tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14159991088573974912024-03-05T18:52:30.037-08:00Run Lake TahoePeter Lubbers' blog about running and ultrarunning. Peter is the 2007 and 2009 ultrarunner.net series champion and three-time winner of the Tahoe Super Triple. Peter lives on the edge of the Tahoe National Forest and loves to run in the Sierra Nevada foothills and around Lake Tahoe (preferably in one go!).Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-61379985881234000952015-02-14T22:17:00.002-08:002015-02-14T22:30:18.315-08:00Signed up for the Lake Tahoe Marathon!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzE_i5Jv9uy1Y6C9VdVTYkxfseXU8x79wXFrcPMudhBwtWneXtcxXnn0mTClEF7TpqF3MYLpj6IEblIkDpmwBsP3teKwexSXMnamYYlXFqGQofw7Jv31EPpbmWdr1kYKAd-Jtd8tv3P8Bj/s1600/P1020964+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzE_i5Jv9uy1Y6C9VdVTYkxfseXU8x79wXFrcPMudhBwtWneXtcxXnn0mTClEF7TpqF3MYLpj6IEblIkDpmwBsP3teKwexSXMnamYYlXFqGQofw7Jv31EPpbmWdr1kYKAd-Jtd8tv3P8Bj/s1600/P1020964+(Large).JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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During our casual run today, Sean (my son) and I decided to get a little more serious about running again this year and we just signed up for the Lake Tahoe Marathon on October 11th. This will be the first Tahoe Marathon event since the <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2009/09/tahoe-72-miler-super-triple-canceled.html" target="_blank">canceled Super Triple run</a> in 2009. I was in a little better running shape back then, but really looking forward to be out there again. </div>
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First up, though, the <a href="http://www.laketahoerelay.com/" target="_blank">Tahoe Relay</a> in June with the whole family. This will be our 7th time and it is always a blast. Happy Presidents' Day weekend everybody! Prices for the marathon events go up tomorrow, so sign up soon: <a href="http://www.laketahoemarathon.com/">http://www.laketahoemarathon.com</a><br />
<br />Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-67613500913778282332013-06-15T10:48:00.000-07:002013-06-15T10:48:34.408-07:00Sean's High School Valedictorian Speech<br />
Earlier this week, after four years of hard work, AP and other extra credit classes, and maintaining nearly all straight As, Sean became the valedictorian of his high school class of 2013! It was a repeat performance for Sean since he was also the middle-school valedictorian at the same school <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2009/06/seans-eigth-grade-valedictorian-speech.html" target="_blank">four years ago</a>. Sean will be continuing his studies at UC Berkeley this fall, majoring in Computer Science and as parents, we could not be prouder, of course!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cBBpE3Z881k?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<i>Video of Sean's speech</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is Sean's entire speech:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Good evening family, faculty, and friends. It gives me great pleasure to speak to you tonight and it’s an honor to represent the class of 2013 as your valedictorian. I would like to start out with a quote by Justin Bieber... just kidding, just making sure you’re all paying attention! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All kidding aside... Henry David Thoreau said: "</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">" </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I feel like I can speak for most of my classmates by saying we are ready to confidently go into the “real world.” Next year, most of us are lucky enough to attend college where hopefully we’ll further educate ourselves in something we love and have dreamt of. And if we want to jump into the workforce or pursue a passion of ours, we can attempt things without a fear of failing; there is </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nothing</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> holding us back except for our own doubts. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Most of us have been told repeatedly over the years that we should know what we want to do after we graduate. But I would bet that most us—including myself—haven’t figured it out completely. And I think that’s okay. We don’t have to stick to the track that we’re on all the time—as long as we're going in the direction of our dreams, I think we’ll be alright.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">l came to MCAA in seventh grade with a group of friends that I grew up with since preschool and a backpack that felt like it was filled with lead. A year later, most of my friends made plans to start high school in Nevada City. I wanted to transfer as well, but it didn’t work out. Every year after that, my friends tried to persuade me to make the move: there were more AP classes, sports teams like track, and—as one of one of my friends who shall remain nameless—put it so eloquently “hella hot chicks.” Was I missing out on the</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">life I had imagined?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Over the years that followed, I made many great friends and it became evident that the teachers and staff at MCAA do their absolute best to help us succeed. Whether it’s Mr. Land spending his free period teaching me calculus problems I didn’t understand, Mr. Pimentel helping me with college applications, or Bonny making sure I ordered my graduation cap and gown on time (yes, that was a close call!), they were always willing and happy to help. I have no regrets about staying at MCAA. To the contrary; I've made long-lasting memories with great friends and received a solid education; I feel confident that I can now pursue my dreams.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4y3iCgot6xU-UejA04znxIOHiLySymn8kWMZ8D0PH5d40Q2D5RmotkBrIyEhW62oJEopKqESpae5XAAMPDWY2V6PqxVO_QZllcL8DOb7zI6p9rp-G0cQhwb-cOQxcbADXiQ3do7NiEmX/s1600/20130612_215104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4y3iCgot6xU-UejA04znxIOHiLySymn8kWMZ8D0PH5d40Q2D5RmotkBrIyEhW62oJEopKqESpae5XAAMPDWY2V6PqxVO_QZllcL8DOb7zI6p9rp-G0cQhwb-cOQxcbADXiQ3do7NiEmX/s320/20130612_215104.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, how can we make sure that we will continue to follow our dreams? How can we make sure we don’t get stuck somewhere along the way? Of course I don’t claim to have the answers to these questions. There are people who are a lot older, wiser, and more experienced that this eighteen-year old high school graduate. But what I do know is this: we have to dream </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">big</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. In the words of</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Johann Wolfgang von Goethe</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In closing, I would like to thank all the people who have helped to get me here: </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">First and foremost, my Mom. I don't think you deserve enough credit for all you've done to bring me here today, so I want to take the time to say in front of all these people that I love you. I can always count on you for good advice and helping me through tough times. You’ve taught me good manners and ethics from a young age. I hope you know I’m as proud of you as your are of me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6vj3q5sAutc/Ubl2vDG26sI/AAAAAAAAH9A/RjYSt1LQm9Y/s1600/20130612_215217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6vj3q5sAutc/Ubl2vDG26sI/AAAAAAAAH9A/RjYSt1LQm9Y/s320/20130612_215217.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Dad: You’ve taught me that hard work pays off and you don’t have to take the traditional route to succeed. Regarding the procrastination part—I’m still working on that. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My brother Rocky: You’ll always be my best friend and the younger brother with whom I’ve shared a bunk bed for more than 12 years. Driving back and forth to school by myself everyday would have been a lot harder without my copilot and <a href="https://soundcloud.com/rockylubbers" target="_blank">personal DJ</a>. Try not to miss me too much next year and I’ll do the same.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To all of my friends, (you know who you are), I love all of you. I’ll miss you next year, but I know we’ll keep in touch. </span></span><span style="line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And finally, all the teachers and staff at MCAA. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be in the great place I’m in now. </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After all, It </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">did</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> take a village to raise </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">this</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> child.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for your time. </span><br />
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See also: <a href="http://www.appeal-democrat.com/articles/school-125762-dance-marysville.html" target="_blank">this newspaper article</a><br />
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<br />Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-90897201074946189792013-06-14T16:57:00.000-07:002013-06-14T17:01:24.875-07:00Running the 2013 Tahoe Relay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last weekend, we had the pleasure of joining over a thousand runners for the 49th annual <a href="http://www.laketahoerelay.com/" target="_blank">DeCelle Tahoe Relay</a>. This year would be the 5th time that Sean, Rock, and I would run and we had some runners from past relay teams as well as a few new runners on our 7-person team. Although it was a super hot day, we had great fun and we made it around the lake (72 miles) before the cutoff, which is all that mattered. Turi—who returned for his third time on our team on short notice—wrote a <a href="http://www.runningroundreno.com/2013/06/2013-decelle-memorial-lake-tahoe-relay.html" target="_blank">great blog post about the run</a>. Be sure to check that out and take a look at some of his amazing animated images there!</div>
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Rocky kicked off the run at 7 a.m. Prior to the race he had put together a few upbeat mixes for us all on <a href="https://soundcloud.com/rockylubbers" target="_blank">his soundcloud page</a>, which helped a lot. It was already warm at the start (last year our runner had to wear gloves).</div>
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I ran the second leg. Lots of familiar faces at Zephyr Cove relay stop, like Angel who coned off the tunnel as usual, and Ed and his wife who were timing the first leg for their 19th straight year. Thanks so much for your help, guys! I felt good and was able to run and powerwalk my way up to the top of Spooner Summit. Nowhere near as fast as a few years ago, but I was happy with the effort.</div>
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It was a hot day! The temperatures were already rising during the second leg of the course, which is usually still quite cool.</div>
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I handed it over to Pamela, who was joining is for the first time. She paced herself like a pro on the run to Incline Village. It was now downright hot!</div>
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Fourth was Damien, another new team member. He absolutely killed it on the course and just kept running and running--incredible job!</div>
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Leg 5 was Oliver's leg--back for his second relay with us.</div>
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Turi ran leg 6--arguably the hardest leg of the entire relay. While we were waiting for Turi with water on the side of the road, an angry local almost called the sheriff on us for trespassing (read: parking on the side of the road and peeing in the woods!) Oh well. Also, at this time, our second support car broke down and had to be towed to Truckee, so unfortunately we lost Oliver's dad and Pamela and Damien. We would catch up with them at dinner though.</div>
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And then Sean brought it home, running an amazingly fast last leg and bringing us in at 12:30 and change. What a great day.</div>
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Another successful relay. We drove to Truckee to meet up with the rest of the team (minus Turi) and had a delicious team dinner at the 50/50 Brewery. We'll definitely be back for the 50th anniversary next year! A big thanks to Vicky for all the support during the race!</div>
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Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-34958676485718449152012-10-06T14:19:00.000-07:002012-10-06T14:27:06.888-07:00I'm Back!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Inspired by my the race reports from my good friend Blue Benadum's and his SoCal crew about <a href="http://www.laketahoemarathon.com/indexframes.html" target="_blank">this year's Tahoe Triple</a>, I decided to get back in the game and I have officially started training for next year's Super Triple.<br />
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It's going to take a while to get back into the kind of shape I was in for the 2009 event, and I might have to powerwalk a good part of it, but it's going to be a blast no matter what. For work, I just received <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/katetaylor/2012/08/02/can-standing-desks-fight-sitting-disease/" target="_blank">my awesome standing desk</a>, which will help a lot (If you're sitting down all day for your job, definitely check that out).<br />
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Huge congrats to Blue for another big Triple win (second year in a row), and to Jimmy Dean Freeman for doing a fantastic job winning the Super Triple this year and <i>almost</i> wiping out my course record (20:32:23) on his first try (he signed up on a whim during the regular Triple, too!). Now we'll have to see if Dave "The Jackal" Yeakel, Jon Burg, and Keenan Follis will come back in 2013 to make it a proper reunion ;-)<br />
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I'll leave you with this timeless classic ;-)<br />
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<br />Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-59950185837899907112012-08-15T22:04:00.000-07:002012-08-15T22:04:30.247-07:00Victor Ballesteros Completes TRT in 53:03<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKNNovTwem_V6gja68ZK5cjDsMxvjxjMPSQbmp___YL2rVs8Gk1Ct4n9fIM0_375xDjke_8ZeeSTovy3lOrULu4OgVXa1I_-jBxGvbsTTCpp12XblJZET1pebH-pCSqSg7sfs_2aWb3w7/s1600/victor-ballesteros.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKNNovTwem_V6gja68ZK5cjDsMxvjxjMPSQbmp___YL2rVs8Gk1Ct4n9fIM0_375xDjke_8ZeeSTovy3lOrULu4OgVXa1I_-jBxGvbsTTCpp12XblJZET1pebH-pCSqSg7sfs_2aWb3w7/s320/victor-ballesteros.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Victor at Mile 118 at Tunnel Creek (Photo courtesy of Dalius Kumpa)</i></span></div>
A fantastic effort today by Victor Ballasteros, finishing the entire 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail in one go in 53 hours and 3 minutes. Victor was the last man standing/running from the <a href="http://www.irunfar.com/2012/08/gellins-group-attempts-tahoe-rim-trail-fkt.html/adam-hewey-victor-ballasteros-gary-gellin-ben-lewis-tahoe-rim-trail">group of four</a> who started their TRT speed record attempt on Monday morning. As far as I can tell, Victor just is now the 3rd fastest time in the TRT after Kilian Jornet and Tim Twietmeyer.<br />
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I am sure it was an unforgettable journey. Congrats, Victor—now go and take a nap!Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-90876317543999389482012-06-16T23:09:00.000-07:002012-06-16T23:09:27.367-07:00Joining Google<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Big news! After about four great years at Kaazing (a Mountain View-based start-up company focused on building a world-class enterprise WebSocket server), I'm super excited to report that I will be joining Google. I will start as a </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Program Manager in the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_532545859">Chrome Developer</a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://developers.google.com/jobs/"> Relations team</a> on Monday!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">About two years ago, I had the opportunity to co-author the book </span><a href="xhttp://www.apress.com/9781430238645" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i>Pro HTML5 Programming</i></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> together with my former colleagues Brian Albers and Frank Salim. While writing the book, I turned some of the concepts covered in the book into what would become the first formal HTML5 training course in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The 2nd edition of Pro HTML5 Programming (also in Chinese, Russian, Korean, and other languages) </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Demand for our training skyrocketed and before long I was teaching <a href="https://kaazing.com/training">HTML5 training courses</a> all over the world and we built a bigger training team to handle the demand. I flew about 450K miles over the last 4 years to places far and near and met great people along the way. All in all, it has been a great ride and I feel very privileged to have been able to do so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>With my HTML5 License Plate</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Shortly after launching the HTML5 training, I founded the <a href="http://www.sfhtml5.org/">San Francisco HTML5 User Group</a> and that rapidly grew to be the biggest HTML5 user group in the world, with almost 4,500 members today (thanks in large part to my co-organizer and former colleague, Vanessa Wang). </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">In the process, I found that I was really passionate about explaining (in training courses, user group meetings, and at conference talks) how you can use HTML5 technology to build cutting-edge web applications. I also really enjoy working with a wide range of bleeding edge technologies. So, when the opportunity came along to do just that at a global scale at Google with a world-class team, I could not pass it up. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I can't wait to get started!</span></div>Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-25487523243647385662012-06-13T20:18:00.000-07:002012-06-13T20:18:23.160-07:00The 2012 DeCelle Lake Tahoe Relay<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Our 2012 Team at the Finish</span></i></div>
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Last Saturday it was, once again, time for our favorite annual tradition:
running the <a href="http://www.laketahoerelay.com/">48th annual Decelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay</a>. This was our fourth time running it already. Over 100 seven-person teams participated in this running race; some extremely competitive and others mainly out to have a good time, finish before the 13h.15m cutoff, and enjoy the camaraderie that comes with relay races in particular. <br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">All Smiles the Evening Before</span></i></div>
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We ran our first Tahoe Relay <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2008/06/fun-at-lake-tahoe-relay.html">in 2008 with Chris, Turi, and Amber</a> and we were instantly hooked. Since then, our team has been a little different <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2009/06/2009-decelle-memorial-tahoe-relay.html">each year</a>. For example, Hayes, who had been our anchor for three years is now in college in Southern California and, unfortunately, he still had some exams to finish. <br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">With Part of the Team a<span style="font-size: x-small;">t the Start</span></span></i></div>
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This year, our team was—as RD April Carter commented—younger than ever! Our anchor (leg 7) runner, Sean S., was actually graduating from Nevada Union on Saturday morning and would drive up with his brother Nicky (leg 6) as soon as he was done. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Ricky Tackles the First Leg of the Relay </i></span></div>
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To start, we had another new runner, Ricky Mendoza. We had a last-minute cancellation and Ricky volunteered to join us the day before the race, never having run further than about 6 miles. He kicked off the run for us and paced himself extremely well. He just kept cruising while we leapfrogged him with the car, stopping to give him water and Gatorade every couple of miles. <br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sean Starts Leg 2, the Relentless Climb to Spooner Summit</span></i></div>
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Ricky finished his leg at Zephyr Cove in 1:30 and handed off to Sean. It was nice to see Ed Walsh and his wife again at the relay hand-off point. They have timed this leg for around 20 years now!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The Tunnel on Highway 50, Coned Off<span style="font-size: x-small;"> for Safety, as Always, b<span style="font-size: x-small;">y <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU24YqfMNi20LSQyA3riQWfwGypW06UNxCFILrfK3cL5ySrAXOjVKugG2Oab23Jr6vHQzqa2vtrtweYfC0NlKwQdOOmvmDTlZMquZ0cDpsVCFIAZhoxI5QIklrD4uoesxcp_3LeXHFQc_h/s1600/reno-marathon72.jpg">Angel</a></span></span></i></span></div>
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Sean had run leg 2 last year and wanted to run it again. Leg 2 is the shortest (8.2 miles), but also the toughest, with a relentless climb to Spooner Summit. Just like Ricky, he kept a super steady pace and kept climbing the hills. He finished in 1:25, a very good time considering the steepness of this leg. We also ran into Grass valley area's George Raynsford on this leg, who ended up running almost three consecutive relay legs for his team. Wow!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sean hands off to Lisa (voted best action shot ;-)</i></span></div>
