Open Mic Friday: Welcome Runner Leana

One of the reasons we love runners is they're upbeat, motivated, and open to sharing what's going on their lives.  A blogging running friend we enjoy reading is Runner Leana.  From Calgary, this weekend she faces a long run while preparing for a marathon next month, and the forecast calls for a wind chill of -38.  Her enthusiasm is contagious and we're delighted to feature her.

Welcome Leana!

Tell us how you got started running and racing?

I absolutely hated running as a kid.  I would always come in close to last when we ran the mile in school.  When I was on an internship during university the company that I was working for was putting together a team for a 10K race, the Vancouver Sun Run.  I highly doubted my ability to complete 6.2 miles given my previous horror experiences with just one mile, but my friend Nikki  convinced me that I could do it.  The Sun Run is a huge race and all of the people and excitement really got me pumped up.  Running a 10K – with no training – was not nearly as bad as I figured, and from then on I was hooked on the concept of racing.  Enjoying running?  That might have taken a bit longer, but I did get there!

What’s the secret to running in the frigid temps of Calgary?

Calgary is a pretty interesting city to run in.  It can be sunny and warm one day, then snowing and freezing the next.  A big part of it is completely mental – you just need to get out the door in that cold weather!  Good winter gear is essential as it is amazing the difference that a good pair of gloves or running tights can make.  I find that once I’m out there for a few minutes the weather isn’t so bad, and chances are, you will see quite a few other runners out there braving the elements as well.  It helps to know that there are so many other crazy runners in this city!  Even this past weekend when I ran 20 miles during a heavy snowfall I still saw plenty of other runners out, and I felt pretty comfortable in the elements.  There is a limit though!  If it is really icy out, or if the temperature is below -20°C (-4°F) then I’ll try to rearrange my schedule.

Favorite cold-weather running apparel?

I have plenty of favorites!

• Smartwool socks are my all time favorite socks for cold weather running.
• Sugoi makes some terrific running tights that are great in cold weather.  The inside is nice and fleecy and they really help to block the wind.
• I picked up a fantastic pair of running gloves from a yoga outfitting store called Lululemon.  They are lightweight but help to keep my fingers warm!

You have a marathon in one month.  How is your training going?

Training is going really well!  I’ll be running the Walt Disney World marathon in January.  This will be my third marathon, all in the space of 12 months.  Wow…it seems weird to write that!  I’ve definitely questioned signing up for a marathon in January that guarantees me plenty of long runs in November and December, but so far the winter training has gone well.  This is definitely the most intensely I’ve trained for a marathon (or any race) as I’ve been incorporating a lot of speed and hill work in, but I’m definitely noticing the difference.  My pace and endurance have improved significantly and I’m feeling really strong as I’m heading in to the home stretch for training.

Best taper advice you’ve followed?

To know that the training and fitness is all in the bag by the time you hit the taper.  Taking it easy in the final two weeks is pretty key to make sure that your body is well rested for the race.  I think I lost a lot of motivation to do much of anything during the taper before my last marathon so I kind of took this advice to heart…maybe a bit too much!

What about taper advice you’ve ignored?

The thing that I’ve definitely ignored before my last two marathons was that I needed to keep off my feet as much as possible the day before the race!  My first marathon was at Disney World and my second marathon was in Quebec City.  When you pick a “destination” marathon it is really hard to be relaxing the day before the race instead of out sightseeing.  After all, who wants to be sitting around the hotel room all day?  This is going to be something that I’ll really try to work on for my next race at Disney World.  I just haven’t quite come up with the concept of how I’ll achieve that yet though!

Favorite gear?

I have a definite type A engineering personality.  I love knowing all of the details of my runs, so the one thing I can’t leave the house without is my Garmin.  Sad, but true, I am tied to…er…I mean I love my technology!  I’ve actually found it is a great tool to track my progress as I’ve gotten faster, and to see how my long runs have compared in the past.  As I start to focus on more technique based workouts I’ve found it really handy to create them in Garmin’s software on my computer, then upload to my Garmin.  Then I can get out and run without watching the clock too much.  Garmin will just beep at me when it is time for me to start doing something different.

