Thanks to all of you who have been following along regarding Badwater. I’m fine, but my foot injuries from the run across America flared up, and it just didn’t make sense to push my luck and set back my recovery by months or longer.
I started from the Badwater basin at 10 am on Monday, July 13 and made it several miles past Furnace Creek with wonderful crewing by Dr. Bob Haugh and Murray Griffin. At about 5:30 my wife Heather came out to find me walking in my Crocs, the only shoes that were tolerable for me to wear at the time. She was able to talk some sense into me, and I agreed that continuing on would do additional damage to my injured (and not recovered) right foot. The plantar fasciitis and damaged tendon on the outside of my foot were painful, with some pain radiating up my Achilles and the outside of my shin. Continuing the additional miles on the Badwater course and up Mount Whitney would certainly make things worse and, at best, delay my recovery. I wasn’t willing to take that chance, especially with other things coming up where I will be a part of team; namely the Baffin Island expedition with my friend Ray Zahab as a part of his impossible to Possible (i2P) project focused on educating kids about global warming. So, while it was a horribly difficult decision to make, especially given my commitment to my own fundraising for the Religious Teachers Filippini and the sacrifices of my crew, I decided to stop.
The rest of the day and last evening I spent finding and supporting my friends. Today, I drove the rest of the course, passing out food, drinks, ice, and support and encouragment along the way. We’re staying in Lone Pine tonight to continue supporting and cheering on all of the amazing efforts by others here at Badwater. Seeing the race from this perspective is certainly different, but interesting and wonderful. Whatever we can do to help OTHERS in life is the real reward.
Please don’t let my decision to stop here at Badwater stop YOU from making a donation to the Sisters! The work that they do truly is amazing, and it does empower the women and kids to take control of their lives. PLEASE send a donation today to:
Religious Teachers Filippini Mission Fund
Reference: Marshall Ulrich
455 Western Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960
Thank you all for support of the real work and peace and justice, your interest in Badwater, and your kind messages of support.
Marshall, I support you, and am very proud of you for making what was surely a very difficult decision. Inspiration comes in many forms, and you and Heather continue to inspire me with the way you live your lives.
Rest those plantar fascia, and keep doing your best. 🙂
~Todd~
The fact that you ran across America (100 kms per day till you were done !) …. i think it's okay to have a day off !
You are an amazing individual- with such incredible commitment to the causes you believe in- a true hero.
Cheers !
Hi Marsh,
You are inspiring us to take action, help others and live our dreams. You seem to have changed course just fine – maintaining your commitment to help/serve others.
Rock on bro! Keep the faith and before you know it, you'll be on your next adventure.
Cheers,
Jilly
Hey Marsh,
You inspire me to take action, live my dreams and help others. Although this outcome may not have been what you originally planned, it nevertheless has helped many people and spurred others to action.
You and Heather are one heck of a team! Way to go and keep the faith!
I look forward to you upcoming adventures.
Cheers,
Jilly
Class act! Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Marshall,
Continuing would have been the easy decision. Taking the long view as you did was the courageous decision. Being the recipient of some of your generosity at Father Crowley's Point during my Badwater Crewing debut (a six pack of O'Doul's, no less!) was definitely a highlight of my fantastic experience.
Looking forward to hearing you're properly and completely healed from Running America to take on more jaw-dropping challenges!
Cheers, Steve
Thanks, all, for your kind comments. I'm working on rehab for my foot and it's going well.
Thanks to everyone who has donated to help the women and kids. The fundraising is going well. Just keep on doing for others… whatever the (good) cause!
Steeeve – glad we could help out in some small way with your Badwater experience. Were you crewing for Ruben Cantu? He's such a gentleman and a good guy.