Running on Empty

by Marshall Ulrich

  Heather was instrumental in the run across the United States; that’s evident on every page of this book. She was also critical to the accuracy and emotional honesty of this retelling, and she painstakingly reviewed the statistics, checked facts, and helped me describe some of the more difficult experiences. (Let me say, though, that any errors or omissions made here are mine alone.)

  My agent, Stephen Hanselman, and his brilliant wife, Julia Serebrinsky, saw potential in this story and have helped me every step of the way. Megan Newman at Avery genuinely got and then bought into this book about running that’s even more about life. Bart Yasso made an invaluable recommendation, and Frank and Nilsa McKinney have provided so much support, advice, and guidance over the years, pointing me in the right direction. Karen Risch brought magic and meaning to the words.

  To all my racing and climbing friends from the Eco-Challenges, the Raid Gauloises, the Seven Summits, and the 120-plus ultramarathons with whom I’ve shared the roads, oceans, seas, mountains, and diverse terrain: I think of you all often, and I hope you’ll forgive me for not calling special attention to each and every one of you, as there are just too many to mention. For all your friendship and support, I thank you. I’m especially grateful for having known Ted Corbitt and having the example of other past ultrarunners, bunioneers, and pedestrians.

  In remembering years long past, I want to honor the memory of the late Gary Adams, who encouraged and studied me early on in my running career, photographing Death Valley and helping make it a National Park.

  I must also mention Rosa Martinez, a part of the family and a godsend for all of us as the children grew up. She helped raise the kids and was there for us from the very beginning, becoming a surrogate mother to Elaine once Jean was gone. Peter and Susan Alpert, too, were comfort and support during Jean’s illness and after her death.

  Sister Mary Beth Lloyd and Sister Virginia Jamele have done so much for impoverished women and children around the world, and I’m honored to be a small part of the fund-raising that helps them do the real work of peace and justice. Ray Zahab believed in and encouraged me, providing the training and nutrition guidance, as well as shaping the mental attitude necessary to complete my journey. I owe my success to my mentor in New York, who wishes to remain anonymous, though I must at least reveal that she has been my guiding light, keeping me focused on the task at hand and allowing me to accomplish the impossible.

  Certain people helped me overcome so many obstacles along the way. Dr. Paul Langevin, the magic man; Nancy Smith, who worked a miracle healing my back the very last day; and Robert Spieler from VQ OrthoCare, who was always a shout away during the run—each provided much-needed medical expertise. You kept me moving. Then there were the people who did most of the crewing: my dear friend and neighbor Roger Kauf-hold, Kathleen Kane, Jesse Riley, Kira Matukaitis, Dave Pearson, Jennifer Nichols, and Chuck Dale; and Brian Weinberg, who would come out and pace me at all hours of the night, uplifting my spirit and staying with us till the finish.

  My “Stray Dogs” Eco-Challenge teammates, Mark Macy and Dr. Bob Haugh, both came out to run with and support me, including Mace seeing me to the finish. Mace and Dr. Bob, you have been dear friends and mentors for decades, providing support and stability in my life. Corny as it may sound, you two are my heroes. Tom Triumph, who more recently became a close friend, oozes enthusiasm and support; he and his wonderful wife, Therese, and their daughter, Alexandra, and son, Tommy, opened their hearts and doors to the crew in New Jersey as we prepared to finish the run. I must also thank those who have given in the past and gave to me their crewing expertise and support: Theresa Daus-Weber, Todd Holmes, Becky Clements, Bob Becker, Alex Nement, George Velasco, Colleen Oshier, Cole Hanley, Michael Mezzacupo, and Kathy Farrell. I couldn’t have done it without you.

