Message from Dave

Well didn't happen this year, but I'm happy with the result . No one likes not finishing, least of all me, but to be honest I'm totally cool about it. 203k through the harshest desert environment for running on earth, one can't be picky!!

 

No one comes to Badwater though expecting anything. The race dictates what you will experience and that was no exception this year. It was probably cooler this year than average years but if anything that just lulls you into a false sense of security, you are of course still running in 120F. I ran and felt good all the way to Stove Pipe, 68k, walking and running as we had planned, conserving energy along the way. Beyond Stove Pipe though we faced a myriad of obstacles,a fierce head wind all the way up the long 30k climb to 5000ft and Towns Pass, my feet being a bigger issue than before and at times slowing me down due to having to be attended, just .I had quad and calf tightening issues which were dealt with brilliantly by Joselyn, I also had stomach difficulties with food going straight though me, more time on the side of the road leaving deposits!

 

In the end we had to time trial from about 50k out to get to Loan Pine in time for the summit. I managed that but the effort was completely draining and I had exhausted all reserves. I was hallucinating, not able to control my body temp, hot one minute, shivering the next, this not a good sign. I stumbled though Lone Pine and began up the Portals road, making about 3k, so had about 18k to go and things were getting worse. With this years cut off being 48 hours I knew in my heart of hearts that I didn't have it in me and in fact I was getting close to things going really wrong. We made the call to pull the pin at 11.30, so still had 6 and half hours  to do 18k. Many will think and or say, crazy, so close, have a half hour and reassess, but I know my body pretty well now to know my number was up, and this very steep section last year had me down to 3k per hour. I'm very comfortable we made the right call.

 

I would like to thank everyone for their awesome support, the emails here on site and at home have been great, and its a huge boost to know you have support like that. I would especially to thank Jay, Luca, Lindsey and Joselyn for their outstanding crewing. They were a great team. I would like to thank my family and most of all Lisa my wife for her continued support for my desire for adventure. 

 

Running continues to inspire me and I gain inspiration from people I meet in this sport. The challenging environment of Badwater will have to wait for another day.Thank you to all your support for the National Burn Centre.