Beyond the Lunatic Fringe- Travels with Robert

Greeting readers! I want to thank everyone who has helped me with my goal of raising 5000 dollars for the American Himalayan Foundation. I will update the amount soon but I am past half way to the goal!

Below my latest adventure-

Sometimes everything works just about right and you have a great day. Saturday morning at 6 am above Lone Pine,California at Tuttle Creek campground was the start of such a day. 200 runners more or less assembled for the WWW races. A few do a fun run,some the 10 miler, many the Marathon and for the Lunatics like me the 50K (31 miles).

The race starts by traveling east and ascending towards the distant snowcapped Sierras. Mt Whitney the highest peak in the "continental" United States in the centerpiece. 14497 feet.

The footing is dismal more or less sand, the elevation is tough, and the prospect of climbing from 4500 to 6700 feet in the first 3 miles seem daunting, but it is so amazingly beautiful, why would I complain?

Continue reading "Fabulous wekend Wild Wild West in the Eastern Sierras" »

Reading a book of short stories about Nepal today I had a hard time imagining actually being there. Somehow it seems so far away but I know it is going to creep up on me soon.
I just wonder how it will be compared to hiking in Africa.

Everything worked out geat. The appetizers shrimp, smoked Salmon and the Cheese platter went well with the 6 bottles of Champagne. (not really champagne, as I am an Italianophile it was Giacosa Brut spumante 100% Pinot Noir 2003) It was at Taix downtown which has been open for 95 years! We had the small "wineroom" which seemed appropriate. Next was Salad, then their Famous splitpea soup. then the Entree New York Steak or Salmon with a few Veggies eating Pasta. Excellent. Everyone seemed to get along and had a good time.

Just a little headache the next day but I met the runners for Breakfast at the Firehouse.

Soon another update on my fundraising and less than 2 weeks to the Wild Wild West 50k

Every once In a while I like to remind everyone that the purpose of this blog is to raise money for the http://www.himalayan-foundation.org

My current total raised is 2450 dollars. I hope to raise 5000.

If you do donate please put Rainey christmas trek in the info for AHF line, thanks!

after the Old Goat 50k I had a SLIGHT soreness in my upper calf lower right Hamstring. I felt fine Wednesday But apparently not fine enough to push the pace on my wednesday run.

It's now a moderate ouch, STUPID!!! I am going to take it easy today and tommorow and run easy Sat for my 50th B day followed by my favorite chocolate cake.

Hello folks, Wow I'm lucky to have made it through the race! For starters it was Hot, I mean really hot, I have no idea what the thermometer said. But I'm sure over 90 f. It makes it hard when you have climbed up over 4000 feet in the first loop and you are looking forward to another few thousand in the 2nd loop!

My strategy? Walk 100-200 feet break and repeat.Will the hills never end? finally I spied the aid station at 25 miles. I plopped down and said "I think I'm dropping,can I have a Coke? After a few Cokes (caffeine and sugar) I felt better. Then some pretzels and oranges.

I had plenty of water maybe even too much water. The bad mistake was I didn't have enough salt. This can be dangerous. Hyponatremia can kill you. Electrolytes make the world go around when it comes to body chemistry. Bottom line I felt better and thought- well I can walk the rest and still finish. Ok so I got up and walked, I even ran a bit, that is until the final insult, another hill. In another 45 minutes I reached the next aid.

10 minutes at the next aid station, coke,oranges, banana and I walked all the way to the finish.
It was a very slow time 9hrs and 50 minutes, 2 hours slower than my time the year before!. But I made it through the whole 31 miles!

This was also my 31st Ultra of my "career". Next weekend my birthday (50!) I am going to do a slow 6 miles and eat cake then Party with some friends for dinner and Sunday I am going to meet the running club for......... breakfast.

3 weeks until my next race the Wild Wild West 50K in the beautiful Eastern Sierras.
The race goes through the Alabama hills, where many a western Movie and car commercial has been shot. (Picture a macho truck driving through the desert with impressive mountains in the background thats it)