Love from high country 1 (2013 Hardrock 100 pre-race)

A day I saw pictures of San Juan Mountain national forest and 2011 Hardrock 100 event from ultra-running friend, Ken Ward, who was just finished his trip to Colorado and came back in his hometown of Corvallis, OR. When I saw his photos, I thought they were so unreal scenery for me almost like an one scene from the Load of Ring movie. Ken explained to us an each picture where it was taken from. While I was listening to his experience at Hardrock, I was shocked that runners had to go through more than 33,000ft of accumulative elevation gain and loss and had to run at the elevation between 7,700 to 14,000ft. It was beyond my comprehensive knowledge and experience to imagine how running at 14,000ft could affect runners' body.

Beautiful Ice Lake near South Mineral Creek Campground, SJMNF near Silverton, CO

Since the day I saw his photos of San Juan Mountain national forest, running Hardrock 100 was on my bucket list to check off the box before kick the bucket. It is always in my mind to do the run someday, and that Hardrock 100 would be an ultimate challenge to human body and mind to conquer the distance of "100 mile".  However, I had no experience to any 100 mile trail race before. Clearly, I was an inexperienced trail-runner who needed to work on myself a lot more about studying the sport of ultra-running. I knew that I had to carefully plan myself and to contribute my time for next few years to build up what it takes me to conquer the distance of "100 mile". I started to look into the information of Hardrock 100 from the website and learned the qualification standards and processes to enter the race. At that point, my chance to turn in my first application to enter the lottery system for the race will be  two years from now. I had to run and complete one of qualified 100 mile races that was listed on the web in 2012. Unfortunately for me, I already postponed myself running TRT100 in 2011 event due to my left piriformis muscle injury in early 2011.  If I can complete TRT100 in 2012 event, this would cover the Hardrock qualification standard and can be able to send off my application to 2013 Hardrock lottery.

Almost crossing the finish line of TRT100, 2012

A year later, I finished TRT100, which was not so beautiful way but gave me a lot of take home messages myself to the high altitude running. Where there TRT100 was good or bad, my primary check list to Hardrock qualification was checked off, and I was ready to download application form from the website, filled up the form, and mailed in it from Melbourne, Australia. (At that point, I was visiting my parents living in Melbourne, Australia). I remembered David, who became my running friend shortly after Great Ocean Walk 100km race, and I were pretty excited about WS100 lottery on early December. Unfortunately, both did not get in 2013 WS100, which I had about 22% chance to be picked. Experiencing from losing lottery for WS100, I wasn't expected to be picked my only one ticket at Hardrock 100 lottery day, which was only 2.18% chance to be selected for having only one ticket to enter the 1 out of 35 slots. I had somewhat expected to be experiencing such disappointment on lottery day, so I did not even watch the actual event on Twitter feed on live.

Beautiful city Melbourne, Australia

2012 GOW100km, Australia. Photo by Brett Saxton, all rights reserved. 

The day Hardrock lottery took a place on very early morning of Dec. 16th at eastern Australia time, I woke up around 7:00 am and looked through my E-mails via my iPad. One of the title from April wrote me that "Mikio!!". I stopped my scrolling finger and tapped the title with full of question mark in my mind. She wrote me that "Congratulations!!  Does this count as a Corvallis Runner?  I think so!!" Now this message was really confused me what exactly she was talking about. I thought I need a cup of coffee first to solve this mysterious message from her, but I soon clicked my brain that this message was all about Hardrock. 

"You got to be kidding me. I only had one ticket less than 3% chance to win this."

 I went a kitchen to make a cup of coffee while my Macbook Pro started up and showed logging in screen. (Yap, I was still sleepy head, which I could check it out with my iPad.) I quickly opened Hardrock website and looked through Twitter feeds scrolling through the tweets to look for my name. There, I found my name on the screen. No joke. I was really selected to participate 2013 Hardrock 100! I could not even think straight to beat the statistical chance to be selected. "How lucky I am. This may be my last and only chance to do the Hardrock 100. " This exciting news clearly uplifted my emotion that day, but soon I need to figure myself out for financial strength and available resources to actually do so. Since I quit my former job as a horticulture research assistant at Oregon State Univ. in end of June, 2012, I was in the processes of applying a new job in Japan. However, it was easy choice for me to weight between a potential job versus participating Hardrock100 on a scale. I quickly changed my course of action to focus on 2013 Hardrock 100 mile race with my 100% commitment. 

I just found out I was selected to 2013 Hardrock! (Melbourne, Australia)

My training field needed to be changed again from sunny spring days in Australia (December) to snowy cold winter in Japan due to reaching maximum staying period with my travel visa. I had to compromise training strategy a lot more on the road running during winter months than trail running. I was bit surprised that many historic old trails were forgotten already and were abandoned many places in Japan. There were no exception to that at my parents' hometown where was a rural and mountainy ski resort area. The length of trails were somewhat short and steep because these trails did not have many switchbacks and rather did go straight up following the ridge lines to the top of mountain. Unfortunately, there were not even one trail runner living in that area or even never heard about trail-running, so I had to figure myself out connecting some historic hiking routes, forestry jeep roads, and paved roads to make a 15-20 mile loop around the town. Another problem that I had to compromise myself was elevation. The location I lived was just 800ft above sea level, and the top of local mountain was just below 2600ft. Since I did not own a car, I had to travel with a rental car to get a one of highest peak around the mountains, which was 8865ft at the top. However, there were full of snow left at the peak in early month of June. So I had to compromise myself to go with one of lower mountain nearby, which was only 5600ft at the top. There were no where near the elevation of 14er mountains in Japan. Ever since I finished TRT100 in terrible way, I took myself seriously about altitude as "a take home message". If I be the position to have acute altitude sickness again at the Hardrock, I would not stand a chance to even finish the race. I needed more than two weeks to acclimate such high country in San Juan Mountain national forest. Luckily, I do not have a job to hold me back for my time frame now. 

