The task of attempting to pay tribute to all the wonderful people that have helped on this Incredible Emotional Journey, without leaving someone important out and without showing favoritism, will likely be tougher than the race itself. Let's start by saying "you know who you are" and I hope you know me well enough by now that "you know I sincerely appreciate your support". Please believe me ! There are a few people, outside my wonderful wife Heather and the Dream Crew and in addition to the wonderful supporters mentioned in the emotional report, that I must pay tribute. For me, the Badwater race started much like any other of the 100 mile races we do. First, you send in your application. The Badwater race app was more extensive than others I have done and it asked to list prior Badwater experience. Since I crewed the legendary Monica Scholz in 2005, I listed that. However, they also required a letter from the runner you crewed, recommending you. In all the years I've known Monica, I've never known her to exaggerate, but after reading her letter to the race director about me, I felt like she was writing about someone else. This guy couldn't be me ! What a super-stud ! I'm confident that the main reason I was accepted was because of Monica's letter. Thank you isn't a big enough word.
Shortly after being accepted, my running buddy (and a recent HURT 100 finisher) Bob McAllaster said "Don, I'll set up a blog for your Badwater race". Since I'm from back in the dark ages and rather technologically-challenged, at the time I had no clue as to what an impact this would have on this race. Bob worked so hard and the blog blossomed into a beautiful new tool. It was fantastic ! His blog is the reason we are communicating right now. He also volunteered to train me, teaching me his new cross-fit exercises, which had made such a difference in his HURT 100 success. He had me out there 3 afternoons a week for several months, while delicately balancing time with his beautiful wife and family. Again, thank you isn't a big enough word for what Bob McAllaster has done for me.
When I started the very important task of training, I was not looking forward to spending long hours alone on the streets and highways around Oahu, and in many cases for 15-30 hours at a time. I certainly couldn't expect my trail running buddies to train with me. It was too hard of a surface, too hot and quite franlky too damn boring. Plus, the roads really beat-up your feet and joints. Well folks, in rides on his steed, my buddy, Knight Ernest Tay. Ernest, another HURT 100 finisher (in his first try) said "Don, I'll be there for you on ALL of your long training runs". Those were very BIG words. Ernest's grandmother always taught him to be a man of his word, and in spite of his own foot problems, he was there for every mile ! He also provided me with needed spiritual strength. "Walking With a Limp" turned out to be a powerful motivator over those last 27 miles. Thank you isn't big enough !
Every Wednesday I go to a business networking group meeting called HEA. Since it's not appropriate to mention that, please strike those words out. Anyway, they are a group of people that have become like family to me. I had volunteered to raise money for the very worthy charity, Challenged Athletes Foundation and was needing donations. One of the clever members of the "family" suggested that I sell miles: Mile 1 for $1, mile 57 for $57, mile 110 for $110, etc. He also suggested that I make up vinyl "medallions" with the member's name and mile number and carry them with me at the race. We did just that. On mile #1 I carried a medallion with the name Lance Wilhelm, Mile #1. We continued this trend throught the entire race. Some wrote short messages on the back, others wrote funny stuff. They really helped me through the hard times. Oops, almost forgot to mention that over 1/2 of the over $4000 of donations I received for CAF was from the "family". Thank you certainly doesn't do it justice here...more to come.
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