Mt. Tallac Trailhead Hike

Tuesday morning I woke up bright and early and started to get my things together for my hike today. I had decided that I would tackle Mt. Tallac. You may recognize Mount Tallac  by the "cross of snow, " which is clearly visible on the mountain's face during the winter and spring months. There is a saying that if the cross of snow is visible it wont be a drought year, but if the cross of snow melts a drought is near.

At the trail head.

The trail took me past Floating Island Lake and Cathedral Lake on my way to the summit. It is rated difficult by the Forrest Service. And difficult it was on the climb.

Trail Info: Mileage:1.6 miles to Floating Island Lake

                            2.3 miles to Cathedral

                            4.8 miles to Mt. Tallac summit (I made it 6 miles to the summit, don't ask)

Elevation:Trailhead: 6,480'

               Summit: 9,735'
That is a lot of elevation gain.


Hiking time: about six hours round trip to summit, I did it in 4 hours and 30 min. With getting lost twice. I must be fit, good news for me.

Only .5 miles in and what a view. I knew this was going to be a great hike/run

Permit #2 for the week.

At this point it was .60miles in and I already had to start shedding layers. I started the run in a beanie, gloves, short sleeve, long sleeve, and outer shell. Thank goodness I had all of this as I used every piece of clothing off and on all day.

Floating Island

I made it to floating island and I think I said "ah sweet!" It was breath taking and a bit unexpected.

Floating Island

Can you see the top of Mt. Tallac

Cathedral Lake

This next stop was breath taking, I did lose the trail before I arrived here. I wondered around desolation for about 20 minutes before picking the trail back up. I did some bouldering while I was ummm lost exploring. The boulders were huge and my worry was twisting my ankle. I found the trail head eventually.

Can you see the trail I was climbing?

After cathedral lake the trail goes up. It was steep, very steep and the wind was blowing. It was exposed and did I mention how steep it was? But the view was worth it. I was almost there.

The nearest lake is Fallen Leaf Lake and you can see Lake Tahoe. You can also make out the prestigious Tahoe Keys on the right side.

What I thought was the top of Mt. Tallac proved to be wrong. It was a false summit. I still had a mile of climbing to do.

Some more rock climbing, only I didn't have to climb this. But I did. I lost the trail again. I was lost in thought or something. But enjoyed the view from this top.

It was cold, the wind was blowing but the view was to die for. I thought the wind was going to knock me off if I stood up.

Ahh!! The trailhead to Mt. Tallac!!!

The real summit. I ended up climbing for a total of 3 hours and that ended up being 6 miles. But the extra miles aren't going to bother me. I enjoyed this climb. I was alone the entire time. Just me and my thoughts.

Worth it! While on top of Mt. Tallac I enjoyed a payday which helped to recharge me.

The climb down was fast. I wasted no time. It took me 1 hour and 30 minutes to hike/run down. It was a great hike and I picked a great day to experience it. It ended up being a total of 11 miles for me over 4.5 hours. Not bad!

Glen Alpine Trailhead Hike

This week I am vacationing in South Lake Tahoe. It has been a long time since my last "real" vacation. I arrived late yesterday afternoon to rain and cold. But this morning, everything changed. It was still cold but the storm was moving through just as quickly as it could.

My view this morning at 7:30am.

I walked down to the pier and enjoyed a cup of coffee. It was peaceful just listening to the lake water come upon the beach. I had forgotten how calming it is being here enjoying the mountain air and also mountain time.

I decided that I would enjoy a brisk hike this morning. I headed out to Fallen Leaf Lake in hopes of getting my hike in before the weather came. As there were some nasty storm clouds rolling my way. Fallen Leaf Lake is about 1 mile South of Lake Tahoe. From Fallen Leaf Lake I headed up to Glen Alpine Trailhead where I hiked to Lower Glen Alpine Falls, Upper Glen Alpine Falls, Mt. Tallac and grassy pond.

Lower Glen Alpine Falls, just imagine this when the snow melts.

At the trail head parking lot, a nice lake

Upper Glen Alpine Falls

Once I reached the trail head it was a short hike to the Upper Glen Alpine Falls. As I was hiking I noticed that a  majority of the cabins were boarded up and ready for the snow fall. Both of these falls are part of the Glen Alpine Creek system, a snow melt and spring-fed stream that flows into Fallen Leaf Lake and eventually into Lake Tahoe via Taylor Creek

The main Glen Alpine Trail leads northwest from here into the Desolation Wilderness and onto Glen Alpine Springs, an historic mineral spring resort, located about a mile west.

Glen Alpine Springs, a small little town in the middle of nowhere and the only access is by foot.

