9 Comments

A big dose of Heaven: TRT104, 2021

Last weekend I completed my sixth Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Run 100-miler. The race’s tagline is “A glimpse of Heaven, a taste of Hell.” The average elevation of the course was 7800′ and took place on mostly single-track decomposed granite trails. This was the first year the race started and finished in Carson City, and the course changes had amounted to a longer distance (about 104 miles) with more climbing (about 20k’ gain).  To prepare for the 2021 edition, IRead more
8 Comments

Truckee Winter Wonderland

Our pretty little mountain town in the Sierra Nevada got buried last week, Tuesday-Thursday, as a classic atmospheric river rolled across the state. The first 24 hours, the storm was underwhelming. We were disappointed to only get about a foot of snow that first night. Weak. It snowed lightly during the day, off and on, accumulating about 6″, but nothing serious. Wednesday evening, we shoveled the decks again, just in case the storm wasn’t over. Spoiler alert – it wasRead more

O Christmas Tree…

Although we are giving up many traditions this holiday season in order to keep our loved ones safe, one we are holding dear is the procurement and decorating of the Christmas Tree. The lights and decorations we’ve made or collected over time will remind us of special moments and give us hope for brighter days ahead. This leaves me reflecting on my own family’s tree traditions over time. Growing up in Upper Michigan, we drove out deep into the woodsRead more
2 Comments

TRT 100 2019 – Number 5

Stumbling and staggering up and over Snow Valley Peak,  pain radiating down my legs with every step,  blisters exploding underfoot like deep shards of glass, I fantasized about “getting” to drop at the next aid station – mile 93 – surely they won’t let me go on when they see my feet. Nearly 24 hours into the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 – my fifth one – all I could think about was dropping. My pacer, Javier, practically ran circles aroundRead more

Snow Days // Snow Daze

For over three years Beverly and Coco have barked at each other through the fence, running back and forth playing together, but always separated, by fate. Finally, last week, their relationship was changed forever by the snowbanks rising above the 6′ fence and allowing them to wrestle and play in the same yard. It’s all fun and games until Coco is not outside though, and Bev continues on into the street to search for fun elsewhere. She found herself inRead more

Truckee 29: a scenic loop

The following photos and trail directions are from a loop I ran around Truckee on a warm September afternoon. With a start/finish in downtown Truckee, you can take advantage of free parking, easy access to breakfast/coffee at Coffeebar, and many options for finish-line food or beverages like Alibi or the Pour House. I recommend parking in the free lot on Jibboom Street (across the street from the Pour House). And now for the route… from the parking lot, head EastRead more
4 Comments

Western States week

“Coach tells us a story about his dad who was running a race for 100 miles from Squaw to Auburn, and he talked about failure and what it was like to work for something and show up, and keep showing up even when it feels like the outcome you want is impossibly out of reach.   Because when you keep showing up, at some point you’ll see something you never considered to be possible.   And you automatically beat anyoneRead more
7 Comments

Missing Julia

Last December, at the Western States Lottery in Auburn, I sat between Gretchen and Julia as we anxiously awaited the results. When my name was called, we jumped up, Julia grabbed my shoulders and screamed in my face, in that scream that only Julia can produce: “OH MY GOD JENELLE YOU ARE RUNNING WESTERN STATES!!” It’s been just over two days since I got the call – Julia was killed in a tragic car accident on Monday night. It’s impossibleRead more

Robinson Flat to Drivers Flat – Western States Trail

Saturday, May 19, 2018, Gretchen and I met in Auburn at 6am to begin the chain of carpools that would get us to Robinson Flat, a campground located at mile 30.3 of the Western States 100 mile endurance run. Nearly 2 hours later, with thanks to my coach, mentor and hero Meghan Laws, and her friends Dave and Manoush, the five of us were at Robinson Flat and ready for some adventure. Meghan, Dave and Manoush were doing a loop in theRead more