Over the next two weeks we will be introducing you to the 2013 Dirt in Your Skirt Athlete Ambassadors. We received over 50 applications and narrowed it down to a team of eight amazing women. It was incredibly challenging and every applicant men and women would have been a great representation for Dirt in Your Skirt. Today we welcome the second Dirt in Your Skirt Ambassador, Angela Kalal.

Angela Kalal

Age: 38

Hometown: Rawhay, NJ

Sports of Choice: Obstacle Course Racing, Rock Climbing,  Ultrarunning, and Road Running

About Angela in her own words: “During the week I put in long hours managing the clinical operations of pharmaceutical research trials. When not working I take advantage of any opportunity for adventure. That is, as long as the two pooches say its okay. After all, when it comes down to it, the pugs rule the household. I have an amazing husband who shares my passion for running and climbing. I fell in love with OCR after my first Spartan Race in 2010 and have been addicted ever since. ”

Angela has been around the obstacle course racing circuit for a while. She is an original member of the Spartan Chicked group competing in the first ever Spartan Beast in Vermont in 2011. Angela has not always been the athlete she is today. In February 2012 her story about her incredible weightless journey (she lost 97 pounds) was featured in Fitness Magazine.

When not out on the obstacle course circuit Angela and her husband Dave are avid rock climbers. She and her husband give back teaching adult rock climbing clinics monthly to share their passion with other adults.

We loved the story she shared with us about her “fur-babies” their two pugs. “A lot of people said that pugs aren’t big on running and that playing fetch would be unlikely. My husband and I thought we would give it a shot anyway. Now our one pug lives for playing fetch and he runs so fast that his curly little tail goes straight! See, who says you should be limited by societal preconceived notions.”

One of Angela’s biggest goals this year is to help her brother regain his health. While in high school and college he was an athlete while Angela was the opposite. Recently, he reached out to her for help while the two live in different parts of the country she is helping him from afar regain his health.

This year Angela looks to tackle Reebok Spartan Races in Miami, Las Vegas, NY, PA, Monterrey, Mid-Atlantic, NJ, Vermont, Nebraska, Carolina and Glen Rose, Texas. As well she will be tackling a Warrior Dash and Rock Solid Mud Run both in NJ. Angela not only tackles the obstacle course races but also jumps onto the road to do the RunAPalooza Half Marathon, Rock Ridge 50 miler, ODDyssey Half Marathon, finishing up with the famed Philadelphia Marathon.

In addition to all the racing she looks to tackle some challenging rock climbing roots in West Virginia and Red Rocks, Nevada all 5.11’s and higher. She is a multifaceted athlete and we can’t wait to see all she accomplishes!