CC alum Robin Hilderman ’20 is now living in Glasgow, Scotland, working on her Master’s in Geology at the University of Glasgow and playing on the Senior Scotland Women’s Lacrosse team. She is currently training for the UTMB Wildstrubel Ultramarathon in Switzerland.
Major at CC: Geology
Sport at CC: Women’s Lacrosse
Current Location: Glasgow, Scotland
What do you like to do when you’re not running?
When I’m not working as a Research Assistant in the School of Geographical and Earth Science at the University of Glasgow, I enjoy hiking up Munros followed by wild swimming in a loch and a stop at a cafe for coffee.
Favorite memories of CC athletics?
Beating Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Stewart Field in the first round of the NCAA tournament in 2018 and any of the travel tips.
Proudest moment in post-CC competition?
Representing and playing for Scotland’s Women’s Lacrosse team and the training I’ve put in for the upcoming ultramarathon.
Speaking of the upcoming ultramarathon…
Hilderman is in the final stages of training for the UTMB Wildstrubel Ultramarathon in Switzerland taking place on Saturday, September 16, 2023. She will be racing in the Wild 50 event, which is made up of 32.9 miles and over 10,800 feet of elevation gain. Hilderman is also using the race to raise awareness and funds for Women in Sport.
She urges CC alumni and community members to support this cause through her GoFundMe page.
“I find training for physically and mentally demanding challenges an incredibly rewarding experience no matter the outcome as long as I know that I consistently showed up giving the best effort I could each day,” says Hilderman. After she completed the 26km Pentland Skyline Race with over 2,000m of elevation gain last October, she realized she had some untapped distance trail running potential to test. “I know Wildstrubel is going to challenge me in new ways but, in preparation, I’ve already embraced discomfort like never before, become a stronger runner, and grown as a person.”
“The excitement and nervousness of tackling the longest distance with more elevation gain than I have ever run before is exactly what I wanted!”
Robin Hilderman
When asked what she’s most looking forward to with this race, she says it’s the challenge. “The excitement and nervousness of tackling the longest distance with more elevation gain than I have ever run before is exactly what I wanted! I’ve learned that for me, fear underlies this nervousness. I am afraid I won’t be able to reach my potential and that I won’t accomplish what all my hard work and dedication have been for. I recognize the privilege to feel these truly vulnerable emotions in training, as uncomfortable as they are, because I will be prepared to process them as they come up in the race. Belief in myself underlies my nervousness.”
Hilderman says she always had a natural desire to play outside and that there really hasn’t been a time in her life when she wasn’t participating in sports. “It was while playing lacrosse for Colorado College that I had the privilege to train and play for a program where we worked hard, supported each other, and always had fun,” she says. “Since moving to Scotland, I’ve been grateful to train with and represent the Senior Scotland Women’s Lacrosse team. Ironically, running was always something I did to keep my fitness as a midfielder in lacrosse, but now I’ve wholeheartedly embraced it and found the trail running community is the most welcoming and accepting group of people out there!”
Sports have always been an outlet that helped add balance to Hilderman’s life. “Morning gym sessions that help me feel more awake and accomplished also motivate me to continue that productivity throughout the day,” she says. “Often after long bouts of working on my Master’s, going on a run gives me the space to relax where I can focus on being present and appreciate the outdoors. Equally, strength training in the gym makes me feel strong and prepared knowing I’m doing the preventative measures against getting injured.” She also notes that her training has helped her outside of her athletic endeavors. “I have made lifelong connections with people. In moving to a new country (Scotland) where I didn’t know anyone, relying on joining a sports team or running club to make friends has never failed me.”
“Robin was recruited to play at CC in a large part because of her running,” says Susan Stuart, CC Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach. “She was always an amazingly graceful runner who could run all day and do it fast! I imagine the altitude she will encounter may slow her a little, but I know Robin has all the grit, determination, and training to accomplish this amazing feat! I am so proud that Robin is also setting up this incredible challenge to help fundraise for Women in Sport! Good luck Robin! All us Tigers have your back as you climb, ascend, and conquer this mountain!”
When asked why she chose Women in Sport to run for in this race, Hilderman states that it’s due to all the experiences she’s had in her life. “I chose to support Women in Sports so other women and girls could have the same opportunities to build confidence in themselves and friendships as I have throughout my athletic careers.”
If you want to help support Women in Sport and Robin in her race, check out her GoFundMe page!
