5 Influential Women Runners You Should Know
In a world where sports have typically been dominated by male competitors, women are consistently breaking barriers. In just the last year, Courtney Duwaulter finished 1st overall in the Moab 240 by over 10 hours, Chloe Kim became the youngest female athlete to take home an Olympic snowboarding medal, and Shalane Flanagan crossed the Boston Marathon finish line before any other woman or man. While these women are making major headlines, women everywhere are pushing their limits to change the game. In honor of International Women’s Day, we’d like to introduce you to some of the most influential women we know who continue to raise the bar in the running community.
Rory Bosio
Photo by: Tim Kemple
Rory Bosio is a part-time ultrarunner, part-time Pediatric ICU nurse, and full-time goof ball residing in Lake Tahoe, California. She was the 2nd female and 21st overall in the 2012 Western States 100. One of her most recent accomplishments was completing the GR 20, a 180 km trail with 48,000 ft of elevation gain on the Mediterranean island of Corsica, in 50 hours. Rory’s life goal is to spend as much time in the mountains as possible, whether it be on foot, skis, bike, or a yoga mat.
“In my world, every day is Women’s Day. Between my friends, family, mentors, and coworkers, I am surrounded by fantastic, inspiring women who push me to be a better human on a continual basis. I am happy to be a woman and wouldn’t change it, even for all the advantages that come with being a man. We women contain multitudes and our ability to affect change and create a better world for all people is what makes me proud to call myself a girl. This past year has been so exciting to see the culture at large shifting to a more female-centric and female-friendly environment. I say, bring it on! Cheers to all the Women today. Party time! Onwards and upwards for all of us!” -Rory
Jennifer Kyle
Photo by: Tracey Mammolito
Jennifer Kyle is a half and full marathon runner from Marin County, California. As a casual runner through college, Jennifer didn’t begin racing until October 2014 when she ran the Nike Women’s Half Marathon. She was hooked immediately and is now training to become an Abbott Six Star Finisher (running all six major marathons). So far, she has completed Boston and Chicago and will be traveling to Germany to run the Berlin Marathon this year.
“Women’s Day is great opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come in culture, as well as the way women lift each other up in our culture now. Let’s be real – every day is day women’s day when we are doing that for each other. Because really, who runs the world?“ -Jennifer
Sherry Traher
Photo by: Greg Snyder
Sherry Traher is a wife, mother of 4, and ultrarunner residing in Ogden, Utah. Sherry is the strong, badass, and crazy woman behind the Instagram account @crazy_mother_runners. Most of Sherry’s runs are the 5:00 am kind of runs with her other crazy mother friends trekking to the tops of peaks while the whole valley is still sleeping. She also teaches fitness classes at her local gym, and she nevers misses a class even the day after an ultra.
“International Women’s Day is all about unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy, and action. I’m in awe of the women who have paved the way for us today. These role models have worked hard to bring equality to women’s roles in politics, business, life at home, and in sports. This passion is still needed and continuing today. I embrace my femininity. It’s a very powerful attribute. Women can embrace it and work together to unite and bring acceptance to one another, or they can tear each other down with jealousy from comparison. I hope today, we can remember we’re all striving to be our true selves and better the world we’re building for our children. On International Women’s Day, I’m extra grateful to be a woman.” -Sherry
Jessica Hadley
Jessica Hadley is a 34 year old mother of two with a full-time career as a high-level manager in an industry still dominated by men. But that doesn’t hold her back from relentless marathon training. This proud Michigander began running as an outlet for everyday life. It didn’t take long before running became a passion and a way of life for Jessica. Running has pushed Jessica to become a better mom and a stronger, healthier woman. Her 4:00 am runs allow her to clear her head, set intentions, and prepare to conquer each day.
“Trying to be a man is a waste of a good woman. It took me a long time to realize that I needed to stop trying to be like them in order to get to the top. Being a strong woman and fighting for what I want in life is how I’ve been successful. We do it all. We work, have kids, and somehow find time to train for marathons – women are relentless and powerful! Today is a great day to remind yourself how strong you are.” -Jessica
Rebecca Beisner
Rebbeca Beisner is a wife, mother of 2, fitness motivator, and amateur marathon runner all in one. As a “weekend warrior” Rebecca still finds the time to train and lift aside from her busy lifestyle. She’s even been kicking around the idea of becoming a bodybuilder. Running is her solace, her time to reflect, breathe, and just be. The “in between” is her favorite time to run; when she can see the sun and moon at the same time.
In honor of International Women’s Day 2018, we teamed up with our friends at Asics and Outdoor Voices to bring you a chance to get decked out some essential running gear.
