I’m falling in love all over again, every run, as favorite trails dry out and wildflowers come alive. After the winter that wouldn’t end, I just can’t get enough of this place in the summer (never mind that it snowed this morning).
I’m now 32 days out from my 4th Tahoe Rim Trail 100 mile race, and last week, I was fortunate enough to get in over 18 hours of running, almost all of it on trails.
To make this possible, each night for the first 3-4 hours of sleep, I wore Recovery Pump Boots (aka “the pants”), which drastically reduce the amount of rest time needed between runs. I also spent some time in the hot tub, used a foam roller, and ate a LOT of food.
I loved every mile of those 18 hours. Some went easier than others (that’s an understatement), but I’m not afraid to slow to a walk (or stop and take pictures) when either conditions require it or my body deems it necessary.
My week started off spectacularly on Monday by seeing a beautiful bear on the Sawtooth Trail, on a hike after work.
Two of my favorite runs were on Tuesday and Wednesday after work – the only way I’d hit my week’s mileage goal was to run long a couple times after working 8 hours each day.
I headed out the front door with my Camelbak, some homemade beef jerky (thanks to my brother), and a headlamp and ventured out onto the neighborhood trails – The Sawtooth, the 06, Martis Camp Trails, and Northstar trails.
Each of these nights I put in over 4 hours of running, made near-perfect decisions at every trail intersection, creating near-perfect loops, and was pleased to have not been eaten by a mountain lion or a bear, as I finished after dark each night (and there are so many night-time mountain lion and bear attacks on runners in our area – not exactly – but I don’t want to be the first). I did see one bear cub around 8pm the first night, and heard something like an elephant hollering at me from a rocky outcrop (Mountain Lion perhaps?) after dark the first night.
My 6 day total after that 2nd long run was well over 100 miles, but for the current week (Monday-Sunday), I was only at 44 miles. I still had a lot of work to do.
Thursday and Friday I plugged away, running when I could, careful not to overdue it here as I’d need to put in a big day on Saturday.
Saturday morning, I was up an hour before my alarm went off and out the door before 6am, to get in 15 miles of the neighborhood trails, before spending most of the morning with my kids.
Saturday afternoon, Avian and Stephen had a birthday party at Donner Lake, so I dropped them off and headed out for 15 more miles, this time on the beautiful Donner Lake Rim Trail.
Sunday morning, between two shorter runs (when I could squeeze them in) I managed to round out the weekly total with 91.6 miles and 12,297′ of climbing.
And now it’s Monday, and I’m starting all over again. I really love this time of year.
jp chronicles 
Beautiful trails. Did you stop and walk for a bit when you came across the bear? I’ve never crossed paths with a bear on a trail and have always wondered what runners do.
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Thank you! I did stop and watch for a bit- the bear was off the trail. I actually moved a little closer to take the picture, and it backed away. When I come across a bear on the trail in front of me, I definitely stop, back up, try to look bigger, and sometimes I’ll reroute if the bear doesn’t look like it wants to move- if it’s a mama bear and cub(s), I always reroute. In most cases, the bear sees me and doesn’t want to hang out. One time, my 6 month old puppy chased a bear – it stood on it’s hind legs and I ran up behind my puppy yelling and screaming at the bear and waving my arms. It came down, looked at us like we were insane, and sauntered away.
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Wow. I need some of your puppy’s courage. Thanks for sharing your know-how! There are so many places I want to explore and they all seem to be in bear country. We only have black bears here in the Northeast. Even though I know most are very shy, I’m terrified of crossing paths with any. It doesn’t keep me from trails, but I’m far from confident in my ability to not run screaming should I ever see one, which would be bad. Thanks again! Happy running!
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Enjoyed this posting.
Have been searching for the trails you mentioned. No luck in locating. Know area so so. Please give me directions. I will staying @ Old Greenwood.
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Thank you! Do you use Strava? You can see maps of my runs there (and download gps tracks I think): https://www.strava.com/athletes/1589863
Sawtooth Trail/06 trails (which connect to Martis Camp trails) directions from downtown Truckee: head southeast on Brockway Road, right on Palisades Drive, right on Silver Fir and then left onto Thelin Drive and look for Forest Service Road #6 on your right.
Johnson Canyon/Wendin Way Trailhead: http://tdlandtrust.org/johnson-canyon
Were there any others I didn’t mention?
Have fun!!
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Beautiful! You are going to kill it at TRT. Mostly because you have the best attitude ever, but also because you have clearly put in the training. I am excited for you!
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Awe, thanks so much, Gretchen!! And, does this mean you’re going to start writing again, if you are reading this? 🙂
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Gretchen & JP, I miss both your blogs! I love the different writing styles you each have. Please keep writing and sharing your adventures and running. Feel like I know you ladies as friends. I am headed to Lake Tahoe come August 14th to Sept 2nd. Would love to meet you.
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Hi Jean, Let me know if you make it over to Truckee! 🙂
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