I’ve participated in the Badwater 267 VR before, and even did the Elite version one year. I will link all of my race reports towards the bottom of this article if you want to see what the running division looks like.
This virtual race is a fantastic way to kick off a new year.
It helps you become consistent with your training. Another thing, is that it gives you the opportunity to dial in nutrition and other healthy habits. You can figure out run or recovery gear.
Lastly, you create memories and get to hang out with others in the Badwater family. Everyone participating is inspiring!
This is my first year doing the multi-sport division. I happened to attend the “pre-race meeting,” which was live on Facebook because Chris Kostman was sharing the story of how the iconic Badwater symbol came to be. – It is a great story.
After the story was the meeting, and I was intrigued by the additions that Chris made to the multi-sport division.
One of the additions was strength training, which I do daily. Yoga was another, which I usually put off, so that is something I’d like to do more of.
Chris was kind to message me and ask if I wanted to participate (my husband is participating). It doesn’t take much to convince me to register.
Immediately after that, I checked my training plan for January to see how I could line things up. I try to only do things that make sense because I’ve been working hard to dial in training, habits, etc.
I text my run coach and got his thoughts, which was “definitely do it!”
For this training block, it seems like my base is just about built, and I will be adding one day of running, and increasing my long run (actually, I already increased my long run more than I had to).
Strength work and other cardio will increase for this virtual race. Most importantly, so will increasing yoga, which I believe will help to balance me out.
Let’s see how the multi-sport division goes. I hope that you enjoy following this month long virtual race, incorporated into ultramarathon training.
I also hope that you follow Badwater online (Facebook, Instagram, X) and consider doing one of their amazing events.
To learn all about Badwater 267 VR, go to the website.
Jan 1
Freddy Kruger on Steroids
12.03 miles
2:09:46
- EZ effort 1 mi
- 1 mi mod/hard (97-100% threshold pace) + 5:00 jog
- 4x .12 (200 m) + 5:00 jog
- 1 mi mod/hard (100-103% threshold pace) + 5:00 jog
- 4x .12 (200 m) + 5:00 jog
- 1 mi mod/hard (100-103% threshold pace) + 5:00 jog
- 4x .12 (200 m) + 5:00 jog
Jan 2
Treadmill walk while working
5.02 mi
02:07
Core
32:06 = 2 mi
McGill Big 3, 3 rounds, 10 lb dumbbell
Zeus Core, 2 rounds, bodyweight, 5 lb dumbbell, and 10 lb dumbbell
Upper body
30:12 = 2 mi
Bodyweight, 5 lb dumbbells, and 10 lb dumbbells
Growingannanas on YouTube
Jan 3
Walking on the treadmill while working.
4.07 mi
1:45:57
Run warmup
Plyometrics and ankle strength
15:23 = 0.75 mi
Treadmill Hill Repeats Run
6.04 mi
1:08:01
- EZ effort 1 mi
- 6 x 30 sec hard effort @ 10% incline
- EZ effort cool down
Downhill Running Strength
15:13 = 1 mi
- Squats
- Speed Skaters
- Bulgarian Split Squats
- Forward Alternating Drop Lunge with Weight
- Lateral Weighted Walking Lunges
- With 18 lb kettlebell
Jan 4
Walking on the treadmill while working.
4.02 mi
1:42:32
Upper body
31:17 = 2 mi
5-20 lb dumbbells
Core
30:03 = 2 mi
Bodyweight and 10 lb dumbbell
Foam rolling and mobility
31:05 = 1.50 mi
Jan 5
Super EZ effort treadmill run.
8.05 mi
1:30:57
- 1×30 sec stride per mile.
- Mixed inclines, 0-10%.
ATG Zero
31:46 = 2 mi
With 10 and 20 lbs
I finished Cape Fear (it always goes by quickly), now onto Salton Sea!
Jan 6
Walking and 6% treadhill while working.
4.03 mi
1:40:41
Super EZ effort treadmill run.
3.05 mi
33:10
HIP Phase 1
30:37 = 2 mi
- Lunges
- Front Plank
- Side Planks
- Back Plank
- Glute Bridge
- Adductor Squeeze
- V-Sit with Running Arms (feet off the ground)
- Leg Lifts
- Fire Hydrants
- Donkey Kicks
- Leg Circle (forward and backward)
- Calf Drop
- With 10 and 20 lbs
Jan 7
Treadmill walk and 5% treadhill while working.
3.02 mi
1:13:12
Core
1:02:03 = 4 mi
- McGill Big 3 x 3 with 10 lb dumbbell
- Zeus Core x 2 with 10 lb dumbbell
- Standing Weighted Abs x 2 with 5 lb dumbbell
Foam roller and mobility.
