FANS memories

I saw that Steve and Adam posted their FANS pictures on their blogs, so I thought I would give it a try also.

This picture was taken about 8 hours into the race, and I was feeling the heat.

This is me and my "Schmoopie". My beautiful wife Mary was crew support for me during the 12 hours of torture.

Pucker up, honey!!!

Badwater is conquered!

Congratulations to Michele Santilhano, who just completed the Badwater Ultramarathon in 39:42:23!!!!!

She finished in 29th place out of 80 runners who toed the line at Badwater Basin on Monday morning.

I was somewhat wrong in my prediction of 48 hours, but I knew she would earn the Buckle for sure (under 48 hour finishers receive the coveted Badwater belt buckle).

I hope to hear from her this week, to find out if she went on to make the ascent to Mt. Whitney, I think she will do it.....

Here is a photo of her crossing the finish at Whitney Portal...

Yea.... she's still smiling!!!!!

Badwater - Good luck Michele!

As I write this blog entry, two waves have started and the final wave of endurance athletes are about to start their journey from Badwater to Lone Pine.
135 miles of pure, hot hellacious torture.....

I've gotten to know Runner #38, Michele from Menlo Park, CA.
I first met Michele at the Rock-N-Roll marathon in Pheonix, AZ this past January.
I was the 3:40 pacer there, and this gal Michele starts talking to me at the expo near the pacer booth. She's telling me that it is her dream to qualify for and run Boston.
The next day, we go out and run the marathon, and I visited a bit with her on the course, especially miles 9 through 14. She was doing well, but slowing a bit at the time. She had an extra 5 minutes to qualify (she needed 3:45:59 or better).
Well, she ended up finishing around 3:43 and got her BQ!!!
I talked to her for a while, and she told me that race was the toughest thing she has ever done!!!
After a bit more visiting after the race, I started to find out a little bit more about Michele......She is a very accomplished endurance athlete and was being very humble in my presence.
You see, Michele has completed more than 6 - 100 milers, she has mountaineered the highest peaks on every continent, she's swum the English channel, swum to Catalina Island, and also has completed a TRIPLE ironman.
I met up with her in Boston this last April.
Yes, she got to fulfill her dream.....and more. She met up with some of her ultra buddies and ran the double that day, starting about 4AM and arriving in Hopkinton about 30 minutes before doing the timed run back down to Boston.
Back to Badwater, Michele is not the fastest runner out there, but you don't find them any tougher.
I predict that she WILL finish Badwater in under 48 hours.
I also predict that she will continue on with the additional climb to the peak of Mt. Whitney after she crosses the finish line at Whitney Portal.
YOU GO GIRL!!!!
I'll be cheering for you via the webcast!!!!

Oops,...I did it again....

Last night I made a great leap of faith and filled out my registration for an event that I have been contemplating for a loooong time.
I HAVE REGISTERED FOR THE LEAN HORSE 100!!!
I've considered this for the past year, ever since I completed my first 50 miler at the Endurance Challenge (north of Des Moines) last September 1.
I promised myself that I would give it a try if I got through the FANS 12 hour run healthy.
Then, I signed up and ran the Afton Trail 50K, and promised myself I would sign up if feeling good after that one.
Well, it's 4 days after Afton, and I'm feeling great!
I will step up the training for the next few weeks, and then challenge myself to another level on August 23rd.