I’m good friends with Joe Corcione. (Was a groomsmen in his wedding and ran an Ironman with him). I’ve seen you on his Instagram few times! Very cool to randomly see you on here!
I played soccer too! And was blessed with big strong thighs:-) Your words are so true though...strength training is so important for life and longevity in general, but it makes trail running, climbing, and hiking so much more enjoyable! I injured myself training for a 50 mi trail ultra and also while climbing Mt. Rainier. After PT, etc, I began to get more serious and intentional about lifting weights and I'm the strongest I've ever been/felt. I leave soon to trek and attempt a summit of Cotopaxi in Ecuador and I'm excited to see how the training translates this time around. Thanks for writing this! We need more strong female role models.
This is awesome. Thanks for sharing Sally! It was refreshing and enlightening to read about your training conviction and approach. I come from a soccer background as well and shifted to more holistic strength & conditioning post-college. I've biased more towards functional fitness than endurance but wandered into the endurance world for the first time this past year with my first 24 hour run. I approached it very similarly to how you described here.
I'm actually doing a powerlifting total and another 24 hour ultra back to back in April this year as a "proof of work" to this approach. I'd love to dig into this more with you!
Wonderfully inspiring! I was a fat kid (normal by today’s standards). Teased most of my childhood for being chunkier and than most, today I look back and am grateful because it set me on a journey to make exercise an essential part of my life. Today, I keep forgetting I am 63 years old. I run at least 35 miles a week, ride centuries and left weights four days a week. Incan out perform much better than most 20 years my junior and am able to move with agility. I hope over a fence the other day with ease before remembering 63 years olds aren’t supposed to be able to do that. Keep training. Keep active. Keep surprising yourself.
I started a strength program this past Sept/October and I love it! I was running too much before that to fit it in and have time for it but I really think it’s going to help my running and even if it doesn’t, it’s fun to see measurable gains. Plus, as a fellow 40-something, it’s so important to keep building muscle! Thanks Sally!
Love this sooo much! I started spending more time in the gym while marathon training. I hired a personal trainer and we became great friends. She was training for an NPC figure competition and we became workout buddies. She encouraged me to join her and compete as well. At 40 years old “everyone” else told me there is no way I could be stage ready and run a marathon a week later. I was so conflicted if I should do it, or if it was even possible.
My friend and I continued our competition prep while I kept marathon training. I was so nervous, but I stepped on the stage for an NPC competition. That night I placed 1st in the Masters division for my height class, First overall in the entire Masters Division, and 3rd in the Open division for my height class. A week later I went on to run my 5th Marine Corps Marathon. I was absolutely thrilled and so happy I didn’t listen to the negative advice because I realized “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! -Philippians 4:14”
I’m now 55, still lifting so I can be strong and independent when I’m 85. I’m also still running marathons. Thank you, Sally! Thank you for reminding us to do what we know in our hearts we were created to do. To persevere with and a strong body, strong mind and with strong love for ourselves and those around us. God Bless you, Sally! 💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
Thank you Sally, you’re such an inspiration! As runner and cyclist I do value the other side of the workout, and start getting “vintage” muscles are even more important!!
Thank you, Sally! This was a great post to read as a marathoner trying to get stronger during these off-season months. I’ve always been told that runners shouldn’t lift heavy because we can’t build muscle anyway, and I love to see the opposite here. 🤍
I love your message. Not only is being strong beneficial to running, it is so important when we start ageing. I have also been frustrated many times for not having a runner’s physique. Now at 54, I am content that I am still running without too many issues..
I’m good friends with Joe Corcione. (Was a groomsmen in his wedding and ran an Ironman with him). I’ve seen you on his Instagram few times! Very cool to randomly see you on here!
Loved this!
I played soccer too! And was blessed with big strong thighs:-) Your words are so true though...strength training is so important for life and longevity in general, but it makes trail running, climbing, and hiking so much more enjoyable! I injured myself training for a 50 mi trail ultra and also while climbing Mt. Rainier. After PT, etc, I began to get more serious and intentional about lifting weights and I'm the strongest I've ever been/felt. I leave soon to trek and attempt a summit of Cotopaxi in Ecuador and I'm excited to see how the training translates this time around. Thanks for writing this! We need more strong female role models.
So awesome, you are making a difference in people’s lives.
This is awesome. Thanks for sharing Sally! It was refreshing and enlightening to read about your training conviction and approach. I come from a soccer background as well and shifted to more holistic strength & conditioning post-college. I've biased more towards functional fitness than endurance but wandered into the endurance world for the first time this past year with my first 24 hour run. I approached it very similarly to how you described here.
I'm actually doing a powerlifting total and another 24 hour ultra back to back in April this year as a "proof of work" to this approach. I'd love to dig into this more with you!
Your post made my day. Thank you for sharing!
Wonderfully inspiring! I was a fat kid (normal by today’s standards). Teased most of my childhood for being chunkier and than most, today I look back and am grateful because it set me on a journey to make exercise an essential part of my life. Today, I keep forgetting I am 63 years old. I run at least 35 miles a week, ride centuries and left weights four days a week. Incan out perform much better than most 20 years my junior and am able to move with agility. I hope over a fence the other day with ease before remembering 63 years olds aren’t supposed to be able to do that. Keep training. Keep active. Keep surprising yourself.
I started a strength program this past Sept/October and I love it! I was running too much before that to fit it in and have time for it but I really think it’s going to help my running and even if it doesn’t, it’s fun to see measurable gains. Plus, as a fellow 40-something, it’s so important to keep building muscle! Thanks Sally!
Love this sooo much! I started spending more time in the gym while marathon training. I hired a personal trainer and we became great friends. She was training for an NPC figure competition and we became workout buddies. She encouraged me to join her and compete as well. At 40 years old “everyone” else told me there is no way I could be stage ready and run a marathon a week later. I was so conflicted if I should do it, or if it was even possible.
My friend and I continued our competition prep while I kept marathon training. I was so nervous, but I stepped on the stage for an NPC competition. That night I placed 1st in the Masters division for my height class, First overall in the entire Masters Division, and 3rd in the Open division for my height class. A week later I went on to run my 5th Marine Corps Marathon. I was absolutely thrilled and so happy I didn’t listen to the negative advice because I realized “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! -Philippians 4:14”
I’m now 55, still lifting so I can be strong and independent when I’m 85. I’m also still running marathons. Thank you, Sally! Thank you for reminding us to do what we know in our hearts we were created to do. To persevere with and a strong body, strong mind and with strong love for ourselves and those around us. God Bless you, Sally! 💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
Thank you Sally, you’re such an inspiration! As runner and cyclist I do value the other side of the workout, and start getting “vintage” muscles are even more important!!
Thank you, Sally! This was a great post to read as a marathoner trying to get stronger during these off-season months. I’ve always been told that runners shouldn’t lift heavy because we can’t build muscle anyway, and I love to see the opposite here. 🤍
I love your message. Not only is being strong beneficial to running, it is so important when we start ageing. I have also been frustrated many times for not having a runner’s physique. Now at 54, I am content that I am still running without too many issues..
Beautifully written. You are an inspiration. Can’t wait for the new merchandise in 2026!