Indian Summer!

After 8 years living in Europe, we had forgotten the joys of Indian Summer in California. Since we have arrived, every day has been perfect weather with lots of sunshine and great temperatures at the beach. We have explored the trails of the Santa Monica Mountains. The warm off-shore Santa Ana winds have been blowing, creating some truly amazing days, some fires, tremendous sunsets, and one very scary encounter with a big rattle snake!



We are finding adventure in every aspect of living as we "repatriate" into American culture. We find curiosity in the basic tasks of shopping for food and enjoy the tremendous variety available to consumers, the 24/7 rhythm of life, entertainment, sports, building new friendships, establishing new business contacts & networks, and all the different "characters" that make America a diverse and stimulating society.



We have a great Fall/Winter race schedule and are looking forward to running the Catalina Eco-Marathon next weekend on Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California. Our friend Dean Karnazes is hosting the Marathon and the event will be screening his movie of running 50 marathons in 50 US states in 50 days. We are looking forward to enjoying the weekend with the entire Karno Family. Come join us next weekend and catch the energy of this super event!

Life Changes!

Sometimes the best way to expand the mind, learn, stay flexible, adaptable, keep a youthful spirit, and grow is to turn your life upside down and reinvent yourself. Well, we are taking this concept to its fullest. If you are not already aware, after 8 wonderful years living in Europe and Italy, we have returned to California and the "new world". A new opportunity for Topher professionally and a new opportunity for both of us personally. We have relocated to Santa Monica, California and we are temporarily living on the beach with fantastic Pacific Ocean views, great urban culture, superb running and outdoor active lifestyle surroundings. New adventures await in this progressive West Coast environment.

Look for news updates to follow!

UTMB Live info and Anti Doping

Here are the steps to follow the live website:

http://www.ultratrailmb.com/

click LIVE

click Fiche Courere

click Dossar - and put 24 (this is tophers number) and will give you his progress. Look at the profile on the top to see where he is.

ALSO to see head of the race:

click LIVE


Click Tete de Course and then highlight Tour Du Mt Balnc - this will list the top 10 runners
We hope for that towards the end and ideally not at the beginning. Better to start slow and finish strong.

I will send updates along the way on the blog so check back.

Toph is resting now after a press conference with 100 members of press from all over the world. This event is huge in all aspects! Just like the tour de France!

Oh and Topher was chosen for anti doping control so they took a blood sample yesterday. 20 top runners were chosen to be tested. No problems (as far as we know). Some even had to do a hair and urine samples but Topher just did blood. Wild huh! Scott Jurek and Nikki Kimball were also tested (fellow Americans running the race).

4 hours until the start,
Kim

The Morning of the Big Race!

A team breakfast against the amazing views of the Mt Blanc. Simone Moro and his wife Barbara will be helping with Topher's support. Also family will be supporting along the way.

Laura, Colin and Lisa are headed out to do the first 8kms of the race course. Laura also did the last hill of the race the beginning of the week so she is really getting a taste of the course.

Beautiful day here!

Kim

UTMB starts Friday 6:30pm in Chamonix - GO Topher!

The Ultra Trail Tour du Mt Blanc run starts friday 6:30pm local time from the center of chamonix. This year the race is 165kms (104 miles) with 9400 meters (30,OOO feet) of up and down. It is the 6th edition and the hardest course yet. The race starts in france and goes to italy, to switzerland then back into france following around the Mt Blanc (the highest mtn in europe) There are 2,500 runners and it is the best and most competitive field of racers ever! There are 50 nations represented. The front of the race will be full of excitement for the men and women. The weather looks great so that is good for everyone - the runners, the organisation and the supports.

I will post updates as I see topher along the way and tell stories of the race at:

www.tophergaylord.blogspot.com

Also follow along on the race website for the LIVE instant timing updates at:

www.ultratrailmb.com

Click LIVE
Then click for timing updates for UTMB 165km race

Topher is number 24

The energy and atmosphere here is like nothing we have ever seen. This really is the biggest utra race in the world. It is fun to be a part of the excitement. Topher should have a good run. He is in super mountain running shape and is capable of a great finish. Just hope it is a good day for him and can keep the energy all the way.

We have some family here to help and enjoy this great event. Laura, Colin and Lisa will be out on the course just soaking in the crowds, music and festivities all night and day. So fun adventures for all.

Send strong thoughts to topher as he charges up and down the big hills of this difficult race!

GO TOPHER!

From chamonix,
Kim


Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Gran Trail Valdigne - 87km with 17,000 feet of up/down and rain

Top 3 finishers - Flavio (2nd), Massimo (1st), Topher (3rd)

Wow! What can i say.....this was an epic adventure for sure. "Team Gaylord" had great success with Topher having a great race to finish 3rd in a very strong field of runners and Kim to finish 2nd only 10 minutes behind the 1st women. But most importantly no injuries - Kim has some sore muscles but will work thru it by recovering with pasta, fresh salads and vino.

Let me just list some stats of the run...they are impressive:

Length - 87km = 54mile

Up and down - 5,200 meters = 17,000 feet (a lot...just ask my quads how that felt)

Starters - 425

Finishers - 256 (only 20 women)

Time Limit to complete the race - 25 hours
Weather - rain, warm, cold, thunderstorms, ridge top winds, more rain
Trail conditions - steep, muddy, rocky, technical, wet, slippery
GU energy gel count - Topher ate 12 and I ate 11 (all chocolate...our favorite)

Blisters - 1 on my hand from gripping and pushing on my poles and 1 on my toe
Toe nails lost - only Kim's big toe

Atmosphere - Fantastic

Fun factor - High - We love the beauty of the mountains and the challenge of the trail.

It was the toughest trail race of this distance that we have ever done and most of the competitors would agree. Dura! Hard! That is what everyone was saying while shaking there head like they could not believe what we just completed.....then a smile. We are all crazy but love it!

Results

Men:
1) Tagliaferri Massimo (10.19.26)
2) Gadin Flavio (10.29.08)
3) Gaylord Topher (10.41.52)

Women:
1) Oliveri Virginia (13.11.08)
2) Gaylord Kim (13.20.28) (25th overall)
3) Balsamo Luisa (14.58.16)

What's next?

Well, Topher is back hard at work and I am getting us regrouped and organized at home after all of the travel. Then the end of July we do our annual 3 day training around the Mt Blanc trail to prepare for the UTMB race the end of August. It is always a fun 3 days out on the trail with friends.

Thanks again for all the support and notes from family and friends.

Enjoying the runners high while eating lots!

Kim and Topher

Kim takes 2nd!

Kim endured "the most brutal race of my life"......to finish 2nd place just a mere 10 minutes behind 1st place. She finished with tears in her eyes and a big smile. Some short term damage to assess: blisters to the feet and a big toe nail that will be coming off very soon, but no major issues, so "Team Gaylord" is happy!

Full race report to follow.

Thanks to all for your encouragement!

Topher & Kim

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T