Part 2: Making Badwater History at 80 with Bob Becker

In this follow-up episode of Friends in Training: Life is a Marathon, Marcela reconnects with legendary ultrarunner Bob Becker to hear the story behind his long-awaited Badwater 135 finish. After several attempts that ended in disappointment or came just short of the official cutoff, Bob returned to one of the world’s most demanding ultramarathons at age 80 with a powerful goal: to become the oldest finisher in Badwater 135 history. This time, he crossed the finish line in 45 hours, breaking Jack Denness’s long-standing record and proving that determination, preparation, and the right support can carry us through even the hardest miles. Throughout their conversation, Bob reflects on the crew, coaching, and community that helped make the finish possible, while also looking ahead to future races and adventures around the world. 00:00 Welcome and Podcast Introduction 01:27 The Badwater 135 Challenge 02:38 Chasing Jack Dennis's Record 03:25 Three Attempts at History 04:58 Breaking the Record at Age 80 07:29 The Power of Your Crew and Community 09:06 Return to China: A Special Journey 11:21 Race Director Life and Keys 100 11:55 Alaska Calling: Denali 135 15:20 Race Details and Registration Info 21:34 Advice for Aspiring Ultrarunners 23:43 Closing Thoughts and Farewell Learn more about Marcela, and the FIT community, at https://friendsintraining.net/