From October 6th through 8th, I was privileged to participate as a member of my husband Rick’s support crew in the ultra-marathon event called ‘Furnace Creek 508’. Billed as the “toughest 48 hours in sport” the 508 mile race takes place almost entirely in the Mojave Desert. Starting in Valencia, the course winds through Mojave, California City, and Trona to the north entrance to Death Valley. The course then heads east to Shoshone, then south through Baker, and eventually to the finish line in Twentynine Palms. These were places I certainly had never visited before!
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During the event, temperatures varied from the 90s during the day to the low 40s at night. Almost half of the 77 solo entrants dropped out somewhere along the course. Following Rick was an extraordinary experience for me. I was never bored as two other support team members and I were constantly monitoring his food and liquid intake, mixing energy drink concoctions to keep him going, massaging his legs, and cheering him along whenever we could. I was mesmerized by the 20 mile climbs he would complete. At one point during a long downhill, I noticed his swerving a bit. I instantly realized what he was doing so we pulled up along side of him to wake him out of his sleep!
This will be an experience I will never forget. I have to admit, I have a new admiration and understanding for the sport my husband so loves. And, I have a feeling that I just may participate as a support person in one of the 100, 200, or 300 mile rides he enters every year!
People, Places, Happens 
