Meet our athletes and ambassadors! These athletes, runners, adventure seekers, and outdoor enthusiasts represent the larger community that inspires us every day. Our Athlete team is comprised of professional triathletes and ultrarunners spreading their passions to their communities through competing, coaching, and much more. Our Apex Crew is our ambassador team comprised of individuals of diverse ability levels, backgrounds, and ages, all with a shared passion for movement and a healthy, active lifestyle.
How did you get started in Ultrarunning?
I got into trail and ultrarunning in 2014 after finding out there were races longer than a marathon. My sister told me about a race organization called Rainshadow Running and they put on races all over the Pacific Northwest. I signed up for my first trail race at Beacon Rock 25K which was a humbling experience and made me want to do better the next time I raced. I then ran my first 50K at the PCT Bunker to Bonneville and won it. From there, I've continued to run further and race more competitively.
Do you have a special pre-race ritual?
I love pineapple fried rice and have it before every race.
Do you have any tips for recovering after a race?
My recovery tip is to get a protein shake or a burger in as soon as possible after a race to start the recovery process. Also I wear compression sleeves or socks which help with circulation and the recovery as well.
On the days when you don’t feel like training, what inspires you to keep going?
When I don't feel like training, I think about my friends and family that have supported my dream of running professionally. I also bring a practice of gratitude to my runs when I don't feel like training because I know one day, it may be taken away and each day is a gift.
If you could, what advice would you give to yourself at the start of your running career?
My advice to myself at the start of my running career would be love the journey and the process. Soak up as much knowledge as you can from mentors and those that are faster than you.
Do you have a song that gets you hyped up to run, race, or train?
I Can Be Somebody by Deorro is my hype up song when I run or race.
Besides running, what are you passionate about?
When I'm not running, I am really passionate about cooking and traveling. Learning about different cultures and enjoying meals are my favorite.
What is your favorite Topo shoe and why?
My favorite Topo shoe is MTN Racer. I love them because of their durability and traction is superb over long mountainous runs and races
Why Topo?
I chose to partner with Topo because of their mission to help you move better. The Topo difference is another reason why I partner with the company. The roomy toe box, secure heel and low to the ground heel to toe drop make the shoes feel like they are an extension of my foot.
How did you get started in Ultrarunning?
I started by writing—I interned at Trail Runner Magazine after college, then decided to try my first 50K and signed up. As part of training for the race, Nick suggested we run Rim to Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon and that ended up being my first official ultramarathon. Was it a good training strategy and a smart way to ease into the sport? No. Do I have any regrets? Absolutely not. It was a blast.
Do you have a special pre-race ritual?
I’m fairly easy going about races, although the night before the race I like to have an epsom salt bath and I also like to shave my legs so that I “feel” fast.
Do you have any tips for recovering after a race?
I think both quality of food post-race is highly underrated! I try to get in a meal high in anti-inflammatory nutrients following a race and will pay particular attention to spices like turmeric and ginger post. I also find that hot epsom salt baths are key, as is moving around at a low-intensity. Lots of short walks are great!
On the days when you don’t feel like training, what inspires you to keep going?
Knowing that every day I put in my training, I am benefiting my future self. I find a lot of joy in the everyday run because there are both short term and long term rewards: short term, I am getting outside and having the opportunity to breathe in fresh air, maybe spot an interesting bird, and having that time to myself; long term, I’m building fitness and getting one step closer to my potential as an athlete.
If you could, what advice would you give to yourself at the start of your running career?
I wouldn’t change a thing as I have learned so much, though I wish I had had more confidence in myself as an athlete when I was younger.
Do you have a song that gets you hyped up to run, race, or train?
I like oldies and folk music. The song that I can’t get enough of right now is “Society’s Child” by Janis Ian.
Besides running, what are you passionate about?
Animals are my biggest passion (bigger than running even). My husband and I have 20 rescue animals and I love nothing more than going birdwatching on rest days.
What is your favorite Topo shoe and why?
I love both MT-4 and the Ultraventure 3. I find both extremely responsive and comfortable and like that they work for any type of terrain, from fire roads to really technical trails.
How did you get started in Ultrarunning?
I read ultramarathon man by Dean Karnazes and was enthralled. I remember running a 27 mile run the weekend after I finished the book just so I could say I was an “ultra runner”. My first experience running a 100 miler, was a fundraising project for a friend with cancer in High School. I ran 400 laps around the track.
Do you have a special pre-race ritual?
I’ve taken to writing a race report before the race happens. I imagine having the best race ever and detail as well as I can exactly what happens.
Do you have any tips for recovering after a race?
II am a big fan of listening to the body for when it needs sleep. Particularly the 1-3pm range nap. I love crashing mid afternoon for 20-30mins in the days following a big effort. And in that regard I kind of let the body “heal itself”.
