The Everyday Athlete

People tell me all the time that they are amazed by my energy/motivation/commitment/determination/insanity. And while I’m flattered by this, I remain mostly unimpressed with myself.

Why?

Because of women like these two: NoPoGirl and Julie Berg . These women write two of the blogs that I read religiously. Like, I wake up in the morning and jump out of bed and run downstairs and turn on my computer in the hopes that they’ve updated.

Ok, not really. But I do pay close attention to what they’re up to.

Besides the fact that NoPoGirl races bikes, runs triathlons (half-ironmans!), climbs mountains, and generally kills it, she’s also a Spanish immersion teacher, travels extensively, and is smart as hell. Now, that’s my kind of woman.

And there’s Julie Berg who just completed the Vermont 100 Endurance Run. That’s right - she’s an ultra-marathoner. In 2006 she ran 3089 miles. 3089 miles!!! That’s insane. Not only does she do her “normal-run-of-the-mill” 100 mile race training, she’s also currently adding Alwyn Crosgrove’s Afterburn training into her daily sufferfest.

I cried for 30 minutes while reading her account of the Vermont 100. I know, I know, that makes me a big dumb jock but still - my original point holds. These women are phenomenal.

Here are your heroes, people. Here are your everyday athletes. Normal people living extraordinary lives. Normal women accomplishing unbelievable, inspiring, and extraordinary things.