Virginia City Highlands

"The 10-K is a race. The marathon is an experience. The ultra is an
adventure." - Bryan Hacker

Saturday's Run - Virginia City Highlands 

Aid Station

 

Support Crew

A new running experience for me this weekend, the Virginia City Highlands. Believe it or not, in all the years I've lived in Reno, I had never run in that area before. It was nice to see some new terrain. The journey continues..... 

Photographic Evidence

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

A few pictures from this weekend's run......

The Start: Peavine Peak Rd......

Approaching the pines......

 Just over the top of Peavine......

Halfway: Verdi Elementary School......

The climb......

The start of the downhill......

A view of the city......

Total mileage: 29.4

Total elapsed time: 5:50:26

Pace: 11:55

Two weeks in...........

A little over two weeks into training and I'm already tired. 

See Exhibit A below........ and this was from the 1st weekend I started training!

Exhibit A

Maybe I shouldn't have so aggressive but it felt pretty good running along the Truckee River Bike Path into Downtown Reno and back. It was also my longest run since I ran the New York City Marathon back in November.

When I first thought about putting a training plan together for myself, I wasn't sure how I was going to approach it, but did find one good resource to use (http://www.relentlessrunner.com/index/
How_to_run_100_miles).

Even with 23 weeks left to go, I can't help but think about this lifetime goal of mine everyday. My mission is to find out everything I can about how other runners have accomplished their 1st one hundred miler, their experiences and any advice that I can apply to my own training plan.


I'm still not used to taking at least 2 days off a week and slowing my pace way down for my longer weekend runs, but I know that if I have the desire, determination, willingness and discipline (such cliched words aren't they?) to push myself to the ultimate limit, I know I will succeed in finishing my 1st 100 mile trail run. 

"You're gonna have to go through hell, worse than any nightmare you've ever dreamed. But when it's over, I know you'll be the one standing. You know what you have to do. Do it. Do it."
 - Duke in Rocky IV

A little inspiration.........

In the beginning....

“A Glimpse of Heaven, A Taste of Hell” – TRT motto

Well, I’m not even sure where this idea of one day running 100 miles came from, but now that I’m an official entrant in the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 Mile Endurance Run this July, I better make it count.

I think this whole ultra running thing started back when I ran the Silver State 50K in May of ‘91. I’ve only done 10 ultra marathons since then and even volunteered to pace the last 38 miles of the Western States Run twice, but have yet to begin my own journey towards one of the most challenging endurance events of my life, until now.

Just the thought of actually seeing my name on a hundred mile confirmed registration list, has totally changed my perspective on training and created a whole new focus on running and life itself.

I still can’t believe I’m, but I do believe that I can finish. I want to prove that to myself in a little less than 24 weeks from today and through this journal document the trials and tribulations of training for a 100 mile run.

Oh yeah, and I also hope to find just a little support along the way, but a whole lot more at the finish. Let the journey begin. See you at Spooner Lake…. 

Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Run July 21-22, 2012