Excuse me, did you say no music? No headphones allowed? For 100 miles? 50?
Even for 50-freaking K?
Wow.
Either the folks who stage the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs (and they are fine folks) are insanely confident in the ability of the admittedly gorgeous scenery to keep runners entertained, or they’re monks – or reincarnations of Tipper Gore (remember her?) who are overly concerned about the effects of off-color lyrics during the pounding, grinding, pulsating downhills (’cuse me, it’s getting a little hot in here).
For whatever reason (officially, it’s for the safety of the runners, as there are many wild animals about), this rule is plain goofy.
We know that the Tahoe Rim endurance runs, held July 21 this year, officially are sanctioned by grim-sounding state and national running organizations that insist on such silliness, but come on. Seriously, do you really think it’s going to make a difference if “Dancing Queen’’ is blasting out of your iPod when a mountain lion sinks its teeth into your neck, reaches around with his eager paws, then relieves your chest cavity of its quivering contents?
As if you’d actually have any time to do anything if you were attacked by a wild animal! (For the record, Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like the Wolf’’ springs to mind as excellent theme music by which to be mauled). Personally, I’d rather be eaten listening to a favorite U2 tune then the dying sounds of…ME, being eaten alive. I mean, how gross!
I have lived a life of relative dignity, and prefer to die with a little dignity (though I pray I won’t be listening to Britney Spears when cruel fate permanently disconnects my mortal coil).
OK, enough about the no-headphones rant.
Actually, we think that Tahoe Rim Trail race co-directors (David Cotter and Kevin Bigley) are certifiable geniuses, because once we stopped bitching about the no-music rule and actually started running, thoughts of listening to music receded far, far into the background, like the smog in Orange County from whence we came.
You don’t need music on this course – the run really is that gorgeous, and that well organized, with totally awesome aid stations (ok guys, I said it – now give me my race fee back; a deal is a deal).
In Tahoe, for the first time, we at therundown.net learned to listen only to nature (and nature calling, ahem) – and to our fellow runners, even when some of them just wouldn’t shut up.
Hey, folks, relax — it’s all good! We won’t name any names!
On to the race.
“Elevation” is a great U2 song, but elevation can suck when it comes to running 50 miles, and in Lake Tahoe, the mountains can bring even the most studly runner to his or her knees. It happens to the best of them.
So, although the Tahoe Rim is one of the most beautiful ultras you ever will run (the lake views blow the crap out of that Thomas Kincaide crap painter), keep in mind that it’s also one of the most challenging – mostly because of the elevation, as opposed to the inevitable annoying climbs where walking is a must for everyone but the elite runners.
On this course, you run at an elevation averaging in the high 7,000s, but the mostly single-track course (about 10 miles are dirt roads) ranges from 6,800 to 9,000. There is about 10,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain for the 50-milere – healthy, for sure, but not deadly.
Checking in for the run outside the lovely state capital grounds in Carson City, Nev. (think: Sacramento, after some serious shrinkage), we felt a bit deadly — specifically, Auschwitz-like deadly. Let us explain. We mean no offense, but instead of receiving race bibs, we had numbers written in black markers on the outside of our hands, which matched the race bibs that we were told to pick up the following morning.
Now, I don’t want to discuss pre-race rituals, but the fear of accidentally wiping the number off the night before the race – well, let’s just say it caused some hand-related moisture concerns, as in, “DON’T GET YOUR HAND WET!’’ (talk about limiting your options). I think you all understand. They say all ultra runners are neurotic, but do we really need more reasons to be more mentally imbalanced? Wait, don’t answer that (pops some more lithium).
We spotted Catra Corbett (50-miler, 13:07) at the check-in – you know, she was a little noticeable in that pink top. This chick is so hard-core plutonium reactors fizzle out in her presence. The trail vixen from Fremont, Ca. was taking a break from hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (yep, the one that goes from Mexico to Canada) to run the Tahoe 50-miler, only to resume her journey two days later.
Catra, we have to ask: Do you power date, too? We shudder at the thought. Run for cover, guys! And be sure to be packing some recovery drinks!
For those of you who, like us, are geographically challenged, the Tahoe Rim Endurance Runs entirely take place in the lovely state of Nevada. So, we have to say this – finishing this puppy is a real gamble! I know, I know. Somewhere, somehow, someone is planning to grind me into Gu – “Would you like our new flavor, “Obnoxious Moron?’’
