Dina Mishev
DINA MISHEV is a randonee skier, cyclist and hiker who, in February 2009, set the world record for the most vertical feet skied uphill by a woman in 24 hours. She is a category-3 road cyclist who consistently places top 5 in the longest single-day road race in the country, LOTOJA. (It’s 206 miles.) She’s not going to stop racing until she wins it. A former member of the Teton County Search & Rescue Team, she also happens to be Avalanche Level 1 certified and Swift Water Rescue certified.
With a background in Junior Olympic track and field as a child (she was a nationally-ranked racewalker), Dina later became a competitive indoor rower. In her first race, which was also her third time ever on an indoor rowing machine, she placed in the top 10 racing against some of the fastest women ergers in the world. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in June 2006 just before her 31st birthday, Dina now uses extreme endurance sports to push her body into total exhaustion and find a connection to a body she feels isn’t always hers anymore.
In September 2006, the first time she did LOTOJA, Dina was ready for a break around mile 130. But, reminding herself there was a possibility she might not be able to do the race again due to her MS, she pushed herself to continue on. The diagnosis has given her motivation to train and race as much as she possibly can. It is a reminder that life is unpredictable and it’s important to do your best whenever you can.
Dina recently founded a non-profit organization, Never Too Weak To Wander, whose mission is to help people with MS travel to their dream destinations around the world. As a travel writer, she has encountered numerous people who feel they can no longer travel due to their disease. Dina created Never Too Weak to Wander to help give people the logistical, financial and emotional support they need to travel. This summer, to unveil the organization and for its first major fundraising campaign, she will ride 10,400 miles (one mile for each person diagnosed with M.S. in the U.S. annually) in as many states as she can.
DINA’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Won the Treasure Valley Stage Race (Category 3/4) in Boise, Idaho
- Broke her collarbone 20 seconds into a mountain bike ride in Morocco
2010 GOALS:
- Training for the World Indoor Rowing Championships
- Elk Mountain Grand Traverse – a 42-mile overnight backcountry ski race between Crested Butte and Aspen
- 10,400-mile bike ride/fundraiser, with the final miles including a ride across the country from the West Coast to the East Coast
- Tour of Park City, a 170-mile one-day road race in Park City, Utah (August 7)
- LOTOJA, after having to sit the 2009 race out because of MS symptoms, Dina is ready for this year’s event (September 11)
IF SOMEONE WROTE HER BIOGRAPHY, IT WOULD BE TITLED: She’ll Sleep When She’s Dead
WEBSITES:
Dina,
That would be absolutely fantastic to hike King’s Peak together. Let’s do it. We are shooting for late August/early September (that way we don’t have to navigate around piles of Boy Scouts). We might have to check in and make sure we aren’t wearing the SAME Athleta clothes though, LOL.
Today my husband, (Aaron) and I were skiing at Solitude and on the way back home he said, “I need to get you a touring set up.” Then voila! We came home, saw your comment and I read your bio to him. I think Aaron said it best- “She sounds killer!” (Which is THE highest compliment)
LOTOJA is on my list. I am thinking next year, since I really need to get a few more miles on my road bike. I want that sticker on my car;)
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Hi Dina!
I just discovered you here and your inspirational story/journey. Love what you’re doing and how! I visited your websites and wanted to know if you can reach out to me via email. I, too, have MS and would like to know more about you if you’re in a place to share and connect with me further.
Wow, you’re amazing!!
~Catherine
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Hey Dina, we met at RLP in April – I finally got a chance to search out your page here. Just a wave hello and keep up the good work!
Liz
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