IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME.
August 21st, 2011“150+ mile run across 180 degree, rattlesnake-infested sand on August 26.” Running buddies Will Laughlin and Ray Zahab blame each other for the idea of running across Death Valley.
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Tags: nut-rients, nutrients, nut_rients, peanut butter, Ray Zahab, run across Death Valley, ultra runner, will laughlin
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DEATH DEFERRED!
September 8th, 2011
Death Valley Expedition – Final Video from GOi2P on Vimeo.
First of all, thanks for tuning in to Will and Ray’s big adventure. Our aptly named opponent—Death Valley—tried to kill us more times than we can count. She did her best with 127 degree temps, constant 30 MPH katabatic headwinds, a rainstorm, a lightning storm, a sandstorm (with a rainbow thrown in like a cosmic wink), scorpion nests, camel spiders, ankle-bashing terrain, unexploded military ordnance (watch yer step!), saltwater booby traps…etcetera. But we don’t hold any of this against her. It’s her job to try to kill us. She has a reputation to uphold.
New flavor?
In the end, we got what we were after—a fun weekend! Along the way, we also set an expeditionary first, raised some money to feed hungry kids and put Nut-rients to the test under extreme conditions. We even invented a new flavor—Desert Sand Crunch. Don’t think we’ll put that one into production.
Nutrients for sale (Almost)! Read all about it!
Please stay posted as we plan to make Nut-rients available for purchase online in the next few weeks. I know… “finally.” But most worthy things—like crossing a desert or launching a peanut butter company that saves kids’ lives— require a bit of stubborn patience, right? To stay in the loop, please visit this blog regularly, “like” our Facebook page and get on our mailing list! We’ll keep you posted.
For your viewing pleasure…
We hope you’ll enjoy this video recap of our desert adventure. Thanks to our fans, our families and especially our crew. Beth, John and Bobby, without you we’d have been victims instead of victors. Plus…it wouldn’t have been half as fun.
Big thank you and shout out to Ray’s team for putting this amazing video together!
Tags: Final Death Valley Run, peanut butter for running, Ray and Will
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NUT-RIENTS IN DEATH VALLEY
September 3rd, 2011Of course, this expedition was partly designed to test Nut-rients’ prototype products as fuel for extreme athletes. We explored critical questions such as flavor profile during exertion and efficacy as a sunscreen. As promised, we’re providing you with a few of our preliminary findings.
Does the ginger in Zingi Ginger curb the nausea associated with ultra endurance events?
Ray and I dodged the bullet in terms of nausea, so there was no chance to test the ginger’s ability to reduce nausea. I will say, however, that we had very fickle appetites during the run and Zingi-Ginger Peanut Butter and agave sandwich was always very easy to eat.
Does the flavor profile change during extreme exertion?
Yep. Everything has a stronger taste during extreme exertion, so I switched from eating the Aztec Chia Cinnamon, which has a stronger flavor, to the milder Zingi Ginger as the run progressed.
How does Nut-rients work as a high-density fuel source during and between extreme exertions?
Our peanut butter was a mainstay during the run. I was concerned that the oil content might make it hard to eat in extreme heat, but it wasn’t. Eating peanut butter with a carbohydrate delivery system (bread and agave) helped me keep up on my calorie intake. Everyone is different in terms of physiology and, therefore, nutritional needs during intense exercise, but both Ray and I found a carb/fat mix to be our best fuel.
Does the packaging remain intact in extreme heat?
Yep. We can’t wait to test our packets.
Does peanut butter have its usual power to produce smiles even in miserable condition?
Yes. We have photographic evidence of this.
Is Nut-rients effective as a sunscreen and pomade?
No. The one shortcoming of our products is that they are ineffective as sunscreen and will make your hair sticky and unattractive (but delicious).
What is the best way to get peanut butter stains off of your favorite shirt?
Use a little dish detergent as a pre-wash. The PB and oil will come right out!