No more nice weather :( Snowy hiking in January 2013 (Gujo, Japan).

Last trail run before heading up to USA, Gujo, Japan

Despite lacking any sport massage therapists, physical therapists, and licensed chiropractors in my hometown, my training regime was clearly mixed with running, biking, hiking more than before. My foam roller, sticks, massage ball brought back from USA were my best friends to prevent any serious injuries for staying Japan for last 6 months. (I admit I need to do more yoga to stretch my muscle especially hip area.) Also lacking right equipments such as trail running shoes, nutrition, salt, etc. were another issue I had to compromise with whatever resources are available in the area. Fortunately, my friend sent me three pairs of shoes to keep me going my training. It was tough not even accessible to essential equipment for running and trail running for ultra. 

Volunteering work at one of AS at UTMF 2013. View of Mt. Fuji 

Three Sisters, near Bend, OR

When I finally arrived at Silverton, CO on June 25th, my nervousness about getting myself into the high country was changed to excitement just because I had counted on the days to come this moment in Japan for long time. I was happy that I can slowly acclimate the altitude for next 17 days to be ready for the race day. During my stay at San Juan Mountain national forest, I realized that there were many free camp sites in the area up to 14 days of stay in the same site. It is very cool thing for travelers who want to save some money but still take full advantage to enjoy in wildness area. Despite that the lady who works at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was represented by Hardrock RD at pre-race briefing for being great relationship with BLM local officers and shown his gratitude to use a land for Hardrock 100 race. Although there were extensive mining history behind the area from 1880 to 1990 (Dakota Jones wrote the history in the area called "A Totally Serious History of Silverton, Colorado" at iRunFar.com), the BLM tries to environmentally conserve this wildness area for many wildlife from plants to animals. 

Full bloom of wild flower and Marmot at SJMNF, Colorado.

Many old and historic mining sites are now for tourists' attraction. Since Silverton, CO is neither an industrial nor agricultural town at all, the major source of income for residences in town relies on tourism during summer and winter attractions. It is difficult for residence not having steady income to live through out the year. In living high country, scenery is beautiful out there but far tougher condition to live there than you can imagine. Harsh climate condition with poor soil structure makes even difficult to grow vegetables and fruits locally, the source of food in the grocery store limits what are available for residents. If you want to have better fresh produces, you have to drive to Durango, which is about 50 miles south of Silverton. 

Downtown Silverton, CO

Summer tourists from Durango are important source of income to the town.

The distillery Montanya, Downtown Silverton, CO.

One program that I was very impressed with Hardrock 100 endurance run was a scholarship program to continue higher education opportunity to senior high school students and freshman college students in San Juan Mountain National forest area. The program is based on generous donation from trail runners, volunteers, and local community to raise the money for young scholars continuing their education. We all know how costly in college education in US is, but higher education at colleges and universities is beneficial to him/her life later on. Unfortunately, there are bit of disconnection between educations and required highly skilled level in many jobs nowadays. The companies offer the job to recent college grads requires more special skills than used to be. Students need to raise their bar to achieve such special skills to respond companies' high standard, which I think anyone wants to have your dream job requires some effort to earn the skills. However, I think experiencing and graduating from college gave me an many opportunities and new networking that are very important for myself even today. (So please do not think going to college is overrated.) This scholarship program felt me that Hardrock is not just only an one of trail ultra race in the US but also raising a bar themselves to their local community for what we can possibly do to young people opening up their future.

Hello, My name is Billy Bob! So classic.

Tourist attraction for old mine site near Silverton, CO.

I spent last 10 days with Darla and Chris Askew studying Hardrock course for good 60 to 70%. This gave me more comfort and reduced mental challenge at the day I was in the race. Many places to hiking  or jogging, seeing wildlife, and wildflower meadow with full of color with paintbrushes, blue columbine and more. While we were hiking together at Bear creek near Telluride to Oscar's pass, we met Hans-Dieter Weisshaar near the top of climb. He is very humble and soft spoken person but he started ultra running in USA when he was 58 years old. He has completed 130 of 100 mile races in USA so far, and his age is 73 this year. What struck me about him was that he carries very minimal gears in Colorado's high country wildness. He only carried his 12oz plastic cup for drinking water straight from springs, one walking pole, and rain jacket with few foods in his pockets. He was already hiking into near 15 miles and continued to go over the pass via 630RD from the town of Ophir to get HWY550 to meet up with his wife. What a bad-ass man he is. Although he claimed himself slow hiker, I think he is far mentally tougher than us with carrying full of food, water, and gears. He was even enjoying the view of untouched wildness in south western Colorado. I was so pleased to know little bit about him that day. I was admired by his own philosophy about exploring wildness via ultra running for full enjoyment. He mentioned that an ordinary man completed one of toughest 100 mile race in USA become a special person, like a super hero. His physical and mental toughness are far stronger than I do, and I sincerely appreciate him competing Hardrock 100 at his age as my raw-model to be beautifully aging and continued challenging the life.

Volunteering a Course marking at day one.

Is this in Heaven? KT to South Mineral Creek

Near Red Mountain.

Less than a week to go for the race day, Darla and I were studying course near Silverton to Cunningham over 9 miles. The course was beautiful, but tough uphill started from 3 miles in the course. At midpoint of uphill right before the little giant basin with two mining reservoirs, one mountain goat was coming down from the jeep road. Although we had no crew what the hell this lone mountain goat was doing himself, he was clearly not so happy when he approached to us closer than 6ft distance. His solid pair of horns was shinny and sharp weapon proudly showing off by this devil goat, which can easily get us in trouble. He lowered his head down to show his pointy horn toward to us was already a bad news bear. We brought up trekking poles to make a noise that would hopefully scare him and hesitate to attack on us. We knew that the carbon fiber Black Diamond Z-pole was not be able to fight against his shinny horns if he seriously charged on us. We managed to get away from him in distance of 30 to 40 feet, but this guy was chasing after us. Fortunately or unfortunately, his attention toward to us switch to a camper who already fought with this guy earlier. I guess we brought back this goat to his camp site again creating more trouble. Other hiker told us that this devil mountain goat destroyed the camper's portable table and chairs already. No wonder why this mean mountain goat was already agitated by.  

