Adrienne Langelier Racing

I write this post with an odd mix of nostalgia, fresh-eyed excitement, and let's throw in some good old fashioned bummed out. Yeah, that is one big jumble of feelings all right-all at once! Yesterday morning's long run was just like the other ones, with a couple exceptions....

I am humbled and thrilled to announce that this mild-mannered (to put it loosely!) counselor/runner gal from Texas has  recently partnered up with with representation of my athletic endeavours by Threshold Talent. Threshold is the brainchild of fellow Brooks ID'er Michael Robertson and specializes in sports management and representation services for track and field and road racing athletes.

I feel that in order to take my running and other athletic-related ventures to the next level, working with someone like Michael is what I likely need to get there. Like many other sports and other aspects of life, it sometimes takes a village to turn a vision into reality. I am SO blessed to have another welcome addition to my already stout support system and am ready to give 110%.

At the present time, I am about to begin a block of half marathon training leading up to November's Rock N Roll San Antonio Half Marathon. It still feels somewhat surreal to have the opportunity to advance my sports career like this. I don't know what the future holds, but I can't wait to see what unfolds!

Thank you Threshold!

Run Happy

I know this post is a bit preliminary, but I'm already excited about this race.

After a string of recent struggles and a relative "dry period" in my running, I received confirmation the other day that I will be running in the My Fit Foods The Woodlands Half Marathon on 3.3.12 under Elite status! This announcement was especially gratifying given this will be my first elite gig in almost two years. I am hoping for this race to be a bit of a re-launch of where I left off in early 2010 and back on track to continuing to chase my potential. I have historically done well in hometown events, especially of the 13.1 variety and I will train my hardest and smartest to continue that trend and represent The Woodlands running well.

For those looking for a good spring marathon or half marathon, I recommend checking this one out! 'The Woods really is an endurance community like none other here. Just to add to the allure, the principle charity involved is none other than the Hall Steps Foundation. Pretty sweet if you ask me!

Obviously, I have 8 months and lots of training and racing in between, but it's nice to be this excited about racing again:) Thanks again to the race committee for the opportunity to run my heart out in front of all my peers here soon!

Time to address some of your thoughtful and somewhat colorful questions. Some of y'all actually made me think a bit! Now it's my turn to do my best to answer the 'panel's questions. Here's the skinny:


1. Flo over at www.girlinmotion.com came out swinging asking what my ultimate running goal was. 


A: Well, since you asked, I would have to say I'm swinging for the fence-this particular fence being the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials. I've got lots of work ahead of me yet but it would be a shame not to try. 


 Secondary to that, but not 'ultimate' per se is a sub 3 hour marathon. I guess you have to pop one of those to get to the big show! Btw if you haven't been to Flo's blog, it's funny, informative, and for the girls, she has some really cute headbands available. :)


2. Holden, a local running buddy of mine in The Woodlands asked a double-barreled one: 


A). How did you get into running and why?


 A: Well, I always enjoyed it and it seemed to come fairly natural. I did it for exercise for most of my teenage years (was a soccer player in HS) and finally got the nerve to start racing in grad school at Sam Houston State U. I nervously entered the local half marathon there, "trained" for it, and ended up First Female in 1:36. I was in shock, but I haven't looked back since. 


B.) How many sleep hours do you get and do you feel like you get optimal sleep hours? 


A: Hmmm...if I'm having a relatively low-key week at the office, I typically get about 7 hours per night. Is it optimal, I would have to say no, because I do feel a difference just getting a couple 8-hour nights in in a week. If only I could string more together. 


3. Leah @ Chasing Atalanta asked


 "Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?" 


A: Well, Ms. Leah, I hate to disappoint, but I would have to say that's a negative! Your question made me laugh though.


4. Chris K. asked another good one: 


When he was asked how to be a good runner, Dean Karnazes said, "Choose your parents well". How much do you believe that is true? For an Elite or consistent a.g. winner, how much is God-given and how much is training? 


A: Wow. That is not an easy question. Based solely on my own experiences, the genetic component appears to hold some water. Even as a kid, while I was not otherworldly fast, I was always ahead of the majority of my peers at recess and in P.E. class. I broke 7 minutes in the mile for the first time in the 5th grade. My father when he was younger was a decent athlete and my mom seems to be a decent runner. Training, however is the critical part, and I do believe in the fact that if one has the work ethic, does it right and is patient, and most importantly believes in their own ability, magic can slowly happen. All these factors seem to work together. Bottom line, I agree with Karno that some runners are better equipped to, well run. Never underestimate the workhorse, however. 


