Tahoe Rim Trail Training Run

It's been a long time since I posted...but Shannon made me promise to post after the TRT training run , so here goes. I started to get nervous about this run when I checked the website and it was suggested to bring traction devices and trekking poles.  So I decided to get some Yaktrax before Diane picked me up Saturday morning. I got a pair for both of us, but it turned out we didn't need them after all. Diane, Marc, Mike and I headed up Saturday morning to get acclimated. Diane scored a great condo in Squaw from a client and it was perfect for our weekend adventure. We headed up about noon, got to Squaw in the afternoon and hung out in the Squaw Valley resort area. The weather was gorgeous and we were surrounded by snowcapped peaks

 

 Resting the tootsies

While there, we ran into a guy that was filming a commercial for Squaw Valley, Mark Jennings, from  Passport to Adventure fame. He was a wealth of information on all things Squaw.  If you get a chance to see this show on PBS, watch it! Marc was asked to hold the mic while the shooting took place; he handled that job like a pro :) We headed off to dinner at a pizza and pasta place, then headed back to get ready for the next day.

The following morning, we were greated with incredible weather and a front row spot at the start.  The snow was pretty significant this year, so Dave C had to alter the course alittle bit, which took out about 6 miles. So, the plan was to get at least 20 miles up there. We headed out from Spooner Summit off Hwy 50 heading towards Spooner Lake. We hit the first aid station at about 5 1/2 miles. The trail took us through beautiful groves of Aspen trees.

 

We then headed down towards Spooner Lake and decided to go left to the famous Flume Trail.  Had to get through some water first

We then headed onto this famous trail..the views are unbelievable.  I can't describe it, so I'll just post the pics

Mike took some great pics, here's a link to those: Mike's pics

We did an out and back on the flume, heading back to Spooner lake and up the somewhat snowy hill (only place there was some moderate snow) and then back to the aid station. The options were to go up towards Snow Valley Peak, which was a 1400 foot climb, or go back the way we came. Diane's knee was giving her trouble, so she and I opted to head back.

The run ended perfectly with a spread of great food, yum!

This was such a great run! I was able to stay with my buddies most of the way, which is such a treat (cuz they're really fast). But I think they ran slow so we could all stay together :)  I feel a bit more prepared to do the 50K in July, but I know it's going to be the toughest run I'll do this year!

Very happy camper :)

Link to garmin info

Another long hot run!! Shannon

Last Saturday (6-6-10) Pam needed to do 22 miles, and as her fellow Trail Turtle/Training Buddy I am obligated to be out there with her :).  Of course, after the Western States training run the previous weekend, I wasn't looking forward to another long run, in the heat.  But, I will never let my Turtle pal down.

A large group of us (FTRs) met up at the Auburn Dam Overlook (ADO) and headed down toward the river.

It was a beautiful day.

We started early to try to beat some of the heat.

The views heading down to the river are just awesome.  I did take it easy going DOWN as I didn't want to over do it like I did early on the previous weekend.

Here's Pam still happy!

We came across a lot of wildlife this day.  We first saw a deer crossing the road, which is no biggie around here, but then she ran back across.  We figured she couldn't get through where she wanted to go.  But as we got closer we discovered that the reason she had to go back was because of her baby.  Her baby was having trouble getting down the steep hill to the road and WE were too close.  So she ran back up the hill and baby turned around to go back up with momma.  Pam tried to get a pic, but all she got was the top of momma's head.

However, our wildlife adventures didn't end there.

We then came across this lizard who appeared to be injured, so we moved him off the trail, hopefully he was able to recooperate and move on.

Then we came across this little fella.  It's a baby, but still very dangerous.

Then we got to Avery Park and discovered the pond is filled with turtles.  What an awesome sight. 

I decided that since there were 4 of us sticking together, that I wouldn't run the full 22 miles.  I'd do 20.  When we got to Rattlesnake Bar, Mary and I stopped and walked while Pam & Kumi continued on.  I was feeling really good and I didn't want to push it.  It was really starting to heat up.

When Pam and Kumi came back we headed back toward ADO.

Still feeling good, but Pam was not.  The heat was getting to her.

Then at mile 15 it hit me like a ton of lead.  I got really nauseaus.

I don't know why.  HEAT! That's the only thing I can think of.

So I struggled, Pam struggled, Mary had no issues and Kumi couldn't take out slow pace anymore and jetted out of there.

When we got close to the bottom of our climb back to ADO I decided to try a ginger candy.  I had heard they work for nausea.  I thought, what can it hurt.  If nothing else, it might help me throw up and then I'd feel better.  Well within 15 minutes of sucking on the candy, my nausea had gone away.  OMG!  I wish I had dared to try the candy the weekend prior.

IT WORKS!

Ginger!

As we climbed up, I looked up Cardiac hill as this is where I will have to go when I do the Sierra Endurance Marathon in September.

Ya, I'm not looking forward to it.

I also, decided that I don't care for this portion of the trails (ADO to Rat Bar).  It's too open, not enough tree cover.  And this is where I'll be smack dab in the middle of the day during that Marathon.  YIKES.

So that's it in a nutshell - last week's run.

This weekend I'm hitting the links instead of the trails.  I'm playing in the Ladies Invitational (golf) up at Cold Springs in Placerville.

Pam, on the other hand, is doing the Tahoe Rim Trail Training Run (26 miles in the altitude).  I've told her she's REQUIRED to do a blog update on Tuesday (her day off) about her experience.

So look for her post and I'll post as well about my tournament.

Have a great weekend.

Stay dirty!