8 WINTER RUNNING TIPS: WOES AND DELIGHTS
Kailey Lewis has been a part of the Jaybird marketing team for about 3 years. Originally an East Coaster, her love for snowboarding, hiking, and all things mountains relocated her to Lake Tahoe, CA to pursue her college career. She then relocated to Salt Lake City where she found her love for backcountry splitboarding, trail running, climbing, and mountain biking.
It’s 5:00 AM, there’s no sunlight in sight, the air is frigid, and your alarm jerks you out of a delightful dream. It’s time for your morning run. All you want to do is press ‘Snooze’ and roll over and fall right back into that deep sleep under the warmth of your blankets. But that race you’re training for is right around the corner, so you will yourself out of bed and slowly but surely prepare for your morning run. Don’t worry, it only gets easier from this moment on.
Finding time to get your winter training runs in can be daunting. It’s dark when we wake up to go to the office and before you know it the night has fallen before you even leave your desk to make the trek back home to comfort. Here’s a few tips that will make your winter runs a bit more enjoyable:
FIND A TRAINING BUDDY
Find someone who is as crazy as you to get out of bed at 5:00 AM and run in the pitch black with you to get your miles in before work. Having someone hold you accountable can help tremendously. When you’re lying in bed thinking about hitting that ‘Snooze’ button, you suddenly remember that someone is counting on you, so you get out of bed. It can be scary and unsafe running alone in the dark, so bring a buddy!
BRING SNACKS
Sometimes you just need that extra bit of fuel to push you through the last few miles of your snowy run. My go-to snacks are CLIF Bloks and Honey Stinger Organic Vanilla Waffles. PROBARs are also in my running vest more often than not.
ALWAYS CARRY A HEADLAMP
Even if you are heading out for a midday run in the winter, plans can change. You could have planned for a 5 mile run, but discovered a new loop that leaves you out in the wilderness longer than expected. The darkness sets in quickly and before you know it, it’s pitch black by 5 PM.
BRING APPROPRIATE LAYERS
Winter weather can change in seconds. One minute it could be bluebird skies and sunny and the next minute, the wind is blowing and you can’t tell which way is up. This is why I always bring a packable down jacket and a water-proof or water-resistant jacket.
STOCK YOUR PACK WITH SAFETY AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
I always carry a day hiker First Aid Kit and a space blanket in my running vest no matter when or where I am running. Oftentimes, First Aid Kits don’t come with waterproof matches, so I like to add some of those to my pack as well. You never know what can happen in the wilderness and it is smart to always be prepared to spend a night in the woods. I also have an emergency whistle attached to my vest.
GET TRACTION FOR YOUR SHOES
The trails around Salt Lake City can become ice-luges mid-winter. My favorite traction for winter running is Goat Head Gear Sole Spikes. They are small screws that you actually screw into the sole of your shoe that provide maximum traction on snow and ice. You can’t feel them at all, and when you take them out the small tip that was inserted leaves minimal impact to the bottom of your shoe. On days when the trail can vary from rock, to ice, and back to rock a better option would be Kahtoola Microspikes. I also always wear Salomon Gaiters to protect my ankles from mud and snowy.
TREKKING POLES
Poles can be very helpful when you’re running on slippery surfaces such as snow and ice. Black Diamond Distance FLZ Trekking Poles are a great option as they come with interchangeable rubber tips and carbide tips.
TREAT YOURSELF!
I always bring my YETI Rambler Bottle with hot tea or hot chocolate and leave it in my car for a nice delight after my run.
Kailey running up to Grandeur Peak on a warmer winter day.
Goat Head Gear Sole Spikes on Grandeur Peak, Salt Lake City, UT.
Kailey’s essentials.
I hope that these tips help you extend your training season. Running in the snow and cold can be a blast and super rewarding if you take the time to get prepared!
Check out Kailey’s running playlist:
Keep in touch with Kailey!
13.1 Miles in the Desert: The Birth of a Trail Runner
- February 15, 2018
- Running
Justin Gallegos has been a part of the Jaybird marketing team for 1 year. He’s a music journalist on the side, fully supports the Utah Jazz, and surfs concrete or snow depending on the season.
When it comes to pushing your heart rate, it doesn’t get any more liberating than running. You can go any speed, any direction, and for as long as you want, wherever you want – with or without friends. I should’ve known early on that I loved it by what sports I gravitated towards and which ones I downright rejected.
My dad grew up playing baseball on diamonds that could’ve hosted the Sandlot crew, but I never enjoyed the game. He also, like so many other people I know, obsess over golf, but I just can’t dig it. But from a young age I loved soccer, and I still love playing basketball. Why? Because they allowed me to be on the run. I wanted to move constantly when competing or exercising and anything that didn’t allow for that was just boring.
