Sophie is amazing and I loved learning more about her. And thank you for reading my book (I would rather read a Reese bookclub pick too!!), sharing your thoughts, and continuing the conversation here. I hope that we start to see more sustainable change for us and future generations.
Bravo on your book. I can't imagine how much research and writing time it took you. Well done! Sophie told me she ordered it today; she wants to read it not just as an older runner, but as a girls' lacrosse coach.
Christine, I'm looking forward to reading your book and sharing it with my athletes and their parents! Thank you for your great work and research in this important area.
Excellent post, Sarah. I have all the same questions you do. Perhaps I’ll try to read Yu’s book before I see my gynecologist next month. Let’s keep doing what we love for as long as we can!!
I love this and appreciate the invitation to read and further the conversation. To me, it feels like every single aspect of being a woman is ignored in wider society, and as much as it is my place as a man to listen first, I am naturally quite driven to actively address societal inequity. I don't often feel welcomed to do that, though. Mostly the opposite haha but I understand why - some spaces are just better without any male involvement - but it's difficult!
I really appreciate that you read this, because men should be clued into what's going on with women's physiology -- especially guys who interact with women in the realm of sports. Plus, I didn't touch on this in the review, but the author gets into the non-binary gender spectrum and how some of these so-called women's issues (such as RED-S) are issues for men too. Thanks for reading & commenting!
Jul 18, 2023·edited Jul 18, 2023Liked by Sarah Lavender Smith
As an "about to turn 40" woman, I'm collecting female role models who defy mainstream stereotypes and misconceptions about women and aging and running. Thank you for helping me add to my list!
Thanks for sharing this conversation! Love hearing from older women - especially those who are staying true to themselves & their passions/sports rather than letting society dictate what they can/can’t do.
Things change as we age. Maybe that means slower. But that doesn’t take away from the amount of effort out into something. In fact, maybe it takes more effort. Of course, we don’t reward effort, just outcome, but if we can find joy & satisfaction in our effort, think of all we can do!
I look forward to reading Yu’s book too. It’s so exciting to see the conversation around menopause opening up & I know our daughters will have much better info & resources to benefit from.
Returning to ultra running after a pandemic hiatus, now 53 and finding that my pre pandemic training buddies seem to have aged out of running (injuries, life changes, transitioned to pickle ball!?! , etc), ... I am starting to wonder how much can I expect from myself as I notice the challenges in rebuilding a base (both mentally and physically)... am I going to be heading up hill the whole time or will I find that strength, balance and forward momentum that seemed so natural in my 40’s???? I am excited to read Yu’s book! I sense some optimism in your thorough review of the content - thank you!!
Thank you so much for this post you and Sophie are both awesome and inspirational. The pictures are beautiful. The race info is super helpful…. Top mileage right now is 26.2 but I’m looking at a spring ultra next year. Very open to suggestions if you have any. ❤️💪
Thanks Blue, good for you! My book distills all my coaching advice for graduating to ultras ("The Trail Runner's Companion," available online). Feel free to hit me up with specific questions about training. Thanks for reading!
Sophie is amazing and I loved learning more about her. And thank you for reading my book (I would rather read a Reese bookclub pick too!!), sharing your thoughts, and continuing the conversation here. I hope that we start to see more sustainable change for us and future generations.
Bravo on your book. I can't imagine how much research and writing time it took you. Well done! Sophie told me she ordered it today; she wants to read it not just as an older runner, but as a girls' lacrosse coach.
Christine, I'm looking forward to reading your book and sharing it with my athletes and their parents! Thank you for your great work and research in this important area.
Excellent post, Sarah. I have all the same questions you do. Perhaps I’ll try to read Yu’s book before I see my gynecologist next month. Let’s keep doing what we love for as long as we can!!
I love this and appreciate the invitation to read and further the conversation. To me, it feels like every single aspect of being a woman is ignored in wider society, and as much as it is my place as a man to listen first, I am naturally quite driven to actively address societal inequity. I don't often feel welcomed to do that, though. Mostly the opposite haha but I understand why - some spaces are just better without any male involvement - but it's difficult!
I really appreciate that you read this, because men should be clued into what's going on with women's physiology -- especially guys who interact with women in the realm of sports. Plus, I didn't touch on this in the review, but the author gets into the non-binary gender spectrum and how some of these so-called women's issues (such as RED-S) are issues for men too. Thanks for reading & commenting!
As an "about to turn 40" woman, I'm collecting female role models who defy mainstream stereotypes and misconceptions about women and aging and running. Thank you for helping me add to my list!
Thanks for sharing this conversation! Love hearing from older women - especially those who are staying true to themselves & their passions/sports rather than letting society dictate what they can/can’t do.
Things change as we age. Maybe that means slower. But that doesn’t take away from the amount of effort out into something. In fact, maybe it takes more effort. Of course, we don’t reward effort, just outcome, but if we can find joy & satisfaction in our effort, think of all we can do!
I look forward to reading Yu’s book too. It’s so exciting to see the conversation around menopause opening up & I know our daughters will have much better info & resources to benefit from.
Returning to ultra running after a pandemic hiatus, now 53 and finding that my pre pandemic training buddies seem to have aged out of running (injuries, life changes, transitioned to pickle ball!?! , etc), ... I am starting to wonder how much can I expect from myself as I notice the challenges in rebuilding a base (both mentally and physically)... am I going to be heading up hill the whole time or will I find that strength, balance and forward momentum that seemed so natural in my 40’s???? I am excited to read Yu’s book! I sense some optimism in your thorough review of the content - thank you!!
Thanks for reading! Good for you for getting back at it.
Thank you so much for this post you and Sophie are both awesome and inspirational. The pictures are beautiful. The race info is super helpful…. Top mileage right now is 26.2 but I’m looking at a spring ultra next year. Very open to suggestions if you have any. ❤️💪
Thanks Blue, good for you! My book distills all my coaching advice for graduating to ultras ("The Trail Runner's Companion," available online). Feel free to hit me up with specific questions about training. Thanks for reading!