Tahoe Rim Trail 100

I didn't take many pictures this past weekend. During the race itself I only carried the camera until mile 12, took just enough pictures for the blog. Of the pictures that I did take however I had a hard time choosing a cover. I chose this one because of the great comeback this athlete has had from injury and the amazing year he is having now. This is Kevin Swisher, we met on the trail at the Ohlone 50k back in 2006. We spoke as I passed him in the later stages of the race and got reacquainted with him at the finish. It was his first ultra. Last year after posting a great time at the American River 50-miler he was injured and missed most of the year. In October of that year I passed him before the halfway point of the Firetrails 50-miler. I almost didn't recognize him, he gained weight, he looked off his game and I believe he didn't even finish the race that day. Well he has made his comeback this year, coming in 4th overall at Ohlone 50k amidst a very competitive field on a very hot day that saw two runners airlifted with heat related injuries. This past weekend at TRT100 he came in 6th overall, posting a sub-23 hour run. A sub-24 would be an accomplishment on that course. His comeback is an inspiration and it couldn't happen to a better and gracious runner.

For the rest of the photos, click here.

TRT100, hmmm... well it was at least a good first half, haha, ouch! It was another sufferfest. The course was not the toughest I've seen but the way things unfolded for me personally it was the toughest event I've ever experienced. That stinkin race beat me, beat me some more and beat on me some more for good measure. It was hard on all of us, only 60% completed the run despite good weather. I'd hate to see that course in the heat or rain. I had my problems out there, more than the usual and there was a moment during the night when I wished I did have a pacer. I don't begrudged people who use pacers or crew, I've used both and have fulfilled both roles myself for other runners, it's just that lately I've wanted that extra degree of difficulty in my events. I'm also being cheap! I didn't want to pay for lodging and transportation for a pacer. Anyway the low's were deep, dark and long and no music for inspiration or distraction. There is a no headphones policy for the entire event. That hurt me more than not having a pacer or crew. Regardless of the difficulties and the setbacks I did finish. On this weekend at least I was still tougher than the course, I survived my mistakes and weaknesses and finished not too long after first light on Sunday morning. It was the hardest mental battle and it took a whole lot out of me but it's nothing a few good nights of sleep, a few beers and good food won't cure.

Overall I'm not too disappointed with how the day turned out and I'm thankful for the small victories along the way that made it such a positive experience for me. I could have done better but considering the day I could also have easily not finished. The several problems I had really slowed me down and hurt me mentally but two of them I overcame with the help of fellow runners and fantastic volunteers. By mile 75, 17.5 hours into the race I still had a chance to come in under the 24 hour mark. However the return of my knee problem, same one that forced me to a shuffle at KM100, forced me to call off the time goal and simply survive. Exhausted, fuzzy brained and with a bum knee, I walked it in from mile 77. I knew it was going to be long, slow, lonely and torturous but the prospect of a dnf was even more unappealing. It's a heck of a thing to look at your watch, tired, exhausted, miserable and suffering and think to yourself, "if I'm blessed I get to do this for another 8 hours and finish".

I was convinced that I wouldn't try the course again any time soon, as I publicly announced to several volunteers but at the awards ceremony, as I was looking at my silver buckle (your time is imprinted on the back), I was already thinking of next time. Typical no? My overall time was fine but I didn't finish the race under my own terms and that's what matters most. I can't have a trail dictating to me when and how I will finish.

Despite my day I finished in the top 20 with a time of 26:23:49, that's not a testament to my speed and strength but the high attrition rate and the number of people who were having worse problems than I had. I'll have a blow by blow report to follow for you folks who like the gritty details. Thanks for all the support and I'll leave you all with this mental image:

It's early in the morning before sunrise and a very bright almost full moon is shining. You are on the rim and exposed, the wind is gusting and howling in your ears. It threatens to go right through your shell and you are thankful this one came with a hood. There is no sign of running lights in front or behind you. You take a deep breath, your vision is fuzzy and you are bone tired. Despite all that you take another step, fix your eyes on the trail ahead and think to yourself, "I am going to finish this!". Most of all you feel fragile and insignificant yet blessed and more than human at the same time.

That was me around mile 92, looking for my last major aid station, the last weigh in and the final push for home amidst the first signs of a lightening sky.