Tour DEE Western - Week 1

March 20th, 2009 Posted in Story, Training

The Tour de Western ( pronounced “DEE” as Bob Roll of Tour de France broadcasting fame would say) got off to a great start - 80+ miles so far and counting - and quality miles they are!!

The Way Too Cool 50K on March 14 went as hoped, a strong training run helping to build my endurance and practice the hills.   I had a pleasant walk Sunday with Perry & Kathleen Edwards and Dan along the canal near the Dam Overlook in Auburn - felt good to stretch the legs and visit the old training stomping grounds.  The canyon looked spectacular.

Monday Dan and I traveled to Northstar-At-Tahoe in Truckee to look at homes with a Realtor with which I have been corresponding for a few years.  The days of the Crowley clan heading back West are coming.  Don’t know when, but it IS coming.  So this was a reconnaissance trip to check out the real estate, macro market and revitalized Northstar.  All in all, I think we’ll be settling for part of the year in Northstar.  We also visited Tahoe Donner to check out Dan’s piece of land - very nice lot - and then headed up the mountain to Perry’s cabin for a quite evening.

Tuesday Dan and I took on the 16 mile Cal Loop portion of the Western course (mile 62 at Foresthill to Rucky Chucky river crossing at mile 78).  It was thrilling for me to

be back on this portion of the course.  Dan and I used to frequent it in training runs constantly but neither of us had stepped onto the dirt there since 1996.  It brought back special memories of all thoses miles Dan and I logged from 1994-1996 while training for Western.  Very special times in my life.

We took it easy and enjoyed the scenery, remembering landmarks that told us how far we had traveled and how far to the next aid station on race day.  I’d forgotten how much we really knew of this course and how invaluable that is to have stored away for the day of the race.  Nothing can replace actually training on this unique course - absolutely nothing.

Wednesday I ran 12 miles solo in the early AM from Robie Point (mile 98.9) to Pointed Rock in Cool (mile 94) backwards on the

course and then back from Cool following this final portion of trails of the Western course.  I actually ran up the “Training Hill” which locals call K2 - a 2.5 mile steep climb straight up the trails to Cool.  It is about a 20-25% grade.  I also crossed over No Hands Bridge which is one of the most famous landmarks on the Western course, located at the bottom of the last canyon before ascending to Robie Point and the finish at the Auburn High School track.  I’ve asked to have my ashes scattered from No Hands when that day comes.  It is a breathtaking slice of Mother Nature at her best.

Thursday Dan wanted to crew me for the triple canyon run - Dusty Corners (mile 38) to Foresthill (mile 62), this being the toughest section of the Western course.  Three brutal and deep canyons, one right after the other.  They literally trash your legs (quads and hamstrings).  And add the heat of the day (average high 90s- 110 degrees) and they are what destroy many runner’s hopes of finishing.  But we were foiled by snow in the high country and had to turn back.  We punted and decided to do the double canyon the hard way - Michigan Bluff (mile 55.7) to Devil’s Thumb (mile 47.8) via Deadwood and back so about 16 miles round

trip - down then up then down then up the Eldorado Canyon.  Michigan to the river is 2.5 miles straight down (avg 11% grade).  Then it’s 4.5 miles up a steep and steady climb (avg. 9% grade) picking up over 2,300 feet of elevation (up to 4,075′)  in a fairly short distance.  Let’s just say there is NOTHING even close to this type of terrain back East.  That’s why I’m here.

Friday I ran locally in Auburn with three old running buddies, Ted Moore, Mike Kutzman and Ross Kirkendorfer for an hour.  Boy did I need a recovery day!  I;ve been like a kid in a candy store ever since arriving.  The alure of running on my home trails has been too much to resist.  But I feel healthy, strong and invigorated - all good signs the slow and steady base I’ve been building is starting to pay dividends.  But after getting hammered in the canyons I realized how much further I still have to go to be Western ready.  The Tour de Western continues……….