Darla Askew walking next to old mine hut.

The feisty mountain goat. The bad-ass devil!

After the mountain goat event was over, we finally passed over the little giant pass and descend next 2 miles or so to the Cunningham campground. By the time we get back to the car, I was already exhausted and open the rental car's doors and trunk. I found food and beer for late lunch at campsite. I quickly emptied out my first IPA and figured to have another. Now trouble comes. I cannot find a key for this rental car. Badly, this 2012 Toyota Camry locked itself if I do not open the door for few minutes after unlocking the doors. I realized that I put my car key right next to beer cans in the trunk when I grubbed a first can of beer. I locked the key in the trunk myself even though I push the button to open the car doors. I knew one day I would do such stupid thing to this car. Although I had full insurance to cover the damage, the policy did not covered for a road side assistance. Thank you to Darla and Chris who took me to the town of Silverton with 20 minute of driving, and we scavenge few free pamphlets, bought weed puller for garden at the grocery store, and find a shop to borrow long metal strip. The old man who lives in Silverton had nice shop for his metal work, and he kindly letting me to use his metal strip for few hours. He even bend the end of metal strip for me. Now we drove back and tried to unlock the car like a MacGyver action style. 

1) wedge the passenger side of door with weed puller to have enough room for a two folded pamphlet to wedge in the tiny opening.

2) slide the 6 ft long metal strip into two folded pamphlet carefully. The paper pamphlet protect scratching the door panel and metals. 

3) Now you will carefully operate the metal strip to push the unlock button at the driver side door panel. 

result? Failed after 30 min of effort due to the unlock button was convex shape instead of the concave shape. Sliding it more than actually pushed it. 

With Darla and Chris's suggestion about trying to pull trunk lever from the driver's side floor, I switched from the passenger side to driver's side of door. Now I tried to slide down the metal strip down from the driver's side, I accidentally touch the lock right above the door lever. This looks far more potential than reaching all the way down to the bottom of the floor. Darla was waiting to pull the door, and my second attempt beautifully hook the locking button to pull off to unlock the door. One hour of effort paid off! I felt such accomplished victory and opened trunk to retrieve my stupid rental car key. One thought came to my mind right after retrieving my key was that it was useless rental car company gave you two sets of automatic remote controlled keys tied together with cable. Why cannot I separate two keys easily? It rather attached together with indestructible cable?  Now I know I can open 2012 Toyota Camry with few tools! Call me an emergency MacGyver locksmith! I brought back the metal strip to the shop owner and his grand son was working on something. I gave him small amount of money for appreciation and saving me paying whole chunk of money to road side assistances. I felt good and kind people living in Silverton. Thank you!

The day before the race. My pacer Meghan Arbogast joined me. 

21hrs to go!

My time spending at San Juan Mountain National Forest was running out. The race-day is only few days away, and my mental state for this race is rather calm. I have a solid idea for what I will go through the course, and I have an awesome pacer 'Meghan Arbogast a.k.a. Queen" to accompany the tough high country running and hiking through the night time with her. I felt my comfort toward to the race was like a home. (Although I felt more of home considering long lived Corvallis, Oregon than Gujo, Japan.)

This is amazing work! Darla is  ready for the race! 

Will see her smiling face for most of her race at her second Hardrock 100! 

The race day was near. I have only one goal at this time, which was "kiss the rock no matter what I have experienced through from the race".

Jogging at 11,000ft after two weeks of acclimation of the elevation. Amazing!

Beautiful wildflowers! Eye catching everywhere in early July. Do not fall though.

Life is too short. Why not enjoy the moment while I can.

   

Tahoe Rim Trail 100 "Taste of Hell" part

The second Loop:


My watch was already near 4 pm shortly after we left from Spooner Lake aid station (Start/Finish). Soon Todd and I were ascending from 6,980ft to 8,500ft, my back of head gave me a pounding headache. It was like an army marched with his rhythmical steps, synchronizing with my pounding heart rates. I could not withstand myself with this pain any longer and took one Alive pill hoping to work it out. I also suspected myself from excessive dehydration from the strong afternoon heat while I was pounding downhills earlier. I increased consumption of water, more precisely, drinking a sport drink, coconut water, and coke mix. I approached to the Marlette lake second time, and it was still in beauty to look at light reflection with orange afternoon sun. I was uneventful to move through Hobart aid station take one more pill of Ibuprofen, drink more, eat some PBJ, chips, and watermelon to continued uphill to get the second aid station. At this point, my mind set was pretty much focusing on how to reach to the next aid station rather than thinking big picture of finishing on expected time. I was though frustrated about my health condition. My leg clearly had more juice to move forward continuously, but pounding headache pulled me behind and forced me to power-walk some sections. The marching army of headache sneaked up on me more closer than before, and they were like in a target range to shoot their rifle to finish off their commando. 

I managed myself to get to the Tunnel Creek Aid (4th) (62 miles at 12:57:47) and felt that this 100km distance so far was pretty good pace, except my headache and breathing at now. However, my heart rates were well under 140bpm considering breathing so hard. I knew I need to eat some real food for another long stretch of 40 miles to go, but I did not had any appetite to Aid station table. I forcefully had myself soup with bread and refueled with more sport drink. We took off the Tunnel Creek aid station for the second loop of red house loop, and soon we jogged downhill down but a lot slower pace than first time I came down the hill.  when we approached the bottom of the valley, I was already walking myself to flat jeep road. The steep uphill section was terrible for my legs that I had to stop middle of the hill to catch my breath once. I managed myself to get to the Red House aid station and had garlic butter mash potato and coke. These instant sugar and carbohydrate regenerated some energies to start jogging a mile stretch traverse section. Coke has some magic to it. I don't know exactly what is chemically activated me to push jogging and power-walking uphill to Tunnel Creek Aid (5th). At this point, all I wanted to eat and to recoup my energy level, but my stomach was not be able to handle much for food. I forcefully put thick and nasty taste of concentrated sugar from the Gu gel pack into my mouth and immediately swallow with water to dilute and washed out the bad sugar aftertaste. The result? I ended up giving an acidic liquid fertilizer to wild plants from my mouth. I felt ease after that but had to give some left over again shortly after walking another 20 ft or so. I told myself "OK, my stomach was now completely empty and nothing to come out".

