The Final Countdown

3… 2… 1… it’s go-time. And it feels exactly like my very first Badwater race day in 2015, and the ones I was lucky enough to run in 2016 and 2019.

All of the preparation, all of the work, the emotions, the ups and downs of getting to this day, they’re over. What’s left is a weird, calm feeling of acceptance. Back in 2015, getting ready to head to the start line, I remember feeling exactly the same: a bit of excitement, a bit of wonder. Those feelings carried me through the morning and into the early afternoon.

Around 6:30 or so, we drove the 14 miles from Furnace Creek Ranch out to the start line at Badwater Basin, to a race I’d dreamed of running for years. And for one brief moment, I went into sheer panic mode. I didn’t show it; I kept it locked in my head. But ohhhhh was I freaking out. We pulled into the parking lot and I saw friends milling about, also waiting to start. Even our hugs and high fives couldn’t shake the feeling.

It wasn’t until the countdown finished and race director Chris Kostman waved us off that everything I’d planned for suddenly fell into place. Like my other surgeries, today is just like that. The panic, then the acceptance, then the hopefulness for what lies ahead and a solid recovery.

I found a great shirt online to remind me why I’m doing this: because everything DOES hurt, at least below my ankle. It’s meant to be a little dry humor, a moment of levity to help me get through this big one.

It’s time. I’m ready. We can do hard things.