148 miles of heat, rocks and sand I sit in one of my favorite places on earth, the desert of Ut. As a boy I scrambled across the rocks and sand here each day. When we walked to our one room school house it was across the red sand and sandstone. All our white clothes were red, red socks, red underwear, red t-shirts. Now as an adult I realize how fortunate I was and how this raw, rugged, red, extreme environment shaped the me I am today. I am here to run 148 miles from Fruita, Co. to the mecca of Moab, Ut. This is a stage race. Competing each day for a "total" time, similar to the Tour de France. The stages are: 19miles, 38miles, 9miles, 52miles and 26.1 miles. This is a hard way to run 148 miles. Recovery is key and saving a little gas for the following day is important. In 2005 I won this race in what will most likely go down as one of my best ever running efforts as I battled it out every day with a bull from Italy named Davide. This year I am here to relax, reflect and run far in the heat to prepare for Badwater next month. Four years ago I ran for me. This year I run for the GECKO. I hope I have time to enjoy the view, savor the sand and dream about what will be. I'll keep you posted.