Find Your Why and Run with It

Every day, we’re faced with a choice: to run or not to run. Sometimes the decision is easy, but on other occasions it can be a taxing back-and-forth. Callie Vinson, a finisher in Arizona’s grueling Cocodona 250 and a Topo Athletic athlete, is no stranger to the internal debate. In 2013, Vinson made a decision that would change the course of her entire life. She ran. From her first mile to her first 100-mile race, Vinson shares the details of her evolving relationship with running and how it built the framework for who she is today.

Outside: Why did you start running?

Callie Vinson: I actually started running because I hated it. In my younger years, I chose sports with the least amount of running: soccer, but as the goalie so I could stand in the back, then rowing because I got to sit in a boat. It wasn’t until I moved to Chicago with all these big-city dreams that I realized I couldn’t fulfill any of them because of my very sedentary lifestyle. And if I wanted to change that, I had to stop running from whatever felt uncomfortable and start running toward and through it. What’s funny now is my why is different—why I started running versus why I continue to run. I started because I wanted to lose weight. I continue to run because there’s no better way to explore the world and discover who you truly are.

What accomplishments are you most proud of since you started on your running journey?

As much as I’d love to say my last feat of finishing the Cocodona 250 or setting a 240ish-mile FKT with the help of 25 incredible people, I think I’m most proud of 2013 me who took the first step in her health journey. All the odds were against her, and she had absolutely no idea what she was doing—but she persisted anyway. To me, that took more courage than standing at the start of any ultramarathon. And it’s because of that persistence—or stubbornness, as some might say—that allowed me to turn one mile into two. Four into ten. A half marathon to a full. And before you knew it, an ultramarathon on trails. I started this running journey without any real vision of where it might lead, only a feeling to keep going and enjoy wherever it takes me. Funny enough, that’s become my mental strategy for longer ultramarathons and has helped me truly enjoy those journeys all the way to the finish.

That’s still a big leap from reluctant runner to accomplished ultra-athlete.

Well it’s because of that persistence (or stubbornness as some might say), that allowed me to turn one mile into two. Four into 10. A half marathon to a full. And, before you knew it, an ultramarathon on trails. I started this running journey without any real vision of where it might lead — only a feeling to keep going and enjoy wherever it takes me. Funny enough, that’s become my mental strategy for longer ultra marathons and has helped me truly enjoy their journeys all the way to the finish.

What’s your next big endeavor? And can you tell us about the footwear you’re using to train for it?

For my next trick, I’d love to accomplish something I’ve never done before: running 100 miles in less than a day. A sub-24-hour 100-miler might come easy to a lot of ultrarunners, but for me, who proudly represents the back-of-pack, this would be like winning an Olympic gold medal. I plan to attempt this in my own backyard at the Javelina Jundred in Phoenix. It’s a flatter ultra and a spicy one, with midday temps around the high eighties. But the terrain is just my cup of tea. This’ll also be the first time I run a trail race in road shoes—the Topo Specter 2—but I’ll have the Ultraventure nearby in case I need a backup. So far, training’s been right on the money with a slow and steady build and heat training right around the corner. That shouldn’t be too hard, though—it’s still in the hundreds here in Phoenix.

What do you like the most about running in Topo Athletic shoes?

It’s all about the wider toe box for me. Growing up in Florida, I was almost always barefoot or close to it with my $3 sandals, so my toes became accustomed to having all the room to breathe. Whenever I wear Topo shoes, I get that same sensation but with the cushion and support needed on trails and roads. Also, I know they’re not running shoes, but I’ve been craving my Topo recovery shoes after almost every run lately. They’ve got Vibram soles for extra grip and support and a supersoft interior that’s like a spa for tired feet. And now that temperatures are dropping, you can bet your bottom dollar they’ll be my morning dog-walking shoes as well.

What advice can you give runners working toward personal goals in the sport?

My biggest piece of advice is to find your fun. Running is definitely a fun sport, but I promise there will be many days when you would rather do anything else. It’s those days when having something to make it fun and enjoyable—like wearing glitter on your cheeks or your favorite thrift store T-shirt—makes all the difference. I spent too many of my early running years getting in the weeds of paces and stats and hitting a certain mile marker each day that I forgot the number one reason why I love to run: it’s fun.

Topo Athletic, headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, is dedicated to helping you stride for more and push the limits of what is possible. Topo footwear features a roomy toe box and lightweight comfort, enabling you to achieve your most challenging goals on the road or trail. For more information, visit topoathletic.com.