This is part 2 of Worlds Review. Missed Part 1? Read it here. Feel free to share your experiences and thoughts at the end.
This is my favorite photo of the race, taken by Phil Johnson. Thanks Phil! Click the photo to read the post-race write up they did on Track Focus, which is a great site, by the way.
Right before the first time I ever won a major championship, I was sitting in the stands before my warm-up in Eugene for the NCAA 5k my sophomore year next to senior Brent Hauser. He asked me what I wanted to do in the race (Kara Goucher was back as defending champion) and I said I wanted to win. He raised his brow at me and thought for a moment before he spoke. Brent was a legend on the team and so I took it to heart when he finally said, “Just don’t try so hard to get first that you end up finishing 12th.”
Here's Brent, in case you were curious. Photo from GoStanford.com
I had to think about that for a while, but something clicked and suddenly I understood what was happening when runners (including myself) tanked. I realized that when you want a goal badly enough, anything less than that can seem like a huge disappointment. Emotions are incredibly powerful, and the let down you feel if your perfect race isn’t happening can paralyze you, leaving you unable to salvage a respectable performance. Once your mind detects failure, the body follows. Every race I’ve won, and all my best losses, have started with Brent’s tip. My worst races and the ones I ended up dropping out of were the ones where I did exactly what Brent told me not to do.
Wise Words from Jesse
The baby faced wise man himself, Jesse Thomas.
After the prelim of the 5k, my husband gave me some of the best advice he’s ever given me (we aren’t usually big on coaching one another so when he offers advice, my ears perk up big time). He had been watching the endurance races on TV and he said, “On the last lap, when people pop, they pop big time, and you can still reel people in if you can stay positive about your position. Just remember that your place isn’t determined until you cross the line.”
Brilliant, Jesse.
When the leaders broke me, a No-Tanking philosophy helped me regain focus and I managed to catch two more athletes in the last part of the race who were fading. You might think, “7th or 9th, what’s the difference really?” Well, that choice to avoid negativity made it so that my 7th place result tied the best finish ever by an American woman at Worlds in the 5k (had no idea at the time). Sweet! Thanks J!
Official Results of the World Championships Final of the 5000 meters
Brain On, Brain Off
Its interesting for me to read my pre-race blog about my goals and expectations because I don’t mention a medal at all, or a place goal of any kind. And yet yesterday, in part one, here I am telling you that I was thinking about a medal and about all kinds of places at various points in my preparation. What a big fat liar!
Well, here is why it turned out that way. I spend several days before a race in “Brain On” mode, analyzing scenarios, figuring out how I think I can do in the race, working on specifics (I didn’t write a blog during this time because I was in Fake World with no internet). Then about two days before, I go into “Brain Off” mode where I let go of the result and think only about the bare bones basics of running. Coach Rowland does everything he can to keep me in this mode. I felt completely peaceful and I released everything to the Universe or God or whatever you choose to call it. In that state of mind, I was inspired to write a blog to document how good it felt to be in that state of mind before a race. It ended up being a great example of what Brain Off mode looks like for me, and I’m sure I’ll refer back to it in the future before other races.
If you check out my post race interview from letsrun or post-race blog, you can see that I’m excited about how I finished. How is that possible when deep inside somewhere I had been dreaming of a medal? Knowing what you know now, check out the interview and tell me what you think:
Final Question for the Girls
If you are a dude, be warned that the following paragraph contains feminine stuff:
The race fell on the absolute worst day of the month for my cycle, and I can’t help but wonder how I would have felt had that not been the case (I get 4 pounds heavier and sluggish at that time of the month). But maybe defending world champ Linet Masai is saying the same thing about her 6th place finish. Maybe the young Dibaba that I passed at the line had the flu. Defar had stomach problems. Molly Huddle had an injured foot. Our fastest American, Shalane, wasn’t even in the race. I guess that’s what championships are all about, and have always been about: unknowns and variables and who toes the line on the day. That spirit of championships will never change, and I wouldn’t change it if I could. But I would like to change my cycle next time, please. Or at least learn how to lesson the side-effects of bloating and water retention. Tips from other women with experience in this area would be appreciated! Thanks!