The second nightmare was happened shortly after the twilight. I pulled out Petzl RXP headlamp and turn on to middle strength setting for extended burn-time for long night jog. After 30 minutes past or so, my headlamp flashed few times for indicating running out of the battery. It cannot be right. I thought I changed it to new batteries before packed into the drop bag at Tunnel Creek Aid station. Apparently, I confused myself to grab a pack of spent batteries and left behind the brand new batteries. My headlight was less than 5 lumen strength to even see a surface of trail. Unfortunately, my backup batteries that I packed in my running pack are also spent batteries that were useless and adding now a little weight to my running pack. Luckily, my pacer letting me to use his headlamp for seeing some obstacles on trail to continue another 6 mile stretch of steep and technical downhills that many enthusiastic mountain bikers would salivate the drop lines of continuous jumps and sharp turns. We, on the other hand, were not able to see small details of obstacles on the trail and slowed down for this section. I had minor twist on my left ankle for twice during this descend but did not fell down to kiss the ground, which was very proud myself of.

I finally see the dim of light way down the trail where it should be my next aid station.  My second pacer, Scott Leonard, was awaiting for me there to take over the pacing duty. When I arrived at Diamond Peak Aid (2nd) 20 minutes past 11pm on Saturday, I felt I was spent. I was frustrated myself with this stomach problem, which seems always happened to me for 100 mile races. I told an aid station captain who was also a medical doctor asked about my condition of fatigue, stomach issue, headache, and breathing issues. He suggested to take more real foods, not gels and sugary candies, to settle down the stomach and re-energize by foods from digestion to uptake carbs and sugars. He offered me "Onigiri" rice ball with simply added sea salt and vegetable soup. I sat down the chair and had those food slowly. My stomach wasn't surprised by those foods either. I took time stayed at the Diamond peak aid almost 45 minutes to let my body digest food a bit. I, though, was still not so happy to look at watch that I already lost so much time that I knew I won't make myself to under 24 hour mark. At this point, my objective for the race changed from primary goal of under 24hrs finish to just finish the race. I felt I was ultimate failure to myself. I needed to take much more seriously about altitude I was running and dehydration from an afternoon heat that I was faced on. 

Finally I managed myself to stand up and continued another 20 miles of journey to finish line, which was not probably going to be glorious or beautiful. I was ready to take more pain and unpleasant long power-walking. I tried not to think too much about steep 2 mile uphill that was experienced earlier in the day. I had to walk this section first to accomplish my alternative goal at this point. The two mile uphill was clearly the favorite section for RD to give some love from TRT to runners. While I pushed my quad muscles by two hands to step forward very slowly, I still had to stop myself catching my breath for few minutes. One cool thing I discovered myself at middle of chin scraper uphill was to find a small desert scorpion, which was size of my thumb. I personally had not seen a wild scorpion since my childhood, lived in Cairo, Egypt for three years when I was between 9 to 12 years old. The last aid station crew said to me about this two mile section for "Don't worries, it just takes only1hour of slow hiking." Yah, right. I felt this hill lasted me forever, but his estimates of time was a right on the money to arrived next aid station at the top of the hill. 

After I left the small aid station, there are runnable traverse section to Tunnel Creek Aid. I started to try jogging the long beautiful stretch of trail, but this caused me shaken too much my stomach to give another liquid (some solids) fertilizer to a beautiful juvenile pine tree. Maybe I was too ambitious about recovering my health condition and running trail to catch up my goal time. I guess I learned denial myself in hard way.  It was just because there were no significant ups and downhills at the sections, that does not necessarily mean easy for my tired and screwed up body. Soon my stomach was empty again, and I had no apatite at all. My brain autonomously induced me to gag by just looking at Gu gel packet. At this point, my only a little friend to give me wings were coke. I was so tired to get to the Tunnel Creek Aid Station at that point, and my eyes weren't focus any specific point. I saw one volunteer girl approached me, and she asked me to get anything I needed at the aid. Then all of sudden I was kissing my face to ground. I could not comprehend myself what was just happened. My aid station girl suddenly disappear from my eye sights less than one short second, and I laid down to the ground for no reason. The aid station girl was so surprised that I tripped over by little rock and screamed "Oh my gosh! Are you okay?" It took me good two seconds to realize I was on the ground face down. It was just like a comical fall that you can find at many online video sources for laugh. I slowly got up and evaluate myself for any serious damages to my body, but there were no pain associated with this fall. My legs weren't lifted up enough for even walking. At this point, I bet I can totally win a role for acting as a zombi that will be shot by a main character's first shotgun at the opening roll of the movie.    

I don't remember much how I got out from the Tunnel Creek Aid to continue my journey, but I remembered that I had hard time keep my eyelid to stay open. My contact lens were so dried, which already past more than 24 hours wearing them since last night (1:50am) and hurting my eyes so much. I finally asked or even begged to my pacer, Scott, for 10 minutes nap to just close my eyes. I laid down to the ground and closed my eyes. This was the best things I ever experienced. While closing my eyes, my body felt lighter than before, and I had very short dream that I was running in the forest in happy face. Then, the words brought me back to reality. "Okay, it's ten minutes. Time to go." I got up and continued walking. Before the race, my pacer was so concerned about dropping him alone from pacing duty because he thought he wasn't strong enough to keep up with me running. Well, I did not think that was a such issue anymore. My pacer was kicked my butt to moving forward, which was exactly what a pacer needed to do at that point. It was like a love and hate relationship. I admitted myself that I was way too whiny about my health conditions. I think that was something I should never do to my pacer. The worst thing about being whiny is that it makes also my pacer being helpless. There are nothing he could do to change my health problems, which were found out to be acute altitude sickness I got. That was sorely my responsibility to take this run to be more respectable at this elevation of running (8000 to 9000ft).  

