As I was munching on my morning tuna fish sandwich (I’ve been up since 5:00 a.m., so 9:00 is practically lunch time – no judging), I was engaging in one of my favorite pastimes: Googlestalking. This was a term foisted upon me by a family member (who shall go unnamed) who thought it was weird that I spend so much time reading about people on the internet. The fact is, the reason I blog and read blogs, is that I love reading about interesting people doing interesting things. I love the connection in the blogosphere where I get to “meet” cool people and get inspired by all they do. There are some amazing people out there – and I intend to Googlestalk every one of them! 🙂
This week, I’m obsessing about some very cool people.
Lizzie Hawker
1. Lizzie Hawker: The 35 year-old English endurance athlete who holds the World 24 Hour record with 153 miles, has won UTMB 4 times, and followed it up with a record-breaking run of the 200 mile trail from Mt. Everest to Kathmandu – mostly alone! She is fast, tough, and BRAVE!
Diana Nyad
2. Diana Nyad: The 62 year-old American swimmer who will attempt to swim from Cuba to Florida this summer. She was the world’s best female swimmer from 1969-1979, so she was one of my heroes when I was swimming competitively as a kid. Now, she is one of my heroes for never giving up, or thinking she is too old to do something great.
3. Mark Kreuzer and Yamilet Nieto: The couple who started Trail and Ultrarunning after spending 9 months traveling around the US, running trails and racing. We have all dreamt of taking off on the open road for an extended period of time, doing what we love with the people we love, but how many of us ever have the guts to do it? Well, Mark and Yami did. And the cool benefit for all of us? They started an awesome online website as a place for us “Googlestalkers” and adventure athletes to connect and learn. Their dream is our gain.
Jill Brack
4. Jill Brack: The New York city mom who started the gluten-free cookie company, Glow Gluten Free, after her daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease and couldn’t eat regular treats. I love stories about entrepreneurs, and people chasing their dreams, but it is extra cool when it is a mom turning lemons into lemonade!
Linda Francis Lee
5. Linda Francis Lee: Last, but most important, my sister, best friend, and bestselling author. Linda lives in Manhattan, writing by day, and living the coolest life the rest of the time. I love to live vicariously through her, reading her posts and tweets about the writer’s life, trips to Europe, awesome restaurants, and fun and interesting people she meets in NYC. Linda has managed to do what she loves while living a fun, fearless life!
Who inspires you?
Happy Running!
Mom, ultrarunner, four-time US 24 Hour National Team member, adventure athlete, food writer. Graduate of the Pro Cooking Program at the New School of Cooking, Los Angeles. Will run for food.
{ 6 comments }
Well written Carilyn – as always!
Googlestalking, eh? First time I have heard the term. Also the first time I don’t feel ‘creepy’ when someone has used the word stalking.
I must say that your post about qualification for the 24hour US National team was awesome! You are one of the people that inspires me on Ultra Running. My first 100km race is coming up and I am looking towards some real life idols who have ‘put one leg in front of the other’ and kept going.
I certainly won’t be googlestalking you; but it is safe to say that I am inspired by what you have done and how humble you are! Thank you.
P.S. Keep writing. Your expressiveness is lovely!
Anyone who can run in circles for 24 hours gets my vote! Oops, I guess that includes you doesn’t it Carilyn? There are many others of course, but the older the runner, the greater my admiration.
Wow, Siddarth! Thanks so much – and thanks for stopping by the blog. I love to connect with people trying new things, so I am so excited to watch you take on the 100k – that’s awesome!
Thanks, Kent! That is why I love Diana – 62 and able to swim for 50 hours! Wow! Unbelievable! Takes all my excuses away 🙂
Thank you Carilyn. Thought we felt our ears burning. We feel blessed to have done all the traveling and met so many wonderful people. We’re honored that you’re writing for Trail And Ultra. You’re articles make the site that much better… you’re a wonderful runner, coach, writer, mom and collaborator.
Y’all are doing a great job, Mark! Love the site – and the energy!
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