On the days when you don’t feel like training, what inspires you to keep going?
On days that I don’t feel like training I try to invite a friend or more often run with my wife Jade. She’s almost always inspired to run or seems like it and helps me keep things simple and easy when going for even a 3 miler can seem overwhelming.
If you could, what advice would you give to yourself at the start of your running career?
If I could give myself one piece of advice early on in my racing career, strangely it might be something like “racing isn’t everything and you are worthy and lovable no matter your results.”
Do you have a song that gets you hyped up to run, race, or train?
Psycho by Muse or Power Glove by Knife Party, both kind of heavy songs but definite pump music.
Besides running, what are you passionate about?
I’m really passionate about sports and performance psychology. I love learning about how our minds work and perform under pressure and in harsh environments.
What is your favorite Topo shoe and why?
Runventures, they are light, durable and super grippy on the technical rocks and trails that I love running.
How did you get started in Ultrarunning?
I started running marathons in my late 20s. A running mentor said I'd be good at triathlons so I did my first race at age 28 and never looked back!
Do you have a special pre-race ritual?
I have a very specific schedule I set out the day before for race morning so that I don't have to think about (or forget!) what I need to do from when the alarm goes off to the start line.
Do you have any tips for recovering after a race?
Get some food (protein and carbs) in as soon as you can. Minimize the post-race booze - it can have a big negative impact on recovery! Don't expect to sleep well after long races - that's really normal.
On the days when you don’t feel like training, what inspires you to keep going?
I think of the big picture - my goals for the year and all the people who support me. I don't want to let them down!
If you could, what advice would you give to yourself at the start of your running career?
Have the courage to take it easy and recover between workouts! You don't need to fill every moment of your day with doing something. Be lazier :)
Do you have a song that gets you hyped up to run, race, or train?
Continuo by Dmitry Selipanov and Opensound Orchestra
Besides running, what are you passionate about?
Inclusion in sport, making sport accessible to ALL people.
What is your favorite Topo shoe and why?
Specter! It's so light and responsive. I feel so fast in that shoe!
Why Topo?
The natural foot shape, lower variable drop options, and an amazing company to work with that prioritizes doing good in the world. I'm a Topo fan for life!
How did you get started in Ultrarunning?
Do you have a special pre-race ritual?
Do you have any tips for recovering after a race?
On the days when you don’t feel like training, what inspires you to keep going?
Just taking a moment to appreciate my body or the outdoors can change my perspective quickly.
If you could, what advice would you give to yourself at the start of your running career?
Do you have a song that gets you hyped up to run, race, or train?
Besides running, what are you passionate about?
What is your favorite Topo shoe and why?
The MTN Racer because it's just so fun to run down mountains in!
How did you get started in Ultrarunning?
A friend of mine told me about a 50 miler going on after he heard that I enjoyed running marathons for fun, and since then I've been hooked!
Do you have a special pre-race ritual?
I have everything prepared so I don't even think about the race plan until 5 minutes before the race!
Do you have any tips for recovering after a race?
Eat, drink, sleep... and make sure to wriggle your toes and move your ankles around whenever you get a chance!
On the days when you don’t feel like training, what inspires you to keep going?
It's actually kind of boring. I do it because it's who I am. Whether I want to or not, I do it because it's what I do.
If you could, what advice would you give to yourself at the start of your running career?
Work on your glutes and do a little bit of strength exercise!
Besides running, what are you passionate about?
Self development and goal setting.
What is your favorite Topo shoe and why?
The Ultrafly series!!
Why Topo?
Awesome toe box, due to how tight my calves are, having the 5mm drop options def are great.
How did you get started in Ultrarunning?
I was overweight and didn't want to be anymore... so I ran. Around the block turned into marathons which turned into ultras.
Do you have a special pre-race ritual?
Coffee... always start with coffee.
Do you have any tips for recovering after a race?
Get as much solid nutrition in your stomach as you can and sleep. Sleep with snacks next to the bed so you can eat a little here and a little there.
On the days when you don’t feel like training, what inspires you to keep going?
IFresh new Topo's and my athletes that look up to me.
If you could, what advice would you give to yourself at the start of your running career?
Be patient and enjoy the journey.
Do you have a song that gets you hyped up to run, race, or train?
Firebreather by Macklemore
Besides running, what are you passionate about?
Coaching and physical therapy.
What is your favorite Topo shoe and why?
The Spectre for road and the MTN Racer for trails.
Why Topo?
Topo allows me to run as naturally as possible. And running naturally allows me to greater explore the land I'm in and the capacity I have as an athlete.The smaller, close knit family feel that I have as an athlete with the team and high end product are great advantages as an athlete trying to be the best I can out there.