Ragnar Tahoe
Last weekend, for the second time, I ran Ragnar Tahoe with three other friends. We ran together as a team last year as well.
We ran in the ultra masters category, i.e. old guys who like to go far. The big difference between this year and last is that we rented a house; man, what a game changer. Last year we baked in the heat and dirt and quite frankly, it got a bit old. Being able to come into a nice house, shower and get some proper rest between running legs was a huge difference maker. No question, I would do it again.
I said it last year and I will say it again: these Tahoe Ragnar’s are deceptively hard. Each of the three course (7.5 miles, 5.9 and 3.3) are tough in their own right and they are compounded by the heat (temperatures during the day ranged between 80 and 92) and altitude (the high point of the course is about 8,000 feet). I don’t know what it is with me and altitude, but it gets the better of me every time, including at Mont Blanc. Not much I can do to manage that really, but if I were to do an “A” race at altitude I think I’d have to give myself a bit more time to acclimatize.
My first leg (10.5 miles, total) was probaby the toughest. I had to contend with adapting to the altitude and the heat. I kicked off at around 1 pm, the high point of the day and it was a struggle; more so than I had anticipated. I was about eight minutes off my time for last year for this leg.

My second leg was the long one: 13.2 miles. last year I kicked this one off at around 2 am and it was a struggle. Because we started earlier this year I kicked this one off at a more reasonable time: around 10 pm. I was three minutes faster than last year but ran much more comfortably. The big thing with the night runs is you really have to concentrate on the trail so as to not twist an ankle. Fortunately, I made it through unscathed. By the time I ate and got home it was around 2 am and I was feeling pretty train wrecked. I completed this leg three minutes faster than last year.
My last leg (8.5 miles) was uneventful. While it started to heat up it never got too bad and I got it done without too much drama and about eight minutes faster than last year. 32 miles in all and I finished feeling stronger than when I started.

We were pretty close to our time from last year, which isn’t too bad for old guys who aren’t getting any younger. Phil was a bit hobbled by an ankle injury but he’s one tough hombre who never complains. Brian and Rob were really impressive. Rob had a very rough last leg last year and finished pretty train wrecked and with borderline heat exhaustion. However, he completely vindicated himself and finished on a very strong note, which was very inspiring. Rob and Brian are army veterans and their toughness shows.


I think the highlight of this race, for me personally, anyway, was our “fifth” teammate; Brian’s 13 year old daughter Mad Dawg. This young lady is truly something else; she ran a combined 20 miles with her father including the night stage. She also opted to run the hardest course — the 7.5 miler — TWICE! She was by far the fastest of all of us, she was the youngest racer that I saw and she never complained once. It was truly an honor to have her on our team. Astonishing to think she’s only 13 years old. My kid’s are both pretty good runners, but neither could do something like that, most especially at her age.


Anyway — a good time was had by all. The interesting thing about these Ragnar’s is that there is both the team and the individual element at play. It makes for some interesting “stories within the story.”

I have no residual soreness at all though I have been extremely tired all week and have had an absolutely voracious appetite. I think the combination of Mont Blanc Marathon and this have taken a bit of a toll and my plan is to dial back the running a bit and upping my swim volume.
I am also thinking about a Fall road marathon, which would be my first road marathon in many years. I am open to any and all suggestions.

