Pt Mugu 50km - Topher 3rd & Kim 1st in the 30km

We have been hitting the running trails hard since we have moved to Santa Monica. This weekend we drove 45 minutes north up the coast past Mailbu to the Pt Mugu State Park for a trail race. Topher ran the 50km race and I ran the 30km race. It was a beautiful course with some good ups and downs while we enjoyed amazing coastal and ocean views along the way.

After just winning the trail marathon on Catalina the weekend before Topher ran a good race to finish 3rd overall in 4:29. His run had about 5,500 feet of climbing so not a flat run at all.

My 30km race had about 3,400 feet of up and down. I was happy to run it in 2:52 to break the women's course record and finish 4th overall. Wow..I am becoming quite the runner. All I know is trying to keep up with Topher so i guess that helps.

We are off to Orcas Island for Thanksgiving with family and some final training on Mt Constitution before The North Face Endurance Challenge run in San Francisco. Topher will be running the 50 miler an i will do the 50km.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Kim and Topher

Oh today is a little chilly here in Santa Monica....maybe in the 60's...i had to put on a fleece. I also heard there is rain in the forecast. We need it.

Catalina Epic! Topher Wins, Kim 5th woman!

An epic tour of Catalina Island with perfect sunshine and 100degree F temps, and 3600 ft of climbing proved a challenging combo. Competition was fierce at the head of the course with our friend Nicolas Mermoud, from Chamonix France, and Topher running from the front all day. A German runner living in Rodondo Beach was lurking all day just off the pace of the front duo and finished 3rd.

The event was hosted by our dear friend, Dean Karnazes and the event had a special screening of his movie running 50/50/50, the first time we had seen the movie and it provided massive inspiration for the race today for all!

Headed out to the beach to relax and soak in the nice Indian Summer and a nice Dinner tonight with the entire Karno Family.

Best from the California Gaylords!

Kim and Topher

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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


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