I just wanted to take a few minutes and introduce you to my ultra running, ultra crazy 24 hour champ friend Sue Lucas. Sue logs more hours on the treadmill as a result of cold manitoba winters, than anyone I know and it seems to have translated into the creation of one bad-ass 24 hour running machine! Not even touching on the amazing physical accomplishment, to me running for 24 hours around a 1 km loop definately takes more mental strength than this running chic has!! Truly incredible!
I took a few minutes to ask Sue, as few questions about her training and racing, and here's what she had to say;
q: Congrats Sue on an amazing accomplishment at the 24 hr world championships in paris this past spring - 1st canadian woman, and 197km- impressive! Can you tell me what the experience was like?
a:The experience was amazing! Being selected as a member of the National 24 hour team has been a goal of mine on my todo list, so it was nice to accomplish that goal and run such a great race. I can't wait for the opportunity to go again to worlds and surpass my 197.68km!
q:What were your goals and expectations going into the race?
a:I always expect 110% from myself no matter what race I'm running. I hadn't run this type of race before, so I wasn't sure what to expect and what pace to run. I secretly wanted to run 200km, but i guess 197.68km will have to do this time.
q: You seem to just keep getting stronger over the years, what's your secret??
a:There's really no secret. I just seem to be able to pace myself well and get stronger as the race goes on. I watched a lot of people during the first few hours and they were running like they were running 10k - I knew I couldn't get caught up in that and that if I could maintain a slower pace for the first half of the race, thenI should be able to run the second half faster. The temps were also ideal for me, overcast and cool.
q: What are your plans for the remainder of 2010?
a:The Lost Sould 100 miler is next on my schedule on september 11th. I've been thinking about a couple of other races still this year, but we'll have to wait and see.
q:What events are on your top 3 "to do" list?
a:Hardrock, Badwater and the grand slam
q:What's your most memorable running experience to date?
a" I'd have to say the marathon des sables in 2008. I'd wanted to do that race since 1998, but had never had the courage to sign up for it until 2008, and then placing in the top 10 in the women's category was incredible.
q: I asked Sue to tell me a few things that would surprise people to know abut her....she decided to let me answer that question, which could be dangerous, considering I've known Sue for a long time, but we'll keep it professional...=)
What can I say...Sue actually does many other things than run and is the number one pet owner in the world. If I come back in another life as a dog, I want to be Sue's dog...she is a dog biscuit baking, master painter, house renovator, do-it all kinda gal...Sue and I met in 1998, when we were both just wee girlz doing our first marathons ever, and we instantly bonded...I think it may have been my chocolate lab puppy she was coveting and the fact that our last name's at the time were the same....strange, but true....=)
Look for Sue rocking the Lost Souls in september and definately breaking her 200km goal in switzerland next year at worlds!
