Badwater Ultramarathon

[Ryan Scott]

This annual race runs (in the middle of summer, mind you) 135 miles from Death Valley to the trailhead on Mt. Whitney (almost 9000' elevation). With the various passes, there's nearly 13000' of incline. This year, the runners have endured 120 degree temps and a giant sandstorm.

Most of the runners are still on the course, but the winner finished in just under 23 hours - only a minute off the course record.

Harvey Lewis, a school teacher from Cincinnati, ran the final mile (which is on a very steep incline) in 4:30 to finish fourth.

Currently on the final miles, Art Webb, at 70 years old looks like he will finish somewhere around 32 hours.

I've driven this course in reverse, in a car, after climbing Mt. Whitney. I can't even begin to imagine what this is like.

Originally the race concluded at the top of Mt. Whitney (14,500'), but now runs only to the end of the paved road.

[Doug Ward]

So this is where all the crazy people went.

[Kevin Rector]

So it seems apparent to me that there are people in this world that in remarkably better shape than I am. I am not in particularly good shape, but these people are ridiculous.

[Benjamin Burch]

I run about 5 miles a week. I feel I am in pretty good shape. I know marathon runners who are in great shape. These people here are not human.

[Bob Hunter]

This type of extreme sports competition is beyond the normal healthy regimen. For the participants, it almost becomes an obsession. The attention it brings, the praise, the accolades; all for pushing the bounds of human limitations gives a psychological buzz of sorts--almost a type of adrenaline addiction. This is the thing about some athletes, they become so obsessed that they lose contact with reality and do really stupid things like dope or neglect other important aspects of their health. So I put the Bad water folk in that category. Can it be done healthily? Perhaps so, but to a lot of folks in the fitness world, it's really not that impressive because dehydrating the body and tearing it down so severely can have long term consequences. It's really hard on major body organs because it sends your body into a shock. So, how a 70 year old man is getting this done, smacks of superhuman behavior and I'm willing to bet he is taking testosterone replacement therapy which may be Doctor prescribed and legal in a race such as this.

[Ryan Scott]

This type of extreme sports competition is beyond the normal healthy regimen. For the participants, it almost becomes an obsession. The attention it brings, the praise, the accolades; all for pushing the bounds of human limitations gives a psychological buzz of sorts--almost a type of adrenaline addiction. This is the thing about some athletes, they become so obsessed that they lose contact with reality and do really stupid things like dope or neglect other important aspects of their health. So I put the Bad water folk in that category. Can it be done healthily? Perhaps so, but to a lot of folks in the fitness world, it's really not that impressive because dehydrating the body and tearing it down so severely can have long term consequences. It's really hard on major body organs because it sends your body into a shock. So, how a 70 year old man is getting this done, smacks of superhuman behavior and I'm willing to bet he is taking testosterone replacement therapy which may be Doctor prescribed and legal in a race such as this.

There's few, if any, accolades here, Bob. Just people who like to see what the limits of the human body are. Biology research is showing more and more that the human body has uniquely evolved specifically for running long distances - likely our earliest ancestors hunted by chasing prey until they keeled over from exhaustion.

You won't see people in the ultra-running community doping - it doesn't actually do them any good - it's a completely mental exercise at this point. If you can run 26 miles, you can physically run 135 - mentally may be a different scenario.

I've got a friend who does 100 miles races and 24 hour races - he talks about physical exertion to the point that you don't even know where you are.

Everyone in the Badwater has a full support team that drives alongside them the whole race, supplying food and water and helping them keep on moving.

As far as I know, there's not even a prize, other than the knowledge that it can be done.

Given our physiology, the impressive thing is not that these races can be done - it's that people have the will to keep going and not quit.

[Doug Ward]

I have run a half-marathon. If you can run 13.1 miles, you can run 26.2. I stopped after 13.1. Some runners I know asked me after the race, don't you want to run these more and more now? "Not particularly." I do still have the medal. I did it - know I did it, but am not planning on doing it again.

[Benjamin Burch]

The other day I finished 4 miles straight through. I simply cannot imagine 13.1. 26.2? You must be kidding me....