That is a great photo of you racing at Worlds – you look strong! Just want to congratulate you and say that your blog is very refreshing and fun to read. I love the honesty, and it’s great to be able to look through the eyes of an elite!
Thanks Andrea.
Congratulations again, Awesome that you are now the highest finisher in a World Championship 5K for the women (ok, tied, but same difference!).
Also, for the female issue, my wife comes off of her birth control 2 weeks prior to any major race we are trying to run (Army 10 Miler in a couple of weeks is our next one) to get it started, and then goes back on the pill as she normally would, the sunday prior to the event. It has worked well for her, and since she’s feeling “off” the week prior to the taper, It helps with her confidence to nail those workouts going into race week. Obviously not first hand experience, but thought I would share regardless.
Thanks AJ! The pill hasn’t been a good fit for me in the past, so I don’t use it. But I think that tip will be very helpful for a lot of women on here who use birth control regularly, thanks for posting it!
So awesome! So many people want to read about the training details that lead up to a World Championships Final, but reading about the mentality is the REAL DEAL! It’s so funny as runners how mental we are, even lying to ourselves or blocking out certain things (your medal goal) as a survival mechanism! So much wisdom laced in here matched with me wanting to say out loud, “I’ve thought that too” or “been there done that!” Kudos for sharing the real side of the sport! I’m more stoked than ever to patiently build up for track season, and listen to my coach–who strangely enough seems to have a similar mentality to yours! Keep letting it unfold girl!
PS- For the time of the month issue, your blog has been a big inspiration to me, openly talking about these issues that all runner girls deal with. Another big help was reading Paula Radcliffe’s autobiography–it’s very real and uncut. You realize that world records don’t line up with every star in the sky and we have to use the same mental tricks to get through rough patches in races to get past our monthly discomfort. If you haven’t read it I highly recommend before NY. Also one time I got my period the day of a race, and felt like shit and took a good dose of midol. Numbed the pain and the caffeine jacked me up for a great race!:)
Thanks Mo! Great tips as always. I have had similar experiences with great races the day I get my period, but its always when I get it right before the race. For some reason getting it right after felt different, like my body was a wave on the verge of a break. I am definitely going to pick up Paula’s book before NY. Its embarrassing that I haven’t read it yet!
Solid race analyses yet again, Lauren. Thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to what will be going through your head and heart over the next weeks pre-NYC!!!
Thanks Michelle.
lauren- these topics are 100% applicable to me!! Thanks so much!! Last year I wanted to succeed so badly and have a great race every time and, well of course- wanting to PR every race hindered my ability to relax and compete to my fullest. By wanting to do so well each and every race, I was flooding my brain with what i needed to do in each race in order to do well. and of course!, that only hindered my performance. This year however is going to be different. I am constantly reminding myself that I am going to be happy with each race I run, with minor constructive criticism, and only build on that race for the future one. Knowing well in advance that maybe not every race is going to be my best- but if i put fourth as much effort as i could, than i have to be happy with that result. Its not settling, its simply providing my mind and body with the opportunity to not get down in the dumps and only dig myself a bigger hole.
Good luck with NYC!! Stay positive!!
Thanks for the comment Danielle! Two points you made really struck me. When you mention “flooding your brain with what you need to do in the race,” I’m reminded of what my high school coach, Dave DeLong used to tell me:
“When you overthink things and get too worked up before a race, when you step on the starting line, you’ve already run the race so many times that you can’t perform your best.” It really is important to make a deadline where you stop thinking and start chilling out and thinking only silly happy thoughts.