I continued to run sporadically in my twenties, placing in a local 5k while running in slip-on canvas shoes from Wal-Mart and even completing a mini-triathlon in the same shoes. It was just something that came up every now and then, until February of 2017, when I started working at Jaybird. Jaybird introduced me to the fascinating world of trail-running – a world for outsider athletes and weird adventurers, my kind of people. I had always heard how bad running was for the knees, but trail-running was different. The movements were dynamic and the ground was more forgiving than the road. Throw in the humbling views and it wasn’t long before I was hooked. Fast forward to January 2018, age 30, and I just competed in my first trail half-marathon in Moab, Utah.
It was a team-running day with the office when I made up my mind. I was on a high from throwing dirt in the crisp, cold air of Park City with friends. We stopped at a summit for some views, and I knew it was time to see just how long I could do this. I wanted to race and push my limits. This was around October and by early December I signed up for the half.
I was running a few times a week, between 4-8 miles per week total, and playing basketball 3-4 hours a week. I thought this would be enough training, but by January, my wife strongly advised that I implement an actual plan. So she reached out to our friend who had run several marathons, and without hesitation, our friend graciously sent me a speed training schedule:
Week 1: 4 mile, 4 mile, 8 mile
Week 2: 5 mile, 5 mile, 10 mile
Week 3: 6 mile, 6 mile, 12 mile
Week 4: 3 mile, 3 mile, race day
She told me, “The idea is that your mid week runs should all add up to about the mileage of your long run on the weekend. The last week is lower mileage, so you’re all rested up for the race. You could probably wing it and run the 13 miles tomorrow, but the training schedules make sure you don’t get hurt, that you do well for the race since you paid for it and everything, and that you’re not insanely sore after.” It pays to have wise friends.
After getting the schedule, I was psyched. My only goal was to finish without being super sore, but I obviously didn’t know what I was getting into. Nonetheless, I was ready to start my training plan on the first of January, fully committed. Then, just as life does, it threw a curveball at me, and I got hit with the flu from hell. I was literally out for the first week of January – the perfect storm based on my schedule. But I got through it and started running again. I never ran more than a six mile run in the month before the race, and the longest distance I had ever run at this point was 8 miles – this is what you call a lack of preparation.
The week of the race, which was on a Saturday, I chose to run a three miler on Tuesday. I felt like I had never fully let my legs rest between my weekly running, basketball, and snowboarding, so I decided I would rest a full three days before the race to have the freshest legs possible – this is what you call inexperienced.
Finally, Saturday came and I felt as ready as I could be. The first mile in I felt a burst of emotion, a runner’s high, seeing people moving like clouds along the desert trails and knowing that I was part of such a committed journey. The up-and-down slick rock was rough on the knees, but the reoccuring views of Arches National Park and the snow capped La Salle Mountains were constantly encouraging. By mile six, I knew I could finish without stopping.
An experienced friend suggested that for hydration and energy I have a smallish breakfast at least 90 minutes before the race. As for during the race, he suggested I take a sports gel at the start line, then another at 45 minutes, and another at 90 minutes (based on my plan to finish just under two hours), and to supplement each gel intake with a little fluid. And this ended up working well for me.
However, I ended up hitting a wall at 10 miles, but I have to credit this to a “shadow runner” who trailed me from mile 7-10. This person totally got me to break my pace by trying to stay ahead of them. Prior to the race, a few friends had told me I’d be fine if I raced to finish rather than racing to win, but it’s too much fun racing to win! This mindset definitely got the better of me. It was hard enough trying to look for blue ribbons, weaving through minimally-marked slick rock, let alone trying to run faster than a better runner. Next time, I’m just going to turn up my music and let that person pass.
By mile 11, I was running the slowest pace I had ever run. As I slogged along into mile 12, I switched the song on my playlist for an extra boost, knowing the end was near. And then I saw my family near the finish line. Once I saw them I felt completely capable of sprinting towards the finish, smiling from ear to ear. This was a crazy mind and body experience that proved to me we’re capable of overcoming pain at any time with the right emotional triggers. My finishing time was 1:58, and I placed 30th out of 214 – I couldn’t have done it without my music.
What’s followed since then is a lot of stretching, a lot of inquiring about running shoes, and finding out where I’ll run my first full marathon. Running a half was an incredible experience, and I can totally see how competing in races is addicting, especially when you get to travel for the event. As for my next race, here’s to being fully dedicated to a training schedule and icing my knees as soon as I hit the finish line.