  My generous friend Chris Frost allowed me to train and stay at his house, and then came out to support me on this run—twice. Art Webb has always given his undying support, and both Chris and Art ran with me at the beginning, in San Francisco, helping me calm my nerves and settle in for the long haul. Penny and Bud Smith took care of Spike and Moxie, our dogs. Special thanks to Dave Thorpe for his kindness, crewing, and concern; you are a true friend. For the food and friendship you brought out for us, my hat’s off to Deb Sensensey, Craig and Denise Parker, and Mike and Elaine Mullin. Gary Kliewer, Murray Griffin, Kari and Phil Marchant, Ben and Denise Jones, I thank you for your support over the years; it has meant so much to me. Lisa Smith-Batchen and Lisa Bliss provided communications and encouragement that helped me keep the faith.

  Thanks to Jesus Gutierrez (El Jalisciense–Ricos Tacos); Blaine Budke and Mitch Farr (the chopper guys); David, Sam, Samuel, and Sylvia Beiler (David’s Awesome Cookies); and Kathi Rogers (Rogers Pumpkin Patch). When I was feeling down, you raised me up.

  Jim Simone, Sally Habermehl, and Jan Depuy, I can’t tell you how much it meant to me that you arranged to have those young men and children come run with me.

  Dana Offenbach was there in New York at all hours of the day sorting things out to make this run a success. Kevin Kerwin and his wife, Kate O’Neil, were on the ground and making sure the documentary Running America became a reality. Rick Baraff and Amira Soliman were part of the production group, but they also integrated into the crew more times than I can count. When we were short on crew, they always (along with Kate) came to the rescue. Andreas von Scheele, Steve Clack, and Cory Gegner rounded out the film crew, doing a terrific job and putting in long hours.

  It was very special to have Todd Jennings, Ira Bellach, Jose Vargas, Irene Chin, Theresa Tokarowski, Sam Wright, Camille Pruvost, and Melissa Lin meet me as I came off the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan—it was fantastic to share the long journey’s end with such wonderful people.

  A special thanks to the runners who came out and experienced a part of Running America: Travis and Donavahn Macy; Steve and Barb Shepard; Melissa Burdick; David, Sydney, and Marcie Atwood; Caleb Beasley, along with his wife and beautiful baby; Doug Douillard; Abbey and Arden Habermehl; Nathan Depuy; Juli Goldstein; Michael, Paulette, Corrine, and Evan Hansen; Jennifer, Thomas, and Andree Langevin; Vanessa Loggins; Jim and Maggie McCord; Glen Turner; Cody Westheimer; Christine Wilson; Joel Rine; Pennsylvania state trooper Kevin Warren; and the many, many others who were there to help guide the way and share the road.

  I’d like to award a virtual world’s record to Mr. Tracy Pugh’s students at Jackson Elementary in Greeley, Colorado, who ran a combined 3,078 miles together in P.E. class, doing laps and following our progress, too. I loved meeting you in March 2009—believe me, your young enthusiasm was as inspiring to me as I ever hope to be to you.

  To Jerry, Linda, and Bethany Douglass: Chris watched over me out there and was a galvanizing spirit, keeping me on track. He will forever live in our hearts.

  And last but not least, thank you to Frank Giannino, who set the transcontinental record back in 1980, for all your support and for coming to the finish to congratulate me. You are still the king of the road.

  Bibliography

  America: The Story of Us. The History Channel/A&E Home Video, 2010.

  American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, “Plantar Fasciitis,” AAOS.org (http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=AA00149).

  Bovsun, Mara. “Edward Payson Weston,” Ultrawalking.net (http://www.ultrawalking.net/historia/weston.html).

  Chase, Adam. “On the Trail with Yiannis Kouros,” Running Times, April 2006 (http://www.runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?articleID=7582).

  The Distance of Truth. Pageturner Productions, 2008.

  Hunt, Linda Lawrence. Bold Spirit: Helga Estby’s Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America. University of Idaho Press, 2003.

  Kastner, Charles B. Bunion Derby: The 1928 Footrace Across America. University of New Mexico Press, 2007.

  Lehrer, Jonah. “Depression’s Upside,” The New York Times, February 28, 2010 (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/magazine/28depression-t.html).