The second really interesting point you made was thinking of each race as “building for a future one” so it doesn’t become too important. I do this too, and it is a wonderful way to take the urgency and end-all-be-all out of it. Sometimes I wonder what I will say to myself when I’m standing on the line for what I know really is my last professional race! What race will I pretend I’m building for in the future? Scary thought!
Well, Hell Lauren ! You should feel proud ! 7th in “THE WORLD” is pretty damn good. Better than nearly 6,900,000,000 other folks (mid 2010 census estimate so probably more by now)! I run with a small club in Olympia, WA where many of us are old runners attempting to get fast again, people trying to just get in shape, and people that are just getting into running. Very supportive group all around. I’ve told quite a few about your wbesite and they all love it. Seeing that you share some of the same concerns, fears, frustrations, training glitches etc. really helps them out especially when you address it with your usual great humor.
Thanks Paul! I appreciate you sharing the blog with your group. I coach a similar sounding group of awesome people here in Eugene and I absolutely LOVE the energy and support they give each other and the balance of running as a part of real life. If a group of you guys/gals make it down to Eugene for the Marathon or another road race, be sure to let me know.
Not only are you better than 6,900,000,000 other people in the world, but the ARRS.net has you ranked 38th in the world and #2 US Woman (behind Flanagan herself). Stay healthy, and keep up the good work!
I stalk the ARRS competitive rankings on a semi-regular basis. Its a lot of fun seeing how athletes get shuffled around after each race and seeing athletes like yourself steadily climbing every month/week.
What you wrote definitely resonates with me. My best races have come when I’ve least expected them and, in fact, when I’ve had really no expectations for that race. The races I’ve actually cared about, I tend to end up disappointed. I’m never sure if its because I place my expectations too high or if I overthink it and sort of sabotage myself.
My best tennis season in college came after my absolute worst season that included a match which I call my “Waterloo.” I contemplated quitting over the winter. I’m not sure what made me stick with it. My goal for the season was “not to suck anymore” or so I told my coach. I went back to super basic things such as moving my feet or watching the ball all the way into my strings. I didn’t care about my results too much that season because I was concurrently studying for the MCAT so I was preoccupied, to say the least. I ended up winning 7 out of my last 10 singles matches and making all-conference in both singles and doubles.
So, to wrap up my novel here, I have a very hard time being motivated and caring about one of my athletic pursuits, but also not over analyzing and forcing it to happen, like Brett said. When I play matches (or did, as I don’t anymore) and I wanted to win really badly (which was umm all the time), I had to often tell myself to “let it happen” rather than “forcing it.” Its a subtle difference in the way you play or carry yourself, but it makes a huge difference. I guess I should figure out how to apply that to running.
Also, your enthusiasm for NYC 26.2 inspires me to me enthusiastic towards it, too, as right now I’m going through the terrified stage like “why did I think this was a good idea at all?!?”
Finally, on the girl issues – you have tried the pill, correct (and/or a pill or overlapping pills that allow you to get less frequent periods)? Also, there are different kinds of birth control pills (mono phasic vs tri phasic) and different ways to acheive menstrual suppression, which I won’t go into so as not to bore you or other people! There are many ways, I think, to medically skin this cat although it would have to fit in with your lifestyle (taking a pill is something some don’t want to do), beliefs, and, of course, not cause you to get in trouble with drug testing (I’m not sure what they allow). One problem with racing and periods is that when you run so much you are probably hypothalmically supressed and then when you taper, your hypothalamus is unhibitied and BAM – period.
Anyways, 7th in the WORLD on your period – THAT’S AMAZING! Tampax or Kotex needs to sign you asap. Move over Kardashians…
Thanks Meggie for the experience and the period tips.
As for your story, I think that you are getting to know how your mind works, and that makes you on the verge of figuring out the best way to manipulate yourself. The more analytical you are, the harder it is to manipulate yourself because first it requires accepting:
1. That not every idea and thought you have is worth listening to (this is tough for smart analytical people who have always received positive feedback from teachers or authority figures for being thoughtful and analytical. For the purpose of your own self-image, you have to accept that a lot of the stuff your mind comes up with (regarding yourself) is absolute shite. When we talk to others, we generally put the thoughts through some kind of social filter and formulate more logical opinions, but when we talk to OURSELVES, there is no need for a filter so a good amount of our self talk we can be completely mean and horrible and destructive.
