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May 2, 2004
TREK Through the Mountains

Fernando Braz makes his way through the Sierra Navadas See more photos in our gallery

Lake Tahoe - One hundred seventy miles.  Temperatures in excess of one hundred degrees.  Ascents exceeding eight thousand feet.  Big numbers for team TREK USA to assume on day 2.

Roll call this morning was at 5:45 AM which meant that most of us got less sleep than we would have liked.  But the numbers that we had to post for the day required the push.  The goal was for the two groups to complete our miles and meet at the hotel by 7:00 PM.  To complete the running and driving in time would require us to use an accelerated format.  The game plan was that each of our two teams would simultaneously have two runners picking up miles.  Effectively, the time requirements could be reduced by 25% allowing us to finish at a reasonable hour.  Group 1, the "Trekers" would be responsible for handling the first 85 miles, while group 2, the "Harriers" would drive out to the half way point to begin their 85 miles.

The Trekers enjoyed a relatively flat course for most of their assignment.  From Walnut Creek, the run took them across the bridge into Sacremento.  From there we ran through the farm country of the San Joaquin valley.  Vineyards, fruit trees, and strawberry bushes mark this beautiful portion of our country.  We then approached Jackson, the gateway to the Sierra Nevada mountain range.  In short order, the team went from sea level to 2,000+ feet.  The real challenge for the runners, however, was the heat.  The morning chill quickly evaporated as the sun rose.  Temperatures reached into the triple digits, and shade was a rare commodity.  The support crew had their hands full keeping the runners safely hydrated as road temperatures exceeded 120 degrees.

In the meantime, the Harriers were treated to some of the most breathtaking scenery imaginable as they ascended the Sierra Nevadas. Around each bend vistas of extraordinary beauty greeted them.  As the altitude increased, the temperatures moderated and ultimately dropped to below 60 degrees.  Though temperatures a mere 60 miles back were in the 100+ degree range, our Harriers ran through snow covered peaks.  It was an amazing day of contrasts.  Though the Harriers were able to avoid the rigors of the heat, their price to pay was a route that was predominately uphill. 

Despite the extremes, we completed the run and arrived at our hotel in South Lake Taos at precisely 7:00PM.  There were no injuries, we all continue to have smiles on our faces, and we have shed a few pounds.  Looking at tomorrow's assignment has us thinking that more body fat may melt away.  We met at 5:45 for our pre-run meeting, and then it's out the door by 6:30.  Our assignment is 165 miles.  We will leave the beautiful state of California and enter the great state of Nevada, known of course, for it's desert conditions.  Water consumption will be the key to successfully navigating the desert heat.  This will be an even greater test of our conditioning than today's challenge.  But...."it's a dry heat"!