THE 2021 WOMEN’S ADVENTURE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PERIOD LAUNCHES SATURDAY, MARCH 6TH. WELL OVER 200 WOMEN APPLIED FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP IN 2019, AND WE WERE OVERWHELMED WITH THE POWER OF THEIR INSPIRING WORDS, STORIES, AND EXPERIENCES. OVER THREE BLOGS, WE’RE SHARING ANSWERS TO SOME OF THE APPLICATION QUESTIONS TO RAISE THE STOKE AND INSPIRE OUR NEXT ROUND OF APPLICANTS.
One of our leading questions in the application was “Why do you love to run?” The answers were dynamic, yet clear themes emerged. Read on for reflections on empowerment, clarity, community, freedom and processing emotion.
Empowerment:
“Running makes me feel embodied; I can turn off the mental chatter and drop into something that feels more primal, empowered, and life affirming. I am in touch with my needs in a more intuitive way, and I feel free to be myself.”
“I am often moved to tears after a tough race because I’ve pushed myself beyond what I thought possible and can’t put into words the feeling I have when surrounded by other inspiring runners.”
“It frees my soul! While I am running, it is just me and my thoughts, pushing my body, feeling how capable I really am. Running boosts my confidence and makes me feel like I can do anything.”
“The challenge of running proves to me that if I don’t give up on myself I can do hard things and I am enough.”
“In a world that tells women they are wrong or not enough, I run, and the sound of my feet on dirt quiets the noise. When I run, I see clearly who I am. Lost pieces of myself are found. When what is lost can’t be retrieved, I run, and discover a new facet of myself that settles in and takes up the empty space”
“There are so many times I think, “You can’t do this,” and every time I do it! It makes me feel so proud of myself.”
Mental Clarity:
“I love to run because it creates a flow state where I can experience joy, solve problems, deeply present-time connect, and create a stronger more relaxed version of myself. Running is a portal that can give entry into new states of physical and mental wellness. It is a gift to be able to run.”
“I love running because it is a form of meditation. When I’m running, there are no other distractions, the busyness of life falls away. The euphoria of running is long lasting; running represents a life long lesson of endurance and accomplishment.”
“Running frees my inner spirit. Keeps me grounded and is my personal time.”
“Running is my therapy, my reset button. No matter what else is going on in my life, I always feel better after a run. It has allowed me to continuously test my physical and mental limits, something I continue to push one race at a time.”
“I love the way it calms my anxiety and centers my soul like a moving meditation.”
Connection to the Natural World
“I go to the trails like one would go to church– I go to find meaning, purpose– to absolve my sins, to give thanks, to be renewed, reborn, to celebrate the Earth, and the joy of being alive”
“When I run, I connect to the world around me. My body calms, my brain quiets, and I understand life in a more intimate and empathetic way. I feel a rhythm simultaneously grounding and energizing..
“I love to run because it’s an exciting, challenging, and fun way to explore all types of outdoor spaces from mountains to local trails.”
“I love the fresh air and seeing the world in new ways as though every run is an opportunity to explore.”
Processing Difficult Emotions:
“It makes me feel free. Three years ago I left an abusive relationship. Trail running healed me. Those long runs forced me to work through some tough moments. They showed me I was strong. I can do whatever I put my mind to.”
“I grew up with alcoholic and verbally abusive parents. Running granted me a safe mental space and a healthy platform to foster my entire life. As I got older I saw my sister turn to drugs and alcohol. I turned to my running to deal with the same issues. When we both lost our little sister to drugs and alcohol, I was able to survive, grieve, and grow through running. I love running because a long run can break me down to my lowest self and at the same time allow me to rise above to my most resilient being. Running has made me who I am today and for that I love it most.”
“It has kept me sane through my mom’s cancer, my husband’s addiction, having a baby, my divorce, and now my life as a single mom.. Running has always been there for me.”
“I discovered trail running last year during an especially dark time in my life when I was battling my anxiety and OCD demons. I felt powerless and trapped. Seeing a therapist began to help, as did medication. But it was still enveloping my life in a constant darkness and dread. That was exactly when my trail running brother suggested I try it out and just sign up for a race. I was desperate, exhausted by this battle. So on a whim, I decided to thrust myself head-first into the unknown world of trail running. Since then, I have not only become acquainted with the ins and outs of this crazy beautiful sport, but I have learned so much about myself. I LOVE running because it makes me feel free, it makes me feel alive. It heals my soul and quiets the demons in my mind. Trail running has become such an integral part of who I am, and where I find great peace and happiness.”
Community:
“Running brings people together with this weirdly deep and instant bond. It exposes us to each other in ways we wouldn’t on our own, and opens us up to understanding people we may not have otherwise. Weirdly, it also divides. It separates the world into “runners” and those who think we are crazy, but it is through this division I find a place where I belong.”
“Sharing time with each and every runner, learning their dreams and struggles have allowed me to connect to a world beyond measure. Many of these runners have become close friends as we share stories of our lives as we run through trails, ascend mountain tops and cross finish lines together. We cheer each other on and become each other’s confidants.”
“Running is where I’ve met the strongest and most compassionate women, who love hard trails as much as cold beers afterwards.”
“Running brings out something in all of us. Something that pulls us together, something that helps us mourn together, something that helps us feel joy together. I love running because it has shown me just how easy it is to learn about others–just how easy it is to be kind and love others.”
“I love and appreciate the inclusive community around trail running – and how we all have moments of digging deep and discovering something within ourselves to motivate and inspire us – but we also don’t take ourselves too seriously; we enjoy high fives and silliness on the trails while encouraging each other to do what feels impossible at the time. We celebrate each other’s successes – no matter how seemingly small – and take care of one another when something gets in the way of running.”
“I run to be part of a community because I know that the pain, joy, boredom and triumph I experience are equally felt by the people I share the trails with. Our differences are superficial. Our capacity for growth is equal and immense”
“The people I have met and spent time with on the trail have changed my life for so much the better.”
Freedom:
“Running is a way for me to feel alive. With all the challenges and pain in the end I always feel euphoric. I run because it helps me feel everything.”
“It’s my time to run around “off-leash,” to escape the desk, the chains of responsibilities, and be free.”
“It is the one thing I do that makes me feel free and present. Life is filled with obligations and expectations, but when I am running, there is nothing looming ahead- all I’m thinking about is the rhythm of my steps and the motion forward. The power running produces has totally changed my life in this way.”
“I love to run because running is life to me. It is when I feel the most free and alive. One foot in front of another, deep breaths, a hundred thoughts going through my mind every minute. I feel invincible and vulnerable all at the same time.”
OUR HOPE IS THAT THE WORDS AND EXPERIENCES SHARED HERE INSPIRE 2021 APPLICANTS WHO ARE READY TO SHARE THEIR STORIES AND EMBRACE THE FRIENDSHIP AND COMMUNITY THAT COMES FROM BACKCOUNTRY MILES.
Thinking of applying for our 2021 Women’s Adventure Scholarship?!
Scholarships are intended to support individual female athletes venturing into wild spaces. Our hope is that as scholarship recipients share their stories of adventure, they will contribute to inspire and grow the culture of female-focused wilderness exploits.
THE 2021 WOMEN’S ADVENTURE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PERIOD WILL OPEN ON MARCH 6TH. MORE DETAILS TO COME SOON!
Aspire’s All Women’s Trips
All Women’s Trips are a celebration of community and connection shared among women who love and aspire to play in the mountains. Each stunningly beautiful trip is enhanced by the uniquely awesome vibe of ladies-only adventures.
- Sawtooth Backcountry, Weekend Escape, October 1-3, 2021
