KensRun

KEN'S GOBI DESERT RUN

Ken ran across the final finish line and has completed the Gobi March! He had a STRONG finish, running the whole 15k stage and doing it at a great pace, considering what he's been through physically and mentally. His finish time for the almost 10 mile leg was 1:30. Awesome! He said he ran the whole thing with a British guy, and they kept each other going and even crossed the finish line holding hands (OK, I'm a little jealous!). I asked him who the guy was and he said they never exchanged names!! Guys...

He said the first thing he did after donning his huge medal was to drink a coca cola so fast it burned his lungs. Then it was beer and sandwiches, before checking into the hotel and getting a shower. He said he and a bunch of other runners went to a local bazaar and did some shopping and sightseeing (mom, you have a special gift coming, I hear!).

Then, it was time for the awards banquet. Ken said his tent group won a lot of awards. A couple of the runners in his tent were age group winners.

He should be sleeping right now, and then they all leave in the morning, with most of them flying to Beijing for connecting flights. I'll be picking Ken up at LAX Monday afternoon! It won't be the big welcome group he had last time (just me!) but then this whole run was a different experience. I can't wait to hear all the stories! He said he has tons of pictures that he took himself this time.

Thanks for following along and for all your emails to Ken!!

Ken Perry left June 2nd heading to the Gobi Desert for his second desert run. The race begins on June 8th in Kashgar, China and will finish on June 14th with a total of 250 kilometers being covered. This race is different from his Sahara run as he will be running in altitudes of 10,000 ft in some places.

Ken has again listed the Wildland Firefighter Foundation as his charity - thanks Ken!! We realize things are financially hard for everyone right now and the WFF is not hosting a pledge page, but if you have a few extra bucks to spare, let's show Ken our gratitude for doing so much for our firefighters and their families. Being Ken's #1 fan, I will start the ball rolling with a $10 per mile pledge.

If you can't donate, support Ken by going to www.4deserts.com/gobimarch/ and send emails as the race goes along. You can do this by going to the Multimedia link, click on "Email a Competitor" and simply fill out the form. You can also check out Ken's Blog too! When Ken came back from Egypt, he told us that he received more emails than any other racer - pretty impressive!! Let's stand behind him again....

Run Ken Run!
Lori Greeno

Thank you to wildlandfire.com for once again helping put together the pledge page and hosting needs for Ken's Run. You guys rock!!

Thank you Neptune Aviation for being our first corporate sponsor.

Thank you to Western Pilot Service in Phoenix, Arizona for supporting Ken's Sahara Run!

PLEDGE PAGE
KEN'S YOUTUBE POST 1	KEN'S YOUTUBE POST 2	KEN'S YOUTUBE POST 3

KEN'S WELCOME HOME AT LAX.....

DESERT RUN TO RAISE FUNDS FOR FIREFIGHTERS....

Ken took the list of pledges and donations with him, packed it in his bag, and is on a plane heading to Egypt. There's still time to support Ken. Pledge or commit a donation now, while he's running, heck even as he finishes the race. There's always time to support....Run Ken Run!

KEN'S PROGRESS REPORT... (Posted on Ken's Blog, Oct 23)
I spent the day yesterday flying fires in Southern California, unfortunately, watching many homes burn to the ground. And while in the grand picture of this world we live in, of war for instance, it may not seem noteworthy. I saw some pretty heroic things being done out there (in places other than "star-struck" Malibu). There are kids pushing the envelope to protect homes and save lives (and livelyhoods). And what a motivation that is for me to run for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. One Chief I talked to today, in the midst of burning homes (litterally), said to me, "Good luck in Egypt". Well, thank you, and I'll do my best. I'm going to have to leave this situation before it's over...and it's tough to do (not only for the excitement, but also the sense of duty) but, I also know that, quite frankly, I'm not going to be the make or break of this firestorm....No matter how much I'd like to think it- there are other folks that are much better than me.....And I know that those kids down there know what the WFF does when the envelope breaks. And it's a pleasure if I can help them out, in any way I can. Peace, KCP
OUR RUNNER, CARBO LOADING...
	Ken's training will start to wind down as he prepares his body for the 6-day running he'll be doing in some tough elements. This is Ken's third running endeavor for the Foundation. His fundraising efforts have resulted in the wildland community to provide hotel rooms and airfare to get parents to the bedside of their badly burned son, or severely broken up daughter, sending statues to honor and recognize loved ones for a grieving widow, a mother, or a father, and keeping the lights and phone on so we are able to help when the calls come in. Even though this has been a quiet season of lower than average fatalities, we are preparing to send a statue for the latest line of duty death in California. As people learn more about who we are and what we do, we receive a number of calls each week requesting help for a variety of reasons. We strive to do whatever we can within our mission, to help (or find help elsewhere) and treat each request in a compassionate manner. Every donation, every pledge, every 52 Club membership, "pays forward" for the next person who needs our collective generosity. Thank you for helping.
SAHARA RACE OCTOBER 28-NOVEMBER 3
Kenneth Perry BLM Air Tactical Supervisor Believe it or not, the number assigned to Ken for the race is 52!	Former Hotshot and Smokejumper, Kenneth Perry, will be running in the "Racing the Planet" Sahara Run, part of the 4 Deserts, a unique worldwide endurance series. There is no other event series like it in the world. The Sahara Race is a 6-day, 250-kilometer (approx. 150 miles) footrace. Each individual must carry their own gear, food, and clothing in a backpack. The only assistance provided is water, tents, and medical assistance. The average backpack weighs about 20 pounds. Each "Racing the Planet" event highlights an indigenous culture in the region with the hope of preserving the culture for generations to come. In the Sahara Race participants will experience friendship and warmth of both the Egyptans and Atacamenos. Each group has its own unique culture. Pledges and donations are encouraged to support Ken's fundraising efforts on behalf of the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Ken has raised nearly $80,000 and ran more than 125 miles in support of the wildland firefighting community.