2. Another pitfall for analytical people: you have a hard time turning off your brain once you get into a positive place so it wants to shoot right back into a negative place. Analytical people can be almost addicted to analyzing. It becomes a natural state and stillness and peace feels weird.
I very well might not be on base at all here. My comments are only really guided by my own experience as an over analyzer. But if either of those two things resonate with you, I sincerely suggest you try yoga; try a mindful type that is bordering on spiritual. Yoga helped me develop a filter for my judgements of myself, and it helped teach me to find peacefulness in my mind. I had tried it before for physical benefits and didn’t like it, but when I came back to class with an urgency to find peace of mind and gain more control over my mind, it was great. It became a challenge for me to find techniques that I could take out of the yoga studio and into my running and my personal life. I’ve continued studying stuff like that because not only does it make my running better but I’m happier overall.
As for the period stuff, I’m interested in the hypothalamic suppression piece. The hypothalamus is in charge of the four F’s right? Feeding, fleeing, fighting and reproduction? I used to skip periods when I was in my early 20′s, but I rarely ever miss one now (32-34 days 11/12 months this year). What is strange is that I train harder now than I did in my early 20′s on my hard days, but I do train far easier on my easy days. Perhaps it is the recovery days that are keeping my hypothalamus functioning normally now? If that’s is really the case, I wish I had known that in college…would have probably saved me some stress fractures.
Ok so back to moving the period around, I want to use as little hormone influence as possible and have no interest in being on a pill daily (tried it, hated it). What are the alternatives?
What you said definitely resonates with me. Whenever I get into a positive, self-belief place, it lasts for about 0.2 seconds before I talk myself out of it. I’ve never done well with yoga (ok, all 2 times I’ve tried it) because physically I felt like I could get a better work-out doing something else and usually all that life philosophy stuff they say I tune out (and am more like “I don’t have time for you to wax philosophical, tell me how I can do this stance perfectly instead.”). Maybe I’ll try it again, with a different mental approach. And, yes, I don’t think my brain ever turns off. I have a hard time even sitting in a movie.
Yes, the hypothalamus controls all of that which you mentioned and although I’d like to bore you with the details of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, but I won’t. Hypothalamic hypogonadism happens when the body is under a stressor which causes decreased gonadotropic pulses and, in turn, disturbs the menstrual cycle. Such stressors can be low body weight, intense exercise, nutritional deficiencies, and emotional stress. Hypothalamic hypogonadism is the basis for the often quoted “female athlete triad,” which I won’t go into. I’m not an expert, but I don’t think you have to be severely underweight/anorexic or be an elite runner or gymnast to get hypothalamic suppression. This may be TMI but I haven’t had regular periods since my 2nd yr of medical school and I can assure you I am a healthy weight (and maybe over healthy – ha1) and the highest mileage I have ever run is 40 miles in one week. I can assure you that my 2nd and 3rd years of medical school were a lot of stress. I hope I’m not setting myself up for a stress fracture with now also trying to increase my running volume!
It is very interesting that you now get regular periods when you previously didn’t. It could very well be due to the fact that you take your easy days easier and such. If you lived in NYC, I’d want to bring you in for bloods! It could very well be you’re allow you entire endocrine system to recover by taking your easy days easy. Hmm…an interesting study…
Ok, in terms of you options, I think the Mirena IUD might be worth consideration. The Mirena releases levonorgestrel, which is a synthetic progesterone derivative. The amount of it systemically would not give you side effects, but the local amount can inhibit folliculogenesis and ovulation, which would then decrease side effects of your period. Many women on the Mirena become amenorrheic, in fact. However, it cannot guarantee to decrease your pre-menstrual symptoms, which is what seems to be causing you more problems than the bleeding itself. The Mirena can stay in for up to 5 years.
