These Things are Few and Resolute
The Badwater 135 with Adam Kimble
The Why
"Trust the pursuit. Have faith in your ability to pursue the goals you're after. The result is, to an extent, out of your control. But the pursuit is well within your realm. Don't set boundaries on what you think you're capable of. If you don't believe you're capable, it will be hard to make anything happen." - Adam Kimble.
The Badwater 135 has a reputation for being the "World's Toughest Foot Race." It got the name for a good reason, too.
Badwater takes place every summer in the hottest place on Earth, Death Valley. In July 1936, Death Valley posted the highest temperature ever recorded. A dizzying 134 degrees Fahrenheit.
Athletes have 48 hours to cover 135 miles non-stop from one extreme to another. Runners start at the lowest elevation in North America - the Badwater Basin in Death Valley.
Runners then climb to Whitney Portal, the trailhead to climb Mt. Whitney. The highest point in the contiguous United States.
The course takes athletes through three mountain ranges. Runners experience a cumulative vertical ascent of 14,600ft. And a cumulative descent of 6,100ft.
Badwater 135 is also an old race. It started in 1987. Back then, it was the Badwater 148 because athletes ran from the lowest point in North America to the top of Mt. Whitney.
Badwater has an application process, unlike other races where you sign up or qualify. It only accepts 100 racers. To qualify, participants must meet one of the following requirements:
You have officially finished a Badwater 135 race between 2021 and 2023 and completed a 50-mile or longer ultra.
You have officially finished the Badwater 135 between 1987 and 2019 and completed at least one 100-mile or longer ultra.
You have officially finished at least four ultra-running races of 100 continuous miles or longer. You must also have been running 100-mile or longer ultras for three years.
A list of acceptable preferred qualifying races can be found here.
Since its start, 11,051 unique participants have attempted Badwater. Only 938 have finished.
In 2024, Adam Kimble hopes to add his name to the list of finishers. "Badwater is an iconic race," smiles Adam, "but it's also a savage race, to say the least."
It's the heat. It's punishing. Relentless. And unforgiving. Dehydration is a serious risk. The heat will cause sleep deprivation and loss of appetite. You may even start to hallucinate.
Another unique aspect of Badwater is that there's no prize money. If you finish the race under the time cap, you receive a belt buckle. And the knowledge that you survived the toughest foot race on Earth.
But that knowledge is more than enough for people like Adam, who aren't chasing extrinsic rewards.
Adam grew up playing sports alongside his older brother. But the feeling of competing resonated with Adam on a molecular level.
"I grew up in the same house as my brother. But I lived and breathed sports. My brother played for social reasons," explains Adam. "It makes you wonder how much of what you're pursuing is innate or learned."
Adam's love for sports earned him a scholarship to play baseball at Bradley University. He enjoyed a successful career as a D-1 athlete, but baseball had run its course.
Stepping away from the game brought greater clarity to Adam. "After college, people asked me if I missed baseball," reflects Adam. "I didn't miss the game, but I did miss competing. I missed that game day feeling."
As a kid, competition is widely available. You make up games in the backyard. Walking to the car becomes an opportunity to prove who is the fastest.
But as an adult, it's harder to come by. So, you must seek it out or be ready when new opportunities arise. For Adam, his chance came from the unlikeliest of places: running.
Adam's father-in-law was always running local races, everything from 5k's to marathons. But running was never a thing Adam enjoyed. It was something to tolerate. A facet of being an athlete.
"Unintentionally, I was seeking the same game-day feeling I had during baseball, and I kind of stumbled into running," says Adam, laughing. "I was always around because I'd watch my father-in-law. The community and environment made it so fun!"
When Adam first started running, it was casual. In 2011, his fiance at the time suggested they train for the Rock N Roll Chicago Half Marathon.
The Rock N Roll Running Series is less about the fastest times and more about having fun. With distances for every level of athlete, the Rock N Roll Running Series is a great first step into the running world.
It was the training that got Adam hooked, though. He enjoyed training for the half marathon more than the race itself. So, he booked a ticket for the Chicago Marathon a year later.
"After the marathon, we went for brunch with a bunch of friends. And one of my friends asked me if I was going to another, and it was a definite no," says Adam, smiling. "Less than a month later, I signed up for another race.
By 2014, Adam was knocking out road marathons at a solid clip. So, a friend approached him about doing a 50k trail run.
At that moment, it was like his friend split the curtains open and showed Adam the sun for the first time.
Within four months of his first trail run, Adam completed a 50 and 100-mile race.
"The further I went, the more I enjoyed it," says Adam. "You'll hit the wall during a marathon. But during a 100-mile race, you'll hit that wall many times. So, it becomes a puzzle. There's a problem-solving aspect to running that far that I enjoy."
