Meet Amy Puzey – a Fast and Female R.E.A.L Role Model and supporter. Amy is the National Race Director for 5 Peaks Adventures. Amy generously donated $10,000 to Fast and Female on behalf of 5 Peaks. Thank you Amy and 5 Peaks!!!

Get to know Amy Puzey:  

F&F: Why did you want to support Fast and Female?

Amy: I’ve been fortunate enough to have incredible female mentors and supporters who encouraged me to get involved and stay involved in sport.  Because of the impact running has had on my life, I want this positive experience for other girls and women!  I can’t imagine where my life would be without running.  It has impacted every facet of my life.  I am incredibly grateful and wanted to pass this on.   

F&F: What benefits have gained and what are some of the lessons sport has taught you?

Amy: Probably the biggest one has been the ability to suffer and still survive!  We can put ourselves through tremendous amounts of pain when our mind is in it.  Getting through that, and coming out the other side, full of endorphins, is a pretty great feeling.  I also have a huge network and community of people that I’ve met through running.  I can’t imagine my life without that community.  Some of my closest friendships have been formed at running events, including my marriage! 🙂

Amy: I just hope that they always enjoy it, and that they make time to move and sweat every day.  I don’t care what they do, but I hope that it brings them joy, and keeps their bodies and minds healthy.

F&F: Can you tell us a bit about your personal sport background?

Amy: I started running when I was 14, and started entering road races as a 15 year old.  I ran on the University of Alberta cross country and track teams, and then ran for Arcteryx for a number of years, and competed internationally for Canada in Mountain Running.  Now, I’m happy to run for sanity and health, and occasionally compete if I have the time!  

F&F: In addition to supporting Fast and Female, you’ve done some other charitable giving this summer. Why is it important to you to give back?

Amy: This is an especially difficult time for everyone, but especially charities.  We wanted our community to know that you can always give, even when you don’t have a lot to give! 

Rapid fire:

1. Favorite place to run: Skoki
2. Favorite training snack: Kalamata olives, or chips.  Something salty.
3. Next big running adventure: Rockwall was on my bucket list this year and I did it!  Also just ran 100k, which was something I thought I would never be able to do, so I am going to wait until I get the fire to try something else.  Mostly just playing in the mountains with good friends, and trying to see as many larches as possible this fall!
4. Anything you’d like the F&F community to know about 5 Peaks?:That it feels like family!  And we LOVE when kids race 🙂

As a small but mighty Canadian charity, Fast and Female relies on donations, sponsorship, and grants to fund the work we do to keep girls healthy and active in sports. We value our donors very highly, and every dollar makes a big difference to the lives of our young participants. 

If Amy has inspired you to donate to Fast and Female, you can do so here. Or, if you are motivated to create your own giving group campaign, read our “how to” here.