Rory Bosio

Biography

Rory Bosio’s love of trail running started when she was a teen and her passion for the sport has only grown since then. She has lived in Lake Tahoe, California all her life.

“As an ultra-runner, I run up to 80-100 miles a week. While I obviously love running, it does take its toll on my body in the form of tight muscles & sore joints. The best way I’ve found to counteract the all the damage caused by running on a daily basis is through yoga. However I’m not devoted to only one type. I’m more of a yoga polygamist; I like to do everything from ashtanga to iyengar to bikram. The most important thing is to be consistent. Incorporating just 15 minutes a day of quality yoga poses has made a noticeable difference in my running form and helped with injury prevention. Yoga increases my range of motion, lengthens muscles, strengthens the core and realigns my spine after it’s been contracted and twisted from a hard day on the trails.

Yoga has also helped me overcome the mental challenges associated with ultra-running. My mind can wander to places of self-doubt and negativity during a 50 or 100-mile race. It’s all too easy to focus on how much I’m suffering during the low points of an ultra. Chaffing, blisters, cramps, and just plain exhaustion are common obstacles during any endurance event. However, through yoga I’ve learned to center my mind and concentrate on my breathing. Almost always this pulls me out of my valley of anguish! I can get into my zone and let my running flow. Then I’m able to focus on all the fabulous parts of ultra-running: the amazing people I meet, the scenery, and the sense of accomplishment that comes after you’ve run more in one day than most people do in a month!”

Rory’s tips for runners who want to become yogis:

• If pressed for time, focus on the muscle groups most negatively impacted by running: glutes/hips/hamstrings/quads. Good poses include pigeon, Warrior 3, downward dog, standing forward fold, etc.
• Mix it up! There are so many different types of yoga out there. Try different classes to challenge and humble yourself (and prevent boredom)
• Do it everywhere! Your yoga practice should not be confined to only a studio. Places I’ve busted out a sun salutation include the airport, work, the beach, mountain ridges, and even a train.
• Check your ego at the door. Even though I practice yoga multiple times a week, I am constantly humbled by it. I look at people in class who can twist themselves into pretzels! With the amount of running I do, I will never be one of those people who can put my legs behind my ears. But as long as I’m maintaining whatever small amount of flexibility I do have, then I’m happy.

Career Highlights

• 2012 Western States 100 mile: 2nd female/21st overall/ CR for 18-29yrs 18:08
• 2012 Mt Mitchell Challenge 40 mile: 1st female
• 2011 Western States 100 mile: 5th female/ 18:37
• 2010 Western States 100 mile: 4th female/ 19:32