A Classic Road Ultra Returns



The Lake Tahoe 72-mile is a classic road ultra that has been held for most years since the late 1970s. There have been some great races and performances over the decades, including Rae Clark’s all-time record of 9:06. The Tahoe Mountain Milers last hosted this event a few years ago in conjunction with America’s Most Beautiful Relay. After a few year hiatus, Marty Coffey, who has run around this massive lake an amazing 13 times, decided to resurrect it, this time under the management of the Lake Tahoe Marathon.



I have run the Tahoe Triple, also under management of the Lake Tahoe Marathon, for the past five years. I decided that last year was going to be it for a while so I could do a new adventure this time of year. Well, when the announcement was made that Marty was bringing back the 72er, I immediately knew what my new adventure was. I had wanted to run around Tahoe in one push longer than the Triple has been around, but just never fit it into my schedule. I was even more excited by the fact that we would be starting this great run at midnight.



Since I have run the Triple for 5 years, I know many of the competitors, so I made it a point to go to Tahoe early so I could cheer for my friends. This was also a great opportunity for me to play tourist, as I usually just arrive there the day before the Triple, and leave the day after. So I arrived in Tahoe on Wednesday (the Triple started on Thursday morning, and the 72er was at midnight on Friday night/Saturday morning), and immediately drove to Squaw Valley so I could run the first 4 miles of the Western States course up to the Escarpment. It was beautiful up there! I stopped, looked back at Tahoe for a bit, then just really wanted to keep going on to Auburn, but figured my 2 bottles and 2 gels wouldn’t quite get me there. After savoring the view for a while, I ran back down to the base so I could get to the Triple pre-race dinner. I always enjoy going there and seeing old friends. This time was even better, since I wasn’t racing the next day, I could! eat everything I wanted to at the casino buffet!



The next two mornings were spent crewing for my friend Thomas Reiss (who handily dethroned me last year) in the Triple. Although he ran a very impressive 12 minutes faster than last year, he graciously accepted second place, as South African Johan Oosthuizen’s ran an amazing world record for three marathons in three days (8:11:08). In addition to crewing and cheering (as well as shooting the starting shotgun on day 1), I also got the chance to eat lots of good food, hang out on the beach, and just explore Tahoe.



On Friday afternoon, I ate a light meal, then tried to sleep for a few hours, but just ended up lying in bed, relaxing, and watching Jaws. At 10 p.m., I ate my normal pre-race “breakfast” of a pb&j sandwich and banana. I got my last minute stuff together, then left for the start with my friend, crew, and fellow Marathon Maniac, Karen Wiggins, a little after 11 p.m. Originally, I didn’t have a crew. Then on day two of the Triple, Karen unfortunately injured herself and stopped at mile 7. I saw her at the finish line and she said since she wouldn’t be running day 3 of the Triple, that she wanted to crew for me. I was sad for her and her injury, but very excited for me.



Shortly before midnight, the 27 starters gathered around a line on the bike path in the pitch-black woods near Pope Beach. The air was cool and comfortable, and the sky was clear. It was a perfect night for a 72 mile run. As is typical with ultras, we were off with little fanfare. My good friend and also Maniac, Sam Thompson, did his normal race start, taking off like it was a 5 km, while I just settled into a nice, comfortable 8-minute pace. Karen and I decided she would meet me every 5 miles, and each split was between 39 and 41 minutes. I felt great, was running effortlessly, and cruising around Lake Tahoe in the middle of the night under a sky full of stars. It was beautiful! While running past the casinos in Stateline, NV, I even witnessed the start of three drunk men getting into a fight.



Somewhere around mile 12, I finally caught up to Sam. We enjoyed each other’s company and I attentively listened to details of his most recent adventure – running 51 marathons in 50 days in 50 states (plus D.C.) to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims. He finished that in mid-August, so I knew he was definitely fit and ready to go at Tahoe. We had similar finishing goals of sub-10 hours, so we both hoped we would be running together for much of the race.



