Dedication, Recovery, and Community: Behind the Scenes as Volt’s Own Chelsea Badger Trains for Her First Marathon
/At Volt, we love celebrating our community, and today, that means spotlighting our incredible Senior Account Manager, Chelsea Badger, who is currently preparing for her first marathon. Chelsea’s journey to this milestone is filled with determination, resilience, and valuable insights. Here’s an inside look at her training, challenges, and what drives her to reach the finish line.
What inspired you to run your first marathon? Was this always a goal for you, or did something specific spark your desire to do it?
Chelsea: Learning that only 0.01% of people run marathons fueled my competitive nature—I wanted to be part of that number….
Running was never a priority for me—in fact, I dreaded it as part of my strength program. I didn’t take fitness seriously until my early 20s when I discovered CrossFit, which changed everything. (CrossFit can get a bad rep but the right gym and coaching makes all the difference!) It sparked my love for the sport, community, and, eventually, the competitions. I coached for years until I took a demanding corporate job. Then balancing work and fitness got tough, so needing something flexible, I turned to running. It started as a way to sweat but soon turned into a passion that I maintained even after coming to work with Volt. After a few 5k races, I craved faster times and longer distances, eventually setting my sights on a marathon.
How have you structured your training? Can you walk us through a typical training week?
CHELSEA: Volt has been a game changer for my strength training; I can log in, follow my pre-programmed workout, and track everything in one place…
My training schedule prioritizes running, so I typically run on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Wednesdays are reserved for speed or progression work, and Saturdays are for long runs. The weekly distance and number of running days vary based on my program—if Wednesday’s session is particularly intense, I’ll rest from running on Thursday.
Strength training is also essential for runners, so I usually strength train 2-3 times a week, typically on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with an occasional session on Monday. For anyone interested, I highly recommend the Marathon training plan in Volt!
Recovery sounds crucial in marathon training. How do you ensure effective recovery?
CHELSEA: Consistent recovery is non-negotiable...foam rolling, stretching, and getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night are key.
Recovery is essential for any training plan, especially for long-distance running. Logging miles means little if you don’t recover properly, as it limits the benefits of your hard work. Marathon training can feel like a full-time job, but consistent recovery is non-negotiable. For me, foam rolling and stretching (at least 60 seconds per stretch after a run) are musts. I also ice my knees and take Epsom salt baths. Elevating my legs, meditating for mental strength, and getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night are key. If your budget allows, I highly recommend Firefly recovery—it’s been a game changer, helping my legs warm up and recover faster.
Learn More About Firefly
Check out Chelsea’s recovery recommendation HERE!
Training for a marathon is time-consuming. How do you balance it with work and personal life?
CHELSEA: Training for a marathon is like having a full-time job—it demands dedication because motivation alone won’t always get you through…
Training for a marathon is incredibly time-consuming, but in the best way possible. There have been many days when I wanted to skip a run or struggled through it, but I’ve never regretted completing a workout. No matter how the rest of my day goes, I always feel my best after a run.
One thing I’m especially grateful for is working at Volt. It offers the best work-life balance I’ve ever experienced, allowing me to schedule my training seamlessly. The flexibility of my day-to-day means I can fit in runs when needed, and the support from my teammates makes it even better. They regularly ask about my training and genuinely care about my personal life, not just my work. Being surrounded by people who are also passionate about fitness creates an environment that is both encouraging and motivating. They truly make all the difference.
Learn more about Volt’s Culture and Team!
Have you faced any setbacks or challenges during your training? How did you overcome them?
CHELSEA: Setbacks are inevitable, but learning from them and adapting is key to pushing forward.
OH the setbacks! They have definitely been part of my journey. I’ve dealt with an ongoing injury to my left infrapatellar fat pad, which has been painful throughout training. It’s a result of not dedicating enough time to recovery—lesson learned. Thankfully, while it’s sometimes painful, my orthopedic surgeon confirmed there’s nothing seriously wrong, and I’m cleared to run. We’ll create a recovery plan post-marathon.
There were also bouts of food poisoning and illness. Early in training, I could afford a week off without much impact, but as race day approaches, the pressure is higher. Currently, I’m a week out and not feeling 100%, but with extra sleep and hot baths, I’m managing to push through.
