Elite trail runner Cory shares his fitness story with the Birkie:
“I grew up in eastern Kansas and ran my first-mile race three days before I turned three. This was the beginning of my love for running. I spent most of my childhood running through the woods and sword-fighting corn stocks. Eventually, I began training more seriously in High School. Unfortunately, I did not know how to train smart and only had one healthy season of track and cross country.
I went on to compete at an NCAA Division II school called Fort Hays State University. While I was there I saw a mix of success and injury. I rehabbed through a couple of stress fractures, a strained Achilles, a strained calf, a strained hamstring, and disordered eating. Near the end of my college career, I was able to capture several school records and NCAA All-American honors. I graduated with a degree in Exercise Science and did a year of graduate studies in Organizational Leadership.
The success I experienced at the end of college led me to compete for the Kansas City Smoke Elite. While racing for them, I ran a 64:26 half marathon and qualified for the US Olympic Trials Marathon, and finished 16th at the US 15k Championships.
Shortly after the US 15k Championships, I hit a wall. I was done. I was tired. I was injured. I was burnt out. I was trying to balance being a full-time graduate student, part-time graduate assistant, newly married, running 100 miles a week, and racing on the weekends. I hung up the shoes for 3 years and never thought I would compete at an elite level again.
I started drinking for the first time in my life and it consumed me. I worked hard and with addiction therapists, friends, my wife, and support groups I managed to get sober in December of 2019. I re-entered the sport with a desire to test my body’s limits and compete at an elite level again in January 2021 after my first ultra. I did two weeks of training and only took a couple of gels and 16oz of water the whole race. After that race, I decided to chase the dream once again, and in October of 2021, I finished 9th at the 52k Broken Arrow Skyrace.
Since then, I have had bouts of success here and there but have battled several injuries. This is why it is so important to enjoy the process not be a slave to results. I am learning to embrace the mindset that it is not about short-term glory but long-term success.
As I discovered myself for the first time, I picked up trail and ultra running. I rediscovered my love for running and am now an elite trail and ultra runner.”
Have a fitness journey to share? Inspire others by being featured in Birkie’s RUNNING STORIES series. Contact Redgy Jorstad, ABSF Marketing Content Coordinator, at redgy.jorstad@birkie.com for more information.
Posted July 18, 2024 at 1:57 pm
