Allyson Felix on Retirement and Running for Fun

ELLE’s collection Clothes of Our Lives decodes the sartorial decisions made by highly effective girls, exploring how style can be utilized as a instrument for communication. For this installment, we sat down with newly retired observe celebrity Allyson Felix, probably the most embellished U.S. Olympic observe athlete of all time and a fierce advocate for maternal well being, to speak concerning the sentimental bodysuit she selected for her final profession race—and what comes subsequent in her combat to help mother athletes.

I wish to be remembered as a fierce competitor. However what I’m most pleased with after I look again at my profession helps safe maternal protections for feminine athletes who resolve to start out households throughout their careers.

Legacy has been on my thoughts ever since I crossed the end line of my final ever 100-meter sprint in Los Angeles a pair weeks in the past. It felt full-circle, as a result of I grew up in L.A., and it’s the place I competed in my first observe meet. Being again in my hometown to run my final race gave me closure, in a method. I’d actually been wanting ahead to that second, as a result of I’m so able to transition into the subsequent chapter of my life.

For the race I wore the “Legend Bodysuit” from my collaboration with Athleta. It’s a purplish grey onesie, with a cutout within the again. I really feel so assured and robust in it. It’s certainly one of my favourite items, as a result of it’s like an extension of who I’ve grown to turn into as an individual. I paired the bodysuit with spikes from my very own shoe firm, Saysh, and an Olympic rings necklace that my husband gifted me. I by no means race with out it.

Allyson Felix after ending the final race of her profession.

The entire season main as much as the ultimate race was actually emotional. After I first got here into the game, I used to be so captivated with profitable. The efficiency of all of it motivated me. However as I bought older, my priorities shifted. I began to comprehend the facility of my platform. Whereas that occurred, my relationship to operating additionally modified. My profession grew to become extra about what I might do off the observe.

For me, that meant securing maternal protections in sports activities. After I helped athletes proceed to get compensated throughout their pregnancies, that was enormous. The win created momentum to make extra change, and now we’re on course. However there’s nonetheless a lot extra to do. Now I’m specializing in bettering childcare, which I imagine ought to be supplied in any respect sporting occasions. With the ability to breastfeed in stadiums and having a location to take action must be a given.

My ardour and want began with operating, nevertheless it grew into one thing greater than I might have ever imagined. I wish to channel that drive, give again to the operating neighborhood, and—in a higher sense—assist different girls who aspire to do nice issues.

Felix together with her daughter, Camryn.

For thus lengthy, I had a lot concern about talking out and standing up for what I imagine in. It took not feeling supported by the sports activities neighborhood after I was pregnant with my daughter to comprehend that if I don’t do one thing, it will likely be her technology that has to take it on. That gave me braveness, and now I stand on the opposite facet of my concern. Right here, I’ve discovered freedom and an understanding that issues can truly can get finished. It’s a stupendous place to be.

Now that I’ve run my final race, I can’t assist however take into consideration my future relationship to the game. Coaching to carry out and coaching to be wholesome are two very various things. It’s going to take a while to let that sink in, as a result of my life was about profitable for thus lengthy. Proper now, I’m wanting ahead to doing pilates and yoga and different workouts I haven’t had time for. I clearly like to run, and I hope it continues to be part of my each day routine. However for now, I’m going to take a pleasant lengthy break.

This interview has been evenly edited and condensed for readability.