Progress as a Runner

“We expect linear progress, but progress can take a logarithmic approach”

MiscellaneousOlivia De BearAugust 8, 2021Running Fast, Bonk, Training Update, Interval workout, Running MotivationComment

Curbed, Part 2

I never found ribbons or trophies as ways to fulfill my excitement. And my bad races never caused too much unhappiness or grief. But when I crossed the line that day in 1:33:something with that finisher medal placed around my neck, I teared up.

MotivationOlivia De BearJune 19, 2021Running Injury, Running Comeback, Comeback story, Running MotivationComment

Curbed, Part 1:

“I don’t think you should ever run again,” said my orthopedic spine surgeon. Those words cut so deep the pain was visceral. My eyes blurred with tears and I took a few deep breaths to compose myself. Why? How? Why me?

Team UpdatesOlivia De BearMay 19, 2021Running Injury, Running Team, Womens Running, Running Fast, Running MotivationComment

Being a female runner then and now

As a female athlete and coach it is important to occasionally remind myself of the fact that we are still in a world where there is so much more room for growth and improvement.

Burn out, not of the typical sort

A new training cycle can create feelings of unchecked stress, life sacrifices in scheduling runs, and anxieties about the training load to come. And, interestingly, I feel the most susceptible to burnout here. Just as my body has to incrementally adjust to the higher mileage, my lifestyle requires a parallel shifting.

Team days were over, club days were in:

Can the awkward introductions just be bypassed? It is comical to look back and remember the details, but my running was 95% mental and as a young 20-year old I had a lot of maturing left in me.

Miscellaneous, Team UpdatesOlivia De BearFebruary 16, 2021Running Injury, Running Motivation, Winter Running, Run CoachingComment

Leaving The Valley

Since driving down the winding road of Blackberry with all my stuff loaded into my car 4+ years ago, I’ve called ZAP and the Yadkin Valley my home. The ancient mountain ridges that loom over ZAP felt like they watched over me as I grew into my professional running career.

My Old Friend: Injury

For weeks, I kept telling myself the pain wasn’t as bad and I continued to numb the pain by overtraining those muscles and tendons to the point of masking it with the assistance of my body’s natural endorphins.

Team Updates, MiscellaneousOlivia De BearJanuary 4, 2021Running Injury, Running Motivation, RunningComment

A Has-Been Runner

Or to be “to be outmoded or no longer of any significance”.

Team UpdatesOlivia De BearDecember 7, 2020Running with Confidence, Running Motivation, running hard, Running MemoriesComment

Meet Tristin VanOrd Runner and Coach

Miscellaneous, Team UpdatesTristin VanOrdNovember 30, 2020Running Motivation, Running Coach, Online Running Coach, Run Coaching Comment

Project: Break 3:00:00

I’m a 28-year-old that enjoys caring for my houseplants and dancing in my living room to terrible 90s techno music. I also love to run. My running story spans over 10 years, but in order to look toward my future goals it’s important to look back on how I got here.

My #1 Running Partner

That said, I’ve never thought of having a dog as a running partner, that is before Rocky entered my life.

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