I signed up for this race in February with a cast on my leg and crutches at my side because I wanted a goal, I needed a goal that would challenge me and this race did not disappoint.
In hindsight, I probably should have navigated my race week a little better but in all honesty, I would not change a thing.
A few days prior to race day I went with our basketball team (12 year olds) to a water obstacle course for some team building and bonding.
While incredibly fun, it did leave my upper body sore and my lower body a weee bit fatigued although I am beyond proud that I was able to do the entire course and was more than likely the oldest person out there. 🙂
The day before the race, we had four basketball games back to back to back to back (2 teams 2 games each). When the basketball games were over, we drove home, I ate and then literally hopped in the car and drove two hours to Tahoe.
I was pretty tired when I got to my hotel room and unpacked. I ate some more and tried to (re)hydrate myself as best as I could but my body just felt super heavy.
Despite feeling utterly exhausted, I did not sleep well at all. When I woke the next morning I believe my Garmin actually said I had had terrible sleep and was well below a racing fitness level.
Morning came too quickly and I headed to Spooner Lake where the race starts and ends.
I love Big Blue Adventure races because everything is so organized. I arrived, got my bib and shirt and then had plenty of time to use the restrooms before the race started.
The race starts right next to the lake. There is a 50k and a 10 miler and the 50k started about 10 minutes before the 10 mile race did.
No frills, no bells and whistles when it comes to starting this race. It was “ready, set, go!” and we were off. The trail is wide enough at the start that you can adjust your position. I found myself some what near the back of the pack and that was totally okay.
The race start is at an elevation of ~6956 (maxes at ~8974) and I had spent the weekend prior at a soccer tournament that was pretty much at sea level. Again, not the wisest of choices but still would not miss my kid’s games for anything.
I also knew that no matter what, the first seven miles of this race was going to be tough as it was an uphill climb. I wasn’t wrong.
The elevation hit my lungs immediately and my legs felt absolutely trashed within the first two miles. This sent my mind in a little bit of a spiral at first but I just adjusted my breathing and focused instead on power hiking.
I let people pass and tried not to worry about it remembering that my goal was just to finish and enjoy the day and to just love racing again!
The course is absolutely breath taking both literally and figuratively. 🙂 I have paced a friend to her TRT 100 finish a few years ago and this seemed like the same route I ran with her but in reverse.
It was hot. To put it into perspective, I was in a tank top as it was 60 degrees at 6 am … in Tahoe! That’s hot! The race started at 7:30 and I swear it was even warmer by then. I was drenched as soon as I started running. The early miles are pretty much the the only tree coverage you get, after that, you pay the price on an exposed course but with the most spectacular views.
I tried desperately not to face plant while running as I was also trying to take in all the views and take photos.
At one point, we hit a spot that showcased both Marlette Lake and Lake Tahoe. It was incredible.
I was literally smiling the entire time even when I was struggling. It was impossible not to smile when you’re on top of the world.
The first aid-station came at around mile 7 or so and it was a sight for sore eyes. I didn’t really need anything but it was my mental hurdle. After that, the course was more rolling. The second aid-station, I asked for iced and filled my neck bandana which really made a difference.
At one vista, I stopped to take a photo and another runner offered to take my photo and vice versa.
It took quite some time for me to find (part of) my legs but I was able to move more consistently whether running or hiking after the first two aid-stations.
When we got somewhere near miles 19 and 20, I knew exactly where I was. The Tunnel Creek Aid-Station from TRT is a spot I have spent many hours cheering, crewing and spectating. The aid-station for this race was pretty near this but after mile 20, the rest of the course was entirely new terrain for me and hands down my most favorite part of the course.
The trail sign said Marlette Lake Trail but I know it more as the Flume Trail from my husband who bikes on this section. Bikes were definitely a presence in the mid miles but every single biker that I ran into was polite, encouraging and most stopped to let me by first.
