The Health Advocate | Amway

Questions by Andy Gamm, Answers from Kara Goucher

Last month, we checked in with Kara right after qualifying for the Olympic marathon team with a great, third place finish at the Trials.  This month, we asked you on Facebook what you would ask Kara if given a chance.  Below are several of those questions that I recently sat down with Kara to ask…

How did change coaches affect your running this year? 
It was very difficult at first to leave my coach because I had been with him for 7 years.  But after I made a decision which coach to switch too, I felt totally rejuvenated and excited about the future.  I had been feeling stale and not really sure iF I wanted to keep running at such a high level, but switching coaches totally refreshed me and I’m feeling the most passionate about my career that I ever have.

 How do you balance being a wife and mother with your training? 
I try to be 100% committed to whatever it is I am doing at the time.  When I’m training, I am focused on being the best athlete I can be.  When I am with Colt I am completely focused on being the best mother to Colt and not having any distractions from spending time with him.  My running makes me happy, which makes me a better and more focused mother.  Being a mother gives me better perspective on running and therefore I appreciate it more than I did before.

 What is your favorite post-race food/drink? 
After a hard workout I eat pretty normally, and Nutrilite Quick Recover shake or Protein Shake followed by a sandwich or big salad.  After a long run I love to have brunch.  After a race I crave a burger or nachos.

What is your go-to song when you hit the wall while racing? 
Well, when I’m racing I don’t listen to music.  But sometimes when I’m training on my own I listen to music.  I listen to a ton of different stuff, but The Black Eyed Peas – Tonight’s Gonna Be a Good Night – always fires me up a bit.

How are you preparing for London this summer? 
Everything in 2012 is based around a hard, aggressive marathon at the Olympic Games on August 5th.  Right now I am going through a phase where I am trying to hone in on my closing speed.  April will be all about mileage.  And then May, June, and July will be all marathon workouts.  It’s a very disciplined year with one big goal.  

What motivates you to keep going on those long distance runs? 
There are times when I want to stop and feel tired.  But I always think about what my goals are.  I remind myself that it is my choice to be out there.  There have been times when I have been injured and could not be out running and I hated it.  I am on a journey to see what I can get out of myself.  Everyday is a chance to get closer to my goals.  I just have to remind myself of that.

If you really don’t like to run, what process would you suggest to include it in your workouts?
If you really don’t like to run, make sure that you aren’t forcing it.  Only run as much as you can stand.  It shouldn’t be punishment, it should make you feel empowered.  Focus on your weight training or cross training and only supplement in as much running as you feel comfortable with.  Keep it light, no need to do something you really don’t want to do!

Thanks Kara for your great insights!  We’ll chat again next month.  If there is something you want to ask our star runner, comment on the blog.