Week Summary (Aug 7) - Feeding the Bears

Tuesday

TRT - Brockway West OB: 10.0 mi (+1,683 ft); 10:44 pace

Wednesday

Emma Quarry OB: 5.6 mi (+483ft); 9:12 pace

Thursday

Ophir Grade OB: 8.1 mi (+1,145 ft); 9:48 pace

Saturday

TRT - Mt. Rose to Relay Loop: 15.7 mi (+3,671 ft); 13:08 pace

Sunday

Water Route - Ophir Grade: 12.0 mi (+1,165 ft); 9:40 pace

Weekly Totals: 51.4 mi (+8,147 ft); 9:31:48 on trail

It's days like these...

The needle's in the groove, somewhat stuck, over and over, but slightly different tunes; that is, another great week on the trail. Having re-discovered Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Rim Trail, I've been kicking myself for years of avoiding the nearby beauty of the Lake of the Sky.  I'm almost half-way around the lake, visiting each weekend for some cool altitude and the fantastic TRT. We had to wait for the late Summer to open things up, but it's all been worth it.

Started the week with a repeat of my out-and-back run from Brockway Summit, a bit longer than the usual Tuesday (RFP Week #10) but I felt good and wanted to verify the route and distance with the Garmin (my mapwork was nicely close for last week's summary but the elevation required an additional 1,000 feet of gain!).  The evenings are starting to cool just so slightly, a luxury to be stopping by the TRT mid-week.

Visited Emma Quarry for the typical Wednesday night out-and-back. Still just love that trail. It set the stage for Thursday when I tried for some higher intensity on the climb of Ophir Grade. Although I hit the trail at noon-time, the temps were relatively cool (probably because I'm planning fieldwork in the Mojave Desert for later in the month).  I didn't keep the pace up as planned, but it remains a good lunchtime effort to the top of the grade where I could see my goal for the weekend across Washoe Valley.

Mount Rose from Ophir Grade

I had to grab a jacket in the pre-dawn of Saturday morning; I even considered the heater in the Yota as I stopped by Steven's house. We were meeting Darren at the Mt. Rose trailhead for a summit run. Great to have Steven join us; we'll work him in slowly!

Darren was waiting on our arrival, as was Stan from the Silver State Striders.  He's also headed to Leadville as a pacer, and today he was heading south with his racer, though she hadn't yet arrived at the trailhead. Letting Steven head off for a hike, Darren and I took to the trail across Tamarack Ridge. This trail is about eight years old, but it was new to me as I realized I hadn't been on Mt. Rose in more than a decade. The trail is well-used and we passed several hiking parties working their way toward the summit. We skirted waterfalls and lakes I'd never seen before.  I'd climbed and skied this area from several directions, but the TRT was exposing me to new sights in a place I thought familiar. I kept a moderate pace knowing the elevation would add up, and Darren pulled away as we turned at the wilderness boundary and began the rise to treeline. Above me to the east, the summit ridge was backlit by the yellow beams of the morning sun. Darren was a loping shadow now working through the sheets of light. It was an inspiring view, but by the time I grabbed my camera, he was gone. I noticed the summer fog of Truckee below me and pointed the camera downward.

Fog at Prosser, near Truckee

The final switchbacks push me above treeline, this is true mountain running. A single track climbs toward the sky and each side tumbles to valleys thousands of feet below. In the thin air, I move better it seems, or maybe it is simply the acuity of light that brings focus. I've always felt this way up high; it's why I long to return time after time. And again I'm astounded that I've avoided the quick escape provided this beautiful peak. I'm on the summit in 1 hr 15 min, about 9 minutes behind Darren who's looking around for the summit register. As busy as this trail is, they'd need something more like a big-city phonebook. We loiter for a few moments taking in the views and naming prominent geographic points for the other summiteer of the moment (he took the opening picture of Darren and me on the summit; thanks man!).

Darren on the Summit

Lake Tahoe beyond Tamarack Ridge

Once upon a time I considered Mt. Rose a day hike, now, if I thought of it as the only goal of the day, I could likely make the summit in under an hour. Maybe someday I'll try that, or not. Why hurry days like these?

