Lauren Saylor (Buchanan, Clovis)
talks running and some health issues
March, 2006
1) Lauren - looks like good start to 2006 with 10:51
all-comers two mile and good low-key local action. How has the training
been going and what is the emphasis there currently?
My training has gone very well so far. Up to this point I haven't done any speedwork
or intervals so my times in races are just going off of aerobic base and threshold
training.
2) What have been the highlights of your running career so far?
I have definitely had some memorable moments these past few years. Last year
making in to Footlocker nationals and placing 14th was definitely one of my proudest;
Also last track season in the 3000m at Stanford where I ran a 9:51;this past
xc season at Woodbridge where I took 3rd and ran 16:48. That race turned out
to be even more exciting since our team won the sweepstakes race and set a new
team record; Stanford xc invite was probably one of my best races where I won
in 17:38 and our team also won the sweepstakes by one point which really gave
us tons of motivation as a team; at Mt. Sac we also won as a team and I was very
happy with my race as well.
3) What are some of your goals for the 2006 outdoor season if you could share
them with us?
One of my goals is to get though the season very healthy. Getting past my past
iron deficiency from XC and feeling strong throughout the whole season. As far
as times go I would like to run in the low 10:20's for the 3200 and low 4:50's
for the mile.
4) Understand that you had a personal lesson about iron deficiency at the end
of the Fall cross-country season. Could you share the condition, diagnosis, and
medically prescribed actions that you have taken since the diagnosis to get back
into things the way you wished to?
I have always been on the low side for my iron levels but this year it had dropped
significantly at the end of the year. It was just something that was natural,
not having to do with the food I did or didn't eat. At the state meet I had pushed
my body past the limit and I was fatigued for almost the whole week after. Then
at footlocker regionals I was still going my hardest so I could have a chance
to make the team for nationals. That race was much more painful and I was very
disappointed.
I had my blood tested the week after Footlocker west and my iron was extremely
low at 12 with the low for an average person at 20. Since then I have been
taking liquid iron once a day (not the best tasting stuff I've ever had) which
has helped
me so much. In practice I was feeling very strong and recovering from hard
workouts much more quickly. I was definitely upset about the end of my XC season
and it's
very difficult to not have the "great" races I had wanted and worked
so hard for. I do think though that God is taking care of me and there's a
bigger plan that He has for me that's going to make me tougher and better in
the end.
5) Sounds dumb, but to those of out of the Fresno area the "Tule Fog" is
about the scariest thing in the world? Sure you have gone running in it sometimes--do
you have any strange stories of suprises because of some pretty short visual
abilities in the pea-soup type stuff?
Haha actually when we run at woodward early in the morning we can barely see
anything down in one of the lower loops. Sometimes there's coyotes out there
so I run in the middle of my group. And there's always those dogs that just run
all over the place and start chasing us.
6) Another "off the wall" one if you wish to comment. I have
heard
that the air pollution in Fresno area is one that folks are really concerned
about. I understand some changes in wood burning fireplaces, etc. on lately.
Has it affected your activity and its level at all over the last couple of
years and how big a local issue is it really?
Ohhh yeah, our air is awful and we have certain days where people aren't allowed
to burn fires because the pollution is so bad. It has affected my training somewhat.
It's mostly during the summer when it's extremely hot and the smog is bad. We
have to modify our workouts and go a little easier so we don't hurt ourselves.
Especially us runners in Fresno, we always have to stay really hydrated because
we lose so much water from the heat and the bad air quality doesn't exactly help
either.
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