Only recently have I started to consider myself a multi-sport athlete. The reality is, I've been pursuing different forms of movement for over a decade. But for most of that time, I saw myself as someone who simply enjoyed movement, not as an athlete.

Somewhere along the way, I stopped seeing these activities as separate hobbies and started recognizing them as pieces of who I am as an athlete, fully embracing those multi-sport athlete benefits.

Summer is when I notice that shift the most.

In Vermont, summer feels like one constant invitation to move. On any given day, I might head out for a road run, disappear onto a mountain bike trail, explore miles of gravel roads, hike with my dogs, or squeeze in a CrossFit class. The hardest part of the season isn't finding an activity to do, it's choosing one.

Mountain Biking Selfie in my M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon shirt

I try my best to strike a balance between all of them, mainly because I love each of them so much but also because summer here is short. One of the things I love about CrossFit is that running often finds its way into the workout, so sometimes I’ll check off two activities in one.

As I move through the 2026 Vermont Summer, I have realized that being a multi-sport athlete is the secret sauce. It's the reason I move faster, feel stronger, and go longer than I ever have before.

The Power of Cross-Training for Runners

This belief isn't based solely on my own experience. With a master's degree in Physical Activity and Wellness Science and years spent as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, I've learned that cross-training for runners is one of the most effective ways to improve overall fitness and stop training for just one thing. Our bodies are designed to move in different ways.

Running develops cardiovascular endurance and encourages you to “talk” to your inner voice. Mountain biking builds balance, coordination, and quick decision-making. CrossFit challenges strength, power, and grit—providing crucial strength training for runners like me. Hiking rewards steady endurance while constantly adapting to uneven terrain. Every activity demands something a little different, and every one gives something back.

Jogging alongside Mount Mansfield

The beautiful part is that they all complement each other, creating a more adaptable human.

The endurance I've developed from running makes longer adventures feel more attainable. The strength I've built in the gym shows up when I'm grinding to the top of a steep climb on the backroads of Vermont. The balance I've gained from mountain biking helps me feel more confident pushing through technical terrain while trail running. Every challenge in one sport quietly prepares me for another.

Community and Inspiration

One of the things I love most about Vermont is how deeply movement is woven into the communities here. Behind so many of the places and experiences I enjoy are organizations that care deeply about providing opportunities for others to challenge themselves and discover what's possible. Whether it's the Vermont Mountain Bike Association building and maintaining miles of trail to explore, CrossFit Burlington providing a supportive environment where people can grow stronger together, or RunVermont bringing people together to chase goals and celebrate milestones, these communities have played a meaningful role in my journey toward becoming the athlete I am today.

Running with friends at The Parkway Mile

On a more personal level, there is another secret sauce: the people around me.

As a CrossFit Burlington coach, I am constantly inspired by the athletes in my classes who show up and work hard. As a RunVermont team member, I have the privilege of watching people of all ages cross finish lines they once thought were out of reach. Being surrounded by people who challenge themselves reminds me to keep challenging myself too.

Attending a CrossFit Burlington Class

Reaping the Benefits

And that's what I love most about being a multi-sport athlete. There isn't one place for measuring your progress or success. Opportunities for both show up everywhere.

Lately, I've surprised myself. Climbs that once left me questioning whether I could make it now feel manageable. Lifts that used to intimidate me happen with less thought. Descents that once made me nervous feel more controlled. Sometimes Strava confirms that progress with a PR. Sometimes it doesn't, but honestly, it doesn't have to. I can feel it.

Downhill Mountain Biking at Killington Ski Resort

Today, I carry a confidence that feels entirely new. Not because I focused on mastering one sport, but because I embraced many of them. Somewhere between the runs, bike rides, and CrossFit workouts, I became a stronger athlete, not just in one discipline, but in each one of them. You don't have to call yourself a multi-sport athlete to reap the benefits. You just have to be willing to explore movement in a new way.

I believe that is the greatest reward of all. Variety hasn't distracted me from becoming better. It's exactly what has helped me become the most capable version of myself.