You have a great blog.  What makes it unique and interesting?

Thanks so much!  I’m pretty open and honest on my blog.  It kind of surprises me that I am, but I think people want to know the ups and downs of your running.  I’ve gotten amazing support from blogging friends after a bad run or through tough times in training.

The most interesting thing for me about my blog is to see just how far my running has come in the last year and half since I started writing.  It serves as a huge motivation for me to get out the door, and it has also pushed me in new directions, such as towards the world of multi-sport events.  If it wasn’t for reading about other bloggers and their triathlon experiences I don’t know that I would have considered a triathlon.  Without a doubt the biggest improvement in my running happened once I started incorporating swimming and biking in my routine.

Best race experience?

I had the most amazing experience at the 2007 Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco.  Running through San Francisco in a race where the majority of runners are women was fantastic and it was a day when everything just came together.  The weather was perfect and my running felt so strong.  The race course is a tough one as you definitely tackle some hills through San Francisco, but I felt so motivated to power through to the top.  I was really hoping to meet a certain time goal – a 2:15 or better – and to do that on such a challenging course felt like such a great accomplishment when I finished in 2:14:56.  To get a Tiffany’s finisher necklace from a fireman in a tux afterwards?  That was like icing on the cake!

Any quirky running traits?

I’m a huge fan of doing my best Fonzie impression when I run.  Every single one of my race pictures has me giving a thumbs up to the camera!  I have no idea why…

I also always breathe out on a left foot strike.  If I don’t, I feel like my rhythm is off.  Weird, eh?

Care to tell us about your job and how it supports or detracts from your running?

I feel really fortunate to have a job that allows me to run and train.  When I first finished university I was working as an engineer in the oilfield, on call 24 hours a day, and working 11 days on and 3 days off.  Needless to say, this was not the healthiest or fittest time of my life!  I now work in a place where so many of my coworkers are active – running over lunch, biking in to work, or hiking on the weekend.  It gives us some common ground besides our jobs.  While work can get busy I always manage to find the time to get my runs in.

What have you not done with your running that you’re still looking forward to?

I’m still looking to break 30 minutes in an officially timed 5K race.  I came close at the Calgary Police 5K in April this year where I clocked in at 30:22.

I really did feel like I needed that tree to hold me up afterwards!  I broke the 30 minute barrier in the Strathmore Women’s Sprint Triathlon when I ran the 5K in 29:12, but I still really want to hit that goal in a running only event!

Non-running and non-blogging interests?

You mean there is life outside of running and blogging?  Hmm, I’ll get back to you…  Truthfully, I love to cook and wine is also a big passion of mine.  I have a little cellar in my basement and wine tasting is definitely one of my favorite past times.

What is one unique thing about you that most people don't know?

When I was in grade 5 and 6 I had ridiculous knee pain, but never quite figured out what was causing it.  I used to be afraid to run because of this, but luckily my knees have behaved themselves in adulthood!

Most embarrassing running moment?

I was meeting up with a group to run with for the first time.  I was wearing a running skirt and trying out a new Fuel Belt.  I was running along and I guess my skirt was getting caught up in the Fuel Belt and riding up.  One of the ladies in the back of the group kindly notified me that I was starting to flash her…  Oops…  Nothing like picking a memorable way to introduce yourself to a new running group!

Comments

[Marlene]

As a regular reader of Leana's blog, it's nice to learn a little more about her through Open Mic. Thanks for sharing, Leana!

I can't wait to hear about Disney '09!

[Viv]

YAAA for Leana, she never finds an excuse for missing a workout. She loves making them up if she has to. That dedication continues to reward her! I love to follow Leana she let's me know to work hard...

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