Let Meditation Guide Your New Year
- January 19, 2018
- Mindfulness, Running
Timothy Olson is the two-time winner and record holder of Western States 100 Mile race. Timothy enjoys long runs up mountains, challenging his body, mind and spirit. Timothy finds inspiration in the land, trees, mountains and wildlife, connecting with them on the run, feeling their energy, allowing him to run wild and free. He resides in Boulder, CO with his wife, Krista, and sons Tristan & Kai.
Be present in your running and life.
Here are a few tips on how to get started as you introduce mindfulness into your running and life. There’s no need to find extra time in your day, take meditation for a spin during your regular workout with guided meditation for on the run. I start my morning run by plugging in my Jaybird RUN headphones and listening to a guided meditation with Run Mindful to start my day focused yet relaxed, ready to take on the day. Check out our *new* Run Mindful app for a free week of guided meditations to try out on your run.
Just Breath – When all else fails just breathe. When life is good, breathe. When life is tough, breathe. Simply notice your breath, follow it in and out, as it’s a great way to focus your attention. Focusing on the present moment through your breath is mindfulness. It can help you be calm and balanced – try it out for yourself and see how mindfulness, similar to running, brings about a bit more ease in your life.
Feel Your Body – Mindfulness is moment to moment awareness, open and okay to whatever comes your way. As you start your run, notice how your body feels. Not labeling anything good or bad, just be curious of all the sensations you feel. Starting with your feet is a great place to start. Just notice how each foot strike feels, feeling the texture of the ground with the pressure of your foot landing and propelling. Do you feel light or heavy, not judging just becoming aware of your body as you enjoy the flow of the run; this is a great way to start your mindfulness practice by tuning into your body.
Photo by: Fred Marmsater
Tap into Motivation & Intentions – The Tibetan word for motivation is kunlong, it means “to rise up”. What motivates you to rise to the occasion? Once you set your motivation, you state why you’re doing this exercise. Once you know why, you can use that to set your intentions to help you place your focus on how you want to respond in each moment – in exercise, meditation or life. Having a plan, having an aim is key. My motivation for running and meditation is to be physically healthy and overcome my addictive personality. To help support these motivations, these goals, I set an intention for being patient and present during my run and throughout my day.
Don’t Force It – Meditation is a workout, an endurance practice for the mind. But you can’t crush a meditation, you can’t force it, it’s a practice. Just like with running, consistency is key, not every outing can be your best run or your best meditation. By sticking with your practice, you are building strength, both mentally and physically. Although intense workouts like speed work or long runs help you get stronger, recovery days are just as important. Be kind to yourself, if you miss a day – that’s ok, remember the benefits, lace your shoes back-up he next day and continue your practice.
Photo by: Greg Snyder
Be Grateful – Right now, start by being grateful for air to breath and a body that moves. Life can have challenging moments, aim to see the good things in life. Choosing to be grateful gently shifts your attitude which can do wonders for you, your running and your life. Each morning start your day by affirming your gratitude for life, even in the low times. I find it helpful to write down these thoughts of what I’m thankful for – just a few simple notes each day. Our app has a journal that pops up after each meditation allowing you to note some thoughts to help continue your day with gratitude.
Keep in touch with Timothy!
USA Nordic Ski Teams Power Their Passion With Jaybird in Quest for Gold
The Winter Olympics holds a special place for our crew. We were born in the mountains, and we’re based in Park City, Utah, home to a handful of the 2002 Winter Olympic events. Sports like skiing are in our blood, and we know how important music is for staying in the zone during rigorous training.
This is why we’re extremely proud to announce a new partnership today with USA Nordic, the national leadership organization of ski jumping and nordic combined in the United States. Through this partnership, we plan to support the national team as they pursue their World Cup and Olympic dreams by bringing powerful sound, innovation, and motivation to the team.
The coolest thing about USA Nordic is that not only are they an elite Nordic ski jumping and Nordic combined organization focused on team training and overall development of the sport, but they’re also our neighbors, based right here in Park City.
We’re not just working with USA Nordic on their quest for gold, but also on growing the sport in the United States. We plan to help them develop best practices in their training and support athletes as they transition from competition to a career. By working with the team’s athletes, we’ll also be using their expertise to help create new products and innovations that help athletes perform at their peak through music.
Photos by: Greg Snyder
Check out the teaser video for the The Nordic Journey series below to see the team powering their passion in the freezing temps of high-altitude Park City, and look for episodes featuring Nordic athlete interviews to follow!