I must arrived at Hobart Aid Station (4th) around 4:20am. The aid station crews were all looked like bunches of drunker and pretty wasted. No body helped us for foods or drinks at this Tiki bar theme aid station. I just grabbed whatever edible for little more energy to continue the last 10 mile to the finish. Scott also grabbed me turkey cheese sandwich with coke. While I was munching it, a big dog just sat down in front of me begging for food. The owner of this dog was pretty wasted and said to me, "That's o.k. He's not gonna have your food." I replied to him, "Um, ah, your big dog is on my laps now." Scott finally pushed off the dog from my laps. I was tired but need to get myself out before whole a lot of troubles. 

 I knew there was only one more push to reach the 9000+ft. The eastern sky started to get red-orange color, and night lights from Carson city and Reno still shined the valley of Nevada. The view was beautiful but cold wind picked up at meadow where we were already at above timber line. The meadow was actually very beautiful. There were many colorful wild flowers of yellow and blue, some stink cabbage patches that were tall enough to cover up my knee high. The continuous gradual uphill lasted about a mile, and I finally saw the big white tent that was the last aid station, Snow Valley Peak aid (2nd). I arrived this aid station around 5:25am, just past 24hour mark.  

Wow dude, don't puke in the Tent! 

I knew there were only 6.2 miles to go and drop down from 9000 to 7000ft. It should not be that difficult if your stomach is cooperate with shaking abdomen by downhill running. It rather turned out that it was most difficult section for me to continued more than 400 m jog at the time. I had to stop myself to recoup my breathing and stomach upset. What a whiny trail runner. Yes I was very whiny at that point and wanted to over with this so I can relive from the pain. Scott told me that "dude, you gonna continue moving now. After cross the finish line, you can forget all your pain faced on right now." "Okay, I feel I gonna puke but nothing came out from my stomach." This whiny dude some how continued to jog down for good two miles and let puke out for almost nothing. I continued to do this for another 2 more miles to reach the bottom of the downhill. There was only a 1.2 mile to go. there was only rolling ups and downs but mostly flat trail along the Spooner lake side. I must be half way crying for holding up another urge of puke. The last right turn for short single track to approach the white tent with big blue sign of Finish. This whiny dude kept whining "dude this is sucks, and I gonna puke!" for next 400m of single track. I made to cross the finish line and immediately went backside of the white tent and let all crap out to the grassy area. 

Total time to finish 100 mile: 26:17:28. 

 I was sure my eye lids had little teardrops from puking earlier.

Collapsed. Zzzzzzz.

               

I got Silver medallion buckle. Maybe next time for under 24hour goal time to get gold medallion on the buckle. 

Reward to myself at Fifty Fifty brewery. Glower full of good hoppy American Pale Ale! 
"Gees, this guy never learn himself to not drinking beer." "Hey, it is the best recovery drink, right?" 
              

Tahoe Rim Trail 100 mile in Heaven part

(Pre-race, short version, You can skip it)

It has been a year since I postponed my entry to run Tahoe Rim Trail 100 mile race in 2011 due to my glut injury.  Instead of receiving a partial refund, I decided to forward my entry to 2012 race, which RD was very cool about accepting me my one-year carry over option without paying increased fee in 2012 race ($20 more). The reason I chose to do this race was my first 100 mile race at that point. I thought looping 50 miles twice is bit more mentally comfortable to know the course in second lap. However, it turned out to be much different perceive in second lap, especially after the night fall. Also photos that I saw from friend who run in 2008 was absolutely beautiful photo of running above the clouds and clear sky with back ground view of Lake Tahoe. 

After completing my first 100 mile race in Zion, UT, I was fairly confident about the distance of 100 mile to finish. Since I was recovering from Zion 100, my training was rather slow and steady slow pace most of the time. However, I run one 50 km race to see my body condition at Beacon Rock 50 km on June 17th. The course had approximately 7500ft vertical gain over 50km, it was good hill climb training. I was mostly on easy pace to go uphill mixing with power-walking and some jogging. My body did not complain much and felt light enough to finish the race.

Before heading out to Lake Tahoe, I quit my job that always felt myself a temporary job at the end of June saying “Sayonara” to my boss. I mentally free up my mind and ready to take next adventure in my life. I was ready to run Tahoe Rim Trail 100.

To the Carson City, NV

I was able to accommodate with two running friends from Corvallis to be my crew and “safety runner”. We rent a car that can take up three of us with full of camping gears (Thanks to Mazda mini-mini van). We started to drive down to Ashland, OR on July 18th (Wed) evening. We, of course, stop by the local brewery named Standing Stone brewery, Ashland, OR around 9:30 pm. (It was a shame that Caldera brewery taproom was just about closing a night 30 min before the regular operating hour.) We had some snacks with good pints of beer before heading up to free camp sites at Mt. Ashland campground. 

The next morning of 19th, the temp drop down but no frozen dead body found in the sleeping bag. A word from Scott was “It was freezing cold after 4am!”. We finally woke up around 7:30 am or so and had a cup of coffee and breakfast. We drove straight down to Olive Pit, Corning, CA to pick some stuffed olive and continued driving down to Chico, CA for Sierra Nevada brewery for lunch and a pint. Road trip with boys aren’t so efficient when we decide to have good beers. We also stop by a fruit stand for picking up peaches. While we finally get on Fwy 49/20 to Reno, NV, we stop by for gas at the small town called Nevada City. This small town has new brewery called “ol’ Republic” serving good lagers like black lager and helles. We, of course, had another pint for a happy hour price around 4pm and another hour to get to the Reno. Soon we crossed the state from CA to NV,  the view changes quite bit, like unleash every human desire for everything in big Casino city. That night, we had so-so Thai food near the hotel watching people on the street to have a selfish imagination talking about who would be a lady in business. We quickly came back into the hotel. we though, tried to spend money in casino, we did not even put a penny to the slot machine due to the system change that we have to buy a magnetic strip card first and deposit your money in to the card. Forget it. Next morning, we left Reno and drove down to Carson City, an hour south of Reno next morning. I double checked my well organized drop bags and register/weight-in at the park next to City Courthouse. My weight was around 159 lb. May be too much of beer carb loading along the way to Carson City. Let’s get serious. 

