some inherent racism and sexism going on, especially with body image and body shape. They don’t like to see me on a cover of a magazine because I do not represent what fitness means to them." A typical running pace for her is a thirteen-minute mile (eight-minute kilometer). As of 2018, when not training for an event, she ran an average of each week. Awards and honors In 2018, she was named a National Geographic "Adventurer of the Year". She appeared on the cover of Women's Running magazine for their September 2017 issue. Nichols and Sarah Menzies created a brief video about Valerio with funding from REI called The Mirnavator. Other accomplishments In 2017, she published her personal memoir A Beautiful Work in Progress. Regarding her book, Valerio said she "wanted to frame [her] own narrative.” "Her writing has been featured in Women’s Running Magazine, Self Magazine Online, Outside Online, and Runner's World Magazine. As a diversity professional for over 11 years, Valerio also works as a motivational speaker and presenter on how diversity, equity, and inclusion pertain to education, the outdoor industry, and fitness. Personal life She married Cito Nikiema, originally from Burkina Faso, after they met in New York City. Together where they have a son named Rashid. She now resides in Montpelier, Vermont with her son while her husband splits his time between there, New York City, and Burkina Faso. References 1970s births American female long-distance runners Oberlin Conservatory of Music alumni People from Bushwick, Brooklyn American people of Honduran descent Living people Track and field athletes from New York City 21st-century American women