Jamie Donaldson has become so associated with extreme endurance challenges that she surprised friends and fans when she decided not to run a renowned 135-mile race through the California desert in July.
After almost a year of deliberation, Donaldson, a Freeport native who lives in Littleton, Colo., opted not to compete for a fourth consecutive Badwater Ultramarathon women's title in Death Valley.
She had debated whether to run again since July when, at 35, she broke the women's record with a time of 26 hours, 16 minutes and 12 seconds and placed third overall. Aware that preparation for the race, which runs from the second-lowest point in the Western Hemisphere to the base of the highest point in the contiguous United States, requires absolute commitment, Donaldson, a teacher, chose to forgo the competition.
"I just realized that it's not fair to keep stringing my crew along in thinking that they were going," she said. "I wasn't quite feeling it, and I just needed to make a decision either way, so I did. It's such an important part of me, and to not do it, it just doesn't feel very good. I've had lots of offers to do race stuff and crew for people, but it'd be hard to be there right now and not running."
The Badwater experience remains incomparable for Donaldson, who has competed throughout the United States as well as in France and Canada. A day of severe heat and scenic landscapes gives way to a starlit night and serenity, and a personal support team follows her the whole way.
In her first time at Badwater, she needed more than 41 hours to finish in 2007. After leading for 122 miles, she struggled with chafing and shin splints, fell to fifth among women and hobbled to the finish line amid the glow of headlamps and flashlights.
After the race, at the Tropicana Las Vegas, she used a wheelchair to get around. Hotel employees, aware of what Donaldson had endured, upgraded her rooms out of sympathy.
"Anybody you talk to that knows you ran 135 miles thinks you're crazy," she said. "Then they know how hot it is in Vegas, and they also know how hot it is in Death Valley, so they just think you're superhuman, I guess."
That experience pushed Donaldson to the brink, but it also convinced her to come back. The next year, she was Badwater's best female and a record breaker (26:51:33). Two more titles and a better record followed.
"When you set a record, you think maybe it's safe for a little bit," she said. "And you think, 'I won't have to go back unless someone breaks it.' Then someone was like, 'Well, if you win it four years in a row, that would be ...' And it's like, 'When does it ever stop?' "
Among those who first learned of Donaldson's decision was Chris Kostman. Badwater's race director and Donaldson's friend, Kostman reacted with understanding. He started competing in ultra-endurance events in the early 1980s and watched many of his cohorts burn themselves out.
"There are way too many athletes in every sport who get too obsessive about it and lose balance," he said. "And then they really disappear, and we never hear from them again. ... I have a lot of respect for people who take a break every so often."
Still, he took the news as a slight letdown. Perhaps more than anyone, Kostman recognized how much Badwater participants and fans admire Donaldson. For example, Kostman traditionally gave returning top-10 finishers bib numbers that represented their previous result. But as a sign of respect, last year's overall champion, Zach Gingerich, asked to switch his No. 1 with Donaldson, who had No. 3.
If Kostman needed additional reminders, he simply had to check Donaldson's Facebook page and blog, "Run Like a Girl," to see dozens of comments about her being an inspiration.
Sean Meissner was one of Donaldson's Badwater pacers the past two years, and, though cognizant of Donaldson's indecision, had begun preparing for this year's race when he received the three-time champion's decision.
"It definitely was a bit of a disappointment for me personally, too, because it's a very hard race to crew and pace for, but it's also very rewarding because of that," he said. "One other person asked me if I would crew for them ... but I thought, 'No, Jamie is the person I want to be there for.' "
He, like Kostman, suspects Donaldson will return. Donaldson believes she is Badwater-bound, too.
When remains the mystery.
"Maybe if someone breaks my record," she said, "I'll be back sooner rather than later."
Additional Information:By the numbers
Jamie Donaldson's times in the 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon:
-- 2007: 41 hours, 57 seconds (35th overall)
-- 2008: 26:51:33 (third overall, women's champion)
-- 2009: 27:20:18 (fifth overall, women's champion)
-- 2010: 26:16:12 (third overall, women's champion)
