This Olympic Runner's Surprising Hack To Prevent Burnout: Dairy Farming
When professional runner Elle Purrier St. Pierre toes the starting line, she thinks about all the reasons why she wants to have an amazing race. The biggest is her support system—especially her 1-year-old son, Ivan, who traveled to the Paris Olympics over the summer to see his mom compete in the women’s 1,500m.
“Having him in the stands was so rewarding,” the two-time Olympian says. “If I told my [younger] self that I was going to have a baby and I was going to be running at the next Olympics—both of my dreams together—it’s just really awesome.”
When she’s not going after goals on the track, the New Balance athlete has a dedicated reset routine that includes gardening, baking, and working on the Vermont dairy farm she calls home. And once she returned this August after a long, tough training season, the farm was her first stop.
“I went straight to the barn,” she says. “I’m like, You know what? Mental health is important, and this makes me happy, being around the cows.” Ahead, Elle shares her resilience strategies.
Find The Right Balance
Working on the farm prevents Elle from expending all her mental energy on running. “It helps me not get burned out,” she says. “It’s a breath of fresh air.” Bonus: Multiple passions keep her schedule full, so she procrastinates less—and always has something to look forward to.
Regret-Proof Your Goals
Even before Elle crossed the finish line at the Olympics, she was already at peace, knowing she had put in the hard work and done everything possible to prepare—regardless of the outcome. “I knew that if I tried as hard as I could, I would be okay with that,” she says. “What more can I ask of myself?”
Listen To Your Body
“Taking a break from running while I was pregnant gave me a greater appreciation for it,” Elle says. “I missed it, so I was happy to get back.” To avoid feeling rushed or forced into a certain routine (and dulling that excitement!), she followed her body’s cues and eased back in at her own pace.
Remember: You’re Worth It
Elle has plenty on her plate but knows prioritizing sleep, fuel, and recovery is important for more than sport. “Everything you’re doing to improve performance is taking care of your body,” she says. “It feels selfish sometimes, but in reality, I am not just running for myself.”
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