Left for Las Vegas
July 6th, 2008
Every now and then someone comes along who quietly, ambitiously pushes the bar of human endurance and compassion to some incomprehensible level.
Now, I thought I had come to know one of humanity’s most spectacular feats when I read about Lisa Smith-Batchen’s Badwater Double finish. As it turns out, it doesn’t stop there for Lisa.
Yesterday, Lisa Smith-Batchen left for Las Vegas to start her 810 mile run-bike effort that goes like this: First she will run from Las Vegas to the Death Valley where she will then compete in the 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon. She will finish the Badwater, and then continue on to top Mt. Whitney. After that, she will go on to ride the Furnace Creek 508 bike race.
It is hard to describe a feat that is a non-stop chain of 302 miles of running, and 508 miles of biking in the most punishing heat imaginable. Each one of these feats individually would be a lifelong goal for most accomplished endurance athletes. To string them all together into one event is unreal. I really can’t do it justice here in one amateur blog post.
What makes it more impressive is that since announcing this event, she has already raised close to a quarter million dollars for children orphaned by AIDS. Incredible!
Follow her progress starting July 9th, and learn more by visiting her 810 site. Go Lisa!!!!
- P
Entry Filed under: good stuff.