Monthly Archives: January 2016

It’s that time of year when the novelty of New Year’s resolutions wears off and the resolve to achieve them wanes. Even so, I feel like I am starting to hit my stride in regards to some of my goals and am encouraged by some posts and articles that I’ve read in the past week.

In a post entitled Already Everything on her Mile Markers blog, Kristin Armstrong reminded that you have what you need to achieve your goals. It already lies within you. I know this is true, yet I struggle to truly believe it.

In a post-retirement interview with Runners’ World, Ryan Hall was quoted as saying, “If we’re going to compete, we’ve got to be ok with blowing up. You can’t have that shake you or destroy your confidence.” Ryan’s style was all out ballsy. He is known equally for his amazing achievements and the training cycles that didn’t go his way. Playing it safe wasn’t an option. If I’m going to dare to achieve the goals I set for myself, I’m going to have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Missing a goal isn’t failure, it’s a learning opportunity, a chance to regroup and get things right the next time.

So where do I stand with my goals? Here’s a quick update:

*That ~15 pounds was actually 21. I have shed 4 of those pounds and am slowly changing my eating habits.

*I am doing planks, push-ups, and assisted pull-ups 3 times a week and feeling good about it.

*I’ve registered for two local 5k races, one in February and another in April. The first is truly ambitious: 6 days after a half marathon, hilly, lots of familiar faces in the crowd… I am excited to give it my all and prove to myself that I’ve already got what it takes!

*I’ve finished one of the unread books and am a third of the way through another.

*I managed to find the yoga DVD and was quickly reminded of how terrible I am at yoga. I continue to set an intention to breathe, be in the moment, and do what I can each time.

*I have only walked with Ken a few times. My intent was to give him time for his workouts as well as give us time to talk and connect. So, I choose to see this not as failure, but rather a chance to regroup and get it right.

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me, run with me, or offered support. Training is never easy, but when two or more share the load, it sure feels like it is.

The other night as I was typing my goals and uploading them to my blog, my 11 year-old daughter asked me what I was doing. I told her and she said that she would like to write something for the blog. I was a little nervous that she might write about unicorns, or old TV shows, or who-knows-what. And, then I figured she would forget. The next day, she went up north to spend the week with her grandparents. Last night, she sent me a text with a link to her Google docs account and told me this was what she wanted to write. It is so sweet and thoughtful that I had to post it.

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Hi runners! My mom is Michelle Landrith. She is the most wonderful woman I know. She enjoys the same things I enjoy. I can always count on her to put me to bed at night. She loves my family and me. She is really funny, at just the right moments, and she loves to run. I run too, which makes her that much better. I can’t even start to explain what an amazing coach she would be for you.

Oh yeah, you don’t know who I am. My name is Lauren, but my family and friends call me Lolo. Not after Lolo Jones, but just because it fits me. Anyways, most people hate running. By most people, I mean everybody, including runners sometimes. During a run I have so many friends that I usually run with, that by the time it’s over, I’m really happy. I am quite the talker when I run! (And when I am with my friends and family.) If you could believe it I am actually quite shy until I get to know you. I used to be so shy I would ask my parents to order for me at restaurants. Enough about me!

My mom is just AMAZING. She loves old cars and 80’s music just like me so you can count on her to be counting Volkswagen Buses and old Bugs as you run! 🙂 OBVIOUSLY, my mom would be the coolest, the all in all best, the most awesome, amazing, fantastic, wonderful running coach you can get in this world.

Your friend,
Lauren (Lolo)

**Lolo received no compensation for her endorsement. Aside from correcting a few run-on sentences and grammatical errors, these thoughts are her own. Also, I don’t coach Lolo, but I do run with way behind her.**

You know, they say that you are much more likely to achieve your goals if you define them, write them down, and then share them. So, this year that is just what I’m going to do. I’m a shy, insecure, introvert by nature and the idea of doing this scares the heck out of me. I mean, there are critics out there that might wonder just who I think I am to be this audacious. Quite frankly, I am wondering who I think I am to dream this big. But, these goals are important to me and I am going to pay attention to the part of me that agrees that I can achieve them. And, I’m counting on the nudge that comes from sharing my goals with others.

1. Finish both February half marathons under 1:55:00.

2. Ditch the excuse that “the change” has caused me to gain weight, regain the mindset that food is fuel, and drop the ~15 pounds I’ve gained over the last year and a half.

3. Strength train weekly—starting with planks and push-ups and then adding arm weights

4. Run all 5k’s <25:00, moving closer to PR with each

5. Walk (or run, bike, hike, etc) with Ken 4x a week

6. Finish the SeaWheeze Half under 1:50:00 in August

7. BQ at the California International Marathon in December. (Qualifying standard is <3:54:59; Ensuring that I get accepted in the registration process – <3:50:00)

8. Read the stacks of unread books on my dresser.

9. Practice yoga at least once a week and incorporate balance exercises wherever possible in my every day life.

10. Blog, about my progress or other topics, at least once a month.

In reflecting on these goals, I’ve noticed two big themes: getting faster and not giving in when things get hard. Duh! I’m not going to get faster, or better at anything really, if I give in when things get difficult.

Thank you for allowing me to share my goals with you. If you think about it, ask me about my progress. Or, share your goals with me. I’d love to support your effort to achieve your dreams.

#womanup2016