Ultra-Runners Don’t Look Like That
body image, trail running, running Briana Sullivan body image, trail running, running Briana Sullivan

Ultra-Runners Don’t Look Like That

Maybe, when you close your eyes and think of a runner, a specific image comes to mind. Tall, lean, long legs. I don’t fit that mold. My background is in gymnastics, bodybuilding and crossfit. I have quite a bit of muscle in comparison to what, I assume, this man thinks an ultra-runner does look like. Now, this translates into so many other things. Women who are bigger, women who have thighs that touch, who are pregnant or postpartum, who are shorter, who are older, women who have bigger busts or bigger butts, wide hips, stranger gaits, women who are Black, Indigenous, Asian, Indian….literally anything that doesn’t fit that preconceived notion of what a runner should look like.

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From 5k to Ultra:                        My Personal Journey to Endurance Races
trail running, ultra running Briana Sullivan trail running, ultra running Briana Sullivan

From 5k to Ultra: My Personal Journey to Endurance Races

Before 2018 I didn't even know trail running existed. What I did know was running on treadmills, tracks and roads -- all of which I loathed and didn't enjoy at all. I can recall running one color run in college and running up to 6 miles on the treadmill and that was the totality of my running expertise. When I started dating someone who trail ran I was mind blown that people willingly and happily ran up and down mountains for hours and hours at a time. Sometimes in questionable weather, sometimes without sleeping, sometimes with their bodies being pushed to the limit. My mind further imploded when I realized people ran trails for longer than 26.2 miles. Longer than 30 miles.

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I Am A Woman Who Trail Runs & Camps Alone: Thoughts on Safety & Doing Things Solo

I Am A Woman Who Trail Runs & Camps Alone: Thoughts on Safety & Doing Things Solo

After sharing that I camped and trail ran solo for nearly 2 months alone in Colorado I got many questions from fellow women about how I did it while feeling safe. Was I scared? Did I bring weapons? How did I get over fears of being stranded or attached or worse?

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