Death Valley National Park journey has begun!

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Ulrich

Marshall and Dave Heckman are off on their epic journey around Death Valley National Park. They started yesterday on the route that Dave researched and mapped out for them (I can’t even imagine the hours — no, days — of work he put in) along the eastern border, from CA highway 190 just west of Death Valley Junction, and headed north. You can follow their progress online because they’re carrying a SPOT Tracker.

“Easing” into it, at least by typical Marshall Ulrich standards, they did “only” about 20 cross-country miles today. Of course, you have to remember that Marshall just finished the 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon at about midnight on Tuesday. Recovery? What recovery? He don’t need no stinkin’ recovery.

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Ulrich Goes to Extremes in Death Valley! Badwater and Circumnavigation

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Ulrich

Marshall started running the Badwater Ultramarathon this morning. This is his 18th Badwater, and 24th crossing of Death Valley on foot — in the summer. You can follow his progress here or on the Badwater 2012 webcast.

Marshall hopes to finish the official 135-mile race in about 40 hours. Then, on Thursday – pending getting permits from the US Forest Service – he will continue another 11 miles to the summit of Mount Whitney. Marshall has always “gone to the top” as the whole idea of the race was to go from the lowest spot in the US, Badwater, to the highest point in the lower 48 states, the summit of Mount Whitney…and Marshall is a stickler for honoring the past and those who set the standard before him. [Note on 7/23/12: Marsh surprised everyone by deciding to put off the summit of Mount Whitney until after the circumnavigation.]

But, after completing the Badwater 146, Marshall won’t be done! No. Not him. To top things off, he and friend Dave Heckman will begin an incredible journey: the first-ever circumnavigation of Death Valley National Park! Follow Dave and Marshall using Spot Tracker. I will be doing “sweep” along with our friend and neighbor Roger Kaufhold, to ensure that nothing is left behind. Translation: we’re on garbage detail! We’ll also provide a first line of emergency support, if needed.

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the project video trailer.

You can read about how Dave and Marshall prepared for the circumnavigation here.

Thanks to everyone for your comments and support!

Oh, and if you’re interested, here’s what we sent out to the press about this extreme expedition.

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Gawker.com “gets” me

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Marshall

What’s this? I’m in a gossip column?!

The scandal: My publicist actually tried to get — gasp! — publicity for my book. Here’s the scoop from Hamilton Nolan at Gawker.com:

PR Dummies: What If Your PR Man Does Something Crazy?

If at first the public relations industry doesn’t succeed, it tries and tries again. You just can’t kill the motherfuckers. This is PR Dummies. Here to inflict damage, at least.

The reporter who received the following pitch tells us: “I’ve lost track of how many times this guy has e-mailed me about Marshall Ulrich — It could be more than 10 times at this point — but each time, he tries a different pitch. This … well, aside from the fact that I am a sportswriter (and so, presumably, am not writing advice columns for women dating crazy men), is just too much …”

Then, after complaining about the publicist trying too hard, he proceeds to post almost the entire release.

First, thanks for the exposure on your blog, Mr. Nolan; I hear Gawker gets lots of traffic!

Second, I’m certain the reporter *subscribed* to multiple lists my publicity agency maintains for distributing releases — that’s the only reasonable explanation for why he would have gotten it so many times. And he could have easily unsubscribed.

Third, let me say that every publicist who’s worked with me on “Running on Empty” has been entirely professional. They all have pretty good senses of humor, too, so I hope the name calling gives them some belly laughs. I know I’m cracking up right now.

 

 

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