• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Run
    • Racing Gnome Snowshoe Race
    • Castle Peak 100k
    • Race Discounts
    • Group Runs
    • Code of Conduct
  • Join
    • Membership Cost & Benefits
    • Join Now
  • Volunteer
    • Aid Stations
    • Trail Stewardship
  • About
    • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
  • Calendar
  • Store
  • Donate

Donner Party Mountain Runners

Inform Inspire Connect

  • Member Highlights
  • Race Reports
  • Newsletter

Bishop High Sierra 50-miler

May 21, 2014 by Paul Sweeney 1 Comment

When the Bishop High Sierra Endurance Runs came under new management this year I thought, “Thank God!”  The rumors last year were that it may cease to exist. This race is a gem and losing it would be a tragedy for both the ultra community and the local community the race benefits.

My next thought was, “How much will it change?” Human nature is to resist change, but at the same time change is inevitable an constant. To survive we step out of our comfort zone and adapt. Having participated in and volunteered at Inside Trail events, I felt the trasition would be OK.

What I didn’t plan on was a sudden and complete melt-down with ten miles to go in my race. But there I was; unable to move; lying in the sage brush waiting for my mojo to return… stuck with my nausea, cramps, several dozen ants and very little shade. My get-up-n-go was long gone and far far away.

Bishop-High-Sierra-50mAs a pick-up truck came by, I assumed it might stop just to see if I was still breathing. Instead, it just lingered. The driver shut-off the engine and introduced himself. I did my best to convince Tom that I just needed a little rest and would be OK. Tom was friendly. I wasn’t feeling chatty. I learned he lived nearby, and liked to fish. He wasn’t much of a runner, but one year competed in the 20-mile fun run here in Bishop.

He inquired about my thick foamy-soled shoes. Said he preferred a minimalist shoe after reading “Born To Run.” They helped prevent injuries. Eventually he started the engine and moved on, but not before taking my photo and re-teaching himself how to send it from his device to mine.

Later on when I reached the next aid station, there was Tom! His daughter was working the aid station. I needed to sit. Another runner was there – a 70+ year-old man who, despite being mis-directed from his race course, seemed in good spirits and health (much better than me.) I was envious. His prospect of earning an age group award faded due to the detour.

There was another hept-geaman 1-1/2 hrs ahead. Awards at the BHS ultras are beautiful hand-crafted ceramic mugs and photos depicting the natural beauty of this area. They are much coveted. I got the sense there was no bitterness or blame with this runner. Shit happens. Tom’s daughter apologized to him. Not because it was her fault, but because she really cared about his race experience diminished by a volunteer’s honest mistake.

I think he was a glass 1/2 full kinda guy, just happy to be here. Besides, the misguiding volunteer was a old family friend, so “holding a grudge was not and option.” Before leaving he mentioned that he was really looking forward to a popsicle at the next aid station. It reminded of popsicles from past years.

With that thought, I convinced myself that a popsicle was exactly what I needed to start feeling good again. As I got closer, my obsession grew. I decided to have orange or maybe purple. I remembered last year I didn’t take one, but the runner ahead of me chose green (not my favorite.) That cool, sweet, hydrating treat along with gravity allowed her to cruise the final 3.7 miles to a first-place finish in the 50-miler last year.

Upon arrival at that aid station, I learned there were no popsicles!! Not this year. Sorry. 🙁 My disappointment turned to sympathy and sadness for the older guy who had yet to hear the news.

I finished the race. I hope he did, but don’t know. Making my way to the finish at a glacial pace, I wondered if the absent popsicles symbolized change and the need to adapt… Or, does it provide an opportunity to affect change, to be a more active member of this ultra community, to make my voice heard. I do’t know. I do know that if no popsicle is my biggest complaint, then the regime change went pretty well. I hope all involved would agree.

This race is well-done and special. Thanks to Marie (former RD) and Tim (new RD) for your efforts congratulations to the winners, record breakers, PR setters and all finishers.

P.S. It was especially heartening to see Marie Boyd cheerfully wander through the finish campground, meeting with runners early Sunday morning – ater being on the course ’till just before dawn. She was pulling ribbons from the final course section. Despite her new title of RD Emeritus, the passion remains.

~Paul Sweeney

Filed Under: Race Reports

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tim Stahler says

    May 22, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    I promise to rectify the Popsicle situation next year! We had a couple new aid station crews this year, and I didn’t know what the “classic” item was at each station. Sounds like a lot of folks could have used, and missed those Popsicles 🙂 Thanks for coming down for the race and for the great race report. Always great to see you. -Tim

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Tim Stahler Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Become a Member Today »
Watch: Tahoe Rim Trail FKT Chat with Adam & Helen

