Carla shares how she started running back in middle school as she wanted to be the best at something. She didn't realize at the time that it would lead to a life-long love of 'endorphins'. She shined in high school track and cross country and continued on to an extremely successful Division 1 college career.  She loved the feeling of accomplishment running provided.

After college, Carla details how the stress of a high-paced career and becoming a mother kept her busy. Running became something she took one day at a time. She finds it liberating to be able to walk/run and not be strict about her time or pace, unlike so many other demands in her life. She loves watching her son start his journey in cross country and is excited to watch that continue.

Carla emphasizes the importance of having a healthy relationship with food and how it's not normal for runners to be hungry or become unnecessarily skinny or lean. She also gives amazing insight into goal setting and life in general- her final recommendations to us all are to thank the key people who have had an influence into our life, running or not.

Check out www.runningwithgrit.com for all things related to running over age 40.