I hope this helps – if you have any more questions or concerns, let me know.
Some real gems in this thread:
“For the purpose of your own self-image, you have to accept that a lot of the stuff your mind comes up with (regarding yourself) is absolute shite.”
“once you get into a positive place so it wants to shoot right back into a negative place.”
“I went back to super basic things such as moving my feet or watching the ball all the way into my strings.”
Ah, such truth!
My only addition, some people can thrive off negative energy. I know I do. I consider it a tool that I take out of the box when the need arises.
Meggie, yoga, at least for me, is _all_ about the instructor. There are ones I adore and who get 10x the effort out of me, to the point where I’m a quivering puddle at the end, and then there are some who annoy me and make me count the minutes until I can escape. Dabble. Bounce between classes and studios. You will find your leader if you look long enough. He or she can be as spiritual as you need. One of my favorite instructors is a retired pro snowboarder and she completely understands the athlete’s perspective. Meanwhile, some of the instructors are just stinky, freaky, hairy people. Just because someone did their 200 hour certification does not mean you have to love everything about them, we each have our different styles and likes/dislikes. Most likely, you’ll find a few leaders, all offering different angles on the same truth of self. Once you do, you will indulge your practice, learning from each of them in different ways, like Lauren says. It may help quiet and focus your mind when you need to, even without any direct spiritual component. For me, yoga offerred the first meeting of forehead and knee, then nose and knee and now mouth and knee, all of which was huge for a guy who spent his whole life unable to touch his toes.
Lauren, tough call for you on hormones to offset the P. It’s been done before by many a woman, but at your level, messing with your body in that way seems like the wrong answer. The only thing that comes to my mind is if/when you know you have a huge race coming up, and you do the math and figure out your schedule puts the P right in the crosshairs, perhaps you do your hormonal tinkering, via pill, patch, shot, or otherwise, a month or more in advance to adjust your timing. But, being a guy, any/all advice seems entirely hypocritical and from what little I know the schedule isn’t always so predictable that far in advance.
Lauren — I really liked your description of shrinking your world to prepare, I’m back here to look that up and forward it onto my coach who had a bit of a rough go in her last race, perhaps partly from spreading herself so thin in the weeks prior. I’ve done races both ways, both in the “hibernate” mode and also in what I call “explosion” mode where you hope you brought enough tnt to last through the finish line.
Great photo and another great blog entry sneak peak into pro running.
I don’t know if I have any good answers on the cycle question, but I do know that managing your cycle is a huge issue around running and there is almost no information out there or research to help us out. My experience is very different, so I don’t think it will help. The week before is the worst, and that’s when I tend to bonk (it makes sense now since I read your body is holding on to your glycogen getting ready that week so the stores aren’t there for you to use). Once it comes, I run great. My best marathons were on the first or second day. I have read that drinking more water helps with the water retention, but I don’t have great first-hand experience of that. I have not been able to time things with the pill because that messes with me way more than the natural cycle. Thanks for bringing this up.
Thanks Muna. I’ve had similar experiences with great races or training right after getting my period. Once it starts, I almost feel instantly tougher and more competitive. I can even fight through the cramps because my emotions are finally under control! Its the emotional piece and the bloating that are the hardest to cope with right before it lets down.
I’m also a person who doesn’t do well on the pill, so I avoid it.
As always, Ms. Fleshman, you are an inspiration! I can’t wait to watch you kill it in the marathon this fall. Your blog has been so fun to read; I really appreciate your honesty and openness. All of your advice and thoughts are so helpful, even for a slow-poke like me!
