OUTDOORS: Carson runner prepares for 100 miles of agony

For the last 10 months Tom Wion has been training for the run of his life.

Although he's worked hard, sometimes running 30 miles a day back to back, he's still nervous going into his first 100-mile race.

"With a race of this distance, I don't know if you're ever fully ready," he said. "Physically, my heart can do it. Can my mind and body do it? Hopefully the mind is stronger than the body."

Wion will be among about 400 runners to compete in the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Run, which begins at Spooner Lake State Park, on July 18-19.

The race, in its eighth year, will serve as the national championships for the USA Track & Field 100-mile trail race. It is also the championship-determining run in the 100-mile trail and in the 50K and 50-mile races for the Road Runners Club of America Nevada.

This is the first year since the race began that Carson City's George Ruiz won't be competing. He is sitting out this year to act as the assistant race director to David Cotter.

"It's a great race," he said. "Our course is interesting terrain. It's not as technical as other races, but it mainly takes place high up on the Tahoe Rim Trail above 8,000 feet. Altitude sickness takes out a lot of people on this race."

Having completed 14 100-mile races, Ruiz knows some of what Wion can expect along the way.

"I like to say no one completes 100 miles by accident."

He said there comes a time, usually around 75-85 miles, that the body gives out and the mind has to take over.

"You have to decide if you want to stop and end the pain and agony or continue on to the finish."

Wion, store manager for Fleet Feet Carson City, has done his best to prepare for that moment. He has friends, family and customers who are volunteering at aid stations spread about every four miles along the way.

His brother-in-law, Kevin Bigley, owner of Ascent Physical Therapy and one of the original directors of the race, will run the last 40 miles with Wion.

"It's really going to be good for the soul," he said.

Taking care of the body, however, may prove a bit more difficult.

Wion said he will try to consume about 10,000-12,000 calories during the run - a week's worth of food for the average person.

In addition to the aid stations, he'll carry gels, caffeine drinks, ham sandwiches, electrolyte pills.

"You just eat whatever you can whenever you can," he said. "Inevitably, your stomach flips upside down at some point, and you won't be able to eat any more."

Wion, the son of track and cross country coaches, says running is in his blood. Although he was a distance runner in high school, it wasn't until he ran a marathon in college that he really fell in love with the sport.

"I'd run the cross country races and just be warmed up," he said.

He's since gone on to run 50-mile, 50K and 100K distances.

"It's a recreation sport for me," he said. "I just take things to the extreme sometimes."

And if his reaction to this race is anything like Ruiz's, it may not be his last 100-mile distance.

"I don't know what's so addicting about running 100 miles," Ruiz said. "You go through so many mental and physical challenges throughout the hundred miles. It's like living a lifetime in a day, and you survive it.

"It makes you want to do it again."

You Can Help

Volunteer for the Tahoe Rim Trail 50K/50 mile/100 mile Endurance Run on July 18-19, and be part of 1,000-plus runners, volunteers, friends and family on race weekend at Spooner State Park.

What can you do?

• Shuttle the first-place runner back to their hotel.

• Time/clock the winners as they cross the finish line.

• Hand out food and supplies at aide stations.

Contact Renee Gorevin at rgorevin@yahoo.com or (530) 318-0516 to volunteer.

On the Net

For more information about the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Run, go to sagebrushstompers.org/trt50/index.html.

For more information about the sponsoring running clubs, the Tahoe Mountain Milers and the Sagebrush Stompers, go to tahoemountainmilers.org or sagebrushstompers.org.