Receiving my sixth buckle from Race Director Chris Kostman!

Badwater 135 was the most emotional race for me. This was my sixth finish all over the age of 60years old. After suffering two years with a fractured hip, I had a total Hip Replacement from a young, talented, sports medicine Orthopedic Surgeon. Eight months was pushing the return but I felt good and did not want to miss my opportunity. “Getting back in the saddle”, as they say was especially important for my spirit.
I have many thanks to Chris Kostman the race director that is so great organizing and putting together one of the toughest races in the world. His mother and brother supporting him and all the wonderful volunteers he had chosen to help us have a safe trip. This is truly a gift.
The most important life line I had running in 120 degree heat was my crew.
Spencer Markle my husband who always supports me and is there to safely drive and organize the car. Stacy Butler my daughter who paced over 60 miles with me and Nicole Rasmussen my coach who paced over 60 miles both making sure my nutrition and electrolytes were on. I had a hard time stomaching anything with this race but we did it!
Many people ask me what goes threw my mind as I am running. My runs are gratitude runs. I concentrate on what I am grateful for. I am thankful for God, family, joys and sorrows in my life. I have strong legs that carry me over the mountains and down in the valleys. During covid I have a mother making masks for the Badwater runners. I have my health, my friends, my husband, my children, my grandchildren. I have a wonderful job that has paid me well.
I don’t keep people around me that pull me down. I am so grateful for all the wonderful friends threw this sport that I have met.
What’s next you ask…..? More races, more world records, more USA records. For I am not afraid to try. I will GET back up and try again.
Chris Kostman thank you, thank you, thank you!