Over the Rocks and the Mountains

January 14, 2015  •  2 Comments

It was a day where many people would choose to sit cozy by the fire reading a new novel and drinking some Chai. After a recent snowfall in the Boulder foothills, it was a winter wonderland. While the sun dipped behind the Hogback Ridge, the temperatures danced just below freezing. A perfect "indoor" day for some.

Lucky for me, it was also a perfect day to catch an ultra-marathoner, exercise physiologist, sports scientist and professional coach to athletes across the globe on the trail. By "catching" I mean having him run loops up and down some serious mountain grades while I tried to snap some photographs of Adam St. Pierre in action.

While I thought about the fingerless gloves I should have probably brought, I paused to admire the icicles frozen in midair as they danced about the ponderosa pines. Suddenly they weren't dancing anymore. The trees became more frenetic and reminded me of the the song Trépak in The Nutcracker (also known as the Russian Dance). Was it that the winds became gusty or was it that Adam St. Pierre just ran by? Most likely, a bit of both. As I pondered the cold, Adam seemed completely ignorant of it. Here he was, running through the snow-packed trails in shorts and a tee-shirt. I told myself that I could handle it and just like that, Adam had coached me through a moment without even knowing it. A true professional.

One of the best things about being on a trail, or in the mountains, or heck anywhere outside when the weather is not considered fair on the daily report, is that you get this huge playground to yourself. In the summer the mountains are inundated with crowds but in winter things are quiet, calm and lovely. I love this time of year and how it makes you slow down..unless of course you are Adam.

Adam could be considered an anomaly by some. I mean who runs 50- and 100-mile races for fun? How many people get up one day and run the Mt. Sanitas trail for 24 hrs straight? Mt. Sanitas is actually a mountain which peaks at 6,863ft for a total elevation gain of 1,343ft over a 3mi loop. There are parts where you have to scramble down the rocks. You share the view with mountain lions, elk and bears. Did you know that if you run for 24hrs straight, you will be running in the dark for a good portion of it? IN-THE-DARK...with the critters! I'm so thankful that Adam did this as now I have a great reason why I will not be trying for the same. For the record, he was able to complete 23 loops in 24 hrs. Not bad for a day's work.

But what really strikes me about Adam is how he does it. Many folks in his position could surely come off as arrogant, condescending and/or intimidating. Adam is absolutely far from any of these things (well except for his accomplishments which are in fact intimidating). Adam is so approachable, helpful, knowledgeable and truly loves coaching others to help them achieve their goals.

Adam provides coaching to athletes of all levels. His services are perfect for trail runners, ultra runners, ski mountaineers, Nordic skiers, marathoners, mountain bikers and triathletes. He takes nearly a decade of experiences on the trails and in the lab to work one-on-one with athletes who are looking to improve their performance. If you are looking for someone who truly understands what works and applies that to each individual based on his/her specific needs, I highly recommend working with Adam. We are so lucky to have him as a resource in Colorado but thanks to the incredible invention of the internet, his coaching services are available throughout the world too. You can find out more about Adam St. Pierre at www.ASTPcoaching.com or go out on a trail any day and despite the forecast, there's a good chance he'll be out there too.


Comments

Frederick(non-registered)
Adam is a very nice guy. I have been in two conversations with him and he could not have been more helpful. Very enthusiastic--passionate--about his sports. Lindsay really captured him here.
PJ(non-registered)
Great photography Lindsay!
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