In the "Spotlight" with Keira from Southern California

Meet the gorgeous elite Ultra Marathoner Keira from Southern California...She's strong, fast, and amazingly fabulous!!!

My name is Keira Henninger and I am the race director of Top notch Ultra-Marathons & Trail Races all across Southern California and I am also a competitive ultra-marathon runner ranking in the top 20 women in the United States. I strongly believe in the positive mental benefits of running, as it has played an important part in my own emotional healing through life.

I was raised in a house that backed onto a large open space reserve, with miles of trails, but it was also an extremely abusive household. Both physically and mentally it was never a peaceful place growing up. Given that the house was a scary place to be, myself and my siblings spent all day on weekends playing outside on the trails. I was a huge tomboy, and started running cross country in middle school. By the time I reached high school I had tried every sport I could get to, but it was always running that I was most talented at. I cannot imagine living and not running, and to me the sun is God's medicine. I love to play outside running on trails.

But it wasn’t just running that got me through the hard times, I quickly learned to mentally separate myself from the situation, and pray. Most would think that God was never answering my prayers by letting the abuse always happen, but I believe the total opposite: If it wasn’t for God I would have never made it out of my childhood alive; He was my saving grace as a child, and my strength and rock today; He answers every single prayer I ask of him. Do not ever be afraid to pray bold prayers, and have faith.

I also became used to making responsible decisions from an early age. At 19 I had a baby, but I was determined to not let that shape the course of my life. We are the choices we make. It’s OK to make mistakes as they are learning tools, but it’s not OK to continually make the same mistakes. Learn from your bad days, and move on. Forgive, forget, and just move on. Hard work coupled with consistency and determination will only lead to success. I have overcome challenges and experiences that would give many people an excuse for failure. But in my case, they have only made me more straightforward. I am a fighter, and if one door closes I look for a better one to open.

I am big on integrity, and really meaning what you say to people. Do not say things you cannot back up, as it will only end up hurting you in the end. I also think it’s important to love the heck out of yourself. Be your own biggest fan: so many people destroy their own success by cutting themselves down everyday.

I always remind myself if I made it through my childhood I can make it through anything. Always look at the worst you have been through, and then think about how bad the situation is now you are in. There is nothing wrong with showing yourself some love! Just by trial and error I started going out of my way to compliment myself everyday. I made it a point to catch myself whenever I said anything negative, and would replace it with positive words. I try and just remind myself that I am a great mom, strong, kind, fit, and am capable of anything I set my mind to. The craziest thing of all? In 2005 I ran my first marathon, and it took me almost 5 hours to finish. In 2010 I won the Angeles Crest 100 mile race in the high mountains of the Angeles National forest. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, and sheer determination. The world can be yours if you just reach for the sky. All my information can be found on my website at: www.keirahenninger.com/
-Keira-

Keira Henninger
Leona Divide 50LLC
949 322~2048http://leonadivide5050.com
http://Lospinos50k.com
http://leonavalleytrailraces.com
http://RAYMILLER5050.COM
http://griffithparktrailruns.com
www.keirahenninger.com
http://keirahenninger.blogspot.com/