The 135 Challenge Blog

Today’s coverage of women’s sports lacks depth and development. We’re missing the narrative. We’re missing the characters. We’re missing the whole story.

 
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Sports coverage needs dynamic characters.

People who love sports love more than just the game. We follow athletes and teams because we can follow the storylines. We know and identify with the characters.

  • Tom Brady, an underrated underdog turned top dog.

  • LeBron James, the redeemed king.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo — hero or heel?

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But most people don’t know the characters in women’s sports.

Media coverage of women’s sports is so slim and surface-level that unless you are already a superfan, you probably don’t know much about even the top women athletes in the world.

Without developing the characters and narrative, it’s almost impossible for the average sports fan to become invested in the stories, the characters, and the narrative of the athletes and their teams.

 
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With the 135 Challenge, I’m trying to change that.

For the next 135 days, I’m spotlighting one important woman in sports every damn day while training for the Badwater 135 mile race.

Many of these women inspire me, and I believe that if you knew more of their stories, they’d inspire you too.

My goal is to tell you who these athletes are—their athletic accomplishments & character archetypes—so you follow their stories, long after my race is run.

March 7th - July 19th, 2021

135 Badass women & 135 days of training for the Badwater 135.

While training for this year’s Badwater 135 footrace, I’m spotlighting 135 women in sports.

You better recognize.

Sunisa Lee - The Avenger
the avenger Kelaine Conochan the avenger Kelaine Conochan

Sunisa Lee - The Avenger

Day 68/135. Sunisa Lee is on a quest to make the Team USA Olympic gymnastics team this year. She has the toughness and focus that only comes from knowing how to face adversity head-on.

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Dawn Staley - The Hero
the hero Kelaine Conochan the hero Kelaine Conochan

Dawn Staley - The Hero

Day 65/135. As both a player and a head coach, Dawn Staley is one of the all-time greatest in the game of basketball. But her impact, leadership, and legacy go far beyond the hardwood.

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Charli Collier - The Innocent
the innocent Kelaine Conochan the innocent Kelaine Conochan

Charli Collier - The Innocent

Day 48/135. Thanks to her size, skill, work ethic, and motor, Charli Collier was the first pick of this year’s WNBA draft. By achieving her dream, her late father, Elliott, is sure to be proud of his daughter.

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Hope Trautwein - The Innocent
the innocent Kelaine Conochan the innocent Kelaine Conochan

Hope Trautwein - The Innocent

Day 43/135. University of North Texas pitched Hope Trautwein just did something never been done before. She pitched a perfect game—no hits, no walks—on ALL strikeouts. 21 up, 21 Ks. And she didn’t even know she was doing it.

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Caitlin Clark - The Rival
the rival Kelaine Conochan the rival Kelaine Conochan

Caitlin Clark - The Rival

Day 21/135. Caitlin Clark is BALLIN. She’s the nation’s leading scorer and assist leader, but still gets second billing compared to Paige Bueckers. Is there room for 2 freshmen point guard sensations in this storyline?

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