PAUL STONE: BADWATER THANKS

     Things have been hectic back here in Texas the past week since returning from Badwater, so I apologize for the tardiness of this correspondence. While it has been said many times before and will surely be repeated many times in the future," Thank you. Both of you."

A THANK YOU for encouraging my wife, Abby, between Townes Pass and Panamint Springs on Friday morning when she had some concerns about my condition.

A THANK YOU for giving me some "blue' Gatorade and potassium tablets (or whatever they were!) during that same visit.

A THANK YOU for wrapping my blisters in Lone Pine before my ascent to the finish line.

A THANK YOU for hosting the training clinics which gave myself and many other first‑time competitors so much insight into the dynamics of this unique event.

A THANK YOU, most of all, for the genuine care and concern you have for all the different people who come to Death Valley year after year with a common goal in mind.

     They, like myself, view you both as friends in the highest regard. So many people probably had doubts that a fat boy from East Texas could travel to Death Valley and be successful in such an extreme setting. While 53 hours, 21 minutes and 20 seconds might not mean much to too many people, I'll always cherish every second. I hope to return some day (perhaps soon) to shave a little time off that effort. Like many of the competitors, I became ill shortly after leaving Stovepipe Wells (a delayed reaction to the intense heat, perhaps brought on by too much "gorging" throughout the day). I only covered about 2 2 miles during a nine‑hour period Thursday night and Friday morning, but rejoined the course at 4:30 a.m. Friday about 44‑45 miles into the course. I never left the course again for any extended period until I reached the finish line Saturday afternoon  I remained ill and could not eat anything until late Friday afternoon. I was an ugly sight, but I was moving forward, getting a step closer to the goal with each step. Concerning my ability to finish when things appeared bleak, I look back to a prayer Abby and I said in the car before rejoining the course early Friday morning.

     We asked God that strength be placed in my body and that I might recover from my sickness. God did not answer this prayer immediately, but by late Friday afternoon I was eating heartily and feeling much better. You both certainly played a role in this through your selfless devotion to all the racers' efforts. As for my effort, all glory should go to God. Thus far we have raised approximately $5,000 for Child Evangelism Fellowship of Smith County (Texas) which gets young people ‑‑ many of whom are living in at‑risk environments ‑‑ into a Christian setting at least once a week. Young people have so many poor choices available to them in today's society, we should make certain there are positive alternatives. This fund‑raising effort was a result of our participation in the Badwater Ultra Marathon. I believe good things will come out of it. Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Sincerely,

Paul Stone