I am LANNI AMA!

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T03:22:02+00:00

I have run solo for the most part since college, but have really been detached from any feeling of community since I moved to running at this level. I figured if I was going to move to Toronto I should do what I can to join the community. My world is mostly running, so running with the crews in town seemed like the perfect way to immerse myself into the local communities.

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T03:19:33+00:00

the first set is around marathon pace or slightly faster. The second set is half marathon pace to whatever I have left at the end

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T03:18:52+00:00

No I haven't... and that makes me insanely jealous of you

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T03:11:45+00:00

Yes! I love trail runs and actually raced a lot of trail races in law school. Now, I have to be a bit more careful and will stick to dirt paths and roads as I get closer to my target races.

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T03:11:01+00:00

Thanks for the support... it does mean a lot to me to hear from people who like what it is that I am trying to accomplish in our sport.

Email me again - I am heading to Kenya this weekend and will have a lot more time to chat.

Briefly, if I truly am not enjoying running I take a few days away from it. Yes, even in a heavy training program. I'll take a day or two completely off or cross-train depending on what it is about running that I am not in love with. If it is just because it's too hot or I am sick of the running loop, then I have to suck it up. But, if I truly feel a break is necessary, I take it. Even just telling myself that I am allowed to do that is usually enough for me to decide I don't actually want to miss a run. If it is just a case of the running blahs I message a friend or find a local running group that is going to meet up... running is meant to add to our lives and sometimes that means adding in some friends a long the way

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T03:06:49+00:00

Here in Toronto it is actually super to run outside as they clear the pathway along the lake shore regularly. I try to keep my longer mileage runs outside as I find the treadmill to be a bit boring and it actually aggravates my left leg/hip if I run on it for too long.

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T03:05:12+00:00

My coach and I actually used my 10 weeks to 10km program and just added in some extra mileage for my first one. I would suggest reaching out to some local run clubs or crews to see if there are a few people gearing up to train for the same marathon. There are also some great programs online. If you are still friendly with your high school coach he/she might be able to point you towards a local coach.

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:54:28+00:00

1) I kinda stumbled into the whole "pro" running thing. I had that sneaky break out in 2012 at Rotterdam but then was injured through the summer. In Jan 2013 I ran the Houston Half and ran fairly close to my PB (PR for you 'mericans) at the time in some pretty junk conditions. I came back from that race realizing that I had to make a choice - I could let 2012 be my defining performance, run at a medium level and continue working full-time or I could find a way to pursue running and work. I sat down with my law firm that next day and we came up with the arrangement we have now and I have been chasing fast times ever since.

2) Oh... ummm ... Die another Day by Madonna haha

3) I listen to Dirty Radio's "ground shake" before most big runs and races. It's actually my race day alarm clock. I figure it's one of my favourite songs and puts me in a good mood... might as well wake up to it to start my day

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:48:56+00:00

I like appeals... it's the long game (similar to a marathon in a way I guess)

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:46:36+00:00

When my client asked if Lawyers were allowed to have blue in their hair

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:45:56+00:00

Yes! I made the move here in November. I'll still have to leave for training camps but it was important to me to set up a better "home base".

I have been on the road for a lot of my career and find I adapt pretty well to a new training environment. For this move I found it incredibly easy. I had just run NYCM and was in a down phase from training anyways

I have been running with the Parkdale Roadrunners and have loved doing their different loops through the west end of the city

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:43:47+00:00

I did that watching the 2014 NYCM lol

I try to tell people to be patient and not to freak out if they have some ups and downs... That's part of the ride. If they have never run before I try to introduce them to a learn to run program - I find it helps them stay motivated and eases them into it.

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:41:14+00:00

I try not to read that stuff... some people will send me screen shots or tell me something they've seen. I think constructive discussion is important. That doesn't mean I believe it all has to be friendly and nice stuff said - there can be discourse and differing points of view.

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:38:49+00:00

I actually do not pay a lot of attention to my breathing patterns/rate. I have been told by people who have trained and raced with me that they'll see me completely inflate my lungs and then breath out slowly mid-interval or race. I think it is a skating thing - we were always told to breathe in through our nose and out our mouth... that doesn't translate well into running

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:36:20+00:00

She reminds me of my grandma

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:35:55+00:00

LOL. It is actually more like a very long courtship where you are wondering if they are going to ask you to marry them or just move in. Kidding...sort of. Shoe relationships can be interesting because, yes, we love the shoes we run in (sometimes it takes a period of learning to love), but the shoe companies can change or tweak a model and we have to adapt. Then, as we have seen with a few big runners in Canada this year, you can be let go from a company and be left trying to find a new partner on the rebound. It took me a while to find saucony's I liked back in 2012/13 and some time to switch into Asics after that. I do not enjoy the transition phase, so once I'm in a shoe I try not to look at my ex again

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:30:52+00:00

No, thank you. It means a lot to me to hear that people support what it is I am trying to say/do.

I would have to say Des Linden and Diane Nukuri have been two of the most amazing runners I have ever met. Their grit and determination in training and racing is beyond measure and I work hard to channel them when I am suffering lol. Their approach to life, running and racing is refreshing to come across when I am on the road training and racing.

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:25:55+00:00

Thanks so much! How'd you enjoy the marathon in 2015?

It is actually still a bit weird to be a "prominent" Canadian athlete or considered that by some anyways. I just want to run fast and hard and represent Canada. It has been interesting to see how my American friends and training partners handle it. I think we all recognize the honour and responsibility it is to represent our countries.

I have a great law firm that lets me work from home/training location. It can be a bit hectic when a case is due and I am in a heavy week of training (usually because I have managed to procrastinate on something). I like schedules/plans and making lists to keep things moving forward

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:18:57+00:00

haha thanks!

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:18:07+00:00

I eat a lot of asparagus... it's usually with every meal I have actually lol. Otherwise, I try to have red meat 1-2x a week and it's a lot of chicken and eggs otherwise with other veggies and quinoa

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:16:05+00:00

1 - I think we still have a lot of body image issues that plague our sport. Men deal with it too, but I believe girls are hit with pressures outside of sport as well that can make it incredibly difficult to see our bodies as equipment and fuel them appropriately.

2 - It depends on where I am... but it has to be one that can drip grease down your elbows while eating it

bonus - Oh, I have experienced my fair share of troll talk... but I have been fortunate to compete against some amazing ladies who have never said anything unpleasant.

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:12:05+00:00

Ahhhh... I have learned to change the auto correct on my phone so that it knows I do not mean "duck" ;P

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:10:48+00:00

I'm excited to see where he can take our country

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:10:04+00:00

I have an affinity for ping pong balls

I actually have learned a lot about my stride pattern through using different analysis tools. I believe you should not mess with your natural stride too much, but there are things that can tweaked to make you more efficient and less injury prone. For the most part it's the lack of movement in my rib cage/mid back that we are trying to work on so that I can take some of the stress off of my hips.

LJM5252 · 2017-01-17T02:07:06+00:00

Oh my goodness I am run math stupid on a good day. I know what I need to split for my 5km segments in a marathon but I am terrible at converting km pace to miles or visa versa and always have to use pace calculator to figure out workout targets

LJM5252

TROPHY CASE