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FOURTH OF JULY WEEKENDBADWATER TRAINING CLINIC06-29-2001 to 07-02-2001Dear Badwater People,There were 21 peoplewho participated in the Fourth of July weekend Badwater training clinic.Mostof us met at Stovepipe Wells Village (SPW) in the late afternoon onFriday 06-29-2001 at the registrationarea or at the swimming pool. We had a separate section reserved forus in the dining roomwhich was nice as some of us had never met before. The menu listed agood range of selections and the food wasreasonably priced and very good. The salad bar alone was almost all that oneneeded. After dinner, we met in an auditorium and became better acquainted.The proposed weekend activities and workouts were discussed. I showed thevideo of "Running on the Sun" for those who had not yet seen it.Denise gavea demonstration of foot and blister care. Those attending wereas follows: Ben and Denise Jones Russell (Rusty) Bishop,Des Moines, Iowa, first-timer (invitee) in 2001 and first-timer to clinicFrank MacMillan, SilverSpring, Maryland, finisher in 2000 and returnee to clinic Rick Nawrocki,Torrance,California, pacer and crew member in 1999, finisher in 2000, invitee in2001, and returnee to clinic Geoff Scott, Darien,Connecticut, first-timer (invitee) in 2001 and first-timer to clinic MikeTrevino, San Diego,California, first-timer (invitee) in 2001 and first-timer to clinic ShannonFarar-Griefer,pacer and crew member in 2000 and first-timer (invitee) in 2001 and returneeto clinic Phil and Kari Marchant,Bishop, California, multiple times crewing and pacing the last five yearsand supporting Shannon this year Alexis Wasserman, DeffArmour, and Hayden Hubbard, all video crew for Shannon Greg Minter, LosAngeles,California, first-timer (invitee) in 2001 and returnee to clinic MarkGilmore, Mark andPatty Giebel, pacers and crew members for Greg Larry Mann, Los Angeles,California, first-timer (invitee) and returnee to clinic Felicia Hesler,crewmember for Larry Matt Palocsay, LosAngeles, California, pacer in 2000, first-timer (invitee) in 2001 andreturnee to clinic Andy Cohen, crew for Matt Benand Denise Jones provided a major support vehicle with a convenient open-toptrailer with large icechests full of ice and other supplies. The runners had their own smallerice chests filled with their special
 
fluids and snacks. Each one would refuel at two-mile stops and take offand do the next segment.Denise trotted along and coached everyone at different times during thetwo days. The entireweekend was a very fulfilling encounter bonding with the course and allof the participants as wellas enjoying the magnificent views. We supported Rusty Bishop. He had awarm smile the whole time.He was generous with letting us use his vehicle for sweeping the coursefrom time-to-time makingsure there were no stragglers and also to go ahead to see how the peoplein the front were doing.Frank MacMillan had just done a 24-hour track run in Minnesota the weekendbefore and experiencedjet lag as well is usual training "crash" at around 30 miles.He successfully completed the Racelast year with six minutes to spare and wanted to experience the magicof the Valley again by returning.Rick Nawrocki, still recovering from a bone marrow (stem sell) transplantalong with extensivechemotherapy and irradiation therapy, inspired us all with his enthusiasmand stamina. MikeTrevinowas very organized with his supplies and was full of knowledge about heattraining. Shannon Farar-Grieferprovided glamour for the event and seemed to relish the stories filteringback to her abouthow things were going (or not going) up ahead andat the same time trying to avoid blisters and trying to stay"subbarf."She enjoyed having two support vehicles. Greg Minter was here for hissecond training weekend had a different crew and pacers with him thistime. I hope the others return as well for the "Big One" asI really enjoyed them last month. Mark Gilmore did some pacing. MarkGiebelset up some amazing cairns which seemed to defy gravity along the way.This gang goes digital. Expect something very nice in the next few daysgoing up to his website. Larry Mann in his spare time is an animal keeperat the LA Zoo. He brought Sharon Stone's husband's toe from the Komododragon incident for our interest. We waited until after dinner for theviewing. His handler again was Felicia Hesler, who is becoming very adeptat performing her job on the course and keeping Larry toned down. Shehas great music and presented me with a beautiful "Enya" tape.On Saturday, 06-30-2001 we left SPW for Badwater. Before we left, GeoffScott arrived after having been up all night with his flight fromConnecticutand travel to Death Valley. The Minter party arrived late the eveningbefore. They were already familiar with the proceedings. In order forthings to work out we needed 7 vehicles to handle the 21 people. We leftRusty Bishop'svehicle at Furnace Creek Ranch and continued south to Badwater. Everyonegot to witness the stench from the brine pool at Badwater which was morepowerful than to odors from the solar toilets. After a picture-takingsession, I yelled"Go"and eight of the invitees and one returnee and the pacers took off tothe north at 0815. Everyone seemed overly vigorous at first, but later,
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