When not in the field building relationships with gym owners and retailers, Regional Sales Manager - Southwest Karly Wilson is putting in miles on the pavement for her marathon training. In fact, this year she surpassed a huge milestone of running her 100th marathon! Not sure about you, but when she revealed that during one of our team calls, we were all blown away. We caught up with her (on a rest day) to find out a little bit more about her accomplishment.
What made you start wanting to run marathons?
I started running in high school and stuck with it because it gave me a community. Later, during some trying times, I found that running also gave me purpose. Finding that purpose made me take it to the next level and I signed up for a marathon. From that point, I noticed I learned something new from each marathon I finished. A sense of accomplishment, self-love and it has helped me process certain obstacles throughout my life.
Do you have any advice for beginners looking to get into marathons?
A marathon is a big bite to chew but very worth it in the end. That being said, when training for a marathon, take baby steps to be a competent runner. Start with 5ks and 10ks and then work your way up to higher mileage. The last thing you want to do is start hot out of the gate and over train. Enjoy the process because you won’t always have great training runs. I know a lot of people stop strength, gymnastics and agility training and I think it’s extremely important to still prioritize those. It will make a huge difference in your training.
What is the biggest takeaway you got from your 100 marathons?
This 100 marathon journey has been full of takeaways. It hasn’t been easy and I’ve fought hard for it. But throughout these races, I’ve formed an acceptance within myself. An acceptance of self-love, self-worth, and self-respect.
How do you ensure that your body is properly fueled and ready for race day?
This took me a long time to figure out. Like many runners, I had an idea in my head about what a runner was “supposed” to look like. And like many people, I also had an idea in my head about what “beauty” was. I didn’t realize that those ideas merged to shape a harmful norm that actually held me back from my true potential.
When I began to incorporate lifting into my training regimen, everything changed. I learned about nutrition, positive body image, and how to train smarter. This completely changed how I felt on race day. I changed my nutrition to low carb, high fat diet and I make sure I am constantly drinking water and incorporating electrolytes. The week leading up to my races, look the same. I eat the same things and I drink the same amount of liquid.
What have you found to be the most effective ways to recover while training?
FITAID, CrossFit, Compression pants, bubble baths, and massages.
How do you stay mentally tough throughout something as strenuous as a marathon?
For me I have had strong motivators. Sometimes they come from a place of pain and sometimes they come from great happiness. It also gives me time to reflect.
What is your favorite part of the marathon training process?
My favorite part of the marathon training process is when I hit my second wind and I feel like I am flying and when I get to do a fun endurance CrossFit workout.
Do you plan on reaching anymore marathon milestones?
I would love to break 3 hours and participate in the World Marathon Challenge.
Written by travel blogger Tiffany Ammerman
From local 5ks to hikes in far-off, exotic destinations, many of our planned fitness challenges have been added to the list of canceled activities this year. Initially, it might be disheartening to have to remove these events from your calendar, but don’t lose hope. Many competitions and challenges are simply moving to a virtual platform so attendees don’t have to experience fitness FOMO.
Check out these five fun, fitness-related challenges for the summer and get your fitness fix!
-
Paddle Boarding Competition
For those of you who are heavily involved in the sport of paddle boarding, check out this fundraising event for the World Wildlife Fund! The Panda Paddle helps to support the conservation work of WWF and is typically held in San Diego, California. The organizers of the competition stated, “While we're sad to not be there in person with our great community of nature loving paddle enthusiasts, we'd like to recreate the friendly competition with our Virtual Paddle Competition which we can now open up to other paddle sports.” If you’re ready to get out on the water for a good cause, sign up for the Panda Paddle HERE.
-
Limitless Vertical Challenge
This intense endurance challenge focusing on vertical gain is perfect for those who love to continuously push themselves and their physical boundaries. Starting at Level One and moving through to Level Six, you can register, log your vertical gain and attempt to get yourself to “Double Everest”. Run Steep tells us, “Like other virtual races and challenges, you are in control. You get to design your course, choose your location, mix up locations each day as you like, and keep track of your progress through the week. Keep us updated each day and #ShareYourSummit as you trek toward the next level.” Ready to put some elevation gain under your belt? Click HERE to get more info on the Limitless Vertical Challenge.
-
Virtual Marathon
Offering a 10k, half marathon, 30k and a full marathon option, this virtual race benefitting Blueprints of Love will have you running for a good cause in no time. This virtual race not only facilitates your marathon but it also helps to train and encourage you during the process. If you want to help out a great cause and get in some fitness, check out the virtual race with lots of options HERE.
-
Camino de Santiago Virtual Pilgrimage
The ancient 480 mile pilgrimage located in Spain beckons many people of all walks of life and all fitness levels. Unfortunately, the Camino has closed for the year but that doesn’t mean you can’t create your own hiking challenge in your own hometown. Each time you log your miles, it inches you across the map and lets you see, virtually, what you would be seeing if you were on this legendary trail using Google Street View. You’ll also receive virtual postcards which give more information about each location you reach on the trail. This pilgrimage is meant to be an intensely personal experience for each pilgrim so not only is it a fitness challenge but it also serves as a mental journey. Start your Camino today by clicking HERE.
-
Swim the Distance
Whether it’s in the local lake or your own backyard pool, this swimming challenge will have you clocking some serious distance. After you register, you choose your distance and you have the month to document and complete your challenge. This virtual competition is perfect for those who are looking for some virtual fitness motivation. Clock your miles HERE.
C O N C L U S I O N
Whether you’re supporting a fundraiser or attempting to push your own physical boundaries, these virtual fitness challenges will have you motivated and staying fit during a time of many competition cancellations. These challenges are perfect for both beginners who are just getting started on their fitness journey as well as professional athletes who are looking for another sport to add to their repertoire. Join the league of other virtual athletes and start working towards your goal today!
Cover photo courtesy of @the_goodish_traveler
Additional images courtesy of @pandapaddle and @aravaiparunning
About the Author:
Georgia native Tiffany Ammerman is the thru-hiker and CrossFitter behind the travel blog The Goodish Traveler. She spends the majority of her time traveling, eating sushi and searching for hiking trails. When she's not blogging, Ammerman can be found training at CrossFit LaGrange and teaching art to kids.
> > > Stay well.