As for the period stuff, I’ve STILL been trying to figure this out, even since that day we talked about it at the Wandering Goat
Like you, I refuse to go on the pill. My doctor thinks I’m a lunatic for avoiding the hormones, but they turn me into a psycho. Seriously. I have not personally tried this method, but a lot of my athlete friends use a copper IUD for birth control. As for the period cramps, I’m still playing around with relief, but I think Midol Complete really is the best out there. It has anti-bloating ingredients in it, and it’s way stronger than Tylenol as far as dealing with nasty cramps. Oh, the joys of being a woman.
Best of luck in your training for the marathon! Let’s hope Aunt Flo doesn’t come to town on November 6th!
Yes, it is a marathon and yes, you should respect it, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something special. You never know what can happen. We’d love to see you pop one. There is no pressure, so give it hell!
Hi Lauren,
I’ve been meaning to leave a comment for a few entries now, finally I’m posting something. Most importantly it’s been awesome to watch your progress over the last few weeks, congratuations!!! I was particularly struck by how you framed where you were at the end of June to where you finished at the begining of September, so exciting to remember the possibiltites that are out there and to be open to them! Sorry I don’t have any helpful tips to offer about periods, ironically I’ve had mine for three out of the four times I ran NY (my home town!) Which leads me to say have a wonderful time and enjoy that course, there’s so much wonderful energy out there and I hope you get a warm welcome! I’m sorry I won’t be there this year but I look forward to watching it on TV. Thank you always for your honesty and inspiration: )
I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your blog…it’s quite well-written in addition to being about one of my favorite topics.
I am sadly a graduate student and not a professional runner, but I like to dream.
You’ve said in other comments you don’t want to be on the pill, so I won’t speak to that (I take it continuously for about three months at a time without issues). One thing about water retention though–I’ve noticed that especially during hot weather I really, really crave salt, and consequently put a lot of salt on my food (I mean it makes sense, I run outside and sweat a lot). But when fall/winter come, I’m not sweating nearly as much but I still put a lot of salt on things because I like the taste. I bet that you are a lot more conscious of your diet than I am, but if you’re having problems with bloating/water retention, that could help. Just a thought.
Lauren, I’ve been running for over 30 years and am a huge fan of the sport. I found your journal from a friend via facebook. I have a bunch of “favorite runners” and you have moved to the top of the list. Maybe I should have said “favorite writer”. I close each of my blog post with a quote of the day and I can easily see using quotes from your writings for a long time.
I love how you shared your thoughts on race day and your focus on the positive. I’m not sure why more elites don’t share these kinds of thoughts, but I’m glad you do.
Your commenters are great and I enjoy your interactions with them
Thanks for sharing your experiences with the average runners.
Chad
Hi Lauren, cool blog and awesome run at the worlds.
I ran the marathon for GB at the worlds and had the same problem as you – my period was due the day after my race. I knew from past experiences that this wasnt good for me as I end up bloated, heavy legged and just generally feeling crap at this point in my cycle so I spoke to our team Dr who gave me a pill to take to delay my period starting. Basically I took the pill 3 times a day for 3 days before my period was due and then stopped and that would delay my period by 3 days. Like you I have reacted badly to the pill in the past but this was different to the birth control pill and I had no side effects whatsoever. I cant remember the name of the pill off hand but I will look through my paper work and let you know when I am back home.
Good luck for your marathon debut in NY. I ran there last year and loved every millimetre of the race – wish I was going back this year!
Keep up the great work both on and off the track!!
xx
Aly, thanks so much for the advice. I really appreciate it. Did you ever come across the name of that pill?
Hey Lauren,
First, congrats on the great race at worlds!! I have been following your progress over the past months leading to worlds – very inspirational!
In regards to the “girl issues” I have found that if I incorporate the following “remidies” 7-10 days before I am suppose to get my period, it really helps with both my emotional/physical (bloating) symptoms:
- Drink more water
- Reduce caffine intake – coffee and tea
- increase calcium intake
- take st. john’s wart (2-3 /day)
- at night prior to bed, take 2-3 evening primrose oil pills
- drink hot water with chopped ginger
- if really tired, I try to reduce my running/intensity the week following my period and will often increase cross-training during this time.
