The Reno Tahoe Odyssey is over! I attempted to blog during the race but the pace of the event kept me from getting online to keep everyone updated. Our team consisted of 12 runners. I was in van 1 with 5 other runners and 6 others in a second van. Our Team name was Quick-en Fun. We were not a highly competitive team... we were more go at a good pace and do the best you could do type of team.
My first leg consisted of 5.5 miles. I was able to run about 4.5 miles of the course and then walk about a mile. I kept pace with another runner from Alaska and we finished the our leg at the same time. Suprisingly, I finished my first leg 5 minutes under what was projected.
I must say though that the weather was a perfect and mild, blue skies and the Sierra's were the backdrop of the race which made my first leg enjoyable.The wind did kick up againts us at times which made running the hills difficult, but it was good weather nonetheless. . My breathing at first was troubled when I began, but then I was able to get into a rythm.
My wife and kids met me in Verdi/Mogul during my first run. She and the kids stood on the side of the road and cheered me on with a poster and shouts of "Run Daddy Run". The missionaries that serve in our Ward were also there and provided a cape for me to run with during my leg even though my running was less than heroic. My first exchange point was called Donner Downfall since it was near Donner Lake were the famous Donner Party got stuck during a fierce winter and had to result to cannibalism for food. After my exchange my body was tired but I still had a lot of energy to spare.
The team present at exchanges varied based on the times the runners reached each mark. There were plenty of people to meet and greet. Our team became friends with a group of runners from Alaska. Their team names were Tundra to Tahoe. Pretty clever, but not to be outdone by team Best Breast in the West and Scramblin Legs and Achin.
The first van exchange where we met Van 2 and the other half of our team, happened around the Boca Dam area. After finishing our first legs we had at least 4 hours until our van would run again. We have a co-worker that owns a cabin through part of the route where we were able to stop and relax. We ate at Rosie's Cafe at Tahoe City so that we could have the pleasure of eating a-get this-$11.00 burger! One of the things I hate about the lake is the prices of food and gas. When we got to the cabin I was able to get soak in a hot tub, take a shower and relax on the couch for half an hour and watch the Simpson's. We weren't even in the cabin for 2 hours when we got a call from van 2 that they were about to exchange batons to their last runner. We didn't expect them to run so fast through their assigned legs.
My second leg consisted of running from Meeks Bay to Emerald Bay. This was a short run consisting of 3.1 miles. The route has a short steep hill and mostly a downhill path. I targeted to run this leg in 45 minutes but I finished this in 35 minutes. I could have finished earlier but I took the opportunity to commune with nature for a brief pit stop. This was actually my better leg and I felt great running it. I got into rythm quickly and hit my stride half a mile into the run. By this time it was dark and my route had some narrow pathways.
I was listening to Yoshima Battles the Pink Robots by Flaming Lips when the battery in my MP3 player died on me halfway though the song. The dissapoinment of having no music was quickly washed away by the sight of the lake. I looked up and I was fortunate enough to see the clear, starry sky, a sight I don't get to see much because of the casino lights. The air was cold but crisp and it felt good in my lungs. The smell of pine soothed my lungs and it was nice break from the smog in Reno. I was starting to stiffen up a bit but was able to stretch out the cramps and keep myself hydrated.
In the van we watched Goonies to keep us occupied until our van was completed. I could tell I was getting tired beucase I kept claiming Goonies to be Steven Spielberg's greatest work and asking my co-workers who the ugly guy was (his name was Sloth). It was hard to sleep in the van with all the commotion going on and the fact that who can really sleep in a van (besides Aurora). Our van finished off on the Nevada side of Tahoe right next to the casino's. One by one runners would reach the exchange line. By now the temperature was 34 degrees. I had to stretch out in the cold and this made it hard to get a real good stretch. Van 2 was waiting with us so they can exchange with the last runner from our van. One of the runners in van 2 is my best friend since I was in middle school name Michael Carpenter.
After running our second legs we made our way to the motel in Carson City, and I use the word motel loosely. The highlight of this place is the bottle opener connected to the bathrrom sink right next to the crapper (just in case you can't get to your Milwaukee Best fast enough). Coming in at close second, the bathroom seat and lid sealed together to verify that its sanitary. I was told by a teamate later on that finer establishments also offer this service. Thank heavens that my brown butt cheeks were able to sit in such a fine establishment.
The Billagio has competion and it resides off highway 50 in Carson City. The seat actually caused me to pause for minute and considered what was before me. I was worried what would happen if I broke the seal. Would there be an extra charge, you know, kind of like when you open up the mini wet bar in a hotel room? Despite the Bates Motel vibe the motel was giving out in spades it was good to rest for short bit, even if it was for just an hour. Van 2 gave us a call at 4:30 in the morning and said that their last runner had just started. We made our way to the exchange point. I had a banana, donut and gatorade for breakfast.
We waited at the exchange point for about an hour before van 2's last runner came in, which in this case was Cargo (Mike). He came in limping like a lame horse. After much deliberation with the vetranarian staff we decided to euthenize Mike to relieve him of his pain right there on the track. Actually, he was able to finish but his knee was hurting him a bit.
Staci (one of the runners in my van) started as off on our final leg. when she finished handed the baton to me and off I went to run my LAST 5.3 miles. Please keep in mind I use the word "running" lightly, which in my case was a slow jog. The morning was cold so I had a light jacket and my running pants. All of sudden it got hot, really hot. My extra layers of clothes we're dragging me down. I had to stop a second to take off my coat to so my body could breath. This leg was my hardest leg and it showed. I was passed by several other runners and they quickly dissapeared into the horizon. The view was more of a desert and had little to offer after running in Tahoe. The exchange point was placed on a obscure location and was being manned by an elderly gentlemen holding a non-descript white flag. Despite my slow pace I came 5 minutes under my projected time. News of this resulted in me shouting "USA, USA, USA!". The elderly man asked me what I was on and if I had any for him.
The rest of our legs ran us past the Moonlight Bunny ranch made famous by HBO, Silver City and Virginia City, made famous by Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) , the Suicide Table and the silver mining boom during the 1800's. Our last runner had to endure one last challenge to finish off van's legs. Before reaching the Bucket of Blood Saloon in Virginia City lies a hill with a 15% steep grade. She walked this part of the course along with many other runners.
The street that runs through Virginia City was packed. There were bikers lined along the streets along with the RTO runners. It was awesome. The church bells were ringing as we finished our last legs and a small crowd was there to cheer us on. Our last runner came in at around 11:30 AM. The actual race finished off in Reno but that would be van 2's responsibility.
Overall it was a good memory. My best friend from high school (Jake) also ran the race along with Cargo and I. He was on a different team than ours and we didn't see him but I was able to talk about the race later with him which was nice. I was happy to see my family cheer me on and have Kelsey's support this whole time. She let me run right after work even though the kids were out of control at times. I was able to meet new people and finish off something that seemed daunting at times. So in closing, here are mys list of high and lows for the race:
High-Finsihing my legs
Low-My aching legs
High-Porta Potty at each station
Low-Bottle opener next to the crapper
High-Cabin at Tahoe
Low-Sketchy motel in Carson
High-First one's out of the gate
Low-Last team to come in to the gate
High-Tahoe's elevation
Low-Flat courses
Check out some of the pics:
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