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At the top of Spooner, another first-time relay team member, Lisa, was waiting. She had joined our team only a few months before and had only run a 10K once in training, but because she takes dance lessons at her school, she proved to be very fit... and tough!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Lisa Powers Down the Hill Towards Incline Village</i></span></div>
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During this leg, the temperature started to rise and it was slowly getting hot. The sunscreen came out and we had to stop more frequently so Lisa would not dehydrate. She kept running and just did an incredible job, finishing just under two hours in 1:59. Boo Yah!<br />
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And then it was my turn. I was ready at the relay hand-off point, with a new iPod playlist that Rocky had created for me just minutes before the start. I had just come back from a 3 week business trip to Europe and had flown in the night before, so still had plenty of jet lag (yep... excuses, excuses!) My training had consisted of running and bicycling at hotel gyms and walking around the different towns I visited and I had not run much further than 5 or 6 miles in one go this year yet. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Lisa Hands Off to M<span style="font-size: x-small;">e (<span style="font-size: x-small;">y</span>es, that's really me)</span></i></span></div>
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Leg 4 is not particularly tough, but it is a bit longer than most (12.6 versus mostly 10 miles). I decided to get started slowly to get into a good rhythm and that worked well. It was very hot, but fortunately Vicky and the kids stopped every mile and a half with drinks and encouragement.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Hand-Off to Rocky</i></span></div>
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The section from Crystal Bay down to Kings Beach is one of my favorite
runs and this is where I finally felt warmed up and started cruising. Rocky's new custom playlist (Tiesto, Wolfgang Gartner, Bingo Players, Nicky Romero, White Stripes, and more) certainly helped keep the pace. I thoroughly enjoyed this run with a prolonged runner's high. Running around Tahoe again brought back many memories and made me feel somewhat nostalgic.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Tahoe in All Its Glory</i></span></div>
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It made me think about a big return to the <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2009/09/2009-tahoe-triple.html">Tahoe Super Triple</a> in 2013. We'll see ;-) If I do, I better start training, because I finished with an all-out sprint to catch one more runner, which was fun. My time was 2:06, which is of course nothing to write home about, but I was very pleased with my steady fun run. Nothing beats running 72 miles around beautiful Lake Tahoe with family and friends.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rocky on Leg 5 </span></i></div>
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Rocky ran leg 5 this year, which starts with an unexpected monster climb and then goes into Tahoe City and around the lake to Homewood. It was still quite hot, but Rocky had been training for quite a few months with the others and he did amazingly well. Sean's friend Sean S. and his brother Nicky joined us during this section, Sean S. had just graduated from high school earlier that morning. Talk about timing!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Rocky and Vicky, Water Break </i></span></div>
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Rocky sprinted to the finish (2:03) to hand off to Nicky who would run leg 6. That 10.5 mile leg includes the dreaded "Hill from Hell." Nicky was also more or less a last-minute recruit, but fortunately he happened to be quite fit as well.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rocky Hands Off to Nicky</span></i></div>
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The temperature dropped a little at this time and it started getting a bit windy. After a mostly flat first part, Nicky just put his head down and gutted out the long, tough hills. He finished in an amazing 1:30, also with little long-distance experience. A great feat.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Go Nicky!</i></span></div>
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We were originally a little worried about the 8:15 p.m. (the race started at 7 a.m.) cut-off, but once Nicky finished so strong, we were relieved. It looked like, with all the great efforts, we would almost have an hour to spare!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sean S. Starts the Final Leg</i></span></div>
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Our anchor was Sean S. Our Sean and Sean S. are about to leave for a one-month summer trip to Europe by themselves (including Amsterdam, so watch out mom and dad!). Sean S. had been part of our team last year, so he knew what was in store.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">A Well-Deserved Drink for Nicky</span></i></div>
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He started his leg with a downhill around Emerald Bay and then a steep climb to the top of Inspiration Point. By now it was evening and Sean was really moving, passing many other runners. From Inspiration Point, the road snakes down very steeply and Sean was clocking 6-minute miles! <br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Emerald Bay</span></i></div>
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Everyone that had finished their leg would immediately put on the new race T-shirt, so by now we already had six shirts walking around and we would show Sean S. the shirt for extra motivation. The grey 2009 t-shirt is still my favorite, but this one was was also quite nice.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sean S and Sean on the Home Stre<span style="font-size: x-small;">tch</span></i></span></div>
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A couple more stops for drinks and Sean was already cruising to the finish where we all waited to run the final 100 yards with him as a team. Sean finished in 1:24, and our overall time was 12:00:05. If we had known it was that close to the hour mark, we probably pulled out the cattle prod to make Sean run six seconds faster!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The Team Finishes Together<span style="font-size: x-small;"> wi<span style="font-size: x-small;">th Sean S.</span></span></i></span></div>
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We all received our medals and posed for the finish line pictures and then we promptly went to the Tahoe Brewery, which has also become a bit of a tradition (think chicken wings and beer samples). It took a while to get a seat, but we had a great time unwinding from the long day, and already planning on improvements we can make next year! We'll definitely be back!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pr<span style="font-size: x-small;">oud Finishers!</span></i></span></div>
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<b>Next Up</b>: A Major Career Change! Yes... Stay tuned for details!<br />
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<br />Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-21314226581072768502012-02-25T17:53:00.012-08:002012-02-26T18:05:31.710-08:00Rest in Peace Robert and Linda Mathis<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAp-I30poN1fzPNNgPGOarlB-PfFaVKROhVpfzZpgkXzg9dNG31wr8SUHaiK2YnC9ZYQ4tAZjFEXqrB2HZVFhExIfUKW6AmunHq8H9mcUuvkoIW9e8wzMcDY_dpmW7f7MfX2ERk3JAdZdy/s1600/robert-mathis.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAp-I30poN1fzPNNgPGOarlB-PfFaVKROhVpfzZpgkXzg9dNG31wr8SUHaiK2YnC9ZYQ4tAZjFEXqrB2HZVFhExIfUKW6AmunHq8H9mcUuvkoIW9e8wzMcDY_dpmW7f7MfX2ERk3JAdZdy/s400/robert-mathis.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713261942464049954" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The always-smiling Robert and I at the Grand Prix awards ceremony in 2009</span></span><br style="font-style: italic;"></div><br />2012 started with the shocking news that ultrarunner.net series race directors Robert and Linda Mathis were struck and killed by a DUI driver on Highway 28 in Incline Village (full story in <a href="http://www.tahoebonanza.com/article/20120111/NEWS/120119987">the Tahoe Bonanza</a>). The Northern California ultrarunning community was left speechless.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUe52aUVIwqSwYKEh0_w15iDd1hgJbutCP8zCm5O7nFJMXJWSVUnyfyQ98myMHXcLGHsTq8_2578c1dWx5Oq3HVOeSVcttQA4fw_iZ22EX3uN1D0jLVu82IYId7j531xVz4S3XTMw1lQpu/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-08+at+4.42.37+PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUe52aUVIwqSwYKEh0_w15iDd1hgJbutCP8zCm5O7nFJMXJWSVUnyfyQ98myMHXcLGHsTq8_2578c1dWx5Oq3HVOeSVcttQA4fw_iZ22EX3uN1D0jLVu82IYId7j531xVz4S3XTMw1lQpu/s400/Screen+shot+2012-01-08+at+4.42.37+PM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713261947366280866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Linda (right), Robert (left) and I at the finish line of the River City Marathon in 2009</span><br style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><br />Today, all the runners who knew Robert and Linda were invited to a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/247160062023224/">Memorial Group Run</a> in their honor, organized graciously by Aaron Summerhays and Jennifer Lee Dicus.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjngwtsY1bOTpR2Vvx2y74zhlgXmCa6lY5gDOfsayqaYlYKLlqcybD7AJ_NiETLbDMUxVQqWj934zWob-w-4EDaPUF3Wv3suEC_bis-OpgPM6V16T8Fss1vGxymFLGCmUXIZHay6rtZLY/s1600/IMG_2477.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjngwtsY1bOTpR2Vvx2y74zhlgXmCa6lY5gDOfsayqaYlYKLlqcybD7AJ_NiETLbDMUxVQqWj934zWob-w-4EDaPUF3Wv3suEC_bis-OpgPM6V16T8Fss1vGxymFLGCmUXIZHay6rtZLY/s400/IMG_2477.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713266944074486178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Aaron Summerhays and </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Jennifer Dicus </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">organized the wonderful memorial run today</span></span><br /></div><br />Since I have not been running any ultra races lately, it was great to see so many of my running friends again. I had not seen many runners for over a year and it was good to catch up with <a href="http://dailyadventuresgretch.blogspot.com/">Gretchen</a>, <a href="http://ultra-raysanchez.blogspot.com/">Ray</a>, <a href="http://sierratrailrunner.blogspot.com/">Catherine</a>, Ed Walsh, Jethro Smith, Matt Thau, Bev and Alan Abbs, Norm and Helen Klein, and many others.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2l6AB1tpu7DkHMNyZX_ur9XhiFx1est4l4DRVNslQGVZAoScht73V8Sik6hWZRET6tsv-1_QVnlM8xF5DP8rXFkuzb-YrOOqEMo3E5ndQ8nj682TrKGUhOSPsKU2S0lwzXjzjZdF_aAX/s1600/IMG_2473.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2l6AB1tpu7DkHMNyZX_ur9XhiFx1est4l4DRVNslQGVZAoScht73V8Sik6hWZRET6tsv-1_QVnlM8xF5DP8rXFkuzb-YrOOqEMo3E5ndQ8nj682TrKGUhOSPsKU2S0lwzXjzjZdF_aAX/s400/IMG_2473.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713266937488999490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Runners gather at the start of the Memorial Run</span><br style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><br />Just before 9 a.m. Aaron made some announcements, we had a minute of silence, and several of the runners shared some of their memories of Robert and Linda with the group.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmgIw_lO17wwwmNhC7f_Fms43v4kcWE4GV2AX5Ul4YI7uf_Ykklc8zfbuXs6ASH-Y14viBf48LwI473M_xBxAjxbrDEqpriEj9gHRCmlhYBJut8QMiiVm5zZxuOS-m-Yz4n8FfMKX8Z9b/s1600/IMG_2480.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmgIw_lO17wwwmNhC7f_Fms43v4kcWE4GV2AX5Ul4YI7uf_Ykklc8zfbuXs6ASH-Y14viBf48LwI473M_xBxAjxbrDEqpriEj9gHRCmlhYBJut8QMiiVm5zZxuOS-m-Yz4n8FfMKX8Z9b/s400/IMG_2480.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713266960390469442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Aaron Summerhays</span><br style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKWgOLYz0ryCRoiN0dRw9tiiWPiSTYkAK4HTXSr4Szi7FeIm74iX0KJ8xdVspBGfWUk5EgFDYvpGvBYy6MPNOza8EzKh2IpZ_7BgR08YrKY1fQPMdJWCpYWA9zcKSYB6vr0ORPFcoPRCe/s1600/IMG_2479.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKWgOLYz0ryCRoiN0dRw9tiiWPiSTYkAK4HTXSr4Szi7FeIm74iX0KJ8xdVspBGfWUk5EgFDYvpGvBYy6MPNOza8EzKh2IpZ_7BgR08YrKY1fQPMdJWCpYWA9zcKSYB6vr0ORPFcoPRCe/s400/IMG_2479.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713266953852608226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Robert and Linda's family</span><br style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><br />Quite a few of Robert and Linda's family members had come out. They wore orange t-shirts from Robert and Linda's favorite race, the Disney Marathon. That was a race they lived for. Robert was one of only 158 runners (out of 17,000) to have the "Perfectly Goofy" classification, finishing every single Goofy challenge since the race started in 2006 (The Goofy challenge consists of running a half-marathon on Saturday, then the full marathon on Sunday). Robert and Linda were about to go to Florida to run it again when they were tragically killed. They even hosted the very popular <a href="http://www.disneyrunning.com/">Disney Running site</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPs_hwSGx4CTyVwxqH8CbY5XaeHRe-wFJi1y8FP8CzQGhzSGx1GlQOkAKNHheOc5wnWsGCHSW1QWSXC5cnvR-vdd8Nm5xc5X5emMkIS-_beg95eGpKyzvgHm1KdkgQAg8MystoCTVLW06/s1600/IMG_2485.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPs_hwSGx4CTyVwxqH8CbY5XaeHRe-wFJi1y8FP8CzQGhzSGx1GlQOkAKNHheOc5wnWsGCHSW1QWSXC5cnvR-vdd8Nm5xc5X5emMkIS-_beg95eGpKyzvgHm1KdkgQAg8MystoCTVLW06/s400/IMG_2485.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713261957097168898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Two beautiful sets of (biodegradable) balloons are released at the start of the race</span><br style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheB0FcG3y8pbQ56jN5vEfIpOAhR-HSr8vakjBix6o4yi70k4_kcNI7VWcImspJIMV1ZTlAXIV5RzXfNkUYzW8i94Tj4b44FJCRMCuA3ZnJ1G9C0AzMTzkctsauVSGfVXCCglNWpmaafPF-/s1600/IMG_2486.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheB0FcG3y8pbQ56jN5vEfIpOAhR-HSr8vakjBix6o4yi70k4_kcNI7VWcImspJIMV1ZTlAXIV5RzXfNkUYzW8i94Tj4b44FJCRMCuA3ZnJ1G9C0AzMTzkctsauVSGfVXCCglNWpmaafPF-/s400/IMG_2486.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713274685502930818" border="0" /></a><br />It is still hard to believe they are no longer with us. Over the years, it has been a great pleasure to get to know Robert and Linda. There are very few race directors that consistently put on such a large number of high-quality ultrarunning events.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPV_EY159Lgv3Cuk2i-OKbjm1VTJEa34tfkOzB18uOGRMPcweOR7jsY-WLE2IlQ2wdTwKfmdnPaPltsVB1V1c7GlIwKVsJVjqm6djmFmcR4KRLL-zgQOl_aJ35n5ni0kbEjROtQpJs1Lb/s1600/IMG_2472.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPV_EY159Lgv3Cuk2i-OKbjm1VTJEa34tfkOzB18uOGRMPcweOR7jsY-WLE2IlQ2wdTwKfmdnPaPltsVB1V1c7GlIwKVsJVjqm6djmFmcR4KRLL-zgQOl_aJ35n5ni0kbEjROtQpJs1Lb/s400/IMG_2472.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713266935354598914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Gretchen, Catherine, and Ray</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO77e8b64Q3lel8xHWw9BZohyphenhyphen2fsWFrQVVR8EwFg0SPO5NjVGwuLLardLaIKixAmJ5CegmXu-RtcH8aTqKmibL0p_-5UWzSV15INfFFfwyA2jBi8to8cmrZZQMtmiXKnobE_dJAWTqVEoe/s1600/IMG_2484.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO77e8b64Q3lel8xHWw9BZohyphenhyphen2fsWFrQVVR8EwFg0SPO5NjVGwuLLardLaIKixAmJ5CegmXu-RtcH8aTqKmibL0p_-5UWzSV15INfFFfwyA2jBi8to8cmrZZQMtmiXKnobE_dJAWTqVEoe/s400/IMG_2484.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713274687988394130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">One of Robert and Linda's aid station organizers, Brad McGrew,</span></span><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline !important; float: none; "></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> talks about how it was to work with them </span><br style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBvvr7vyj2bnp2poVfyX2RTk0yPUNoYvTY5XU7kWtya-0d5dnLSRvwPc53uXBS575mFwyA3sf6xqRqL4KxdRhqrPWoLqb4iZozjbc0CvC-cyLxU9woJqrG9xkvHANzQ5vLaHn9U72Rwss/s1600/IMG_2483.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBvvr7vyj2bnp2poVfyX2RTk0yPUNoYvTY5XU7kWtya-0d5dnLSRvwPc53uXBS575mFwyA3sf6xqRqL4KxdRhqrPWoLqb4iZozjbc0CvC-cyLxU9woJqrG9xkvHANzQ5vLaHn9U72Rwss/s400/IMG_2483.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713274681744841250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Frequent grand prix race runner, Ron Peck, thanks Robert and Linda</span><br style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIre3XUibXXuWOaqiybl9oMH4dKf7u8-2-6QefDkCkP4lChSMniM-GYZWb-WJmVL3fNVcffSLNtJSv_iphyphenhyphenlBE9QJN3-GRCYgzMWAY4h5i3qDgRsBnnA6_7fQtFJposYIFGwvt9JJzTMp/s1600/IMG_2481.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIre3XUibXXuWOaqiybl9oMH4dKf7u8-2-6QefDkCkP4lChSMniM-GYZWb-WJmVL3fNVcffSLNtJSv_iphyphenhyphenlBE9QJN3-GRCYgzMWAY4h5i3qDgRsBnnA6_7fQtFJposYIFGwvt9JJzTMp/s400/IMG_2481.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713274673024665474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Norm Klein talks about Robert and Linda's top-notch race directing and volunteering</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMV6neUYT_b8IoSyrCl8CtZ2TtikYFVDCpAg_oLvrxSg5kFnk_BCaHsw9v2F69TA4dtuTK_PCmnBCs-80ypxFEkwnBdKJqmARYESPQ2ExL-zLpBZOn0T0GpE8hDysxJOxGFSf8cPnqsdl/s1600/IMG_2488.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMV6neUYT_b8IoSyrCl8CtZ2TtikYFVDCpAg_oLvrxSg5kFnk_BCaHsw9v2F69TA4dtuTK_PCmnBCs-80ypxFEkwnBdKJqmARYESPQ2ExL-zLpBZOn0T0GpE8hDysxJOxGFSf8cPnqsdl/s400/IMG_2488.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713274695430943170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Heading out on the trail</span></span><br /></div><br />We decided to walk and run the Memorial Run with the whole family. It started in Auburn and followed the Western States trail down to No Hands bridge, on the trails where a lot of the ultrarunner races were held. It was a gorgeous day to be out and about.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9VyvfPnu2Zcz_sNU0A3_TIbdK9J6XTkvN5lQ9E-UbdblXIcBisxyEsxjSKAxt04l9rYvIW73CiIaMIu8Pr9vH1yAmZLiDc-6BhnUjm2cQhCa5dxzJRjM-LbBtIKLb3rHZw18JnvWEc5W/s1600/IMG_2494.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9VyvfPnu2Zcz_sNU0A3_TIbdK9J6XTkvN5lQ9E-UbdblXIcBisxyEsxjSKAxt04l9rYvIW73CiIaMIu8Pr9vH1yAmZLiDc-6BhnUjm2cQhCa5dxzJRjM-LbBtIKLb3rHZw18JnvWEc5W/s400/IMG_2494.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713277201349483730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Runners enjoy the beautiful day<br /></span></span><br style="font-style: italic;"></div>Robert and Linda inconspicuously created a stage for all of us to grow both physically and emotionally, to develop great friendships, to test and continuously improve ourselves. They were always there, taking care of us with a smile, a stopwatch, and a finish-line meal.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv4B5QvrefgVhGn9pQGBEtyMwgD7eANOw5xj_sol5O29zUse3WlO9z4cUHLC-_z1z3MoBvZt9q7kqWr1JVGeFgOWkg0Ox6fHfytzx6kdqy57b_c9Xg6nA3GB6pEv3-U1dcik1CVUF0UBe/s1600/IMG_2497.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv4B5QvrefgVhGn9pQGBEtyMwgD7eANOw5xj_sol5O29zUse3WlO9z4cUHLC-_z1z3MoBvZt9q7kqWr1JVGeFgOWkg0Ox6fHfytzx6kdqy57b_c9Xg6nA3GB6pEv3-U1dcik1CVUF0UBe/s400/IMG_2497.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713277212417616402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sean, Rocky, and Vicky walking up the Western States trail</span><br style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><br />Norm Klein said, "unless you have been a race director, you have no idea about how much work it really is to pull these events off."I had promised to bring some refreshments to the Memorial Run and just putting together the coolers, buying water, bags of ice, some snacks, and Gatorade for the pot-luck style barbecue gave me a better understanding of what is involved in putting a race together and a deeper respect for Robert and Linda.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuY_bUBq57ZQTsU2T0RAuiqlvH3H48eLE2ASBfd3LJmf1eELy60xeu-A92yPQLMTXW-r9ks8HtUFktjJXt4rGWvc7-x4SOB-BYm9ZmoYAPQYJAh4mDFFCbxhpWYaYpHX9OuYWH2nPBk6Q/s1600/IMG_2505.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuY_bUBq57ZQTsU2T0RAuiqlvH3H48eLE2ASBfd3LJmf1eELy60xeu-A92yPQLMTXW-r9ks8HtUFktjJXt4rGWvc7-x4SOB-BYm9ZmoYAPQYJAh4mDFFCbxhpWYaYpHX9OuYWH2nPBk6Q/s400/IMG_2505.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713306028759900050" border="0" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">With <a href="http://dailyadventuresgretch.blogspot.com/">Gretchen</a> at the finish line</span></span><br /></div><br />As a runner, it is easy to show up at a race while caught up in your time and your splits. By the way, all of those people who always ask "what do you <span style="font-style: italic;">think</span> about on those long runs?" have probably not run any grand prix races—the point calculations can more than keep you busy out there! With Robert and Linda's races there simply was nothing else to worry about; their races ran like well-oiled machines and it is only when you hear of other races that are having all kinds of trouble that you realize how well they were prepared.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe6xmfEpWJJatnjo6OGQh6dUgSidSE6Uqhir7WmfAmfdn6T2FB8bTfUtoafphLmCbUDVhaO90chDtUtPOM3DmqgOvwVlJRkxf76kFQ-pqrYBGq00naAoqCZhRMZRaKk7IGbn2xw6HLTYv/s1600/IMG_2501.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe6xmfEpWJJatnjo6OGQh6dUgSidSE6Uqhir7WmfAmfdn6T2FB8bTfUtoafphLmCbUDVhaO90chDtUtPOM3DmqgOvwVlJRkxf76kFQ-pqrYBGq00naAoqCZhRMZRaKk7IGbn2xw6HLTYv/s400/IMG_2501.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713284384133248498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ed Walsh powers over No Hands Bridge</span><br style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><br />We hiked the first part of the trail and without a clock ticking at the finish line we had a little more time to stop and look around. We were treated to a rare, up-close view of a bald eagle taking off out of the canyon and flying towards Auburn. A magnificent and comforting sight.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRz1qoBLu3NGKMMHoSr73bbT7U_VdoFVmMqNNxg3va0nM7Kp1pKPf0uU6Uspd1bQhKcYfHu_wEIdDh0ZqWfvBIPUBFwRacUDNTYpLGb-tm_znK7ani58K4kUS0cTwBokLw5uP8eMpaG4f/s1600/IMG_2491.