Month: August 2016

the TRUE athlete…

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Motivational Monday, RunningLeave a comment

Being an athlete is a state of mind which is not bound by age, performance or place in the running pack. ~ Jeff Galloway

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With the Olympics starting, I contemplate a lot of things. An injury I didn’t anticipate, a lot of hard training and sacrifices. A race I really want to finish and know I can but there’s always setbacks. I believe we are the true Olympians, you and me, the average person. Long after the ribbon has been run through or the course record has been set, we cross the finish line.

We push through the heat of the day, endure for hours long after the top three have been announced. And at the end, we wear the medal proudly. I’m not discounting the athleticism of those amazing athletes who win and are good at what they do and I realize they put as much training in as we do. We all endure, we all are athletes and true GOLD medalists. Whether it’s a 5K or 50K, we did it!

A few years ago I came in almost dead last at a race I never thought I would finish. At the starting line, I knew I would pull out of the race at the tunnel, mile 21. Somehow I finished that race with my family cheering me through the tunnel and to the finish line. I’d ran an extra 22 miles that day and 12 hours later I crossed the finish line.

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That is why I LOVE sporting events and races. We, the average human, have to dig deep, really deep at times and continue on our journey and believe in ourselves when no one else does. Continue on… don’t stop… you can do it! GO US!!

St George Marathon | Grand Teton Relay | Speedgoat 50K | Deseret News 5K

 

today’s TID-BITS

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, Tid-BitsLeave a comment

Who’s excited for the Olympics? As a young girl, I dreamed of becoming an Olympic gymnast. I traded in the leotards for skis and became one of the top women big mountain skiers in the world instead. Good choice I think.

My friend posted this pic from Duluth. Bears like kiddie pools too.

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Outdoor Retailer is going on in Salt Lake City, UT this week. There are lots of new cool things coming out! It’s fun getting a sneak peek.

 

I’m learning what Runners Knee is and how it’s NOT fun to have but curable.

Summer isn’t over yet. Check out America’s Best Weekend Adventures. 

Happy Thursday!

~Andria

 

 

 

adventures IN RUNNING

On By Sunsets and PuffysIn Adventures, National Parks, Running, Shop, Uncategorized3 Comments

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So…this past weekend was THE hardest run I’ve ever done in my life, ok that’s only a true statement if I exclude Speedgoat 2015 but anyways REALLY hard! Emotions grow strong the more miles you pound out during the day. My goal 34 miles, piece of cake right?! I had already run 42 miles and felt great a few weeks ago! At one point during the last 10 miles of my run, I sat on a rock and cried. I wanted to jump in the creek and meander my way downstream to Jenny’s Lake so I wouldn’t have to take another step.

I continued on because I had to. No one was going to come rescue me and my poor knee. I had to put one foot in front of the other. I did NOT get a sense of accomplishment as I ran across the bridge at String Lake. But what I did feel was gratitude. I can do hard things. I mentally can do hard things. I realize most people are not as stupid as me and sign up for a 100-mile trail run but really, we can push ourselves a lot further than what we think we can.

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My dad was waiting there for me and I was never so happy to see someone. I’m blessed to have many people behind me, encouraging me to continue on and reach my goal. I’m slow. Really, SLOW. But I put one foot in front of the other and know my mom would have loved to be on top of Hurricane Pass that day and that’s what keeps me going.

Don’t give up. Challenges make us better human beings. Some of us sign up for races bringing on those struggles ourselves, but most people have challenges without asking or wanting them in their lives. Keep going, one foot in front of the other. I know I can do it and so can you. As Babe Ruth said: ‘It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.’

 

Teton Crest Trail | Grand Teton National Park | Trail Running 

Shoes | Insoles | Food | Sunscreen | Keep Running | Shorts