And for good measure, Tahoe Rim Trail and Vermont 100, all in the past week. What an incredible week for ultras. I absolutely could not keep up with all my friends running, pacing, or crewing at one of the above. It would have taken more than 24/7 on Facebook.
But special congratulations to Pete Kostelnick (who I ran with at Desert Solstice) for breaking the Badwater course record (formerly Valmir Nunes') by nearly an hour, and Aly Venty (who I ran with at Spartathlon) for also breaking the women's CR there.
Joe Fejes' CR also fell at Vol State, thanks to Greg Armstrong, member of the 2015 National 24-hour team. Someone I have to compete with to make next year's team. Also 8 days after a solo Badwater 146 run (Badwater to Whitney summit). Gulp.
Ultra Cowboy
Not sure if you follow Jimmy Dean Freeman on Facebook or his podcast, but he posted a picture of his Badwater finish and expressed disappointment about stopping at the portal instead of going all the way to the summit. MTA : He wasn't REALLY disappointed when I read it again and expressed appreciation for his family.... "...wasn't the race I wanted but the race I needed.."
Sitting next to him is his toddler daughter.
No words....well I had words, but I can't imagine being disappointed to finish one of the top 3 toughest ultras in the world while still having a loving wife and family.
Sometimes I think that these pinnacles of over achievement are indicative of an emptiness somewhere deep inside.
WYBMADIITY
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