#9rp - One by one crews with their runners moved out before dawn from Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells to the starting line in Badwater Basin at -282’ below sea level.
Wow, I admire that kind of focus and dedication. It seems like the real accomplishment was even accepted to participate in the race. You can be proud of that, my friend.
Hi, Sharron. I was 59. I had an arthroscopy op the next January. Doc said I would need a knee replacement in the future. Arthritis and degeneration. He said not to run anymore but running is addicting. I continued for year plus but knew my knee wasn't handling it. I stopped. Had a knee replacement 3 years ago. It's much better now. : )
4.5 miles is tough. I think it's like any thing that catches your fancy, you want to get better at it. It takes time. I had more stamina than speed so the longer distances appealed to me.
Your knee slipped out of joint? I can't imagine how you walked 15 miles on it. I do understand the reluctance to quit. Thanks for sharing the insider perspective on these grueling long distance events. I find it very interesting.
Yes, felt wobbly like a screw was loose. Anything much more forceful than body weight, such as landing a jump or stepping off a step caused the femur to slip sideways to the outside, sliding over the edge of the torn meniscus. If it really slipped it would injure the surrounding ligaments. Thanks for reading, K.C.
Wow, I admire that kind of focus and dedication. It seems like the real accomplishment was even accepted to participate in the race. You can be proud of that, my friend.
You are right about getting into the event. I talk about just that in part 3. Thank you, Jim.
Wow! What a story. Such punishment to the body. How old were you when you ran this race? When did you finally stop running?
Hi, Sharron. I was 59. I had an arthroscopy op the next January. Doc said I would need a knee replacement in the future. Arthritis and degeneration. He said not to run anymore but running is addicting. I continued for year plus but knew my knee wasn't handling it. I stopped. Had a knee replacement 3 years ago. It's much better now. : )
Aha, Thank you, Ron, for this background!
I ran a race once in high school; 4.5 miles. That was more than enough running for me. I can't even get my head around what you're talking about.
4.5 miles is tough. I think it's like any thing that catches your fancy, you want to get better at it. It takes time. I had more stamina than speed so the longer distances appealed to me.
Your knee slipped out of joint? I can't imagine how you walked 15 miles on it. I do understand the reluctance to quit. Thanks for sharing the insider perspective on these grueling long distance events. I find it very interesting.
Yes, felt wobbly like a screw was loose. Anything much more forceful than body weight, such as landing a jump or stepping off a step caused the femur to slip sideways to the outside, sliding over the edge of the torn meniscus. If it really slipped it would injure the surrounding ligaments. Thanks for reading, K.C.