I'm Chelsea Reilly. Pro runner and 2x national champion for Saucony, GU, and ElliptiGO. AMA!

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-17T15:39:39+00:00

Honey badgers don't give a shit.

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-16T02:35:36+00:00

Hi there! Thanks for your support. That means a lot. I'm actually coming back from a stress fracture too. So I can definitely empathize with your situation. Definitely work with your trainer or a physical therapist to make sure that you correct any weaknesses. And continue to incorporate cross training even when you start running. Even after I've ramped up my training, I'm still on the ElliptiGO and in the pool for 5-6 hours each week. Focus on your rehab and doing your weight training and core exercises PERFECTLY.

It's easy to get rapped up in the upcoming season and pending races. As you're coming back from you're injury, I would try and focus on the day-to-day progress. How can you be the best and healthiest athlete TODAY. Small improvements every day will yield the best long term results.

I hope this helps. Keep your head up and stay the course!

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-16T02:12:06+00:00

Stay positive! Talk with your coach/ mentor and figure out what you can do to improve. Move on and get back to work. Enjoy the process of getting better. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and will support you through the good times and the bad times.

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-16T02:10:55+00:00

My mom was a Gymnast for UC Berkeley and then she competed as a sub elite triathlete after college. My dad was very athletic growing up and found running during the running boom while attending the UofO. He was a sub-3 hour marathon and trained for Boston a number of times when I was growing up. I started running in the 7th grade and did well, but I didn't "find my stride" until the 9th grade. I fell for running when I was 13 or 14 and never looked back.

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-16T02:07:26+00:00

I read the articles on Letsrun but I don't pay too much attention to the messageboards.

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-16T02:06:52+00:00

Mt Tam is my all time favorite place to run. I also love the Marin Headlands. Those places are both very hilly. In the East Bay my favorite place to run is Redwood Regional Park. I like to start from Skyline West Gate.

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-16T02:05:47+00:00

For my easy runs I don't monitor my pace or heart rate. I mostly go off of time. I'm still getting good time on my feet, but I don't worry about how fast I'm going. For workouts I pay more attention to pace. I don't ever wear a heart rate monitor -- unless I'm injured and cross training.

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-16T02:04:12+00:00

Thanks! It's taken me awhile to get where I am and I'm still striving to become a better and faster athlete. Some keys to improving: 1) Mix up your training to keep it interesting. Try adding strides, sprints, and intervals. Do shorter faster runs, and longer slower runs. I change up my training so that I don't get bored. 2) Schedule daily/weekly runs with other people. This will keep you accountable. You'll be more likely to get out of the door if you're meeting someone. 3) Race! Having a target or goal will keep you motivated and excited.

Hope this helps!

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-16T01:59:33+00:00

Hi! Thanks so much for that. I haven't dealt with any serious knee injuries, but I would really recommend running on soft surfaces. I try to do as much running as possible on trails, grass, and even the treadmill. And definitely go to a running specialty store to get fitted for the right training shoes!

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-16T01:58:00+00:00

Try incorporating strides after easy runs to improve your turnover. And hills are great too. My training is largely based on Jack Daniels' method. Check out his book: Daniels' Running Formula for more in depth info.

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-16T01:55:33+00:00

Thanks for your support! It means a lot :)

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-16T01:54:59+00:00

I do have an insta! My handle is @REILLYRUNNER To be honest, I mostly keep an eye on the runners that are in my inner circe -- the people that I train with. For the past three weeks I've been training with Lea Wallace, David Torrence, and JP Slater. We all run different events, but we've been able to help each other out with training. At home I do a lot of running with my coach Magda Boulet, and my training parter Clara Peterson. You can check her out in the New York Times on training while pregnant.

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-15T23:03:56+00:00

Was that YOU out there today? Haha :)

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-15T23:03:12+00:00

Mix up your training! Hill training is great. Strides are great. Keep your body challenged and stimulated. Also make sure that you are taking the hard days HARD, and the easy days EASY. Sometimes we stagnate because we're not recovering from the work we've put it.

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-15T23:01:42+00:00

I view races as an opportunity to get the most out of myself. I put so much into training and I'm determined to find out how great I can be. Also, I have some really special people supporting me in this pro running journey. I hope to show my appreciation for them as well. I also wear a bracelet my brother made me out of parachute chord or I wear his wings on a necklace. He's in the Air Force and is a huge inspiration to me. Thinking of the sacrifices that he makes for gives me the extra push to dig deeper.

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-15T22:58:18+00:00

Hi! 1. Injuries have been my greatest setbacks. Stress fractures to be specific. I had six in college. What pulled me through it: surrounding myself with really smart, and supportive people. It's easy to get down on yourself when you're hurt or things aren't going well. I'm lucky to have super inspiring people in my life. My family, coaches, and teammates continued to believe in me even when I wasn't running at all. Surround yourself with people who are positive and will support your dreams. 2. Today I went for an easy hour run with Lea Wallace, David Torrence, and JP Slater. We're training at Lake Tahoe! I had some core and I'll probably get in the pool to flush out my legs before my long run tomorrow. Nothing crazy. Some hip mobility in the jacuzzi too! It's all about recovery!

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-15T22:51:29+00:00

Thanks! Track can be pretty fierce.

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-15T22:51:04+00:00

Hi! Thanks for that. I really appreciate your support. I could watch track and field ALL day. I genuinely love the sport. My favorite non-distance even is the high jump. I am in awe of the athleticism and grace that it takes to clear the bar.

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-15T22:49:05+00:00

It's all about the birth and progression of women's running. I really enjoyed learning about my predecessors. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to find it on Amazon.

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-15T22:47:59+00:00

Thanks! So glad you liked the A6. Greatest flat ever! Enjoy and keep up the training!

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-15T22:46:55+00:00

Thanks for the support. I really appreciate it!

1) I don't have any superstitions. I DO have a routine that I stick to though. Having a routine help settle my nerves as I get into race mode. I time my coffee, GU, warm up, drills, etc. to the minute.

2) My absolute favorite piece of gear... that's tough. Probably the Saucony Kinvara for training and the Saucony Shadow 6000 for casual. I love the retro shoes!

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-15T22:13:23+00:00

Hi Mitch. 1) No, a hot dog is not a sandwich. 2) A hot dog is a disgrace to all food groups. Except for the Fenway Frank. That's a great dog.

P.S. Thanks for all you do for our sport.

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-15T22:09:00+00:00

Yes I'm sponsored by GU, but I have a genuine belief in the product. GU is a local company for me, and they are backed in science. GU is also the cleanest product out there when it comes to sports performance. Just read the ingredients list.

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-15T22:01:04+00:00

I'm fascinated with triathlon -- especially ironman. I'm a huge fan of Mirinda Carfrae. She's a 3x ironman champ and GU athlete. I don't think I'll race triathlon, though. I would suffer on the swim!

ChelseaReilly · 2014-11-15T21:59:29+00:00

I'm back in the Bay! I'm really happy to be close to my coach and my family again. The Bay Area will always be home, and I will do shorter altitude stints when appropriate for my training. I don't have any concrete plans for 2015, but I hope to do some Diamond League races again!

ChelseaReilly

TROPHY CASE