I got into Reno around 8:30pm Pacific time, and drove into Carson City, NV. At 9:30pm, I stopped by the Albertsons to get breakfast for the next day and pick up essentials that did not make it into my carry-on during the last minute re-packing. The store was nearly empty except for me, but there were 3 people playing slot machines in the mini-casino at the front of the store. They looked like they were going to be there awhile. I don't know why they chose Albertsons over the casinos down the road.

I got up early, but since I was still on Central time it was not so early to me. I drove 20 minutes to the race site and took the shuttle from the parking lot to the startline. Here I realize I forgot my flashlight when I was transferring essentials to my carry-on, but I managed to stumble around following glow-sticks and other people’s lights to get to the startline just as the 100 milers were taking off. Fagan was there. Then it was another hour until my 50K start. I picked up my race packet and then took the shuttle back to my car to drop off the packet. I took the shuttle back to the start line, and then realized I forgot to pick up my GPS watch which was in the car. Fortunately I was wearing my regular watch.

By the time of the 50M/50K start, the sun was up and it was light out. I started near the back of the pack and took it easy for the first few hill climbs. About 3-4 miles in we got the first good view of a lake. At around 6 miles we got to the first aid station, which was well stocked. Most of the trails were smooth and not too rocky. This was easy after training on rougher Texas terrain, although I was not as used to running on the sandy surface that was found in places.

After the aid station, the trail went up towards Marlette peak. The trail took us up past the treeline and around the side of the mountain. This gave us the first real look at Lake Tahoe. The runner ahead was trying to take his own picture, and so I stopped and we quickly took each others picture at a good vantage point. The runner explained the first, smaller lake next to Lake Tahoe was a man-made lake some towns get their drinking water. Then I took off on a slight down hill section. This was a little rockier, so I concentrated on footing and passing people who slowed down for this terrain. Then there was a slight up-hill to get to where the event photographer was taking pictures. I wondered why he picked this point since there was beautiful view 3/4 mile back. I had not bothered to look back to realize I missed some of the best scenery while running. I would figure it out 10 miles later when I got back here on the return trip.

Previous two pictures purchased from event photographer

The first 9 miles had been mostly uphill for an altitude gain from 7000ft to just over 8500 ft. As I reach the top last pass before the downhill, the first 50K runner passed me coming back the other way, which meant he was 10 miles ahead. Then there was a gradual downhill across some switchbacks until the Tunnel Creek aid station at mile 11. After this, there was a almost 2 mile steep downhill. For those familiar with Ladera Norte hill in Austin, the grade was similar. I tried to let loose down this hill. It was more comfortable running on my knees that trying to put the breaks on, so I concentrated on running hard and not falling. I had to dodge people coming back up for the first half of the hill. I could see in their faces I was not going to enjoy the journey back up. After a little bit, the course split and I went a different route from the returning runners. I descended another mile or so still on the same grade. I did not see anyone on this stretch. I stopped once to let some rocks out of my shoe, and no-one passed me. There was a quarter mile of flat jeep track, and then just after mile 13 I hit the lowest part of the course at 6700ft and then had a similarly steep uphill for a mile. This I took slowly as the work running the steep down hill caught up to me, and it was not long before people started to catch up.

After about a mile up the steep hill, the course came to a Jeep track that flattened out for awhile. But my legs were a little spent after all that, so I walked for a bit. There were 1.5 miles on this jeep track. I tried to start running, but each time I would start getting into a coughing fit and had to stop. Each time I coughed, it felt like someone was throwing a heavy medicine ball and hitting me in the chest. So I did not make if very fast through this section. Then I got back to the steep up-hill section that took me back slowly to the Tunnel Creek Aid station. The 100M/50M course takes another out-and-back loop to add 18 miles at this point that the 50k course skips.

After the aid station it was another two miles up-hill along the same route that I had run out on. Here, the faster 100M and 50M runners coming off their extra loop started passing me from behind. I had been taking a bunch of endurolites, and now my stomach was starting to turn and that made it hard to run consistently. Many people who passed offered encouragement, or asked if I needed assistance. The steeper it got, the slower I got. I think altitude may have affected me here, but it is hard to tell if it was that or lack of fitness or both.

One of the consequences of spending the last month traveling, and then rushing to catch up with things at work and life after returning before the race, and then rushing to pack and get to the airport on time--- was that I had not studied the course map in over a month. So I had forgotten that there was a different route back. Also, I remembered incorrectly that the previous aid station was around mile 19 when actually it was closer to mile 17. Since I had forgotten my GPS watch, I did not have the distance measurement to pull me into reality. With any time goal out the window, I figured I could make the cut-off time with a few hours to spare, so I took some time to enjoy the scenery and take some pictures along the way. Around mile 20 (at the time, I thought it was 24-25), I got back to one of the prettiest parts of the course. I realized I missed some of this scenery the first time out because I did not happen to look back. Meredith, who was running one of the longer routes, caught up to me here at one of the best views, so I paused a moment for a picture. We chatted for a very quick visit. I either had not seen or did not know the other HCTR runners out there. I think she tried to tell me I mis-understood how far it was to the finish, but I did not quite follow what she said as she moved ahead and out of earshot. I figured it out two miles later when I got to the aid station and realized there were 10.5 miles left instead of 6. Upon that realization, I put the camera up and pushed on with some renewed motivation.

Within the next three miles, there was a long climb up to the highest point of the course, and again I had to slow down. Some calculations with the correct distance told me I might be in danger of missing the cutoff at this rate, so I tried to push faster, but started feeling sick each time I increased exertion. Finally I got to the aid station at the top, and the volunteers said the next 7 miles to the finish were all down hill. These miles went faster, but my legs were spent so I could not take full advantage.

Anyway, I got to the end with plenty of time, and I was not last. As I crossed the finish line, I was handed a large beer and a finisher's medal. The medal was actually a bottle opener. The beer was a local brew with a special label just for the race. I drank my beer, found a hose for a quick shower, got a little dinner, and drove back to Reno for my midnight flight home.

Link: Tahoe Photo Album