We soon begin the drop back to treeline, fetching stares from the several hikers working their way up. May be some contempt there, are we altering their experience in our apparent haste? Many still consider us "gluttons for punishment" to quote one passerby but most simply offer a kind "good morning" in response to our greetings. I enjoy asking people why they didn't trip the faster guy just up the trail! Anyway, I'm improving on the descent and I stay pretty close to Darren, though he's going cautiously in the final weeks before Leadville.  Back at the wilderness boundary we split from the Alp-like crowds and head along an unproven trail to the north. This is the approximate line of the future Rim to Reno trail but it sees little use right now. The springs are fully charged and water flows from the smallest of seeps. We head this way to add some mileage to our loop, but soon Darren turns back, he has a camping trip with Carrie and Chloe to finish the weekend. I'm going to continue down the trail to gain a mile more so that I can easily get to my planned 14. Darren is primed for Leadville. I think his challenge rests in the mental game of going 100. His work is paying off, and we'll take it with us to the high country of the Rockies in two weeks.

I'm barely a quarter mile in when I see movement on the trail ahead of me. It's certainly the biggest coyote I've ever seen; no wait, thick fur is moving in red-brown waves as it begins to increase it's gait. In a few steps I notice that it is herding two other smaller-scale red-brown balls of fur through the closely scattered trees. These are bears in full stride now, thankfully heading downhill just ahead of me. Momma bear looks at me once and I quickly change my plans for that extra mile down this trail. Today this wilderness is theirs, thanks for sharing. I'll go now.

I probably had my best uphill pace of the day making my way back to the main trail. I only glanced over my shoulder a couple times knowing I couldn't go much faster anyway! Regaining the trail, I knew a few of these people would be slower than me (it only takes one) so I settled in to complete my run. Feeling the rush and joy of the encounter I decided for more elevation gain and headed for the Relay Station on the section of the TRT toward Brockway. I ended with 15.7 miles and a nice cushion of elevation, a worthwhile Saturday on the TRT.

Sunday morning brought the second segment of this week's scheduled B2B (back-to-back). This is part of ultra training meant to get the runner used to running on tired legs. Well, I notice that just about every Sunday after a good Saturday long one; sometimes I have the pleasure of experiencing it on other days as well. But today would be different. I started on the Ophir Grade just above town and soon the weariness of getting the muscles and joints back in the flow simply faded away. Maybe this isn't the practice I'm supposed to do, but it felt great to be back on the trail. Maybe it was the few extra carbos I got from the beers at Larry's place yesterday evening.  My pace was steady in the cool morning and I extended my usual Ophir Route out along the waterline that is our town's connection to the Tahoe basin.

I like the many desert runs as much as I enjoy the forest trails of the Sierra. But desert has its own share of beasts that demand my attention. Rattlers are much nicer than the copperheads and moccasins I grew up around; at least these guys let you know they mean business if you aren't careful. This big boy was only a few hundred yards short of my six-mile turn-around, so I thanked him for posing and moved on. But when I came back moments later, he was gone. Of course, I heard him in every grasshopper, buzzing bee and rush of grass for the next three miles. I've run into a dozen or so rattlers this year, encounters that are thankfully brief if a bit jumpy for yours truly.

The Washoe Valley side of Ophir Grade

It would be nice to connect the waterline along Ophir Grade to the TRT via the trail at Hobart Reservoir. Feeling like I did today, it isn't hard to imagine that this will come pretty soon. I had been a little haunted by the B2Bs on my schedule, though I'm happy to say that I've met the challenge of the first few along the RFP. Finished with my best week of total mileage, elevation gain, and time on the trail.

This week I work in Truckee where I'll explore some new trails before returning for my longest day yet on the TRT. I can only keep going.