This Is Why I Run – Black Men Run
Black Men Run is an international run group that supports a wide range of abilities and is open to everyone. From first timers to advanced runners, Black Men Run strives to promote increased fitness through a culture of running. Black Men Run Mission Statement: To encourage health and wellness among African American men by promoting a culture of running/jogging to stay fit resulting in “A Healthy Brotherhood”. In this entry, Black Men Run member Ricardo Sandy tells us how simply doing a favor for a friend got him running marathons. Sandy resides in Brooklyn, New York as a father, ex-nightlife promoter, legal assistant, and freelance photographer.
Sandy explains, “Honestly, running is not something I grew up liking or ever thought I would enjoy. During high school I wasn’t the most athletic student and in college I became a ‘gym rat’, working out 5-6 days a week in order to create a bigger, better me minus the cardio…or so I thought.”
MOTIVATION
In early November of 2014 my friend Nyoka asked me to support her on a run she was doing in order to help improve her current health condition. Unbeknownst to me her version of support meant me training and running with her. I committed without hesitation and thanks to my usual impulsive and overzealous competitive mindset I automatically challenged her in order to help motivate her without a second thought – “If you run this race, then I’ll run a marathon!” Keep in mind, I never considered myself a runner, so I totally put my foot in my mouth with that one. With less than 2 months of training, on December 31, 2014 at 11:59 pm in 17 degrees I found myself at the starting line of my very first race in Central Park. Of course Nyoka ran and finished, as did I, which only meant I had to keep running.
Photo by: George Grullon for GnP Photos
DETERMINATION
Being a man of my word I couldn’t back down and I had to set an example for my children – “If you say you’re going to do something, DO IT” and “Always finish what you start.” During 2015 I trained for and participated in the 9+1 program in order to qualify for the 2016 TCS New York City Marathon. Along the way I documented my journey via various social media platforms (#RickRunsNYC) and to my surprise the response/support that I received was shocking. Of course your friends start with “What are you running from?”, which was followed by “Run Forest Run.” It didn’t take long for my friends to realize that this had transitioned from just a challenge to a healthier lifestyle change for me . Their continued support was overwhelming and the comedic jab “Run Forest Run” became few and far. I had finally found a sport that gave me the most satisfaction, fed my competitive nature with a full on crowd of strangers cheering you on every step of the way, and all while becoming a healthier individual. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without music either. Music helps me get through my runs and greatly influences my pace. I usually start off with something slow then I kick it up a notch with each song until there is a full on party going on by the time I get to the finish line.
Photo by: Gurber Mathews Photography New York
A HEALTHY BROTHERHOOD
After qualifying for the NYC Marathon and during the second leg of the journey to my first marathon, where I needed more motivation, my friend Michael Lewis introduced me to Black Men Run (“BMR”). I am not going to lie, I was reluctant at first, but with a little coaxing (and background checking) in May of 2016 I came out for my first “Sunday Runday”. The motivation, camaraderie, and accountability, through the motto “No Man Left Behind” displayed by this group of men during that 1.5 hours of training made me realize that this is where I wanted to be and the support system that I needed to get me over the hump and to the finish line – and it’s free…sign me up! BMR is a global (yes we’re in Europe) run group whose mission statement is “To encourage health and wellness among African American men by promoting a culture of running/jogging to stay fit resulting in ‘A Healthy Brotherhood’.” I trained for a little over 5 months with my brothers for the run of a lifetime , I was guided by the wisdom of veteran runners as well as through the run regimen provided by our run coach and captains.
Photo by: Gurber Mathews Photography New York
GOALS GOAL GOALS
On November 6, 2016, after running across 5 bridges, through 5 boroughs, and 26.2 miles for 4 plus hours I became a MARATHONER – part of the 1% Club! It was at the moment I crossed the finish line that I realized my running had just begun. Along my run journey I met some very inspiring and awesome individuals that have accomplished amazing things in the running community. It also seems that I became an inspiration to others as well. The combination fueled me and I developed new goals, one of which was not my own but none the less I set out on a quest to help my BMR brother, Mike become a Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series Hall of Famer. How do you become a hall of Famer you ask? One must do 15 marathons or half marathons within 1 calendar year from January to December. This would be my biggest challenge/commitment yet. After 15 cities in 12 states and 2 countries Mike and I are in the Hall of Fame. The series was less about the medals (there were many) and more about the people we met, relationships we built (shout to the RunFam) and memories that will last a lifetime.
Photo by: Joe Casimir of JCasimir Photos
My accolades to date are approximately 62 races with 634 race miles (give or take a few). The highlights thus far are: 2016 TCS New York City Marathon; 2017 Bank of America Chicago Marathon; 2017 TCS New York City Marathon; 2017 Rock ‘n’ Roll Run Series Hall of Fame; and the 2017 St. Jude’s Memphis Marathon. 2017 was a great year in my running career, and honestly, I’m not sure yet how to top it, but I know I’m not going to stop as I have my eyes set on the prize: all of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and to become a Six Star Finisher!
