Rather than a single runner's detailed review of the Badwater Ultra this is an awesome compilation of the thoughts and experiences of many of the event's participants and even the added input from some crew members. I began the book vaguely aware of the Badwater Ultra. Halfway through I was ready to join a crew. By the time I finished this book I was thinking... "I wonder if..."
Then I went outside and ran (no, suffered) 10 miles in 85 degree heat and thought "FIFTY more degrees?! That is INSANE!!!"
If you are a runner you WILL love this book. If you are not a runner this book will take you inside the minds of some of the sport's most accomplished members. Whatever the case you will finish this book with a smile on your face and a brighter outlook on life because you'll know that human beings (including yourself) are capable of much more than we give ourselves credit for.
The Badwater Ultra-marathon is commonly referred to as the toughest footrace on the planet. In 2003, defending champion Pam Reed, Dean Karnazes and 71 other runners took the ultimate challenge of running 135 miles in California from Badwater to the portals of Mount Whitney. Their journey would take them through the hostile environment of Death Valley and subject them to temperatures ranking among the highest ever recorded on earth. Twenty-five runners tell of their adventures in arguably the absolute toughest of the roughest footrace on the plane - the good, the bad and yes, the ugly - in this incredible and fascinating compilation. You are certain to gain a respect for the runners you will meet and perhaps an even greater respect for the area known as Death Valley. The runners who experienced heat exhaustion, dehydration, nausea, blisters, hallucinations, and fatigue during the race - competed in temperatures literally a few degrees from hell.
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