Panda Ramblings, all things must begin and end

[windwalker]

For all things there is a beginning and an end, that's the way of our lives and our world. No matter how good, bad or indifferent all things will end and then something new will begin. It's like a good movie, we hate for it to end but we know it will and we are sad that it does but enriched because we had the opportunity to experience it.

A phase of my life has come to an end and I'm sad for it but from that I must move forward. I have made a decision that moving forward means doing Bad Water in 2011. Bad Water is a 135 ultra endurance race across Death Valley. It's considered the toughest endurance event in the world. I'm going to try to badger a couple of friends into doing it with me. One friend has to turn his life back to the positive side and needs this as much as do I.

One of the reasons we get into doing distance events in the first place is to put a positive goal out there in front of us. A goal to finish a half or full marathon or to complete the Goofy at Disney are all goals that I've used to stay focused on moving forward. I've done those and now I need a new challenge. That challenge will be the Bad Water race.

The people I will ask to do this with me will more than likely, at least at first, think I need to be locked up for my own safety but I believe this is the next step on the road to my destiny. I do think it's become time. Like the old French Foreign Legion, you join to forget the past and live for the moment. I need to put the past behind me and learn to live for the moment again.

Thanks for reading

Rambling Panda

 

[VernRDH]

While I think you are a little bit nuts for wanting to run Bad Water, I have to respect it. I tell people about running and mention Bad Water, and they don't get it. Course a lot of folks barely get why I run half marathons.

While I am in no shape to run with you, I will gladly sign on as head cheerleader.

Go get em panda, you can do it!

 

[windwalker]

Thank you Veronica. You are a sweetheart.

The race is by invitation only and you have to submit an application to be accepted. My plan is to ask three others to train for this event with me and if only one of us gets accepted the rest will support that person during the race and if all of us get accepted we will all help each other make it to the finish.

Enduring Panda

 

[SAHDad]

Good luck. I would love to do Badwater someday, but I handle heat so poorly that I fear it would kill me. Keep us in the loop on how your training is going.

 

[mousemgr2]

Go for it, Dave!

 

[RogerM213]

Oh - and here's the Badwater requirements:

Here are the THREE Qualifying Standards, at least ONE of which must be met prior to applying:

1. You have officially finished the Badwater Ultramarathon (the actual race held since 1987; “solo” efforts will not be considered, except those made prior to 1990).
2. You have officially finished - in 48 hours or less - at least one official 135 mile running race which is a member of the BADWATER WORLD CUP, as well as one running race of at least 100 continuous kilometers in length.
3. You have officially finished TWO running races of at least one 100 continuous miles in length.

In addition to meeting at least one of the three qualifying standards listed above, the ideal applicant will have extensive experience in ultra endurance sports, defined as at least five years participation in some, or all, of the following:

* Ultra Running: In particular, completing the Grand Slam or multiple week-long desert stage races in the same calendar year.
* Ultra Triathlon: Double Iron, Triple Iron, Ultraman, (or longer).
* Expedition-Length Adventure Racing: Eco-Challenge, Raid Gauloises, Primal Quest, or similar.
* Ultra Cycling: Furnace Creek 508 or comparable ultracycling races at least 500 miles in length.

Notes:

* No applicant is guaranteed entry, including race veterans.
* Some special consideration is given to applicants who are veteran Badwater Ultramarathon pacers. (A letter of recommendation from the athlete for whom you paced at the Badwater Ultramarathon is sugested. It must be sent by email from the person for whom you paced directly to the Badwater race office. It must be sent to raceoffice-at-badwater-dot-com within 24 hours of your application submission, or, preferably, immediately prior to your application submission.)
* You must have significant, relevant, applicable race results from 2008 and/or 2009.
* 24 hour race results may NOT be submitted as equivalent to a 100-miler, regardless of how many miles are completed. However, feel free to include this type of information on your application, in addition to the minimum qualifying events.
* The two qualifying events of "100 continious miles" means literally 100 continuous miles. Therefore, stage races such as MdS and RTP do not count towards the minimum qualifying standards. However, feel free to include this type of information on your application, in addition to the minimum qualifying events.
* Minimum application requirements must be attained prior to submitting the application to compete in the upcoming Badwater Ultramarathon.
* For every race mentioned, the application must include the full race name, year, place, and finishing time, plus the hotlink to the specific webpage on the event website which will verify your claim. All links listed here should be complete,
* "Officially finishing" any event mentioned is defined as meeting all time cutoffs, including the overall time limit, for the event in question.

 

[mousemgr2]

Dave,

Keep in mind that not every ending is a bad thing. A lot of times the end of something makes the beginning even brighter. I recently had what I considered to be a close friendship end. While that was difficult, I knew and still know that it was for the best. My life is so much better now because a toxic relationship is over.

I hope that you are able to find happiness and peace in whatever beginning come your way.

 

[windwalker]

I'm shooting for 2011 with next year spent doing distance events. I'm going to be single so I'll have a lot more time to devote to training and racing. And surely need a goal and a mission. Several race walkers have completed the Badwater, even the movie Running on the Sun highlighted a couple.

There are several 100 mile walking events around the country and actually the longest Olympic distance is the race walk competition. I already have some in mind.

I have looked at the entrance requirements and realize it's going to be a challenge to get a slot, if I gave up because of entry requirements being tough I wouldn't be a senior olympian.

I've paid my dues in this life and can accomplish anything I put my mind to, or die trying. The risks and sacrifice are my call to make.

Determined Panda

 

[windwalker]

Dave,

Keep in mind that not every ending is a bad thing. A lot of times the end of something makes the beginning even brighter. I recently had what I considered to be a close friendship end. While that was difficult, I knew and still know that it was for the best. My life is so much better now because a toxic relationship is over.

I hope that you are able to find happiness and peace in whatever beginning come your way.

Thank you

Dave

 

[Lexxiefern]

Dave, sorry to hear that you are having something important come to an end, but this sounds like a great beginning to work towards! I know you can do it!

Hope to see you during Goofy!


Becky

 

[MrsPotts]

Just a big as you begin this new journey.

 

[K80K]

Dave: I wish you much luck in this new adventure. Looking forward to reading about your journey.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Dave I think it's awesome that you're considering Badwater! Even better that you're not looking at this as the end but rather a new beginning. Good luck with this and keep us posted on your progress!!