Dakotah Lindwurm is also known as an “underdog,” regardless of quite a few podiums on the marathon distance in operating.
Lindwurm, by all accounts, shouldn’t have turn out to be an Olympic marathoner for Staff USA. She ran in school at a small Division II college that wasn’t precisely identified for cranking out skilled athletes, and he or she was a substitute trainer after which a paralegal after graduating.
After years of arduous work earlier than and after her day job, Lindwurm started to seek 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 bolstered her expertise when she completed twelfth within the marathon at this summer season’s Paris Olympics, the best end for an American girl within the marathon on the 2024 Video games.
“I’m tremendous pleased with my outcome on the Olympics, and I’m actually grateful that I had such an incredible expertise there,” Lindwurm tells Nicely+Good. “It’s one thing I’m all the time going to look again at so fondly.”
Lindwurm is getting ready to toe the beginning line of the 2024 New York Metropolis Marathon, and he or she’s doing so with an perspective of happiness.
“I’m going into the New York Metropolis Marathon probably the most excited I’ve ever been for a World Marathon Main as a result of I’m not nervous in any respect,” Lindwurm says. “This 12 months has been actually nice, and if the New York Metropolis Marathon goes nicely, that’s the cherry on high. And if it doesn’t, I can nonetheless look again at this 12 months and be pleased with all the things that occurred.”
Associated Tales
Now, in a 12 months that Lindwurm describes as a “the very best 12 months I may ever dream of,” she shares how even with a excessive quantity of coaching and racing, she’s continued to seek out pleasure and appreciation for the method of being an elite marathoner—regardless of the outcomes.
“If the New York Metropolis Marathon goes nicely, that’s the cherry on high. And if it doesn’t, I can nonetheless look again at this 12 months and be pleased with all the things that occurred.” —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 neighborhood of pals and supporters to maintain her going.
“Once I’m not feeling my exercise for the day, I attempt to recruit pals and even my fiancé to come back with me, or I’ll even convey my canine alongside,” Lindwurm says. “One thing about seeing my pals or operating teammates and chatting makes the miles fly by— operating with pals is considered one of my favourite issues to do.”
In a 12 months 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 all the time going to have a giant objective or race that’s sitting on the market sooner or later, so having some enjoyable, low-stakes races like a Turkey Trot blended in helps me bear in mind why I like operating,” Lindwurm says. “If the smaller race goes nicely, that’s tremendous cool, however even when it doesn’t, you may do not forget that you signed up primarily to have time, and that’s what’s most essential.”
Incorporating shorter-distance, “enjoyable” races whereas coaching for an extended or extra intense race could be a good strategy to apply in your massive day, too. You’ll be able to dial in your diet and hydration technique, the garments and sneakers you’ll put on on race day, and naturally, your pacing plan.
As an added bonus, native races often have a a lot much less intense vibe than large-scale occasions like a marathon in a significant metropolis, and you might even see a good friend or two on the beginning line.
3. Get misplaced in playlist or podcast
Whereas Lindwurm is a agency believer in runners being snug with their very own ideas and the challenges of being pals along with your mind—particularly on race day—once in a while, she makes use of a pump-up playlist or podcast to reconnect along with her pleasure of operating.
“Once I can’t loop my fiancé or pals into going for a run with me, I’ll dig into my checklist of podcasts that I save for runs or play my favourite pump-up songs and examine both of these as just a little psychological deal with,” Lindwurm says.
Lindwurm’s reply to being requested what considered one of her favourite hype-up songs is might shock you.
“I actually like ‘How Far I’ll Go,’ which is a tune from the Disney film Moana,” Lindwurm says. “It’s motivational tune, and it’s undoubtedly my most embarrassing tune on my pump-up playlist.”
Hey, no matter works to convey a smile to your miles!
“If you happen to don’t take deliberate relaxation, your physique goes to ultimately pressure you to take unplanned relaxation.” —Dakotah Lindwurm
4. Eat *all* the candy treats
Many individuals view skilled athletes as consuming a food regimen primarily made up of uber-healthy staples like salad, rice, and hen. Lindwurm makes positive she’s getting the vitamins she must carry out at an elite stage, however she isn’t any stranger to a candy deal with or two.
“I like Crumbl Cookies,” Lindwurm says. “I actually love any of their cheesecake-flavored cookies or any of the cookies which have that yummy, thick frosting on high. Any week the place Crumbl has a bunch of these sort of cookies in inventory, I’m ordering them.”
Lindwurm admits she is within the highest tier of Crumbl Cookies buyer loyalty program: Pink standing.
“I believe the meals supply man involves my home means too usually delivering cookies,” Lindwurm says. “But it surely makes me blissful.”
Working in treats—candy or savory—that convey a couple of moments of bliss to your style buds could make a long term additional rewarding or a relaxation day really feel additional soothing. Don’t shrink back from meals that makes you are feeling good!
5. Take a break
It might be tempting to maintain pushing arduous after discovering success in operating—or in any sport. However those that are actually clever athletes know that taking a break can really enable you to discover extra success down the street than should you by no means let up within the first place.
Lindwurm most undoubtedly doesn’t ascribe to the “no days off” mantra that usually floats round social media or is alleged by operating “gurus.”
“If you happen to’ve had a foul day and each bone in your physique doesn’t need to run and nothing is working to get your self out the door, typically that’s your physique asking for a break,” Lindwurm says. “Taking a week-long break can really reignite your pleasure in operating. By the tip of that break, you might discover you may’t wait to get out the door for a run.”
Taking a break from a devoted operating schedule could be scary, however Lindwurm advises others to embrace it, not concern it.
“If you happen to don’t take deliberate relaxation, your physique goes to ultimately pressure you to take unplanned relaxation,” Lindwurm says. “I’d fairly resolve once I’m going to take a break fairly than my physique forcing it on me. For so long as I’ve been doing marathons, I’ve all the time taken a full week or typically even two weeks off after a race—the day without work goes to reward me, not damage me.”
