Living and experiencing my dream race through Dale as his Crew Chief for Badwater 135, was the most Amazing Really Cool thing I've ever done, well right up there with marrying my husband and finding out they sell Nutella in the family size jar. What an extreme honor and pleasure to be chosen to head up the most awesome team of people Sami, Carl and Nick to help Dale reach his goal of running the Worlds Toughest Race, 135 miles of scorching dry desert heat carrying all our supplies of ice food and gear for 5 people in one mini van over a 40 hour time frame. WooHoo!! We did it and we all still like each other. 
The fun stuff began on Sunday as we went shopping and loaded up a pallet of bulk food and water from Sam's Club then on to Walmart for the additional smaller sized food. Ok now... how to pack all this and our running gear for 5 people into the mini van for a 3 hour drive. Well that's where my longevity as a expert flight attendant packer came into play!! Anything that wouldn't melt in the extreme heat we strapped to the roof of the van. And away we went... off to the desert. Road Trip!! 
The not so fun stuff... When arriving in Furnace Creek, Death Valley National Park, California midday, a scorching 116 degrees outside, we had to unpack the van sorting through what goes where and in who's room. Piles and piles of stuff, some things had to be iced down in the coolers other things stored for later use that week. A quick change into running clothes for a 3-4 mile group heat acclimation run. I was out the door with a bottle of viseine for the dry eyes, SPF lip baum and a full water bottle ... off we went down the road. 
The exciting stuff... Monday morning after another run to stretch out the legs and a quick trip down to the famous Badwater Basin start line for photos. Runner check in was at 1pm. Dale got his swag bag, bib number and lots of pre race photos. We got to meet/talk with all the running 'Legends' such an Amazing experience. 
Tuesday night 8pm was race start. A perfect evening for a run. Overhead was a big beautiful full moon, desert style hot dry air and the mountains off in the distance. My months of planning, scheduling, preparation, training and nonstop worrying paid off. I couldn't believe everything came together without too many hitches. But of course I'd been working with an amazing crew and a very prepared runner. 
Early Thursday morning Dale started his last big climb. We were all just so bone weary tired a few short hours before. Getting Dale to the finish line was our only goal so digging deep, reenergizing, and staying focused is what we did!! The finish line is at The Portal of Mt Whitney 8,360ft above sea level covering 135 miles in 39hr 23min. Not a dry eye to be had (or maybe it was just allergies) by this crew.
The crazy stuff...let me quote you some prices of essentials we paid for while we were there for the week. Gas $5.09 gallon. Bag of ice 10lbs $4. Gallon of water $4. Chef salad $15. Pizza 10" $28. Canister of Pringles $4. My treat each day a 20oz bottle of Soda $3. I know why they call it the worlds toughest foot race but I think they should rename it 'the worlds most expensive race'.
The reality of stuff... I lived and experienced my Dream Race vicariously through Dale. I can now say 'I Went To Badwater' and be happy and content... For Now :)
Thank You Dale
No comments:
Post a Comment