 

As I continued hiking I headed up Mt. Tallac. The Mount Tallac hike goes through a variety of terrain, from forested to open meadows to dramatic summit spikes. The views are spectacular.

Near the top of Mt. Tallac, I turned around because of the weather.

Grass Lake! A natural Beauty

Yes, I did have my permit.

Fallen Leaf Lake

I am at peace after this hike. It was about 3 hours and the distance I am not sure of. I did hike it fast it was my work out for today. I have always enjoyed the beauty of Tahoe, but today it really surpassed what I remembered. Looking forward to what adventures I come across during the rest of the week.

It all Started 1yr ago

One year ago I signed up for my first marathon. That marathon was CIM, which is held on the first weekend in December. The reason being was I went to San Francisco to cheer on my friend who was running in the NIKE Women’s Marathon. It was such a rewarding experience being there seeing how Lily’s excitement grew as the race time neared. Being there and seeing her cross the finish line and how proud she was. It was because of her and being there and seeing it as a spectator that I wanted to be apart of it and run one.

Immediately after I arrived home that evening I signed up for CIM. That gave me roughly 6 weeks to train for a marathon, which by the way I have never run that distance before. I was running, but it wasn’t serious. It was a few miles here and a few miles there. During this entire time I had no clue how to train for a marathon. I just knew that I needed to get a long a run in once a week. No problem.

Four weeks from race day I end up in a boot with sever shin splints. My doctor also tells me that I am not a long distance runner and I won’t be able to run the marathon. It was devastating news.

But I didn’t let it stop me; I took a few days off and continued running. I managed to get in my longest run of 18 miles. Then I even took a step further and completed my first marathon. I ran it in 4:38. I did it with only 6 weeks of training and before I committed to the marathon the furthest I ran was maybe 6 miles.

The boot I was suppose to wear for 4 weeks!

After CIM, I joined a training program put together by Fleet Feet. This training program was designed for ultra distance running. Yup, my next event was going to be a 50 miler. I trained hard with Fleet Feet. I was doing two a day runs just to get my fitness at the level everyone else was at.

At the beginning of the training I was the caboose, but as I trained I slowly made my way up to the front group. Now I was the caboose of the front group. I completed my first ultra in 10 hours and 27 minutes.

I was on Top of the World!

At the Finish of my first 50

AR50 was a very rewarding experience. I never let the fact that I was new to running slow me down. I never let the fact that I had never run this distance stop me. It did frighten me, don’t get me wrong. I was scared. I didn’t want to fail.

As each new hurdle came and went, my first 30 mile training run, my first real tempo workout, my first hill repeat my confidence grew. It was mind over matter.

I was happier now that I was running. I had a purpose. It helped center me and keep me on the right path. I learned so much about myself, about how deep I could dig, how much my body could take, how much my mind could take. Let me say it is a lot and I am sure there is more.

My next challenge was Tahoe Rim Trail 50k. Yeah, I know I don’t do things in order. This time though it was different, I didn’t have a training group. I did train with Anthony for this event. I completed my first TRT in 8hrs and 19 minutes.

I had to overcome a lot in this race, from throwing up twice, not being able to eat solid foods, running out of GU, and almost passing out at the finish.

But I wasn’t alone. My Fleet Feet Crew of Three were there. Kirk, Jenny and Pam came to support and cheer on Anthony and myself. It was huge relief to see them at the aid station. It was such a mental and physical boost. What awesome friends to come and help. I will never forget that.

What a view!

Pam my runner partner and crew

After TRT I signed up for SNER 52 miler. Only this race was my first DNF. I made it 47 miles before having to drop at Twin Rocks. It still stings when I think about it. Most runners though would not have started this race in my condition. I had and still am battling a rib that won’t stay put, I also suffered and still do from Costochondritis which is an inflammation of a rib or the cartilage connecting a rib. It is a common cause of chest pain. Only it wasn’t just one rib it was my entire chest. Talk about painful.

During the race it hurt so bad I couldn’t run, I had to get my ribs taped at mile 30 and then I fell not to far after that. I battled some serious chaffing on my inner thighs. All of these issues were too much for me; I was in too much pain. I was out there for 13hours and 30 minutes before dropping.

Around mile 33

I was devastated when I had to drop, but I had nothing left. I gave it all I had to get to twin rocks. I know many are thinking “why couldn’t I muster up the strength to go 5 more miles?” The answer, I used that strength to get to twin rocks. I was completely spent.

Mile 47

My next event was supposed to be NIKE Women’s Marathon which was today. I was a DNS and I am ok with that. I am focusing on allowing my ribs to heal. The next event is CIM. I am going to finish this year where I started.

