About us Elizabeth

Elizabeth Carrion Azze

My first experience of running a 100 mile race was in Alaska in 2000. The race was called “The Susitna 100” and this race is set along the historical Iditarod sled-dog trail which lies in an extremely remote region Northeast of Anchorage, Alaska. The race presented me with a host of incredibly tough challenges, a sampling of which included running in extreme cold temperatures of minus 20 degrees while towing a sled with the mandatory survival gear, which included things such as -20 degree sleeping bag, a bivy, 3 liters of water, as well 3000 calories worth of nutritional sustenance. Due to the remote setting and scarcity of check-points on the course, I often found myself running alone on desolate trails, frozen lakes and snow-covered rivers stretching out as far as the eye can see. At times I ran up to 20 mile stretches without a soul in sight, all the while battling sleep-deprivation, the ensuing hallucination, and just sheer exhaustion. But even with all the incredible challenges and obstacles presented by the Susitna, I was able to complete my first 100-miler and place 2nd! This was my beginning.

I have always found that for me, running was not about competing with others. It was really about competing with yourself, and ultimately bettering yourself both as a person and as an athlete. As a coach, my goal is to make sure my clients accomplish their goals and to help them achieve higher levels of health & fitness.

Also while living in Alaska for 8 years I had the amazing opportunity to explore many of Alaska's Mountain Summits, Ranges and National Parks. I also had a chance to visit many other great places the world has to offer. Below you will find a brief summary of my hiking & training destinations and mountaineering history:

•Alaska, which was my home for several years, included Denali National Park (I spent over a month hiking and climbing in Denali), Chugach National Park, this is where I trained on a daily basis when I was living in Alaska. Wrangell -St. Elias National Park, these are the highest coastal mountains in the world. Brooks Range located above the arctic circle. Alaska Range, Talkeetna Mountains, Hatchers pass / Sovereign mountain, Seward Pennisula Mountains, Coast Mountains, Tongass National Forest, Chilkat Range, Glacier Bay, Kenai Fjords...
•The Lower 48 included but not limited to: Glacier National Park in Montana, Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Adirondacks of New York, White Mountains of New Hampshire and many other amazing parks and forests.
•I also had a chance to do extensive trekking in some of the most beautiful places of the world.

I love adventuring and pushing myself beyond what I ever thought possible with or with out a number.

Elizabeth

“The finish line is not a destination, its just another starting point”

Q & A with Elizabeth...

Mentally what keeps you going?

I guess I’m some what of a goal oriented person. Goals keep me physically and mentally motivated.

What have you learned from your clients?

My clients give me the motivation and strength to pursue my athletic goals and ventures. My role as their mentor and teacher with their inspiration keeps me on track so I can be the best person I can be, in turn I can be there for them.

What are you most proud of in your life?

Thus far I would have to say, my proudest and most life defining moment was when I was 17 years old, I left home for college and then decided to drive cross country were I ended up in Alaska. I had the privilege of living in Alaska for over 8 years. This introduction to the wilderness is my foundation for creating Mountain Peak Fitness. It has shaped everything about the person I have become. If it weren’t for the life experience attained when living in Alaska, I don’t believe I would have accomplished any of my athletic goals. I’ve always taken my life in my own hands.

Why did you decide to create Mountain Peak Fitness?

Joe and I have a combined experience of over 25 years in the fitness industry. We have been working with people one on one and in small groups for a long time. As outdoor enthusiasts and athletes ourselves, we began to realize this is what our clients and people in general are missing; the outdoors. The outdoors offers an energy we feel is missing in the lives of most, the outdoors is a natural stress reliever. We both thought to ourselves if we could only bottle this. How can we give this to our clients, people need to be outside. Our lives are so consumed with mass marketing, T.V. commuting, work etc. Whether you’re training for cycling, triathlon, mountaineering, running, or general conditioning we want you to get outside. So with our combined experience we decided we would be a great team, hence Mountain Peak Fitness was born.

What is your training philosophy?

Training is not a word I like to use when describing what I want you to do or what I do, it sounds like work. I guess my philosophy is have fun while your choosing a healthy lifestyle. Whether that takes you to the finish line of a 100 miler or lowering your cholesterol it’s the inner power you have within that were here to guide.

“I have been running ultra's since 2000 and my passion and love for the sport has grown immensely. I would like to share my experience and passion with you. The gifts that I have attained through the sport of ultrarunning are invaluable and I feel it's my path to share all the rewards with you!”