Adrienne Langelier Running

Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted". Dr. Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

I had trouble coming up with a title for my "year in review" posting. I don't think there is a good word that could describe 2011. Looking back on 2011, there honestly is not much I would do differently. There were some experiences I could have done without, but that is life and I believe everything we experience, good or bad, is all part of His plan for us. This year was as challenging as it was beautiful, and that is just how it should be. Although I didn't always get to hold the wheel and steer in 2011, but wow, what an awesome ride its been. It makes me excited and hopeful of the fresh set of calendar months ahead. I do, however, apologize in advance for the likely lengthiness of this post.

Life On the Run

Let's start with running, because that is what this blog is mostly about, right? This was ideally the year I was going to be gearing for the Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston-obviously, this was not to be. Actually, I didn't set one single PR this year. And as weird as it sounds, I really don't care, because I consider this one of my best running years to date- here I'll attempt to explain why.

As a friend told me after a recent race experience, the finish time does not tell the whole story. This time last year, I was suffering the effects of a major injury and various nutrient deficiencies/overtraining syndrome; and now I am currently putting in about 60 miles per week in training; often doubling a couple days/wk. and am feeling refreshed and invigorated from it, as opposed to run down and barely hanging on. I may not be at my top speed right now, but I am strong, and that's a pretty cool feeling. Instead of thinking "I don't know if I can handle that" I happily run, recover, and repeat! Like I mentioned in post before last, there's a lot of mechanical changes and solid base building to thank for that.  I also learned a thing or two about peaking this year-expecting to be in top shape year round is just silly and absurd! In reality, races come and go, but there really is no true finish line in the grand scheme. That's what makes being a runner so cool-at least to me.

To take the "no finish line" concept a bit further, I am also stronger because I am gradually learning  to stay the course, learning to do the work and be patient; learning to make the right decisions and be more in the moment. Dr. Rob Bell states in his book on mental toughness that "in order to gain control we must give up control" sometimes. Not every race is going to go as you planned, but that is part of being in this sport-what fun would it be? I think that by doing this is not just how we grow as athletes but as human beings-learning from the uglier experiences and reveling in the good ones. Running has taught me this, but it may not have been possible for me to see this unless I had encountered the challenges I have within the past 12 months. I am eternally grateful for these experiences.

I realized also this past year that running has made me more confident, more relaxed and more centered, and perhaps these things help me do better at my job (which also has had an awesome year) and not be afraid to seek out opportunities. I guess this is part of what Adam Goucher and Tim Catalano refer to as "Running the Edge".

Running has always provided me with some great and solid friendships and connections, but this year it was magnified perhaps tenfold. Maybe because I didn't spend the seasons obsessing about PR's, mileage, or what food I should be eating. Maybe it was because the running community not just in The Woodlands but nationwide is so awesome. Maybe it's a little bit of everything. This sport is still enjoyable and even more so when you come back from virtually nothing to rebuild things to be perhaps better than before, with MORE support than ever. I have connected with so many new people in my club, a new speedy running buddies, a new agent in Michael R., and so many others online (way too many to list). Of course I always have my awesome coach, family, and friends.

After my experience at San Antonio this year, Bill said something I found quite strange at the time-that I "became a runner" this year. You know what, coach just may be right! :)


While I'm trying not to be too deep here. This year has had some fun, neat, and darn near transformative  moments. I will try and narrow it down to what stands out the most (and may be most entertaining to the reader!!)....

Favorite example of the strength of the running community: (I'm a little biased on this one...) Run for the Eagles and the Blueberry Chase 5k (June)-good times for a good cause and a good friend! (also my first attempt at hosting a fundraising event/race)

Race bibs courtesy of Brooks Sports

Best "Outside the Box" race: I cashed in on all my XT and Tri'ed (ok couldn't resist) something new-with pretty good results in the Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Triathlon (June): 1st AG and 5th Overall. Just add swim skills!

Thanks PowerBar for the slick tri suit!

Best "Run-in finish":  Running the coach in at the Gulf Coast Half Marathon in Mandeville, LA (Oct.).

I'm saying :"I can't breathe"!

Smiling (and breathing easily) all the way to a strong run.

Some other blessings this year (that I can remember!) in no particular order:

• Winning 1F or my AG in 8 events-a great foundation for the next year.
• As I mentioned earlier-hooking up with Threshold Talent and its athletes. 
• Getting my Brooks sponsorship renewed
• Putting on various seminars on the topic of running and sports psychology to some of the area's top athletes
• Starting the (slow) writing process of my unofficially titled book "Running. Living. Thriving: A Personal and Practical Approach to the Psychology of Running and Endurance. 
• Enjoying the growth of my super-rewarding sports psychology consulting work. I love every minute of  it and hope to continue to make a difference in the lives of fellow athletes. 
• Starting to see glimpses of my abilities of seasons past, although much, much healthier this season.