- yoga:)
Hope this helps a bit!!
hi lauren,
a long time lurker and first time commenter. my issues with PMS and running were the downfall of my entire running career. my muscles would turn to lead very early into workouts during the week before my period and races were a waste of time. i spent many years trying to find a way around it. i also couldn’t tolerate the combo pill (ie: both estrogen and progesterone) which was disappointing because i wanted to take it constantly to avoid PMS altogether. but i could handle the mini pill (ie: just progesterone) called micronor. it was good for birth control but since you take it 28 days out of 28, you can’t avoid a cycle each month or so. then i was on the IUD mirena as mentioned above, it emits a very low dosage of progesterone. LOVED it. no period for 1 whole year! was awesome…until i realized i was getting ovarian cysts and this made me feel as though i had a low grade PMS all the time. sigh. you may not get this side-effect, though, so i would recommend at least considering the IUD. the only thing i’ve found now that i can do is just ease the PMS symptoms. calcium and magnesium seem to help. sorry i don’t have a definitely solution but i feel your pain!!
so proud of you 7th place especially after such a huge set back this spring!
karen.
Hi Lauren,
I am a provider in the Bend area. I don’t do women’s health but, I think the pill being talked about to delay your period is Progesterone. You should talk to a women’s health specialist about this….and preferably one who is an athlete….I work in Internal Medicine but, If I think of someone I will send you a name.
Hi Lauren,
I’ve just returned from Australia and want you to know the Australian contingency and myself are thrilled with your effort at the Worlds.Further greatness is ahead of you !!! Belated Happy Birthday and Anniversary.Huge shout out to Jesse and his wonderful performances this year.
Wow, we consider it such an honor to have hosted such amazing champions at Secret Cove 10-10-10.
Thrilled for you both,
Sandra
I just recently found your blog, no need to reply to this- you are plenty busy enough it seems. I just wanted to thank you for posting such great stories. I am the ‘volunteer’ coach for a 3A Oregon XC team on the ‘other-side’ of Bend (actually we are only a half hour from Idaho). I hope to pass on your blog to our girls tomorrow for motivation for their district meet in a few days.
As runner to runner, girl to girl. I think I can safely say ‘we all know your pain’. I hate being on the pill also (I cry more, I feel like something out of psyco at times, I’m parinoid I’m going to forget the Dang thing! AHHH…HATE IT) The collegiate girls I used to train with had the same issue. Add on top we all had the same cycle after a year being together…yeah even our coach knew when we shouldn’t be pushed to race too hard, otherwise he would get an ear full. No easy solution. I wish I did.
Good luck with NYC!!!!!!! (I would say make Oregon proud, but really I’m a North Carolinian at heart, and married to an OSU Beaver… but that’s ok, we’ll be routing for you finish strong no matter what!)
Eating on the fly this Sunday:
Lauren: a trick I often use to get the nutrients down without the mess is to stuff half a nutrition bar in one cheek starting around ten miles. The saliva breaks down the carbs & sugars and they’re absorbed at a slow, steady pace through receptors in the cheek. With this, you can chug mostly water at the aid stations and it’s no big deal if you miss your brew. I replace the “plug” every few miles as it gets down to the dry cardboard stage. You could use Picky Bars: they should work fine. If it works out, there’s another ad ploy for you & Jesse to use.
Happy to hear that your chiro-guys identified much of the source of your knee glitch: the diagnosis & remedy makes good sense to me and I hope they caught it in time. Sounds like they might have. BTW, weird as it sounds, you do have hamstrings. It wouldn’t be too pretty, but if you get into a real jam on Sunday, you can alter your stride and ‘limp home’ using mostly your hammies & glutes. Hope it comes nowhere near that. Great interviews: you’re quite an ambassador for our sport. G’luck on Sunday: we’ll be watching. (Hope you actually find this message B4 then!)
CoachDave