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRz1qoBLu3NGKMMHoSr73bbT7U_VdoFVmMqNNxg3va0nM7Kp1pKPf0uU6Uspd1bQhKcYfHu_wEIdDh0ZqWfvBIPUBFwRacUDNTYpLGb-tm_znK7ani58K4kUS0cTwBokLw5uP8eMpaG4f/s400/IMG_2491.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713277193270036978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">On eagle's wings</span><br style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><br />The trails brought back many memories. One of these flashbacks was the Gold Country 20-Miler, which was run on the same exact trail. In that race I had an added incentive to race hard: I had to catch a plane to Europe an hour and a half or so after my estimated finish time. It's amazing what one will do to gather ultrarunner grand prix points!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjN0g3ac8-8yBZt3TMFXQTxjpE3mQ-K8bys3OCf5euuCvDVWNFzBT2COi8Zyg0lEwCJky9j8o0IRjdOpeSq0ibFqDpeYFqz86auXhlgBx0yxfFTmF-x4tsT94BKP62RmRXf_roa7tQw0YY/s1600/IMG_2502.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjN0g3ac8-8yBZt3TMFXQTxjpE3mQ-K8bys3OCf5euuCvDVWNFzBT2COi8Zyg0lEwCJky9j8o0IRjdOpeSq0ibFqDpeYFqz86auXhlgBx0yxfFTmF-x4tsT94BKP62RmRXf_roa7tQw0YY/s400/IMG_2502.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713284391168884354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Matt Thau and his girlfriend on their way back</span><br style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><br />Of course, <a href="http://www.atrailrunnersblog.com/2007/09/accidental-60-miler-at-sierra-nevada.html">No Hands Bridge</a> in particular brought back many memories of the exciting grand prix series in 2007. Scott Dunlap took a wrong turn at the bridge's aid station, causing him to lose some valuable points.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulm7QeHrjkEmkJBceP_9oSHzCAemu7Z4vEKSfSkJJy5ba9pxk1aeDkAU1XpHFclL49mYvO9TlC4UkgHTJTjnyvcxrN7ov1sdsSZtCLlwAGzr1YkEVuTvLB7wCen_5x1GesPHXUmZ9I0EW/s1600/IMG_2504.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulm7QeHrjkEmkJBceP_9oSHzCAemu7Z4vEKSfSkJJy5ba9pxk1aeDkAU1XpHFclL49mYvO9TlC4UkgHTJTjnyvcxrN7ov1sdsSZtCLlwAGzr1YkEVuTvLB7wCen_5x1GesPHXUmZ9I0EW/s400/IMG_2504.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713306025655362466" border="0" /></a><br />It then became such a close race that it wasn't decided until <a href="http://www.atrailrunnersblog.com/2007/11/boom-or-bust-at-helen-klein-50m.html">the very last race in the series</a> (in the end the difference was only 1.5 points out of a 282 point total). We'll forever cherish our many memories from these races. Unfortunately Scott could not make it today, but he created <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150580040007987&set=o.247160062023224&type=1&ref=nf">a beautiful memorial site</a> close to where the accident happened in Incline Village.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJevw0iQfgpOZSb50DUTsv9qDLTGw4v8PFoxutoPmCyVDgzERvu8uiVCGFT4exq3bxozGBsNU7QrJyfH-YaKOZjQjb41CDY2rs0dyNLiXfRI2y8x-4bbXC8JrWcZi7B3PmEBlNwaubnn-/s1600/IMG_2500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJevw0iQfgpOZSb50DUTsv9qDLTGw4v8PFoxutoPmCyVDgzERvu8uiVCGFT4exq3bxozGBsNU7QrJyfH-YaKOZjQjb41CDY2rs0dyNLiXfRI2y8x-4bbXC8JrWcZi7B3PmEBlNwaubnn-/s400/IMG_2500.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713284381376534834" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rocky at No Hands Bridge</span></span><br /></div><br />Robert and Linda's accident made me think off the Greek myth about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baucis_and_Philemon">Baucis and Philemon</a>. Baucis and Philemon were a couple known for their hospitality—very much like Robert and Linda who would always accommodate everybody who wanted to come and run their races. In the Greek myth, Zeus visited their town in disguise and they were the only ones that welcomed him into their home. For their "guest friendship," Zeus granted them a wish and they requested to stay together forever and that when it came time for one of them to die, the other would die as well. It is hard to come to grips with this terrible accident, but in a way it helps knowing that they were and will continue on together, like the balloons and the eagle we saw soaring into the sky this morning. Robert and Linda, rest in peace dear friends.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxvLPU7ZFKW52JQ9s2HWEn4j72pRzTzozpumRahyphenhyphenX0dZkSqSNfDpoVABx8AXP6Q7S_h8pOsIG1McTFWnT3K8FgDTofzwyDYyN1Js7v28dW2eT5ZIjWFNxQqp3LJDnsDPmU8BgYJktog12/s1600/IMG_2493.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxvLPU7ZFKW52JQ9s2HWEn4j72pRzTzozpumRahyphenhyphenX0dZkSqSNfDpoVABx8AXP6Q7S_h8pOsIG1McTFWnT3K8FgDTofzwyDYyN1Js7v28dW2eT5ZIjWFNxQqp3LJDnsDPmU8BgYJktog12/s400/IMG_2493.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713277198173599666" border="0" /></a>Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-38166655970577309432011-09-24T21:44:00.000-07:002011-09-24T23:04:00.459-07:00Rest in Peace, Cornelius<p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipppk3RNSbbPQeTnFlrOfMKyTO3S4-tUmVpch2qeNgDB7R_x8rHSKru4uPbljFGGrXnvgwjxOPHUHigXHuqT3DNyF4d1CcNkFZkVgWzjUGjetts5KInCqMjRlsZdDmqbleLKzrOrqeeUbB/s400/IMG_0893.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656161190908741378" /></p><p>After 17+ years of faithful mouse-hunting service, our cat Cornelius (Corn) died today.</p><p>The day we selected him from a litter of young kittens, he ran away and hid behind a large pile of firewood. We could have simply picked another kitten from that litter, but we really liked Corn, so I moved half a cord of wood to get him. The name Cornelius was actually picked a long time before he was born. One time, Vicky and I drove past Cornelius Ave. in East Nicolaus, CA and agreed that we would call our future cat Cornelius.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51PlPicywi-HhwBuCD-4za-HyC6IkLJtgLHUGI_ydnIM6TCoqN54pow1kqyMkpcLjtt07yHjxH8M6aF2gZ_qHoYoeyd2hOUVxZ64AMhTmgfw3t4LN2bp0pn39ZPN9DV5AuEzTKfeJs3Q_/s1600/IMG_1167.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51PlPicywi-HhwBuCD-4za-HyC6IkLJtgLHUGI_ydnIM6TCoqN54pow1kqyMkpcLjtt07yHjxH8M6aF2gZ_qHoYoeyd2hOUVxZ64AMhTmgfw3t4LN2bp0pn39ZPN9DV5AuEzTKfeJs3Q_/s400/IMG_1167.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656161183788066706" /></a></p><p align="center"><em>Corn loved to sleep in warm places, like on top of my laptop.</em></p><p>Corn certainly wasn't the easiest-going cat. He was a born hunter (on one occasion he took on an adult turkey vulture!) and made sure our place was always rodent and lizard-free. He had a bit of a wild side and would often hide in the grass and jump out. He had little time for staying on our laps; that's just the way he was and always remained. We would always warn kids that came over to be careful--he could strike at any time, as you can see in this video:</p><p align="center"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DgX14YeaLoE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Corn in action</span></em><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQWsDm7K7OPKpBFwvFETH0QlxppxRaf8c7WNhN84GuPf9S_l4N0sT9zdyzeylfdUnJ_P0BAoIktoY5vD_fuUXxzME22BuJqIoyLH-kohVYiyLZdTE3k-5xUmaNs98on3S8JvCuRJLlCVf/s1600/IMG_1454.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQWsDm7K7OPKpBFwvFETH0QlxppxRaf8c7WNhN84GuPf9S_l4N0sT9zdyzeylfdUnJ_P0BAoIktoY5vD_fuUXxzME22BuJqIoyLH-kohVYiyLZdTE3k-5xUmaNs98on3S8JvCuRJLlCVf/s400/IMG_1454.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656161178154354930" /></a></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Corn was extremely curious and even checked out a few books on HTML5 late in his life.</span></em><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmiTIW27sFZthYZu640n0CKDP5603kidl1N3XQEd5AcUX9vu_9ysKnRiV2wnM4EnvFFJ0CvjT54_IIX2Ot7ixAlqpfPxx-LdbU27S6FotX7UsIs73PCaSI_FTGPCtxkah36ZPS3FzvDdy/s1600/IMG_2027.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmiTIW27sFZthYZu640n0CKDP5603kidl1N3XQEd5AcUX9vu_9ysKnRiV2wnM4EnvFFJ0CvjT54_IIX2Ot7ixAlqpfPxx-LdbU27S6FotX7UsIs73PCaSI_FTGPCtxkah36ZPS3FzvDdy/s400/IMG_2027.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656161174395709234" /></a></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Everything reminds us of him now.</span></em><br /></p><p>We buried Cornelius in our backyard today in a spot overlooking the meadow. While we put some flowers down, a beautiful little white butterfly flew by and showed up one more time later. I think he is in a good place now.</p><p align="center">"<em>A stone I died and rose again a plant; </em></p><p align="center"><em>A plant I died and rose an animal; </em></p><p align="center"><em>I died an animal and was born a man. </em></p><p align="center"><em>Why should I fear? What have I lost by death?</em>"</p><p align="center">—Rumi</p><p align="center"><br /></p><p align="center">Rest in peace, Cornelius. You'll always be in our hearts.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-22760223953244531972011-09-09T15:26:00.001-07:002011-09-11T12:24:30.112-07:00Live: Two TRT Record Attempts<p><strong>Update 9/11/11: </strong></p><p><strong>Both attempts were abandoned at miles 50 (Aaron) and 87 (Michael). Better luck next time, guys.</strong></p><p>The TRT is heating up. It turns out there isn't just <em>one</em> unsupported Tahoe Rim Trail record attempt (See my <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2011/09/this-weekend-unsupported-trt-record.html">last post about Aaron Sorensen</a>). Michael Popov (who at one time held the JMT unsupported record) is <em>also</em> running, but going the other direction. Both are going for the fastest unsupported time, which currently stands at 85h47m50s (by <a href="http://krudmeister.blogspot.com/2010/07/truckee-river-tahoe-city-38.html">Adam Bradley</a>), according to <a href="http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=pacific&thread=36&page=1">Peter Bakwin's FKT site</a> (this also has details about the supported records). </p><p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoEMGYzUxsTDZsAdW41IE67psitG21FhloUD23VTxawAdZbCfQpnQpmS4Q-YQN8L9BNdy0YsYb4YaZm7wh9GvLigv3fWWNYU6m9JCnxIAKX6uK5G5ZWUD4pxGX0J8x3Ok9DcYwnlCf8b_/s400/5689_123682233208_562933208_2133734_3595176_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650498463157950098" /><br /></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Michael Popov in action</span></em></p><p>You can follow Michael live via his Spot tracker at <a href="http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0XFq8bqzZ4lYsGruDgcHeHbr5dGEeHQ11">this link</a>.</p><p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistJvyW5e7bMOsbLPyhRGNcGjNXkfKvhvcjQE_qjaL1XXMLgwcnIQ9Qy1sza4h4bVNYS2arxBWW6Brxe0iZQc66pd0AovrLyHuvWjwwjKDEyUnilb12uSN_3WT6Zaty28yBeEESf4acw0o/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-09+at+3.25.50+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650490007758420962" /></p><p>It looks like Michael blazed his way through desolation wilderness already. Good luck guys!</p><p>Finally, David Wronsky is going to go for a TRT run in one-shot as well. Barefoot! You can read more about this on his site: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.helpdavidrun.com/LakeTahoe165/">www.helpdavidrun.com/LakeTahoe165/</a> We were both interviewed by <a href="http://moonshineink.com/">Moonshine Ink</a> about barefoot running recently (I will post details soon).<br /></p>Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-26348742308453048122011-09-08T03:30:00.001-07:002011-09-08T03:44:56.302-07:00This weekend: Unsupported TRT Record Attempt by Aaron Sorensen<p>This weekend, Aaron Sorensen is going to give the unsupported TRT record another try. He's got his backpack ready and he is starting Friday morning going counter clockwise from Tahoe City. Aaron knows the trail well (He and Michael Popov offered to help me on <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2008/08/running-rim-trail.html">my supported run in 2008</a>, but I fell behind schedule and missed them).</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOubHQStaHpqtg1BQOPP3pNoknHh7LlHNpTs0m2KhmbMjhsqSzTLS0D2RnloBR7VLHa81XufH87vkxesLiITmtRUrMr2HKPzT4LLlMQSDuMf3H6zSrN7o_YP_XV2gjewT96i2kzwmYYqNQ/s1600/sorenson.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOubHQStaHpqtg1BQOPP3pNoknHh7LlHNpTs0m2KhmbMjhsqSzTLS0D2RnloBR7VLHa81XufH87vkxesLiITmtRUrMr2HKPzT4LLlMQSDuMf3H6zSrN7o_YP_XV2gjewT96i2kzwmYYqNQ/s400/sorenson.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649934430720252274" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Aaron Sorenson</em></span></p><p>Complete details here: <a href="http://goo.gl/f1Hq5">http://goo.gl/f1Hq5</a></p><p>Aaron: have fun out there and keep us posted—it will be epic!</p>Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-85965244102632947572011-06-09T20:01:00.000-07:002011-06-09T21:35:10.769-07:00Rocky's Eighth Grade Valedictorian Speech<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8KL5NftTm9SFjI9iKSRkMbaY4dootexaUth_IHYDIEkUG4EoIii9hYzcL1m-Z4zs7qur_iBDaArdW4QKEsLHs19WCH7YsGmb2aX_3wLKgpJ1ICRHcIL2dFwPxV12lkWAbCWseEkYipYJ/s1600/IMG_1284.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8KL5NftTm9SFjI9iKSRkMbaY4dootexaUth_IHYDIEkUG4EoIii9hYzcL1m-Z4zs7qur_iBDaArdW4QKEsLHs19WCH7YsGmb2aX_3wLKgpJ1ICRHcIL2dFwPxV12lkWAbCWseEkYipYJ/s400/IMG_1284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616440745014195090" border="0" /></a>Déjà vu. Last night, almost exactly two years after <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2009/06/seans-eigth-grade-valedictorian-speech.html">Sean graduated as the valedictorian of his middle school class</a> and after a year of hard work, keeping the perfect 4.0 GPA, Rocky followed in Sean's footsteps and became the valedictorian of his eight-grade class at MCAA.<div><div><div><br /></div><div>During the graduation ceremony he first played Rondo alla Turca (Mozart) on the piano (perfectly) and then he gave a very nice speech. There was no promotion ceremony for Sean (he is now a junior), but he also kept a straight A score up for yet another year. Needless to say, some really proud parents here...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0Q120GOZp6qeQLv22U4zUC8oXxubofq45xricSZrpUQb2-IXT9im3KD_8EHUuB_BWKLdFiAjmTZ0GCHuKuc5uWpaMiP0NZQ0UhA7z8s3W7oxSG0XqsUg8OT4Bt8lhtfNKJAkJ4_Pak5o/s1600/IMG_1322.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0Q120GOZp6qeQLv22U4zUC8oXxubofq45xricSZrpUQb2-IXT9im3KD_8EHUuB_BWKLdFiAjmTZ0GCHuKuc5uWpaMiP0NZQ0UhA7z8s3W7oxSG0XqsUg8OT4Bt8lhtfNKJAkJ4_Pak5o/s400/IMG_1322.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616441081318957762" border="0" /></a></div></div><div>Here is the entire speech:</div><div><br /></div><div>Good evening and welcome, faculty, distinguished guests, family, and friends. My name is Rocky Lubbers and I'm really exited to speak to you tonight.<br /><br /></div><div>A Zen Master once said: "When you reach the top, keep climbing." I particularly like this quote, because it is very true on so many levels. To me, this means that we are never done, but in a good way. You're never too old to learn something new. The question is: how can we keep climbing? And at the same time, how can we enjoy the ascent?<br /><br /></div><div>I remember when I just turned 10 years old. My brother and I signed up to run a half marathon in Lake Tahoe. The day before, the weather was very nice, but on the morning of the run it started snowing and there was ice on the road. We started slowly and kept running together. The early miles were easy, but then came the infamous “Hill from Hell.” From what I heard from my dad who ran it before, it was a killer. I wasn’t too scared however, because I knew when <span style="font-style: italic;">we</span> reached the top, <span style="font-style: italic;">we</span> would keep climbing. And so we did. We finished the half marathon in 2 hours and 55 minutes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuV4iaAGn_WoPwi4RSOV7Am5_wGnTNF0cJUSRAJ4D6iTfqn7CQxIRHr9aQnwhRLVPdV-YSgbABa0klOBVuh4qOnR6uyQ_vywv2E_7puHdLom3bekluW4Idx9JtiVsAWRi1ntpAgIxEci7/s1600/peter-lubbers-tahoe-triple-day3-001.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuV4iaAGn_WoPwi4RSOV7Am5_wGnTNF0cJUSRAJ4D6iTfqn7CQxIRHr9aQnwhRLVPdV-YSgbABa0klOBVuh4qOnR6uyQ_vywv2E_7puHdLom3bekluW4Idx9JtiVsAWRi1ntpAgIxEci7/s400/peter-lubbers-tahoe-triple-day3-001.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616443000982951538" border="0" /></a>This year, my physical science teacher Ms. Ellsmore explained to me that an object in motion stays in motion, unless acted on by an unbalanced force. This means that, in nature, an object can either move forward or backward, up or down, but ultimately never stay in the same place (at least not for too long). And so is it in life, school, and everything else. We should strive to be going up and forward, and to learn something new, each and every day.<br /><br /></div><div>Climbing the highest mountains in the world is not a risk-free operation. You don’t just stroll to the top of Mount Everest, or casually walk up K2. In fact, you can't even take a helicopter to some of the worlds highest peaks—the only way to get there is with a lot of concentrated effort. And yet, every year, adventurous climbers take on the challenge. Why? They do this, as John F. Kennedy once said, “<a href="http://er.jsc.nasa.gov/seh/ricetalk.htm">Not because it is easy, but because it is hard.</a>” For the next years—my high school period—I have some bold and challenging plans: both academically and otherwise. Before I am 16, I want to run a full marathon (like my brother did <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2011/05/sean-hayes-and-rocky-rock-reno-marathon.html">last month</a>) and I want to continue to do well in school and learn all there is to learn.<br /><br /></div><div>In his famous “<a href="http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm">mountaintop speech</a>," Martin Luther King, Jr. told a story of how he was asked in which age he wanted to live. He could pick any age in history, and although some sounded very tempting, he finally picked a “few years in the second half of the 20th century”—the age in which he lived. I think today—in the first half of the 21st century—is an equally exciting time. Not everything is perfect these days. We have wars, natural disasters, and some rough economic times, but I don’t think I would trade this age for any other in history myself. We have so many opportunities and technological advances and if we can work together to get the most out of it, we will be able to do amazing things.<br /><br />As Martin Luther King said: “Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be.”<br /><br /></div><div>Thank you.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YZ5qLPXtIyrimkwqxneUue2kjZ7mG_wNVePX99idLn6kCndIXxQnaIVzC2Eh09c_soyKZyOBPKqgEYoE95ZPOH1B_uAZJXxCxvt3KJRAlljtI4IT7Tmut_BGN2SfnsX57v1A74_WwDJJ/s1600/IMG_1324.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YZ5qLPXtIyrimkwqxneUue2kjZ7mG_wNVePX99idLn6kCndIXxQnaIVzC2Eh09c_soyKZyOBPKqgEYoE95ZPOH1B_uAZJXxCxvt3KJRAlljtI4IT7Tmut_BGN2SfnsX57v1A74_WwDJJ/s400/IMG_1324.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616441415410325202" border="0" /></a></div><div><b>Next up</b>: the <a href="http://www.laketahoerelay.com/">Tahoe Relay</a>--this weekend!</div></div>Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-83127553083672054012011-05-02T17:29:00.000-07:002011-05-02T19:55:00.210-07:00Sean, Hayes, and Rocky Rock the Reno Marathon!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNkEfM_wgmR6ud8cJXfn4T3cbLA2FCdrJINo6hg9O4HpiJIBp5B7JuZB6ogfcaByNb2E8RK_9QaYBt3Bj5j4NY2dMcGWHJEiKReWTy7ZtOCkJrmhGJF3Ubk-huPpZCoSZw5Qg4HOFnPJi/s1600/reno-marathon70.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNkEfM_wgmR6ud8cJXfn4T3cbLA2FCdrJINo6hg9O4HpiJIBp5B7JuZB6ogfcaByNb2E8RK_9QaYBt3Bj5j4NY2dMcGWHJEiKReWTy7ZtOCkJrmhGJF3Ubk-huPpZCoSZw5Qg4HOFnPJi/s320/reno-marathon70.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602307196466443106" border="0" /></a><br />During the Tahoe Triple in 2007, Sean and Rocky (then 12 and 10 years old) ran a half marathon and after recovering from that, Sean said that he would like to finish a marathon <i>before</i> his 16th birthday. About 4 months ago, Sean and his friend Hayes (17) decided to start training seriously for a marathon and asked me to coach them. Rocky joined in for the fun as well (he was going to try to run a faster half marathon this time) and before long some of their friends joined in and we now have a complete local relay team for the upcoming Tahoe Relay.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xhcLLuN4yN3WHEpoM8AsFudLIz6VjTn9Fy_iiQ5uukZbnY2cfcHuIFwY9H_DLs4drzEHyZCfWR7ddfiAIthskwVwBqcFjoY3Q17C8bxcVfd64G3VqVP6h6O2nXhmc2_5FS9wQmybsyLE/s1600/reno-BLOG1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xhcLLuN4yN3WHEpoM8AsFudLIz6VjTn9Fy_iiQ5uukZbnY2cfcHuIFwY9H_DLs4drzEHyZCfWR7ddfiAIthskwVwBqcFjoY3Q17C8bxcVfd64G3VqVP6h6O2nXhmc2_5FS9wQmybsyLE/s320/reno-BLOG1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602284964755649954" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Police Escort at the Start of the Reno Rock 'n River Marathon</span></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>We looked around for a marathon, with the following criteria in mind: </div><div><ul><li>Flat-ish</li><li>Not too expensive</li><li>Close to home</li></ul><div>At first we decided on the River City marathon (my <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2009/04/sub-3-at-river-city-marathon.html">favorite</a>), but found out that the date had moved up this year, so we would not have enough time to train. Then we found the <a href="http://www.rock-n-riverhalfmarathon.com/">Reno Rock 'n River Marathon</a> on May 1st and after reading <a href="http://dailyadventuresgretch.blogspot.com/2009/05/at-this-point-i-feel-like-writing-about.html">Gretchen's race report</a> we decided we would try that one for a first marathon, just a few weeks after Sean's 16th birthday.<br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QX5lGqnxj2RLe38lxAizyLuBUGBBs8aBOgNCj55S-xWZ1djArJPn9AIvyHFI3N82GX94mbnE6TOhkor_U1-i8bcD9gabihdqih11DyJ0gem3DSDjA5DG7gpDw0lvJsEON8pWM2_P8F4Z/s1600/reno-BLOG2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QX5lGqnxj2RLe38lxAizyLuBUGBBs8aBOgNCj55S-xWZ1djArJPn9AIvyHFI3N82GX94mbnE6TOhkor_U1-i8bcD9gabihdqih11DyJ0gem3DSDjA5DG7gpDw0lvJsEON8pWM2_P8F4Z/s320/reno-BLOG2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602284880102287714" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Rocky and Turi "Running Around Reno" Becker at the Start</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The day before the race we went to the expo to pick up the race bibs. While there, we ran into Angel (Tahoe Triple RD) and we convinced a few people to sign up for the Tahoe marathons ;-) Pasta dinner at the Olive Garden tasted good and after that we went to bed early.