We met a few runners who used Tahoe to knock off a state in their quest to complete races in all 50 states. One of them, Mark Evans, of Grafton, Ohio, was running in his 27th 50K. He finished Tahoe in 7:25:32. We saw Evans cruising along soon after the start of the race at the Spooner Trailhead – a six-mile leg that climbs a modest 1,100 feet to Hobart Road.
In some sort of cosmic bookend thingie that makes more sense after several shots of tequila, we ran into Daniel Wells, 60, from Danville, Ken., a few miles before the end of our 50-mile race. He, too, was running in Nevada as part of some anal-retentive, all-state goal.
“Use your head,’’ Wells advised me.
I stopped, read “War and Peace,’’ dug a hole in the ground with my skull, peed into it, then continued on. Yep – I sure used my head. That Wells guy – hire him, Mr. Trump! Wells finished his 40th 50K in 10:18:33. Beware of him in another state. He’s no longer Nevada’s problem.
Love is abundant on the mountain trails of Lake Tahoe. After they materialzed from behind a sizeable boulder (just kidding, guys, I’m just trying to sex up this recap), Tim and Doone Watson, ages 54 and 50, respectively, resumed their 50-miler. Doone finished in 11:58:19, and her hubby in 12:17:49, making for some predictable dinner conversation. “No, dear,’’ Doone says. “I’ll run out for the beer. Just rest.’’ And he’s thinking: Damn broad beat me again! 
Now, I would never stoop to a shameless plug, but the Watsons are three-time finishers of the Coastal Challenge Route of Fire, a six-day staged race in Costa Rica. I will be running the Coastal Challenge for the first time next year. My picture is on the home page of the race web site, which is www.thecoastalchallenge.com – and what a stellar web site it is! Please sign up for this most excellent adventure. I will look good if you do.
Now, ahem, where was I?
The beauty of the Tahoe Rim trail (the 100 miler is a repeat of the 50-miler course, down to the last pinecone, and the 50-K is the same as the 50-miler, with an 18-mile out and back tacked on) makes itself apparent almost instantly. The big lake comes into view above the pine trees at around mile 4.5, and the shady trail around Marlette Lake soon after. The portion of the run around Marlette literally is a romp through an alpine meadow, which is painted with gorgeous purple lupine and other wildflowers this time of year.
“Can’t complain about this morning,’’ Terry O’Connor (6:09:45 in the 50K), 32, of Portland, said just before mile 6, echoing my thoughts exactly (when they weren’t on beer and porn). The air was crisp, the sky was cloudless and my hand still was dry – my concentration camp number still was legible.
Most of the Tahoe Rim trail is generously covered with tall pines that provide lots of shade from the powerful sun. The weather this year was perfect, with highs in the high 70s to low 80s. There was no snow on the trail this year – which is not surprising, given the drought-like conditions in the state (what, Rosanne stopped exercising? OK, that was a mean “larger person” sweat joke. So sue me).
The race slogan, “A Glimpse of Heaven, a Taste of Hell’’ may succinctly capture Katie Holmes’ feelings about being married to Tom Cruise, but it’s also an apt description of the Tahoe Rim runs – though I, personally, would rather glimpse hell and taste heaven, but I’m picky that way.
The “hell’’ officially refers to the infamous Red House loop from miles 11 through 17 – specifically, the 1.5-mile or so uphill portion. I don’t know – this part of the run sorta sucked (it feels like climbing a beach dune), but it wasn’t hell.
Being Lindsay Lohan’s liver? That’s hell, folks.
Sometime soon after the hill that takes you to mile 17 (a hill we have taken the liberty to rename “Not Lindsay Lohan’s Hill’’), we ran into ultra goddess and triathlete Bree Lambert (9:47:15, 12th place overall for the 50-miler), looking as fresh as a just-baked breakfast croissant at Panera Bread (talk about a tortured simile).
Bree, 39, doesn’t sweat, she doesn’t pant – she glides, even uphill. She dispensed several nuggets of wisdom about running strategies, and we listened. And no, we aren’t dishing secrets here, folks! (Hey, this still is a free web site)
Bree, of San Jose, runs an ultra every two to three weeks. She recently qualified for the Western States 100 and counts among her recent favorite runs the Pacifica Trail 50K, which climbs over 9,000 vertical feet along single track and fire roads in the steep coastal range in San Pedro Valley Park (I cribbed this description verbatim from Scott Dunlap’s blog. Thanks, Scott. He finished 13th overall in the 100 at Tahoe, with a time of 25:18:15)!
