Nevada

When I was younger, I remember the bumper sticker “Keep Tahoe Blue” but I didn’t realize how blue the water really is.  Whenever I fly over it, I note the snow level, fire activity, and the blue lake can be seen clearly from the sky but it’s way better up close. According to the Keep Tahoe Blue website, it was formed millions of years ago by faulting of the Earth’s crust, volcanism and glaciation. It is the second deepest lake in the U.S. right behind my most beloved Oregon’s Crater Lake. The blue color is from the sky reflected in the crystal-clear water, which also filters out red light. Somehow this Big Blue Lake Tahoe had escaped my ground travels until I visited Nevada to participate in the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs.   

This year, the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs was abbreviated. The 50K was altered to accommodate some backcountry projects, and the 100K and 100M were not offered due to inaccessibility.  But race director George Ruiz and his enthusiastic volunteers still figured out a way to design a great course and host a fun afterparty at the famous Ultra Lounge.  This year also included a new 14 mile race which was well attended. I was grateful for the change-up as it gave me an opportunity to register for the 50K, which at the beginning of the year appeared to be cancelled.

I flew into Reno and followed the TRTER recommendation to stay in Carsen City, in a quiet hotel (also recommended on the website) 10 minutes from the start line. The town of Carsen City is a lot cuter than I expected. The downtown area is clean, walkable, historic, and full of history and art.  I loved it!  People are outgoing and talkative. There are a variety of restaurants. I chatted with a lady painting a mural. I saw Mark Twain’s house! Gambling seemed to be an afterthought behind everything else that the town offered. As I got to my hotel I viewed the surrounding mountains that pointed to where I suspected the lake was and thought, “We are going to run up all of THAT?” 

And yes, it was all of THAT. The next morning I headed to the race check-in at the foot of The Carson Range. I stared at the hills while George summoned all the runners to give a quick course briefing, and I tried to pick out the route through the exposed hills and canyons. Next, we all faced the U.S. flag, and were treated to a rock and roll version of the Star Spangled Banner that eased its ending into the start of the race clock. And then we were off!  Up through the sand to the mountain dirt. It was hot already, and I knew the race would test my hydration and electrolyte strategy. As we headed up, I played my mantra “run your own race” in my head over and over. People passed me and told myself I didn’t care (lie). I passed people but again I told myself I didn’t care. I was determined not to repeat the mistake I made at Sinks Canyon where I went out much too fast.  I experimented with my pace and stride while channeling my inner tortoise. I also made myself drink. My hydration goal was 1 Liter per 1.5 hours with about 1000 mg of sodium. Sip, hike, drink more, keep hiking, up, up, up. That up went on for a few hours until we reached the Tahoe Rim trail sitting at 9000 ft.  Finally, the reward was staring us in the face! The beautiful BLUE lake Tahoe was right there. And the temperature was 20 degrees cooler, which was so worth the climb! 

By now I had made a trail friend. She was from Phoenix, and our pace was similar. I appreciated her company and trail knowledge. We reminded each other to eat and drink and chatted for the next 12 miles all while enjoying views, trees, meandering but pristine single track, and encouraging each other just to keep on moving.  The race seemed to speed along and finally we were at mile 22, the aid station with views of Carson City, and an 8ish mile descent.

Looking ahead, I knew the temps would be in the 90’s for the rest of the race, which was fully exposed. No more trees.  We loaded up on water, poured water down our backs, ate watermelon, at this point anything water was good, and danced to Madonna.  I was probably the only person there who was old enough to remember Madonna in the 80’s. I realized that I felt great. Probably better than I ever have in a race. Maybe it was Madonna? Or better yet maybe my hydration and fueling plan was working!  I got excited about the downhill and decided to pick up the pace.  Just as I was thinking about how great and strong I felt, I relaxed my mind, stopped staring at my feet to enjoy the view, and then next thing I knew I was laid out on the ground in a superman pose.  Ouch! The trail was very rocky in this section.

Upon my landing I felt a pull like never before and I knew I had overextended my shoulder. My medical mind quickly assessed. Nothing was broken. No dislocation. I was barely bleeding. I stood up, brushed myself off with my good arm, and more importantly looked around and made sure nobody saw me fall because that’s embarrassing, picked up my poles and started running. Okay, as long as I didn’t turn my arm to look at my watch my shoulder was good. No way was I going to DNF this race. I feared a torn rotator cuff, but my goal was to get down and be done, and then I’d do a full assessment. I ended up passing another injured runner in need of sutures getting a ride. And then another lady trying not to overheat. That long downhill seemed to cause some trouble. But I didn’t stop running until I crossed the finish line where thankfully, I was greeted with a spray of cold water all over my body, and handed a cup of ice cold water by the Nicest. Volunteer. Ever.

The after-party at the Ultra Lounge was perfect. There were plenty of chairs in the shade, ice baths for rinsing feet, (one lady did the whole race in sandals!) food carts, live music, and volunteers who walked around offering drinks of all sorts, so I didn’t even have to move for hours if I didn’t want to.  I chatted with a much younger French guy who usually runs the 100K and finished much faster than I did. It amazes me people run these races in the 5 hour range. I waited for my new friend to finish, not too far behind me. It was her first 50K so when she finished, we enjoyed reveling in the accomplishment, listening to music, eating, and eventually made it back to the hotel to clean off, and later out to eat sushi for dinner.

Luckily my shoulder turned out to be strained, not torn, and now I vow to thank the shoulder Gods and to always stare at my feet while running no matter how beautiful the view is.

The following day I took a trip to the Tahoe shore at Hidden Beach, and went swimming in my street clothes because I forgot my bathing suit and couldn’t resist. It was the most beautiful, luxurious swim ever, in the most blue, clear and perfect temperature water ever, and I felt grateful to be alive. Then I sat in my wet clothes full of Tahoe clear water and ate lunch outside at the Tunnel Creek Cafe while the sun worked its magic.

I highly recommend the Tahoe Rim Trail Races if you want a spectacular course with jaw dropping scenery, well-stocked aid stations, and a fun after-party where you will be pampered by volunteers and experience a local vibe. Hopefully you’ll even be lucky enough to hear George Ruiz, the race director, play his harmonica.