Check out Black Men Run’s playlist of the week:
Keep in touch with Black Men Run!
This Is Why I Run – Justin Williams
My name is Justin Williams, and I’m a personal trainer from Santa Monica, CA. I grew up in a very athletic family, which led me to a successful collegiate football career and my profession in fitness. As a personal trainer I consider myself a guide and motivator to my clients, and my love for training has grown into a love for running.
Growing up I was always actively involved in various sports (Basketball, Football, Wrestling etc.) and running was always apart of my routine because of the conditioning benefits. Now that I’m in the fitness realm, I view running as something fundamental that everyone can do within their own capacity. Which is why, I still run as part of my training routine till this day.
“This ensures my foundation is sound, and I don’t suffer the typical injuries that runners face.”
Photo by Dan Krauss
Ideally I like to just wake up, get dressed, lace up my shoes, throw on my Jaybird X3 headphones, and just go. Later in the afternoon or evening is when I incorporate my strength/resistance training. With my athletic background I definitely still take a certain level of enjoyment and pride in retaining a certain level of relative strength, but I genuinely believe my strength as a runner is literally… my strength. Even when I take “time off” from running on the road, I’m retooling my body in the gym. I’m lifting heavy, and incorporating stability and mobility work as well for when I do have a race or an event coming up. This ensures my foundation is sound, and I don’t suffer the typical injuries that runners face.
“It’s one thing to complete a race and it’s another to finish strong and still be physically healthy afterwards.”
Photo by Dan Krauss
Running has helped me discover a lot about myself, not just physically but mentally & spiritually as well. When it comes to being in the gym vs. running on the road, it’s almost two different personalities so to speak. If you could hear my music in the gym, I listen to stuff that pumps me up with heavy bass and hard, fast-tempo beats. When I’m on the road I prefer smoother, more mellow sounds to keep my heart rate steady and not overly excited, so I can maintain a certain pace. I’m very much aware I’m not the stereotypical runner and it’s not easy at all. There’s a point in every run where I’m mentally fighting with myself to stop or slow down because my body is getting close to its limit, but that’s when mental toughness comes into play and you push to finish that last mile or that last lap around the track. Every person can do amazing and incredible things, it’s just a matter of making your mind up and then executing! Check out my playlist below of some tracks that help me push my limits.
We also want to hear your stories. Share your motivation for running in a short story and hashtag #whyirunjaybird on Instagram for a chance to win weekly prizes including earbuds and a chance to be featured on our social channels. We’re inspired by every type of runner, so don’t hesitate to share your passion with us. To the parent that wakes up early before sending their kids off to school, the beginner seeking to finish their first 5k, and the marathoner looking to set a new PR, your passion inspires more people than you’ll ever know. Share your stories with us and #runwild. Find more info about the This Is Why I Run series here.
Keep in touch with Justin!
This Is Why I Run – Luke Nelson
- December 08, 2017
- Audio, Jaybird Athletes, Running, Ultramarathon, Video
My name is Luke Nelson and I am an endurance runner. I thrive on being in the mountains. When I am not running I can be found spending time with my wife and three kids, being an activist for the environment, or sometimes working my day job as a Physician Assistant.
The idea of balance in life is a myth, at least I think so. For nearly a decade I’ve chased balance as I juggle being a professional endurance runner, Physician Assistant, race director, activist, husband, and father. There are a thousand things that request my attention and a hundred that demand it at any given moment. Years ago, through the lens of youthful optimism, I went as far as starting a blog called the Challenge of Balance, as if it were something I had mastered. The more I claimed to have balance the more I realized that I lacked it. The reality was that true perfect balance doesn’t exist, and it isn’t what I actually wanted.
“True perfect balance doesn’t exist.”
With so many things going on, life can quickly turn into managing one dumpster fire after another. Frantically going from one major problem to the next, while everything else is neglected until it bursts into flames. This is no way to live life, yet I think many of us are at that point. As we juggle the demands of work, family, and fitness (at whatever level), there is a constant shifting of focus. Frankly there are times when training for a big event will demand time, and this will take from family or affect work. Then that big project at work comes along and there’s no time to train; and the family greets a weary father right before bed. There are also times when all that matters is the family and work and training suffer. The struggle, even battle, for equilibrium rages on.
While I feel like I still have much to learn about balancing life, I do feel that I have gained some insight and experience that is worth sharing and may help others find a way to manage life a little better.
