The ST Run

Yesterday, I headed out for what turned out to be the "ST" run. I'll explain that in a minute. The run was a drop and go from Tahoe City to where I had left my car at the Bayview Campground across from Inspiration Point overlooking Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe. The majority of the route followed the Tahoe Rim Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, until it hit the Velma Lakes area, where I turned off, and headed east toward my car. 

The views were tremendous, as you can see:

The run was the "st" run in many ways. 

• the longest I had done with a pack;
  
• the longest  I have done solo;
  
• the longest  I have done unsupported;
  
• the longest  I have done, period! 
  
• the most elevation gain (over 9000' according to Google Earth)

It was also the first run I have done where there really was no turning back. I had to finish, regardless. My car was at the end, and there was nothing at the start once I had left, since I had been dropped off. It was a mosquito-fest as well. Slowing to a walk served as an invitation to the little blood-suckers. Dozens would descend if I tried to stop for a stretch. I started to beg for the usual winds to blow them away.

I felt pretty damn good until I hit mile 25. There was this big wall there, and I smacked right into it. My stomach went sour, and even thinking of eating ANYTHING made me want to puke. Since I would have ralphed back up anything I put down almost immediately, I didn't see the point. As a result, my ability to run - shall we say - suffered? I ended up walking virtually all the last 12 miles. Water became an issue as well. I had 80 oz with me at the start, and none at the end. I even took a couple sips from a stream (I know, a no-no). And now, more pictures!

Richardson Lake

trail crossing - provided a chance to clean up!

All I can claim is that I completed the journey. The mileage might be off a bit, since the Garmin 405CX died at mile 31. Apparently, I am too slow and the battery failed at that point. The maps showed I was about 6 miles or so from the end where the Garmin died, so I calculated. It may be more, actually, since the maps to that point were about 10% off the GPS measured distances. I think the trail changes since it was mapped have something to do with it.

I met some nice people on the trail, and when one asked (it was "Caveman" I believe, who was hiking the entire PCT) why I was doing it, I quoted a Shin's song and said that I was trying to live a life less ordinary. At the time it made sense. When I was fighting the urge to empty my stomach every step of 12 miles, I could have done with a bit more ordinary. But the thought of what awaited me in the car, kept me going. The trail down to Bayview was steep, but pretty. The view of the beer was even prettier.