Death Valley National Park, California. (AP) – When the running becomes hardened in this desert, the “hell on meaning,” duni vestguard tells itself: “slow and stable” or “smooth as butter”.
For 18 years, the 66 -year -old Westguard has provoked the scorching heat of the Death Valley of California at the Build Ultramarathon bill as the world’s most difficult. Last week, 99 runners around the world started a fierce 135 miles (217.26 km) competition from a fierce point from the lowest point from the sea level of North America, which was 48 hours for the highest peak trailhead in the US. Some have completed the competition several times as Westguards, although finishing has not been given one.
“This is just like a summer ceremony and reunion of a family,” he said. “I feel at home when I am here. This is my tribe.”
For the 37th year, Bathing water 135 ultramarathan Athletes challenged this dried, boring desert segments. The race occurs in July, when the temperature is Increased in 130s (54.44s c). Even as a location of extremes, Death Valley is not immune for global warming. According to the National Park Service, its seven hottest summer has occurred in the last 10 years. And if the planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current speed, more spaces may experience its browning temperature.
More than two days, the West Guard will trek between mountain ranges, previous sand dunes and salt flats, bizarre cities and a huge desert between 117 f (47.22C). He tried to smile the whole time, even when he felt unhappy.
“It just lifts you up,” he smiled and said that others smile back.
First night: the race begins
At 8 pm, the first wave of runners stopped. Westgard Jogus jogged a ramp in light light in the evening. It is 113 F (45C), and it looks like a blow dryer on the face.
A van behind it is paste frogging, his cheer squad and support crew – Jennifer Drain, his smiley cousin, back to the 17th year, and daughters Megan, who first participated, and Madison, and Madison, is the first timer. The crew, which ficklely calls the Westguard “Viner Dog”, needs everything he needs: food, ice, water, electrolytes.
It can hit the heatIncreasing body temperature can cause organ failure and the heart can cause stress, especially for people with heart disease, and heat stroke. To prevent that they keep her cool. They spray the mist on it and put ice in her hat and a closure wrapped around her neck. His drinking water is cold of ice.
In a few hours, Megan asks his father if he drinks. “Long stream,” he responded to the amount of his urine. It is important to be hydrated. As he sweats, he is losing fluid that can severely stress the kidneys when he is filled again. Dehydration can fail the organs from the lack of blood, oxygen and nutrients, causing recovery and death.
Race Medical Director Megan Dale said that no runner has died to compete, but issues related to heat are common. Stomach issues can lead to vomiting and dehydration. Hyponatramia – which occurs when your blood sodium is very low – the runners are sent to the hospital.
Westgard has learned to hug rollercaster. A moment he feels like Superman – next he can throw the roadside, the question as he will make it. “You just suck it, such as in life, and through climb, and it always gets better.”
The next day: running through “oven”
The runners pointed to a significant cut -off point, which they should meet or end by 10 am, towards miles 50.8 (81.75 km). The sun is at the peak on the mountains, putting a warm glow on the tibba fields. This is 85 f (29.44 c).
“Living dream, eye?” Westerguard said with a smile, his standing airs are now a drama reshuffle.
He pours water on his face and arms and smells some watermelon. Madison pace behind him because they break the jokes. “Get Er! Junior Winner in Training!” Megan shouted.
The Westgard makes it at a cut off point before 90 F (32.2C) before 90 F (32.2C).
Mile 56 (90.12 km): After going directly 14 hours, the West Guard rests and eats some avocado toast. “Great! Come on a motor!” He said that 10 minutes later he sat in a chair.
Miles later, he starts his descent in “The Oven”, which is the Panamint Valley, usually the hottest part of the race during the hottest part of the day. It is 96 f (35.56 c) and cisles from above and below the heat. The West Guard runs on the white line on the road because it is a cooler. In the hot years, the asphalt became so hot that his shoes bottles were sticky on the ground.
West Guard trains for summer throughout the year. As he gets older, he does not tolerate the heat and has slowed down. His two -hour sauna session is now one, and he runs a few times a week instead of daily.
“I’m outside now,” he said, “but still it is happening.”
Tony Wolf, Professor of Cainesiology at the University of Georgia, said that aging adults usually reduced heart function compared to young adults. When exercise and heat stress is combined with a heart demand, it can cause difficulties.
There is not much research about how competitive athletes fit into the body of older adults, including athletes, regulate internal temperature. Wolf said, “One of the people aged 60 and above is not tons, who are doing such incidents.”
The study focused on adults before and after a training program found that exercise improved heart function and thermoregulation. Wolf said that it may suggest that the loss of heart and thermoregulation associated with aging is largely reduced by lifelong fitness.
Second night: sleeping hallucinations
The runners are now spread out, their glowing lights are twinkling in the distance. This night is the most difficult for Westguard because sleep deficiency is set. He zigzags on the road, barely awake. The ahead of him looks as if they are running towards him.
In previous years, their hallucinations have included people who wooed people to rest on the couch that were actually bushes. Another time, he had a conversation with a child’s skateboarding with a dog. And once, he kept looking for hours because a man used to wave at the edge of Crescent Moon, waving on it.
Westgard said about hallucinations, “This was clear as the day.”
At 3:10 pm at Mile 98 (157.72 km), he sleeps under the moonlight for 15 minutes.
Madison said, “Nobody really understands enough” why he does so.
Last day: push towards finish
Around 11:50 am and around miles 123 (197.95 km), Westerguard reshuffles through the city of loan pine. Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the Continental US, climbs about 14,500 feet (4,420 m) blue sky.
He runs as a crowd clapping and cheers.
“Go Danny, Go!” A man shouted.
This is 92 f (33.33 c) as it reaches the finish line for the last 4,750 feet (1,447.8 m) mountain climbing. The West Guard is running at the speed of a snail and says he is sleeping. But he did not smile.
The West Guard said, “We have come a long way,” Madison left behind and sprayed it.
“Long way to a burger!” He replied. They begged about Veji Burger, which they will buy on finishing.
Then he does, crosses the finish line with his crew at exactly 45 hours and 29 minutes.
This was his most special Badwater 135 race ever, he says that from Misty Idd, Megan and Madison.
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Dorney Pineda, Ty O’Nell and John Lolar, Associated Press