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU24YqfMNi20LSQyA3riQWfwGypW06UNxCFILrfK3cL5ySrAXOjVKugG2Oab23Jr6vHQzqa2vtrtweYfC0NlKwQdOOmvmDTlZMquZ0cDpsVCFIAZhoxI5QIklrD4uoesxcp_3LeXHFQc_h/s1600/reno-marathon72.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU24YqfMNi20LSQyA3riQWfwGypW06UNxCFILrfK3cL5ySrAXOjVKugG2Oab23Jr6vHQzqa2vtrtweYfC0NlKwQdOOmvmDTlZMquZ0cDpsVCFIAZhoxI5QIklrD4uoesxcp_3LeXHFQc_h/s320/reno-marathon72.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602299548686431074" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">With Austin Angel in the Tahoe Booth at the Expo</span></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning, after months of solid training, including several nice long runs, and some almost-injuries, it was time to run! It was going to be a nice day: cold at the start, but not too hot later on. We caught up with <a href="http://www.runningroundreno.com/">Turi</a> at the start, which was fun. Turi went on to break his own half-marathon record, paced by the lightning-fast Chris (1:28:12)--Go Turi! One person we half-expected to see at the start was the infamous <a href="http://dailyadventuresgretch.blogspot.com/2008/09/lynryd-skynrod-interview-with-real-deal.html">Lynryd Skynrod</a>, but he was missing in action.<br /><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJZkh4wP_dwiPqOkOt89i-_9lKgkLyUlbZgD06-_CyYyJTSSeb4P1K7JjQW23oBEISAGbLHNBtrF_2foZptnTvqDJrYR8zOZNKx7YyhFZc4edNY7YGH7SBJKVbTMclPQwpWWFhrG28ATA/s320/reno-BLOG3.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602284867059655202" border="0" /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Rocky at the Start</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The marathon started at 6:30 a.m. and the half marathon started at 7. It was still very cold, but that would help later on. Sean and Rocky made good time, sticking to the 1-minute walk breaks after each mile that I had been telling them to take. We found a spot on the course where they would all pass several times and saw Turi, Chris, Sean, Hayes, and Rocky fly by several times.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8znep27Qad3DlQeddSbOdCBAlq9_jfYmFpmgac3DqrQM9hSEvQ63agDNx6ZUagwlC08QidpFuI6gJEl01mFL1pnY275_DFqoL0K_ES3BaOPi0xcdvi1MJhL-K1htzYxOlEY_D6DeJLeRZ/s1600/reno-BLOG5.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8znep27Qad3DlQeddSbOdCBAlq9_jfYmFpmgac3DqrQM9hSEvQ63agDNx6ZUagwlC08QidpFuI6gJEl01mFL1pnY275_DFqoL0K_ES3BaOPi0xcdvi1MJhL-K1htzYxOlEY_D6DeJLeRZ/s1600/reno-BLOG5.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTb5PxgfnLLLJiVVNTNm8PbpNkuFDvxNLj_m0AN3CyRbvV9xnzzPEay9hKSps4UGKkVkP5OBjchUmEx-ingo5eJuB9Ngm_rYDmul1jr5g8f6XE_oEi20BlEKrQwMmDdoSRl-1VlTEIBl9l/s320/reno-BLOG-3.5.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602284865688985762" border="0" /> </a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Easy Early Miles</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Rocky came through at the 7 mile point at 1:35, feeling good. I estimated that it would take him at least another hour to make it back to the finish, but when we arrived (we stopped for a coffee and could not park right at the finish) we found out that he had already finished in 2:23! Sorry we missed that Rocky, but very happy you were able to crank up the pace to finish that strong! Rocky's finish time was good for a third place in the 11-15 age group and he received a nice big age group medal--this race is pretty serious about their hardware!<br /></div><br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9onLRV_8my0R1RFahPQ04SE7H8CUKO_4pd5vK7RBLU-30xCTicAppqtj1EbbhB_lykHMSnG4oBZIqhOwA1XjMIcNBmn0c27HRrUa8Om9Qqhh0JH9QRF1wzW0a_5iKjN-wF9eprZUsU2H/s320/reno-BLOG4.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602284871771613858" border="0" /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">What's on the Other Side of "The Wall?"<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">We quickly drove to the Rock Park aid station at mile 23 and waited there for Sean and Hayes. All of the marathoners go through this aid station in both directions, but almost everyone had already passed on the way out. We did not know what to expect--finishing was the only goal for the day, but based on previous long runs, we were thinking of a finish time in the 5:15-5:30 range.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8znep27Qad3DlQeddSbOdCBAlq9_jfYmFpmgac3DqrQM9hSEvQ63agDNx6ZUagwlC08QidpFuI6gJEl01mFL1pnY275_DFqoL0K_ES3BaOPi0xcdvi1MJhL-K1htzYxOlEY_D6DeJLeRZ/s1600/reno-BLOG5.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8znep27Qad3DlQeddSbOdCBAlq9_jfYmFpmgac3DqrQM9hSEvQ63agDNx6ZUagwlC08QidpFuI6gJEl01mFL1pnY275_DFqoL0K_ES3BaOPi0xcdvi1MJhL-K1htzYxOlEY_D6DeJLeRZ/s320/reno-BLOG5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602284875027452498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Proud Finishers<br /><br /></span></div><div>All of a sudden, they came around the corner, well ahead of this pace. This was mile 23 and both of them were clearly hitting the wall, but determined to keep pushing. A short walking break just enough to swallow a final gel, and they were off again. 3 miles to go with 45 minutes left to break 5 hours--the race was on! We quickly drove to the finish and waited there.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wk12crVwUDM" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Finish<br /></span></div><br />Sure enough, with plenty of time to spare, they came running down the final straightaway. They must have even passed a few "bogeys" in the last few miles. They finished at exactly the same time in 4:48--good enough for a shared 2nd place in the 15-19 age group--more medals.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLDimYHCFXpRvGaAWf1qwQSVqVCK0DVxz2de0SdrlkrQLaHOl9cQQvwaNdA28hIvwaRnKvBrk_DtEK5JZVEXDn1nNIe17PyYyksHlq-x4oHMvjZUm5xYIwpGrJvfwLO1B4xAnf9ktUY_T/s1600/reno-marathon63.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLDimYHCFXpRvGaAWf1qwQSVqVCK0DVxz2de0SdrlkrQLaHOl9cQQvwaNdA28hIvwaRnKvBrk_DtEK5JZVEXDn1nNIe17PyYyksHlq-x4oHMvjZUm5xYIwpGrJvfwLO1B4xAnf9ktUY_T/s320/reno-marathon63.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602305518828437298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Post-Race Meal</span></span><br /></div><br />I'm obviously very proud of them. It was a great accomplishment and we celebrated with a very well-deserved, big meal before driving back home to rest and ice the legs. Thanks to all the volunteers for putting together a very runnable marathon!<br /><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XxoDdG2zWPtfm82cfes2LkHSsX_rdWnb-4gq5tt-tlBkj68zQ0eOzKAUMGmZXA4SwQuifQsabFlwnCB7l23FDFKoCmP_fnDsiRdBjL8glhvHxgwCgKvK7lMLUitxb5idbLhoxHeQHouL/s1600/sean-rocky-lubbers.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XxoDdG2zWPtfm82cfes2LkHSsX_rdWnb-4gq5tt-tlBkj68zQ0eOzKAUMGmZXA4SwQuifQsabFlwnCB7l23FDFKoCmP_fnDsiRdBjL8glhvHxgwCgKvK7lMLUitxb5idbLhoxHeQHouL/s320/sean-rocky-lubbers.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602280727698668962" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Blast from the Past: Sean and Rocky Finish the Lake Tahoe Half Marathon in 200</span></i>7</span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Next Up</b>: The Tahoe Relay! Our team name is "The Extreme Falcons" ;-)<br /></div>Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-48136852604183331612010-12-30T14:55:00.001-08:002010-12-30T16:25:11.477-08:002010 in Review: Another Kind of Ultra<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQfwha3pUK5pNHy9BWA9WGsO-2C8eNiSy3IWOQ-Ll8yaaQBEEut6spcnKK3gYlk4-jBjT407eexR7YBOwA6BLHBQDML4JYjz9qlLDyPS9Ye9DTgE_XKAu4gMxCeRmbAs5WCgueW6lIkAb/s320/photo.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556623755725162802" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>My new "HTML5" license plates</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Sorry about the lack of posts this year, but 2010 has been another kind of ultra marathon for me. As I <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2009/12/plans-for-2010-another-kind-of-race.html">mentioned at the end of 2009</a>, it was time to write a book and this year, at the end of August, on my <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-great-grandmother-by-rocky-lubbers.html">grandmother's</a> birthday--my co-authors Brian, Frank, and I finally finished this massive project:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=rulata-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=1430227907" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pro HTML5 Programming is one of the first books about HTML5, which is the next major revision of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) the language that all web pages--including this blog page--are written in. The HTML standard had not really been updated for 10 years, so it was due for a major update. HTML5 is really cool and it has many exciting and powerful features, some of which are starting to appear on web pages already.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Many people compare writing a book to running a marathon, but after finishing the book, I can honestly say I completely agree with <a href="http://dailyadventuresgretch.blogspot.com/2010/11/marathon-metaphors-and-harry-potter.html">Gretchen</a>, who recently wrote (in a post about marathon <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">metaphors</span>)<span class="Apple-style-span">: "<i>O</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: arial; line-height: 18px; "><i><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bviously</span>, most authors don’t realize how easy running a marathon really is! Because, seriously? Finishing a book? Way, way harder.</i>"</span></span></div><div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As if writing the book itself was not enough (we wrote the book "on he side," on top of all our "regular" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">startup</span> job work ), I also created a complete HTML5 training course based on the new knowledge gathered by writing the book and the timing for the course was just right. When the <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/29/steve-jobs-apple-adobe-flash/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">iPad</span> was launched</a> and Apple, Google, Mozilla, Opera, and even Microsoft (how often can those companies agree on anything?) decided that HTML5 was the future, the demand for HTML5 training skyrocketed, mainly, because our training course was, well... the first <a href="http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Kaazing-Partners-With-Marakana-to-Expand-HTML5-Training-to-the-US-1132288.htm">official training course in the world</a>! We even partnered with Google to train their partners in preparation of the launch of the Google <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore">Chrome Web Store</a> (featuring lots of cool HTML5-based web apps).</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The rest of 2010, I spent traveling to all the corners of the earth--to cities like New York, London, Paris, Lisbon, Taipei, San Antonio, Vancouver, and Stockholm to name but a few--teaching training sessions and speaking at web conferences. In total, I traveled over 100,000 miles with United Airlines in just 6 months, stayed 97 nights at Hilton brand hotels and lots more at other chains, met lots of great people, and tried all kinds of great new food.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Apart from being away from home so much, I truly had a blast and look forward to visiting a lot more places in 2011. Next year, I will bring my running shoes. I hope to run into some of you somewhere along the way (Connect via <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/peterlubbers"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">LinkedIn</span></a> or <a href="http://www.tripit.com/uhp/index?us=lo&um=li&un=li"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">TripIt</span></a>).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since I had less running-related stories to tell (I did use some running examples in the book) and just less time to write period, I started posting more frequently on Twitter--you can follow me there at <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/peterlubbers">@<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">peterlubbers</span></a>. I am going to start training again in the new year and plan to be back in good shape for the Super Triple in September. Along the way, I'll keep you posted! For now I am enjoying a few weeks of relaxing vacation at home and in the snow with the kids. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAG8uzzgW5-4o2mQL96iY9BW-T_o6dnH2tyXlX5aIl_L-38cb0wvJ2k8_Ryk5IZM1X9lNy-FydjASg4buaPkVEaJ3VS9JQFwmoCctAopJOHO-opVjC6nU7Quu_xFftIhdXGMufPolq0Oku/s320/photo+2.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556633298499499266" /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Happy New Year everybody!</b></div></div>Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-38709297928020766792010-02-11T02:16:00.000-08:002010-02-11T02:31:22.335-08:00Why I did not go for a run last weekend...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YITy-Qxal0rN4qAdd2gDLVlGhGEeuXeWiX5i9bBSUtIj_g0-hHf9Qh64LDaZ4w2zHuz2ZlYDo7NAOdaIQKgqKwnWUwdV7r6xBuw17xJY1Fb7ezkpNqn9yoi8E_zGRd-C8XQPhAy2ZSG4/s1600-h/sean-punnet-square.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YITy-Qxal0rN4qAdd2gDLVlGhGEeuXeWiX5i9bBSUtIj_g0-hHf9Qh64LDaZ4w2zHuz2ZlYDo7NAOdaIQKgqKwnWUwdV7r6xBuw17xJY1Fb7ezkpNqn9yoi8E_zGRd-C8XQPhAy2ZSG4/s400/sean-punnet-square.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436927962081832034" border="0" /></a>Last weekend, Sean and I learned a lot about the basic ideas behind genetics and the probability of inheritance, by creating (and color-coding) a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punnett_square">Punnet square</a> with over 1000 cells (5 traits) for his "Martian Mating" Biology project.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gK0FXmBZDZymcIPUy-oPeN1g86GC-TDRQ7XD5-d693uQwzEgg2mnC4FScgnkMwXpxj_o5moTQa4zSrBaGfm9kXdqV0RFHAUZ3xGvp-UnrZgkhtHBBHRwVILDURqjm85e_t2C7k43gOrD/s1600-h/2-11-2010+2-23-46+AM.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gK0FXmBZDZymcIPUy-oPeN1g86GC-TDRQ7XD5-d693uQwzEgg2mnC4FScgnkMwXpxj_o5moTQa4zSrBaGfm9kXdqV0RFHAUZ3xGvp-UnrZgkhtHBBHRwVILDURqjm85e_t2C7k43gOrD/s400/2-11-2010+2-23-46+AM.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436929912294349026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Part of the complete Punnet square</span></span><br /></div><br />So what are the odds he'll become an ultra runner?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOurCzTai5vdVPN423nKaUOi8ci4I31C8VxPFsU-Qgc-l2kY8H21WR17mkDFh-WHGZG-SbT9Ub5WoEQUjwgOjJCaw7-4dUSMlP4B3b35StVpWxXANrYTsh3FUJoWEjI3KosBfd0CCBZ5g/s1600-h/martians.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOurCzTai5vdVPN423nKaUOi8ci4I31C8VxPFsU-Qgc-l2kY8H21WR17mkDFh-WHGZG-SbT9Ub5WoEQUjwgOjJCaw7-4dUSMlP4B3b35StVpWxXANrYTsh3FUJoWEjI3KosBfd0CCBZ5g/s400/martians.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436930839788086338" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Martian couple--the big Excel spreadsheet shows the traits (number of legs, eye size, antenna/no antenna, dull or sharp teeth) for all their grand kids</span></span><br /></div>Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-44555453656369504862009-12-31T16:11:00.000-08:002009-12-31T16:17:19.686-08:00Vote for Rocky's Green Day Mashup!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.gdconcerts.com/remix/getMix.vmu?mix_id=15314"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwU2M26b4Ijh4hl5DUlNZ1k4TkTW5bmOpmPNk46f72IP1qVlglSA7jdVWVQmLjb6UFyPJ7kQ66Y-Auo05UPdm-c9oSAORoAUYmBGogmgCIPN4mF-I79xrnFIGSt_XoQYw1sicdBGHTfYPI/s400/12-31-2009+4-14-27+PM.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421558307906147650" border="0" /></a>Rocky's Green Day Music Mash-up!<br /><a href="http://www.gdconcerts.com/remix/getMix.vmu?mix_id=15314"> Vote for this mash!<!-- a--></a></div>Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-33524645908059547512009-12-15T11:00:00.001-08:002009-12-15T11:15:36.826-08:00Plans for 2010: Another Kind of Race!Sorry it's been so quiet on the blog lately. After finishing the <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2009/10/seven-secrets-to-winning-grand-prix.html">ultrarunner.net grand prix series</a> this year, I took of some time off from running to recover from the many miles. I also had to travel to Europe a lot for work. I'm finally back home for the holidays though.<br /><br />For the next couple of months, I am going to focus my energy on something non-running related: Together with some of my colleagues, I am going to be writing a kick-ass book for Apress titled Pro HTML5 Programming. It's really exciting, because we're going to be one of the very first books on this cutting-subject and we're even going to incorporate a few running-related example applications ;-)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=rulata-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=1430227907" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Before anyone gets any ideas, though, this book is due out in March/April 2010, so I'll have plenty of time to ramp up my training to come back and defend my title at the Super Triple at the end of September next year! I am also planning to run a few more relays with Sean and Rocky, including the Redding marathon Relay in January.<br /></div></div>Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-71999582365835544242009-10-25T23:00:00.000-07:002009-10-25T23:56:19.606-07:00The Seven Secrets to Winning a Grand Prix Running Series<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHnaQ1w3ewqcEdfsvHIJcgNOqQy5jG6tbHo3Pe79DlyhvcPsjTVSX4-xgoXCZxckzHLpUrb0QKk3HZ14apxV3n-Dfeiplj3HM0kVei-TOi3ZgwnTr5i15oPaxYe7sg1ngml6TD4p_u1gp/s1600-h/jenkinson-lake-50k-008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHnaQ1w3ewqcEdfsvHIJcgNOqQy5jG6tbHo3Pe79DlyhvcPsjTVSX4-xgoXCZxckzHLpUrb0QKk3HZ14apxV3n-Dfeiplj3HM0kVei-TOi3ZgwnTr5i15oPaxYe7sg1ngml6TD4p_u1gp/s400/jenkinson-lake-50k-008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396795653298363106" border="0" /></a>This weekend's <span style="font-style: italic;">Jenkinson Lake Fall Trail Runs 50K</span> was the season finale of the <a href="http://www.ultrarunner.net/">ultrarunner.net grand prix series</a>. The series kicked off with the Pony Express race at the end of February and consisted of 9 races with distances ranging from 20-miles to 12-hour runs.<br /><br />I am very happy to report that I clinched the series title for the second time!<br /><br />In <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2007/11/won-2007-fuel-belt-ultrarunnernet-grand.html">2007</a>, I learned a few lessons about what it takes to win a grand prix series. That year, the series became a mano-y-mano duel with my good friend <a href="http://runtrails.blogspot.com/">Scott Dunlap</a>, and I ended up winning the series--and the associated $3000 supersonic mattress grand prize--by just one and a half points (out of 282 total points). In the end it all came down to the <a href="http://runtrails.blogspot.com/2007/11/boom-or-bust-at-helen-klein-50m.html">last race</a>--if the overall 50-mile winner had run just a few minutes slower, I would taken second place. Way too close!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpO9gw8ff9MpfOhEIZndKEvcopCRRUbTthgbLWxJLOW0fgQb_Gb1CT6MOXzccGiZtSaXWbAFoathv2oQABya-VZ6bI3F5Y5E589KiN9u_EFpCycZ6-Dl_AkSJWmG_ZdOsz3lmfvRlRyt8/s1600-h/jenkinson-lake-50k-007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpO9gw8ff9MpfOhEIZndKEvcopCRRUbTthgbLWxJLOW0fgQb_Gb1CT6MOXzccGiZtSaXWbAFoathv2oQABya-VZ6bI3F5Y5E589KiN9u_EFpCycZ6-Dl_AkSJWmG_ZdOsz3lmfvRlRyt8/s400/jenkinson-lake-50k-007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396795648153103666" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Jethro Smith Wins Second Place Overall in the Grand Prix</span></span><br /></div><br />Some people have asked, so at the risk of shooting myself in the foot for a future grand prix series title attempt in 2011 (I am not running the entire series next year), I'll share with you my <span style="font-style: italic;">seven secrets for winning a grand prix running series</span>. Actually, most of these concepts are so basic that they can hardly be called "secrets," but make a few mistakes and your series title hopes can be toast. There <span>is </span><span style="font-style: italic;">some </span>strategy behind it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEp0e4RG4YZN4kWtXwOsCc1iLdxuxgmu-1S7NlllaivUkkXGsFCK8bdqc0L_OK850P3BbP1WfBADMU2NbkrM_2tEl5zAQmhK3obSWXFXfIIo2jKqF6b3fMCmsShIH_6FG-vNaj_3162YG/s1600-h/jenkinson-lake-50k-004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEp0e4RG4YZN4kWtXwOsCc1iLdxuxgmu-1S7NlllaivUkkXGsFCK8bdqc0L_OK850P3BbP1WfBADMU2NbkrM_2tEl5zAQmhK3obSWXFXfIIo2jKqF6b3fMCmsShIH_6FG-vNaj_3162YG/s400/jenkinson-lake-50k-004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396795425853888994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lainie Callahan-Mattoon Takes Home Hardware for Winning First Place Overall in the GP</span></span><br /></div><br />Having run quite a few of these series, I know now that it is actually possible for a non-elite runner (like me) to do quite well or even win. You don't have to be a mountain goat or even super fast. A firm aim coupled with some smart strategy and some hard work (and a little luck) is all you really need. It is true--the tortoise <span style="font-style: italic;">can </span>beat the hair.<br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Go For It</span>!--That is, make the conscious decision to compete in the entire series up front, train for it, and add the races to your schedule. Entering one of the early races with a let's-just-see-what-happens attitude leaves a lot to chance.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Start Out "Guns Blazing"</span>--Once you have decided to really go for it, you want to create the biggest gap on the competition as you can in the shortest amount of time. You want to kick butt and take names starting at race number 1. This doesn't mean that you should show up at the first race and start running like a 10-year old, however. It <span style="font-style: italic;">does </span>mean that you ramp up training well in advance of the first race and taper properly. The first series race is often early in the year and many people will skip running in the cold winter months; instead using the early races to get in shape. It certainly helps if you can be in great shape at the start of the very first race.