45:45 = 2.25 mi
- Rolling and mobility is such a good, mini reset. I watched Ben’s Rabid Raccoon 100 run on YouTube and got super excited when I saw me and my friend, Val in the background. Val is holding a sign that says, “Chaffing the dream.” It was a fun day watching people run in circles.
Jan 8
Picture from Run Sign Up where we log all of our activities. I can see that virtually, I’m at the first checkpoint of Salton Sea. My race progress is 26.8%. 71.58 “miles” covered.
For me, it gets a little bit mentally challenging through the middle of the race because I feel like I have so far to go. January is a long month. I think that participating in any of the divisions of this virtual race requires grit.
Badwater races require a ton of grit, in general.
I do like the Badwater 267 VR Elite version because it is over in 15 or 16 days.
It goes by fairly quickly, but is highly time consuming if you work and or have a family… and a house to keep clean. Yeah… forget about having a clean house.
Doing the multi-sport division feels similar, in my mind, as doing the running division. I can’t really speak about what the cycling division is like because I don’t cycle or bike.
I am grateful that I’m able to stick with my race training that my coach gave me. This race gave me additional motivation to increase certain areas in my training and healthy habits.
Jan 9
Walk on the treadmill while working
2.09 mi
50:18
Core
30:06 = 2 mi
- 10 and 20 lbs
I went to the chiropractor and got my hair done today!
Upper body
30:28 = 2 mi
- 10 and 20 lbs
Foam roller and mobility
31:18 = 1.5 mi
Jan 10
Treadhill while working, 5%
1.65 mi
40:19
Treadhill walk while working, 6%
1.41 mi
31:31
Run warmup
Plyometrics
17:02 = .75 mi
Speedplay
6.03 mi
1:05:48
- Super EZ 2 mi
- 6x:30 hard effort + 2:00 jog
- Super EZ to finish
For Short Legs on the Trail
15:19 = 1 mi
- Box step ups
- Stairs
- With 20 lbs
- Enjoyed a n/a Athletic Brewing Company brew afterwards!
Jan 11
Treadhill while working and watching my favorite news sources, mixed inclines, up to 10%
2.02 mi
48:54
Upper body
30:14 = 2 mi
- 5 lb dumbbells
- EZ week is starting!
Zeus Core
30:19 = 2 mi
- X2 with 5lb dumbbells
Super EZ effort treadmill run on a rest day
3.03 mi
35:15
- I had to choose between another 45 minutes of strength training or a 3 mi run to finish up my day for the Badwater virtual race. I already did 1 hr of strength and a 2 mi walk, so run it was!
Jan 12
EZ effort treadmill run 1 stride per mile and mixed inclines, 0-10%
8.03 mi
1:27:40
ATG Zero
30:29 = 2 mi
- Round 1, bodyweight
- Round 2, 10 lbs
Jan 13
Treadmill walk while working
4.12 mi
1:39:23
Treadmill Tired Legs Run
4.03 mi
46:58
Hips/legs, resistant band
31:51 = 2 mi
Jan 14
Walk while working
2.37 mi
53:12
- Getting more snow. It has been 10° F with a real feel of 1°. The weather is supposed to get colder next week.
Another walk while working
1.6 mi
34:15
Walk while working
3.23 mi
1:09:42
- Lots of walking on my rest day. I think this is my third walk.
Core
31:47 = 2 mi
- McGill Big 3, 2 rounds
- Zeus Core, 2 rounds
I made it to the start line of Badwater 135!
Jan 15
Walk while working
1.74 mi
40:36
Walk while working
3.68 mi
1:26:57
Run warmup
15:23 = .75 mi
- Plyometrics
Short Hill Repeats
6.02 mi
1:08:19
- Super EZ effort 2 mi
- 6x:30 mod/hard effort, 5% incline
- EZ to finish
Jan 16
Walk while working
1.76 mi
42:59
Walk while working
2.03 mi
47:15
Walk while working
1.58 mi
33:53
Core, bodyweight
31:06 = 2 mi
Upper body
31:05 = 2 mi
- 5 and 10 lb dumbbells
Foam rolling and mobility
46:59 = 2.25 mi
Jan 17
Run warmup
15:43 = .75 mi
- Plyometrics
Run
6.03 mi
1:12:34
- Jogging while checking on run coaching clients Such a busy day! It called for multitasking.
