A Long Way to Go featuring Rachel Joyce (Episode 53)

This week on [un]phased Shaunna and Lisa are joined by retired professional triathlete, and recent finisher of the Leadville 100 mile Trail Run Rachel Joyce. The three discuss the lack of female representation at the race, and in ultra-distance running events in general. As a former professional athlete, Rachel was accustomed to carving out time each day for her training. But she tells us how she found it more difficult she found it to carve out that same time for training now that she is a mother of two.

Shaunna and Lisa chat with Rachel about those societal pressures that women face, and how these can present systemic barriers to participation in endurance sport. This last 18 months has been especially fatiguing, both physically and emotionally for those that are in the role of a caregiver. We know that this predominantly falls on women, and is a contributing factor that keeps many women out of endurance events. But we also know that the process of training for a triathlon or an ultra run can be incredibly transformative, and has the power to have a hugely positive impact on the lives of women.

Getting more women to the start lines of these events is multifaceted, and it is about much more than just lowering registration fees or adding world championship qualifying slots. We need to start to create a shift in the narrative of the endurance sport culture that allows all folks, but especially women, to see endurance sport as a form of emotional care for themselves and to realize that getting to the start line of an event is a goal they are worthy of setting.

Learn more about the Outspoken Women in Triathlon Summit at www.outspokensummit.com

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