Mission Possible -- Badwater

Photos from 2007 Badwater Race Taken by PJ

PJ, a MPF Team Member gave me some photos she took while crewing for Don. Great shots PJ, Thanks!

Click here to view. Remember to click the first one to make it enlarge.

Don was back on the trails on Saturday as he did 11 miles in the Maunawili Out and Back H.U.R.T. Trail Series Race. His partner, Kat Tagaca ran the first 11 and Don did the return. Some readers might be surprised or concerned. Here's my observation: First, he was vertical, second, he was running, and third, he was glad to be back on the trails and off the pavement!!

Aloha,
Bob

Incredible Emotional Journey (Part 1)

Aloha Friends !

Wow, what a ride ! With all that has transpired over the past few days, it's going to require several posts to do the experience justice. There's just so much that needs to be said and so many great people that need to be thanked. Mike Muench's poetic post, "The Crooked Man" more than ably gives you the essence of our particular experience. Please read it. It's classic !

Incredible Emotional Journey (Part 1)

As for the race, the first 50+ miles went like a dream...feeling great and 2 hours ahead of schedule. The Dream Crew was nothing short of a dream, working like a finely tuned machine. It was a beautiful day, cooler than normal due to being cloudy. I started noticing lower back pain at 55 miles while going up the 17 mile climb up to Townes Pass, and by 72 miles it had become much worse. From that point the pace was painfully slow, having to stop and stretch too often to get myself upright, only to repeat the process every few minutes, especially up the steep mountain to Father Crowleys. However, I was still optimistic that we could finish. At 96 miles we were visited by the course chiropractor, who almost pleaded with me to hang it up, saying I could do permanent damage. At this point, we knew in our hearts that there was no way that I could finish in the allotted time, as I had slowed to almost a crawl, due to my back, so we planted the wooden stake the race gave us at my stopping point and headed to Lone Pine to shower, eat and for some rest, with a plan to return in the morning to the spot and log a few more miles before popping the champagne to celebrate. After all, 101 miles would be a PR (personal record).

The morning was magical and everyone was relaxed and in great spirits. Everyone took turns pacing, Mike, Cheryl, PJ, Vernon, John, and Leon. We easily reached 101 miles and since the back was doing okay and everyone was having fun, we decided to log a few more. Besides, the PR was getting sweeter and sweeter. Somewhere around 106 miles, Heather mentioned to me that it would be great if we could make Lone Pine at 122 miles, before the race clock expired at 6 pm.  I looked at my watch and did the math, thinking "no way !", but said "sure, we can try". From this point on the mood changed. We were back in full race mode. The crew got frantic. For those of you that have watched the pit crews at the Indy 500 or Nascar, and have seen the cars coming into the pits and boom, boom, boom, they are jacked up...the tires changed...gassed-up...windows cleaned and out of there, you can picture what our crew was like ! After each mile I'd cross the highway...they'd drop me down on a mat on the ground ...Mike would start massaging my back and working on my glutes and hips...Cheryl would be sticking food in my mouth...PJ would be fixing my water bottle...Leon would be putting a new ice bandana...John would be computing my pace and the miles...then they'd pull me up and slap my butt and send me back out there with Vernon or whoever the pacer was at the time. Just like Nascar! It was exciting !

Part 2 to follow

There was a Crooked Man

(Don asked me to move this over to this site from the HURT Hawaii Site)

The crooked man crab walked down the desert highway turning the light comedy of Monty Python’s Ministry of Silly Walks into a separate circle of Hell, the pain on his face adding that final twist of reality that brought people to cheer or turn their faces in horror. But the bent man didn’t hear most of it, didn’t have time to raise a hand even if he could have managed it, he just jigged painfully on toward the top of the long desert mountain, down another hard hot highway, and on toward an Emerald City that lay shrouded in the dusty air, little more than myth at the end of a fractured yellow brick road.

He went as far as his friends could help him, as far as his body could carry him, as far as his determination could will. Then, somewhere down 98 miles of desert highway, since it was really only a race, and when it looked like he could permanently damage himself, he drove the stake into the earth and laid down to rest. But he didn’t quit, he didn’t despair, or lament his weaknesses. He rose in the morning, pulled up the stake and once again began the crooked but unbroken walk toward the green meadows of many a runner’s heaven, Lone Pine, the last of the desert check points on his long hard journey.

