Find Your Strong

plant-based ultra runner, all about that kombucha, pursuing an education and career in nutrition as a RD, yoga fanatic, adventurer, dog runner at Paws in Motion Cleaning up my body and soul. Makena, 22, Southern California

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Rawest form of freedom

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At home amongst the trees

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It's a staple #avocadotoast #avocadoeverything #plantbased #vegansofig #eatcleanlivedirty #collegestudentdiet #cilantrolover

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This is my favorite kind of high #sangorgoniopeak #hikeuprundown #trailrunning #optoutside #todsl #patagonia #nathansports #runsteepgethigh #livedirtyeatclean #dirtbagdarling (at San Gorgonio Peak)

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Years of dreaming and months of training have led up to this moment. Kodiak 100, I'm ready for you. 👊🏼 #ultrarunning #kodiak100 #hokaoneone #nathan #runinrabbit #tailwind #mammachia #buff #injinji #trailrunning #prerace #packing #potatoesandpb&jontheway

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Only 3 more days until I'm flying along this single track that touches the sky. I'm pretty darn lucky!! It doesn't get much better than Big Bear with great friends, family and single track. Life is such an incredible adventure! #kodiak100 #ultrarunning #trailrunning #runinrabbit #runsteepgethigh #tapering #singletrack #mountainhigh #skylinetrail (at Big Bear Lake, California)

[eatfitflex-blog]

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Miles of buffed out single track and awesome conversations make Wednesday nights my favorite night of the week. Such an awesome group!! I'm moving to LA at the end of August and I'm so bummed to be leaving them!

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I love getting the "there's nothing in the fridge" or "we're out of food" comments. Challenge accepted! Spruced up avocado toast with a sprouted bagel, kumato tomatoes, thinly sliced onion, lemon pepper, cashew + nutritional yeast crumble on one and Carolina gold bbq on the other. Quite an accomplishment considering we have no food in the house 😜 just have to be a little creative! #plantbased #breakfast #avocadotoast #sproutedgrains #plantpowered #veganeats #avocado

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✌🏼️, mountains are calling. #alpinebabes #runsteepgethigh #sierras #runinrabbit #radrabbit #trailrunning #ultrarunning #plantpowered #westernstates #ws100 #runhighs #in2nature #wildernessbabes #adventureculture #todsl #instarunners #mountainrunning

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All it takes is a weekend in the mountains to make me rethink my life. #mountainrunning #trailrunning #plantpowered #ws100 #squawvalley #ultrarunning #runsteepgethigh #alpinebabes #sierras #radrabbit #runinrabbit

[inthewoodsbesidethesea]

The Critique of the Female Trail Runner

“She’s way too thin!” “She needs to wear more clothes. She only does that for attention.” “You don’t fit the image we’re looking for.” “That tattoo is a tramp stamp.”

And this is only the tip of the ice berg. 

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This article is spot on. So often I’ve gotten the surprised ignorant male response “you don’t look like you run that far”. I guess they expect that the further you run, the thinner you get. It’s funny because I think that I’m already in pretty good shape at 5'10", 128 lbs. Any thinner would be borderline unhealthy, but the comments make me feel like I should be. Although I’m secure in myself, i can’t help think about those comments when I’m standing in front of the mirror.

Then there’s the subtle trail harassment. First of all, I want to say that I love my male training partners. The trail ultra guys are much more plentiful than women, so most of the time I’m doing long runs with men. I treasure the laughs shared, their different perspective and the strong friendships that I have with them. But there are times when I feel self conscious when guys l train with let me lead because I’m worried they’re just doing that so they can stare at my ass.. Then sure enough some joke is made about how great the view is. Ugh, completely changes the run.

I know men and women are different and I accept that I will never be treated exactly like a male ultra runner, nor do I want to be. I guess the message here is think before you speak.

[daniellethesheep]

Alexi Pappas

[letsgoforahike]

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One of the key concepts that I've learned from studying nutrition is that very time you eat is an opportunity to nourish your body. I try to keep that in mind at every meal by being conscious of a foods nutrient density and macro composition. Studying nutrition, I feel pressure to always make the right food choices, but the truth is, I'm just a big foodie with a sweet tooth. I love cooking with big, bold flavors, savoring every bite, and learning how to balance dishes in terms of acidity and texture. Breakfast is hands down my favorite meal. It can be sweet or savory and is ALWAYS accompanied by coffee. It's sometimes hard to find the time or have the patience to cook after a run, so i always keep ripe bananas on hand as a fast food option. Throw in blueberries, raw cacao, cinnamon, granola, a tbsp of crunchy PB and a splash of almond milk and you get a tantalizing meal that will satisfy your taste buds and nourish your body👌🏼☕️🍌 #plantbased #wholefoodnutrition #breakfast #bananas #vegansofig #veganbreakfast #nutrition #plantpoweredathlete #veganrunner #plantbaseddiet #fruits #balanceddiet #nutritionalscience #carbup #highcarbvegan

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How I spend my Friday nights.. 20+ miles to run tomorrow morning!

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This is what lunch looks like after 4 hours of studying for my nutrition issues final 😜 Pickled radishes for the first time and they were absolutely delicious with a miso-based, mustard, rice vinegar, dressing. Salad consisted of rainbow chard, shredded carrots, garbanzos, bean sprouts, bell pepper, cilantro and green onions. Fueled up and ready to crush the final! #plantbased #vegansofig #nutrition #nutritionalscience #lunch #veganlunch #plantpoweredathlete #vegetables #eattherainbow