Sizzling heat, tough climbs and 135 miles through the Death Valley desert? Yeah, it's one man's dream of doing the Badwater ultramarathon -- and a nightmare for anyone else

Army corporal Doug Long has been a long-distance runner for many years and has conquered quite a few ultramarathons. But the one he really wants to add to his achievement list is the Badwater ultra, the toughest in the world. Come next week, the veteran soldier will take off on his long-held quest to conquer the Badwater. My story for ESPN.com's Endurance sports section: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/9472312/endurance-sports-long-prepares-world-toughest-race-death-valley