Ultra Runners

Tahoe Rim Trail ultras (Read 1123 times)

    As with a lot of others, the second Red House Loop trashed my quads. I could barely walk the flats and uphills and stumbled like Frankenstein on the downhills from mile 67 to 80. This section took me 6 1/2 hours. Yes folks a blistering 2 miles per hour average!

    I was prepared to drop at Diamond Peak (mile 80). I was sitting inside the lodge, staring at the next section of course (a 2 mile climb averaging 33-35% grade) when I asked Rob**  to wake me in 30 minutes.

     

    I crawled under a table and slept for about 15 minutes, woke, stood up, and walked back on the course.

    That was one of the hardest things I've ever done.

     

    ** I was lucky enough to have an experienced local runner (Rob H. MM#97) agree to drive down with me and act as my safety runner (TRT does not allow pacers) for the second loop. I am in his debt

    "Famous last words"  ~Bhearn

    xor


      Ah, so that's why Rob used the term "safety runner".

       

      What's the difference between a pacer and a safety runner?  (sincere question)

       

        Ah, so that's why Rob used the term "safety runner".

         

        What's the difference between a pacer and a safety runner?  (sincere question)

         

        Per TRT, the safety runners were only allowed to run behind their runner.  Not next to nor in front.  No muling nor providing any aid was permitted.

          Steve, it was nice to meet you at the finish line.

          That was you, right?  Smile

          "Famous last words"  ~Bhearn

            Steve, it was nice to meet you at the finish line.

            That was you, right?  Smile

             

            Yes.  Good to meet you too and I'm glad you made it home safely.  And by the way there was no beer left for us, the 50k and 50 milers drank it all.

            jjameson


              Yes.  Good to meet you too and I'm glad you made it home safely.  And by the way there was no beer left for us, the 50k and 50 milers drank it all.

               

              I only drank one beer, it must have been those other folks Smile

               

               

              HoosierDaddy


              GreyBeard

                ... but some foot stuff (<-- see pic) slowed me down from about mile 30 on. Couldn't really do anything on the downhills, but I went up very well.

                 

                 

                Ouch - that is nasty.  Did you sprain it or just edema?  regardless, nice working through it.

                2020

                • Black Canyon 100k
                • RRR
                • Zane Grey 100k
                • High Lonesome 100
                • Wyoming Range 100 (?)
                • The Bear 100
                • Javelina Jundred (?)

                  The inflammation and swelling from the base of the big toe across the top of my foot to the lower outside of my ankle is likely from tendonitis, according to the doc at the finish line. The ankle is swollen because... I don't really know. Didn't sprain it, it's just fat. Funny thing is, the left ankle is almost as swollen as the right one, but without the additional tendonitis. 

                   

                  And after spending the day flying and driving, my feet were again swollen like a pregnant woman's feet. My Cascadia's were as loose as they could go and they still felt too tight. 

                   

                  I can get around okay, and I've been trying to walk. I even jogged down the hallway at the hotel in Reno last night.

                   

                  During the race, I swore to anyone who would listen that I seriously would never do that again. I called my wife at 68 miles and said I was done. I told her I was too far gone. She told me to get to Diamond Peak, so I got up and left.

                   

                  And I realize now, that's exactly why I like ultras. You push yourself to the breaking point. Then you keep going. You may finish broken, but hey, you did something cool in the process.

                  HoosierDaddy


                  GreyBeard

                    2020

                    • Black Canyon 100k
                    • RRR
                    • Zane Grey 100k
                    • High Lonesome 100
                    • Wyoming Range 100 (?)
                    • The Bear 100
                    • Javelina Jundred (?)

                       

                      my feet were again swollen like a pregnant woman's feet.

                      This. I have experienced swollen / sausage toes before, but my feet really ballooned. No pain, just funny to look at.

                       

                      Anyone else coughing up their lungs? I was coughing quite a bit on the second loop of the course, but the last couple of days I'm hacking away like a three pack a day smoker.

                      "Famous last words"  ~Bhearn

                         

                        Anyone else coughing up their lungs? I was coughing quite a bit on the second loop of the course, but the last couple of days I'm hacking away like a three pack a day smoker.

                         

                         

                        Yes.  Luckily my wife had earplugs for the snoring. 

                         

                        Nice report HD.  Starting the second loop was mentally pretty tough.  I was getting nauseas at that time and really struggled with that climb to Hobart. 

                          Anyone else coughing up their lungs? I was coughing quite a bit on the second loop of the course, but the last couple of days I'm hacking away like a three pack a day smoker.

                           

                          Yep, I was. But, I thought my issue was because I was rocking a sinus infection heading into the race.

                           

                          I think it was from all the dust/dirt/crushed rock on the trail. When I saw dirt when I blew my nose, that was my guess.

                           

                          Oh, and I took a bath at my condo and left a nice dirt ring around it. Awesome.

                            This. I have experienced swollen / sausage toes before, but my feet really ballooned. No pain, just funny to look at.

                             

                            Anyone else coughing up their lungs? I was coughing quite a bit on the second loop of the course, but the last couple of days I'm hacking away like a three pack a day smoker.

                             

                             I had a serious cough the evening of the race and for about a day after, but it's subsided now.  I agree that maybe it was from the crushed granite?  

                             

                            I had some serious swelling in my hands like I've never had before.  I had to loosen my Garmin twice and my hands were HUGE!

                            HoosierDaddy


                            GreyBeard

                               I had a serious cough the evening of the race and for about a day after, but it's subsided now.  I agree that maybe it was from the crushed granite?  

                               

                              So I will chime in too.

                               

                              My esophagus/trachea and area around that hurt when I would breath even through yesterday.  Still some raspy stuff coming up.  I didn't notice dust at all.  Pollen maybe?

                              2020

                              • Black Canyon 100k
                              • RRR
                              • Zane Grey 100k
                              • High Lonesome 100
                              • Wyoming Range 100 (?)
                              • The Bear 100
                              • Javelina Jundred (?)

                                A little video shot by RD at Tunnel Creek aid station.

                                Watch closely, my foot makes a guest appearance around the 3:30 mark.

                                 

                                 

                                http://vimeo.com/27318481

                                "Famous last words"  ~Bhearn