[Bob Hunter]

I have run a half-marathon. If you can run 13.1 miles, you can run 26.2. I stopped after 13.1. Some runners I know asked me after the race, don't you want to run these more and more now? "Not particularly." I do still have the medal. I did it - know I did it, but am not planning on doing it again.

My wife ran a half marathon last year, it really pushed her body to the limits. She would like to do one again so long as her foot cooperates. I have several friends who have run marathons and they really don't have a desire to do it again.

[Bob Hunter]

There's few, if any, accolades here, Bob. Just people who like to see what the limits of the human body are. Biology research is showing more and more that the human body has uniquely evolved specifically for running long distances - likely our earliest ancestors hunted by chasing prey until they keeled over from exhaustion.

You won't see people in the ultra-running community doping - it doesn't actually do them any good - it's a completely mental exercise at this point. If you can run 26 miles, you can physically run 135 - mentally may be a different scenario.

I've got a friend who does 100 miles races and 24 hour races - he talks about physical exertion to the point that you don't even know where you are.

Everyone in the Badwater has a full support team that drives alongside them the whole race, supplying food and water and helping them keep on moving.

As far as I know, there's not even a prize, other than the knowledge that it can be done.

Given our physiology, the impressive thing is not that these races can be done - it's that people have the will to keep going and not quit.

You probably know more about the accolades than I do, but I do that testosterone doping is very common and it is not that harmful. In fact, I had a trainer at my Gym tell me that it is becoming very common in older athletes (even some younger ones). There is a rub-on testosterone gel called androgel that is applied to your chest daily that brings up your testosterone levels. Some even theorize Green Tea can mask it. Kinda hard to distinguish between synthetic testosterone and natural. Anyways, it is very common. In fact, some Doctors are facing ethical issues over who should receive TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy). Androgel is on the black market and passes through your system very quickly. So when I hear of these athletes doing superhuman things, I have to admit I am a bit suspect of just how much of it is natural.

[Ryan Scott]

You probably know more about the accolades than I do, but I do that testosterone doping is very common and it is not that harmful. In fact, I had a trainer at my Gym tell me that it is becoming very common in older athletes (even some younger ones). There is a rub-on testosterone gel called androgel that is applied to your chest daily that brings up your testosterone levels. Some even theorize Green Tea can mask it. Kinda hard to distinguish between synthetic testosterone and natural. Anyways, it is very common. In fact, some Doctors are facing ethical issues over who should receive TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy). Androgel is on the black market and passes through your system very quickly. So when I hear of these athletes doing superhuman things, I have to admit I am a bit suspect of just how much of it is natural.

That kind of doping really only works in short bursts (so its good for weightlifting and recovery - or for one day events) - it just does less good the longer and more intense the activity.

If the Badwater were a stage race (like the Tour de France), doping might be a problem - since it's an all-out run, there's little trouble.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

I remember the first time I watched the Ironman highlights on ESPN when I was in high school. The notion of a triathalon capped off by a marathon blew me away. A woman whose marriage I oversaw (and Naznetter Melissa DeBono's sister-in-law) completed the Lake Placid Ironman just today.

It blows my mind...I have incredible respect for accomplishments such as this.

I'd like to try a 5K someday...

[Jim Poteet]

I remember the first time I watched the Ironman highlights on ESPN when I was in high school. The notion of a triathalon capped off by a marathon blew me away. A woman whose marriage I oversaw (and Naznetter Melissa DeBono's sister-in-law) completely the Lake Placid Ironman today.

It blows my mind...I have incredible respect for accomplishments such as this.

I'd like to try a 5K someday...

Give it a try. You can do it.

[Bob Hunter]

I remember the first time I watched the Ironman highlights on ESPN when I was in high school. The notion of a triathalon capped off by a marathon blew me away. A woman whose marriage I oversaw (and Naznetter Melissa DeBono's sister-in-law) completed the Lake Placid Ironman just today.

It blows my mind...I have incredible respect for accomplishments such as this.

I'd like to try a 5K someday...

Jeremy,

Yes, you can do a 5K. I've done many of them. I like the ones for charity. I've been in races for the Arthritis foundation (3 times), the Humane Society, Local Schools and a Jazz festival fundraiser. You can walk parts if you need too. And the people are always great.

I've got a bunch of free advice (as if there is a lack of that) if you are interested.