One of 
the coolest things about running the Tahoe Rim trail (especially for the 50-milers) is the number of runners you see, particularly on the out-and-backs. I lost count of the 100-milers I chatted with. I was humbled in their presence. I caught a glimpse of the legendary Tim Twietmeyer, training for some insane ultra in Europe. Tim finished 4thth in the 50-miler with a time of 8:45:55. Folks, Tim is 48. I was too shy to hug and/or kiss him on the trail. I thought he would get the wrong idea.
Somewhere around mile 28, at an elevation of around 8,400, I blurted out to 100-miler Glenn Pace (27:59:06), “You’re amazing!’’ Glenn, 43, of North Vancouver, B.C., replied, “I don’t know if I’m amazing as much as stubborn.’’ Nice! We need to sign Glenn up to help Coach Charlie embellish these race recaps. He’s as quick with his mind as he is on his feet.
We spent a lot of miles in the last half of the 50-miler with Jeremy Reynolds (9:39:15, for 8th place overall in the 50-miler). The 27-year-old from Los Gatos told me he works as a farrier. Bonus points to readers who know what a farrier is without having to Google it!
Thinking, at first, that Jeremy may be flirting with me, with his clear allusion to all things fairy-like, I soon realized that what he does is specialize in equine foot care – that’s right, he puts shoes on horses. Awesome! Jeremy also is an accomplished participant in endurance horse runs. That’s right, Jeremy – let Mr. Ed do all the work for you. Wimp.
Ryan Blazejewski (gotta love that name!) came all the way from Narrangansett (geezuz, another mouthful!), R.I., to run his first 50-miler with O.C. galpal Pam Everett (who did the 50K, actually, in 7:47:52).
Ryan, 30, toughed it out after suffering altitude-related nausea at around mile 37 to finish in a very respectable 10:53:59. For his efforts, Ryan plans to apply for Western States. Pam, 47, of Laguna Niguel, already has committed to being Ryan’s personal Sherpa. You guys rock! And no, we won’t make any jokes about Demi/Ashton, OK?
The toughest hill, by far, at the Tahoe Rim endurance run came – no kidding – after the finish line. Glowing from finishing without dying, but realizing that food soon would be a necessity, the smell of homemade burritos beckoned.
Unfortunately, all finishers at Tahoe had to schlep up a hill (modest yes, but at that point, it seemed like Everest) to grab grub and drinks. Go ahead, RDs David and Kevin, rub it in.
Geez, didn’t you guys get enough glee from banning headphones?
Oh, behave!
Written and reported by Greg Hardesty (50-miler, 9:46:35 {drug and wind aided})
Posted and no embellishment by Charlie Nickell (aka, Coach Charlie)
Click Here for the 2007 Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs race-day slideshow featuring Wang Chung.
Summary:
When: Saturday, July 21
Where: Lake Tahoe, CA
Race co-directors: David Cotter, Kevin Bigley
Course Description: Mostly singletrack, with about 10 miles of dirt roads, on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. Overall elevation gain of around 10,000 feet. The course ranges from 6,800 to 9,000 elevation, with an overall average elevation of around 8,000. Generous shade from the pine trees, spectacular views of lakes. Excellent aid stations that aren’t spaced too far apart. A must run, but beware: the elevation can get to you!
Top finishers:
100-miler
Men
Jasper Halekas Oakland, CA 18:16:01
Mark Gilligan Oakland, CA 19:38:00
Phil Shaw Everett, WA 20:50:49
Women
Molly Zurn Reno, Nev. 23:32:12
Kim Gimenez Long Beach, CA 24:47:59
Sharon Broadwell Oslo, Norway 25:19:27
50-miler
Men
Thomas Reiss San Luis Obispo, CA 8:10:03
Jeff Kozak Bishop, CA 8:37:09
Tim Tweitmeyer Auburn, CA 8:45:55
Women
Devon Crosby-Helms San Francisco, CA 8:39:30
Bree Lambert San Jose, CA 9:47:15
Juliet Morgan Redondo Beach, CA 10:16:34
50-K
Men
Peter Fain Truckee, CA 4:33:29
Fred Zalokar Reno, Nev. 4:41:07
Michael Moffat Friant, CA 4:49:32
Women
Elizabeth Lyles Reno, Nev. 5:30:30
Mary Ohren Reno, Nev. 5:31:45
Julie Young Auburn, CA 5:35:52
Web site: http://www.tahoemtnmilers.org/trt50/
Category: Tahoe Rim
