Tahoe Triple - WOW

Tahoe – What a beautiful place! Brent, Michele (our crew) and I left for Tahoe Tuesday afternoon. We flew to Denver then on to Reno. We had to drive from the Reno Airport to Tahoe. After a few trials and tribulations we made it into our rooms at the Ridge Pointe Resort. (Thank you, Cheri!)

Brent started this event with ankle trouble. He had some trouble with it along the way but got up each day and completed the task he had set out to do. I am very proud of what he did. He accomplished his goal of the Tahoe Triple because he did not quit. If hardship is the tuition for a character degree, then Brent has earned his Master’s!

There are many events taking place during marathon week in Tahoe – bike, swim, multi-day triathlon, marathon, ultra marathon, triple marathon, super triple, a 5k and a golfing event. Day 1 and Day 2 are “unsupported” marathons that are run on the roads into traffic. The roads are not closed for the runners. There are a few volunteers on the course with water, more on the first day than the second. The bike event is the second day and some of the volunteers are helping them. We pass the bikers as they travel the entire distance of the lake on Friday. We are halfway into the 2nd marathon at that point.

It was absolutely breath taking some days. The views made you forget that you had run so far or up and down so much! After each day I got in the lake! It was like having your ice bath right there!

Day 1 we began at Inspiration Point on Emerald Bay we traveled downhill for about 6 miles and the “rolling hills” until the final uphill at the end. As you leap frog the crew for other runners they become friendly sights as much as your own crew. They cheer for you and offer help to all the runners. For an “unsupported” event I felt more supported than in an “official” race. At mile 23, a three mile climb – what a way to end Day 1! J

Day 2 the temperature dropped and the wind picked up. It was approximately 25 mph coming off the cold lake. The wind was creating white caps on the surface and flags were blowing straight in the wind. It was COLD! Even for me – I never took my jacket off. Day 2 also takes you through a nice little neighborhood whose least expensive home is $1.5M – yep! Very nice!

It snowed on Saturday (Day 3) so we ran the first 10 miles or so on snow/ice but it didn't matter because the views were incredible. The trees were so tall that as the snow melted from the tops of them it turned back into snow by the time it got down to me! It was AWESOME!! Day 3 has a 2 mile mountain climb at 18 to 20 that is approx a 12% grade - if not more. Then there is another one about a mile after that! But when you get to the top of the first one you are looking at Emerald Bay. It's like Heaven! J The 2nd hill is where we began on the first day and it's all downhill from there!

The recurring theme was “OMG – isn’t it beautiful!” I can’t tell you how many times each of us said that.

As runner’s we tend to think with our feet rather than our head, I repeatedly found myself swerving into the road as I looked at the majesty around me. My feet had a mind of their own as I ran through the course. They carried me up and down hills, through towns and around bays. Each day they carried me into the lake. It was an incredible experience!

If you want to try an endurance event this is a fantastic way to do it! Three marathons, three days and all the “hills” you will ever need!

As soon as I figure the photo thing out I will post some pics!