan Beverly:  Once Each Spring

Michael Benge:  Boston tragedy brings community together