Death Valley Full 2012

This race is fast becoming an annual race for me, and hopefully next year it will include a family gathering for the weekend. (They dont know about the idea, yet.) Beginning at Furnace Creek Ranch the run headed north in the directio of Stovepipe Wells, 13.1 miles of track upon which the infamous Badwater Ultra is held. Weather was significantly different than last year, as temps were favorable for shorts and tech-tee as oppsoed to huddling around a fire mineutes before the race last year. High temp that day reached nearly 80 degrees.
My current training program consists of a schedule set-up for my initial 100-miler for the end of April. Jared Sweet, my coach, has much the credit for providing me with the parameters for this race. My limitations included a 10min-per-mile pace cap and to be self-sustaining as best I could. This resulted in carrying all my water and fueling needs for the entire marathon. Jared knows his stuff.
I carried with me a full camelback of over one half gallon of water, a Hammer fuel bar, a bottle of Hammer Perpetuem, and six Hammer Gel packs. Total weight? All things considered maybe another 6-8 pounds? Doesnt sound like a lot, until you carry it over 26 miles. In the end, it proved to be the race maker for me.
The pace was a very enjoyable, minimal effort pace. I was able to carry on a conversation with several other runners at various times. We were not authorized headphones, and talking became a good alternative. My little group of runners within a two-mile radius experienced some pretty good headwinds at mile 9-10 through the turn-around. Once we headed back to the finish, it was full on into the sun with no wind break. That's when the heat started to rise and where my water plan paid off.

Having the water tube at mouth level allowed me to sip every mile. The constant flow of water kept me going. By the time I reached mile 20, I had begun to pass runners who werew whowing signs of dehydration as they trod slowly on. Aside from the normal pains in the thighs and some knee issues, my pace only slighted on one hill and while making some food adjustments.
My time was ten minutes slwoer than last year, but all things considered, the race was significantly better. Control was maintained throughout, management of my resources was spot-on, and mental clarity was actually quite acute. (I like that word.) So, keep this on the radar? Definitely.