Back half of PMs race report for Badwater 2014. QUESTIONS IN BOLD!
You never know what life has planned for you and what is going to happen race day. Start of race I found myself excited as ever to be there to attempt another Badwater race with a splitting headache! Knowing I have 23 miles up hill to 10,000 feet ahead of me, I took some pills to ease my headache and started the race. The more I climbed the mountain, my head started pounding harder. I was berthing heavy which later on caused a pain in my chest as well. I knew, if I can conquer the first hill, it will be much easier later and it was! I finally got to the top and turn around and was relived to be able to head down the beast! I picked up my pace and every step felt better going down! After almost 13 hours of splitting headache and 45 miles, I was finally back in Loan Pine. With my teams advise, I decided to take a break at this point knowing it will put me behind the schedule even farther. By the time I took 2:30 hours for eating, nap and cleaning up it was night time. I ran another easy 15 miles before conquering the 2nd hill, the most discouraging reminder by the race officials was during this time, questioning my ability to finish on time. I explained about the break and being able to make up time after having a rest. I was stopped again before heading up by race volunteers deciding if they will let me go up! I headed out the 2nd hill with Daniel as the rest or crew headed back to hotel to get rested. We pushed up the never ending dirt road uphill, Daniel was on top of my pace, carrying all the extra drinks and closing just in case it got cold. I was told the average time of the climb was 5 hours and we where able to get to top in less than 4 hours! This gave me another boost as I had also passed at least one person! We started running down the hill as difficult as it was since it was very slippery and chance of falling and breaking something! Daniel was telling me stories trying to keep me awake. On this out and back, I was thinking about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro from 15,000 feet to under 18,000 at middle of night, if I can do that, I can do this! We stopped at the bottom of hill for breakfast and to take care of a nasty blister that kept coming back. My crew was rested and fresh to take care of me during another 17 miles assent to Darwin now. We got to experience more heat now, but my team kept me hydrated and kept spraying me with cold water. Melody never stopped applying and reapplying sun block, therefore I didn't get sunburned! I got stopped and reminded a couple of times again by race official on how slow my pace was! They finally gave up knowing, I will not stop or quite.
BECAUSE YOU WERE AT THE TAIL OF THE RACE THE ENTIRE EVENT AND WELL BEYOND THE PHYSICAL MEANS TO FINISH WITHIN CUTOFF
I kept telling myself, if I get to Darwin turnaround without getting sick, the rest will be piece of cake and it was!
NOBODY AT THE TAIL END OF BADWATER WHO IS HOURS BEHIND CUTOFF OR EVEN THE LEADER THINKS THE FINAL 44 MILES ARE A PIECE OF CAKE. WTF?!? PIECE OF CAKE IF YOU HAVE A DODGE CARAVAN I GUESS
Made it to Darwin some time around he noon and after having a quick watermelon break, headed back on down hill. Sometime close to Keeler I had a surprise visit from my young friend Courtney with cheering sign! I was starting to get sleepy at this time and she sure helped lift up my sprit and give me a 2nd wind to carry on! Closer to Loan Pine I decided to send most of my crew back to rest and come back fresh to help me on the last 13 miles hill up to Mount Whitney portals.
ENTER STEVE ONLY INTO PICTURE. LET THE CHEATING BEGIN WITH NOBODY ELSE ATOUND. IS THIS WHEN THOMAS SAW YOU DISAPPEAR IN YOUR VAN AND HEAD TOWARDS THE FINISH?!?
It was time for me to sole search, pull if from the guts and put it on fast gear to make up time and I did. Passed a lot of runners that looked like zombies as the hills and desert had taken some soles!
WHO DID YOU PASS EXACTLY? WHERE DID THIS OCCUR EXACTLY? THERE ARE BARELY ANY RUNNERS OUT THERE TO BEGIN WITH. PLEASE DO TELL, WE ARE CURIOUS!! DARREN? THOMAS? I THINK NOT!!!
Finally, the lights at end of tonal as headed up the mountain on 13 miles ascend to 8,000 feet. This was very familiar territory to me as last year I had so much difficulties on this hill specially the last 5 miles with savior stomach problems. I was in good shape now for this one, still feeling strong and ready to take the beast done on his back.
I BET AFTER YOU FREE RIDE OUT OF THE DESERT IN YOUR MINIVAN!!
My team joined me just in time refreshed and ready to push me up and they did. We kept a fast steady pace up the hill and passed a few more runners as everyone was struggling to get to finish line.
AGAIN, PLEASE DO TELL. WHO EXACTLY DID YOU PASS? WE ARE CURIOUS?!??