Walk while wrapping up work for the week
3.28 mi
1:12:57
Jan 18
Super EZ effort run
6.26 mi
1:13:24
- Mixed inclines, up to 5%
Upper body
30:23 = 2 mi
- 5 and 10 lb dumbbells
Core
31:05 = 2 mi
- 5 and 10 lb dumbbells
Jan 19
EZ effort long run
12.19 miles
2:15:04
- Starting a block of 2 harder training weeks.
- 1 stride per mile
- 0-10% mixed inclines
ATG Zero (knees over toes)
47:37 = 3 mi
- 20 lbs
Jan 20
Treadhill while working 5% incline
1.07 mi
25:27
Treadmill jog while multitasking/taking care of my daughter
5.06 mi
1:05:28
Hips, legs, and feet. A little bit of core.
2 mi
30:09
- Resistance band added when I could.
Foam roller, runner’s stick, and mobility
3 mi
1:01:00
- I really, really needed that.
Jan 21
Treadhill walk while working, 5%
1.4 mi
33:15
Treadmill walk while working
2.26 mi
55:12
Treadmill walk while working
2.1 mi
49:01
Core
47:00 = 3 mi
- McGill Big 3 x 3 with 5 lb dumbbell
- Zeus, bodyweight and 10 lb dumbbell
- Standing abs, 10 lbs
Jan 22
Run warmup
15:38 = .75 mi
Plyometrics
Mixed Terrain Reps
6.03 mi
1:09:31
- Super EZ effort 2 mi warmup
- 5 x 1:00 mod effort + 1:00 jog
- 5:00 jog
- 5 x 1:00 mod effort hill repeats, 5% incline + 1:00 jog
- EZ effort cool down
Downhill Running Strength
30:45 = 2 mi
- Squats
- Speed Skaters
- Bulgarian Split Squats
- Forward Alternating Drop Lunge
- Lateral Walking Lunges
- 1st round, 10 lbs
- 2nd round, 20 lbs
Jan 23
EZ effort treadmill run
2.32 mi
26:00
- Mixed inclines, 0-6%
EZ effort treadmill run
4.02 mi
45:11
- Mixed inclines, 0-6%
Upper body
3 mi
46:30
- 10 and 20 lbs
Jan 24
Run warmup
15:46
- Plyometrics
Speedplay Run
7.02 mi
1:22:07
- 2 mi super EZ effort
- 8 x :30 mod/hard effort
- EZ cool down to finish
For Short Legs on the Trail
30:34 = 2 mi
- Box Step Ups
- Stairs
- 20 lbs
Jan 25
Super chill run
4.02 mi
47:24
- Mixed inclines, 0-7%
Upper body
30:54 = 2 mi
- 10 and 20 lbs
Core
31:08 = 2 mi
- Zeus Core x 2
- 5 and 10 lbs
- My stir crazy indoor/outdoor cat, who has mostly been inside due to winter, was being a bugger. She was being all sweet, and then the next thing I knew, got her claws stuck in my hair bun. 😂
Jan 26 – Last day!
EZ long run
12.03 mi
2:16:04
- I’m finishing my virtual race!
- Feeling slightly off today, stomach/head issues all day. Threw up a little in my mouth and swallowed it at mile 10. Other than those minor issues, I still enjoyed my run. I wasn’t really miserable, maybe “meh” at some points.
- Strides throughout.
- Mixed inclines up to 10%.
ATG Zero and Farmer’s Carry
45:08 = 3 mi
- Final workout!
- 10 and 20 lbs. Mostly 20.
- Farmer’s Carry, 5:00
Swag
Badwater events have nice swag. For this one, I received a Buff, Badwater pin (which I pinned to my new vest), medal, t-shirt, and sunglasses (not pictured because I’ve been using them).
When you register for an event, there is an option to not receive swag, which is also nice. Save the planet and don’t accumulate a bunch of stuff that you don’t need. I opted for swag this time only because it was Pittsburgh colors, which is where I live, so I had to have it.
Thanks for your support!
The Badwater 267 Virtual Race (Multi-Sport Division) is a fun, challenging, and motivating way to start the year. It helped me accomplish what I was aiming to accomplish this month.
It can help you reach goals, like increasing mileage or time spent weight lifting, too. I was still able to do my usual training block, but increased a few things. It worked out!
If you do this event, you will also get plugged into the Badwater community. I made a new friend on Strava through the race and had some good conversations with others.
It may be something to consider for next year.
More Badwater stuff
BADWATER 267 Mile Virtual Race Elite Report (04/2021)
Badwater 267 Virtual Race Report (2022)
Road Dog Podcast: Mental wellness and ultrarunning
BADWATER 135 Crewing, Pacing, and Adventure Photo Gallery (2021)
Mental Strategies for Running in the Heat
Volunteering at Badwater Cape Fear 2025
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