Congrats, Lisa Smith-Bachen on Finishing The Badwater Quad

Imagine attempting the original Badwater course, 135+ miles across Death Valley right to the top of Mt. Whitney, and then turning around and doing it backwards. Now imagine refueling and doing the double ONE MORE TIME. That's the Badwater Quad, 584 miles of complete insanity. And it's what Lisa Smith-Batchen finished in July in 14 days, 3 hours, and 51 minutes, becoming the first woman to do so. The LA Times has a great write up about it here.

(Lisa on one of her four passes down the highway)

(Elation!)

Lisa and her crew went after the grueling record to raise money for clean water, and is still accepting donations. Congrats, Lisa!

Are these runners ultra-tough ... or ultra-crazy? (ESPN)

Jonah Keri from ESPN did a good overview of ultrarunning in a recent online article at ESPN Page 2. Some quotes from Scott Jurek, Dean Karnazes, and Yiannis Kouros, as well as descriptions of the more high profile ultras. I didn't realize there were over 350 ultras run last year! My favorite quote:

"Ultra running is a metaphysical event," (Yiannis) Kouros explained. "If you don't have that kind of idiosyncrasy, you will never become an ultra runner, even if you train all your life. I am one of those people who recommend and try to inspire people to get involved with running. But ultra is not a fun-running sport -- it's only for unique souls."

Ultra is not a "fun running" sport? I think Yiannis needs to slow down and carry a camera. ;-)

Read the whole article here.