Alvina was brought up in a traditional Navajo running family and she has always loved to get outside in nature and run, she dreamed about being a competitive runner when she was younger and pursued this dream by heading off to Arizona State University to compete for them.
Alvina has made it to the Olympic trials three times in the marathon and the 10K distance. She runs a 2hr 32 min marathon time.
Alvina is a Registered Dietitian, and has a Masters Degree in Health Administration. In November 2020 Alvina gave birth to a healthy baby girl.
During this episode Alvina shares more about her passion for running; how she trains, what she eats and how motherhood has impacted on her running. Plus the women who inspire her. Listen now!
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Alvina introduces herself by her clan in her traditional Navajo culture
Explanation of her introduction
Becoming a mother in November 2020
Growing up in a small town on the Navajo Reservation
Life as a new mother to a baby girl
Just about getting enough sleep
The naming of her child with a traditional Navajo name
Being a high risk pregnancy
Sharing more about the Navajo Culture
What her childhood was like and her connection to nature
Growing up in a running family
Having a coming of age ceremony
Having a female mentor and being taught how to be a strong Navajo Woman
The importance of running to the East every morning
Thoughts while running and enjoying her run time
Knowing that she wanted to be a runner from a young age
Making the transition from running for pleasure to being more competitive
The Olympic Trials in 2008
Not being a super start in college
Working with a Native American running coach Mike Daney
Focusing on the 2012 Olympic Trials
The importance of a coach
Being a small town girl
What a typical training week would look like (120 miles weeks, speed work, hills)
Doing more strength training and helping to reduce injury
Diet, fuelling and nutrition while training
Making sure she got enough iron
Getting blood work done every 3 months
The hardest aspect of training and how she approached it
Changing her mindset and how her mindset evolved as she got older
Working with a sports psychologist
Running while pregnant
Having a difficult labour and needing to take 6 weeks off
Increasing her milage gradually and getting back into shape
Working on rebuilding her ab strength
The hardest challenge mentally with running and pregnancy
Needing to focus on herself and the health of her baby
Being surrounded by good people
The women who inspire her
Rachel Sneider @rachschneid18
Michele Reyes @micheleinthemaking
Final words of advice
Be patient and be consistent
Social Media
Instagram @aybegay
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