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Badwater Clinic - May 2001

Click here to see the pictures.

Well, visit number 2 is now behind me. It's odd, but I go out to these events knowing that it's going to be hard physically, expecting not to feel good, most likely throwing up at some point during the day, but I still go. I think the question I'm most frequently asked about the race is a simple one: "Why?" Having been asked so many times, I've formulated a somewhat satisfactory answer (although it still doesn't quite encompass everything).

  • First, there's the sense of adventure. Not so much in the sense of exploration of unknown terrain, but the exploration of different parts of an inner landscape, of your own limits. I think pushing through a tough outer terrain forces you to also go to new places within. The outer journey is reflected in the inner one.
  • Second, there's the obvious sense of accomplishment. I know I have gained a very clear sense of my own capabilities doing the longer ultra events. It's very gratifying to have truly pushed to what you believe is 100% of your capabilities and then find out you can push a little more. The well is always deeper than you think.
  • Third, and perhaps most gratifying of the three, is the sense of camaraderie that develops around these type of events. I looked up the definition just for fun, and it read "the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability." Being involved in these events means being around people that have experienced the adventure and accomplishment that I mentioned above. You develop a kind of shorthand for communicating ideas and common experiences, and can share a lot with the mention of a race and a shake of the head or a laugh. Simply put, my friends are out there, and we take turns helping each other in a very altruistic spirit.

    Well, enough philosophy. A little about the weekend. Mark Gilmour and Mark & Patty Giebel went out with me this weekend. We were to repeat the runs we did in the first clinic, trying for maximum exposure to the heat. We arrived late Friday, then shot out Saturday morning to the start from Badwater. The plan was to slow down a little more and try to get a little further than last time.

    Saturday was a real scorcher. The crew was great! We really got down a good rhythm after a while on the stops. All three of my crew were also runners, so they paced me most of the day. Mark and Mark were both getting worked from the heat, but Patty seemed impervious! We were ready to sign her up for the event this year. She never seemed to wilt at all on either day. It got up to 128F on Saturday. I made it this time to mile 33 pretty much in good shape, but just as last time, got hit very quickly with dizziness and stomach problems; I needed to lay down and throw up (not necessarily in that order). I did both, with the ground too hot to even put my legs on. I sat on the side of the road, leaned back and tried to recover a bit, but while my stomach was better after being emptied, the heat was simply overpowering and I couldn't clear my head. At that point it was roughly 4pm, still close to the hottest part of the day. I was east of a dry lake bed, with strong winds whipping against me (painful as they hit exposed skin). Patty's earrings were painfully hot to the touch! We decided to call it a little past 33, and went back to jump in the pool. I felt good in an hour, so I know if I need to, I can always head to a hotel, cool down, then continue.

    Sunday again went much better. Climbed halfway up Towne's pass again, but decided to turn at Ben Jones' suggestion and head back out into the hot parts of the course, past a large sand dune area and a section called the Devil's Cornfield. Switched back to Gatorade & water the 2nd day, took some more normal food (turkey sandwiches & bbq potato chips), and seemed to fare much better. Hit the store back at Stovepipe at mile 18, where we ducked in and cooled off, then continued on for the last 6 miles back into the heat. Max'd out at 124F on Sunday. Called it at 24 miles, then back for a dip again in the pool.

    Mark and Patty were so psyched up that they asked if they could come out and join my crew for the real event. That'll be great, I think I'm going to have a lot of friendly pacers pushing me along! I can't wait!

    All in all a good weekend. I feel like I'm peaking very well, and was happy to get 7 miles (or so) further without puking, given the temperatures were 11 degrees hotter. I've recovered pretty well (today is the 4th of July) and with my last hard week of training almost over, I'm really anxious to get going!!!