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Show Up</span>--This, you could argue, is one of my specialties. As I mentioned before, you don't have to be the fastest runner or the best climber. If you're not at the starting line at 7 a.m. all those great strengths won't do you much good.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Finish</span>--David Goggins recently said: "It's not about winning; it's about not quitting." That's true. You really don't have to win every race outright to do well, but you have to actually cross the finish line at some point for your results to count towards your overall points. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Every Minute Counts</span>--While you're in a series race, keep moving forward. In the end, the series could be decided by just a few minutes, so you don't want to think back with regret about that time where you leisurely sat down at an aid station, chatting it up with your friends. For an hour. Also, if you really want to do well, organize a crew that can keep you moving. You can save a huge amount of time with a seasoned crew that is aware of all your preferences. (A huge thank you to Chris, Rebecca, and Troy for coming out to crew for me this year!)<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Read</span>--Carefully read the series rules, and the individual race details, including course maps for races that you have not run before and scout out the race course before the race if you can. Your best race time is usually achieved when you run the most even pace throughout the race. Knowing the course will allow you to set specific time goals for a course.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Super-Size It</span>--Sometimes races offer a variety of distances. For example, a 6 or a 12-hour run, offering a series point per mile. Always run the absolute longest distance you can to pick up the most points possible. You never know. Sometimes things come up and you may have to miss one of the races (I missed one due to a nearby forest fire this year). Running the longest possible distance every time you can will put some points in the grand prix bank. Occasionally, however, it may pay off to run a shorter distance for some reason. Again, being familiar with the race details is key here.<br /></li></ol><span style="font-weight: bold;">And... don't forget the </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">other </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">half</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">hard work and luck</span>. At some point, competing in series race after series race and always trying to be on top of your game can wear you out and it starts to feel a little bit like a job. You have to grind out some miles here and there on tired legs and isn't always fun. Of course, there is a certain element of luck involved as well. To stay injury free, to pick the right race--you never know how things will work out. Oh, and, try to have some fun while you're out there, too. One thing I really enjoyed during the series was meeting old and new running friends at every race.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yesterday's Race--The Season Finale</span><br />Here's a quick report about yesterday's <a href="http://www.ultrarunner.net/raceseries/jenkinson_lake_fall.html">Jenkinson Lake Trail Run 50K</a>.<br /><br />The race offers a choice of up to four 8-mile, 95% single-track trail loops around Jenkinson Lake. It uses the same course as the <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2009/05/running-jenkinson-lake-50k.html">Jenkinson Lake Spring Run</a>, except that it was run in reverse and had an extra half mile.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWT7Uh1PcG6mlJoKq-hCySJ4t5TKfMB1CRAHwB-bhalRrwgF5-1-_rDCRCMk_NPgEyokr8iN62uMifgvYsFCGycWqMnR-v6sl6Pjfs9wd5d0BI6l68O5uynMVOvJBji9nuuDnRJmNCGZfd/s1600-h/jenkinson-lake-50k-002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWT7Uh1PcG6mlJoKq-hCySJ4t5TKfMB1CRAHwB-bhalRrwgF5-1-_rDCRCMk_NPgEyokr8iN62uMifgvYsFCGycWqMnR-v6sl6Pjfs9wd5d0BI6l68O5uynMVOvJBji9nuuDnRJmNCGZfd/s400/jenkinson-lake-50k-002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396795418181973506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Adventure Racer Mats Ready to Run (and Win!) the 24-Miler</span></span><br /></div><br />There were some new faces at the start along with some die-hard grand prix racers trying to get some final points in the final race of the season--<a href="http://dailyadventuresgretch.blogspot.com/2008/06/100-mile-visions-lost-in-smoke.html">Gretchen</a>, Lainie, Jethro, and Matt. The race started out fast, I led for the first 4 miles or so and then let the 16-milers set the pace. I chatted briefly with Swedish adventure racer Mats Jensen (last name?) who was running the 24-miler and then it became pretty quiet.<br /><br />I cranked up some tunes on lap 2 and 3 and was in first place in the 50K, but slowing down a little bit each lap and walking more of the steep hills. The last month of less than 10 training miles and eating danishes was rapidly catching up to me. I plodded my way through the third lap and then, finally, it was time for the victory lap that I had been envisioning since the beginning of the year! The ultra series title was mine unless I fell into Lake Jenkinson and drowned.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYV7R9D8QnJHHP1wDjZhK3roKRX7xy0XHPtLRPYIXAezQP3mD_zHd83ulhmuSEddA7AIrpljWANEYNkz5ohFujKR_lALMHuYz91A2xKvVOIokoNtWF07ZiER2mY0C-jSy1SuboYzvJrz8/s1600-h/jenkinson-lake-50k-006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYV7R9D8QnJHHP1wDjZhK3roKRX7xy0XHPtLRPYIXAezQP3mD_zHd83ulhmuSEddA7AIrpljWANEYNkz5ohFujKR_lALMHuYz91A2xKvVOIokoNtWF07ZiER2mY0C-jSy1SuboYzvJrz8/s400/jenkinson-lake-50k-006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396795643152942322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Matt Thau Ran Every Single GP Race this Year and Takes Third Place Overall</span></span><br /></div><br />Ed Walsh and a friend of his were manning the first aid station and Ed kindly kept me posted on where I was relative to the other 50K runners. A lot of runners dropped down to the 24-mile race and apart from Lainie, who was about five minutes behind me, there was nobody in sight. With the series win in the bag, it was hard to get motivated to pick up the pace significantly.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBr18cMDw90j4-e8Hwpan1Ribnh8wDGyD3DxtaVFrRq2iOsX3nGkbh287Ltr_f0DjtyYzMKVWszmpaCrsfGDK_KMTNK-AiHVAtjV5m8mFVEYq6JSrfOr_LuGoWvKJHc_Y0XGinNtVpRGIy/s1600-h/jenkinson-lake-50k-001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBr18cMDw90j4-e8Hwpan1Ribnh8wDGyD3DxtaVFrRq2iOsX3nGkbh287Ltr_f0DjtyYzMKVWszmpaCrsfGDK_KMTNK-AiHVAtjV5m8mFVEYq6JSrfOr_LuGoWvKJHc_Y0XGinNtVpRGIy/s400/jenkinson-lake-50k-001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396795410236782770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ed Walsh (right) Won the 60-69 AG</span></span><br /></div><br />Lainie, who was running another strong race, passed me at the final aid station of the bell lap--both of us were happy to be done with the race and the series in general. Lainie went on to win the 50K and she also won the female grand prix title, followed by Gretchen and Jennifer Dicus.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoe8NYyflqlIpr1GOby3eYXJwtEYsE9pNUFmJR5Amvmg4CuQx_z7CQUrPiDIy2YElGzU5_NBqmXL_ISW6bHRN_jfoYngActTHYRy9278RUYc8oEKBuFNujx1rVHo0B6IkBcOjQBjsQKKP/s1600-h/jenkinson-lake-50k-009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoe8NYyflqlIpr1GOby3eYXJwtEYsE9pNUFmJR5Amvmg4CuQx_z7CQUrPiDIy2YElGzU5_NBqmXL_ISW6bHRN_jfoYngActTHYRy9278RUYc8oEKBuFNujx1rVHo0B6IkBcOjQBjsQKKP/s400/jenkinson-lake-50k-009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396795650806783810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lainie Wins the 50K, and the Overall Grand Prix Title</span><br /></span></div><br />I just kept running at my own pace until I reached the finish line, where Lainie, Jethro, and their parents, Matt, Robert, and Linda were all cheering. It was great to finish what I had started so long ago. A huge congratulations to all the other grand prix finishers and their support crews. Next year has even more races, including a new race at Bullard's Bar Dam that I will be designing the course for. Stay tuned for more details on that.<br /><br />We had a short awards ceremony and the top-three winners overall, as well as the age group winners, received a truckload of goodies and prizes. For winning the series overall, I received an all-expense-paid vacation package worth $550 (the real reason my family was so supportive of these monthly races!) and another $200+ worth of useful other running-related goodies, like two pairs of Inov-8 shoes, Hammer gel, a Fuel Belt hydration pack, and more.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5j0m8rh7aNwfFqHxK-d_p1oo-QYqtixSQMsKPVQKZihs2m5kZsfhEJl-cCUgGF0Xohj1QAO6r3sd-yNSwK3pGXdUZ4CBE4Z3ljnl01AyBBEG3jEEBUH-5dJhtiGvlkYkVAQeytz-xzCB/s1600-h/jenkinson-lake-50k-010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5j0m8rh7aNwfFqHxK-d_p1oo-QYqtixSQMsKPVQKZihs2m5kZsfhEJl-cCUgGF0Xohj1QAO6r3sd-yNSwK3pGXdUZ4CBE4Z3ljnl01AyBBEG3jEEBUH-5dJhtiGvlkYkVAQeytz-xzCB/s400/jenkinson-lake-50k-010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396795655804009330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Jethro (2nd overall), Matt (3rd overall and only one to run every race), and Yours Truly--Watch Out For These Guys Next Year!</span><br /></span></div><br />Thanks to Robert and Linda, Ed Walsh, and all the other great volunteers, and to the grand prix sponsors for making this an exciting (and rewarding) series. I'll take a break next year, but I may be back for the hat-trick in 2011! So far, in the series history (since 2004), only Beverly Anderson Abbs and I have won two series titles.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Next up</span>: Relaxing... and a few interesting bike rides around Lake Tahoe and around the Sutter Buttes.Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-50260482237063558172009-10-08T11:00:00.000-07:002009-10-08T11:00:01.936-07:00Book Review: Running Across Countries<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGG2E6nDHimYgCJsrKXTLVn5rDXWJjkuxd6FM1HhRQW-Kfn4Fuurb7w8MHHaIre0sq_mOqxWw1rZVrKQoKRY_nxxwdzv0x-rqeDerBTxBQMLbX6QWmkieaAT5-37ZfYu-MF09c7nXXXuJa/s1600-h/russel-secker-tahoe.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGG2E6nDHimYgCJsrKXTLVn5rDXWJjkuxd6FM1HhRQW-Kfn4Fuurb7w8MHHaIre0sq_mOqxWw1rZVrKQoKRY_nxxwdzv0x-rqeDerBTxBQMLbX6QWmkieaAT5-37ZfYu-MF09c7nXXXuJa/s400/russel-secker-tahoe.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387680598505620034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">With Russell Secker at the Tahoe Triple</span></span><br /><br /></div>This summer, I stumbled upon <a href="http://secker.blogspot.com/">Russell Secker's blog</a> and I have been following it ever since. I read his daily reports from the 2800-mile Trans Europe Race with great interest and wondered what it must be like to run 40+ miles a day for two months. In the eyes of a Transcontinental runner, the Tahoe Super Triple would simply be two short and easy stages and one long one!<br /><br />Last week, after the <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2009/09/2009-tahoe-triple.html">Tahoe Triple</a> race buffet, I finally had the privilege to meet Russell in person. He was in Tahoe to help coach some Texas runners to a successful Tahoe Triple finish. I also met Russell's German stage-racing friend Hans Drexler who was running the Tahoe Triple as a "short stage race." Russell was promoting his new book, <span style="font-style: italic;">Running Across Countries</span> and he was also going to run a quick lap around the lake (this was, of course, canceled so he ran the 10K instead).<br /><br />I bought a signed copy and Chris and Rebecca quickly devoured this 177-page book while they were waiting for me at the different crew stops along the lake. Before I knew it, they were yelling "inspirational" quotes from the book as they were pulling alongside me on the road. "<span style="font-style: italic;">Toughen up, Buttercup</span>" had to be their favorite quote!<br /><br />Running Across Countries is a book about Russell's favorite kind of race--the ultra stage race. Russell is definitely qualified to tell the story, having finished several runs across Germany, France, and to top it off, the 2009 edition of the Trans Europe Footrace, from Italy to Norway.<br /><br />The book describes what it takes to run ultra stage races, what you can win (not a red cent), and it chronicles Russell's adventures at the stage races that he participated in--including the 2003 Tahoe Triple, and the 2008 Tahoe 72-Mile Ultra--in Russel's unique, light, and very humorous writing style.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed <span style="font-style: italic;">Running Across Countries</span>; it's a real page turner and a must-buy for any ultrarunner (especially considering its attractive price). Running Across Countries provides a unique look into ultra stage racing. As an ultrarunner, I was very surprised at how much new information this book contained. It's definitely a different beast than the hundred-miler or any other "one-shot" ultra for that matter. The big difference is that you have to get up at 4 a.m. the next morning again to grind out yet another 40+miler.<br /><br />64 days in a row.<br /><br />Nutritional demands change, too. A normal prerace pasta dinner results in extreme fat and protein cravings. Running that long really seems to strip people down to their essence and the book explains that a few minutes of extra rest, a cup of hot Ramen noodles at an aid station, or an extra sandwich in the morning are the sort of thing that transcontinental runners long for the most. Running through pain is inevitable, even for the front runners, who amazingly cover 2800 miles at roughly a 3:30 marathon race pace.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYpZD6X9Hh3R-q9l25Q2LN1LyHajwTvd_yRyeWSkF_CrD5u6lgDbgoc1jQxyNjBi6dqiNcwMqOUzelcFyNM3ye6eBTMuCY3dI6301BAIAFturuhLy6O7MBiEVTi9gsFNc0v2UuqLeGRXR/s1600-h/trans-europe-run.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYpZD6X9Hh3R-q9l25Q2LN1LyHajwTvd_yRyeWSkF_CrD5u6lgDbgoc1jQxyNjBi6dqiNcwMqOUzelcFyNM3ye6eBTMuCY3dI6301BAIAFturuhLy6O7MBiEVTi9gsFNc0v2UuqLeGRXR/s400/trans-europe-run.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390282815599778290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Trans Europe Stages</span></span><br /></div><br />I also appreciated Russell's approach to DNFs. He writes that "quitting is harder than keeping going," and to avoid a DNF (Did Not Finish) at all cost. "Never, <span style="font-style: italic;">ever </span>drop out unless there is a compelling medical issue like a broken leg, or a heart attack." That exactly sums up my approach to ultrarunning. I know this is a very controversial issue in the ultrarunning community. It's the "Never-DNF" approach against "Save -it-for-another-day" and nobody is right, of course.<br /><br />I do think that there is a mental "DNF treshold" though, which is slightly lowered every time a race is abandoned (this is just my take on things--to each his own). Being absolutely convinced that you can and will finish is even more important in long stage races, because you are bound to go through some pretty bad lows and your mind will start playing tricks with you. Not even having the mental option to DNF can be a race-saver in those cases.<br /><br />In the beginning of Russell's book, he credits another book about stage racing--<span style="font-style: italic;">Running the Trans America Footrace</span> by Barry Lewis--as the source of inspiration for Russell's trans-continental running, and now Russell has passed it on. Running a long ultra stage race sounds like a great adventure to me--definitely on my list of things to do. Now I just need to strike it rich and retire early, because transcontinental racing is not exactly cheap and I don't think I want to wait until I am 65!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=rulata-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1448668123&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /></div>Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-91431624437946554562009-10-04T12:36:00.000-07:002009-10-04T13:38:15.293-07:00Gold Country 20-Miler<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX18fheZu7m6ztJy7Osnaep_QJ_pzT0PqiRxYJNGtCu3A36KZtXcgqB49QMt3NQ0rZ37SQJ6tPMj2gAfzCYi4iNp-3skgoUTEGZRa21m_ars74YcYzonB8lwmBUyiPiLWAnGfGhm3G0or_/s1600-h/gold-country-50k-20m-3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388838662800593058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX18fheZu7m6ztJy7Osnaep_QJ_pzT0PqiRxYJNGtCu3A36KZtXcgqB49QMt3NQ0rZ37SQJ6tPMj2gAfzCYi4iNp-3skgoUTEGZRa21m_ars74YcYzonB8lwmBUyiPiLWAnGfGhm3G0or_/s400/gold-country-50k-20m-3.JPG" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Karalee Morris (first overall in the 20-miler) and I</span></em></div><p>On Saturday, I had to fly to Denmark for work. However, I also wanted to run the Gold Country 50K (and pick up some ultrarunner.net grand prix points to stay in first place) that day, but knew I would never be able to finish it in time for my 1 o'clock flight (it is about a 45-minute drive to the airport from Auburn). Skipping the race would be risky though (I just might lose my first place overall).<br /></p><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2-nSjKy18Ok76YobLeKolP0ZEzcAJ8OXaS36eHSyZEHQcWP5KUY04ptQe-NVgMRItjeBFKpIbx92-H0faISbVAjL4y_ZMJhBhN1N4wONRfjCwMFHp1gq18sSnQ4uCdjv5fsYO0soNYuK/s1600-h/gold-country50k.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388838241411606386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2-nSjKy18Ok76YobLeKolP0ZEzcAJ8OXaS36eHSyZEHQcWP5KUY04ptQe-NVgMRItjeBFKpIbx92-H0faISbVAjL4y_ZMJhBhN1N4wONRfjCwMFHp1gq18sSnQ4uCdjv5fsYO0soNYuK/s400/gold-country50k.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Robert Mathis (RD) Explains the Course</span></em></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Fortunately, there was also a 20-mile option. I had run the course before and estimated that it would take me about 3:15 to run 20 miles and that would leave me exactly 15 minutes to get changed and book it to the airport.<br /></div><div align="center"><div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tmAS_qODtSok87yDWgDAcGi_lA8aWRqtrPTUZH4kCDAMp0FI7N_XJ3BmmNWQZmiMhW28PUr288v9oPoDg27qUPqeA_MZNLXmqi6IiKDVvyXSVVof7lV1Mkc8O7RCD6j0w_NiMh0qRmF4/s1600-h/gold-country-50k-20m-2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388832261760881554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tmAS_qODtSok87yDWgDAcGi_lA8aWRqtrPTUZH4kCDAMp0FI7N_XJ3BmmNWQZmiMhW28PUr288v9oPoDg27qUPqeA_MZNLXmqi6IiKDVvyXSVVof7lV1Mkc8O7RCD6j0w_NiMh0qRmF4/s400/gold-country-50k-20m-2.JPG" /></a> <i><span style="font-size:85%;">Jethro Smith (Second in the Grand Prix) Gets Ready </span></i></div><div><em></em> </div><div align="left">I started out fast on the four-mile downhill section to No-Hands Bridge, where Lainie was running the aid station. I could still feel some residual fatigue from the Tahoe Triple in my legs, expecially on the flats and the uphills.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Ray Sanchez pulled past me on the first uphill (K2) and soon after that, Aaron Summerhayes passed me as well. Aaron had marked the course, but he was patching up the flagging as he went, because a lot of the flags had been taken down and thrown on the ground.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">At one point, Aaron and I came to an intersection that had been vandalized. Somebody had changed the tape around altogether and that had sent Ray the wrong way. Fortunately, Aaron quickly corrected it for me and all the other runners, and Ray could run the loop in reverse without losing time. I really don't understand why someone would do this. Let's just say it was a good thing we did not run into these pranksters (Ray being an ex-golden glove boxer and... let's just say it is hard to outrun any of us). So, vandalize at your own risk!</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTXwiSby7qgf-bJBjI-4nD8Vag_BBqK_zW_E5wUj0Zlid2MXQyj8BMcGO332F3uOTKKPeEBoDhtp5Imp_7RR11Uhh24vqdj93dPj3Nbts5eXUiEukb53KmMdCQcvfbFWEP8LGE-43NXb8/s1600-h/gold-country-50k-20m.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388832261468629266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTXwiSby7qgf-bJBjI-4nD8Vag_BBqK_zW_E5wUj0Zlid2MXQyj8BMcGO332F3uOTKKPeEBoDhtp5Imp_7RR11Uhh24vqdj93dPj3Nbts5eXUiEukb53KmMdCQcvfbFWEP8LGE-43NXb8/s400/gold-country-50k-20m.JPG" /></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Aaron Summerhayes Marked the Original Course and Marked it Again While Running!</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><div align="left">The rest of the run was pretty uneventful. It was a great day for a morning run, but I kept looking at my watch to see how I was doing for time. I made it back to No Hands bridge with 45 minutes to spare. I was in first place in the 20-miler at that point. I slowed down a bit on the uphill sections and this is where Karalee passed me like I was standing still. She ran a great race and finished in first place overall. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">I finished in 3:17 and that's when the real race began. For winning the male race, I received a shoe certificate, I ate about ten pieces of watermelon, and then Vicky and the kids helped hose me off, and I changed in less than 5 minutes. Then we were off to the airport! I made it in time and made it safely to Aarhus Denmark where I will be presenting a training session at the <a href="http://jaoo.dk/aarhus-2009/">JAOO conference</a> this week. And, guess what? The conference is going to put on a 7.5 kilometer run on Tuesday night. That should be fun.</div></div>Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-27124632018502465012009-09-28T23:00:00.000-07:002009-10-02T15:54:20.825-07:00The 2009 Tahoe Triple<div style="text-align: center;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jdSsgzK6YYE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jdSsgzK6YYE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Check Out the Animoto Slideshow!