If you have run Badwater, you know. If you crewed Badwater, you know. Badwater is a very special event and 2010 was a magical year for me. I never dreamed that I could run the race that I did. It would not have been possible without my crew--David, Rob, Sean, Eric, and Cecilia. Their selflessness blows me away! I also want to thank Bob with Drymax Socks. The support I receive is unbelievable. Thanks Hammer Nutrition for continuing to fuel me to success! Thanks to all my friends, family, and blogger friends for all the support! I could really feel you out there! Also, a big thanks to Chris Kostman and the race volunteers for putting on another amazing event!
We got to Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon. After picking up crew and doing the grocery shopping, we made the 2 hour drive to Death Valley. It has a coming home type of feeling--leaving all the buildings and lights for a magically beautiful desert! We enjoyed a dip in my favorite pool at Furnace Creek and then headed to dinner with the BBC/Discovery Network. They discussed their plans for filming during the race.
Sunday morning, we headed up to do some pre-race filming with the BBC. I guess I had no idea what I was in for--this was a real documentary! They had BIG cameras, lights, microphones, etc. I ran up and down a road for 30 minutes while they filmed from a moving car. Then my crew took off for a short jog. After that, the BBC wanted to do an interview, so we headed to the Artists Canyon and set up. It is so beautiful and it overlooks the salt fields of Badwater. The camera had to wear a cooling vest because it was overheating! After that, all that was left to do was organize supplies and head to the required meetings.
After visiting with many BW friends, my crew and I enjoyed sun baked pasta in a can for dinner. Then they went to the pool and I relaxed and focused in the room preparing for the race. Race morning was very calm. I got ready and just waited. While I waited, 2 other waves had already started. This was really happening!
Down at the starting line at Badwater on race morning, my BBC crew was waiting for me. I stayed in the air conditioned van as long as I could and then it was to the Badwater sign for the group photo. While we were lining up, this man came up to me and asked if he could take his picture with me. He went on to tell me he enjoyed reading both my books and they really inspired him. I just laughed and told him I have not written any books yet. He quickly got the picture and apologized!
At 10:00 am the race started. I tried to pretend no one else was around and focused on my pacing plan. I kept looking at my Garmin because I wanted to run very conservative 9:30-10:00 minute miles. When I got to the first check point (mile 17 at Furnace Creek), I found myself lumped in a big group with Connie Gardner, Pam Reed, and Michelle Barton right on pace.
Continuing on to Stove Pipe Wells, I found myself leading the pack. I was a bit leery to be in first so early, but I was running the pace I wanted so I stuck with it. This part was particularly hot this year with hot head winds. Here I picked up my first pacer, Eric. He was awesome--spraying me off and keeping me cool. Then Cecilia joined me. She did a great job keeping me moving right on pace. There were times that the heat was unbearable, but then my crew would douse me down. I arrived at 42 miles right on my schedule pace.
Then it was up Townes Pass with Sean. This section is a 16 mile uphill that I took a lot easier this year. I threw in some power walking breaks which I feel gave me some extra energy for later in the race. It was beginning to get dark here, so we put on our required night gear and continued on. I felt really great here and was happy that I didn't have any stomach issues coming out of the heat. Once we were at the top, there is the steep downhill section. I ran this very conservatively because in years past I have blown up my quads here. Cecilia did a great job reminding me to land softly and to slow down!
It was dark now and the stars were out in full force. I continued on with Rob pacing me. At Panamint (mile 72), I felt great as I caught up with Oswaldo Lopez for a bit. This is my very favorite section of the course because you are up so high and the stars are amazingly bright. When you look over into the Valley, you can see the lights of the runners and crew coming from Panamint. It has this amazing energy! I had this renewed energy on the switch backs and continued on feeling very strong. I could really feel my training on the Colorado 14ers paying off. Race director, Chris Kostman, and video crew followed me up the mountain for awhile. It was fun chatting and didn't really feel like a race at that point. Soon, I came upon Jorge Pacheco. We yo-yoed back and forth for a bit during this time. I got to mile 90 (Darwin) happily ahead of schedule.
;
At this point, I asked my crew if I could run alone for awhile with my mp3 player. Running all alone, I enjoyed the bright sky and reflected on the race so far. I went over my goals for the rest of the race and cruised on. I saw 2 shooting stars, talked with the road runner tree, and sang a few tunes aloud. I was having a great time! Around mile 98, I came upon Marco Farinazzo's (men's 2009 winner) crew. Jarom walked with me for a bit and told me that Marco was resting in the van. I sent Marco some encouragement and continued on. My crew was all standing on the road at the 100 mile mark when I got there in 18:44. It was like a 100 mile party that I couldn't stay for.
I continued on the long road to Lone Pine with nurse Eric. He decided to dress up for me! We continued on the next 20 miles as the sun was coming up. This section seems to go on forever because you can see Lone Pine, but it never gets any closer. My energy was starting to get a bit low here. My throat felt burnt, so I didn't do much talking--only grunting. Cecilia joined me and put me back in great spirits as I got renewed energy again.
I got to Lone Pine and turned it on through the town. I felt great at this point! There were people cheering and I was excited to get to the Portal Road. I still had my game face on because the race can be won or lost on the last climb. I made the left hand turn onto the Portal Road and was joined by Sean "Richard Simmons" Meissner. He looked so funny and even had a curly wig on! The last 13 miles are hard because of the elevation gains but because you know you are almost done, it is easy to push on. We power walked most of it. At this point my feet were aching and I was so ready to be done.
After the last check point, with about 3 miles left, David joined me. Although he was still pushing me on, we reflected back a bit, laughed at what they said to the BBC, and enjoyed the moment. Photographers and spectators were all over the last part encouraging us!
Finally, we got to the last section and my crew joined me as we ran in. I felt like I could run forever at that point! Seeing that finish line tape is the best sight in the world. 26:16:12! New women's record, 1st female, and 3rd overall. I couldn't have dreamed for a better finish than that! The reality of what had happen sank in as I looked at my amazing crew and was overwhelmed with emotions!
I had no swelling, no tightness, no bloating the entire race and look at those amazing feet thanks to Drymax socks! It was truly magical!
Everyone wants to know if that was my last Badwater. People are telling me to stop while I am on "top." I have nothing left to prove to myself, but can I ever let go of the feelings that come with Badwater? Nothing compares to the bond you have with your crew, the friendships formed there, and the comradery of the runners and crews crossing the Mojave desert for one goal. I don't know if I can let that go. I am not sure I want to let that go.
;
;
;
24-hour races are just plain hard. It doesn't matter how fast you run, because the finish line is never any closer! It takes a different mental approach going in, a controlled pace for the first half, and the ability to really zone out.
I was lucky to be able to travel and hang out with my super friend and USA Teammate, Debbie Horn. She always cracks me up and we had a fun time!
When we got to the race on Saturday morning, Debbie and I discovered another teammate of ours, Amy Palmiero-Winters, was also racing! So, in a VERY small field, half of last year's National Team was there to race! 
The race started at 9am on Saturday. The funny part is I really don't remember much from the first 17 hours. Maybe I ingested too much campfire smoke, ran up too many hills, or dodged too many kids on their bikes, but the first 100 miles seemed to go pretty fast mentally. I really just played my mp3 player and zoned out as I ran loop after loop (after loop)! 
Before I knew it, I had 4 hours left, then 2, then I was in the final push. Then, just like that, it was over. I ended up with 136.98 miles (almost my pr), so I was very pleased for the rolling course I was on.
