Every day, we鈥檙e faced with a choice: to run or not to run. Sometimes the decision is easy, but on other occasions it can be a taxing back-and-forth. , a finisher in Arizona鈥檚 grueling Cocodona 250 and a athlete, is no stranger to the internal debate. In 2013, Vinson made a decision that would change the course of her entire life. She ran. From her first mile to her first 100-mile race, Vinson shares the details of her evolving relationship with running and how it built the framework for who she is today.
国产吃瓜黑料: Why did you start running?
Callie Vinson: I actually started running because I hated it. In my younger years, I chose sports with the least amount of running: soccer, but as the goalie so I could stand in the back, then rowing because I got to sit in a boat. It wasn鈥檛 until I moved to Chicago with all these big-city dreams that I realized I couldn鈥檛 fulfill any of them because of my very sedentary lifestyle. And if I wanted to change that, I had to stop running from whatever felt uncomfortable and start running toward and through it. What鈥檚 funny now is my why is different鈥攚hy I started running versus why I continue to run. I started because I wanted to lose weight. I continue to run because there鈥檚 no better way to explore the world and discover who you truly are.
What accomplishments are you most proud of since you started on your running journey?
As much as I鈥檇 love to say my last feat of finishing the Cocodona 250 or setting a 240ish-mile FKT with the help of 25 incredible people, I think I鈥檓 most proud of 2013 me who took the first step in her health journey. All the odds were against her, and she had absolutely no idea what she was doing鈥攂ut she persisted anyway. To me, that took more courage than standing at the start of any ultramarathon. And it鈥檚 because of that persistence鈥攐r stubbornness, as some might say鈥攖hat allowed me to turn one mile into two. Four into ten. A half marathon to a full. And before you knew it, an ultramarathon on trails. I started this running journey without any real vision of where it might lead, only a feeling to keep going and enjoy wherever it takes me. Funny enough, that鈥檚 become my mental strategy for longer ultramarathons and has helped me truly enjoy those journeys all the way to the finish.
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That’s still a big leap from reluctant runner to accomplished ultra-athlete.
Well it鈥檚 because of that persistence (or stubbornness as some might say), that allowed me to turn one mile into two. Four into 10. A half marathon to a full. And, before you knew it, an ultramarathon on trails. I started this running journey without any real vision of where it might lead 鈥 only a feeling to keep going and enjoy wherever it takes me. Funny enough, that鈥檚 become my mental strategy for longer ultra marathons and has helped me truly enjoy their journeys all the way to the finish.
What鈥檚 your next big endeavor? And can you tell us about the footwear you鈥檙e using to train for it?
For my next trick, I鈥檇 love to accomplish something I鈥檝e never done before: running 100 miles in less than a day. A sub-24-hour 100-miler might come easy to a lot of ultrarunners, but for me, who proudly represents the back-of-pack, this would be like winning an Olympic gold medal. I plan to attempt this in my own backyard at the Javelina Jundred in Phoenix. It鈥檚 a flatter ultra and a spicy one, with midday temps around the high eighties. But the terrain is just my cup of tea. This鈥檒l also be the first time I run a trail race in road shoes鈥攖he 鈥攂ut I鈥檒l have the nearby in case I need a backup. So far, training鈥檚 been right on the money with a slow and steady build and heat training right around the corner. That shouldn鈥檛 be too hard, though鈥攊t鈥檚 still in the hundreds here in Phoenix.
What do you like the most about running in Topo Athletic shoes?
It鈥檚 all about the for me. Growing up in Florida, I was almost always barefoot or close to it with my $3 sandals, so my toes became accustomed to having all the room to breathe. Whenever I wear Topo shoes, I get that same sensation but with the cushion and support needed on trails and roads. Also, I know they鈥檙e not running shoes, but I鈥檝e been craving my after almost every run lately. They鈥檝e got Vibram soles for extra grip and support and a supersoft interior that鈥檚 like a spa for tired feet. And now that temperatures are dropping, you can bet your bottom dollar they鈥檒l be my morning dog-walking shoes as well.
What advice can you give runners working toward personal goals in the sport?
My biggest piece of advice is to find your fun. Running is definitely a fun sport, but I promise there will be many days when you would rather do anything else. It鈥檚 those days when having something to make it fun and enjoyable鈥攍ike wearing glitter on your cheeks or your favorite thrift store T-shirt鈥攎akes all the difference. I spent too many of my early running years getting in the weeds of paces and stats and hitting a certain mile marker each day that I forgot the number one reason why I love to run: it鈥檚 fun.
Topo Athletic, headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, is dedicated to helping you stride for more and push the limits of what is possible. Topo footwear features a roomy toe box and lightweight comfort, enabling you to achieve your most challenging goals on the road or trail. For more information, visit .