Heart of Murray: Cindi Ralston is Logging Miles
From Ultra-Marathons to Classroom Victories: Pushing Boundaries at Grant Elementary
For many people, the thought of facing blisters, extreme elevation, and potential bear encounters sounds daunting. For Grant Elementary’s Cyndi Ralston, it sounded like the ultimate adventure.
Cyndi recently accomplished a long-held dream by completing the Bear 100—a grueling 100-mile ultra-marathon that stretches through rugged mountain terrain. But for Cyndi, the challenge began long before she reached the starting line.
“It ultimately took me four years just to get into the race, between injuries, running the necessary qualifying events, and waiting to get selected in the lottery,” Cyndi shares.
While 100-mile races are notorious for testing a runner's mental limits, Cyndi found herself soaking in every single mile. Blessed with crisp, perfect weather—a rare gift compared to past races where flash floods turned trails into rivers—she ran straight through the night with a smile. Joined by her coach and her two daughters as pacers for sections of the second half, the experience was pure joy.
“I wish I had a profound mindset mantra to share, but the truth is, I was having too much fun to need one!” she laughs.
Running on Early-Morning Energy
Balancing ultra-marathon training with a dedicated career in education requires serious discipline, but Cyndi makes sure her priorities stay clear.
“People always come first, so I do most of my training while others are still sleeping,” Cyndi says. Getting up early during the week and saving long runs for weekends allows her to clear her mind and recharge. “It actually ensures my cup is full when I show up for work.”
Inside the school walls, those trail-tested lessons naturally spill over into how she encourages her students. Grant kids are well-acquainted with her favorite running metaphors—like “never stop on an uphill” and “wait until you reach the summit before you decide to quit.”
She even uses bear prep to teach practical life skills. “If I wait until I actually see a bear to decide what to do, I won't be thinking clearly,” she explains. “So we talk about planning ahead for tricky social situations.”
Trail Wisdom in the Classroom
To celebrate growth, Cyndi helped launch a weekly "Yeti Award" at Grant Elementary for students who are working hard toward a goal they haven't quite reached yet. She uses her four-year journey to the Bear 100 as a real-life example showing kids that trying, failing, and trying again is all part of crossing the finish line!
Crafting, Family, and Community Heart
When she isn't on the trail or helping students, Cyndi’s free time revolves around family—especially playing with her grandbabies. To unwind, she taps into a wonderfully creative side, crafting stained-glass decorations and weaving traditional Appalachian baskets.
Having worked in much larger school districts previously, Cyndi deeply values the close-knit culture of Murray City School District.
“What I love most about Murray is how it maintains a small-town community feel where everyone works together,” Cyndi reflects. “Some of my best friends were made working at Murray. Mrs. Burnside works really hard at Grant to foster a supportive community for staff and families, and I am thankful every day for the people and experiences my job brings me.”