Running Tuesday: Superwoman Series II

Way back when, in November 2010, I thought I’d start a Running Tuesday Superwoman Series, highlighting an inspirational female athlete every so often. I wrote one post – about SkinnyRunner – and have left the idea in the blog archives ever since. Go me.

Note: When I wrote about SR, she had just completed her 9th full-marathon. This past Sunday, she ran marathon #26. A superwoman, no doubt!

Today I’m bringing back the series because I want to feature my latest fitspiration, the unstoppable Liz of In It to Win It. This cardio-loving graduate student is not only a lightning fast runner, but a triathlete as well, clocking in many the miles every week, whether on the trail, road, or in the pool.

SWIM. BIKE. RUN.

I asked this speed demon a few questions about her training and want to share her contagious inspiration with y’all…

Where do you find your motivation?

My goals! I write them down where I can see them. I think about them each day and reflect on my actions towards achieving them. I know that each day I can either bring myself one step closer to my goal, or one step back.

What is your highest (running) mileage for 1 week?

When I am marathon training, I usually peak at 75 miles/week. When I am just maintaining and living it up during the year (also swimming and biking), I stay around 55 miles/week.

What is your most memorable race experience?

Definitely my first marathon in December 2010… I had no idea what to expect and went in without a goal… I ran the whole race with a good friend and held 7:10/mi… until mile 22. I felt so good the last 4 miles that I picked it up and held 6:40’s to the finish line… I passed so many men in those last few miles, it was a blast. I ended up winning my age group at a fairly large marathon and smashing the 3:10 barrier. I love racing past men at the end of races. I hope that doesn’t make me sound like a brat! :)

What is your favorite way to fuel before and after a run?

Rice cakes with almond butter and banana sit really well in my stomach while running. After a run (while I’m stretching/icing), I always have a huge glass of water with the juice of a lemon squeezed in and a sliced apple with cinnamon… then a meal ~30-45 minutes later after I shower.

What is your secret to being so speedy?

Hehe! I don’t think I’m really speedy yet… but I am really tough mentally. I have trained my brain and body to get used to the fact that running FAST is painful, and if I’m not in pain, then I’m not trying hard enough… especially the last 10K of a marathon. I start the race knowing that it’s going to hurt and that I am the one who is going to need to make it hurt!

What is one or more of your running/fitness aspirations?

This December I was to run a 2:45 marathon… I want to become a sponsored runner… and I want to race in the 2016 Olympic Trials (and place top 20!).

I would also like to run as many races with friends as I can… Let’s do the Lululemon half-marathon together!

Join Liz + I on DailyMile – we’d love to be fitness friends!

Who is a running superstar in your world?

Now go run already! ;)

HP