Dream Fulfilled at the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs

Gysel Parajon(MM8995)– It has been a dream of mine since I started running races to run a 50-miler and this last weekend I did!!

I started the race on Saturday with stomach and gut problems on top of having my period but I promised myself I would see where my body could take me. I vomited before the race, which made me feel better and climbed to the first and second aid stations up 4,200 ft to the highest point on the course. I couldn’t eat so I drank water, electrolytes, soda, and pickle juice and continued on running whenever possible and hiking the rest of the way.

While on the course I met some amazing runners and had the pleasure of sharing miles with them. @run_san_run and I were having similar stomach problems and ran together for about 12 miles. It was really great to run with her. I had finally been able to eat some rice and chicken broth at the Tunnel Creek A/S but she could only drink fluids and still kept going and kept me on my toes! I don’t I could have been able to run as well without her! Thank you!! At Diamond Peak we parted ways, I took a long break, and then began the grueling climb up the resort with another runner, Simi, and her pacer. We ran together to the next two aid stations until she realized she couldn’t go on. I kept going and ran in the dark.

I had initially been scared to run overnight but there were so many 100-mile runners on the course at this point that I felt ok. It wasn’t until after leaving the second to last aid station, Hobart, that I was alone for the next few hours. This next section contains the switchbacks I hate, the same ones that killed me last year on the 55k course. But I finally made it to the last aid station. They said they were waiting for me as I was the last 56-miler. It was a little after 5am and they asked me if I wanted to sleep. I had been ready to drop at this point, with my legs aching, my feet and pinky toes now blistered up so this sounded good. I woke up, had my feet tended to, and I continued on to finish the next 7.5 miles. I became emotional as I got closer to the finish and then cried when my good friend and running partner @dirtandtears surprised me at the finish line!!

Total miles = 59.2 in 28:23:35.

Of course Instagram has a word limit but I also wanted to thank my fellow runners, the amazing and wonderful volunteers, the RD, George for putting on a great event, my friends and family, and especially my son.