Since she began trail running in 1999, Mirna Valerio has gone on to become an ultrarunner, running coach, workshop instructor, hiker, writer, public speaker, and a mother. She stays active in the great outdoors and embarks on new adventures by traveling in her Class C RV.
The Beginning
Even during her very first race, Mirna demonstrated the drive and motivation to push through to the finish line. She fondly recalls the experience: “My very, very first trail run was in NYC, in Van Cortlandt Park. It was a 10k—two 5k loops— and I faceplanted in the exact same place twice! And I fell in love with trail running. I just popped back up, and I was stunned but I kept going. It was just a really cool experience.”
Gradually, Mirna discovered that running “fed me in way that nothing else did. It fed me physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, and that’s what it does for me today.”
The RV Advantage
Mirna sometimes reaches her next growth opportunities by RV travel, knowing that many of these opportunities lie outdoors. She then uses her experiences to give back to others.
This mindset is part of the reason that Mirna, who is known for her motivating spirit, is sometimes referred to as “The Mirnavator,” based off her 2017 documentary of the same name.
One example of this Mirnavator mentality comes from Mirna’s experience cross-country skiing— an activity she reached by RV travel. “Today, when I was out skiing, it snowed really, really hard,” she says. “I was doing something that I’d wanted to do for a long time. I had wanted to take a lesson in cross-country skiing. I definitely stepped out of my bubble.”
“I have to always be in the shoes of a beginner if I am going to continue to be a teacher of various things,” she explains. “That’s how I live my life now, so that I can give back in my work, give back as a mom, give back as another human being. If I’m not feeding myself, I’m not going to have anything to give to anyone else.”
Lessons from the Trails
- Try new activities. A willingness to try new experiences and activities, including those that occur outdoors, is key to personal growth.
- Motivate others. Along with taking on your own new challenges, encourage others to leave their comfort zones, too. (Pro tip: RVing is a great way to travel and find new experiences!)
- Give back. Take care of yourself, both physically and mentally, so that you can take care of others. Spending time outdoors is an excellent way to nourish the body and mind.
