I have a goal: Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley

Samr · by **Samr** on Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:30 pm

Since I started running at 9 years old (finished first 5k in 27:11 at the UTSA Diploma Dash), I have always wanted to run a marathon. And last year, I set a date. I wanted to run a marathon before I turned 18. So this year, pending unforseen injury during cross country season, I will run in the San Antonio Marathon. 
 
But now I have another goal- the Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley. 135 miles. 125 degrees. 3 mountain ranges. 2 days. No IVs. No prize money. 
 
<a href="http://www.death-valley.us/article670.html"><blockquote>Quote:<hr>Nothing, though, can simulate the mental and physical toll Death Valley exacts in July, the monotonous hours spent shuffling past sage brush and salt flats and sand dunes, accompanied only by the sound of shoes crunching on the scorching pavement and coarse gasps for breath. 
 
It is a cruel choice. Run through the desert and you risk pushing your body to collapse. Walk though the desert and you spend more time in the crushing heat. 
 
And you never really escape it, even when you climb to higher elevations. The temperature in Lone Pine (elev. 3,610 feet) on the race's two days is 96 and 95. 
 
"You know when you're baking cookies and you open the oven door and that blast of heat hits you?" says Steve Teal, a firefighter and paramedic who serves as the race medic. "It's cool because you can close the oven door. Out here, you can't do that. 
 
"People say you can acclimate to it. But when I turn my oven up to 350, it still cooks that cupcake. The cupcake never gets used to it." <hr></blockquote></a> 
 
This is seriously awsome. I am in complete awe of anyone who finishes this thing. Hopefully, years down the road, I'll be able to join them. ___________________________________________ 
 
I love.....Championships

by **jcsgirl2608** on Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:52 pm

You're crazy if you wanna run in that heat. You'd simply die. Well, I know I would spaces.msn.com/members/JCsGirl2908/ 
 
Go here. Its my space on MSN.

Samr · by **Samr** on Thu Jul 21, 2005 8:18 pm

Eh...probably. But that's the kind of stuff I enjoy. I enjoy seeing just how far my body can go. I don't ride roller coasters, base jump, or throw beer at Ron Artest- I run. I see how far I can push my body. 
 
I'm planning soon for a 20 mile day, over the course of two seperate runs- 10 in the morning, 10 in the afternoon. And while this is not even close to Badwater standards, it's an example of the type stuff I enjoy. 
 
The ultramarathon just seems awsome. It's too insanely stupid not to try. ___________________________________________ 
 
I love.....Championships

Blondie · by **Blondie** on Thu Jul 21, 2005 8:40 pm

I think you're insane <img src=http://www.sahoops.net/smilies/lol.gif ALT=":lol"> <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/jackie/blondie4spursbanner.jpg" style="border:0;"/></div>

by **jcsgirl2608** on Fri Jul 22, 2005 12:35 am

Yeah, what Blondie said. 
 
*sings* Samr is insane Samr is insane Sammmyr is insssssssaaaaaaaaaaaaaane. *done singing* 
 
I just wrote that. LOL spaces.msn.com/members/JCsGirl2908/ 
 
Go here. Its my space on MSN.

SAmikep · by **SAmikep** on Fri Jul 22, 2005 5:55 pm

Samr....if you pull that one off, you will have reached legend status. <img src="http://www.mailbling.com/mikerep.jpg"/>

I have a goal: Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley