Open Mic Friday: Frayed Laces

This week we have the honor of getting to know Frayed Laces.   Frayed lives and studies in Hawaii while she isn't running.   Through her great blog, she has shared an incredible story of training for her marathon and recovering from a recent pelvic injury.   

What got you started in running?

Although I really only started running when I entered the post-college "what the heck am I doing with my life" stresses, I guess I can trace it all the way back to when I was 9.  I really wanted these cool Nike Run/Walk shoes to match my neon windsuit that everyone at school had, and since I was a pudgy kid my mom told me she would buy me the shoes if I ran for ten minutes each day for a week.  I remember running up and down my driveway holding onto my Walkman cranking out some Bart Simpson rap. Thus, a runner was born.

What is your favorite run (or race)?

Well, since I'm a newbie its hard to say.  I have only run 3 5ks, one 10k, a half marathon and a full marathon. Since my half marathon was such an amazing success and my marathon was, umm, upsetting (to say the least), I'll say the half. 

You have taken us along in your journey from race to injury and now back to running.   What piece of advice would you give runners about injuries or injury prevention?

Oh jeez, I am the last person to ask about that.  What's ironic is that the same stubbornness and drive that kept me loyal to my training also resulted in injury. I guess that it would just be listen to your body--and if you have been training hard for awhile, you have to listen very, very closely. I always thought that if I became injured, it would be obvious and stop me dead in my tracks.  Instead, my stress fracture snuck up on me almost silently. I think the reason why I got so severely injured was that a) it was right before the marathon and I was too stubborn to admit defeat and drop out; and b) I ignored the precursors to my injury.  I learned a big lesson throughout my recovery and know that getting back to my original shape isn't simply a function of running.  If I want to be injury free I am going to have to constantly monitor my nutrition, bone density, cross training, and running.

What are your running goals/plans for 2008?

Oh boy, well this is where the overachiever in me comes out.  I have my first tri on May 18, and plan to do some smaller races/tris throughout the summer, culminating with a half marathon mid-summer.  My main goal is to train injury-free and complete (with no time goal) the Maui Marathon in September.  Then, I will start training again for the Honolulu Marathon: I must face that fateful marathon again.  I really think that I have it in me to do some ultrarunning, so if I can make it through those two marathons injury-free, I think I will aim for some 30 milers or so in the winter. And--- I'm just stating this as an interesting observation--- the Boston marathon lies exactly when I am 26.2 years old....

What's it like running in Hawaii?

I am so blessed to be able to run here.  This island is so active, and the runners are so friendly.  I take it for granted that I get to spend each day in paradise.  I am also ridiculously lucky in that I work on a smaller island and get to literally walk out my office to swim on a coral reef over my lunch break.  Some people have a hard time with the heat and humidity, but my body has adapted well.  For example, today the high was about 72 and I was freezing!  Sure, I miss the temperate mainland on my speedwork days, but palm trees and gorgeous sunsets make for one heck of a view when running. 

What is your favorite run in Hawaii?

I love morning runs around Diamondhead: it's a big hill that loops by the beach where you can watch the sunrise over the surfers.  Simply breathtaking.  I also like to run around Kapiolani park, which is one of the main running parks in town.  Often I combine both on my longer runs--it's also part of the Honolulu Marathon course!

What are your tricks to fitting in running?

What's ironic is that I don't view it as fitting in.  Maybe it's because of my mindset, maybe it's because when I was training I had an online advisor (John Ellis) that I reported to each week, but to me, missing a run was not an option.  It was an indisputable item in my daily planner.  Basically I would always wake up at the right time each morning to get my run in before class or work.  Granted, it meant waking at 4:30 most days, but I came to love my morning runs.  Since my injury I have started running in the evenings as well, which I love, but once I get back into a rigid training plan I know that the only way to make it happen is to run in the early dawn hours.

What is your ultimate running dream?

My ultimate dream is to someday complete an Ironman.  Or, a 100 mile Ultra.  Hey, you said ultimate dream, right?

What is your advice for runners?

Run Smart, Run Strong, Savor each day, and Read my Blog.  Mahalo.

Comments

[Topher]

Wow! After seeing those pictures, thanks for not interviewing FL in the middle of a Midwestern January. That would have been too much to take. She's the poster child of endurance running considering she finished a marathon with a broken pelvis.

[Allison]

I had that same Bart Simpson tape. Do the Bart-Man!

[Vanilla]

I often think of FL's mantra that is posted on her blog somewhere: "There will be a day when I can no longer do this... today is not that day."

It helps get me out the door when I'm debating whether or not to run.

[viv]

Great interview! What a great spirit!

[William carter]

Tom and Amy

I've really enjoyed the interviews so far and this is one of my absolute favorites. Frayed has such a great outlook on things and I really enjoy the way she EXPERIENCES her life. I will admit that I am just a little bit jealous of the whole living in Hawaii thing....

Great interview!