I am neither the strongest nor the fastest runner out there. I push my body as close to the edge as possible and I even fall over the edge. I never thought I would have run a marathon let alone a 50 miler. But I surprised myself and I pushed myself to complete these goals that I set.

It always amazes me how much my body is capable of. It really is mind over matter. I am grateful for the friendships I have made, the goals I have achieved and for never giving up. It was one year ago that I started my journey.

Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.

- John Heywood, sixteenth-century English poet

Two Week Follow Up

Yesterday I had my appointment with Dr. Chu from Elite Spinal and Sports Care. It has been two weeks since the last time I saw him. Since that time I have only logged 23 miles. I followed his direction, sort of. I wasn't suppose to start running until every day normal activity was pain free. I ran three times last week and the first time I ran I took three days before running again and my longest run was only 8 miles. After that long run things at work were crazy busy that I wasn't able to squeeze in any runs until Friday morning and that was just three miles.

I told him my pain is decreases, I just feel tight but eventually I loosen up. I also told him I was having some more lower back pain than I normally do. I did tell him I ran, he said that is fine. He also said that I am right on track with my recovery progress.

For treatment he changed things up on me. Usually I start face up and he works on my ribs today he wanted to start with me face down. As I was face down, my lower back began to seize up and I couldn't relax. He asked me to relax and I told him "I am really uncomfortable." The pain was really strong. He had me get up and walk around the room. It was the strangest thing. I said "see what happens when you tell me to stop running, I get pain in new places." We both laughed.

He focused the entire treatment on my back and gluts. My back was really tight, probably from all the lifting and I had to do at work  and all the stress this week. He adjusted my back and it adjusted from bottom to top. Pop, pop, pop. Wow! Then he adjusted my left hip. Hm I wonder if that is why on Thursday night I was having a really hard time walking. I was walking around with limp. Probably because my hip was out of alignment.

I am glad that things are progressing as they should be. He said that I could keep running and to work on strengthening my core. I am just glad that the pain is slowly going away and I can almost feel like a normal person with out any pain. It is amazing how I have forgotten what it feels like to run without pain, wake up without pain, and just do my everyday activities without pain.

Friday was the first day that I was able to run without any shooting pain or discomfort. It reminded me how much fun running is. I was just getting so use to always being in pain. The next two weeks I will continue to run but I will also be paying close attention to what my body is saying.

In all honesty my motivation for running has decreased significantly since SNER. But after Friday's run it is slowly coming back. It was Fridays run where for the first time I placed no expectations on the run, I ran just to be running. I ran just to have fun and to be active. I ran for myself and not for a time. I ran just to run.

I will spending my time in South Lake Tahoe, relaxing on a well deserved vacation after being on the go under stressful circumstances over the past 13 weeks.

You must motivate yourself EVERYDAY.

- Matthew Stasior

Finished

Thirteen weeks ago I started a new position, I was put in charge of a remodel. I have been through two previous remodels in my career but never have I been the one in charge. It was a learning experience. Over the past thirteen weeks I have seen my store transform, I have seen the back room transform. The leadership team from the general contractor, refrigeration, fixture, electrical, to remodel ETL really worked well with each other. Our personalities complimented each other and we knew that it was going to be a team effort in order to complete this project on time.
As the project was in it's final phase my stress level was at an all time high. The deadline was fast approaching, but in the end we completed the remodel. We now offer a wide selection of meat, bakery, dairy and frozen and fresh produce.

Not my actual store, but close to what it looks like.

On the final day, turnover day the Group Team Leaders were out visiting all three remodel stores. At the end of their visit they were highly impressed with the outcome. In fact it was the best looking Pfresh they have seen in all the pfresh stores in the market. They also were impressed with the fact that they didn't have to worry once about my store. They loved my attention to detail, how I jumped and took ownership of this project one week before it started and they would like for me to continue doing remodels.

As of right now I don't know what I want to do. I was offered the next remodel store, but I am hesitant to do it. I enjoyed and hated this project. It had it's highs and extreme lows during the 13 weeks. I know I wouldn't have been this successful if it weren't for the solid team that executed all the moves and details. I am very happy that this project is completed. 

Sporting my new vest. The G.C. gave it to me and said he would do any project with me.

This past week I haven't done any running, I have been putting in some early hours at the store and some very long days. It was probably a good thing as this has given by body to continue healing. I barely notice my chest wall pain (it is still there, just not as bad). This weekend I was suppose to do the Nike Women's Marathon in San Fransisco, but I wont be. I have been advised not to run and for once I am going to listen. Though it will be hard. My next race is CIM in December and I am looking forward to running again. But first it is vacation time and I am headed up to Tahoe where I am sure I will be running and enjoying the mountain air.

A New Attitude

Today I practiced self restraint. This morning I headed out and met up with the Fleet Feet Group. This training group is gearing up for Four Bridges and CIM. One group was running 16 miles and the other group was doing between 8-10 miles. I decided I would only run 8 miles today and those 8 miles were going to be easy.


Yeah right easy, I ended up pushing it and holding a 9:15 pace for 8 miles. I was actually excited that I was holding this pace. It felt pretty easy almost effortless. The reason I was so excited was when I was training for the ultras I was running long distances with a slow pace. But today I switched things up on my body and increased my speed. Yes, I know it may not seem very fast for only 8 miles but I will take it.

Overall the run was just what I needed. I could have done without the near death defining moment. I biker almost took me out and I mean took me out. I was in the front of the group holding a tight line on the asphalt. I noticed a biker just as we both were approaching a tight curve. It looked like he was going to go left (my right) so I held my line. It was a good thing I did because instead of him going left he went right. I mean it was inches from hitting me. He ended up going into the dirt on a road bike. I don’t know if he didn’t see me or maybe he thought I was going step aside or maybe it was just bad timing for both of us. I wasn’t running down the middle of the bike path, nor was I running two abreast. I was all by myself running on the left hand side near the dirt. If trailmomma was with me I am sure Jersey would have come out.

My body is healing; my ribs flare up whenever they want along with my back. It is a slow process. I still plan on taking the running nice and easy. I am going to focus on re-building my base, so pretty much starting all over. This might be good. I am looking at it like starting fresh, starting new again. Nothing like a fresh new attitude to start building my base.

Attitude determines altitude.

- Anonymous

Keeping Busy

This past week has been crazy busy with last minute details, punch list, missing meat diapers, missing produce basket. The final phase of the remodel project is all about p-fresh. The work for my team is behind “the curtain” and it is a small space where I have electricians, refrigeration contractors, general contractors, fixture installers, and my team all working on top of each other with huge lifts, tool bags everywhere, exposed rotating fans on the units and it is cold. So cold my toes were freezing and my fingers were sticking to metal as I was trying to planogram the cases.

It is also crunch time with only 4 days until turnover everything has to be perfect. We receive our first frozen/cooler load on Tuesday and then our produce load on Thursday. I am at least a million things I have to complete, but I can’t until I am out of my temporary cooler/freezer cases. Then the real fun begins.

With all of this going on I really needed a way to de-stress. I started running again. On Tuesday I meet up with trailmomma for our 6 mile run. I was in some serious pain after that run so I didn’t run the rest of the week. But I was feeling restless so on Friday on jumped on the elliptical and completed an hour interval work out. The elliptical was a nice change and didn’t give me the pain I have when I run. So it was nice to be able to continue to work on my cardio and still be healing.

Saturday morning I woke up bright and early, (because I can’t sleep past 4 am.)I was going to run with trailmomma. We had decided we would only run an hour today. Nice and Easy was the name of the game.

As I arrived she was pulling in right behind me. I quickly noticed she DID NOT wear her compression socks today like she was suppose to. She forgot them because she usually doesn’t wear them during her runs. I also noticed that we were once again wearing the same colors. On Tuesday run we both wore blue shirts and I reminded her that during my training for SNER all I wore was blue. But Saturday I changed things up and wore my black technical t-shirt. She also wore a black shirt and grey shorts. We were twins on the trail today. I am sure Coach Nikon is laughing.

As we started trailmomma reminded me that we running nice and easy! Yes I replied, we did run nice and easy because I am still letting my ribs heal and she is letting her ankle heal. After Tuesday run I was in some pain for the rest of the week.

It was early when we started the sun had just risen and it appeared that we were the only ones out running this early but as we kept going laughing and chit chatting we saw a huge running group lined up in groups getting ready to head out. We also ran into Kuni and his wife. We stopped and talked with Kuni about SNER, he said I made the right decision.

We had a pretty uneventful run besides nature was out and about. We saw deer, bunnies, and trailmommas favorite wild turkeys. It was good to be out and laughing and spending time with someone. Because my entire house is empty besides of course traildog, the chickens, the cat and Lil mans dog. Needless to say when I walked in the house Friday night it was pretty quiet. I could feel the emptiness. Tomorrow I am getting together with Coach Nikon, but first my brother and his wife are coming over for some home made chili, corn bread and cup cakes. I was Betty Crocker Jr. in the kitchen today. Enjoy the weekend everyone. See you on the trails.

The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually be afraid you will make one.

Elbert Hubbard