# @strava on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CS9uWyElduR
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/847652-strava-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/04ef485a77.jpg
- **Posted:** 2021-08-24T16:49:18.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Strava (@Strava) — https://gondola.cc/Strava

## Caption

@Karlene_ knew she would be challenging herself mentally and physically when she signed up for the @BelgianWaffleRide (BWR). As an experienced road cyclist, endurance rides are squarely in her wheelhouse, but BWR’s 131 miles of mostly-dirt would require a new set of skills and perspective on the course. Going into the race, she had one goal: to finish what she started. 

30 miles into her 131-mile ride one of Karlene’s feet began hurting. She turned to meditation while riding to help offset the foot pain from her old shoes. It wasn’t long after the day’s temperature reached its high point that things got serious – Karlene was cutting it close to cutoff times – as she struggled with the heat. In the moments where quitting seemed inevitable, she tapped into her mental toughness and the sense of togetherness she felt along the course. 

“The camaraderie – I felt, I saw – from other women during the ride, even the women who were volunteering was motivating! There weren’t that many of us riding, but there was always so much support and encouragement whenever we saw each other.”

Karlene rolled through the finish before cut-off – tired but elated! “I hope more women are encouraged to sign up for events like these. It’s important to know that you don’t need to be the best or the fastest, you don’t have to have a perfect training plan or the fanciest bike. It’s always worth it to put yourself out there and go for it!” 

Photo Credit: @gman92069

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 3,027
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 7

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Strava | @Strava | https://gondola.cc/Strava | Social Media Specialist |
| Krystal Salvent | @krystalsalvent | https://gondola.cc/krystalsalvent | Social Media Strategist |

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