What do you listen to during your training runs?
CHELSEA: Everything from podcasts, to different genres of music, and maybe even a phone call with a family member or friend, it really depends on the programmed run ahead.
For speed work: It has to be music - pop, hard rock, or some EDM (mostly EDM if I’m being honest).
For progression runs: I’ve really been liking some more upbeat tunes, lately it’s been a lot of Billy Joel (give me Uptown Girl and some sunshine and it’s a great run!).
For slower-paced long runs: I enjoy good podcasts, from Crime Junkie or Something Was Wrong, to Andrew Huberman or Joe Rogan.
What has surprised you the most during your training?
CHELSEA: the importance of Caring for your feet!
There have been quite a few surprises, but the biggest one for me is the amount of foot care needed during marathon training. No matter how good your shoes are, the constant pounding takes its toll. My key advice? Keep your toenails trimmed (but not too short), invest in band-aids, and make rolling out your feet a habit. And yes, I’m definitely looking forward to a pedicure when it’s all over!
Q: Have you found any valuable training tips or hacks?
CHELSEA: Simple but effective: breathe in and out through the nose to maintain a steady heart rate, instead of inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.
This great piece of advice came from a teammate at Volt and made a big difference in my training. My program includes a lot of 'Easy Runs' or Zone 2 runs, where the goal is to keep my heart rate steady at a lower pace. Initially, I struggled to maintain a jog without needing to switch to a speed walk.
Applying this technique during my easy runs made a significant impact. After just two runs, I was able to hold a jog for 20 minutes out of a 25-minute run. It’s amazing how the body adapts, and this method has stuck with me ever since!
What accomplishments or breakthroughs have you experienced during this training?
CHELSEA: Progress isn’t always linear, but breakthroughs come when you push through the tough moments.
In the last few weeks of training, I hit a wall—feeling unmotivated, sore, and tired. However, as my long runs extended and speed work intensified, I started to see progress. Pushing faster paces over longer distances challenged me, and my stats began to improve. My Garmin watch, which tracks metrics like endurance and VO2 max, showed a steady climb, reigniting my excitement for the marathon. This breakthrough helped me appreciate the work I’ve put in and reminded me why it’s all worth it.
How are you feeling leading up to race day, both physically and mentally?
CHELSEA: Excitement and nerves are natural before race day, but embracing the journey is what counts…
Physically and mentally, I feel great! I’m certainly nervous, as this is uncharted territory for me, but with the nerves also comes excitement. I’m incredibly excited and honored to be able to run with other runners who have been training hard for this, be a part of that community, and get to share it with family and friends who are selflessly coming out to support. I’m sure I’ll have some mental struggles along the course, but I’m very excited to use all I have to cross that finish line!
What is your main focus for your training over the final stretch?
CHELSEA: Now that I’m on a taper (Hallelujah!), I'm focusing primarily on recovery and practicing what it will feel like on race day.
Planning the outfit is key, as you don’t want to introduce any new clothing on race day - use what you’ve been using and what you know works. Same goes for any fuel, so I’ll be purchasing what’s available on the course to make sure it works for me on race day. Other than that, making sure I don’t skip any training days, and driving out to the course to get a better feel for it.
What are your post-marathon recovery or celebration plans?
CHELSEA: A BIG meal!
Some of my family and friends are coming out to support, so it’ll be great spending time with them at a lunch where I can have all the carbs! And then it’s more recovery and downtime, and a follow-up visit to my ortho doc to see just how long I need to take a break from running to heal my knee. Fingers are tightly crossed that it won’t be too long before I can sign up for another.
What advice would you give to someone considering running their first marathon?
CHELSEA: JUST DO IT!
Your body will adapt as long as you’re committed and put in the work. You’ll need to prioritize training, say no to some social plans, and focus on nutrition and recovery, but it’s worth it. Find a training plan that suits you and a running club for accountability on those tough days.
Chelsea’s journey to her first marathon is a testament to the power of dedication, resilience, and community. At Volt, we’re proud to support her and look forward to cheering her on as she crosses that finish line. Stay tuned to find out what else Chelsea learns along the way and when she’ll be going for Marathon #2…