The race day              

I was finally into the bed at Carson city plaza hotel around 9 pm but the noise of air condition fan was so loud that I could not go sleep at all. I am sure I was nervous about the race, thinking how I can be done first loop of the race. I probably had at least 2 hours of sleep and finally woke me up at 1:45am. I had leftover Thai fried rice from last night for more carb loading (bad idea), changing my clothing for running, and pit stop. The shuttle bus was supposed to be leaving at hotel’s parking lot at 3:15am. We ended up waiting for the bus to leave at least half hour late. I was impressed with some people who were maybe bit overexcited for the race to chat almost entire way up to the starting line. I wanted to close my eyes for bit while we were waiting the bus to leave. However, the young blonde girl sat next to me that kept my brain in patient. (Found out that was a gal who named Sofia Cantilo from Argentina that Todd and Scott kept talking about her all the time). 

Runners and spectators were gradually gathered at starting line, and one guy asked me if I have any BodyGlide. I was bit of shock of my head and replied in my mind “Well, Yes I do but I do not think I would like to share with you.” In short silence moment looking at his face, I remember that I had one brand new pocket size BodyGlide that I got it from goodie bags somewhere else from the different race. So I grab it from my drop bag and gave it to him "here, you can have it." He was, without hesitation, immediately applied it to his gentle area. He was thanking me and try to give it back. I thought in my head “dude, I am not going to share this body glide with you.” I said that “Since I have another one myself, it is yours, so you can reapply it whenever you want.” I should have ask that guy's name. He was a quite character. 

About 5 minutes before the start, 151 runners with 100 miler participants lines up the starting line. The sky was still in the dark, and I did not bring my headlight at this point. I can see the ground without it, plus I won’t be able to go that fast. At 5:00am, the RD yelled “Go” through his microphone, the hyped runners were moving forward, like a warrior. Within a mile of Jeep dirt road, the single track uphill started. At this point, some fast guy and gal were smoking in the dust already. I was bit confused thinking “are they really keeping this pace like a marathon for rest of the race?” My initial mile pace was at 9:25 min. per mile. Soon the steep single track uphill force me to power walk at 12:20 to 13:20 min. per mile pace. My max heart rate was often exceeded more than 166-171 bpm. Since I have no crew how my body actually reacts with high altitude race like this, I decided to listen an advice from Gary Gellin at Zion 100 to go extra easy with monitoring my heart rate to be under 80% of maximum effort. Although this sounds easy, it is hard to keep your heart in my targeted comfort zone for a long period of time. Whenever I see my HRM goes beyond 160 bpm, I was power-walk to catch up my breath and slow down my heart beat. I still had several peak to 171 bpm for first 10 miles of the race but able to maintain average HRM at 151 bpm for the first loop of 50 mile.   

Soon I approached to the Marlette lake, the morning sun reflect the lake clearing up the morning fog. It was beautiful, but I had to keep eye on the rough jeep road along the lake. Soon I get back in the single track at 5.2 mile point, with elevation of 8100 ft. The single track continued for another 0.8 miles with another 500ft elev. gain to approach the first aid station, Hobart. 

At this point, I felt very comfortable and settle down my heart rate. I ate PBJ, potato, and watermelon. Refueling with more gels along the way to next aid station which are another 5.5 miles or so. The first big climbing are finally done, and I can finally see the Lake Tahoe on my left side. It was just before the 7 am, and I am already sweat like a pig. The view from the top of ridge line was crystal clear and deep blue Lake Tahoe shines even better than you imagine. This section is mostly single track and traverse and nice switchback downhill near the Tunnel Creek Aid Station. I managed myself moving forward efficiently to approach the second aid station (Tunnel Creek Aid at 12.0 garmin miles) about 2hrs13min later from the start. 

I took more food from the station, gels, stoof waffle with maple syrup and off to the next 6.7 mile loop (to Red House Aid). As soon as I left the tunnel creek aid, the gentle downhill less than a half mile become a steep downhill, which was fun to let my body ride with gravity pull. My pair of legs are still in fresh, even did not care about wetting feet by creek crossing. As soon as reached bottom of hill, the steep uphill just awaited for me to regret my decision for the last downhill. Now I have a pair of heavy legs to move forward with small steps. However, this loop had a flat traverse section for a mile shortly after the Red House Aid to rest you tired legs before back up to steep uphill to the Tunnel Creek Aid (2nd time). Some runners hated this section, but I did like the section just enough varieties of terrains to rest your leg, short and hard uphill section, and so forth.  

From the second Tunnel Creek Aid, there was about 7 miles long, sustained, a single track uphill to reach near 8800 ft elevation that was far more tougher than the short and steep uphill at the loop I just went through. What I was frustrated most from this section was to be runnable uphills. The steepness of uphill weren't the issue, but the increasing altitude made my heart pounding quicker and breathing harder and shorter than regular. I never felt reaching maximum effort but could not bring myself to own comfort zone. Luckily, it was still in mid-morning like 10am, so the cool breeze dries sweaty tech-shirt quick. About 5hrs past from the start, I just complete full marathon length. Trail turns left to drop down to the next aid station (Diamond Peak Lodge aid), where ski resort was located at. A long 4.2 mile downhill was fun for mountain bikers’ heaven with many stump jumpers and sharp banked-switchbacks, and rocky steep drop-offs. Unfortunately for runners, the section was quite technical to pay attention for both far side and just in front of me to do precise underfoot control. I thought this section will be much tougher in the dark when I came back for a second loop. 

