Tahoe 200 3.0

Ran by this fella on a training run at Yankee Springs, Mich.
This is how I plan to run at Tahoe (vs. rabbit)

Tahoe 200 3.0

My third year for this amazing race!  And to keep it fresh, race organizers decided to run it "backwards" in a clockwise direction.  I've always thought the last 60 miles to be the toughest, but most others think the first 60 was the most arduous.  I know going in that the Rubicon area with boulder country will be a challenge to navigate if running at nighttime.  Virtually no trees and lots of slick rock will add to the delusions of following the course.  GPS, don't fail me now!

In prep for this year's race, I looked back to previous year's training schedules:

Year	Miles YTD	Miles Aug	Long	Result
2015	1246	96	150	1st
2017	963	107	135	DNF
2018	661	142	135	DNF

Other notable stats:

Year	Rest HR	VO2-sept	VO2-yr	FTP
2015	?	54	59	?
2016	41	61	63	303
2017	46	54	62	275
2018	43	50	57	278

Gear List + Weights:

First, this is what I'll be wearing on my back.  I'll have a few other knick knacks on my body (Garmin watch, Wahoo HRM, Garmin Running Pod, etc.)  It's super heavy when bladders are full, but after breaking it down, looks like more than half of the weight is WATER when fully packed.  But, I really need the full load when running 20 miles between aid stations.  That usually took me about 5 hours, so very easy to drink 2/3 gallon of water in that time.  For some reason, 84 oz seems like a lot to run with, but 2/3 gallon does not.  And it only gets lighter as time goes on! For the shorter distances between aid stations, I'll probably only take fill the front flasks (34 oz total).

Item	Weight
Salomon Pak	300gm
Bladder 50oz	128gm
Hyroflask 17oz	45 gm (x2)
Kogalla Light	131 gm
Zika Light	55gm
AAA batteries x6	59gm
Anker 6700Ma	125 gm (x2)
Heat Blanket	50gm
Salomon Jacket	185gm
Mittens	30gm
Arm Warmers	31 gm
Fenix 5	69gm
Cords/Headphn	92gm
Iphone	200gm
Pills/Oint	100gm
Food	100gm
Total Dry:	1870gm = 4lbs
Water 50oz	1500gm
Water 17 oz	500gm (x2)
Total Water:	2.5kg = 5.5lbs
	Max H20: 84oz

 Other gear includes Hoka shoes, Patagonia gaitors, Balega socks, Craft shirt, Brooks shorts.

Note: This was originally a pre-race post, but I put off the completion after my DNF





"Know Thy Self"
Where do I go from here--another DNF.  These "big Races" have been on my future radar for as long as I can remember (or at least age 11).  These races define myself in many ways; from defining daily activities and goals (training) to the event itself: success with training and living up to the moment.  Without these races, what is the drive? Purpose? Desire?

I reflect to times of my life without a big race looming on the horizon--college and first years in Seattle.  There were long rides and fantasies about RAAM, but long solo tours took the front seat.  Circumscribing Lake Michigan, West Coast, KC to Portland, Arizona roundabout among the best.  And I won't forget Paris-Lisbon- with PBP upsetting me to no end with frustration.  That "race" left me with a sour taste in my mouth; I felt awful for the last 500 miles and didn't enjoy the country much anymore.  BUT, 2yrs later I anxiously signed up for London-Edinburgh-London: 1500km to satisfy the ultra urge.  Great ride, but this was followed by Australia's GSR 1200km and my desire left out the window after 65 miles.

I have grappled with this question so many times, but now I'm 48, family/kids edging ever so close to complete independence, and I feel at a crossroads.  It's Sat, Sept 8, 4pm PDT and Tahoe is still on-1st place at mile 140, second 135, 3rd 110.  this time 2015 I would have been at mile 110 as well.  Feelings now:  regret, frustration, fear, hopelessness, comfort, excitement, reflective.  Would I have prepared differently?  No.  What do I do when Ultra bug bites again? What do I do to motivate me to run, bike, hike in the future? Will I become soft and sedentary?  Are these races the only thing keeping me in shape and healthy?