This week’s Dairy Defined is, admittedly, a re-run – but when the runner is an Olympic medal hopeful, additional mileage is appropriate. 

Elinor “Elle” Purrier St. Pierre easily made it through her preliminary round of the women’s 1500m race earlier today (last night in the U.S.) in the Tokyo Olympics. She’s running in the semi-finals on Wednesday – with the finals on Friday. 

Purrier St. Pierre grew up on a 40-cow operation in Vermont -- and is currently living on one with her husband. She’s spent much of her training over the past year-and-a-half in Vermont, with the COVID-19 pandemic requiring a new approach to top-level preparation. 

“I ironed out how to do it up here. I figured out that I needed to get the job done,” she said. “I bought a lot of my own equipment, and I found new places to run, and once I got settled in, I'm so happy that I have this home to come home to and train here. And I do feel very grounded here.”

Purrier St. Pierre also discussed how dairy has helped her own fitness, and how it’s a crucial part of an elite athlete’s diet. All this week, NMPF will be supporting her on social media and cheering her on in her races, which begin on Wednesday at 6 a.m. EDT and Friday at 8:50 a.m. EDT.