I did stop to use the restroom shortly after the aid-station near Tunnel Creek and because of that, I had separated myself from the few runners I had been near most of the race. This left me 100% alone on the most glorious section of trail I have ever seen.
Smooth single track trail with a cliff and the lake to your right. It was breathtaking.
It was also super populated with hikers and bikers at times but I wasn’t bummed that I had to slow down and play the passing game. Most everyone stopped to let me run by which was really nice. The trail narrows in sections so someone did have to stop.
The other awesome piece of this race is that they have race photographers stationed at all the epic view spots.
I was in my happy place and motoring at this point. I actually picked up some speed here and felt like a normal runner. Only took 23 miles for it to happen! haha
A nice mountain biker gave me a heads up as to where the next aid-station was which I appreciated. I knew how high up we were which meant at some point, we’d have to come back down.
Sure enough, the trail started having some down hill. I made it to that aid-station but did not stay long.
Soon I found myself on a fire road that was sitting right next to Marlette Lake.
I saw one runner swimming in the lake so I took the time to climb down and really soak my bandana and buff. I thought about getting in but I was worried about my feet getting wet and having blisters. The lake was so pretty and refreshing that next time, I will definitely get in.
After that, there was another aid-station. I could practically smell the finish line by this point so once again, I didn’t stop for very long.
The trail leaves the gravel road and makes a sharp right turn up and onto some single track. The uphills were still rough on my tired legs so I power hiked.
As I was hiking, I saw a guy sitting on a rock at the top of the climb. He kind of looked like a runner who had to stopped to take a breather.
As I got closer, he pulled out a big camera. “Oh you ARE a race photographer!?” I said. He smiled, [click click click] “I AM a race photographer,” he said. I laughed and replied, “Well I would have run the climb if I had known!” He pulled the camera away from his face and said with a huge smile, “You are more than welcome to do it again if you’d like?” hahahaha! I laughed so hard, “No no, that’s okay!” I heard him laughing as I hiked the rest of the way. That had me giggling for a quite a few miles after that.
The above photo is the result of that exchange. He reminded me as I continued on that the “best photos are on top of the climbs” and he wasn’t wrong. Had he not pointed it out, I would not have turned around and saw that. Wow.
As soon as the single track dumped me back onto a fire road, I knew that I was only a mile or so from the finish. I could hear the announcer and I knew that it was uphill all the way to end. I vowed to myself that I would run the entire way.
And I did! It was most definitely not my best 50k but probably one that I am pretty darn proud of. As my friend reminded me, I have only been back running consistently since May and to run 31 miles at elevation with close to 5,000 feet of climbing accomplishment.
I wanted a challenge and that is exactly what I got and even though my legs and lungs were burning at times, I enjoyed every minute. I needed this to remind myself the biggest rule when it comes to running ultra marathons, “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” Problem solve along the way and just keep moving forward. That is exactly what I did.
I had one of these post race. Not something I think I would like normally, but after running 31 miles on a really dry hot day, this actually hit the spot and it has quite a bit of potassium in it. I was grateful that I did not have any cramping issues during the race. Near the end, I passed quite a few runners whose muscles were seizing because it was so dry and so hot out.
I cleaned up, ate a little and then hopped in the car and drove 2 hours back home to the family. I am already figuring out how I can do this race again next near. I would love a better finish time, I know I am capable of that but I also just loved everything about this race. August in Tahoe is notoriously hot so there is no getting around that really and I don’t mind the heat so long as I am prepared. I just need to work on that 7 mile climb at the start and maybe not do a crazy obstacle course a few days before the race. 😉
Happy Trails!
~Trailmomma
Race Details
Shoes: Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3’s
Watch: Garmin
Socks: Injinji
Fuel: Spring Energy gels and Tailwind Nutrition
Full Disclaimer: I am not associated with Big Blue Adventure at all and was not paid or compensated for writing this report. I would also like to thank LeFrak Photography for permission and use of their photo.