Connect in Person

Apr
24
Sat
all-day DPMR Aid Station at Canyons Endu...
DPMR Aid Station at Canyons Endu...
Apr 24 all-day
Join the (Donner) Party on the storied Western States trail in support of all our friends running the Canyons Endurance Run at the Cal 2 aid station! (38.9739, -120.8602) We will need help with the[...]
May
31
Mon
8:30 am DPMR 2021 Memorial Day Picnic @ Prosser Ranch Group Campground
DPMR 2021 Memorial Day Picnic @ Prosser Ranch Group Campground
May 31 @ 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
DPMR 2021 Memorial Day Picnic @ Prosser Ranch Group Campground
Mark your calendars for the DPMR 6th ANNUAL FREE ANNUAL PICNIC AND GROUP RUNS!! We are hopeful that we can come together this year. Details to follow… 
Jun
19
Sat
all-day DPMR Aid Station at Broken Arrow... @ Squaw Valley, CA
DPMR Aid Station at Broken Arrow... @ Squaw Valley, CA
Jun 19 – Jun 20 all-day
Ride the Squaw Valley tram to High Camp and witness the epic persistence at the Broken Arrow races. Your Donner Party Mountain Runner friends need a hand all weekend long. Sign up to help at[...]
Jul
17
Sat
all-day DPMR Aid Station at TRT Enduranc... @ Diamond Peak Ski Resort
DPMR Aid Station at TRT Enduranc... @ Diamond Peak Ski Resort
Jul 17 – Jul 18 all-day
DPMR Aid Station at TRT Endurance Runs @ Diamond Peak Ski Resort
DPMR will be at the Diamond Peak aid station for the TRT Endurance Events run again in 2021. Volunteer for our aid station: https://donnerpartymountainrunners.com/aid-stations/
View Calendar
Add
  • Add to Timely Calendar
  • Add to Google
  • Add to Outlook
  • Add to Apple Calendar
  • Add to other calendar
  • Export to XML

Connect Online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

See us on Instagram

dpmrunners

Thank you First Responders and Medical Professiona Thank you First Responders and Medical Professionals for keeping us safe in the midst of the #coronavirus pandemic. ❤️ 🙏😷 You may recognize some of these amazing faces from the trails, or from volunteering or running races... but for now they are at work, making sacrifices every day so that we can stay safe and healthy at home. Let’s do our part to show them we care, and help keep THEM safe at work while we  #flattenthecurve 🏠#healthcareheroes #firstresponders #donnerpartymountainrunners #unsungheroes #covid19 #frontline
March Newsletter is live! Click on the link in our March Newsletter is live! Click on the link in our Bio. Featuring: Racing Gnome Recap, DPMR’s 2020 Vision, a Highlight on @krenkimble , @lukegartenwastaken Squaw to Donner- winter run, Intermittent Fasting by @tiffanysageswan , TDLT Trail Ops Report and more!
The snow is perfect for running and the February n The snow is perfect for running and the February newsletter is live! Link in bio and here:
 http://bit.ly/dpmrfeb #donnerpartymountainrunners
Happy Friday! Scene from the Truckee River bike pa Happy Friday! Scene from the Truckee River bike path between Tahoe City and Alpine Meadows this morning. There are so many winter-friendly trails to choose from in our area. Where are you running this weekend? 🏃🏻‍♀️ 🏃🏻 #basecampforabiglife #visittruckee #donnerpartymountainrunners
Season's greetings from Donner Party Mountain Runn Season's greetings from Donner Party Mountain Runners! #basecampforabiglife #truckeemoments #donnerpartymountainrunners
Registration for the 2020 Castle Peak 100k opens a Registration for the 2020 Castle Peak 100k opens at midnight! All current DPMR members can email runondirt@gmail.com for their 15% discount. Not a member? Join tonight- membership starts at $20/year. #donnerpartymountainrunners #allaltitudenoattitude #castlepeak100k @castlepeak100k
We are thankful for all of you and all of this fin We are thankful for all of you and all of this fine and fluffy white powder! #donnerpartymountainrunners #snowshoeseason #getoutside #basecampforabiglife #visittruckee
Swinging into the weekend like... 👌 #friYAY #tr Swinging into the weekend like... 👌 #friYAY #truckeeswingersclub 👉 Best of luck to all our friends running the North Face Endurance Runs tomorrow! #getsome 🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️💃🕺🏽🎉
Great way to celebrate another season of friendshi Great way to celebrate another season of friendship and fun on the trails 🎉🍻❤️ Special thanks to Tahoe Mountain Sports and On Running for sponsoring our season-ending party again!
Good luck to our own @danbrounstein at the @nycmar Good luck to our own @danbrounstein at the @nycmarathon tomorrow! #tscnycmarathon #donnerpartymountainrunners
Sunset run tonight on Judah... who’s coming to o Sunset run tonight on Judah... who’s coming to our member appreciation party on Sunday? 🎉 group runs begin at 3:30- arrive a little early to demo some @on_running shoes from @tahoemountainsports  party at 5 at the @donnerskiranch #donnerpartymountainrunners #truckee #basecampforabiglife #sunsetrun
A few members of the class of 2019 Lake to Lake P A few  members of the class of 2019 Lake to Lake Pub Run #unafraid #frozen
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Footer

Run with Us

  • Group Runs
  • Code of Conduct

Race with Us

  • Racing Gnome Snowshoe Race
  • Castle Peak 100k
  • Discount Codes

Join Us

  • Membership Cost & Benefits
  • Join Now
  • DPMR Gear
  • Donate

About Us

  • About Us
  • Volunteer
  • Board
  • Contact Us

Login

Contributors, please click here to login.

© 2021 · Donner Party Mountain Runners · Truckee, California · Website by Tahoe Web Works