The UltraRunning link for the U.S.

Badwater Ultramarathon 2002 Report(CA): Angela Brunson

Angela's Reflections.....

"The young are so reckless, they feel they are
invincible, that nothing can stop them. Ultra-runners
also display many of these characteristics, so I
suppose in many ways, running ultras makes us young
again." - Crew member/boyfriend Brian Seaver

"I know there's that something in all of us, which you
have tapped, that allows us as individuals to achieve
the remarkable. Oh what fun it is to watch. Ha! I say
this with the same morbid humor I savor while watching
automobile accidents." - Crew member Steven Hong

"Treks through places named 'Stovepipe Wells' and
'Furnace Creek' are the ultra-runners' way of once
again disregarding mothers' advice and placing not
only our hand, but our whole body upon the stove. As a
result, we become stronger and wiser. Some lessons can
not be taught, they must be experienced firsthand."
- Crew member/boyfriend Brian Seaver

My lowest point: Those eternal three miles leading
into Panamint. At one point, I was laying flat on my
back when I heard Brian's voice in the walkie talkie
say "The van won't start." I remember being so very
grateful that I had not thought to put a mechanic on
the crew and now I had the perfect excuse to quit this
nonsense.

My second lowest point: The 100 mile mark. Although I
knew by now I was going to make it to the finish, I
very much wanted the finish to occur far sooner than I
knew it would. I felt I had worked hard enough to that
point and I was entitled to be done by now. The thing
about patience being a virtue didn't apply to those
who already traveled as far as I had. Why couldn't Al
had just been satisfied with the Badwater 100 mile
course???

The most physically demanding part: Getting up off the
most pleasant couch in the world after an hour and a
half of sleep at Panamint. Brian's words, "C'mon
Angela, if you want to quit, you have to get back out
there on the road first" somehow made sense to me in
my state of half-sleep.

The highlight: Much to the dismay of my crew, cruising
9:00 minute miles from the start with Marshall Ulrich.

The most unbelievable part: Once my crew achieved the
perfect blend of caffeine, sugar, and ibuprofen, I was
power walking up the portals and actually feeling
better than I did at the start. 

The biggest disappointment: No hallucinations.

Would I do it again: Highly unlikely. Although, I keep
unintentionally having thoughts like, "I bet I could
be a little faster next year" or "If there was a next
time, I'll be sure to try more of this/less of that"
or "Oh, wouldn't it be great to have ____ on my crew
next year?" Hopefully, I will commit to being on a
crew next year very soon so I won't be able to toy
with the idea of a double.

The best way to be assured of finishing the race:
Having a reporter from National Public Radio tag
along. The listeners probably wouldn't be interested
in hearing the triumphs and tribulations of someone
who refused to get off the couch at Panamint. I'll be
sure to let you know when the interviews will air.

Final thoughts: Denise Jones is no longer merely a
Blister Queen, she is a Blister GODDESS. 
Dr. Chris Rampacek is the most masculine guy to ever
wear support hose.
I am so thankful that I kept the puke to a minumum and
the pee to a maximum.
The Heat Training Clinics hosted by Ben and Denise
Jones are like knowing the answers before the final
exam.
Thanks to Kirk Johnson for writing such a thoughtful
and inspiring book.
If it wasn't for the movie "Running on the Sun" none
of this would have happened.

Please visit the two different sites below to see 
Badwater photo collections.

http://myrw.runnersworld.com/web/angela7171/races/

http://photos.yahoo.com/angela7171

Stay Happy & Healthy,
Angela Brunson