In this episode we hear two sides of a rescue story from the middle of the desert during the Moab 240 Mile Ultramarathon, and get perspective on the race from another finisher, co-host Helgi Olafson.
​
Adventure Storytellers: Bert Starke and Tim Mathis
From: Calgary, AB and Tacoma, WA

Guest co-host: Helgi Olafson
​​
​​We are striving to be 100% listener supported. 
Keep the show going and join us on Patreon.

Listen to Podcasts Now:
Journey Running

Follow

Follow: iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, Radio Public or search "Boldly Went" to access free podcasts.

Need help downloading and listening to the podcast on your smart phone? Click here for some guidance.
You can listen to our podcast and support the show at the same time with the RadioPublic app for iOS and Android. 

This week's featured adventure stories

 About our co-host
Helgi Olafson, Ultra endurance athlete

Helgi Olafson

Helgi Olafson is an ultra endurance athlete with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a form of arthritis that leads many to severe, debilitating pain, but which he manages through exercise and a good sense of humor. Helgi is a Boldly Went favorite, and has shared extended essays on his experiences in the Destination Trails Triple Crown of 200's ultramarathon series. He's a vagabond and old school adventurer, and we're totally stoked that he agreed to co-host this episode with us. It's particularly appropriate for this episode when we share stories from the Moab 240, a race that he has completed twice.

Follow Helgi:

• Instagram
• Facebook

---

Bert Starke's Adventure Story:
The Moab 240

Bert Starke ​

Bert is an ultra runner who completed his first race above 200 miles at the 2018 Moab 240 after a remarkable recovery from hours spent lost in the desert in an insomnia-induced daze. 

You'll hear about his story in the podcast, but his report from after the race offers a tantalizing bit of foreshadowing for those of you who haven't heard it yet...

...the next morning felt pretty good. Aside from a bit of leg tightness, I was fine. Not even a single blister. The one Christina [a medic] wrapped at Hamburger Rock had disappeared. And it was there at Hamburger Rock I changed my socks the only time. Was still sleep deprived. Within a few hrs of leaving Moab I pulled over to nap for a few.

Overall, the physical nature of Moab made for a freedom to be in my own zone and to relax in the quiet and beauty of the area. For the most part, though, trail running in general enables me that. But most intriguing was where my headspace was, or wasn't, on that last day. Questioning myself on the move; wondering if I was, and sometimes knowing I was hallucinating, and having the opportunity to doubt my survival. Left out from my story, while I was becoming thirsty, asking myself, "Should I being crying right now? What's the point?" Got to play the most amazing head game. A bit scary at the time but, in hindsight, loved it.

---

Tim Mathis's Adventure Story:
Bert's Moab: from the search and rescue perspective

Tim Mathis and Angel, on their first road trip to Moab for a Boldly Went event.

Tim, who is one of the Boldly Went co-founders, and the author of our book, The Dirtbag's Guide to Life, was part of the medical support team at Moab, as well as the creator of a special edition podcast about the 2018 Moab 240.  He was part of a team that ventured into the desert to follow Bert's SPOT tracker when it was determined that he'd been off trail for hours and didn't seem to be making progress back towards the correct route. His experience of the end of Bert's race was interestingly different from Bert's, which makes for a great illustration of the impacts of insomnia on memory.

Tim's main takeaways from the experience were that sleep and SPOT trackers are important, and that Bert was remarkably physically strong, even after hours of dehydration, hallucination and confusion in the desert. It was an honor to pace him in so he could record an official finish.

Read Tim's book:

• The Dirtbag's Guide to Life

Follow Tim

• Instagram

---

Share Your Adventure Story With Boldly Went
​#boldlywent

Access exclusive content and be a supporter on Patreon.

---

Music

Maricz. Ukelele Jam
Dan Lebowitz
Nat Keefe with the Bow Ties

---

To share your thoughts:​

• Ask a question through our contact form.
• Nominate an adventurer of the week by sending an email.
• Share the adventure on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. #boldlywent

To help out the show:

• Leave an honest review on iTunes.
• Follow on Radio Public.
• ​Was this show worth $1+ to you? Be a Supporter on Patreon!

Become a Patron!

Get involved. 

Live Shows

Bringing together outdoorists of all kinds and providing equal access for sharing intriguing, inspiring, and impactful adventure stories in towns all over the place. 

Find Live Shows Near You

Podcast

Launching you into your work week every Monday morning by delivering the best adventure stories from Boldly Went Live Shows directly to your ears.

Go To All Podcasts

Become a Patron!

Book

A manual helping you to make adventure your lifestyle and get on the path to creating the life you want.
It's within your reach!

Buy or Get Free Chapter