by Joey Butler
This little adventure started back in the spring of 2009 when Kathy Youngren was accepted into the Badwater 135 footrace across Death Valley. I forget exactly how she put out the call for potential crew members, but like a dummy, I let her know I was interested. We talked about what was involved in crewing. I recall having reservations about my ability to even pace her but she seemed confident that I would be fine, so I agreed to be a crew member along with her husband Rob, Janice Anderson, Blake Thompson, and Kim Susor. I remember she and Rob told me this experience would either make me want to run a 100 or convince me to never, ever think about it again.Well obviously it made me want to run a 100. I had never thought much about it until that week at Badwater. I realized those people were crazy, but a good kind of crazy. The seed was planted and I had to give it a shot.
I spent months researching every 100 miler in the US. I finally settled on Lean Horse in South Dakota. Now I just had to gather the nerve to send in the entry form. I had doubts about whether I was capable of finishing a 100 miler, but I knew that I had to find out. The only way to fail, in my opinion, would be to never give it a shot.
With that thought, I signed up for Lean Horse on August 28, 2010. I’ve spent most of the summer running long miles in preparation for this race. I’ve prepared as best I know how. I haven’t run as many miles as some others, but I’ve pushed myself to my own limits.
Now just a few days before the race, I feel pretty good. I’m healthy. I have no lingering issues from a previous injury. My only complaint has been that I am constantly tired. The big increase in mileage explains that.
To be honest, as I write this, I am very confident in my ability to finish the 100. I don’t really have a time goal. Breaking 24 hours would be nice, but since this is my first 100, my real goal is to just finish. I know it’s a long race and I assuredly will experience things in the race that I’ve never experienced before. I just have to do my best to overcome the hardships and keep moving forward.
Hopefully next time I write, I’ll do so while wearing my buckle. I know I will give my best effort, whatever that is.
Joey