Week Summary (Jul 31) - More of the Circle and Reaching 200

Tuesday

Knolls Duster Loop: 7.7 mi (+893 ft); 11:05 pace

Wednesday

Emma Quarry OB: 5.6 mi (+615 ft); 9:00 pace

Thursday

TRT - Brockway West OB: 10.0 mi (+1,683 ft); 10:42 pace

Saturday

TRT - Tahoe Meadows to Brockway: 21.2 mi (+2,585 ft); 12.23 pace

Sunday

Emma Quarry OB: 5.7 mi (+522 ft); 9:48 pace

Weekly Totals: 50.2 mi (+6,298 ft); 9:22:00 on trail

Monthly Totals (July): 205.8 mi (+25,358 ft); 37:27:35 on trail

I had a lot more fieldwork mixed into the schedule this week.  I thought this might affect the running efforts in some way, especially if I lacked the discipline necessary to keep at it after a day in the field. The necessary discipline might be related to that needed to keep an ultra going, so I better have it now. It's not the training, it's the practice.

The Knolls

Into the Winds

Started the week on the Great Salt Lake Desert in western Utah, working in a landscape of sand, desiccated lakebeds, and baked volcanic outcrops, all of it a shifting kaleidoscope of mirage bounded at the horizon. While our crews lodged in Wendover, I set up camp at the Knolls Recreation Area. In the heat of the summer the ATVers abandon the hills and dunes of the Knolls, so I had the place to myself. Sure it was hot, but the afternoon monsoons that visited the Cedar Mountains, to the east, brought cooling winds though much of the rain evaporated into the mirage at the foot of the mountains.  I waited into late Tuesday evening for the breeze to reach the Knolls, letting the heat die into the night.  It stays light well past 10 PM this far west in the Mountain Time Zone, so I had plenty of time. But when the winds came, they came with a vengeance carrying dust and bouncing sand in the on-going process of reforming the dunes and sheets that cover everything here.  I headed into a growing ground-cloud though it felt miserable to direct each step into the gusts and grit. I climbed steep outcrops following ATV trails down to dunes and across old shorelines of Lake Bonneville. For some reason, I felt like puking for most of the first half of the run and my pace was unusually slow as I fought the wind and a belligerent gut.  I'm not used to running so late in the evening and I likely snacked poorly after the day in the field.  But as I climbed a long, lone hill near the half-way point and turned with the wind, the pain subsided and I began to cruise. I could then enjoy the drastic dry landscape in the fading light. The dusty sky magnified the half-way hill making it appear a distant summit without any trace of habitation.  I knew of the single-track but didn't deny that it was a far away place, and I had been there.

I drove home Wednesday, arriving in VC in the late afternoon. After unloading the trailer, I ran out the Emma Quarry Out-and-Back. It's my go-to short run. After spending most of the day behind the windshield it was nice to get out and shake off the miles of the highway.

Fieldwork in Truckee, California, called on Thursday. This, however, provided an opportunity to get back on the Tahoe Rim Trail and check out a few miles west of Brockway Summit on Highway 267. I was upset that I  forgot my Garmin watch so that I'd have few stats for my evening run, but I defiantly convinced myself to chill and just run. Heading out the wonderful TRT single track, I climbed slowly away from Brockway and got lost in the flow; a couple times I thought I lost the trail too, but soon a marker would show itself. A ways into it I ran into a few mountain bikers and asked them how far they thought I might have come from the trailhead.  The guy told me probably five miles and I thought he was nuts, it had been so easy and quick. But then I remembered my phone and I could check the time.  Sure enough I'd been on the trail for almost an hour and the elevation gain wasn't really noticeable, so I probably was into it for about five miles. I cruised back to the trailhead feeling great. Sure enough, the map pointed out the road intersection where I had met the bikers; it was 5.1 miles away. Easiest 10 miles I've ever done. I hope I feel that way when I'm here for the Lake of the Sky 50K in a six weeks!

Darren to Relay Peak

On Saturday, Darren and I met at Brockway Summit and set an "aid station" in the Yota. We left it there and hustled over to the trailhead at Mount Rose Summit or Tahoe Meadows. In a growing gaggle of day-hikers, we left the trailhead to continue our growing circle around Lake Tahoe. This section from Tahoe Meadows to Brockway may be the best segment so far. We climbed slowly to Relay Peak following the standard access road. We were traversing snow before we reached the summit ridge, but it was patchy, sun-cupped, and soft so it didn't slow us much.

