The first segment of "Fail" Forward Friday is with dual-Olympian alpine skier and marathoner Chirine Njeim. Chirine started skiing at age 3. At 12, she went to France to train for two of years with a personal coach. She then moved to Salt Lake City in ninth grade, when she was 13, to attend the Rowmark Ski Academy, former home of U.S. Olympian Picabo Street. She went on to study at, and compete for, the University of Utah. Later, while in Chicago, Chirine took up running, completing the 2012 Chicago Marathon in 3 hours 7 minutes and the 2013 edition of the race in 3:05.4. At the 2015 Chicago Marathon she posted a time of 2:46.41, placing her 29th among the women in the field. At the 2016 Houston Marathon, she completed the course in 2:44.14, securing herself a place on the Lebanese team at the 2016 Summer Olympics. She finished the 2016 Olympic Marathon in 109th place with a time of 2:51.08. She set a new PR of 2:36:40 this past spring In the second segment we hear from Brad Lindeberg - an excellent amateur runner and Chief Strava Kudos Bot. Brad details his trials with a professional endeavor that can bring hope to anyone hoping to reach a goal that is close but remains just out of reach. --- *Yes, you read that correctly - the "Fail" in quotes.* For so many of us there have been times in our lives when we thought we had failed, or worse, that we were failures. Those moments can leave of questioning everything that came before and whether or not we should continue down our chosen path. Then, if we persist we may realize that with time those setbacks can be a gift. Rather than holding us down those "failures" prove to be a catalyst for growth. Not merely to a level which we have already reached, but one that exceeds everything that came before. If you have a story that would be a good fit for one of these episodes please email ramblingrunnerpodcast@gmail.com. Sponsors: "Fail" Forward Friday is presented by Inside Tracker. Understanding and learning about your body's biomarkers is a one of the keys to staying healthy and fit for the long term and that is exactly what Inside Tracker does. From vitamin D, iron, ferritin, glucose, hematocrit, hemoglobin, testosterone, cortisol, creatine kinase, and many others, you will know where your body stands and how it can improves. Save 25% on all orders by going to www.insidetracker.com/ramblingrunner. Follow Matt: Instagram - @rambling_runner Twitter - @rambling_runner YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ83E0U8M4V7klqZB8BF3wA Rambling Runner Podcast Community Corner private Facebook group - www.facebook.com/groups/125544686229661 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices