We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot.
- Eleanor Roosevelt
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| My fav sign in the world |
As I sit and reflect on the journey to this years Badwater 135. It sort of hit me right before the race when e said here we go it's been a year in the making . Truth be told it had, as pleased as I was with last years race I spent the last 12 months preparing to come back and somehow better the feat. I knew it was possible and it was. Yes we returned, yes we PB'd and yes I reached a new level of "digging deep". Imagine being less than 1/2 mile from the finish of a 135 mile race and sitting down half a dozen times against anything you could find, bordering on tears and considering crawling for a few seconds because it seemed that far away. It truly was that difficult.
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| Yoga fun on the Saltflats |
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Team Roman
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| Mushroom Rock |
What I realized along this journey; however, was so much more fulfilling.What I learned about myself I already knew there is NO quit, my best strength is clearly not physical but rather mental. What I also learned is how much e and my journey affect those around us. The level of support, friendship and gracious encouragement is something I had not fully appreciated till this weekend. I am honored to serve as an inspiration to those around me but honestly I receive just as much from each and everyone of my friends.
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| Dream the impossible!!!! |
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| 10am Wave |
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| With my girls at the start |
Despite some pre race jitters and a perpetually tight right knee I was cautiously optimistic about the race. In Death Valley you can never be more than that. There were very fast times on the way to Furnace Creek because of low temps but there was slight humidity which caught up to folks. The long slog to Stovepipe Wells is my least favorite part of the race, I battled a bloating stomach but managed to keep pace. The headwinds up Towne Pass were worse than the year before but we made the 18mile climb in great time (4h40m). Then the descent into Panamint followed by the climb up Father Crowley, both went without a hitch. As we worked our way to Darwin the "lean" to the right started and the back problems were only beginning. I held it together as best I could till about Keeler then the run walks became a huge struggle. By the 395 turnoff into Lonepine the running was about over. A left to right camber does not exactly favor a right sided lean. Last year I climbed to the Portals with a bad left groin, little did I know a locked up back would be ten times worse. According to
Alene Nitzky from the Medical team they hesitated as they passed me up the mountain but saw the look on my face and knew everything would be ok, thankfully they were correct as usual. Somehow we actually managed to get up the mountain a few minutes faster than the previous year despite frequent stops and almost passing out after mile 134. The finish was a sweet relief 31h20m and 18th place over an hour faster than the previous year. Given all the issues at the end, ecstatic!!!!!
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| Early toward Furnace Creek |
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| Crew perfection |
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| Climbing Towne Pass |
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| The painful last summit |
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| Support to the finish, love my crew |
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| Best hug ever |
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| Ray Zahab my amazing friend and coach |
The outpouring of support we received before, during and after the race was incredible. On a personal note I am especially happy for the incredible PB's set by Tony Portera and Terry Sentinella, awesome. Prior to the pizza party on Thursday Ray and I sat with Ben Jones for about an hour talking Death Valley. Pretty sure we heard some never before or rarely before heard stories about some of the crazy history of that desert. It is fascinating to listen to Ben as he is such a treasure and one of the people I respect most.
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| Badwater Ben Jones |
I have conquered the worlds toughest foot race twice and am very proud of that. I now have a clearer understanding of what it really means to "be the change" to those around you. At the start I spoke with Dean Karnazes the man who started me on this roller coaster 6 years ago. I thanked him once again for his inspiration, he smiled and said you did this not me. Such a simple truth. We all have those that inspire us but ultimately WE make our own successes. WE fulfil our own dreams and WE make the impossible possible.
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| Dean Karnazes |
Thanks of course to Chris Kostman and all of the amazing race staff and medical volunteers. Thank you Erin for being the rock that supports me as I am the rock that supports you, funny balance that is! Special special thanks to
Tony Portera and
Ray Zahab and all the incredible people that surround them especially my
i2P and
CAF suuporters. The bond I share with those men is truly special. Also:
Jay ("Shudder Bug"), Kathy, Amy and my beautiful Carson - the rest of the awesome crew. My love to Paul and his family, I know he was with me in spirit.
