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CIM 2023 – a happy return to pavement, this time with purpose

November 14, my good friend Karyn reached out via text “Hey old friend. Are you in marathon shape?” She was looking for a co-pacer to help her lead the 3:55 pace group at the California International Marathon (“CIM”) in Sacramento. My initial response was “I might be but I can’t commit for a few weeks while I test out the pace”. Karyn replied: “The race is December 3“ I hadn’t run a marathon (or any road race) since 2014. SinceRead more
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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

The first year with Bruno

Just over a year ago, Roxy and Boomer had red golden retriever puppies. Roxy is our friend Angela’s dog and she invited us over “just to meet them”. Of course, we fell in love. We brought Bruno home, and he quickly learned his place with Beverly, our 4-year old lab mix. Bruno had fun getting to know our family and spending time with his littermates. Our friend Betsy took Bev and Bruno nearly every day for playdates and hikes withRead more
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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
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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
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Western States 100

Two days before the race, Mone’ told me that Cortney, the famous pastry chef for Squaw, was super excited about all things Western States. When she heard I was doing it, she asked for my autograph. I said, tell her yes, in exchange for a piece of her red velvet cake, and Cortney replied:

“tell her if she finishes Western States I’ll bake her a whole f#$%ing cake.”Read more