I approached Diamond Peak Lodge Aid around 5:37:05, 30.3 garmin miles. Scott and Todd were already there for me in full service like a NASCAR pit crews, giving me some coke coconut water mix drinks, s-caps, gels, stoof waffle, and ice on my legs. I felt good and relive again.Scott was excited to told me what place I was in at that point, but I did not care much about the place just because it was only less than one third done in the race. I said “see you at the start/finish aid station” and started walking out from the aid. As soon as turn the little corner, the two mile stretch of steep uphill awaited for me. I glanced up to search the top of the mountain, and tiny ant-like runners were wiggling on the steep hillside. I quit thinking anything about how steep and hard this hill would be and just power-walked. The first mile was familiar steepness at McDonald Forest in Corvallis, OR, but the second mile was even steeper (1000+ft elevation gain within a mile) than previous mile, and sandy soft ground made me battle harder to put my quads working. While I was moving my small step forwards to the top, I thought the top of the peak never gets closer. 50 minutes past from last aid station, I finally get back on the trail at the ridge line and found familiar drink/snack aid station (Bull Wheel Aid). The one of aid crews found me and said “hey, you were back already! see you again this evening!” That was right. I have another loop to complete.

Afternoon sun raised temp quite bit though I was at the area with 8500ft elevation. The last chin-scraper uphill made my quad tight and heavy, but gradual downhill at this time was nice enough to jog more than power-walking. I made to Tunnel Creek Aid (3rd time) with short stop to pick some gels and food and continued another five mile journey to the next aid station. I had to power-walk the switchback uphills where I run down this earlier this morning. I was bit confused myself from this section of forest with similar scenery for long time and fatigue was maybe affected my brain not thinking the course enough. I made to about 40.4 garmin miles within 8:13:17, and the first aid station became a full bar setting. Whiskey, Rum, Tequila, Keg of beer, Mix drinks, you name it. Aid crews can make anything you want. It was still in early afternoon but looks like the party was just started at Hobart Aid. “What would you like to have? beer?” that was such generous offer, but I had to turn down because I knew I had to do big ascend at the next section to peak the highest point of the course. Maybe later when I come back for second loop.

The next short 3.6 mile uphill section was tough in elevation, but the degree of steepness was still runnable mostly. The tree line suddenly disappeared after a mile into the course and appeared meadow (8,700ft). I did not see lake Tahoe side until the top of the mountain, but the view of Carson city far east was definitely in high desert area. The color of green disappeared, and rocky brown soil color dominated the view. The vista for westside was full of colors, like green from evergreen trees, gray from granite rock ridge lines, and shiny blue lakes, especially the lake Tahoe. I passed Snow Valley Peak Aid and jog down long 6.2 mile downhill with 3000+ elevation loss to the start/finish point. This section was the most fun out of entire course of Tahoe Rim Trail 100. Even though I was conservative enough to save my leg not pounding too much, the gravity pull let me ride the trail with good rhythm. 

I finally complete the first loop (50 miles) by 10:12:10, Scott and Todd was awaited for me to change my Montrail Bajada to Scott eRide shoes, dusty socks, and the tech-shirt. I got so hungry and asked a aid crew for 50 miler finisher’s bean/rice burrito. I munched gigantic burrito in seconds and prepared myself for second loop. Todd, as a safety runner, was already waiting for me to go. I stopped by bathroom for things to take care of and reapply Body Glide. My happy feet and uplifted feeling did not know at that point that my body was not so happy and receiving something weird and wrong. Entering the second loop was like a “welcome to the taste of hell”. The true challenge had just begun.

To be continued "Taste of Hell" part.              

                           

Pre race story for the 2012 Tahoe Rim Trail 100

Since I started running long distances, completing the 100 mile race is one of my dream and aspiration for long time simply because it is beyond my comprehension to my body and soul for that kind of distance. Originally, I have planned myself to run Tahoe Rim Trail 100 at the end of year 2010 and entered to 2011 Tahoe Rim Trail 100. However, things did not worked out for me that year due to my hip injuries in early 2011, which captured me out for running few months. My left glut and imbalanced leg length from overuse resulted this hip injury. The second one of imbalanced leg length was even worse than the first problem. My pelvis was twisted upward to left side, and the symptom was started from my lumber vertebrae. The incident of injury was from overuse and ignorance to listen to my body requesting a rest. This overuse precisely came from the improper running form. I was once a short track runner for 100, 200, 400m in my high school days, but I stopped running after graduated. I  have never run the distance more than 13.1 miles ever before Sep., 2009. Two of my friends introduced me to trail running and long distance ultra in 2009. I was originally focused myself to challenge the distance of Marathon that year, but the one of friend was Co-RD for McDonald's Forest 50k at that point, and he let me in the McKenzie River trail 50k in the last minute. I thus run 50k trail race first then running Portland Marathon in 2009, and this event gave me an opportunity to enjoy the run in forest 100 times better than the road marathon with pure-pain event at mile 20. 

After experienced through myself with above-mentioned injuries, I appreciate learning correct running form for long distance. The body must learn a proper running form and must master the efficient biomechanics that are the two key components to be successful and endured running without troubling with unnecessary injuries. This also prevent the unnecessary overuse injuries like I did with my left glut and pelvis. Before I got my injury, my running form was more of up against the gravity-pull, standing straight up too much, over-stride, heel striker, lazy hip, no strong toe off, and you name it for typical gym runners. Consequently this bad form force me to do an over-stride, and the center of gravity pull is directly under my lower back and hip area to receive impact. This also contributed an overloaded force that my glut muscles had to take. The worst thing I've done myself was that I have never visited to any sport massage therapists, PT, and chiropractors in town for aftercare from running. I was very uneducated and stupid myself taking lightly about the long distance running.

