We had a chat with Giulia Murada, a professional skialp athlete for La Sportiva, about her mentality and how she finds the motivation to go out there and train every day to become one of the best in the world.
Giulia Murada comes from Valtellina, in northern Italy, and skialp is part of her family heritage. She is one of the best in the professional world circuit and is part of Team La Sportiva. During the past few years, she won multiple medals at the European and World level both individually and for the Italian team.
Let's start from the basics, how is your training going?
The training is going well despite the fact that the snow conditions are not the best, then we are doing a lot of races and often traveling so I am not bored.
When you uploaded your first activity, what did you learn during the process and what would you say to your old self?
In these years I have learned a lot and I know that I still have a lot more to learn, certainly now I have more experience and I know how to handle races better, especially from a mental point of view. To the old me I would say not to worry and that what I am doing is the right path.
What is your favorite Strava activity or segment?
Spending all winter on the road for competitions, there is nothing nicer than being able to train a few days at home where I started the sport, so pellata until noon in Albosaggia
Who are the people that inspire you when you open the feed or go out for a run?
I don't have any particular reference points, every now and then maybe there are some stories that leave their mark and motivate you to do better. However, I usually find my motivation as I go along because I like what I do and I want to work to keep improving.
What is next for you? Next challenge, race, adventure?
I don't know what the future holds for me however I hope to take more good satisfaction, main appointment of the season is the world championship between the end of February and the beginning of March.
Bonus: What other sport do you usually combine to best prepare for your ski sessions?
The beauty of ski mountaineering is that in the summer you can train by doing other sports that allow you to change activities from time to time and never get bored. So, bike, MTB, run, walk, and skiroll.
This interview has been edited.