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The Finish
September 2nd, 2011
Death Valley Fun Facts
Measured Temperature Range: Low–101 (midnight); High– 127
Highest measured Ground Temp: 175
Wind: Constant 15 – 30mph Katabatic Headwind (Worked Like Convection Oven to Cook Us Evenly)
Liquids Consumed: Six Gallons per Day per Runner (5 gallons electrolyte drink; 1 gallon soda, odouls, water)
Electrolyte Caps Consumed: 150 per Runner
Calories Consumed: 8000 per Day perRunner
Favorite Food Ray: Colonel Toth’s Parmesan Taters
Favorite Food Will: Nut-rients Peanut Butter and Agave Sandwich with Coke
Most Abundant Fauna: Scorpions
Strangest Fauna: Dead Duck (blown off course?)
Quantity of Hellacious Technical Terrain: 90%
Decent RunningTerrain: 10%
How Ray Showed Exhaustion: Silly Improvised Songs
How Will Showed Exhaustion: Silence
Heat-Related Emergencies: 2
Crew Awards:
*Best Cook–Colonel Toth
*Most Like McGuiver–Bobby Laughlin
*Hottest Chick–Beth Laughlin
Hours Run Per Day: 12
Miles as the Crow Flies: 150
Actual Miles Covered Winding Through Terrain: 180
Sand Temperature: 140 – 180
Scariest Moment: Running Out of Water Five Miles from next Checkpoint (Est. 2 – 3 Miles to Unconciousness from Dehydration)
Prissiest Moment: Panicky Dance after Stumbling into a Scorpion Hive at Night
Greatest Challenge: Endless Technical Terrain
Favorite Inside Joke: “Where’s ye damned hat, Yankee?!”
Favorite Joke Category: Poo
Most Disconcerting Discovery: Intact Military Ordnance
Shoes Destroyed: 2 Pairs per Runner
Most Abundant Forms of Trash: Machine Gun Shells (8), Aluminized Birthday Balloons(4), Unmarked Aluminum Cans (>10)
Most Surprising Discovery: Black Clothing Cools better than white clothing
Tags: death valley run, extreme running, Ray Zahab, runner, ultra runner, will laughlin
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Tuesday’s update!
August 30th, 2011Yesterday, after crossing the salt flats at the Middle Basin, Will and Ray finally caught a break from the brutal terrain and cranked out 33 miles. It was great to see them running together and feeling satisfied after a really productive day.
Today, was highest heat, nasty terrain, and unrelenting wind, their spirits are upbeat and they continue to run strong. We expect them to finish sometime late tonight to the cheers of an admiring crew
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Day 4 UPDATE!
August 29th, 2011Early last night was the the toughest terrain yet. With each step the ground would give way. They came to some small mountain passes that crumbled under their feet as they attempted to climb. They came in will their energy spent. They decided to rest and start up early this morning. At this point we will extend the expedition one additional day to allow for a more realistic time frame for finishing.
They are basically crossing a route that has never been crossed (Will and Ray the explorers) and so navigation, terrain and all the unknowns along the way create additional challenges on top of the burning heat.
We had a difficult time finding where to park the RV last night so we ended up parking it in the back lot of a gas station. At around 1:00 a.m. we got a knock on the door requesting that we move so in the middle of the night off we were again to find a resting spot off the side of the road.
Day 4 begins…Will and Ray continue to keep it light as they head out this morning. Much of this is mental strategy. They were joking with each other this morning while downing their breakfast before heading out.
Will told me to communicate this morning that hour by hour, mile for mile this is the hardest terrain he’s ever experienced.
Will and Ray said thanks for the support and the following. It’s keeping them going knowing that there are people out there cheering them on and thinking about them as they make this uncharted trek across Death Valley.
Will says that’s to all of the Nut-rients fans out there. The peanut butter is great. Especially the ginger flavor on a trek like this. His favorite food to carry with him is a bagel with Nut-rients peanut butter and agave honey. Yum!
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…later in Day 3! more photos!
August 28th, 2011Will and Ray are back out in the heat and salt flat terrain. The morning started strong and fast. When they hit the salt flats they needed a refuel of hydration because they were running low. The Valley is challenging all of us but spirits remain high. It seems for Will and Ray when the terrain is good the weather is a factor, when the weather is “cooperating” the terrain presents a challenge. Onward!
Tags: death valley run, nut-rients, Ray, Ray Zahab, ultra runners, will laughlin
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