  McNerthney
, Casey. “Seattle’s First Distance Hero Risked His Life to Run Race,” SeattlePI.com, November 24, 2007 (http://www.seattlepi.com/local/341003_gardner24.html).

  Murakami, Haruki. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. Vintage Books, 2009. Pollan, Michael. Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual. Penguin Books, 2009.

  Talpey, Tom. “The Pedestrian,” RunningPast.com (http://www.runningpast.com/pedestrian).

  Tingley, Joseph V., and Kris Ann Pizarro. Traveling America’s Loneliest Road: A Geologic and Natural History Tour Through Nevada Along U.S. Highway 50. Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Special Publication 26, University of Nevada, Reno, 2003.

  Weston, Edward Payson. “Weston’s Auto Lost, Needs His Supplies,” The New York Times, April 3, 1909.

  White, T. H. The Once and Future King. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1939.

  Index

  Abramov, Alex

  Achilles tendonitis

  Aconcagua, Mount

  Adak Island

  Adams, John

  Adams, John Quincy

  Adventure racing

  with Engle

  hallucinations during

  with Macy

  See also Eco-Challenges

  Adventure Sports magazine

  Africa

  adventure racing in

  African-Americans

  AIDS

  Air Drive headphones

  Air National Guard

  Aleutian Islands

  Alone Across Australia: A Story About a Man Who Takes His Dog for a Walk (documentary film)

  Ambien

  Amish

  Amundsen, Roald

  Antarctica

  ArcticFlowTM Cold Therapy System

  Army, U.S., Corps of Topographical Engineers

  Asia, adventure racing in

  Ault (Colorado)

  Austin (Nevada)

  Australia

  adventure racing in

  run across

  AXA Equitable

  Back pain, severe

  Badwater Ultramarathon

  cooling off during

  crews at

  films about

  fund-raising with

  husband-and-wife crossing record for

  out-of-body experience during

  power walking in

  Quad

  Balega socks

  Baraff, Rick

  Bardo, Brent

  Bartle Frere, Mount

  Battle of the Bulge

  Beasley family

  Becker, Bob

  Beiler family

  Blackfoot tribe

  Blisters

  Bloody nose

  Bloomsburg (Pennsylvania)

  Body temperature, maintenance of

  Bonking

  Boone, Daniel

  Borneo

  Eco-Challenge in

  Boston, walk to Washington, D.C., from

  British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

  British Columbia

  Buchenwald concentration camp

  Buddhism

  Budke, Blaine

  Buffalo (New York), twenty-four-hour race in

  Bunion Derby

  Burnett, Mark

  C.A.M.P. USA

  Caffeine

  California

  Running America ’08 in

  Western States 100 Endurance Run in

  Call of the Wild, The (London)

  Cameron Pass

  Canker sores

  Capilene clothing

  CarbonFund.org

  Carmex lip balm

  Carson, Kit

  Carson City (Nevada)

  Carson Pass

  Catholic churches

  Celestial Seasonings

  Central Pacific Railroad

  Champs

  Champs Sports

  Cheyenne (Wyoming)

  Cheyenne tribe

  Chicago, walk from Maine to

  Christian Brothers

  Churchill, Winston

  Civil War

  Clark, William

  Clements, Becky

  Clothing

  Capilene

  Gore-Tex

  Cody, Buffalo Bill

  Colorado

  Giannino’s run across

  Hispanics in

  Leadville Trail 100 in

  Pikes Peak Marathon in

  Running America ’08 in

  training in

  Ulrich family farm in

  walk to Maine from

  Comanche tribe

  Constitution, U.S.

  Corbitt, Ted

  Craig (Colorado)

  Crane, Adrian

  Crockett, Davy

  Crocs

  Curtis, George

  Dale, Chuck

  Damon, Matt

  Daus-Weber, Theresa

  Death Valley. See also Badwater Ultramarathon

  Declaration of Independence

  Delta (Utah)

  Denali, Mount

  Dermatone Laboratories, Inc.