5. Speaking of talent, my girl Rebecca at Run Like a Girl and Mean It asked a situational one: "


Q: As someone who is about to begin running with a group on a regular basis, how much do you allow the group to dictate the pace? Like, the recovery run that's too fast, or the long run that's too slow. How do you handle these situations?


A: Either tell 'em to quit slacking or start grabbing singlets to slow them down! Haha... 


Personally, I make sure I know the route and speak up regarding what pace you're doing. My group typically consists of all kinds of paces, so we end up strung along but we all start, finish, and have coffee (or other adult bevs in the PM) at the same place. When doing recovery runs, it helps to find others who are doing the same (or run at a generally slower pace). Some of us "compare notes" and partner up regarding pace when we do our long runs, then keep each other in check regarding if too fast or slow. That seems to work well. 


6. Tommy over at Run The Race asked "When are you going to run an ultra?"


A: Well, honestly when is not on my radar currently, however, where and what ultra I HAVE to do is Comrades. I have this cheesy fantasy about running it around my 40th birthday or some other significant milestone. This gives me 11 years to train and save up! Before then, I'm sure I'll take a stab at a 50k at some point, but no timeline. 


6. My sister K at Running Towards Him concisely asked "mayo or mustard?" 


Mustard. Hands down. Preferably organic honey mustard or whole grain. 


7. Bill D. asked "What is your favorite kind of french fry?"


A: Silly Bill! You see, I haven't had an actual french fry in over two years, but I do make a mean baked sweet potato fry at home in the oven. So homemade sweet potato fries are it! Yes- I am a health freak, and no, I don't offer any apologies for it!


8. Kovas at Midwest Multisport Life asked "Who's more annoying, Chris K. or Kovas?"


A: Depends on the day, my friend!! ;) I enjoy both of your blogs overall and am constantly amused by your rivalry/bromance you two have. 


That's all I got. Hope these were helpful or at least worth scanning my post for. Thanks for playing! 

Manly Runner Chris K. in sunny San Diego has approached me to do the blogger Q & A thing. Little does he know how un-interesting I really am!! I won't lie, every now and again I will talk about myself, so if you wanna know something....


So, let's do this thing.  Ask me anything.  No holds barred.   No subject too serious or frivolous (yikes!).  I can't promise an answer to every question, but I will try! Just leave it in the comment box or those who are more shy can email me at [email protected].


Questions can range but not limited to:
1. My running and training
2. What I do when not running
3. My background-eek
4. Random facts 
5. Sport Psychology :)
6. Your own creativity (bear in mind this blog is fairly family-friendly ;))


I look forward to your questions and will answer them in a future post. Til then, Run Happy!

It's been quite a day-traveling earlier for business; then returning to The Woodlands to field emails, plan tomorrow's outing to the Astros game (gotta love em even if they stink this year) and most importantly- try to do some good and make things happen for my clients. What I lack in experience as a therapist I try to make up in heart and tenacity.

But anyhow, I digress...

Needless to say I was craving some run time! Too bad it was oppressively hot as I headed out at 6:30 this evening. For some reason, the legs were feeling the track again, so I just hopped the fence (ok, I walked through a hole in the fence!) at the track behind my apartment complex and did my easy 6. No watch, just out to clear any lactic acid from last night and my head.

I was baked after 5 miles and needed to change it up. Hot, thirsty, and wearing Brooks weighing in at about 15 oz a piece from sweat, I heeded a whim I have secretly had for a while: off with the shoes! Those who run with me know I'm pretty regimented and predictable.


Granted it was not far or fast, just 3 laps around a soccer field totaling about 5 minutes, I have to say it was a really neat feeling. I have been afraid to run barefoot for a long time given my long history of injuries but I will likely do it again. Perhaps I will incorporate this  as a part of a cooldown once a week or so-I respect the barefooters of the world, but I will likely not be purchasing Vibrams any time soon. I have to say though, it is a cool feeling really connecting with your gait.

I walked away after stretching and smiled a little bit. Below is the aftermath of the field (and yes that's grass; also check out my faux wood flooring LOL)! Here's to running like a little kid-and maybe just improving your form while you're at it:)

Run Happy!

It's hard sometimes to put into words how much I love spending time in the Texas Hill Country, especially my grandfather's ranch where I have eagerly gone ever since I was a little girl. It takes between 4 and 5 hours to drive there from Houston, there are no Starbuck's around for miles, and even my cell phone has no service. There are few situations in the world where the lack of luxury actually becomes a luxury and for me Medina, TX is one of those.

