Badwater, stories and a little karma

It’s not about how to achieve your dreams. It’s about how to lead your life.
If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself.
The dreams will come to you.
- Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

Life is funny, twists and turns, up and downs. There are points in our life where we catch ourselves  headed for rock bottom.  By grace, we can hopefully  bounce back up from the bottom and be stronger for it. I was reminded recently that life is about choices. We own our choices. That does not mean we will always make the right choice (who determines right or wrong anyway),  but we are making OUR choices. Life is not about living in a" story" or what someone else envisions as your "story".  Living IS the story. It is dynamic. My story is one of love and dedication to the things important in my life. My dedication is in my relationships, first to my nuclear family and then to my extended ultrafamily. I have not always succeeded in every choice I have made but, I am learning to grow from my own defeats and keep standing taller as a result.

The other day I was honored to once again be invited back to the desert this July to compete in the Badwater Ultramarathon. This is considered to be the world's toughest footrace. Having crewed the race in 2010 for my brother Tony Portera , and run the race in 2011, I can attest that if it is not the toughest race on the planet, it is pretty darn close. The sheer level of camaraderie, pain, suffering and joy is like nothing I have ever witnessed. Few things can truly strip you down to your core and this is one of those things.

Stripped to the core....

For me and my family this is far more than a race. It is a family reunion in every sense of the word. I mean, who really wants  to hang out mid July in Death Valley, with temps at a cool 125, and run 135miles for vacation. Heck, I love Death Valley so much I am going there to train in June. Better yet, this year my soon to be 11yo, Carson, gets to celebrate her birthday in Death Valley….. and she is excited about it. Maybe that's a problem but I'm ok with it :)

My little me Carson

The bonds that Erin and I have created in the ultracommunity have defined our life in ways that we  never imagined. One of the things I love so very much is the strong common thread people possess. One of perseverance, giving and pure sincerity. Yep that's it in a nutshell. You never have to wonder about mind games, ulterior motives or negative chatter from anyone. Badwater champions never put themselves on a pedestal and get the same buckle everyone else does, no prize money just pride.  Our normal life society could learn a lesson or two here. There is no doubt most of those people would go to the end of the earth to help me and my family. To be honest, some have.  In turn, they all know I would do the same for them. It's about commitment, once you commit in life you owe it to yourself and everyone around to do the best to carry that through within reason of course.

Gulp, where it all hits home.....

E, myself and Badwater Ben

This year we are coming to the desert with  guns a blazing. Erin and my good buddy Ray Zahab will be running the show. Having one of the world's greatest desert racers and most amazing people on your team is a priceless honor. You can never predict what will happen out there and for that you must bow to the Death Valley gods and hope they grace you race-day.

Gatineau Park with Ray Zahab

Let the preparation begin, I will do my part for sure, hopefully karma will take care of itself !!!