Very Difficult Decision

The Arrowhead 135 is 135 miles through the Minnesota wilderness through snow and ice in temperatures of occassionally -60d F. The only thing harder than doing this race is deciding whether I should do it or not. I want to do it. This is very clear to me. There was trouble when I did the Badwater Solo, because I knew a few people might protest against me doing it. This time, there may be a few people who actually support me doing it. This time, it seems, I am really on my own. I have received many daunting analyses of the situation, and I know that I have a very heavy decision to make. The risk factor is great, but that is partly why I am attracted to it. I know that if I fail, it will be a great failure with many devastating aftershocks. I know this about the race. If I succeed, there will be great rewards. I want to do it. I want to run it, but there are many terrible things I must take into consideration as far as my physical well-being:

1. The Cold. My priorities:
Preventing Frostbite
Preventing Hypothermia
2. The Equipment. I must be able to successfully test the equipment I bring to Minnesota.
(For both the cold and the equipment, I've decided that I must find time to visit Minnesota before the race in order to test the equipment and experience the cold.)
3. The Distance. I consider this one of the least terrifying of the challenges associated with the Arrowhead. I have done this distance before, and I am running every day, increasing my stamina with each session.
4. Diabetes. Insulin cannot be frozen or else it cannot be used. I must find away to insulate the insulin. I must expose my skin to the blistering cold in order to check my blood sugar. Very difficult.

Those are the 4 threats that I can see. The cost can be easily saved up, but these four things are what makes the Arrowhead physically intimidating.

Other things that would be affected:

I would lose the faith of those who advised me to avoid doing this race whether I failed or succeeded.
I would potentially lose eligibility for the Badwater if I failed.

All of these things are on my mind. The $150 loss if I pull out seems like a minimal loss compared to the troubles I might find in the race, but none of these terrible things can equal the pride and strength that I would obtain from succeeding in finishing the Arrowhead 135 in under 60 hours.