</span><br /></div><br /><br />We just came back from another Tahoe Triple Marathon weekend. Here's the recap:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pre-Race</span><br />Training and organization for the Super Triple started long before the actual race. I took a little break from running after a great series of spring races and kicked off my training again in July. My goals were to (a) run sub-19, (b) run sub-20, or (c) just finish the race. Goals a an b would probably be enough for a fourth straight win. A good run at the <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2009/09/lake-of-sky-marathon-training-run.html">Lake of the Sky trail marathon</a> two weeks before the race proved (to me) that I was ready. I put in the training for this target race. Unfortunately, for reasons beyond my control, these goals will have to wait for next year to be realized.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0naRMn3ioXMp-jVebvuPHJwujbxs1s8DZjdlTlQ74Ypr-eY_T0BOJ2QBxQqjiX84O2yezCeG3O7WBbTGc20rtEf_4bZJCqcZ_9V_Md2ha9bciim_l-QFJ7krahYHt33mInte3cZGmgdOX/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-0.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0naRMn3ioXMp-jVebvuPHJwujbxs1s8DZjdlTlQ74Ypr-eY_T0BOJ2QBxQqjiX84O2yezCeG3O7WBbTGc20rtEf_4bZJCqcZ_9V_Md2ha9bciim_l-QFJ7krahYHt33mInte3cZGmgdOX/s400/tahoe-triple-0.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386725697425324946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Thomas and Sean Speak at the Pre-Race Buffet</span> </span></div><br />Chris, Rebecca, and I headed down to the Horizon Casino for the annual pre-race briefing. There were lots of familiar faces to catch up with: RD Les Wright, Triple coordinators Angel and Lucia, fellow 3-time Super Triple finisher Keenan Follis, and many other runners that I had run with in previous years.<br /><br /><a href="http://sascharuns.blogspot.com/">Sean Meissner</a> and <a href="http://www.thomasreiss.com/">Thomas Reiss</a> gave the now oh-so-familiar--but still very entertaining--pre-race speech about running the three consecutive marathons and most of the first-time triplers were soaking up the information. Speaker Bart Yasso told us some funny anecdotes from his long running career, and after the pre-race dinner, I met <a href="http://secker.blogspot.com/">Russell Secker</a>, who had recently run across Europe (check out his new book titled "<span style="font-style: italic;">Running through Countries</span>").<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 1</span><br />It was a pretty hot day (with temperatures near record highs), so I held back a little bit in the second half of the marathon, walking some of the uphills. I ran 3:30--a little slower than I had hoped for, but OK given the warmer weather. I was first in the Super Triple with Lambert Timmermans 15 minutes behind me.<br /><br />I decided to buy some ice and soak my legs in the bathtub instead of standing in the lukewarm lake (less time in the sun). The rest of the day we spent relaxing. Vicky and the kids joined us in the evening and she brought some killer home-made lasagna for dinner.<br /><br />Just before dinner, I decided to quickly check my mail and,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> just like that, my race was over</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglS7-QEFORdFhbpotPSZPHg_XlCquuR_5IQanta8Lc8633crG_hOCe6bMhh4L5YEbAszwKCJxcMjr_mJBDBu0h2Kt5FhKqrGX6TRo3ce3FOtgPEgtdgcSEctznOpoMwvLXbyh_GGOlNdKL/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglS7-QEFORdFhbpotPSZPHg_XlCquuR_5IQanta8Lc8633crG_hOCe6bMhh4L5YEbAszwKCJxcMjr_mJBDBu0h2Kt5FhKqrGX6TRo3ce3FOtgPEgtdgcSEctznOpoMwvLXbyh_GGOlNdKL/s400/tahoe-triple-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386725706596846930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lambert Timmermans (LT) Lines Up for His First Super Triple</span></span><br /></div><br />As it turned out, the Lake Tahoe Marathon (LTM) organization had applied for a permit too late and Cal Trans and NDOT, being the running fans they are, had denied the permit to run the race. For LTM to continue to host the race would be a pretty bad violation, so everyone was offered a refund or a "downgrade" to the marathon. Super Triple runners could simply run the kids' run, er I mean the the Triple, instead, since they had already finished Day 1. The only alternative was that runners could run an unofficial "72-mile jog" around the lake by themselves.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv5xtDwiy3ENKoVypOksjGF9JCVNTmjor86i-xy0fl30ach2tiFVZd7BCrQlhbUXow1uHWUZ4ol58vxr-oKVypiOlu2tzFeEr7VCstl7ucgj3m2xoo94LteDGN7kioJ66l4G_7YrQx5XI/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-randy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv5xtDwiy3ENKoVypOksjGF9JCVNTmjor86i-xy0fl30ach2tiFVZd7BCrQlhbUXow1uHWUZ4ol58vxr-oKVypiOlu2tzFeEr7VCstl7ucgj3m2xoo94LteDGN7kioJ66l4G_7YrQx5XI/s400/tahoe-triple-randy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386747656728726546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rudy Montoya and I at the Finish of Day 1</span></span><br /></div><br />Some other runners suggested I run the unofficial run, but honestly, that did not make sense to me. If I wanted to just run around the lake at night for fun, I could do that any time. I felt a bit confused; mad and sad at the same time. Mostly, I was wondering what I should do now. Should I go after a certain place in the Triple or just have fun?<br /><br />The regular Triple, felt like a 5K in terms of raw speed. When I trained for my sub-3 marathon in April, I had done a lot more speed work. Now the focus for the Super Triple had been much more on long runs and perfecting long distance power-walking. I can now easily power-walk 12-minute miles for hours on end and I think that is one of the keys to Super Triple success. You know you're not going to be able to run the entire distance, so the key is to cover lots of ground while you're walking.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 2</span><br />I decided to at least finish the regular triple (this way, I'll have three regular and three super triple finishes), but--for once--have some fun with it, too. Why not back off the pace just a little bit, and enjoy the scenery, the mountain air, listen to some music?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUIJrlcLBiqyNi8d4Q7ucKYLiE8nAfh5PlTVxNI6FOBkQ8SQYYOM95FaXDfyXOB1RAYIMjbswVsVRopNo1nWZTweM_ennuj4dHP_AQfMzwauQFNRm0wlhDkqOMnzDmp0VBwhAZrFea51i/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-1a.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUIJrlcLBiqyNi8d4Q7ucKYLiE8nAfh5PlTVxNI6FOBkQ8SQYYOM95FaXDfyXOB1RAYIMjbswVsVRopNo1nWZTweM_ennuj4dHP_AQfMzwauQFNRm0wlhDkqOMnzDmp0VBwhAZrFea51i/s400/tahoe-triple-1a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386725709458403922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Having Fun With Chris on Day 2</span></span><br /></div><br />At the start of the second marathon, I did just that. The first 10 miles is mostly downhill from Spooner Summit to Incline Village. I cranked up some music on the iPod and flew down the hill. Suddenly, an rare runner's high kicked in that lasted pretty much throughout the entire run.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17MnxlQM14GUH5DRNSdN98RQcMYylwiH6RJ7I5va95QliWzSLT0GQDSAJMU3BJE0V8s0BNxYSrijOWg1r3ZUGxvwO75qRVuTAz3Vy0kB1FllgyyW-pWAznKTpDOTFA_GvRc82r1ggSggE/s1600-h/tahoe-triple2a.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17MnxlQM14GUH5DRNSdN98RQcMYylwiH6RJ7I5va95QliWzSLT0GQDSAJMU3BJE0V8s0BNxYSrijOWg1r3ZUGxvwO75qRVuTAz3Vy0kB1FllgyyW-pWAznKTpDOTFA_GvRc82r1ggSggE/s400/tahoe-triple2a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386725688788315586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Finish of Day 1 (Kids on the Sidewalk and the Other Runner Out of Sight Right Behind Me)</span><br /></span></div><br />With about ten miles to go, a couple of runners passed me. One of them was running just the Saturday marathon (The LTM offers a-la-carte marathons on Friday and Saturday). With three miles to go, Vicky and the kids drove by and Rocky yelled out of the window that it was time to "<a href="http://turisrunning.blogspot.com/2009/06/lake-tahoe-relay.html">catch some bogies</a>." Sure enough one of the runners came back into sight. First 300 yards out, then 200. Maybe I could still pick up one more place.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjyWykz4RpQ7GrVjBxDgJ1E9rmOQpbGC5WxoqV8eU8YhahPoR1tIF25TFA-BIf7LXhMBykbTdLO24qX80OiDQFtnsBHgY9NL5w4UK_lCmOhMqa-52vOjEcVHWxJ34m-bCiHzUDWOeD0tK/s1600-h/tahoe-triple2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjyWykz4RpQ7GrVjBxDgJ1E9rmOQpbGC5WxoqV8eU8YhahPoR1tIF25TFA-BIf7LXhMBykbTdLO24qX80OiDQFtnsBHgY9NL5w4UK_lCmOhMqa-52vOjEcVHWxJ34m-bCiHzUDWOeD0tK/s400/tahoe-triple2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386725687103575602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">With Vicky after the Race</span></span><br /></div><br />We entered the downtown area of Tahoe City. Maybe too much distance to cover, maybe not. I sped up some more and kept inching closer and closer. With about 100 yards to go I surged past the other runner and blasted to the finish with Rocky and Sean running next to me on the sidewalk. I finished in 9th or 10th place overall and would have been first again in the Super Triple. I heard LT pulled out with some knee issues in Incline Village--I hope that heals up before you next 100-miler in two weeks, LT!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5AGRCC47M8K7nxpkA9VxZc6sLQ26z5tV0OfXjdb6G3bdSw7JveSixks3dYhrRlC2ZJR4QmJR-8FpsdJtNQbEVxFTeXGVmRZPi_Yl1B-C6kNrMfl6jHcUhLPu1YAFOxA7jGv4K63KKw8q/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-100.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5AGRCC47M8K7nxpkA9VxZc6sLQ26z5tV0OfXjdb6G3bdSw7JveSixks3dYhrRlC2ZJR4QmJR-8FpsdJtNQbEVxFTeXGVmRZPi_Yl1B-C6kNrMfl6jHcUhLPu1YAFOxA7jGv4K63KKw8q/s400/tahoe-triple-100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386726226341280018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Blood and Sweat, and... Pavement</span></span><br /></div><br />We had planned out a good routine for after the second marathon. In the Super Triple, you only have about 10 hours until the start of the 72-miler, so it is important to be efficient. Now that I would have a full night of rest, we could afford to take it easy. I stuck around and chatted with some of the other runners and I spent the rest of the day relaxing and icing the legs in the bathtub again.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1IScnCeD4_EmMC993TSz3-SQ1eW3JIig48hYWa4VrtXXM8t-FBEsS3IRpTZyfrbhJ8aslMOCCXJlRC7gHqpHZCaO2bzSsFoB2Y0CGuV3sYmQ0TtwQDiv3lgS9h5OYWsjefbc2BFMQ4B2/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-99.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1IScnCeD4_EmMC993TSz3-SQ1eW3JIig48hYWa4VrtXXM8t-FBEsS3IRpTZyfrbhJ8aslMOCCXJlRC7gHqpHZCaO2bzSsFoB2Y0CGuV3sYmQ0TtwQDiv3lgS9h5OYWsjefbc2BFMQ4B2/s400/tahoe-triple-99.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386726218529120594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >With Chris, Rebecca, Rocky, and Sean</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 3</span><br />The final marathon of the Triple is run with the regular (single) marathon and thus with a much larger crowd. Before the race started I caught up with Oswaldo Lopez, who looked like he was in great shape to go after a fast time in the 72-miler. Maybe he could even get close to <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2009/09/interview-with-rae-clark-tahoe-72-mile.html">Rae Clark's 9:06</a>. His attempt will also have to wait another year, due to the 72-mile ultra run cancellation. Oswaldo was going to run the marathon instead.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPh80gfdFIP7yw_MWZ7Q-HgaHF9BzZjvuIPZGDUCQo41tFyuwZitKrRO9xHX2ekgd2J1h6yLjr3h82Db2WDl8QtPdt1OTkt-VRATR6U_jIJp40vN0NZc_Q7ZhSBm5GHixJe0S9cl7L2tSu/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-oswaldo-lopez.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPh80gfdFIP7yw_MWZ7Q-HgaHF9BzZjvuIPZGDUCQo41tFyuwZitKrRO9xHX2ekgd2J1h6yLjr3h82Db2WDl8QtPdt1OTkt-VRATR6U_jIJp40vN0NZc_Q7ZhSBm5GHixJe0S9cl7L2tSu/s400/tahoe-triple-oswaldo-lopez.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386726230810363026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">With Oswaldo Lopez</span><br /></span></div><br />Before the start, I met <a href="http://dailyadventuresgretch.blogspot.com/">Gretchen</a> and <a href="http://turisrunning.blogspot.com/2009/09/2009-lake-tahoe-marathon.html">Turi</a>. I had run with both of them only two weeks earlier in the Lake of the Sky trail marathon. Sean Meissner looked ready to go, but he would definitely have some tough competition. For example, Lynryd Skynrod, who was first in the Triple had been cranking out some very fast times (2:43 and 2:54 on days 1 and 2) and Ian, and English runner, had been pretty close behind him.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZqU8Dcunq22bMkCFod471dn4mNJdVBHyuUBuWNHr8kYeiuFnHacv_aejgN8mT9u1I0Qx5M1jjZ6i4XkPQ9T1iIKsUpm5IlAm9e_0SzFcc92eMrke9E39DwfEk6IxoDNCxzM8Y2IZusc6/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZqU8Dcunq22bMkCFod471dn4mNJdVBHyuUBuWNHr8kYeiuFnHacv_aejgN8mT9u1I0Qx5M1jjZ6i4XkPQ9T1iIKsUpm5IlAm9e_0SzFcc92eMrke9E39DwfEk6IxoDNCxzM8Y2IZusc6/s400/tahoe-triple-4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386725906820595698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">With Turi and Gretchen at the Start</span></span><br /></div><br />I paced a few miles with Gretchen, who had been out with a cold all week. She was not sure if she was going to run until the day before the race. Well, it was a good thing she did, because she went on to <span style="font-style: italic;">win the marathon</span>--Go Gretchen! (Oh, and I am now adjusting your target time for the Helen Klein 50-miler to sub-7:00, Gretchen!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DURlPYTovnqctCtphR9lcPj8XkEdK3TprkT2sqv4obRtDf3rYPmMh3doF-0pGflgc6FAYwoKjUesANE07YL-PiTcTqPNTarLGex6wRyKlZEvoop_nai1O_iylAuHNG40-9fRo7jp4GuO/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DURlPYTovnqctCtphR9lcPj8XkEdK3TprkT2sqv4obRtDf3rYPmMh3doF-0pGflgc6FAYwoKjUesANE07YL-PiTcTqPNTarLGex6wRyKlZEvoop_nai1O_iylAuHNG40-9fRo7jp4GuO/s400/tahoe-triple-5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386725919238274018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sean Meissner Before the Start</span></span><br /></div><br />I had fun chatting with some of the marathon runners, including a runner from Costa Rica, who was running his first marathon. I am pretty sure he made it sub-4. I also ran with Dr. Jeff Shapiro, talking about the negative effects of pain killers and too much food during a race. Jeff is a co-organizer for the 200-mile <a href="http://www.therelay.com/index.htm">Relay</a> in Napa, which might be a fun race to put on next year's schedule.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKYQuw_EM2Gd5V9cCKYLcbnZOXW8Jvm2HCiwcpc4J4M-H_IOAF0ARF55f0qFaRP985faXl-1r6u6pSxdLtmuNtEtoYIfZxfxdt3G-3-ARGk81Ycf0OHByG54lpqgC0_xPOJmPNn1C3_S6/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-11.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKYQuw_EM2Gd5V9cCKYLcbnZOXW8Jvm2HCiwcpc4J4M-H_IOAF0ARF55f0qFaRP985faXl-1r6u6pSxdLtmuNtEtoYIfZxfxdt3G-3-ARGk81Ycf0OHByG54lpqgC0_xPOJmPNn1C3_S6/s400/tahoe-triple-11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386726207987803794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">With a Runner from Costa Rica</span></span><br /></div><br />Having fun and running three marathons on three days are not often found in one sentence, but I was enjoying the beautiful weather and the fantastic scenery. It was nice to run with one of the lanes of the highway closed for a change, too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CNMPnptNJOdhUyHvAR95To8JklXPj8sxxzSXru2Ilfv0g_H4fbYntdNAOB8mvLRas9V63D-Z3YLgWRIHOgVgkB5x-KZSA4KT4lpXD0seASWKsJvICObtofIreFK0RoVaBl3mHUV3i5UT/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-winner-female.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CNMPnptNJOdhUyHvAR95To8JklXPj8sxxzSXru2Ilfv0g_H4fbYntdNAOB8mvLRas9V63D-Z3YLgWRIHOgVgkB5x-KZSA4KT4lpXD0seASWKsJvICObtofIreFK0RoVaBl3mHUV3i5UT/s400/tahoe-triple-winner-female.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386747679970853458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Female Triple Winner Leslie Stallings Powers Up the Hills</span></span><br /></div><br />That said, It was bit hard to get a good running rhythm going on the flat parts of the course, but as soon as I entered the hills, things felt better. I would power-walk the uphills and run all the downhills hard, making up for the slower pace on the flats. Sure, the legs were feeling it after so many road miles, but overall I felt OK; the end was in sight.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkeaAC098GjZ9MX_O1xiny6niHq7DChhVSIREhpdg8zqLtgITPHu8gj_Ia96zafxP2DL1O_tQN2rqsIFy08pw3TPNpppAjY2TpgvjoITQ4c2uk7Tcjpf7fJJczVRBznvHhsliHOAKcXFw/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-7.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkeaAC098GjZ9MX_O1xiny6niHq7DChhVSIREhpdg8zqLtgITPHu8gj_Ia96zafxP2DL1O_tQN2rqsIFy08pw3TPNpppAjY2TpgvjoITQ4c2uk7Tcjpf7fJJczVRBznvHhsliHOAKcXFw/s400/tahoe-triple-7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386725930486951090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Power-walking the Uphills</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Troy crewed for me on day 3 and kept me fed and watered throughout the race. It was another hot day and it was nice to have some extra water and Gatorade between aid stations. The volunteers on the course and at the aid stations were also doing an awesome job keeping everybody hydrated.<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMH8aHnuGl8Trp5GLBkr-0sP-udK-nNx0E2HJQJmmkVtbqVh14vBlu137ziR_H9cAtCAFiqxbNrv6xJedhjOPcRNT5ZPKVFGZrfhiOJqTPw4u9JcAvpyan7_GwVy25fvgoTzQBv_-2nXi/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-9.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMH8aHnuGl8Trp5GLBkr-0sP-udK-nNx0E2HJQJmmkVtbqVh14vBlu137ziR_H9cAtCAFiqxbNrv6xJedhjOPcRNT5ZPKVFGZrfhiOJqTPw4u9JcAvpyan7_GwVy25fvgoTzQBv_-2nXi/s400/tahoe-triple-9.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386725938270815522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">With Jeff Shapiro (Napa Relay)</span></span><br /></div><br />Once you reach mile 72 in the Triple, at Inspiration Point, you have run around the entire lake. The final 6 miles after that are mostly downhill. First steep downhill and then more gradual and flat.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HN2pbI6M0ubsZhgFlg4F4zCJrmvX1lDuXZsBx3jj3GoDSEeBHNK2ECk1lH79IDc5fEv3YRHsdbwfX1SKxvDBw2siOgWLS07L61gbfr7A_b2I6pBd76b5dP7NN9EQsU9RfW6ukfz66RdM/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-10.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HN2pbI6M0ubsZhgFlg4F4zCJrmvX1lDuXZsBx3jj3GoDSEeBHNK2ECk1lH79IDc5fEv3YRHsdbwfX1SKxvDBw2siOgWLS07L61gbfr7A_b2I6pBd76b5dP7NN9EQsU9RfW6ukfz66RdM/s400/tahoe-triple-10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386726203227789170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">With Switzerland's Nedis Della Chiesa, a Great Power Walker</span><br /></span></div><br />I could still make it under 4 hours if I kept going steadily and I made it with a minute and a half to spare. I saw Turi at the finish, who had finished just a few minutes ahead of me. Gretchen had won the female title and, as expected, Sean Meissner had come in first in the marathon. A great win on a hot day.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TIsnR6aspFCaFnDDrWaHzB06JklKdKHbnlOPUlP_td6hVo6u82o1VW2WFIABbLcc0odNW6KNF9v4FfcFDMA5qNzBets1rV4aeh7TvsmcQPTFRArtqtKd33Qc76X5Ai_bcVHS2IyDQgO4/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-keenan.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TIsnR6aspFCaFnDDrWaHzB06JklKdKHbnlOPUlP_td6hVo6u82o1VW2WFIABbLcc0odNW6KNF9v4FfcFDMA5qNzBets1rV4aeh7TvsmcQPTFRArtqtKd33Qc76X5Ai_bcVHS2IyDQgO4/s400/tahoe-triple-keenan.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386761981478074802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Keenan Follis and I, We'll Be Back for the Super Triple Next Year to Keep the Streak Alive</span><br /></span></div><br />Florida's Leslie Stallings won her first Triple, even though this was her first ultra and her only goal was to finish. She pushed hard and it paid off. <a href="http://dailyadventuresgretch.blogspot.com/2008/09/lynryd-skynrod-interview-with-real-deal.html">Lynryd Skynrod</a> won his second Triple and smoked a celebratory cigarette almost immediately after crossing the finish line. <a href="http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20090927/NEWS/909279995/1057/NONE&parentprofile=1057">Rumor has it</a> that he is considering the much gentler and more lucrative sport of cage-fighting instead of running another Tahoe Triple.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERXwVHTJ7EG_XtDx-lOXYg8yvADkULZ-Mg2nvsSd5xTZOBjudWjuDa-bMi1x32n214u7tbQe-4gZNtQhT6x9h5yci4NLUw-tEcD_0mIjZ-IT1Jx-JxErP29Z7kzGPRfJcq-VYiSnRFnoX/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-6.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERXwVHTJ7EG_XtDx-lOXYg8yvADkULZ-Mg2nvsSd5xTZOBjudWjuDa-bMi1x32n214u7tbQe-4gZNtQhT6x9h5yci4NLUw-tEcD_0mIjZ-IT1Jx-JxErP29Z7kzGPRfJcq-VYiSnRFnoX/s400/tahoe-triple-6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386725923577311378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">With Blue Benadum (RD for the <a href="http://www.malibuintmarathon.com/index.htm">Malibu Marathon</a>, 3rd in the Triple)</span></span><br /></div><br />We hung out at the finish on Pope Beach for a while, catching up on race stories and picking up the awards. IRunFar's Bryon Powell was there as well, getting ready to pace <a href="http://blog.irunfar.com/2009/09/lakeside-update-on-kilians-run.html">Kilian Jornet's TRT-165 speed record attempt</a>. I would have loved to come out to pace or crew for that as well, except, doing that the day after the Triple would probably not be the best idea.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotQUdXtXK330aFHVzUVEx9d8IBuemRrGD-Y9x21THyrLfwQeFKnOVErQ0FPn8ruCqUtu70PDJ1s8_UERhNLYspWAIXQ1aLH1-YdM50CRrPZhc2Es3xugeMo3B1JkpY-NMpOJjInFBtuK6/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-ryan-flynn.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotQUdXtXK330aFHVzUVEx9d8IBuemRrGD-Y9x21THyrLfwQeFKnOVErQ0FPn8ruCqUtu70PDJ1s8_UERhNLYspWAIXQ1aLH1-YdM50CRrPZhc2Es3xugeMo3B1JkpY-NMpOJjInFBtuK6/s400/tahoe-triple-ryan-flynn.