Desert Running…

I just returned from another trip to the desert. My dad and I decided to take a trip to California for a few days and much of it was spent in Death Valley, along with some time right outside the park boundaries. We also stayed a night in Lone Pine, which is the mile 122 time station of the Badwater Ultramarathon. Running in the desert is something I find both exhilarating and soothing, so getting out there is a welcome opportunity.

Last year, I was able to run part of the Badwater course near Furnace Creek in Death Valley. My total travels on that trip took me as far west as Stovepipe Wells. By staying in Lone Pine and then going into Death Valley, I was able to see the rest of the Badwater course in person (except for the final small chunk of the Whitney Portal road), and run another small piece of it.

When I stepped out for my run in Lone Pine, the temperature was somewhere around thirty degrees. This was not so bad but the wind was howling. Having brought shorts, a light long sleeved shirt, and a hat, I was underprepared and resorted to clutching the ends of the sleeves in my hands to protect them. However, with that kind of wind there’s really no warmth with that method, it just keeps the skin covered. Since it’s not every day I get to run in Lone Pine, I pushed ahead, running from a little south of Lone Pine to partway up the Whitney Portal road. While the temperature was cold, it wasn’t enough to create any concern. I could warm up in the hotel room later.

The Whitney Portal road is a steady climb and it’s difficult to imagine what would be going through a runner’s mind after 122 miles of grueling desert heat and knowing you’ve got 13 miles of up. That’s a tough run no matter when you tackle it, even first thing in the morning with two fresh cups of coffee in your system.

The next morning I ran at Death Valley Junction which sits at 3,000 feet above sea level. Unlike Lone Pine or Furnace Creek, there is next to no traffic on this road. It’s surrounded by miles of desert and distant mountains, almost no human structures, and is quiet and serene. It epitomizes the idea of running in the desert.

Why desert running? I enjoy running to the point where I can do laps in a hotel parking lot and be content, but there are places I prefer and the desert is one of them. The surroundings are magnificent. It’s also the case that there is a solitude and tranquility to it that’s hard to top. I can run and soak in everything around me, I can push myself to faster speeds, but whatever I choose, there are no distractions around to push me in an unintended direction. It’s solely about the run and my capabilities.

Running food review of the week: (note–gels, bars, chews, and other items affect everyone differently. Try them on a short run before using them for a key training run or race): Hammer Gel Montana Huckleberry: I am not familiar with Montana Huckleberry flavor (I’ve had the barbecue sauce version) but this had a pleasant “berry” flavor and was good enough in terms of energy. Like other Hammer Gels, it was easy to take down.