Dakotah Lindwurm is sometimes called an “underdog,” regardless of quite a few podiums on the marathon distance in operating.
Lindwurm, by all accounts, shouldn’t have turn into an Olympic marathoner for Crew USA. She ran in school at a small Division II faculty that wasn’t precisely recognized for cranking out skilled athletes, and he or she was a substitute trainer after which a paralegal after graduating.
After years of laborious work earlier than and after her day job, Lindwurm started to search out success on the marathon distance as an elite runner.
The 29-year-old cemented herself as a high American distance runner when she positioned third on the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials again in February, and strengthened her expertise when she completed twelfth within the marathon at this summer season’s Paris Olympics, the very best end for an American girl within the marathon on the 2024 Video games.
“I’m super proud of my result at the Olympics, and I’m really grateful that I had such a great experience there,” Lindwurm tells Effectively+Good. “It’s something I’m always going to look back at so fondly.”
Lindwurm is making ready to toe the beginning line of the 2024 New York Metropolis Marathon, and he or she’s doing so with an angle of happiness.
“I’m going into the New York City Marathon the most excited I’ve ever been for a World Marathon Major because I’m not nervous at all,” Lindwurm says. “This year has been really great, and if the New York City Marathon goes well, that’s the cherry on top. And if it doesn’t, I can still look back at this year and be proud of everything that happened.”
Now, in a yr that Lindwurm describes as a “the best year I could ever dream of,” she shares how even with a excessive quantity of coaching and racing, she’s continued to search out pleasure and appreciation for the method of being an elite marathoner—irrespective of the outcomes.
“If the New York City Marathon goes well, that’s the cherry on top. And if it doesn’t, I can still look back at this year and be proud of everything that happened.” —Dakotah Lindwurm
1. Spend time along with your individuals
Even skilled runners have days when the sofa appears extra interesting than racking up miles. When that feeling comes round for Lindwurm, she depends on her group of associates and supporters to maintain her going.
“When I’m not feeling my workout for the day, I try to recruit friends or even my fiancé to come with me, or I’ll even bring my dog along,” Lindwurm says. “Something about seeing my friends or running teammates and chatting makes the miles fly by— running with friends is one of my favorite things to do.”
In a yr that has actually had its pressures and intensities, Lindwurm’s shut family and friends have helped her keep constant all through her marathon coaching, whether or not for the Olympics or for a World Marathon Main just like the New York Metropolis Marathon.
2. Race for enjoyable
Though the races you’ll hear about probably the most from skilled runners are the massive, consequential occasions just like the Olympics, Lindwurm likes to combine in native, shorter-distance races only for enjoyable, too.
“You’re always going to have a big goal or race that’s sitting out there in the future, so having some fun, low-stakes races like a Turkey Trot mixed in helps me remember why I love running,” Lindwurm says. “If the smaller race goes well, that’s super cool, but even if it doesn’t, you can remember that you signed up primarily to have a good time, and that’s what is most important.”
Incorporating shorter-distance, “fun” races whereas coaching for an extended or extra intense race could be a good technique to observe in your massive day, too. You may dial in your diet and hydration technique, the garments and footwear you’ll put on on race day, and naturally, your pacing plan.
As an added bonus, native races normally have a a lot much less intense vibe than large-scale occasions like a marathon in a significant metropolis, and it’s possible you’ll even see a buddy or two on the beginning line.
3. Get misplaced in a great playlist or podcast
Whereas Lindwurm is a agency believer in runners being comfy with their very own ideas and the challenges of being associates along with your mind—particularly on race day—from time to time, she makes use of a pump-up playlist or podcast to reconnect together with her pleasure of operating.
“When I can’t loop my fiancé or friends into going for a run with me, I’ll dig into my list of podcasts that I save for runs or play my favorite pump-up songs and view either of those as a little mental treat,” Lindwurm says.
Lindwurm’s reply to being requested what one in every of her favourite hype-up songs is could shock you.
“I really like ‘How Far I’ll Go,’ which is a song from the Disney movie Moana,” Lindwurm says. “It’s a good motivational song, and it’s definitely my most embarrassing song on my pump-up playlist.”
Hey, no matter works to convey a smile to your miles!
“If you don’t take planned rest, your body is going to eventually force you to take unplanned rest.” —Dakotah Lindwurm
4. Eat *all* the candy treats
Many individuals view skilled athletes as consuming a eating regimen primarily made up of uber-healthy staples like salad, rice, and hen. Lindwurm makes certain she’s getting the vitamins she must carry out at an elite stage, however she is not any stranger to a candy deal with or two.
“I love Crumbl Cookies,” Lindwurm says. “I really love any of their cheesecake-flavored cookies or any of the cookies that have that yummy, thick frosting on top. Any week where Crumbl has a bunch of those type of cookies in stock, I’m ordering them.”
Lindwurm admits she is within the highest tier of Crumbl Cookies buyer loyalty program: Pink standing.
“I think the food delivery guy comes to my house way too often delivering cookies,” Lindwurm says. “But it makes me happy.”
Working in treats—candy or savory—that convey a number of moments of bliss to your style buds could make a future further rewarding or a relaxation day really feel further soothing. Don’t draw back from meals that makes you are feeling good!
5. Take a break
It could be tempting to maintain pushing laborious after discovering success in operating—or in any sport. However those that are actually clever athletes know that taking a break can really show you how to discover extra success down the street than if you happen to by no means let up within the first place.
Lindwurm most positively doesn’t ascribe to the “no days off” mantra that usually floats round social media or is alleged by operating “gurus.”
“If you’ve had a bad day and every bone in your body doesn’t want to run and nothing is working to get yourself out the door, sometimes that’s your body asking for a break,” Lindwurm says. “Taking a week-long break can actually reignite your joy in running. By the end of that break, you may find you can’t wait to get out the door for a run.”
Taking a break from a devoted operating schedule may be scary, however Lindwurm advises others to embrace it, not concern it.
“If you don’t take planned rest, your body is going to eventually force you to take unplanned rest,” Lindwurm says. “I would rather decide when I’m going to take a break rather than my body forcing it on me. For as long as I’ve been doing marathons, I’ve always taken a full week or sometimes even two weeks off after a race—the time off is going to reward me, not hurt me.”
