An Interview with Chris Lundy

Chris Lundy was a three-time NCAA All-American in cross country while at the University of Pennsylvania. Following a hiatus from competitive running she qualified for the 2004 Olympic Trials. This past summer she represented the United States at the Pan Am Games in Brazil.

Boston Athletic Association: How did you first become involved in the sport?

Chris Lundy: I started running in junior high, because my friends were on the team.

B.A.A.: After a successful college career, with All-America honors cross country, you seem to have continued focus on the shorter distances for a number of years. What prompted your move up to the marathon distance?

C.L.: After college I took four years off from competitive running while in vet school. Then, it took me a few years to get back into reasonable running shape and figure out what I wanted from it. Initially I just wanted to see how much I could improve on my college times in the shorter distances, but felt like there was a limit to what level I could compete at. I tried my first marathon three months before the 2004 Trials, and it went well enough [for me] to change my focus to that distance.

B.A.A.: How long have you been working with Jack Daniels, and how would you characterize his impact on your running?

C.L.: I have been working with Jack on a long-distance basis since just after the 2004 Trials, when I realized that I was going to stay with the longer road distances. His training programs have made me a stronger and more confident runner. My biggest change relative to my previous training has been higher mileage and a lot more pace and threshold workouts. When I can do Jack's workouts well, I know I will have a good race.

B.A.A.: You seem to enjoy a wide variety of races, from mountain running to triathlons to the marathon. Do you find that these disciplines benefit each other?

C.L.: I only train specifically for the marathon, but because I live next to a great trail system and a very hilly city [Sausalito, CA], I get plenty of training in for the mountain races just by default. I jump into 1-2 triathlons in the summer for fun, [but] it is not currently a focus. I think the benefit of doing a variety of races is mostly mental. It keeps me interested.

B.A.A.: You seem to thrive in races where the conditions may not be ideal for fast times- your two fastest marathons coming at the 2004 Olympic Trials and in the wind and rain of the 2007 Boston Marathon. Why do you think that is?

C.L.: Different reasons: At the 2004 Trials, I was so happy just to be there that I did not put any pressure on myself and just ran. I had a great training partner for the three months leading up to that race as well. At Boston 2007, I got a full night's sleep and felt really good on race morning, so decided not to alter the race plan just because it was raining. It would have been fine if it had snowed. I was vaguely worried about hypothermia and that probably helped me keep the pace up. The wind definitely started to take its toll in the last 10K or so.

B.A.A.: This summer you represented the United States at the Pan Am Games, and placed seventh in the women's marathon-an event that had only 12 entrants. What was that experience like?

C.L.: The experience of just being able to compete in the Pan Am Games was amazing. It was such an honor to be part of the U.S. team there. The race itself was very tough - probably the hardest thing I've ever done was just finishing. I couldn't figure out why my body was not handling the heat. I felt maxed out by 10K already and have no idea how I got through another 32K. The next day I came down with a flu, so maybe that was part of it. I didn't mind the lack of runners so much because each of us had motorcycle escorts the whole way, and also there were enough turnarounds where you could see your competition. The course was beautiful, and the crowds were very supportive.

B.A.A.: Who has been your biggest influence in running?

C.L.: My college coaches Betty Costanza and Cricket Batz.

B.A.A.: What are your goals for the remainder of the 2007 season? And for 2008?

C.L.: I am running NYC marathon to try for an A-standard time, then will take a month of downtime before starting to train for 2008 Trials. The rest of 2008 depends a bit on how that goes.

B.A.A.: Speak a little bit about your training philosophy, how it has evolved over the years. Do you continually modify your training based on your most recent marathon experience? And what, if anything, are you doing differently as you prepare for the Trials.

C.L.: I learn a little bit each year about how my body responds to training and change things accordingly. I stopped rock climbing, streamlined my weight training to just core strength, and do my intervals primarily on roads or trails now. As I transitioned from 5K to marathon training, mileage went up, intervals became much longer, and injuries have gone away. I am limited in how much I can modify my marathon program by a fulltime work schedule, generally doing the maximum amount of training that I can manage around work hours. The main change this year has been to give myself more easy days between quality workouts in hopes of recovering better.

To prepare for Trials, I am very excited to have a few months leave of absence from work which will allow for more consistent training, higher volume, some altitude training, and rest. This will be a first, so I am curious to see if it helps.

B.A.A.: Describe your feelings and emotions when you first qualified for the 2004 Olympic Trials. What did that accomplishment mean to you?

C.L.: I had been frustrated by not qualifying in a track event, so it was more of a relief at first. Then I realized that I had a whole new event in which there was nowhere to go but up, which opened up some new doors. Most of my emotions were actually clouded over because I was in the middle of a relationship breakup.

B.A.A.: Do you feel like you learned anything from the 2004 Trials which will benefit you in April?

C.L.: Had I not already run the lap-style marathon course in 2004, I would have been seriously worried about that. My initial concerns about a multi-loop course were that it might feel like an incredibly long track race. I like point-to-point races best, where each section is a new thing. However, in St. Louis, the loops were long enough to not be boring, I looked forward to the hill each lap, and the spectators seemed to be everywhere. I think that will work out even better in Boston.

B.A.A.: What was your reaction when you heard that the Trials were going to be held in Boston on the day before the 112th Boston Marathon?

C.L.: Can't think of a better time or place. The crowd support will be phenomenal, and then we get to watch the marathon the next day.

B.A.A.: Do you have any specific goals or expectations for the Trials that you're willing to share?

C.L.: I just hope to improve on 2004 as much as possible. I fully expect to be in the best shape of my life, and it would be great to run a fast time. But, as we all know, anything can happen in a marathon.

B.A.A.: Who inspires you?

C.L.: Nicole Teter, for being an Olympic athlete and a normal person with a great attitude at the same time. Nicole and I were teammates on the Nike Farm team for three years. She's such an upbeat person and it was great inspiration to watch her improve and compete so well.

B.A.A.: What do you do to relax and unwind?

C.L.: I take my puppy to the beach to play, or go for a bike ride.

B.A.A.: How do you balance your training with your career as a veterinarian?

C.L.: I try to be efficient and plan my weeks. I work 11-12 hours days, so on work days I don't do anything other than work and train. My boyfriend is very supportive and also makes me eat properly. My hard/long workouts fall on my days off, sometimes a bit too close together. Recovery is the biggest issue; my job is not exactly relaxing and can be exhausting.