On Monday night at 10 PM, I stepped into the furnace that is Death Valley to crew and pace my friend Jeff Pelletier at the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon, 135 miles (217km) non-stop from the lowest point in North America to Mt. Whitney’s slopes.
I posted several short video updates on my Instagram:
- Start of Badwater 135 with Jeff and Floris
- 30 seconds aid station, for a runner in hot conditions
- Mile 44 / 71km, sunrise and staying hydrated
- How to trouble shooting when things go south
- How we kept Jeff cool in 112 Fahrenheit / 44 Celsius
- Reaching a 100 mile PB in 21 hours 36 minutes
- Finishing the Legendary Badwater 135
Here are three lessons from the desert that apply whether you’re training for your first 5K or chasing marathon or ultra goals:
1. Lean Into the Unknown
When Jeff asked me to pace him, my gut reaction was fear. This is scary. I’m not qualified. What if I mess this up?
But that same nervous energy told me this was exactly what I needed to do.
The unknown is where growth happens. If something both excites you and terrifies you, you’re probably onto something important.
Takeaway: Be smart about it, but say yes to the things that stretch you.
2. Surround Yourself with People Who Know More
On my drive to Death Valley, I called friends who’d been there before:
- Jimmy Dean Freeman reminded me: “In extreme heat, you don’t feel the sweat evaporating. Stay on top of hydration or you’ll become a liability.”
- Precision Fuel & Hydration calculated exactly how much fluid and electrolytes I’d need based on my sweat rate and the conditions. (Their free 20-minute strategy calls are incredible, link HERE.)
- Sally McRae (2021 Badwater champion) shared a crucial tip: rotate crew sleep with power naps, so crew members can keep thinking clear.
Takeaway: Don’t go it alone. Ask questions. Lean on experience.
3. You Can Do So Much More Than You Think
Jeff’s A-goal was a sub-24-hour podium finish. By mile 45 (72km), we were an hour behind pace. The 115°F heat was brutal.
His B-goal was sub-30 hours. He hit a 100-mile (161km) PR in 21:36, but exhaustion set in hard with 35 miles (56km) of climbing ahead. At mile 123 (198km), there was talk of dropping out.
We reset. Jeff and our crew took a 30-minute power nap in Lone Pine.
On Wednesday at 2:48 AM, we began the final push and I ran and hiked with him, 12 miles (19km) and 4,300 feet of climbing with everything already spent. One step at a time. Keep moving forward.
As the sun rose over Mt. Whitney, Jeff crossed the finish line in 32 hours and 44 minutes. Not the time he wanted, but a performance full of heart and unbreakable grit.
Takeaway: Every time you push past “I can’t,” you redefine what’s possible for yourself.
Final Thought
Badwater reminded me that every meaningful challenge, whether it’s your first 5K, a marathon PR attempt, or an ultra, teaches the same truth: progress isn’t clean or linear. It’s sweaty, uncertain, and sometimes filled with doubt.
But if you stay present, ask for help, and keep showing up, you’ll discover something beautiful on the other side.
What’s one “unknown” challenge you’re ready to lean into this week?
Have fun out there on your runs!
Cheers,
Floris Gierman
P.S. Next week I’m launching a new podcast episode with Alex Hutchinson about his books Endure and The Explorer’s Gene, stay tuned.
P.P.S. If you’ve been thinking about tackling something outside your comfort zone – this is your sign. Start small. Start scared. But start…
