Valley runner preparing to take on a 135-mile marathon in the middle of the California desert

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- When it's hot outside Oswaldo Lopez turns up the heat-- all the way up.

"It's crazy, but I know, we can push the limits."

This is part of his training. For the past two months, he has sworn off air conditioning, in the car and at home, to prepare for one of the toughest ultra marathons in the world-- a 135-mile race from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney.

"What you're feeling like this, windy-- it's the same heat in Death Valley."

On this day, outside was 104 degrees-- add 10 to 15 degrees and that's what he will be running in.

Brad Castillo will be there every step of the way.

"We as a crew are hoping it's 116 to 120 degrees because we know that's what Oswaldo thrives on."

His last win was in 2011. It was a memorable moment for him, but not the only one. He has taken on the race seven times. He placed second four times and took third once.

His reason for running, he said, is simply for the love of it.

"Right now I'm 44 and I'm still running, and when I'm 60, 70-years-old, I'm running. I'm waking up every morning and I go running," said Lopez.

For Winston Fletcher, that passion serves as inspiration. He used to watch videos of Lopez running on Youtube and now he's part of the team.

"He's so cool, you know. Kinda like a running icon."

Together they will head to Death Valley packed in a van-- with the heater the on.