This weekend marked my grandfather's 80th birthday and his party was held at the ranch on Saturday. Being a newly more- flexible runner, I modified my training schedule a little bit to maximize time with the family yet get some time in on some trail time. Friday I put in my long run, actually one of the longest of the year so far of 13-plus miles before all the time in the car and festivities and such. Saturday morning I just did a little recovery run around some soccer fields ( Kenyan-like, huh?!) before the trek up to the pretty place.

After some quality time with the family yesterday and falling asleep watching the stars outside an oversize window (The Woodlands suburban skies have nothing on this), I got up before everyone else and headed out for a 5ish mile trail run on the property. I was not sure exactly how far or how fast I ran, but that wasn't important-the bulk of my work was already done before I got there. I enjoyed the drier air and the views, where I used to always ride ATV's and chase things when I was a kid. It may be no Rocky Mountain altitude, but such a cool change of scenery. I wasn't alone, though. There were dozens of deer-real deer, not statues like home-and wild turkeys. Talk about out there! Actually, I got some looks like I was 'out there' at breakfast:

The pics below were taken using my near-useless phone and don't do the scenery justice:

Running on gravel-feels kinda weird.

Water where you can see both your reflection and the bottom

...you know you're in the country when there's a deer feeder in every corner!

Yup. I am a once-repulsed, now converted weekly treadmill runner. Over the past few weeks, I have found that it really doesn't have to suck-you just need the right speed, incline set, a decent playlist and it helps to have some of the day's events to 'process' while on the belt. Perhaps it was the solitary nature of the 'mill at my old apartment complex that originally turned me off to running in place, or the crazy hill workouts I did last season prepping for RNR Seattle, at any rate, it has taken me months to convince myself to use the thing again. The one I often used in Spring left me literally staring at a wall the whole time-ugh. This was enough to turn me off for a long while!

 One easy 5-miler the day after a hard session, stepping off feeling better than I did stepping convinced me-the lower legs loved it. The A/C was a nice addition versus the wearable air of Southeast TX and I wasn't even that bored! Given my history, anything that leaves the lower legs feeling refreshed should be a keeper. While I love doing runs around the paths in The Woodlands, I find I recover faster if I take a run or two a week inside-just me, my music, and my stride. Several elites also do a fair amount of treadmill running in their training, including Heidi Westover, Magda Lewy-Boulet, Ironman triathlete Julie Dibbens (I'd like to see how long she stays on there!), and 2008 Trials Qualifier Wendi Ray (the bulk of her training was on the 'mill).

I typically hop on the belt on days following hard efforts of if I'm not really feeling much snap after moving around a bit in the morning. I've actually put in some decent distance over the past couple weeks, consisting of 7-10 miles-while my record is still about 22k, done while on vacation in Mexico a couple years ago while watching The OC reruns in Spanish-what can I say, I'm dedicated like that!:)

A typical week nowadays looks kind of like this...from a couple weeks back:

Sunday after Blueberry Chase 5k/long car trip/race previous day: Treadmill 10 miles easy @ 8MPM GO EAGLES!! 
Monday: Brick workout (still in tri training) 50-min moderate ride, 4 mile run on roads
Tuesday: 7 miles treadmill 8MPM
Wednesday: Track race set-up 1 mile in 5:55, 2 x 400 in 84 seconds a piece
Thursday: Easy 4, Bike :40 (easy reverse brick-bike systems check)
Friday: Easy 6 in Austin after work training-Town Lake Loop = awesomeness!
Sat.: Nothin'
Sun.: Event day at Sugar Land Triathlon-ready for action

...ok, maybe not that typical of a week bookended by races, but you get the idea...

Now that you all are good and bored, here's some of my fave songs to get me happily through cruising in place-enjoy:

One Republic-Good Life
Kanye West-Power
Muse: Supermassive Black Hole
Muse: Uprising
Far East Movement: Rocketeer
Usher: More
Lady Gaga: Poker Face
Lady Gaga: Edge of Glory
Steve Miller Band-Jet Airliner
Eminem: Till I Collapse
The Heavy-How do you like me now
Florence + the Machine-Dog Days are Over
Death Cab for Cutie: I Will Possess Your Heart
Foo Fighters: Rope
The Black Keys: Tighten Up
Adele: Rumor Has It
Maroon 5: Moves Like Jagger
Vallejo: Just Another Day

How's that for random? Anyone have other suggestions? Here's to running in place:)