From Don, Post Race

Don received a standing ovation as he walked into the gym for the post race festivities.

I've just gotten off the phone with Don. He's at the Best Western in Lone Pine. I could tell he was totally blown away by all of the support he has received. It was an emotional call.

His wife Heather told me there was not a dry eye in the house or for that matter, along the road as Don made the final steps across the finish line. People were clapping, cheering, and dancing in support of Don.

David Goggins and his mother, wife and crew were with Don the entire last 10 miles. David went every last step with Don. So were the crew of John Rennison, the Canadian runner Monica was crewing for today.

I did not get Don's specific flight info, however he is returning to Hawaii Thursday evening around 9:30 p.m. he thought.

There will be a lot of stories from Don, his crew, and others. Please check back here as we will continue to update this site with this amazing story.

He's Finished and We Are Very Proud of Him!!

Don made it into Lone Pine with 5 minutes to spare! He stuck with it when he could have and many people would have quit. I am expecting to hear from him directly at some point and hope to have some photo's. Click to enlarge this image.

David Goggins Runs with Don!

In the latest update from Cheryl, I learn that David Goggins is now running with Don. For those of you who don't know David. First, he is an extremely humble and nice guy. Second, he's an active duty, U.S. Navy Seal, third--he finished Badwater in 3rd place overall this year!!. David is also a two-time H.U.R.T. 100 finisher. Last year in his first attempt at Badwater, he finished 5th overall. He also finished his first triathlon this last year, the Ultraman which is essentially a double Ironman held each November on the Big Isle. Yes, it was his first triathlon. In other words, he's a pretty strong and tough guy! Look around on the Badwater site, there are plenty of photo's of David.

Cheryl told me David did the first two miles in Croc's before his crew was able to get him his running shoes. He has had Don running again.

Go Don Go!
Aloha, Bob

I just Talked with Don and Cheryl

Aloha Supporters of Don,

I've just spoken with Don and he sounds great. He's had a few issues with his back, OK, maybe challenge is a stronger term, that has slowed him considerably. They are doing what they can with it, massage, brace, chiropractor, etc. His spirits are great. He wants to thank everyone for all of the support, positive energy, and well wishes he has received.

What was really cool, his friend and ultra runner, Monica Scholz, herself a past Badwater participant had just shown up and was going out with him on the course. They are at mile 105 and will go as far as they can.

Go Don Go!!

Aloha, Bob

Finally, an Update from Don's Crew

Don's race support crew finally gave me a call. We knew cell reception was bad, however I was hoping for an earlier update. To make matters even worse, Typepad, our blogging platform had a major power outage and I could not get access for a couple of hours. Ugh!!

The good news--Don is doing well!! Cheryl called me as soon as she could get service and said everything is going well. He is in good spirits!! Temperatures are lower than usual--possibly even below 100 she thought. Mike Muench got Don over some tough hills (read: mountains) in the night. Cheryl mentioned he is having a few issues but don't we all after 90 miles! :-)

When Cheryl called she thought they were at about mile 87 and according to the official site, he has since gone through the aid station at mile 90.1.

If you poke around on the Badwater site, you can find photos of Don and the crew. Let's keep those positive and cool thoughts flowing Don's way. I will post another update as soon as I hear from them again.
Aloha, Bob

Finally, an Update!

Don's race support crew finally gave me a call. We knew cell reception was bad, however I was hoping for an earlier update. To make matters even worse, Typepad, our blogging platform had a major power outage and I could not get access for a couple of hours. Ugh!!

The good news--Don is doing well!! Cheryl called me as soon as she could get service and said everything is going well. He is in good spirits!! Temperatures are lower than usual--possibly even below 100 she thought. Mike Muench got Don over some tough hills (read: mountains) in the night. Cheryl mentioned he is having a few issues but don't we all after 90 miles! :-)

When Cheryl called she thought they were at about mile 87 and according to the official site, he has since gone through the aid station at mile 90.1.

If you poke around on the Badwater site, you can find photos of Don and the crew. Let's keep those positive and cool thoughts flowing Don's way. I will post another update as soon as I hear from them again.
Aloha, Bob

Webcast Link Starting Monday

Starting Monday, click here for the link to follow the web cast of the 2007 Badwater Ultra Marathon. Remember Don starts in the first wave at 6:00 a.m. and there are three starting times; 6:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.