In April, 2011, I stopped running shortly after 2011WTC50k race, which I ignored to listen to my body already in pain. I contacted one of very best PT in Eugene after the race. This appointment in April changed everything, and I stated correcting my bad running form and habitat for next 4 months. My body gradually understood what the "let a gravity works for your running" means. My habitat for before and aftercare from running also changed. I did include myself self-massages, stretches, and strengthening. I visited the sport massage therapist and the chiropractor in town regularly. Since I reeducated my running form, my hip and lower back pain entirely gone. I have not received any major injuries from running, expect an occasional ankle sprain on the trail. The new habitat also enhance myself to listen to my body more consciously, acknowledged myself what is wrong (pain) and needs to treat (massage & stretch) my body. Of course there are some costs involved in to maintain healthy running, but I think it is worth the cost to maintain what you wish to do for long time.              

Backing to the story of Tahoe Rim 100, I decided to forward my 2011 entry to following year of 2012 instead of receiving a partial refund. RD agreed about accepting my one-year carry over option. I thank RD for not paying increased fee in 2012 race ($20 more) too. The main reason that I chose my first 100 mile for the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 was running a 50 mile loop course for twice. I thought this would be mentally comfortable because I can know the course on the first lap and better prep myself for the second lap. However, it turned out to be wrong interpretation myself since the second lap was in the dark most of the time, which was completely different experience in the same course. 

My plan was switched to Zion 100 as my first 100 miler, and it was a right choice I made. After Zion 100, I felt more self confident about the distance of 100 mile and to know what it takes me to accomplish the distance mentally and physically. While I was on my recovery from the Zion 100s, my training was more of power-walking and slow & steady jogging for a month. I did run Beacon Rock 50 km race in mid June to see my body is recovered from Zion 100. The condition of Beacon Rock 50 km had approximately 7500ft vertical gain over 50km in PNW. It was good hilly climbs that could help me training for 19,000 to 20,000ft accumulative gain on Tahoe Rim 100. I was mostly on steady pace to jog uphill mixing with power-walk in steep sections. My body did not complain too much for downhill either, and I felt I can give go-sign to myself to the big race coming in month.

The time before heading to Tahoe Rim 100, I decided not continue my contracted job as an university research assistant position. The biggest reason to discontinue this position was that I cannot foresee myself as a lifetime career and being temporary worker. Secondly, I questioned myself that this research subject was truly contributing community members who seeks a solution to be solved this disease problem. My answer was that the result of this research only contribute partial solution and may or may not receive a full benefit to my end users (conventional and organic farmers). The third reason was my working-visa circumstance. My H1-B visa was only one more year left for legally working at USA. I soon or later have to figure out myself next career choice and seek for new job that at least favors to contribute my time. I felt my position was a temporary and replaceable job to anyone. It will never be compassionate myself to become a permanent career. I strongly felt that the time was right moment to moving on myself to seek for new chapter.  There is nothing to lose myself since there are no "permanent" and "forever" jobs. I think I will struggle first but eventually figure things out.  

As of July 1st, 2012, I freed up my mind and received my temporal freedom. I and two of my trail running friends joined me driving down to Tahoe on July 18th. My pacer and crew are set for Tahoe Rim 100, and I can rely on them since both run the Tahoe Rim course in 2008. I remember they showed me absolutely beautiful photos of Tahoe running above the morning mist and clear sky with back ground view of the Lake Tahoe at far-side. While we drove down to Nevada, we stopped by few microbreweries to enjoy there beers, (as always good American microbreweries!) discovering few new breweries. I love beer. I cannot say no to having a pint of good microbrews. We stopped at Ol' Republic Brewery in Nevada City, CA. This brewery specializes lager style beers than ales (though they have IPA, Pale, and Stout). I wasn't a big fun of lager before, but I changed my superficial mind for boring taste of lager after drinking its Schwarzbier (Bavarian Black Lager). I highly recommend it to stop by this brewery in hot summer days. 

We arrived Reno on Thursday evening (Jul. 19th) and stayed at the one of casino hotel on downtown area. Nevada was just "Interesting". We just cross the border of CA to NV less than 12 miles back on highway, but the town, atmosphere, and people seem to be completely different. I used to watch one of Comedy Central show based on Reno occasionally, and I thought it was such an over exaggeration; however, walking downtown after the sunset changed my mind. It is like a comedy central show! There are gals asking for serving men for money, crazy old man begging for money for drugs, old people spend their money on slot machine for vacuuming up their retirement money or else, and cops always be busy running around the city. We tried to spend a penny from the change we got after the dinner, but we gave up. There were no more good old penny slot. All slot machines are now with a magnetic card. We have to buy this magnetic strip card ($1) and then adding your money to the card to play slot machines. Since we weren't gamblers at all, we though wanted to spend a penny claiming ourselves gambling in the state of NV. The plastic card gimmick turns us off completely, we never even spent a penny on casino in NV for whole trip.  

Next morning, we continued driving down to Carson City. At this point, I was focus on what I should put in my drop bags and planned out perfect running race in my head. At in front of city hall, I registered, medical checked, and left all my drop bags, which were prepped earlier that morning. However, I learned myself afterward if you haven't run or study the course before the race, it was pretty difficult to comprehend with a big picture of 100 mile race to adjust myself putting my energy into the section or saving energy for upcoming "big section" of uphill or long downhills. Of course, if I can always put 100% energy into my run at every sections, I would be a super hero. The reality of long endurance race like this simply cannot push myself for whole time. I will take easy if I can take easy on trailing downhills. I know I will have great emotional and physical ups and downs. Hundred mile race is very different experience than 100km, 50 miler, and even 50km. Not only the distance, the experience of running in the dark has to do huge part affecting my body and mind like a "bonk". There are also required tremendous patient to your body, health issues, and recovering from bonk during the race. Since this was my second hundred mile race ever I have experienced, I was pretty much no clues what I have to go through with my body and experienced high elevation running during the race.

To be continued to Race day report.