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Whew! What a great time we had at Badwater! I can't thank my support crew enough for helping me have a race of a lifetime. They kept me focused and upbeat and encouraged me through the rough spots of the race. We ended up crossing the finish line in first place in the women's division.

I met ALL my goals:

1) We had fun
2) I stayed injury free (different from not having pain)
3) I finished the race
4) I got the buckle under 48 hours
5) I beat my time of 37:41 from the 2004 race
5) I beat my goal of sub-36 hours
6) I beat my "secret" goal of sub-35 hours

Thank you Dori Robertson, Larry Ham, Dave Bursler, Glenn Tachiyama, and Dave Heckman. YOU guys ROCK!

(How does one ever thank her crew enough?!)

I plan on writing up at least a race summary when I have the time. In the meantime, many of you have seen pictures from the webcast, but in case you haven't seen Glenn's phenomenal photo journal of the race, you can go HERE to see it. You can also check out my pre- and post-race photos HERE.

Dave Bursler has written a honest and passionate report from his perspective. Everything about the race is in there (except for what I will add!). Grab a beer and a cigar and read his report HERE.

I also must thank all my friends and family who supported me all along the way - for the lucky socks, the Badwaterer cd, the advice, the confidence. There are no greater gifts than believing in someone and hugging someone when you have the chance. A few people in particular treated me and my injury several times a week during the two weeks before the race. THEY got me to the start line and gave me the OPPORTUNITY to win this race. Thank you Larry Ham, Gina Wolf, and Garrick Thompson.

We've raised quite a bit of money for the athletes at Team St. Lukes, but we still have about $2000 more to go. If you can, please consider donating $10 (or more!) to the kids. I have one more week to collect donations before presenting a check to the Team.

I'll be back with more soon!

For complete results of the 2007 Badwater Ultramarathon, go HERE.

Thank you thank you thank you!
Posted by Lisa B at 12:38 AM olga said...

Lisa, dear, you did an awesome job along with your Team! So very proud to know you, so touched by your strength and determination, so happy to see you smiling through it all! What a ride!!!

August 2, 2007 at 5:34:00 AM PDT 
LOLOL Love it "GOODwaterrrrrr" now that is a great post title :-) ur witty one my friend!

Congrats Lisa!!, I wanted to call U but I know U been busy returning a bunch of calls & getting back into ur grove with ur practice...I will touch base with you in a week or so, You & your Crew Rock!!

Great PICS & Re-cap from Dave B

I still can't believe how fresh & alert you were for the finish line interview...you gave a great interview, ur a pro ;-)

August 2, 2007 at 7:47:00 AM PDT Lisa Smith-Batchen said...


what a joy when all the stars line up in your favor:)
way to go my friend!

August 2, 2007 at 8:01:00 AM PDT Ben, aka BadBen said...

Congratulations, Lisa.
What an great accomplishment!

August 2, 2007 at 8:32:00 AM PDT Backofpack said...

Amazing Lisa, simply amazing! Way to go! It was fun watching your progress and seeing your move towards the front. It was hard to wait for the next post of times, wondering...

Congratulations - awesome run!

August 3, 2007 at 9:07:00 PM PDT 

First of all congratulations on a great race at Badwater. I was on Lisa Smith-Batchen crew and I wanted to say that what you wrote on Lisa blog was indicative of a true champion and someone that makes all of this worthwhile. We started a "this is so not normal" club and I would like to be the first to offer you a lifetime membership. It was a pleasure being on the road with you and Lisa {I was pacing Lisa when you two were battling it out}.

Again, great job at BW

Scott Morgan

August 4, 2007 at 8:57:00 PM PDT 
Thank you, Scott.

And I would GLADLY accept your lifetime membership offer into the "This is so not normal" club! Wow, finally a club in which I would feel right at home...! :)

August 4, 2007 at 11:27:00 PM PDT updater extroidanaire said...

Hi lisa, just a note to thank you for the kind words to me about my badwater solo finish. You are a true inspiration to me. i hope to go back next year "I can't believe I just said that" anyway I hope to go back and try to break the 60 hr cutoff now that I kind of have a clue. Ps you looked so awesome and beautiful crossing that finish line. terry abrams spokane wa

August 5, 2007 at 5:56:00 PM PDT Henrique said...

Great job. You are a great runner.
Henrique Jacob and Patrícia Lucindo, Manoel´s Mendes crew send for you a Brazilian hug.
Complete a run is a dream but help the people is an atitude. Thanks for show us more than just running.
You are a true champion. We hope see you soon next year in Badwater.

August 5, 2007 at 7:55:00 PM PDT Journey to a Centum said...

Wow, dreams do come true! Congratulations to you and your awesome crew for a job well done.

Will you ever run out of endorphins from this finish?

August 6, 2007 at 10:33:00 AM PDT 
hey lisa I got ur email...and replied back

August 6, 2007 at 10:51:00 AM PDT 
Totally kick butt! Great job and a huge congrats.

August 6, 2007 at 3:56:00 PM PDT 
Thanks, Olga. Call me tomorrow!

Bob, I didn't get yer email. Weird. can u send again please...or text me.

Thank you Ben, Michelle, Eric!!

August 6, 2007 at 10:28:00 PM PDT 
Nice job on Vermont, Jamie (I checked out your site)!

Terry, can you believe 3 of us from Spokane crossed Death Valley on foot this year! So cool. I can't wait to go back either.

August 6, 2007 at 10:30:00 PM PDT 
Hi Henrique, thank you for your kind note. Congratulations to Manoel too! Glenn T linked me to your blog site and pictures. Very nice....more there.

August 6, 2007 at 10:32:00 PM PDT 
And no, Eric, I haven't run out of "high" yet! Still waiting for the crash and burn, but it hasn't happened! I'll ride it out as long as I can. :)

August 6, 2007 at 10:48:00 PM PDT 
Congratulations on a spectacular race! I was in awe of you when I joined the Maniacs a few years ago after you had finished your first Badwater and this amplifies the feeling even more now. You're an inspiration.

August 8, 2007 at 8:59:00 AM PDT 
And I love you so much, dear:)

August 9, 2007 at 9:44:00 PM PDT Santorini, Greece. Photo by Glenn Tachiyama Inducted into the Badwater Hall of Fame Some previous posts Marathons & ultras a stone's throw away cool running sites Western States 2003 Badwater 2007. Photo by Glenn Tachiyama