Meet Amy Carrion!

Name: Amy Carrion
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Current Residence: Los Angeles, California
Occupation: Nutritionist / Health Coach

1) How and when did you get into trail running?

I really got into trail running about 3 years ago when I met my husband Alex. I had done a few trail runs prior but nothing big. He had done a few ultras when we met and was training for his first 100-miler so he would take me out to run on the trail which I wasn’t used to coming from a road running background. 

2) As a type 1 diabetic, do you find that your plant based diet helps manage your symptoms?

Definitely, having type 1 diabetes wasn’t the initial reason I started eating a plant based diet but the benefits were incredible - much better blood glucose control and less insulin requirements. 

3) Do you primarily work with plant based athletes? What would you recommend to athletes looking to incorporate more plant based meals into their diet? 

I’ve worked with a lot of plant-based athletes or athletes wanting to transition to a plant based diet. My recommendation is don’t complicate things - eating plant based can be super simple. Focus on unprocessed plant foods like whole grains, beans, legumes, fruit and vegetables - adding spices can make something quite bland taste delicious. 

4) You’re originally from Australia, what brought you to the United States? Is there anything you miss about living down under? 

My husband! He is originally from Ecuador but has lived in California his entire adult life. I moved here right before we got married a couple of years ago. I definitely miss the completely laid back lifestyle, some Aussie foods (like Weetbix) and of course my family and friends!

5) Did you meet your spouse, Alex, a fellow trail runner, through running? Have you two ever ran a race together and/or have plans to run an upcoming race together? 

We met on Instagram but through the running community. We have ran a few races together- Last year, the Boston Marathon and Big Sur Marathon - we did the Boston2BugSur Challenge together with a few friends. He is faster than me but during the Boston Marathon he paced me to help me run one of the best marathons I’ve done. It was a great race to be able to cross the finish line together. 

6) What’s your favorite distance to race?

I do love the marathon. It’s short enough to really push yourself from the start but also long enough that you’re really going to hurt at one stage and think the finish line is never going to arrive. 

7) Do you have any upcoming races?

I just signed up for a Ragnar Relay series with Diabetes Sports Project. We have a team of all type 1 diabetic athletes running together from Huntington Beach to San Diego on April 3-4

8) What’s your favorite post-run treat? 

A big bowl of oatmeal topped with berries, some dark chocolate and nuts. 

9) What is your key to staying injury free?

Doing other exercise than running while training - yoga, cycling, swimming - something that has less impact on the body really makes a big difference in staying injury free. 

10) What’s your favorite part of the trail running community?

The positivity; the welcoming of anyone and everyone. There is no judgement within the community. And the purpose is to get together, run and enjoy the outdoors. 

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