At Relay, the trail clings to the roof of a ridge between Truckee (Martis Valley) and the Tahoe Basin. Volcanic cliffs grow from fields of flowers and pine groves. All the while it appears you can step into the lake, perfect blue below. Here and there we lost the trail under snow and scurried about trying to regain our progress toward Brockway. No real problems, but it slowed our progress to each new corner and each new view.

Although the trails were somewhat crowded at each end (the first milers you see everywhere), we saw only a couple people in the high country. We argued with two backpackers regarding who was crazy. Two salt-streaked runners vs. two buxom hippie-chicks loaded with 80-pound packs. It was a draw.  

Darren strode away from me at about Mile 10 headed for the Yota. I cruised in silence trying to get my legs, now much heavier than Thursday, moving a little quicker. It wouldn't happen and I walked a few more hills than I'd like, but it seemed to fit into the rhythm of the day. It's a long down hill, over 4,400 feet of elevation loss from Relay to Brockway, so I eventually let a standard pace set in and enjoyed passing the staring day-hikers, saying hello as I jogged by. One told me that the guy in the green shirt was WAY ahead. So Darren wasn't lost and was probably at the aid station by now.

DC below Rose Knob

He reached Brockway about 20 minutes before I did. We passed on the last switchback as he started the return leg of his Out-and-Back. I would meet him back at Tahoe Meadows in a few hours. At the Yota I grabbed some water, stupidly hot from cooking in the car, and headed out for a couple more miles to reach my goal of 21 (RFP Week 9). It was difficult to get going again, especially climbing out of the Brockway trailhead.  But I finished as the heat of the day began to grow; Darren had a long way to go.

Darren stepping to Lake Tahoe

I dropped down to Kings Beach for a quick cooling dip in Lake Tahoe. A crowded sandy strip makes for easy access to the water, but the hordes of people force a short stay.  I much prefer the silence of the trails and even the occasional hikers near the trailheads, but the sardined-in beach, though refreshing, is almost unbearable. I grabbed the requisite Slurpee and more water and headed for Mount Rose. Sitting in my little chair in the trailhead parking lot I watched the afternoon clouds build and waited for Darren. I realized I'd probably made it to 200 miles in the month of July. It was only a couple months ago that I was impressed by my Lunar Century. The foundation feels great, and I think Lunar Double-Centuries will become commonplace. I'm in the peak portion of the RFP regime and would feel incomplete if I didn't keep going from here.

Darren dropped into the trailhead at a little after 4 PM, 7:48 after starting out. He didn't look much different that when I'd last seen him about 18 miles ago. I've seen him much more tired after shorter efforts, I think he's pretty much ready for the Leadville steps. 

On Sunday a did a shake down or recovery cruise out on the Emma Quarry OB.  My Sunday pace is easy; a great start to the day and a nice winding down of the week's effort. This week was a good one and a big one; we'll see what it's like to keep going...

Week Summary (Jul 24) - Light week and feeling it

Tuesday

Chocolate Factory OB: 6.0 mi (+464 ft); 9:17 pace

Wednesday

Short Loop Loop: 4.4 mi (+446 ft); 8:55 pace

Thursday

Ophir Grade OB: 6.3 mi (+1,013 ft); 9:34 pace

Saturday

TRT - Kingsbury to Spooner: 14.1 mi (+2,094 ft); 10:39 pace

Sunday

Larrys Loop: 7.9 mi (+1,133 ft); 11:02 pace

Weekly Totals: 38.7 mi (+5,151 ft); 6:33:19 on trail

A rather light week following a recent steady weekly increase in mileage. Maybe that got into my head a little bit because each day felt more difficult than the previous week's efforts. Still almost 40 miles this week is a lot more on average than I was doing only a little more than five weeks ago.  Also hit a rolling total of 195 miles in a 30-day period, so maybe I should be feeling a bit tired. 

A picture post this week as I'm on the road to Utah for some fieldwork.  I will have some follow-up posts later in the week because Dennis and Mary continued their winning streak by again taking gold medals at the Pioneer 10K in Provo, Utah, and Footfeathers, who was staying at Dennis and Mary's house while they raced in Provo, won the Grand Mesa 100 outside Grand Junction, Colorado.  Darren and I kept to our glorious training on the Tahoe Rim Trail. Dez ordered an endurance saddle that will fit a as yet undiscovered horse of coming training; Coach is doing fine and may get some special footpads for a few more trail miles.  Nice work for the Young Mountain Runners.

A gravity storm on Wednesday's short loop found me blowing bubbles in the dirt.  Thankfully I married an athletic trainer and was bandaged up and back on the trail in short order.  It wasn't too bad, but I recommend not crashing into planets when at all possible.

Back to the TRT at Kingsbury

The Yota at Kingsbury

Towards Spooner on the TRT

Darren approaching 12 mile turn-around at Kingsbury

Week Summary (Jul 17) - Benefits of Foundation

Tuesday

Chocolate Factory OB: 6.0 mi (+463 ft); 8:58 pace

Wednesday

Silver Saddle Loop: 6.3 mi (+311 ft); 9:58 pace

Thursday

No Hands to Auburn OB (Cool, CA): 7.0 mi (+1053 ft); 9:30 pace

Saturday

TRT - Spooner South OB: 18.2 mi (+2,887 ft); 10:58 pace

Sunday

Cottonwood Loop: 11.0 mi (+766 ft); 10:05 pace

Weekly Totals: 48.5 mi (+5,480 ft); 8:25:39 on trail

On the Tahoe Rim Trail south of Spooner Summit

I continue to hope that each week of running will bring continued good efforts and results, along with something to ponder in each summary blog post. This is basically a journal with, I hope, some occasional geography, beauty, and insight based on putting one foot in front of the other. The current week was motivated by race reports from the Hardrock 100, especially Tim's reality-infused and ego-reflective, truer-than-life posts at Footfeathers. While running among the giants and demons, he exemplifies what it means to "Keep going..."

Continuing down the path, I reached a new personal best for miles in a week and time on the trail. I can certainly feel it, but it really feels like success.  The week started with a PR pace on the Chocolate Factory OB, over a minute better than last week and even better that paces for shorter runs on the same trail. I'm very happy with that result after the relatively high miles of the week prior. On Wednesday, Desna had a group meeting with the Nevada All State Trail Riders (NASTR), an equine endurance association, at Silver Saddle Ranch in Carson City, so I explored the trails along the Carson River going from River Bottom Ranch (where her horse is boarded) to Silver Saddle. The single-track gave out near Mexican Dam on the Carson, but it was a good exploration for future runs in that area.

Work took me to Davis, CA, on Thursday so I improvised a run that evening on a segment of the Western States trail, starting at No Hands Bridge and climbing to Auburn, basically the last few miles of the 100-mile race. I tagged along with groups of runners in a high school cross-country meet. I was passed by the leaders but hung-on for 10th place or so!  I've no idea how far they had come when they caught me at the bridge. I got a bit lost in Auburn so I turned back to the trail and descended down to the car. I wasn't prepared for the sweat-fest and will probably need to invest in some seat-covers or at least a towel for the humid foothills excursions.

The weekend brought in my first back-to-back (B2B) efforts. Although not a major B2B by future standards, the Saturday and Sunday runs would both be over 10 miles in length and I had been thinking about this weekend for a while. I look forward to each weekend "big" day. There is slight trepidation as the mileage grows, but I'm realizing that each week continue to builds the foundation and produces measurable results. I reach each goal (so far) and am a little surprised and very happy with the progress. "Hey, that was a blast!" is a common statement each Saturday. There will undoubtedly be a threshold were the mileage isn't a "blast" and I'll have to look deep for success, but the foundation will also make that possible.  

Saturday, Darren and I headed to Spooner Summit for an Out-and-Back on the Tahoe Rim Trail.  I think the TRT will be a common destination on the weekends. It hasn't been brutally hot this summer, but the high ridges around Tahoe are cooler and the trails through the forests and granite outcrops are fantastic. Desna joined us at Spooner to explore the forest roads and flowers with Tephra. 