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386747672188298130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">With Ryan Flynn</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> After the Race</span></span><br /></div><br />Finally, a huge thank you to Vicky, Sean, Rocky, Chris and Rebecca, Troy and Zimfira, and Rory for helping me even though the event we planned for never happened. You rock and I simply could not have done it without you. Thanks!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tiyemWeBNEwXKm_z5HViLSU0ph40hQp1vzxxzdcaH88e4NrV5p39VFQ6Onc2qvLpzpfLYa4lNLbediXNd5HId-Eb57mZzLx2hTe4WITPPYTvUxTxlf3y9tCoU89C-4DZTg-AVgUlY-ae/s1600-h/tahoe-triple-gretchen-brugman-sean-meissner.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tiyemWeBNEwXKm_z5HViLSU0ph40hQp1vzxxzdcaH88e4NrV5p39VFQ6Onc2qvLpzpfLYa4lNLbediXNd5HId-Eb57mZzLx2hTe4WITPPYTvUxTxlf3y9tCoU89C-4DZTg-AVgUlY-ae/s400/tahoe-triple-gretchen-brugman-sean-meissner.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386748302432182738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sean and Gretchen Finish First in the Regular Marathon. The Masters Winners Jim George and Vickie Lau Next to Them</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Next Up</span>: The Gold Country 50K This Saturday!<br /></div></div>Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-43065847007411253962009-09-25T20:48:00.000-07:002009-09-25T21:24:29.893-07:00Tahoe 72-Miler, Super Triple Canceled...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaqHRhCM8gMm2HaBABuvR0WtuMYayBEc6tekGB5u_dHVMfVhCLdmTtPWmyz4QBT7E0dah60mzOIv-6CFaH2uSVlvBncbv_nRgJqVUJt5l5fpN6oH65Y97N8IhNsAAb_83C01AZVxo20qY/s1600-h/P1020964+%28Large%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaqHRhCM8gMm2HaBABuvR0WtuMYayBEc6tekGB5u_dHVMfVhCLdmTtPWmyz4QBT7E0dah60mzOIv-6CFaH2uSVlvBncbv_nRgJqVUJt5l5fpN6oH65Y97N8IhNsAAb_83C01AZVxo20qY/s400/P1020964+%28Large%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385623941020546114" border="0" /></a>I just found out that tomorrow's Tahoe 72-mile run is canceled. Cal Trans and NDOT have denied the permit to run the race. Race organization will automatically convert all entrants into Sundays regular Marathon (so, Super Triple --> Regular Triple).<br /><br />Since the 72-Miler is the last leg of the Super Triple, this unfortunately ends this year's attempt to win my fourth straight Super Triple. For what it's worth, I ran a 3:30 "warmup" marathon today (7th in the Triple, 1st in the Super Triple) and came in 15 minutes ahead of the next Super Triple runner, Riverside's <a href="http://letstrailrun.org/">Lambert Timmermans</a>. It was a really hot day, with temperatures hitting near record highs around the lake.<br /><br />It's a really weird feeling to be sitting here after so much preparation. At this point, I suppose I'll join the Tahoe Triple "fun run" tomorrow. Not sure if I'm going to go hard or just have fun. By the way, thanks to everyone sending me good luck wishes before the race--that really meant a lot to me!Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-19661948808135230142009-09-23T10:09:00.000-07:002009-09-23T23:17:33.808-07:00Ready to Roll! (Tahoe Super Triple 2009 Edition)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuQieeE9WHbqCWe0JlgGDIzBnCqk1eh864QSHA26yyDUCxRxov6n70isSDNRDy0lLVTO6HS2C6E53S7B3dHpGLZlWq5xiClzJoFqIk1YklrbPqVqxfGdUxib-R8F110rl5vl4JbJ3H8Km/s1600-h/license.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuQieeE9WHbqCWe0JlgGDIzBnCqk1eh864QSHA26yyDUCxRxov6n70isSDNRDy0lLVTO6HS2C6E53S7B3dHpGLZlWq5xiClzJoFqIk1YklrbPqVqxfGdUxib-R8F110rl5vl4JbJ3H8Km/s400/license.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384712144256206050" border="0" /></a>Well, it's that time of year again. Time for our annual running party! I'm excited and looking forward to another <a href="http://www.laketahoemarathon.com/supertriple.html">Tahoe Super Triple</a>. Chris, Rebecca, and Troy will be crewing again and Vicky and the kids will join us on Friday afternoon (and she promised that she would cook her famous spaghetti and buffalo meatballs pre-race dinner!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHSc3_YiaG30gR8ghQ16PbRS7BxDhvN9VCsjsUmo3PMWHgPfW_c44aqQL0m3el5xOciX1RI9dl5dyqsa1jBwQdx85p_b-8QOGuCgJsHhL0FVP8Z7GFd1pj172hV183owmDMSWxmyNTXhB/s1600-h/tahoesupertriplechecklist.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHSc3_YiaG30gR8ghQ16PbRS7BxDhvN9VCsjsUmo3PMWHgPfW_c44aqQL0m3el5xOciX1RI9dl5dyqsa1jBwQdx85p_b-8QOGuCgJsHhL0FVP8Z7GFd1pj172hV183owmDMSWxmyNTXhB/s400/tahoesupertriplechecklist.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384802267720181122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">All Set!</span> </span></div><br />I'll try to post some updates over the weekend and send me those positive vibes!Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-11251244347559473992009-09-15T11:42:00.000-07:002009-09-15T11:46:04.137-07:00The Lake of the Sky Marathon "Training Run"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwOwEn1CAX-Qw3I223Db2Br1PN5YcsgDUsgyC4G0EEcCowlry7NnRL5WZMTBf8YjlPZTZu-cl_t0XWikGKOSx5gK68PIqEpMkveG-AOKO_WgKkfRuKJk6T2MUBry8oodm4-7_6mHVhvJa/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-50k-26-2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwOwEn1CAX-Qw3I223Db2Br1PN5YcsgDUsgyC4G0EEcCowlry7NnRL5WZMTBf8YjlPZTZu-cl_t0XWikGKOSx5gK68PIqEpMkveG-AOKO_WgKkfRuKJk6T2MUBry8oodm4-7_6mHVhvJa/s400/lake-of-the-sky-50k-26-2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381117826685572514" border="0" /></a>I suppose the subtitle of this blog post could be "<span style="font-style: italic;">How a training run turned into a race</span>." On top of that it turned into a race against... my own imagination.<br /><br />With two weeks to go before the <a href="http://www.laketahoemarathon.com/indexframes.html">Super Triple</a>, it was time for a final long run at elevation, and as luck would have it, the <a href="http://lakeoftheskytrailruns.com/index.html">Lake of the Sky Trail Runs</a>, which is part of the <a href="http://www.ultrarunner.net/index.html">ultrarunner.net series</a>, was held on Saturday.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmW0YYxaL6P2kacsuwP9WUM6Lckh1ZBqLFxFiUy4B6f0CfrtQwmBaa09XlduFoE_YnIjG8u59Yc6LEuyfvr-oNtjv7GdCxm-LKyQJ0SV8wrvnV4IUcCkJzFWZ_uTNxpaSkMo_9_bEfqmMA/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-50K-profile.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmW0YYxaL6P2kacsuwP9WUM6Lckh1ZBqLFxFiUy4B6f0CfrtQwmBaa09XlduFoE_YnIjG8u59Yc6LEuyfvr-oNtjv7GdCxm-LKyQJ0SV8wrvnV4IUcCkJzFWZ_uTNxpaSkMo_9_bEfqmMA/s400/lake-of-the-sky-50K-profile.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381080807403221698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Course Profile--The Marathon Had 4050' Elevation Gain and Loss (Courtesy of </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://lakeoftheskytrailruns.com/index.html">LOTS Website</a><span style="font-style: italic;">)</span></span><br /></div><br />Matt Thau and Jethro Smith showed no signs of slowing down their pursuit of ultrarunner.net series points, so having missed the <span style="font-style: italic;">Hotter than Hell</span> race in August due to a forest fire, it was important to pick up some points in this race. Also, it would be fun to chat with running friends, old and new.<br /><br />I had run this section of the Tahoe Rim Trail before--once in the <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2007/10/running-lots-and-lots.html">2007 version</a> of the Lake of the Sky 50K a week after the Super Triple and once during my <a href="http://runlaketahoe.blogspot.com/2008/08/live-trt165-official-webcast.html">TRT thru-run</a> (mile 91-110)--and thoughts of this section were always associated with keywords like "pain," "suffering," "slow," and "exploding lungs." This time, of course, I was fresh, but I still had a healthy respect for the serious elevation changes on this section, especially the steep start.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyDFqTLaCU7FwNmeDwyo-bsRwpy9HQYmHjZBf7ZTonQxtAyJWVCFNp1ccKMm-u-bTW7V6gSLepclyTBXiJW-bB9Xkq98byidx3eWIWjZ1cy5Iu7iw6aHMTCtGhjhEPXAeCjlAlaB06dyk/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-50k-peter-lubbers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyDFqTLaCU7FwNmeDwyo-bsRwpy9HQYmHjZBf7ZTonQxtAyJWVCFNp1ccKMm-u-bTW7V6gSLepclyTBXiJW-bB9Xkq98byidx3eWIWjZ1cy5Iu7iw6aHMTCtGhjhEPXAeCjlAlaB06dyk/s400/lake-of-the-sky-50k-peter-lubbers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381755172661757138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cruising Down My Favorite Trail (Photo by </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://turisrunning.blogspot.com/">Turi</a><span style="font-style: italic;">)</span><br /></span></div><br />My shoe choice for the race was, for once, an actual <span style="font-style: italic;">trail </span>shoe--the <a href="http://www.saucony.com/ShoeDetails.aspx?gen=m&use=Run&id=1146&rel=1118,1110,1107,1148,1109,1138,1104,1113,1041,1076,1102,1067,1064,1062,1146,1134,1161,1136,1155,1157,1159,1152,1150">Saucony Progrid Xodus</a>. I had recently won a pair in Dave "<a href="http://atlantatrails.blogspot.com/2009/07/vibram-sole-review-and-shoe-give-away.html">Running Trails in Atlanta</a>" Schoenberg's blog shoe give-away and this would be a good test. Typically, I run a lot of the trails in road shoes, but I knew this section of the TRT was going to be very rocky, so I wanted a little bit more support.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgritPM0dcA3TbqFaFKuUwSaWZu0srnyej6NbDrtyvxBGg7kwA6w_TspCQ41rOdH3-vRYQD4mXUbg88CFL_18V-sdvVkqjb-Tsy1srqnVIw8qpgkp7GFfaK2p9-sqngx_-sZemDtuJrjaMt/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-13.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgritPM0dcA3TbqFaFKuUwSaWZu0srnyej6NbDrtyvxBGg7kwA6w_TspCQ41rOdH3-vRYQD4mXUbg88CFL_18V-sdvVkqjb-Tsy1srqnVIw8qpgkp7GFfaK2p9-sqngx_-sZemDtuJrjaMt/s400/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381069771582978610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Saucony Progrid Xodus After the Race (with Balega Socks, of Course)</span></span><br /></div><br />The Xodus shoes are very light for a trail running shoe and they provide excellent cushioning and traction thanks to their super-grippy Vibram soles. I was really happy I picked these shoes and will definitely use them again for trail races.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NRAm3IU4kQEhoPFHs_Qy8mMWbhfPH19GceHYjwrQDUJqu50piak5uKGRjgJxz6U6EezypuXa6QoBbVqiGmXXRp_tR8EKUGgRxJ3ymO9OtSfXdk730cWRl27wD8O4u60EMJmdoHnHrhJ0/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-01.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NRAm3IU4kQEhoPFHs_Qy8mMWbhfPH19GceHYjwrQDUJqu50piak5uKGRjgJxz6U6EezypuXa6QoBbVqiGmXXRp_tR8EKUGgRxJ3ymO9OtSfXdk730cWRl27wD8O4u60EMJmdoHnHrhJ0/s400/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381069362343576098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Fellow TRT-165 Club Member <a href="http://turisrunning.blogspot.com/">Turi Becker</a> (3rd in the Marathon) Before the Race</span></span><br /></div><br />Just before the race started, I ran into Turi "Runnin' Round Reno" Becker, who is training for the Lake Tahoe Marathon in two weeks. Turi decided to run this race on a whim, instead of a self-supported training road run around the lake--a good choice (I think).<br /><br />Like me, Turi was running "just-the-marathon." But wait, if that was the case, why did we have different bib colors? It was a good thing Turi noticed this, because I had accidentally been given a 50K bib. We straightened that out and it was time for the 7 a.m. start.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85nqdQKzU5eDWUTFBO4P8UiT2WPlbcmSjQQSM-WT6IiNXWF2HyIFXZf7swAHR7ooOlyQnRYOx9WG79Nrne0Yo9tEglFVUoQzCGK5EbrbcYMQKzI5UZ4NZ0BafQqWkn-foZ1AuF5ptgh15/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-04.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85nqdQKzU5eDWUTFBO4P8UiT2WPlbcmSjQQSM-WT6IiNXWF2HyIFXZf7swAHR7ooOlyQnRYOx9WG79Nrne0Yo9tEglFVUoQzCGK5EbrbcYMQKzI5UZ4NZ0BafQqWkn-foZ1AuF5ptgh15/s400/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381069386910118770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Turi at the Finish</span></span><br /></div><br />I tried to start my Garmin Forerunner, but it would not cooperate. It has been harder and harder to start it lately, but I think it has finally died for good. No worries though, because my plan was to simply run a nice, easy long run--I did not really need any mile splits.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqFRrA3OO6GmfLI12ddI8wVhevxB5C5iB3cxy56JXD2M66PC33UpTfQtP0KDEkfJ8YkK9qlB3KrHV8C8TRlFYLVcs_SVQSyIQUfO5806Cnos-krW89YbTINnaBoEBILzU-jw5TY8KBRcq/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqFRrA3OO6GmfLI12ddI8wVhevxB5C5iB3cxy56JXD2M66PC33UpTfQtP0KDEkfJ8YkK9qlB3KrHV8C8TRlFYLVcs_SVQSyIQUfO5806Cnos-krW89YbTINnaBoEBILzU-jw5TY8KBRcq/s400/lake-of-the-sky-15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381125511794900338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Second Place Marathon Finisher Jamie Cogley (Watch for his Son in Future Races!)</span></span><br /></div><br />Close to 90 runners lined up for four different events: the 36-mile "50K," the Marathon, the 2-Person Marathon-Relay, and an 8-mile race. For the first 7 miles, I paced a while with female GP points leader Lainie Callahan-Mattoon, who had recently won the Hotter than Hell 6-Hour run. We caught up on our fall race plans. Lainie is signed up for the <a href="http://www.snerultras.com/">Sierra Nevada Endurance Run</a> (a double marathon), which is one of my favorite races. The only problem with that race is that it is usually held on the same weekend as the Tahoe Triple. Good luck at SNER, Lainie!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtM3Ii25-o3Kli2QATyw8oAMQ8js6Y9dv9TUqoc49GPD66DjBE0o94Pblk4lwtljKERFffOqh7Mb808kbtdTVCGPzXhFT0Zxf8gQF2yrpyTWRmPl789qL5zH4-AtZPcrqLDrc3KXIrHu1/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-02.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtM3Ii25-o3Kli2QATyw8oAMQ8js6Y9dv9TUqoc49GPD66DjBE0o94Pblk4lwtljKERFffOqh7Mb808kbtdTVCGPzXhFT0Zxf8gQF2yrpyTWRmPl789qL5zH4-AtZPcrqLDrc3KXIrHu1/s400/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381069365873217442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lainie Before the Race</span></span><br /></div><br />I paced a few more miles with Alan and Caroline Barichievich from South Lake Tahoe--two very strong uphill runners--and after the second aid station (9 miles), I ran by myself to the turnaround at Watson Lake.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdhg1qSryjAQXXnUEmoOLkJDJaZp79aZ1lad4vpsOiiXX615In898RbqxJThRa_Nq0jV20_EfMwGIlsxtyNWR_jFTb6yE53R-vnPy66HLbjtl0w9EuAYD1Zrpv4Cod-XNKGfYU9PE4kI1/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-07.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdhg1qSryjAQXXnUEmoOLkJDJaZp79aZ1lad4vpsOiiXX615In898RbqxJThRa_Nq0jV20_EfMwGIlsxtyNWR_jFTb6yE53R-vnPy66HLbjtl0w9EuAYD1Zrpv4Cod-XNKGfYU9PE4kI1/s400/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-07.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381069563650857682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Alan and Caroline</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Barichievich</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> from South Lake Tahoe</span></span><br /></div><br />Before I reached the turnaround, I met two marathon runners that were already on their way back. One of them was Tahoe City's Chris Luberecki. I had seen Chris's name in a lot of local race results and it was nice to finally meet Chris in person.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7JaPknDD9GFphgRp204kyGDWzDYjKJxZt0EaeD0Zhd_0Li6rc9tEdmATMOoqvXDbSUU3Y6M5Cb9E2zzY1PtkdLfhay6ggQ4k6Zo926Pp2UM4bE4vo57kIv_41I4GhutEi6oOkgeWsqGA/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-03.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7JaPknDD9GFphgRp204kyGDWzDYjKJxZt0EaeD0Zhd_0Li6rc9tEdmATMOoqvXDbSUU3Y6M5Cb9E2zzY1PtkdLfhay6ggQ4k6Zo926Pp2UM4bE4vo57kIv_41I4GhutEi6oOkgeWsqGA/s400/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381069376858346850" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tahoe City's Chris Luberecki at the Finish </span></span><br /></div><br />Chris was running in the relay with his wife Elisa, but unfortunately, she got lost on the way back. To my surprise, the volunteers at the Watson Lake aid station told me that I was the first non-relay marathoner on my way back. Mind you, this was a fairly small event with only about 20 runners in the marathon and about forty runners in the 36-miler.<br /><br />The other runner I had met on my way to the turnaround had been part of Tyler Curley's winning relay team from Auburn (Their winning time was 3:57:59). Hmmm, running up front was not the plan. I was here to cruise in a training run, not to race. That said, there was only a half marathon left and I definitely had <span style="font-style: italic;">not </span>gone out too fast...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClWqhlTnVi4GeMVpuYUX9MAx9tTZJ5VUzOqmlUpdrkhtxmROkj8T2G09hcTjrPVXJpuRJac-IBKu1lht-XJMkMqOJlJVaqlTEO7D6xml2kq4Re9cb2d_aqTAy6wZDMquCdsbEeyTSfbft/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-05.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClWqhlTnVi4GeMVpuYUX9MAx9tTZJ5VUzOqmlUpdrkhtxmROkj8T2G09hcTjrPVXJpuRJac-IBKu1lht-XJMkMqOJlJVaqlTEO7D6xml2kq4Re9cb2d_aqTAy6wZDMquCdsbEeyTSfbft/s400/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-05.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381069390316000898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Elisa at the Finish After Getting Lost for an Hour</span></span><br /></div><br />I set my stopwatch to see how far I was ahead of the second and third place marathon runners and it looked like I had a 6-8 minute lead shortly after the turnaround--too close for comfort. I turned it up a notch and started going faster on the downhills and powerwalked the hills at a faster-than-normal pace. I knew that if I could make it to the 20-mile mark, or to the aid station at mile 22 in first place, I would have the win in the bag--I love downhill finishes--but I still had quite a few miles to go.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1dSq9Hn-16LVVRqhP4p7r00n51F35Kq77ONvHZORC01gWxbdARjbee8uIqQyv3ZY8UPr4IJYMFxVPvD_bu_zTugmlTehArq7p2wUTl9F_Il3IhxqHrb3EkStOM2AIFQhZuSalVbvsjiE/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-10.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1dSq9Hn-16LVVRqhP4p7r00n51F35Kq77ONvHZORC01gWxbdARjbee8uIqQyv3ZY8UPr4IJYMFxVPvD_bu_zTugmlTehArq7p2wUTl9F_Il3IhxqHrb3EkStOM2AIFQhZuSalVbvsjiE/s400/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381069586186226514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ivy and Chuck After the Race</span></span><br /></div><br />On my way back I ran into a runner going in the other direction. She shouted "I read your blog," but before I could register what she said, I was already 50 yards ahead. Thanks! I found out after the race that it had been Ivy "<a href="http://ivy-veganrunner.blogspot.com/">Strong Legs and Pancakes</a>" Chastain--a runner from Reno whose running blog I've been following myself. Ivy is planning to run <a href="http://runningtrt.blogspot.com/">the entire TRT next year</a> and she's scouting out a lot of the individual sections already.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrwRsJadM7bSw4jTXL_zD7UrdcYOrnf0HhyBJH4P-A1c9W8E-j8a4m7sDUwhvt7tkTJ1lpZ4Jq7kPvvxgl0cmx9sxZtc72Smb-bWwlSnuV_-ETV3XM_VGUST3TxPsGn3Ru4gleiGqGx75/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-09.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrwRsJadM7bSw4jTXL_zD7UrdcYOrnf0HhyBJH4P-A1c9W8E-j8a4m7sDUwhvt7tkTJ1lpZ4Jq7kPvvxgl0cmx9sxZtc72Smb-bWwlSnuV_-ETV3XM_VGUST3TxPsGn3Ru4gleiGqGx75/s400/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-09.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381069580091616018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://ultra-raysanchez.blogspot.com/">Ray Sanchez </a>and Tyler After the Race. Tyler Hill Ran his First Ultra and Finished Strong in 6th Overall (He Might be Hooked on Utras Now)<br /></span></div><br />I kept looking over my shoulder every 5 to 10 minutes, but to my surprise there were no challengers. I cranked up the iPod with some tunes from my favorite DJ (and fellow Dutchman) <a href="http://www.tiesto.com/">Tiesto</a> (his Club-Life podcasts, available on iTunes, are great, free, and great for running).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pOhm3heRJZobh44s0lTKdffNzm_lzW0Kq89cVgJN-CZZTIw2mHwYq9iJJxCq5Md3lMiCFQxN3wogY3bR7wtVoDoC9KqPWg-X5BjmSDQvUm59CuWAK_ZPMHmJqJeQ2k81TP5niGKhKNYV/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-11.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pOhm3heRJZobh44s0lTKdffNzm_lzW0Kq89cVgJN-CZZTIw2mHwYq9iJJxCq5Md3lMiCFQxN3wogY3bR7wtVoDoC9KqPWg-X5BjmSDQvUm59CuWAK_ZPMHmJqJeQ2k81TP5niGKhKNYV/s400/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381069758068703362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Sport Store Owner Jefff Halligan </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >(2nd in the 8-mile race) and his Wife Jeni (50K) Came from Idaho to Run the Race</span><br /></div><br />At the 22-mile aid station, I grabbed some water and a last gel and continued to rocket down the final downhill section, covering 4 miles in less than 27 minutes. Like I said, I love those downhill finishes! Speaking of which, can't we reverse the <a href="http://www.ultrarunner.net/raceseries/rucky_chucky.html">Rucky Chucky 50K</a> (at least every other year)?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7aC3bPIrQ4xp-4zwgcl4vOq-b03UZYN8WO05Od6rjIpAfGNucDORl8XyBoLWew5sDB1jbwyYDXSPYqeEZ3LyGZmuc1_fG5cdCPEOQ6X_mylSxn6nLkhiCSciYCKLCgZj-pK6Y3uP1BtH/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-08.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7aC3bPIrQ4xp-4zwgcl4vOq-b03UZYN8WO05Od6rjIpAfGNucDORl8XyBoLWew5sDB1jbwyYDXSPYqeEZ3LyGZmuc1_fG5cdCPEOQ6X_mylSxn6nLkhiCSciYCKLCgZj-pK6Y3uP1BtH/s400/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381069574455612034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Gretchen at the Finish</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> of the 50K</span></span><br /></div><br />I stuck around a bit and watched the other runners finish. I talked to Jefff Halligan who had come up from Idaho for a training run and I also met Erin Lenzi, who was also running the relay with her husband as part of her final preparation for the Tahoe Triple (they came in second).<br /><br />As it turned out, my looking over my shoulder had been completely unnecessary, because the next marathon runner showed up more than 40 minutes behind me. Oh well, it had been good motivation to get done quickly!