Amy Campbell, New Zealand 24hr rep and 2011 winner of the Tarawera Ultra, takes on the famed Badwater Ultra this weekend. “Covering 135 miles (217km) non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA, in temperatures up to 130F (55c), it is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet. The 36th anniversary edition will be held July 15-17, 2013.”We were lucky enough to get a quick interview with Amy ahead of this massive undertaking.
BCR- Amy you have run Kepler, Tarawera, the Taranaki RTM and world 24hr champs- where does the Badwater Ultra sit amongst your impressive list of races? Do you see this as your biggest challenge to date?
Amy Campbell- It is something I have wanted to tick off my bucket list for a very long time and finally I am about to do it. By far the biggest challenge of my life…..to date. It’s going to be pretty darn epic that is for sure.
BCR- When did you get over to the US and how are you finding it? Have you looked over the course much? Impressions?
AC- I arrived here on July 1st, right bang smack in a horrendous heat wave. Rally glad I came over that far in advance. In saying that it is still ridiculously hot. The course is what it is and I just have to get from the start to the finish, I haven’t analysed it too much, I know there are 3 big hills, one of them is 28km long. Wahoo!!
BCR- How has your preparation been? Have you logged a lot of miles compared to world 24hr?
AC- I have had the best build up ever, wouldn’t want to change a thing. David Eadie from Australia has been coaching me, he did it last year. The very first thing he said to me was “it’s very doable”. I have no doubt I will get the job done.
I have logged a truckload more miles than what I did for 24hr. Have continued with the gym, the wine, the fishing, the diving and managed to keep Andrew happy all at the same time. The balance has been great. Feeling the best I have ever felt and couldn’t be more ready than what I am now.
BCR-Have you done any special heat training?AC- I have been so unbelievably lucky, I was put onto Julia up at the Millenium Institute of Sport who is doing a phd in Heat Acclimation…perfect timing. I was her guinea pig. We had 6 weeks of intense training in 40deg heat in the chamber up there. Talk about sweat but absolutely the best training and the closest I could get to simulating Death Valley in the middle of a NZ winter.
BCR- You’ll have your crew on hand at all times- do you have a strategy for pace and fuelling?
AC- yeah it is a bit of a family affair. Fiancé, Mum, Dad, Sister, good friend and Casey from America who crewed for David. They will cool me with spray bottles, I will also be using Floe Bottles which are designed to keep slushy in slushy form for up to 2hrs. It is proven that slushy is one of the most effective forms to cool the body so I will be consuming plenty of that.
BCR- Updates? Will your crew be doing updates and where can we all follow your progress?
AC- I am not sure what the reception is like out there, we hope to do some FB updates, if people are on twitter you can follow at adventurecorps or on the website Badwater.com
BCR- Thanks for making time for us Amy and all the very best for the race! I am sure you will have the whole New Zealand ultra running community following your progress and cheering you on from afar.