Make A Schedule
First, make a schedule and stick to it. There are simply far too many things to be done that can easily be forgotten. The schedule needs to be written out and left in a centralized place. Include one for work: complete with meetings, deadlines, trainings etc.. Family events need to be on that schedule too, along with time set aside for family. Last but not least is training. It’s best when planned out with time blocked for it. With all of this information written down and scheduled it’s easier to stay on top of it. It is also incredibly useful to share this schedule with your family and, if appropriate, with work. Having others aware of the demands on your time can create an atmosphere of respect for your time at work and at home.
“Life needs spontaneity, which seems to be opposed to scheduling.”
Be Flexible
There will be times when the schedule is thrown out the window and that’s ok. It leads us to my next recommendation: be flexible. Even with best intentions, there are times when something unexpected pops up, and the schedule will be scrapped. Occasionally life needs spontaneity, which seems to be opposed to scheduling. Strict rigidity to the plan leaves no room for impromptu play dates, micro-adventure, or a something urgent at work. A word of caution though, if you find you are always breaking from the schedule the plan needs revisited. Spontaneity should be the spice of life, not the primary ingredient.
“We aren’t perfect, and shouldn’t demand that of ourselves.”
Be Kind
My next piece of advice is to be kind. Be kind to the amazing people you work with, and let them know how amazing they are. Often, we spend more time with the people we work with than with our families and they should be able to feel joy when you are around. I firmly believe kindness and gratitude lead to efficiency at work, so try it out. Remember to be nice to your body. As athletes, we’re constantly pushing our body to stay strong or to get faster. Listen to your body, and be kind when it starts to let you know it needs something. You won’t instantly become unfit if you skip a workout or two because you’re tired or feel the twinges of injury. Finally, be kind to yourself. We are often our own worst enemies placing high demands on ourselves and time. We can be terribly brutal to ourselves if we come up short or aren’t meeting our goals. We aren’t perfect, and shouldn’t demand that of ourselves.
“Take time for yourself.”
Putting this all together can help, but there is one missing piece. Something I have found to be a critical skill in trying to balance life is to take time for yourself. Everything up to this point has been about managing the external factors of life. But we need to take some time that’s focused just on us. Fortunately for me, I can kill two birds with one stone since my “me time” is often done while running. I can slip in my Jaybird Freedoms, crank the tunes, and leave the madness behind.
“I’m committed to seek improvement,”
I’ve structured training that often requires additional focus, but there is international unfocused running time when I can focus on me. This time for self-reflection allows me to check in and see how I am holding up and to honestly review what is demanding more attention so I can swing life back closer to balance. Like my other recommendations, this has a place, but cannot be the norm. If all the focus is spent on self, all else falls apart. I do know that if I get my run time and my me time, I’m more engaged and focused on whatever else is front of me (family or work), and I’m a better human for it. Admittedly, I constantly strive to achieve better balance in life, and there is much to learn, but I’m committed to seek improvement and hope that you can be too.
We also want to hear your stories. Share your motivation for running in a short story and hashtag #whyirunjaybird on Instagram for a chance to win weekly prizes including earbuds and a chance to be featured on our social channels. We’re inspired by every type of runner, so don’t hesitate to share your passion with us. To the parent that wakes up early before sending their kids off to school, the beginner seeking to finish their first 5k, and the marathoner looking to set a new PR, your passion inspires more people than you’ll ever know. Share your stories with us and #runwild. Find more info about the This Is Why I Run series here.
Keep in touch with Luke!
12 Days of Christmas
- December 06, 2017
- Music, Running, Snow, Uncategorized
We feel really lucky to have a loyal community stoking our passion everyday, and we want to celebrate you this Christmas season with our 12 Days of Christmas giveaway! 12 Days of Christmas is a special giveaway where we’ll be giving away a pair of buds (X3, FREEDOM 2, or RUN chosen at random) daily during the 12 days leading up to Christmas.
All you need to do is hashtag #12daysofjaybird on your running photos on Instagram. We’ll choose a winner each day beginning December 13th until Christmas Eve. We hope you keep using music as a tool to get you out the door on the crisp days ahead. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
To Enter:
-Follow @jaybirdsport on Instagram
-Hashtag #12daysofjaybird on your running photos on Instagram
-Have fun and get psyched for the holidays!
“I enjoy how winter makes you change things up. You need to embrace the slog fest, put on some winter traction (I like micro-spikes) and breath in that fresh mountain air.” – Timothy Olson, Jaybird Athlete
“The Holidays are always full of hustle and bustle, I love running during this time of year as a way to slow down my mind and reflect on the things that are most important; family, friends, health, and gratitude.” – Luke Nelson, Jaybird Athlete
“While the holidays can be some of the best times of the year, they can also be very stressful. The combo of sitting around more and stuffing my face w/ holiday treats can lead me to feeling less than stellar physically and mentally. That’s why I love to get out in the fresh air for a run. Best way to clear my mind, and work off all those rich holiday foods. Running during the holidays also benefits my family as I’m much more pleasant to be around after I’ve gotten my ya-yas out!” – Rory Bosio, Jaybird Athlete
This Is Why I Run – Rebecca Trachsel
My name is Rebecca Trachsel and I am a mom, marathoner, music lover, high school XC and track coach, and admitted coffee addict. I’ve been running in some way since 5th grade, ran competitively at Colgate University and started doing marathons in 2007 after my kids were born. This spring at age 43, I’ll be lining up for my 20th marathon where I’ll be trying to break three hours. I never run without music and Jaybird keeps me going.
“I could feel the power that running gave me, even at that young age, and I liked what I felt.”
I have always been a runner of some sort. I skipped, laughed, and maybe even cartwheeled through my first 5K at age 10. I was hooked from the moment I crossed the line. I could feel the power that running gave me, even at that young age, and I liked what I felt. Growing up, soccer was my main focus and running was something I did on my own. It kept me grounded and enabled me to check out when I needed to. I decided to run track my junior year and that changed everything for my running. I still remember racing the 2 mile for the first time; that feeling of weightlessness and flight that took me to a new level mentally and physically as I cruised through each lap. I knew something big was happening and I realized it was something I wanted to feel all the time. I ran competitively in college and continued to race for fun when I graduated. In 2011, my husband and I moved to Massachusetts and I immediately put the Boston marathon on my bucket list. After my second daughter was born in 2007, it was time to give it a shot. I was ready.
“Fast forward to today, at age 42, I just ran my 19th marathon”
I jumped right into training and never looked back. I was going to cross Boston off my list, I said, and then I’d be done with marathons. Fast forward to today, at age 42, I just ran my 19th marathon, so I guess I wasn’t quite done. Turns out, running is part of who I am. It makes me a better mom, coach, and friend. It keeps me sane, healthy, and, most importantly, happy. It connects me with other people who share the same passion. Like it did back in high school, it continues to help me grow mentally and physically. Through running, I have learned that my body is capable of anything that I put my mind to. It is a gift and one that I never take for granted.
“I hear music differently when I run.”
Like running, music has always played an important role in my life. As a kid, I used it to escape, to focus, to stay motivated, to cope, to unwind; it was part of everything that I did, really, and it continues to play the same role in my life today. Beyond my family, running and music are my two greatest passions. My running influences my music and my music influences my running. I hear music differently when I run. I can focus on the beat, the lyrics, and the sound in a way that I can’t when I’m driving in my car or working at my desk. When I’m racing, music distracts me, motivates me, and keeps me steady and focused and, in the end, is a big part of what helps me reach my goals as it takes me to a level that nothing else can. Even in my most intense and challenging moments, music can put a smile on my face. Much like running does, music sets me free.
“I’ll be 43 and I’m hoping to run a sub-3 hour marathon”
My desire to be a better and more competitive runner has only intensified as I’ve gotten older. To my good fortune, my body has held up as my goals have shifted and my training has ramped up. My family always comes first. My job second. After that, my role as a masters athlete is my top priority. I want to make things happen, and I’m willing to push myself harder than ever to reach my goals. When I line up for a marathon, I want to place, not only as a master but also as a top female. Next year I’ll be 43 and I’m hoping to run a sub-3 hour marathon. After that, who knows. What I do know, however, is that I am not even close to being done. And I truly believe anything is possible if you’re willing to do the work.
“(I run) to defy age, to break boundaries…”
Why do I run? I RUN TO…. relieve stress, to think, to cope, to mourn, to celebrate, to clear my head, to unwind, to check in, to check out, to learn, to challenge myself, to stay sane, to be happy, to be healthy, to set an example for my kids, to set an example for my high school athletes, to connect, to reconnect, to strengthen bonds, to discover, to explore, to give back, to inspire, to be inspired, to defy age, to break boundaries, to set new ones, to rock out, to be a better person…..TO LIVE.
Check out my playlist of the week:
We also want to hear your stories. Share your motivation for running in a short story and hashtag #whyirunjaybird on Instagram for a chance to win weekly prizes including earbuds and a chance to be featured on our social channels. We’re inspired by every type of runner, so don’t hesitate to share your passion with us. To the parent that wakes up early before sending their kids off to school, the beginner seeking to finish their first 5k, and the marathoner looking to set a new PR, your passion inspires more people than you’ll ever know. Share your stories with us and #runwild. Find more info about the This Is Why I Run series here.
Keep in touch with Rebecca!
