Hi, I’m Stefanie Flippin.
Welcome! I’m so happy you’re here. Well, let’s start from the beginning. I was born and raised in San Diego, California and was so fortunate to call that magical place home for 21 years. I grew up with a hefty background in ballet, beginning at age 2.5 and working my way up to a high level for 18 years. I credit ballet for providing me with a lot of discipline and mental strength at a very young age.
Being active was something that was always important and prioritized in my family. Even though running wasn’t yet my primary sport, I would wake up at 4:30am with my dad and watch as he packed his gym bag in preparation for his daily run. He started taking me on runs with him when I was seven years old.
Hiking and camping were big activities in my family. My grandparents lived in East County San Diego so we had quick access to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Palomar Mountain, Julian - you name it. One of my favorite memories as a child was exploring trails both on feet and by four-wheeler with my badass Gram.
I attended the University of California San Diego; John Muir College from 2006-2010, earning my Bachelor of Science with a double major in Human Biology and English Literature and Writing. In 2011, I moved to Chicago, IL to attend podiatric medical school. I hadn’t originally planned to leave Southern California, so I knew I needed to focus on a healthy hobby that would serve as a positive stress outlet as classes and exams picked up. I quickly fell into a pattern of logging miles after anatomy lab.
That fall, I worked the medical tent at the finish line of the Chicago Marathon. Caught up in the excitement of it all, I told myself “I want to experience that too.” I started with half marathons, working my way up to my first marathon the following year. To be honest, I thought it might just be a bucket list item that I checked off. But when I crossed the finish line in Chicago, I knew in my heart my journey was just starting.
My now husband, Mitchell, recognized that running far wasn’t particularly difficult for me. He encouraged me to try my hand at trail and ultrarunning, something that was completely new to me. We completed 50ks, a 50 miler, and finally our first 100 miler, Grand Canyon 100, in the spring of 2015.
Our training wasn’t ideal heading into any of these, with most of our long runs being late at night after clinical rotations at Cook County Hospital. But there was never a doubt in my mind that I would finish each of these races, regardless of the time on the clock. At the finish line of our first 100 miler, just off the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Mitchell got down on one knee and asked me if I would be up for a lifetime of adventures with him.
I graduated with my podiatric medical degree in 2015 and matched within the robust training hospital, St. John Providence Health System in Detroit, Michigan for my surgical residency. Running inevitably had to be placed on the back burner as I put my head down through my intern year, but the following year I took on two more 100 milers, seeing both through to the finish line but taking a lot longer than I hoped for either. One was three weeks after Mitchell and I got married!
As the days that I was required to take call at the hospital became less and less, I started to wonder what I could achieve if I put more structure and intention into my training. I hired a coach in January of 2018 and quickly dropped significant time off of my half marathon and marathon personal bests, running my first Boston Qualifying time. I pivoted that spring back to the trails and podiumed for the first time in a trail 50 miler and 70 miles around a 400m track. I took on San Diego 100 that June and surprised myself with a top 10 finish, surrounded by everyone I love most.
Mitchell and I graduated from residency and moved across the country to settle in the mountains just west of Denver. We opened the doors to our private practice in July of 2018. While things were crazy, I began to prioritize my training more and more. I climbed all the local 14,000 foot mountains in preparation for a summer and fall of racing. I placed in the top 10 at Continental Divide 50k and Run Rabbit Run and went on to take a total of 55 minutes off my marathon time in 11 months - just missing a sub 3 hour marathon.
In 2019 I transitioned to a completely plant-based diet, and now have been a vegan, plant-based athlete for the last four years and for the entirety of my professional running career. This is in large part due to my genetics and what I have found best suits my physiology, but the biggest reason is because I love animals and this planet I’m so fortunate to train on and enjoy. I have found success following this way of life through increased ability to recover, limited injuries despite robust training, and most importantly: living in true alignment with my core values. Nothing matters if we aren’t following our north star.
Later in 2019, I went all in on speed and seeing how strong I could get. I ran 36 minutes in the 10k and got myself into sub-2:50 shape in the marathon. I thought my days of trail and ultrarunning were behind me, but then the pandemic hit. Through my emotional struggle to process the stress and loss of life I never anticipated experiencing that early (or ever) in my medical career, I decided to go on another 100 mile journey.
That fall, I took my first 100 mile win at Tunnel Hill 100, running 15:55 and taking well over 10 hours off my best time in the distance. My training hadn’t been perfect heading in, and I knew I had a lot more in me. In the spring of 2021, I signed up for the USATF 100 Mile National Championships on a whim, seven weeks out from race day. The field was incredibly stacked and it was my first time lining up with world and national record holders. I went in as a dark horse and came out a national champion, running 14:35 - well into the top 10 North American all-time performances for women.
I signed my first professional contract that year and ran another 14:35 and a 14:04, securing my place in the top 5 North American all-time performances for women. In 2023, I signed with lululemon and feel incredibly grateful to be on the leading edge of footwear and gear design as I grow with the brand in the trail and ultra space. Living out my dream of professionally running really far often feels surreal. I have enormous gratitude and appreciation for every step and process along the way that brought me here. I consider myself to be a forever student of the sport and for the last five years, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to give the gift of running away to the team of athletes I coach. Of all the hats I wear, Coach is my favorite.
Mitchell and I call Pine, Colorado home now and live up at 8,700 feet with our two pups, Pace and Shava.
Follow Me @stefanieannflippin