North Tahoe from the TRT near Spooner

Darren into the sun on the TRT

The trail south of the Spooner trailhead climbs steadily to expansive views of Tahoe. Without much warm-up, we plodded up through the forest, wondering when we'd get that first strider that allowed us to stretch out a little. It was almost five miles before we got a little pick-up in our pace. The partnership with my brother, Darren, is another foundation that has been re-building with the miles on the trails. He's been generously incorporating my efforts into his trail regime. At Spooner, he paced along behind me for 9 miles as we talked about Leadville (his coming 100 event) and enjoyed the astounding wildflowers and blue lake-sky of the Tahoe basin. He says it fits his training plans and maybe he just needs to get accustomed to going slow to survive 100 miles. Best of all, it's great fun to share info on our flight plan for the week, where we'll go and how we'll solve little logistical issues. He lives close by, but for several years our interaction had been almost incidental, lost among day-to-day activities. This is as important as any other goal.

I turned back at 9 miles seeking my goal of 18 on the return, and looking at the possibility of getting under 3:30 on the trail. Darren continued on for another mile so he could reach 20 with the return. I dropped into the parking lot at Spooner at 3:28, "what a blast!"  Dez called from the NDOT station where she and Tephra had ended, and then Darren strolled into the parking lot, just two minutes behind me. We proclaimed that MC Escher had designed that trail. After all the opening climbing, we were sure that we had closed climbing; out-and-back all uphill! Fun stuff.

Completed the B2B on Sunday by running a loop north of VC, following Long Valley out to Cottonwood Springs. The first mile, downhill on pavement, was hard, I simply couldn't get any fluid motion going. And then, after a mile or so, I hit the groove and enjoyed the movement through the pinyons. Looped to 11 miles, not too speedy but very enjoyable and happy with my first little B2B weekend. Thanks to the foundation, I can continue to keep going... 

Week Summary (Jul 10) - Miles on the TRT

Tuesday

Chocolate Factory OB: 6.1 mi (+510 ft); 10:20 pace

Wednesday

Emma Quarry OB: 5.5 mi (+441 ft); 9:14 pace

Thursday

Ophir Grade OB: 7.4 mi (+760 ft); 8:40 pace

Saturday

TRT - Star Lake OB: 18.0 mi (+3,048 ft); 12:02 pace

Sunday

Long Valley OB: 7.2 mi (+480 ft); 10:27 pace

Weekly Totals: 44.2 mi (+5,239 ft); 8:14:36 on trail

The RFP training strategy, now that I have completed Week #6, is becoming a habitual routine. During the work-week I have succumbed to a relatively small variety of trails because they work within my schedule and they vary enough to keep the workouts interesting. I followed my usual routine of heading down to the Chocolate Factory Out-and-Back on Tuesday, letting the heat take its toll and working the legs back from the previous weekend on Peavine. The Emma Quarry Out-and-Back on Wednesday evening is always enjoyable, I simply love the views and the flowers still greet me though they are quickly drying out. Afternoon thunder provided its own measure of variety, a good run and nice break from the heat.

I was out in the Carson Lake basin for work on Thursday. Although work has yet to compromise my training schedule (and hopefully vice versa) I was curious how a full day in the field might affect things. Yet I experienced no drawbacks and enjoyed the variety of an evening run on Ophir Grade.  I took out some of the steep sections and added some fartleks on the climb and descent.  I felt great and produced some good paces even as I extended the fartleks beyond half-mile sections.

Going to Star Lake, and back

I test the overall strategy against the miles on the weekends. In preparation for the Leadville 100, Darren is looking to get some miles at altitude combined with good elevation gains. We conspired a Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) run with that in mind, and in mild homage to all the intrepid runners attempting the Hardrock 100 this weekend in the San Juans of Colorado this weekend, probably most difficult 100-mile test in the US each year. Darren and I focused on the Kingsbury to Big Meadow segment (23.1 miles) of the TRT. Darren would start at Big Meadow heading north toward Star Lake, bagging the elevation gain of Freel Peak (10,888') on a  2-mile sidetrip.  I would head from Kingsbury to Star Lake (9 miles) for an Out-and-Back of 18 miles.  If things worked out we'd meet up somewhere after the time I reached the lake.  It didn't work out, but was splendid nonetheless.

Carson Valley from the TRT

I climbed quickly through the Heavenly Ski Resort along the beautifully constructed, single-track trail. I was the first on the trail this morning and was greeted with mild temperatures and crystalline blue sky. The trail traverses the east side of the Carson Range just below the ridgeline dominated by Montgomery Peak. As I emerged from the trees onto the granitic slopes below the peak, the green of Carson Valley spread out almost 4,000 feet below me. The single-track hugs the steep slope where you can step into the sky until switching back a few times to reach Montgomery Pass.  At the pass, I drop into the Tahoe basin contouring through forest, boulders, and an occasional patch of snow until I reach the Star Lake. Didn't seem to take long at all but my watch told me I had been on the trail for two hours. 

DCraig at Star Lake

While I was enjoying the clear single-track to Star Lake, Darren was struggling to find any sign of the trail only three miles above Big Meadow. Snow still covers the forest floor along the southern reach of the trail making orienteering a required skill. Despite the snow, Darren worked his way to Armstrong Pass where the snow disappeared for a while. He'd been slowed down but was enjoying the challenge and soon found himself on the north ridge of Freel Peak heading toward its summit. He called to let me know his progress while on the ridge; I was just arriving at Star Lake.  I would turn back and he would follow though he knew a few snow fields would slow his progress.  The ridge and peak were generally clear, but the cirques and forested slopes have yet to shed their winter cover.

Darren's Tahoe Rim "Trail"

Darren dropped from the peak to learn, again, that the TRT single-track was not to be found.  Scraping and shoveling of snow attracted his attention downslope, maybe some hikers were making their way from Star Lake, his mid-point goal. The sound's source turned into a gaping hole with very prominent, freshly imprinted bear tracks. The tracks pointed downslope, so Darren turn back up-slope, back in the general direction of the unseen lake. I had told him that the trail was good north of Star Lake and that he should be at an elevation equal to that of Montgomery Pass which he could see. After several miles of crossing snow he realized he had to regain altitude to get to the cirque of Star Lake, and soon found the Star Lake Trail (an off-shoot of the TRT) and climbed back to the lake. Now he could enjoy the true character of the summer-time TRT.

Nice Single-track below Montgomery Pass

While Darren skated and climbed his way to Star Lake, I retraced my steps toward Kingsbury. Feeling none of the effort of the previous week, I cruised easily along the trail. It is in these moments that the weekly training pays dividends. I wasn't moving especially fast, I was simply going easily along the trail enjoying being at altitude and on great single-track. At moments I did try to increase my pace and test my legs as I moved beyond 15 miles. Getting a bit carried away while descending the second-to-last switchback in Heavenly, I tripped on a technical section and skidded to a four-point landing, knees, hips, hands, and elbows, between two boulders.  I was happy with the result and only slightly bloodied and torn by the crash.  It was the boulder I full-frontal kicked maybe thirty seconds later that brought true pain, though I didn't come close to going down twice.  

Darren 25 miles later

I arrived at Kingsbury (Stagecoach Lift Trailhead) muddied and newly bruised but what a perfect run! Not even half as spent as I was on a shorter effort last week (the cool temps certainly helped).  Darren finished about two hours later with over seven hours on the trail and 25 miles covered.  He, too, thought it was the best worst 25-mile time he'd ever had.  It's what we do.  A damn good day.

I brushed things out with a little over seven miles on Sunday morning, the bruises hurt getting started but other elements feel fine though they move a bit slower. My toe is blue from the second stumble yesterday, but it doesn't affect my stride. Rolled through the horses of Long Valley in the late morning.  Last time I ran this route it was 11 degrees on Thanksgiving Day 2010, today I'm in only shorts and shoes, trying to remember how this all started.

Dennis and Mary recovered from their ascent of Mt. Shavano and hit their routine again this week. They capped off the week with six miles on Saturday and 5.6 on the trails of Easter Hill on Sunday. They are preparing for the Pioneer 10K races in Provo, Utah, in a couple weeks. 

Here's to all those who started Hardrock to head for the finish line, a 100 miles, 33,000 feet, and up to 48 hours later. Our friend and coach Tim Long, aka Footfeathers, finished 44 hours after toeing the line in Silverton, Colorado. Almost half the field did not complete the arduous loop in the San Juans. Cheers to Tim, and all the others, for keeping going...