2025 February VFE Featured Athlete – Antonella Chispe; Sport – Ultra Trail Runner

In 1997, I stood in the crowds of downtown Los Angeles waiting for my brother and sister to cross the finish line of the Los Angeles Marathon (or aka LA Marathon). I remember runners crossing with their hands in the air, others just barely stumbling across the finish line and many with tears of joy knowing they accomplished 26.2 miles. Seeing my brother and sister cross the finish line sparked an interest to take on the challenge. Four years later, I was training for my
first marathon. On March 3rd 2002, at the age of 14, I crossed the finish line to my first marathon, the LA Marathon.

My name is Antonella Chispe aka Nella. I am a Registered Dietitian, road and ultra-marathoner. I have ran 23 marathons – including Boston and Berlin Marathon. In 2016, I went for the 50K distance, which sparked another interest in challenging myself for longer distances. It wasn’t right away, but a few years later I completed my first 50-miler in 2023 and finally achieving my ultimate goal as a runner completing my first 100-miler this past November 2024. There is something magical and transforming about running. Although I started as a road runner, I found true inner peace running on the trails. It’s one of the main reasons I keep going back to trails over road miles.

During my mid-20s, I hit low points of my mental health. Work, friendships, relationship, family and everything felt overwhelming. At that point in life, the only consistent thing that brought me real joy was running. So, I chose running first over everything, but in reality, I was choosing myself and my peace. Through these years, the running community was born and I started to meet a lot of good people that I still interact with today. They showed me new routes, new training strategies, new places and the trails. The trails were hard and challenging, but I loved everything about it – the climbs, the fast downhills, the dirt, and the tired legs. Although I thought I was only physically training my body, I was in fact building my mental strength. And I took that with me into races and other goals outside running.

The first time I heard about Vision for Enrichment (VFE), I was in the middle of training for the LA Marathon. My friend notice I was in discomfort during our longs runs, so she suggested I go see Rich from VFE. I was nervous going in the first time since I really didn’t know what to expect. I was so used to running in discomfort because that what I was taught playing sports – “no pain, no gain.” I still remember that first session and Rich asking me “What areas should we
work on? Are there any areas that are bothering you?” My answer was very nonchalant – “Nothing really hurts. Maybe just around my knees.” Boy, was I wrong! Everything related to my lower extremities were tight. Rich still laughs about this first encounter. But since then VFE is the only place I trust for bodywork. I can’t express my gratitude enough to VFE for helping me through major injuries (when I thought I wouldn’t run again) to helping my niece get through her injuries as a soccer player. I appreciate VFE for continuing to expand their knowledge consistently to help the athletes of this community, it doesn’t go unnoticed.

Out of my running gear, I am a Clinical Registered Dietitian. I work with patients/clients from all types of disease, pediatrics and athletes. I enjoy a really good coffee, meal and dessert. I love spending time with my family. Training for races has changed a lot over the years. Priorities have changed, but it doesn’t mean I am giving up on something I love to do, it just simply means life changes and we go with the flow. I used to feel pressure to train a certain way, but one of greatest lessons running has taught me is patience and giving myself grace. Everything has its time, so when the opportunity presents itself that’s when I go all in and work hard!