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmfggpt63ra3SYC9G5YbaH-MZjuPH5OHp_D6RgMWwajCf3VSR_2fCM2j3B2dI72qdO4_nLYYRwPs_yQZ7MJiRA1o95LYfq-Oj1eoGUJl-v2fki1exlnYKQASw-fOc545fMYo-QfCXujYx/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-06.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmfggpt63ra3SYC9G5YbaH-MZjuPH5OHp_D6RgMWwajCf3VSR_2fCM2j3B2dI72qdO4_nLYYRwPs_yQZ7MJiRA1o95LYfq-Oj1eoGUJl-v2fki1exlnYKQASw-fOc545fMYo-QfCXujYx/s400/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-06.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381069562706992082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Wicked-Fast: 50K Winner (Doctor) Cameron Berg After the Race</span></span><br /></div><br />I thoroughly enjoyed Linda's post-race buffet and talked to some of the other runners. Then decided to soak my legs in the lake and have a nice latte at <a href="http://www.tahoe-house.com/">Tahoe House Bakery</a>, before heading home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxJrMv2diwEL1H9OAgaxBUCc6Sx1SjXsrQDYrFMtoIKMG3SuVy4N-RYptV-0BAZ8KRKNiGbLi7CrjAdtyaIYnzoKKX0qk6JbslA8_68aniVAUX5MaqRgX_Pfs_8DLtQVNNQkvCoAAcplQ/s1600-h/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-12.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxJrMv2diwEL1H9OAgaxBUCc6Sx1SjXsrQDYrFMtoIKMG3SuVy4N-RYptV-0BAZ8KRKNiGbLi7CrjAdtyaIYnzoKKX0qk6JbslA8_68aniVAUX5MaqRgX_Pfs_8DLtQVNNQkvCoAAcplQ/s400/lake-of-the-sky-marathon-12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381069765634725058" border="0" /></a>Thanks to Robert, Linda, and all the volunteers for the well-run event and special thanks to volunteer George, who spent 9 hours marking the course perfectly!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Next Up</span>: The <span style="font-style: italic;">main </span>event--The Tahoe Super Triple! Defending the title for the fourth time. Wish me luck!Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415999108857397491.post-28040434894034801762009-09-04T19:13:00.000-07:002009-09-06T16:26:22.642-07:00Interview with Rae Clark--Tahoe 72-Mile Run Speed Record Holder<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPOijNUMb1F0olgjjuCu4D7pKK1UhhrnMan_IvrVz7Icwc3I-X4kGtk8EVvXrOEYZOgko7pH8VoMVsze2oPGl877o2oRho2B4o07VaMcA2YThnwLVda1lqUI_lo3ppaVbpPFXdENTBgAI/s1600-h/rae-clark-by-chris-hosmer.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPOijNUMb1F0olgjjuCu4D7pKK1UhhrnMan_IvrVz7Icwc3I-X4kGtk8EVvXrOEYZOgko7pH8VoMVsze2oPGl877o2oRho2B4o07VaMcA2YThnwLVda1lqUI_lo3ppaVbpPFXdENTBgAI/s400/rae-clark-by-chris-hosmer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378081651260616194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rae Clark at the California International Marathon (Photo by Chris Hosmer)</span> </span></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tahoe City, 1982. A group of runners toes the starting line of the Lake Tahoe 72-Mile ultrarunning race in front of the fire station. It is early in the morning, cool, and still a bit dark. The race instructor keeps the directions clear and simple: Take a left turn (on Highway 89 South) and run one lap--Go!</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">One of the runners at the front of the pack is Auburn's Rae Clark. He knows the course by heart, having run the race--but not won--the previous two years. He is ready and focused. Rae has his mind set on the win and a new course record. Will the third time be a charm?</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Mentally, Rae has broken up the race into three pieces--the beginning game, the middle game, and the end game. In the first section, Rae runs smooth and in control. This section contains the steep hills around D.L. Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay, but it is early in the race and these hills don't phase him.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> He is now running by himself, far ahead of all the other runners.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The second section takes Rae through South Lake Tahoe, where he cranks out 6:15-6:20 minute miles, after which he slowly makes his way to the top of Spooner Grade, a relentless climb around mile 50 (he hits the 50-mile split in around 5:30). On the long climb, Rae feels the first signs of fatigue set in, but he pushes on.<br /><br />Today will be his day. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Once he makes it over the top of Spooner, he opens it up, hammering the long 10-mile section down to Incline Village. Rae is tired, but does not stop or even slow down. He just puts his head down and grinds out the smaller hills on the final section, speeding up on the downhills.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />In the final ten miles, he drops the hammer and he races to the finish, knowing he has left it all on the course. It was a good day. One lap around the lake in 9:06:11--first place and a new course record. It will be a while before the second-place finisher shows up. It will be a lot longer before anyone breaks that time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">27 years later, the record still stands.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPRn_TL3_gGRRUPSnuqY7p-0t1KwR9gMns7PaaRZrqk3e_iZ9gDAi3jJ6-4CsXP_d-SHAr_Fbeu10NfbZ46GQMKVaKh9g4miJlpdob0utw3hbefu4recFWeqdtXtBbIb6h6HtDjdvsZG1/s1600-h/run-lake-tahoe-rae-clark-02.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPRn_TL3_gGRRUPSnuqY7p-0t1KwR9gMns7PaaRZrqk3e_iZ9gDAi3jJ6-4CsXP_d-SHAr_Fbeu10NfbZ46GQMKVaKh9g4miJlpdob0utw3hbefu4recFWeqdtXtBbIb6h6HtDjdvsZG1/s400/run-lake-tahoe-rae-clark-02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378083969387569522" border="0" /></a> Ever since I started running around Lake Tahoe (I ran my first Triple in 2004), I've been wondering about how fast I could make it all around the lake in one go. I've completed the 72-mile race three times now, with a 13:39 as my best time, although that was always part of the Super Triple (which includes running two marathons prior to the start of the 72-miler), so I know I could definitely go faster. The question is how much faster.<br /><br />Since the <a href="http://www.laketahoemarathon.com/72tahoeultra.html">Tahoe 72-Mile Ultra</a> was revived in 2006 by Les Wright as part of the Lake Tahoe Marathon week events, nobody has broken 10 hours. The "modern record," if you will, is Oswaldo Lopez's 10:03:48--an amazing time, yet almost an hour slower than Rae's time. Four-time Tahoe Triple winner Sean Meissner has the second fastest time with 10:27 (2006).<br /><br />Clearly Rae Clark was running at a different level. Even his great 1982 performance in Tahoe pales in comparison to some of his later successes: Rae went on to set the American 100-Mile Road Record (12:12:19) in 1989 and in the following year, he set the American Record for 24 hours on the track (165.3 miles). Just like the 72-mile Tahoe speed record, both of these records are still standing today.<br /><br />What does it take to run such an amazing time? What are Rae's secrets and how do you train for that? I could not find much on the Internet, so I decided to get a hold of Rae to ask him these questions myself.<br /><br />Rae is an old-school guy that is not fond of computers and likes to meet people face to face. Needless to say, it took me a while to track him down, but finally, with Tim Twietmeyer's help (Thanks Tim!), I got a hold of him. Apart from being an amazing athlete, of course, I was struck by his generosity and willingness to help other people; without ever having met me, Rae immediately offered advice and gave me a rare insight into his world.<br /><br />I feel privileged to have talked to him and look forward to meeting him more often. One thing is for sure, it's going to take a lot to break that record and it is probably wise not to even give any serious thought about breaking that record until you can easily run a sub-10 or even a sub-9:30 lap around the lake.<br /><br />An entire book could easily be written about Rae and his amazing accomplishments, but here, at least, is a small chapter. The following is my interview with Rae about his amazing 72-mile speed record.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS4rMVGwmtFoKzSUGPA27vRFWW4WFSxsuGdWQQg8m3_nMyOuHTl-t4rcTVXDS7ThD9WedGiLJ6V1P0qm7JA8fzL4bAWu9oa2NATMK0seWZGq1-gqO_REz_Hsb3hEDWo31aalgo7OoteRS/s1600-h/run-lake-tahoe-rae-clark-03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS4rMVGwmtFoKzSUGPA27vRFWW4WFSxsuGdWQQg8m3_nMyOuHTl-t4rcTVXDS7ThD9WedGiLJ6V1P0qm7JA8fzL4bAWu9oa2NATMK0seWZGq1-gqO_REz_Hsb3hEDWo31aalgo7OoteRS/s400/run-lake-tahoe-rae-clark-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378083978524266002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Peter Lubbers: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">What do you do these days, Rae?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rae Clark</span>: I am a teacher and a coach in the Placer County area and I work a lot with special-needs children. I coach athletes of all levels. Not over the Internet though--just face to face. I still do a lot of bicycling and running. For example, I am a marathon pacer at the California International Marathon. Basically, I just like helping people.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Peter Lubbers: Apart from your success in road and track racing, I see you also raced Western States 100-miler multiple times. Do you prefer the trails or the road?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rae Clark</span>: Yes, I raced Western States and did OK there, but I have always been a track and road guy, that was my specialty.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-h75obUJJNcq7xCNKuXBKA0c5RthOls9rEDh1FwiBFWsgj9D3zm4FymJcjkIGNNyu-lKmf_WCEUSJ3Fk0Op41TbP5-L3DwebrwcVQyvUuJ-9VD3mMvZUmghTr8EPc6REW8IXmfdJ6VVqt/s1600-h/rae-clark-ws100-squaw1983.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-h75obUJJNcq7xCNKuXBKA0c5RthOls9rEDh1FwiBFWsgj9D3zm4FymJcjkIGNNyu-lKmf_WCEUSJ3Fk0Op41TbP5-L3DwebrwcVQyvUuJ-9VD3mMvZUmghTr8EPc6REW8IXmfdJ6VVqt/s400/rae-clark-ws100-squaw1983.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378123984562904338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rae (4th from the right with black cap) at the start of the 1983 Western States 100 (Photo courtesy Western States 100 Archives)</span><br /></span></div><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />Peter Lubbers: Tell me a little bit more about your 72-mile Tahoe speed record. Was it part of a race?</span><br /><br />Rae Clark: I ran the 72-mile record time in 1982. I finished in 9:06:11 (averaging about 7:35 minutes per mile). I ran it as part of a race. In those days (the late seventies, early eighties), the Tahoe 72-Mile Ultra was an annual race that started in front of the Tahoe City fire station and circled around the lake counter-clockwise. It was a fairly small event, but it drew in some pretty good runners like Jim King.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyRh3KHgC5F4FbKrOf_YtEUsM7KUoYbrW8z_XhUewecr9_PoOLWwlnSWs-HqkPDuiosUweC1npcV-Ti0tIDgo_tfr62TAViirbGuZohpyb63egPxUK3HEJhqXshrb0BHsMCmKQIV8qHj8/s1600-h/tahoe-elevation-profile-run-lake-tahoepng.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyRh3KHgC5F4FbKrOf_YtEUsM7KUoYbrW8z_XhUewecr9_PoOLWwlnSWs-HqkPDuiosUweC1npcV-Ti0tIDgo_tfr62TAViirbGuZohpyb63egPxUK3HEJhqXshrb0BHsMCmKQIV8qHj8/s400/tahoe-elevation-profile-run-lake-tahoepng.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378080864097959314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Elevation Profile of the Tahoe 72-Miler</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Peter Lubbers: Had you run the race before?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rae Clark</span>: Yes, I had completed it twice. In 1980, I finished top-five in about 9:37, which was good enough to break Don Choi's existing course record but not good enough to win. In 1981, I led the race for 62 miles until I was passed by Jim King with 10 miles to go. Jim and I went on to finish 1-2, running around 9:30, which prompted me to train even harder for my third try.<br /><br />When I showed up in 1982, Jim King was not among the starters, but even if he had shown up, I was ready to give him a run for his money. I led the 1982 race from start to finish. Jim and I still joke about that time--if he had not beaten me in '81, I might not have trained as hard as I did.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Peter Lubbers: Did you ever run it again?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rae Clark</span>: Actually, no, I thought I'd let the record sit for a little while, wait until it was broken to take another shot at it. I love the race and the distance, so I had always expected to come back to it and break 9 hours. Then I started racing in Europe on the national 100K team and I also started focusing on other distances. Even at that time, there were many races to pick from and I simply could not run them all. To my surprise, the record was never broken.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Peter Lubbers: You set the national 100-mile road record in 1989. How would you describe your running shape in 1982?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rae Clark</span>: In 1982, I was 30 years old and I just started coming into my prime, but I had not peaked yet. In the following years, I gradually became faster. I ran my fastest marathon (2:28) in 1988, and then had my best races in 1989 and 1990 (the 100-mile road record and the 24-hour track record). In the mid-80s I also ran a sub-7 100K and a 5:17 50-mile PR. My marathon time in '82 was somewhere in the 2:35-2:36 range.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Peter Lubbers: So, if you had run Tahoe in the late eighties, you could have easily broken 9 hours?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rae Clark</span>: Yes, but of course that is just <span style="font-style: italic;">talk </span>and talk is cheap. Talk does not break records; running does. Still, I know for myself that I was a lot faster in '89 and '90. I did not run it then, but I had always thought that a time in the 8:30 range would be a possibility for me.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Peter Lubbers: What was your race strategy?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rae Clark</span>: Whenever I went for a speed record, my motto was <span style="font-style: italic;">pedal to the metal</span>. I did not want to give a half-hearted effort and then have to come back again--I basically wanted to walk away feeling I had given it my best possible effort. Giving it a 90-95% effort, that was my approach to all of these races and in this particular case (and a few others) it worked out well.<br /><br />That said, I did have a definite race plan. I divided the race in three stages and ran easy and in control for the first third, harder on the second part, and I really hammered the last third. This race has a lot of hills, so most of the time I would run based on <span style="font-style: italic;">perceived effort.</span> For example, on some of the flat sections in South Lake Tahoe I ran 6:15 miles, then on the hills I would focus on maintaining the same breathing pattern, the same effort. Similar on the downhills, I would speed up a lot, so the pace would vary a lot, but the effort was similar for each stage.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Peter Lubbers: What did you eat and drink?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rae Clark</span>: In those days, I did not eat all that much during race that would last 12 hours or less. I've never been a big fan of the liquid food like the gels they eat these days. If I ate, I would tend to stick to solid foods, especially boiled potatoes (I like the small red ones) and power bars, which were not too bad those days. I carried a water bottle and a friend of mine drove ahead on a bike and would give me a new water bottle at the different aid stations, so I could just blow right through and not have to slow down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePx_BpGAsXhdFMGOtM6khW44rz6XR7h53QgzokFx5Xdp9IX-mb0LkajRZdwUMONgR9sq9GKPF_lWxcJt14HDKRPYrib-bT6WAhW7eG8gUSRe9kC9Zz2iqBhz_mLY7UOzqNOv1gY7LdS5l/s1600-h/run-lake-tahoe-rae-clark-05.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePx_BpGAsXhdFMGOtM6khW44rz6XR7h53QgzokFx5Xdp9IX-mb0LkajRZdwUMONgR9sq9GKPF_lWxcJt14HDKRPYrib-bT6WAhW7eG8gUSRe9kC9Zz2iqBhz_mLY7UOzqNOv1gY7LdS5l/s400/run-lake-tahoe-rae-clark-05.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378083991998783506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Peter Lubbers: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Did you run the entire way, or did you walk some sections? Did you take breaks?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rae Clark</span>: I never stopped running. In fact, I never stopped running on any record attempt for that matter. Well, actually, that's not true--I did take a 5-minute break while I set my 24-hour track record. I had a quick leg massage at the 100-mile mark and then went on for another 65 miles. Again, pedal to the metal, all the way.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Peter Lubbers: </span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">What was your secret to success? What sort of training did you do to get ready?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rae Clark</span>: I specifically attribute my success to <span style="font-style: italic;">two </span>things: Strength and Hill training.<br /><br />First, <span style="font-style: italic;">strength training</span> is important so that you can keep your running form in the later miles. I feel this is a critical element that is often overlooked. In ultras, it is more important that raw speed. You could run a 2:20 marathon, but that would not necessarily mean that you could do any better in ultra runs [<span style="font-weight: bold;">Note</span>: Rae's best marathon time was 2:28]. Upper body and core strength is critically important so that your body does not collapse 40 or 50 miles into the race. The longer you can remain <span style="font-style: italic;">upright and focused</span> the better. You don't have to be a body builder though--Just working out with light weights and your own weight (push-ups and sit-ups) is all you need.<br /><br />Second, it is important to train in the hills if you're going to run in the hills. I don't mean short hill repeats, but long mountain miles. Tahoe is at altitude, so it is important to get some altitude training in, too. I loved mountain climbing, so I would go for long runs in the mountains. For example, on weekends I would run 30 to 35 miles on the trails in Yosemite. To break it up I would climb Half Dome, or some other mountain. I loved doing that and it gave me the base I needed for the long-distance races.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Peter Lubbers: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">How many miles did you run per week, leading up to the race.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rae Clark</span>: I built the mileage up higher and higher over the years. In '82, I would start with a week of 100 or 110 miles and then build up to 140 miles over 4 weeks, put in an easy week, and start all over again. When you put in the high miles in your training, it prepares you well for the later stages of the race.<br /><br />Later on (in the late eighties), I would routinely run 150 to 160 mile weeks and in the months before I ran my 24-hour record I ran more that 200 miles on several weeks. Racing was almost the easy part then, since I had already done the homework I simply showed up and hammered it out.<br /><br />It works differently for different people though and I would not recommend running that many miles to everyone. It's very personal. Also, you can't rush this. You must build up your mileage gradually.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInI57QpkmKGENmKE5FQJjrXq0UwgJLAJeHIQrbAntoi8UYluydZj2ldtPh-jgiuxgFQt1vuHbow903QFa71kSylMgDgQ81yYKzp_DOjJz6pp1sYdCkjmEsf7HkGIRzLDBsvJm9yBADtkc/s1600-h/run-lake-tahoe-rae-clark-04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInI57QpkmKGENmKE5FQJjrXq0UwgJLAJeHIQrbAntoi8UYluydZj2ldtPh-jgiuxgFQt1vuHbow903QFa71kSylMgDgQ81yYKzp_DOjJz6pp1sYdCkjmEsf7HkGIRzLDBsvJm9yBADtkc/s400/run-lake-tahoe-rae-clark-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378083988079637522" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Peter Lubbers: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">What was the hardest part of the race for you?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rae Clark</span>: Spooner Summit. Mainly, because starting in Tahoe City, you get there around 50 miles, which is a natural point for your body to start aching and slowing down. There is a relentless three or four mile section to the top of Spooner. I kept running, but that was a hard section.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Peter Lubbers: </span>OK, here's a different kind of question--I am 39 years old and I can run a 39-minute 10K, a 2:59 marathon and an 8:34 100K (and like to dream big). <span style="font-style: italic;">Realistically</span>, could I ever get close to or even break your 72-mile time?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rae Clark</span>: Yes, it's definitely possible. You're probably not going to get a whole lot faster at the 10K distance, but you can greatly improve in the longer distances. If you can shave another 10 minutes off your marathon, it would make a world of difference at the 72-mile distance. You also need to work on upper body and core strength and you're going to have to ramp up the miles. You'll have to do this gradually though, but it is possible. You'd probably have to do this in the next 2 or 3 years, too. I hope you'll give it a try. Treat any race with due respect and you can make it.<br /><br />Well, I guess that means there is hope for me yet!<br />Thanks for the interview, Rae! It was great to talk to you.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kDGLcmcbEEjQ0efV2qMErX0GnwuhC4Q2Nxks7puHibUQ2YXiDEt7vc6fOaxpxJdv3xofDCuhVBm4HvdtSQoHJO76EMGritiOzpftRmQ434WBPSctt3n6jt9-lN7OVmf_dVCnu_OJfjh2/s1600-h/run-lake-tahoe-rae-clark-01.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kDGLcmcbEEjQ0efV2qMErX0GnwuhC4Q2Nxks7puHibUQ2YXiDEt7vc6fOaxpxJdv3xofDCuhVBm4HvdtSQoHJO76EMGritiOzpftRmQ434WBPSctt3n6jt9-lN7OVmf_dVCnu_OJfjh2/s400/run-lake-tahoe-rae-clark-01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378083964688424018" border="0" /></a>Peter Lubbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09879965812417533648noreply@blogger.com7