SGB gets inspired by an all-season athlete paving her way through ultra running, ski mountaineering and ski-mo racing…and doing it by her own creed.
For many ultra runners, winter offers rest and recuperation for the next big season of 100k, six-hour races. But while these trail warriors are in hibernation, Meredith June Edwards is entering her “second season.” The 31-year-old all-year athlete changes caps come the first snowfall, going from a pro ultra runner to a sponsored ski mountaineer and ski-mo racer.
Photo courtesy Owen Leeper
Double training is paying off. Edwards’ boasts a list of accomplishments from being a U.S. National Ski Team member, World Championships Ski Mountaineering competitor, Top 10 finisher in CCC 100k Ultra Trail Mont Blanc, and racer in the U.S. Sky Running Ultra Series.
Coming back to the States from the Philippines after placing first and breaking the 60k record at the Clark-Miyamit Falls CM50 Trail Race Series, SGB began its interview with Edwards saying, “Holy $&@*, you’re fit!” It was a gut reaction.
Edwards laughed, “Training has been a huge learning experience.” In the past four years, Edwards has been a dedicated all-season athlete, having competitions in both the winter and summer. “It’s taken some time to understand how my body handles the stress of having two big seasons in one year. The best lesson I have learned is you can only train as hard as you can rest. Without the ability to recover, it’s very hard to perform. Less is more I’ve learned.”
“The best lesson I have learned is you can only train as hard as you can rest.”
– Meredith June Edwards
With sponsors like Hammer Nutrition and Ludus Tetonia Gym, Edwards combines her favorite nutrition fuel with the cross-training optimal for her body, gaining an edge not only on the competition, but on her own PRs. She attested to using all Hammer products, from gels to electrolytes to vitamins. Her testimonial made SGB write “Hammer” on our New Year wish list for products we simply must try.
As for getting the killer athlete bod, Edwards owes much of her steel-power to indoor weight workouts. “Personally, I love lifting,” she said. “I see a lot of athletes in ski towns who don’t think much about gym and just want to ski, however I feel going to the gym is a great way to prevent injury and increase sport performance. That being said, I have seen some coaches put too much focus on the gym, to the point where you can’t perform outside of it. Often times you see this with fitness group trainings, which I highly do not support. If you’re an athlete, you need to have your workouts tailored to your needs and your needs only.”
Photo courtesy Owen Leeper
What became clear during our interview was how well Edwards has refined her unique training process. SGB wanted to dig deeper and asked a series of rapid-fire questions:
Training Drink?
I love this Tea called Sportea. You can drink it cold or hot and often I use it when I race because I really like the taste and crave it. Check it out.
Thoughts On Wearables?
I wear a Suunto watch when training, but not always. I use it more on rest days for my HR so I know I’m keeping it low, and as far as hard days go, I sometimes wear it to see how high I get my HR. I feel at this point I know when I’m pushing and when I’m not.
Other Sponsors?
Bolle Eyewear, Dynafit and Voile.
Sports?
Growing up I played 10 different sports. It seems to be a lot of top athletes come from a multi sport background. For me it’s working out well.
Age Of Your First Run?
12
Age You Learned To Ski?
I started skiing and downhill racing around 5.
Born and Raised?
Pennsylvania
Runner Crush?
Emma Coburn. Love her and what she does.
Music Or Silence?
I have a play list on my Ipod that’s called Mellow Running. I like listening to songs without lyrics – it puts me in a trance. I feel music elevates my experience outdoors and therefore I’m usually always listening to it.
Winter Goals?
For this winter my goals have shifted a bit from racing to big mountain projects. I have some projects coming up in the spring but they will remain secret until they are done.
Secret Tradition Nobody Knows About?
I have a tradition in Jackson, WY, (where Edwards has been living for the past nine years) where every Saturday I meet up with one of my best friends and someone who continuously inspires me – the one and only Wild Bill. I like to describe Bill as the living legend of Jackson Hole. Bill is 63 going on 30. He is an incredible athlete and gets after it every day. I want to be like Bill when I grow up. So every Saturday we get burgers and cake and catch up.
Instagram?
Edwards stopped us there to talk about social media and its ever-growing presence in the outdoor and active lifestyle industries. In fact, Edwards dubbed it one of the most controversial issues the industries face today.
“People either love it or hate it, and unfortunately, if you want to be a sponsored athlete you need to be on it.” Edwards added, “I think it’s great for athletes because it’s a responsibility you can offer a company.” However, it’s a double-edged sword. Social media has the distinct ability to elevate the pretty. This can be a negative when the pretty overpowers and even downgrades the abilities and athletic determination, grit and accomplishment of women like Edwards. “I like to think of myself as an athlete who has a social media presence. Not just another pretty face.”
“People either love it or hate it, and unfortunately, if you want to be a sponsored athlete you need to be on it.” – Edwards on Social Media.
Edwards continued, “I take a lot of pride in the resume I have built with racing and pushing myself to do well. This just wasn’t handed down due to my appearances,” she said. “But I’ll continue using social media to share my experiences because I use it as a way to inspire. Friends and family members tell me they show their daughters my pictures and how much I inspire them. It’s such a positive feeling.”
Before Edwards darted off to her next big ski-mo training session (which she uses as a run-replacement in the winter to give her body a break from the impact) we asked one more question, hoping to round out the mystery of this terminator-training, bright and enigmatic athlete…and get a dose of whatever inner inspiration drives her work ethic:
What’s Your Personal Creed? You don’t know till you go.
— Jahla Seppanen is Associate Editor at SGB.
