Just wanted to tell everyone I’m going to do this race. I was just looking at the website and it’s already driving me up the wall. I have to do it. Not this year. Probably not next year. BUT, I WILL DO THIS RACE.
Ok. I’m done now.
we could load it up with slowtwitchers and have a 135 mile party…
Have you seen “Running on the Sun”, a documentary of the 1999 running? Or read “To the Edge”, written by a reporter who ran it that same year? I’m reading the book now, just watched the movie. Very interesting.
Good luck when you do! 
I crewed for a runner. I suggest crewing before attempting something of this scope. If you haven’t run any other ultras, you won’t be able to qualify for the application.
R2DM
Me too…
Perhaps we can chat offline. I’m working on logistics right now.
haven’t read “to the edge”. never heard of it… i will however look for it. sounds good!
i read the entrance policy. i saw that you need to “qualify” to get there. run 100’s and 50’s and IM’s before they’ll even consider you. i know it’s invite only and they only accept 75-90 people a year. you need to submit a race resume and convince them you’re worthy.
give me a few years and i’ll have the qualifying out of the way.
but, i’m going to do it.
“running on the sun” you say? excuse me while i go to hollywood video and pick this movie up… i’ll be right back
july of 2007, 2008, or 2009.
mark it on your calendar(s).
I turn 40 this year, big goal is 140.6. Badwater would be a good 50yr. goal. It will take me that long to get ready.
but, i’m going to do it.
right on. love your attitude. you can do it!
well, i called my local video stores and bookstores and none of them had “to the edge” or “running on the sun”. so, i did a little searching and ordered them online through amazon. thanks for mentioning them… i can’t wait to read/watch them!
Thisbet…if Badwater is what you desire, than Badwater it shall be. New to this forum (post as missingmarblez on a different site), and someone had sent me this link and their interest in BW…so now I send you this link I sent them:
http://www.adventurecorps.com/way/index.html I think it showed up (computer dork here so have no clue if the link will work). Go to Adventurecorps.com and look on the bottom at ‘good reading’. They used to have an option where you could buy a group package of the video and book you mentioned along with several other books and writeups on BW. THe video is pretty spectacular. I think after watching it and seeing what extemes some bodies get pushed to…it now makes me smile in knowing that you get to experience your own extremes. If I would have taken the video to heart as in that is what happens to everyone…no way would I ever do ultras…so watch it with a grain of salt. I have had exactly ONE hallucination in all my ultras…where as many of my friends have them on a regular basis. Kinda pis$ed about it if you must know the truth–I do the hard work I deserve a good trip and the ONLY hallucination was a DOG chasing me…that $ucked! But remember…never ever trust your fellow athlete during an event…you could wrap your mind around the absurbd looking for what they tell you is there and messing with your own mind (I know that doesn’t make sense, but out there on the trail it will!).
To get to BW it is true, you need a race resume. They basically want to make sure you have the goods to go the distance (so much mental more than physical). I toyed with the idea of applying this year (it IS run on my bday this year), but I really despise running…especially in the heat (although I have many BWvets that keep pushing me). If you haven’t gotten through any ultras yet, might I suggest reading pretty much everything on their site, and if you need any info for your first ultra feel free to contact me. Trust me when I tell you that you can work up to a double mary as a staple run in preparation for an ultra (they eventually stop hurting). I am sllllooooow but endurance I have. I think the year I plan to do BW I will go for the 504 and BW the same year. The Valley will get one year devoted to them…as it deserves.
I am in the process of writing several chapters for a book about ultras (no clue when this baby will get done) and each chapter is devoted to something unique. One of the biggest elements you have to take to heart…CREW! Crew is probably the one thing that will make you or break you --if you allow it. It doesn’t take an athlete to be on the crew, just someone that has their head together and can multi-task and have a solid core. When your time comes, if you need some help ask away. Start looking for solid crew now and utilizing them at your first 50 miler, 100 miler ect. I find crew that has been with me from the beginning know me best and we work together so smoothly.
When BW is to be it is be…hang onto your dreams and MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
~eileen