Miles 17-20 took us up to Spooner Summit, the high point of the course at 7,100’. Although Sam and I had said we would walk some of this climb, we got caught up in talking and forgot. But at the top, I still felt great and saw Karen again waiting with a new bottle and two gels. Since we were at the top, there was only one way to go, so I just let my legs go. I didn’t try to speed up down the long 10 miles to Incline Village, but I didn’t slow me legs, either. I just floated down this very isolated stretch, beaming with delight at the whole situation. I remember running by Marty and whooping out “this is awesome!”. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite so awesome for Sam, as he was having some body temperature issues, and had to spend some quality time in his crew vehicle.



Halfway through Incline Village, in front of the billion dollar homes, was the 50k point of the race, which I cruised through in 4:04. I couldn’t believe how great I was still feeling. Past Incline Village and back on the main highway, I finally took my first walk break going up Crystal Bay. This was a great place to walk, as it allowed me to look back across the bay and see other runner’s headlamps coming down from Spooner Summit. Another beautiful moment.



I continued making my way along the north shore, passing mile 40 in King’s Beach, finding out later that a big black bear had slowly walked past Karen’s car just minutes before I got there. Maybe it was good I was getting a bit tired. A few miles outside of Tahoe City, about the 42 mile mark, I took my second walk break up Dollar Hill, and also took a gel. At least I tried to take a gel. It got about halfway down, then came right back up. That was the beginning of my low-point. My 8 minute pace slowed to 12-14 minute pace, and I really struggled for the next 15 miles. I was able to drink a little, the only food I could stomach was lemon drops, plus it was about 5 a.m., so I was tired, cranky, and basically, just lacked energy. This was especially frustrating because it happened on the easiest part of the course – it was very flat and should have been very fast. But instead, I just jogged a bit and walked a lot.



Somewhere along the way during my low point, I passed the 50 mile point in 7:00:02 (far slower than my 6:30 goal). Finally, after 3 hours of shuffling along, but getting to witness a gorgeous pink sunrise over the lake, I came to the 57 mile point, which was the beginning of a one-mile long, gradual uphill. In the Triple, I always loved this hill. It’s where I usually would put the hammer down on day three. So that’s what I decided to do this year. I told myself that I love this hill, and I was going to run strong up it. So that’s what I did. My mood lifted and my pace returned to its former 8 minute miles. I felt great, and was smiling and joking with Karen and Marty again. With 11 miles to go, I reached Emerald Bay and entered the toughest five miles around the lake. It starts with a steep 2-mile climb, followed by a nice 2-mile descent, and ends with a lung-busting 1 mile climb to Inspiration Point. Still feeling great, I powered my way up and ove! r Inspiration Point, knowing that the final 10 kilometers to the finish were mostly downhill.



Even though I was going to be well over my goal of sub-10, I still had a shot at sub-10:30, but had to run 49 minutes for the final 10 km. So I helped gravity along down the steep switchbacks from Inspiration Point, got on the bike path and continued pushing through to the finish. I was elated to return to Pope Beach and finish first in 10:27:48.



The two people who I owe the biggest thanks to are Marty and Karen. Thank you, Marty, for resurrecting this incredible adventure. You’re right, it’s awesome. Thank you, Karen, for being Miss Uber-Crew on your first time crewing. Not having to stop at all was a direct result of your always being right where I needed you, and with what I needed. You two were great, and I really couldn’t have done this without either of you!



I’ve been asked many now times which race I prefer – the Triple or the 72 miler. Each race is very unique. The Triple is hard because I have to get “up” for it physically, mentally, and emotionally for 3 days, I run a faster pace, but each day is only about 3 hours of running. The 72 miler is tough because the longer I run, the greater the chance of something going wrong, which definitely happened. But I also get to (have to) run slower, and not put as much stress on my body at any one time. Although I think it’s cool to run around Lake Tahoe in 3 days, it’s even cooler to run around it in one. I’ll definitely be back next year.