  DeRoyal braces

  “Desert Places,” (Frost)

  Devies, Lucien

  Diarrhea

  Dillard, Annie

  Discovery Channel

  Dislocated fibula

  Distance of Truth, The (documentary film)

  DiZinno, Tony

  Documentary films

  Douglass, Chris

  Dow Jones Industrial Average

  DuPont Corporation

  East Palestine (Ohio)

  Eco-Challenges

  Elbrus, Mount

  Electrolytes

  Electrotherapy

  Elko (Nevada)

  Ely (Nevada)

  Endurox nutritional supplements

  Engle, Charlie

  adventure racing of

  conflicts with

  crew for

  documentary deal arranged by

  drops out of run

  injuries of

  mountain biking of course by

  Sahara Desert run of

  seventy-mile-per-day goal announced by

  sponsors secured by

  at start of run

  ENGO blister patches

  Ensure nutritional supplement

  ESPN

  Estby, Helga

  Ethiopia

  Eureka (Nevada)

  Evans, Mount, Trophy Run

  Everest, Mount

  boyhood dream of

  cognitive problems after

  fund-raising with

  impact on family of risk of

  mountaineering experience before

  ExOfficio

  Extreme sports documentaries

  Fairfield (California)

  Falcon Knee Brace Hinged Wrap

  Fallon (Nevada)

  Farr, Mitch

  Farrell, Kathy

  Fibula, dislocated

  Fiji

  adventure races in

  Financial crisis of 2008

  historical forerunners of

  Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S.

  Fluids

  Fort Collins (Colorado)

  Fort Lee (New Jersey)

  Fort Madison (Iowa)

  Fort Morgan Pet Foods

  Fort Morgan Times 5K

  Fort Wayne (Indiana)

  Freddie Henchie Band

  Frost, Chris

  Frost, Robert

  Fuze energy drink

  Gabbin, Joanne V.

  Gardner, Edward “The Sheik”

  Gatorade

  George Washington Bridge

  Gettysburg Address

  Giannino, Frank

  Golden Gate Bridge

  GoLite apparel and equipment

  Gore-Tex

  Grand Teton

  Great Plains

  Greeley (Colorado)

  Greenland

  Griffin, Murray

  Guinness World Record guidelines

  Gutierrez, Maria and Jesus

  Hallucinations

  Hanley, Cole

  Hastings (Ne
braska)

  Haugh, Bob

  Heat exhaustion

  Herst, Gerald

  Hillary, Edmund

  Himalayas

  Hispanics

  Hitting the wall, see Bonking

  Holmes, Todd

  House of Representatives, U.S., Science and Technology Committee

  Illinois, Running America ’08 in

  Indiana, Running America ’08 in

  Injinji Footwear

  Iowa, Running America ’08 in

  Jackson, Andrew

  Jackson (California)

  Jalisciense-Ricos Tacos, El

  Japanese-Americans, internment during World War II of

  Jefferson, Thomas

  Jim Thorpe (Pennsylvania)

  Joint pain. See also Knee pain

  Jones, Ben

  Kane, Kathleen

  Katmandu (Nepal)

  Kaufhold, Roger

  daily tasks performed by

  departure from crew of

  on Kilimanjaro climb

  Kenalog

  Kerwin, Kevin

  Kilimanjaro, Mount

  Kliewer, Gary

  Knee pain

  KOA campgrounds

  Kouros, Yiannis

  Langevin, Paul

  all night runs prohibited by

  antibiotics prescribed by

  at Badwater

  back pain treated by

  departure of

  dislocated tibia treated by

  and Engle’s injuries

  Kane’s collaboration with

  MRI ordered by

  oral rinse prescribed by

  plantar fasciitis diagnosed and treated by

  stretching by

  Larabar/Humm Foods

  Laramie (Wyoming)

  LaSportiva

  “Last Great Race, The”

  Latinos

  Leadville Trail

  LEKI USA

  trekking poles

  Lewis, Captain Meriwether

  Lin, Kevin