Blog : TPU2018 Racer Profiles

Demetrio Fernandez

Hometown: Versailles, France

Age: 55

Occupation: Fireman

Children: two, ages 20 and 23

Running clubs: no, he is a solo act

Other ultramarathons: four-time finisher of Marathon des Sables, four-time finisher of UTMB, Grand2Grand… to name just a few. Deme is a warrior-athlete, a conqueror. He once ran a 9-day, 300-mile ultramarathon through the Australian outback.

Goals for TPU: Deme travels to destination races with his friend Stephane. They prefer events to make the international travel worthwhile. Like Stephane, he is looking forward to exploring this strange and wonderful area known as Texas.

Deme doesn’t speak English comfortably, but we hope the extraordinary friendliness of the tribe will ease any language barriers.

Bonne chance, Deme!

 

Stephane Lorre

Hometown: living in Washington, D.C and originally from Paris

Age: on the cusp of 48

Occupation: Import wine manager for European embassies in Washington

Children: three, ages 12, 9 and 6

Other ultramarathons: many, including other multi-day stage races like Marathon des Sables and Grand2Grand

Goals for TPU: Enjoy the experience of travel to someplace “exotic” like west Texas and participate in an event with a smallish, intimate feel of community. Stephane and fellow runner Demetrio try to do at least one long race together each year.

The two have been friends for 12 years. Stephane’s wife had been a world-ranked pentathlete, and he wanted to get a taste of her world of elite sports. She didn’t care to re-enter pentathlon, but agreed to do the multi-day Marathon des Sables. She recruited a friend from that world to run with them, and that was the beginning of a long, running friendship between Stephane and Deme.

Oskar Nisimblat

Hometown: Bastrop, Texas

Age: 47

Marital status: Single

Children: Two, Jack (18) and William (16)

Occupation: Attorney

Member of any running clubs or groups: Sole Member of the to-be-formed Blissful Clydesdale group.

Other ultras you’ve done: Other than Michelob?… 1^st one. Jumping both feet into the deep end, I guess. Luckily I’ve trained with and am bringing an experienced Sherpa to guide my way.

Favorite race so far: Having four siblings, I’d say racing to the kitchen for dinner. The most fun and memorable, would be GoRuck Green Beret Event. The cause, the participants and overall vibe was second to none.

The Why? My brother opened up his world of endurance athletics events and invited me in. He’s an Ironman many times over, has more medals, shirts, stickers and other memorabilia than most. He invited me into his “Adventure Over Comfort” life. He has given me an opportunity grow physically and emotionally. I hope to make him proud and learn a little about myself along the way.

This is also a great opportunity to take part in the great human experiment. Where people from different places and backgrounds tackle a common goal and forever create a shared experience. To witness the indomitable human spirit. To answer the question: Can you go one more step? Figuring it out, surrounded by strangers in the desert, what could go wrong… ?

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Giancarlo Nisimblat

Hometown: Alice, Texas

Age: See hints below.

Marital status: Over 2 decades but whose counting?

Children? Yup

How many? Enough

Occupation? Undecided.

Member of any running clubs or groups? No, but I recently received an invitation to join AARP.

Other ultras you’ve done: I did a 208+ mile solo bike ride around Alpine last year named after a book by my favorite author, Cormac McCarthy. I’ve done a handful of long distance triathlons and recently chased Rickey Gates, not the convicted felon, but rather the accomplished trail runner, up and down some mountains. I did not catch him.

Favorite race so far, and why: Any race I am about to do. As an Olympic coach once said: “Nothing changes about you as an athlete when you train. Racing is an opportunity to step-up, to express yourself, to be better, go further.”

How did you first hear about TPU? Smallish ad in Trail Runner magazine earlier this year. I thought it was swingers ad at first, but the entry fee dispelled that rather quickly. Figured how cool is that - a local, multi-stage race with glowing tents. Plus West Texas in the fall can be quite nice… or hell depending on your perspective.

Have you been to Big Bend Ranch before? First time visitor, long time interested.

What are you most looking forward to? Meeting the fellow participants, race organizer, and race crew. Bonding over shared suffering, as well as spending time with my brother who will be my race sherpa or I am I his? I can’t quite remember.

Do you have a goal for TPU? Several. 1. Have fun. 2. Make each day’s cut off with a smile while basically wearing the same stinky clothes. 3. Avoid triggering the helicopter evacuation rider on my trip insurance policy.

Are you satisfied with the training you’ve done for the event? Heck no, that is part of the adventure, am I right? Plus my brother can always just drag me along by the straps of my pack.

Were you coached? Yup. Did it help? Too soon to tell.

Have you got all your gear? Yes, and then some. I am totally packing my fears and candy. And potato chips.

What has been the most helpful thing for your preparation? Fear. Kidding aside, Youtube and thinking of ultra lightweight hacks you can find at Buc-ee’s, Wal Mart and Target. I have left an algorithmic shopping trail on Amazon that signals that I am preparing for the zombie invasion and setting up a minor emergency center stocked with really cool running gear.

Do you know anyone else who has done or will be doing TPU? Adam Harmon. Dude is a total rock star at Raid Light. Adam has been very generous with suggestions and advice on the race and gear. Probably helps that he holds the course record over the 6 day event (35 hours, 17 minutes.) Also, my brother; I hope he forgives me for getting him into this adventure.

Anything else you’d like to add? Hats off to Chris and the race crew for putting on this event. Pretty unique to have a multi-stage race in the United States, and even better that it is in Texas. Good luck and a safe travels to all my fellow participants.

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Rani Freeman

A highly experienced athlete, Rani is returning to her favorite place on earth to test herself.

Hometown: I have lived in Dallas for more than 30 years and call it “home”

Age: 58

Marital status: Happily Married

Children? One furry girl with four legs

Occupation: Surgical Technician; assistant to orthopedic surgeon for 31 years

Member of any running clubs or groups? No running clubs, but several cycling clubs and circle of hiking friends.

Other ultras you’ve done: Runner for 30 years(stopped running 2 years ago), 10 years of ultra marathon cycling. Multiple triathlon events including 2 full Ironman events.

Favorite race so far: Paris-Best-Paris ultra cycling event. Loved the interaction with people from all over the world.

How did you first hear about TPU? Found on the internet Dec 2017.

Have you been to Big Bend Ranch before? Yes. I have hiked, mountain biked and road biked in this area. Favorite place on earth!

What are you most looking forward to? Solitude in the desert and meeting new people.

Do you have a goal for TPU? Finish with a smile on my face and a few new friends.

Are you satisfied with the training you’ve done for the event? Yes

Were you coached? No

Have you got all your gear? Yes

What has been the most helpful thing for your preparation? My love of organizing and planning.

Do you know anyone else who has done or will be doing TPU? No

Anything else you’d like to add? I am looking forward to meeting everyone and once again testing my endurance.

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