I have always been that girl in sports. At the young age of five I decided I was sick of traveling to swim meets to watch my big brothers compete and begged my parents to let me join the team. I was involved in basketball, softball, and soccer, which all helped me develop the team experience and how to work with others to achieve a common goal.

On this day in 1972, Congress passed Title IX, the civil rights law authored by Patsy T. Mink, prohibiting discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities. To commemorate the anniversary of Title IX, we’d love to hear from Chi readers…

by Kristina Pinto
The other day I begrudgingly set out for a run in the pouring rain. My mood was as gray as the sky, and after about a half hour of procrastination, I was out there just to tick off the miles on my week’s training plan. Let’s just say my glass was not half full. Yet, about midway into the run, my tank made its way from half empty to half full as I remembered the rafting technique I’d learned as a total novice who was handed a paddle and some unexpected rough water…

by Holly Brooks, Nordic Ski Coach
Sandy Ford is a five-foot, one hundred and five pound mother of four. On weekdays she takes care of her children, and on the weekends she works as a registered nurse in the maternity section of the local hospital. Three years ago Sandy joined the APU Nordic Ski Center Master’s training program. She has gone from someone who had never entered a race in her life to an active participant and competitor…

By Dina Mishev
No, I’m not a masochist, but yes, I love the way my body hurts after physical exertions. In fact, it was because I wanted to feel this kind of exercise-induced pain that I signed up for my first ever 24 hour race. And just in case doing a 24 hour race itself wouldn’t be enough to bring it on, I decided my goal would be to set a new world record for the most vertical feet skied uphill by a woman in 24 hours…

by Rebecca Pacheco, Om Gal
One thing has become abundantly clear to all of us of late: Our country is in the midst of a devastating recession. We’re looking for ways to streamline our budgets, protect our assets, or simply stay afloat financially. Our spending on health and wellness is shifting too, but there are ways to streamline your fitness budget without expanding your waistline…

by Maggie Jacobus, Tierra Magnifica
What is your dream? Are you living it? If not, what’s holding you back? A long-term dream of mine was to live abroad with my husband and children. I longed for unstructured time with my three boys; I yearned for the freedom to experience new cultures, places and people. What held me back from my dream was fear…

by Katie Bolling
I thought it was a challenge in itself when I qualified for the Ironman World Championship as an amateur age-grouper and mother of a nine month old in the fall of 2006. However, the road to get me to the starting line of the Ironman World Championship had many more obstacles in store for me…

by Maria DeSilva
I am still euphoric from watching 41 year-old mom Dara Torres receive her silver medal at the Summer Olympics. It is with this rare and inspirational person in mind that I tell you my story. A life changing moment caused me to learn about that key difference between Dara Torres and myself…

by Alison Ferguson
As a surfer (started surfing about 8 years-old), I always thought I would have a wedding on the beach. When I could not win the battle of location with my mom, I decided that at least the rehearsal would be a beach party…