Ken Perry, Firefighter and Runner

Almost one year ago, I set out on a run through the Mojave Desert to raise awareness and money for the
Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Fortunately, I had other firefighters there to pick up the slack for me when it didn't work out as I had hoped.

Last fire season, many families received the shock and heartache of their lives when they were told their loved one was not coming home. As a community of firefighters, we were there along with the Wildland Firefighter Foundation to pay tribute and to help the families whether financially or emotionally. As a community, our support is good and very well intentioned, but it is also important to remember that we can’t “wait” until something bad or tragic happens before we do what we can to help. Just as we need to be proactive from a safety standpoint to protect ourselves and those we have in our charge, we, as a community, must be proactive to provide support for those in the fire service who die or are injured and their families during every fire season.

On October 26th, 2007, the one year anniversary of the loss of Engine 57, wherein Mark, Pablo, Jess, Jason, and Daniel died, I will be traveling into the Sahara Desert in Egypt to start a seven day, 150-mile stage race through the Valley of the Whales, the White Desert, and finally the great pyramids of Giza. There will be no entourage, no fanfare, nor fire engine escorts.

What does the Sahara Desert have to do with wildland firefighters? Other than it’s the hottest place on earth and there isn’t a whole lot there to burn…probably nothing. Why this? It’s a reward to myself for going through something this past winter.

Yep, I was going to wait until a little later in the season, but I talked to Melissa this morning and we kind of agreed that with all of this other “stuff” going on, maybe now was a good time. I hope we can motivate the masses again for this good cause.

Ken Perry is a Bureau of Land Management, Air Tactical Supervisor. His career in fire has been extensive, he was an Alaska Smokejumper, a Fulton Hotshot on the Sequoia National Forest, and he spent three summers on an engine crew with the Kern County Fire Department.

In the spring of 2000, Ken injured his back during a rescue operation in Alaska. After two major operations, a couple pounds of titanium, and a complete fusion of the lumbar spine, Ken experiences constant lower back and hip pain. However, while training for a Los Angeles Marathon, he realized that running didn’t make his back hurt any worse, and he enjoyed the running. After the marathon, he noticed that speed was not his strength, but endurance and distance were.

SNOW CONES FOR KEN

Ken's neighbor, Elisabeth Breen, told her mom she wanted to make snow cones to help Ken's Run. The Breen's live next door to Ken and Wendy Perry in Palmdale and were very familiar with Ken's efforts for wildland firefighters. The whole family was at the finish line at Station 126 to cheer Ken on and meet Vicki Minor, our executive director, so Elisabeth's donation could be given to help. Everyone was touched by her sweet spirit and generosity. We thank you Elisabeth from all wildland firefighters!

If you pledged for Ken's Run, please send your pledges to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation at 2049 Airport Way, Boise, Idaho 83705. If you forgot what you pledged, or if you have any questions, please call our office at (208) 336-2996.

RUN COMPLETED FOR 2006!

Ken finishes the run with amazing support from California wildland firefighters.

Ken receives a statue for his "Power of One" dedication in running more than 100 miles and raising more than $100,000 for the Foundation.

Ken started out at about 1330 on Friday in the desert of California City, CA. At 1900, Ken's support crew entered Edwards Air Force Base. Once Ken got to Fox Field in Lancaster at 0300 on Saturday morning, it was obvious he was in trouble. After 57 miles behind him, it became clear to Ken that he was not capable of finishing all 104 miles in the goal of 25 hours. He also realized that his body could not do anymore. Jaime Puente and Brian Skerston were at Fox when Ken arrived at 0300. Jaime ran 30 miles with Ken last year and was ready to run again. Ken's Crew met at Fox until 0400 that morning. Jaime and Brian were recruited to be "proxy" or "pinch runners" for Ken, with additional crews coming on board to help "relay" an end to the 104 mile goal.

I participated in the discussion and was very relieved that Ken came to the decision to stop. He looked bad and I was worried for him. I also knew, being fairly competitive myself, that he was not happy with what he knew was the best thing to do. We all rallied behind him and were floored by the respect and honor that was paid to Ken by Jaime, Brian, and all the other firefighters that ran in Ken's stead. No words could express the absolute care and compassion these young firefighters showed for Ken.

The run concluded at 1300 on Saturday at LA County Fire Station 126 in Santa Clarita. Food was donated by a number of companies (a list will be added this week), and the support received by LA County Firefighters was awesome.

Thank you to everyone who was on hand to support, volunteer, pledge, and help bring this event together.

THANK YOU TO KEN'S RUN SUPPORTERS!

Ken and Wendy Perry mid-way through 104 miles.

A map of Ken's trail. Both events were facilitated by a number of folks throughout the California fire service.

The Foundation would like to thank the following people for their efforts, hard work, and contributions (we have attempted to remember everyone and will be adding more names to this list, please bear with us!

Ken and Wendy Perry, wildlandfire.com, Ian and Paula Perry, Lorie Greeno, Tony Duprey, Tom Patterson, Victoria Smith, Rio Hondo Roadrunners, Debbie Santiago, Joel and his son ("motorhome guy"), Jeff (Texas Canyon Hotshots), Tom Hutchison, X Kellogg, California City EMTs, Tony Duprey, Jaime Puente, Brian Skerston, Texas Canyon Hotshots, Kern Valley Hotshots, Edwards Air Force Base, LA County Fire Department, Elisabeth and her parents, and everyone who pledged.

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