Kali Abel will run just about any distance so long as it takes more time than it does to lace up racing shoes and not enough to wear them out. She continues to ‘specialize’ in cross country, trail races and road races from the 5k distance to the marathon, the half marathon being her favorite road distance….so far.
How do you define “Athlete”?
I am inspired by a lot of things. I’m inspired by athletes and coaches that have come before me but also the athletes I coach now and the other coaches I work with. I’m inspired by people who have a passion for what they do whether it’s a job, a sport, their family, or a hobby and have the ability to balance the things that they love to be the best they can be in every endeavor whether it’s as an athlete, friend, family member, or in a career.
I reward myself each day with a run, healthy food, and plenty of sleep. It may not sound super exciting but my body is the only machine I’ve got and rewarding it with basic needs becomes increasingly important as I go after my goals. On a broader scale, I reward myself with the things I love beyond athletics. Spending time with friends, taking a nap with my dog, spending a morning at a coffee shop, trading a run for a ski, and trying the new brew at the local brewery are all chances for me to reward myself with the things I enjoy.
Something about me that might surprise you……..I never thought I’d end up focused mostly on running. Growing up I wanted to be a professional basketball player but never got taller. I also had a stint of wanting to be a professional rock climbing and ice climber but was scared of the idea that eventually I’d have to go climb Mt. Everest. And for a long time I wanted to be an olympic pole vaulter, but as it turns out there aren’t many ‘recreational’ pole vaulters post-college.
Perhaps more interesting is that while living in Australia, I spent a few weeks sleeping in a bed located directly beneath a napping amethystine python. I was assured that it only moved once a month when it went out to hunt. When it was absent when I woke up one morning, I felt less than ‘assured’.
I go WILD by remembering to always be myself. It’s easy especially in the athletic world to look at other competitors and training partners and compare yourself to them. But the fact is I’m not out there for those people, I’m out there for me and for my athletes. I go WILD celebrating who I am and what I can give to the athletes I am so fortunate to work with. And of course I absolutely go WILD when cheering them on.
Thank you, Kali!