Many of Adam's problems during the Badwater 135 will appear complex. The heat. The elevation gain. The time cap. Traversing three mountain ranges.
But none of these are under Adam's control. The beauty of running resides in its simplicity.
Running unravels the complexities of life and removes distractions. So, all you're left with is a simple question: What about this moment is in my control and what is not?
Run enough races, and you'll learn that the list of things you cannot control is endless. But the index of what is within your control is few and resolute.
For Adam, that list begins and ends with having the right attitude. Because you never know who is watching. Your actions and attitude could give someone the courage they need to start participating in life.
"People have said they admire the way I put myself out there again and again," admits Adam. "I try to be an inspiration and set an example for those watching."
The Community
Ultra running, defined as any foot race over a marathon, is having a moment. Participation in ultras has skyrocketed by 1,676% in the last 23 years.
But it's not just the ultras that are gaining steam. More than 8.9 million people registered for a 5k in 2022.
These numbers reflect a broader trend, though. People are running more. Some suggest that in 2022, 20 million people picked up running for the first time.
"The community drew me in immediately," says Adam. "Anyone attending these events has a baseline desire to improve themselves. And if you share that desire, you'll meet some pretty special people."
When you think of community, you focus on the runners. But these events wouldn't happen without the race volunteers or your crew members.
So, it's important to acknowledge the individuals who make your running experience better.
"Do everything you can to be involved in the community," asserts Adam. "Think about how grateful you are for the aid station folks handing out water. Support a friend by crewing or pacing them. The more involved and full circle you can be, the better and richer your experience gets."
The Training 🏃
Whether you’re tackling The Badwater 135 or your first 10k, be intentional about your training. There’s no one-size-fits-all. So, experiment and find something that works for you. Adam’s approach to training is a balance between staying physically ready and mentally prepared for game day.
Adam’s training philosophy
Space runs out as needed. You need enough time between big races to allow your mind and body to heal.
You also need time to reflect on the previous race. What went well? What didn’t? Where can you improve?
It’s good to mix it up. If you have a long run scheduled, find a local race. It’ll mimic the game day experience, so you can apply what you’ve learned. Plus, local races are fun.
The specifics
Earlier in the running, Adam will cross-train 2-3 times a week, focusing on single-leg movements for stability and balance.
As the running season progresses, he’ll reduce his gym time and incorporate things like cycling.
He’ll even adopt routines that will help him with specific events. For The Badwater 135, Adam will practice hot yoga.
The Food 🥗
Running any ultra will put an immense amount of stress on the body. But running an ultra in the hottest place on earth takes things to a new level. Your body is already in overdrive. But your body will bounce back so long as your hydration and nutrition are on point.
Adam’s slow drip strategy
Instead of inhaling all your calories at a rest stop, consider spacing them out.
Adam will consume calories every 30 minutes during the race. As he says, “If you’re always eating something, your body will always have something to work with.”
Pro tip
When Adam isn’t traversing mountains, he prefers a plant-based diet.
Increasing the amount of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in your diet can lead to faster recovery and less inflammation.
The Gear 🤘
The technology in your running gear rivals some cars. Take running watches. They're more full-stack technology suites than timepieces. These features serve a purpose. But there's a tipping point.
Running is meant to simplify life. Using too much gear can dilute the experience. Adam prefers to follow a more minimalist approach to running gear.
Adam's gear kit:
Adam opts for the Naked Running Band. The band contorts to fit your waist, so there's nothing to distract you while you run.
He'll also carry two hand-held soft flasks. But he'll use the Katadyn BeFree Water System on more backcountry runs for water purification.
The Advice
Adam on coaching:
"If you believe you have the ability to make someone better, then you must believe that someone else can do the same for you." - @adamkimble818
Adam on the process:
"Trust the pursuit. Have faith in your ability to pursue the goals you're after. The result is, to an extent, out of your control. But the pursuit is well within your realm. Don't set boundaries on what you think you're capable of. If you don't believe you're capable, it will be hard to make anything happen." - @adamkimble818
My $0.02
Chasing big goals isn't always fun. Whether you're trying to run 100 miles in every state or building a company, there will be times when things just suck.
But this too shall pass. These moments won't last forever, and neither will your pursuit. You'll finish the race, or you won't. You'll build your business, or you won't.
Eventually, that dream you're chasing will be in the rearview mirror, cemented in time. You'll reflect on the experience and come to an important realization.
How you acted in those unpleasant moments defines how you feel today. If you blamed, yelled, and wished for different circumstances in the past, chances are you're doing the same now.
Your emotions. Your attitude. Your perspective. These are choices. And things within your control. Handle these. Even if you fail, you'll look back on the experience with pride.
So, remember tomorrow. Choose to find the lesson and opportunities in even the most troublesome situations.
Your future self will appreciate it.