Welcome to Tierra Libre Run mentorship. By learning from each other and paying it forward, we help athletes feel included, heard, and seen in a sport that hasn’t always made space for us. This guide covers essentials from match to race day.
Role
You are not their coach but rather, their mentor, right alongside them just as you would be with a friend that you’re going on a run with or pacing in a race. You’re the one they can lean on when they need that extra encouragement and those tips that are crucial in this brand new world of trail running for them. You are there to hear them out and share your knowledge and experience as they work towards their (oftentimes, first) trail race with us! Share what has worked for you (and what hasn’t), but do not prescribe training plans, nutrition plans, or medical advice.
You were invited to mentor because you have what it takes. It’s okay not to have every answer, ask questions in the #mentors channel, trust your intuition, and bring your unique gifts, culture, and perspective to the relationship.
Scope
Mentorship runs from match date to race day, whether the event is 1 to 2 months away or 3 to 6 months out. The timeline is flexible so you can meet your mentee where they are. The goal is belonging, confidence, and connection, not performance metrics.
Time Commitment
30 minute calls every two weeks leading up to their race with us. You should coordinate with your mentee to figure out what timing/cadence works best for you both! (Eg. not everyone loves slack haha).
Communication
In your kickoff, co create norms: names and pronouns; preferred channels; response time expectations; and any access needs. Use clear, friendly, and non gatekeeping language. Avoid assumptions and ask open ended questions that center your mentee’s goals and comfort. Keep conversations private and ask for explicit consent before sharing stories, photos, or wins publicly.
Boundaries
Do: Follow the Code of Conduct, share experience, normalize challenges, co create training routes, point to resources, celebrate wins.
Don’t: give medical advice; prescribe training or nutrition plans; evaluate performance; pressure participation beyond comfort or safety.
Onboarding Process
Once accepted, you’ll be invited to the private mentors Slack channel. Matching is intentional and may take a few days or weeks; when matched, you’ll get your mentee’s contact info and race application. Reach out within 72 hours to schedule a 30 minute kickoff, confirm pronouns, choose communication channels, set response time expectations and access needs, and agree on biweekly check ins through race day.
Support & Escalation
What if my mentee is unresponsive or I have any other questions/feedback regarding this program? Please reach out to Lizeth, Mentorship Program Lead (via slack).