About Me
Here are some basics to help you get to know the girl behind Health on the Run:
Where I live/work:
- I currently live in New England, where I’ve now been for half my life. Though I still don’t consider myself a “true” New Englander, there are certain things about this area that I’ve come to embrace…like the beauty of the landscape (especially in the fall!) the Red Sox, the word “wicked”, and the crazy way of driving (what can I say — I learned to drive in MA!).
Vermont (photo by EAC)
- For the last three years, I’ve called this fair city home:
(photo by EAC)
- I have always had a strong interest in health promotion and prevention efforts, so I decided to pursue a master’s degree in Public Health. I graduated last May and currently work in the field of health services research. Although it’s been nice to be out of school and in the “real world”, ultimately I would like to do something more specialized and would like to back for another degree.
Running
- I have been running since I was a kid and believe this sport has helped make me the person I am today. I will touch more on this later in the blog, but let’s just say that I was a painfully shy, roly-poly, asthmatic kid. Running had the power to change me from the inside-out.
- I ran competitively in high school and college, participating in both the varsity cross country and track teams. Although I loved my high school track team, cross country was always my first love — track was simply the thing I did to keep in shape the rest of the year.
High School XC
College XC - Freshman year
- Although I wouldn’t have changed it for the world, 8 years of running competitively and countless injuries left me pretty burned out. But I didn’t want to give up the sport altogether. I had run for so long that this sport had not only become integral to keeping me sane, but also the primary way for me to keep the extra weight off. So I decided to shift my focus, and had a period of time where I really just had to concentrate on falling back in love with the sport — going out without a watch and running simply for the love of it.
- Unfortunately, however, I quickly realized that having something to train for was pretty key in keeping me motivated. I knew I wasn’t ready to get back into racing short distances, so I decided to set my sites on accomplishing another long-time goal: running a marathon. Of course, any long-distance runner who takes on the marathon can’t help but think about qualifying for Boston…especially those who have grown up running in New England. I told myself my goal for my first marathon was just to finish. But when I ended up missing the qualifying time by only 5 minutes, I knew I had to try again. In the fall of 2008, I ran the Bay State Marathon and surprised myself by knocking almost 20 minutes off my previous time — running a 3:26 to qualify for Boston. I had never been so excited to put myself through months of torture all over again.
- I ran the Boston Marathon in April 2009 and it was an amazing experience. I had grown up watching my Dad and others I knew compete in this race. Running it myself was almost surreal. Honestly, there really is nothing like the thousands of fans that line the marathon course to cheer you on along the way. I have never in my life felt so much like a rock star as I did that day.
Morning of the race!
Post-Boston...I think this picture pretty much speaks for itself
- To date, I have run 4 marathons and am currently training for my 5th. I love the discipline involved in marathon training and am now contemplating taking on an Ultra….someday.
- This summer I was introduced to a new type of racing — 24-hour, 200(ish) mile adventure relays — and was instantly hooked. There is nothing like living in a van with 5 other smelly runners and surviving on energy gels/bars and maybe one hour of sleep for 24+ hours. And the scenery is pretty awesome too. So far, I have done the Green Mountain Relay in VT and Reach the Beach in NH and plan on doing both again this year.
Nutrition
- I have been a lacto-ovo vegetarian (meaning I still eat dairy and eggs) for over half my life — ever since I was 12 years old. I’ve been one for so long I often forget that meatless diets and long-distance running don’t seem like a successful combination to many people. But while I’ve had to be more deliberate about what I was eating to make sure I was getting enough protein and iron, I have been running successfully on this diet for over a decade now. Yes, it’s been hard at times (especially in college) and yes, I’ve gone through periods of being really nervous that I was not giving my body the fuel it needed. But I don’t believe my training has ever suffered for it. In fact, when many of the girls on my college cross country team struggled with anemia (common in female athletes), I never had that problem. One of my hopes for this blog is to show that it really is possible to run (and run well!) on a meatless diet.
- I’d say the biggest misconceptions about being a vegetarian are a.) all we eat are veggies…and pasta; and b.) being a vegetarian automatically makes you healthy. First of all, vegetarians eat a wide variety of things. And as this diet becomes more mainstream, more and more options become available. There is a lot more to eat now (and many more ideas/resources about how to prepare things, get enough protein, etc) than there were when I first became a vegetarian in the mid-90s. I assure you that I never go hungry (well…unless I am eating out at a steak house. Options are pretty limited there…. ). On the flip side of this, vegetarians can have the same struggles with eating too many calories as anyone else. I am a self-proclaimed carbo-holic with a major sweet tooth. Despite an active lifestyle and a meatless diet, my weight has fluctuated throughout the years. And it has only been recently that I’ve started really examining my eating habits, and limiting highly processed foods and refined sugars as much as possible.
And finally…
- (on a sappier note…) I am the oldest in a family of 4 girls. Even though I live far away from them, my family is super important to me. My parents are the ones who got me excited about running in the first place, and gave me the support and inspiration I needed to continue. And I consider my sisters to be my best friends.
Well, that’s about it for now. Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear from you. And if you have any questions for me, don’t be shy — just ask!
I love the new blog! I have found it very interesting to get to know you.
haha. I ready every post and can’t wait to be a guest blogger!
hey girl – i absolutely love your blog!
i’m so glad to have stumbled on it.
question for you – i am just returning back to school after wasting my money on a degree i hate… and am switching to public health with a focus in nutrition.
any words of wisdom? thanks girl!
-r
Somehow I missed your “about” tab.
Man, reading about your rockstar-running totally intimidates the crap out of me. (But maybe I’m just easily intimidated.) Your post-Boston image ruled though.
Congratulations on starting your new blog. From what I can glean, it’s going to be awesome.
xo aletheia
Just found your blog through the Running on Plants community. I like your blogging style! Looking forward to reading more – and good luck in the half or full, whichever you end up racing!
I am so happy you found my blog because it led me to yours! It is so great to read about another veggie runners and your racing is amazing and inspiring. I too felt overtrained and beat after high school and some college cross country…too many stress fractures! Just now, I am starting to train for longer races and not try to run too fast (like I tend to, which obviously equals injuries). Can’t wait to catch up on all your posts!
I just found your blog – and I’m really excited about it! I am a vegetarian, long-distance running, 20-something, Red Sox fan, too!! Congrats on your recent half. You are wicked fast!
I love your blog! Where did you earn your Masters from? I’m starting an MPH program this fall and am still debating about where to officially accept. Awesome job
Loved it! All of it! I can not wait to keep following your blog!!! Happy Thursday, Lauren!
Hey, just wanted to drop a note because I just found your blog and I absolutely love it! Way to go with your running, girl! Can´t wait to read more. I aspire to be able to do that…. someday. In the very distant future. : )
That is the cutest picture of you and your beautiful sisters! We are so much alike, and therefore am really looking forward to following your blog! : )
I just left you a comment on another post but wanted to leave one here because I just saw that you have your MPH! I just finished my 1st year (in global epi) & love it! I am also a vegetarian runner (though less accomplished) & love your blog so far.
Had to stop by and check out your blog after you left such a nice comment by me. And I think I’ve been here before! Ah, the magic of the health blogosphere. Look forward to reading. (And great pic of you and your sisters!)
I just stumbled upon your blog and am wondering how you remain so focused on running. I love to run but cant maintain the same mentality for every run and its becoming rather stressful. I’m running a 7 mile road race in August and hopefully a half marathon in October. Any tips or tricks on how to train!?
I would love to hear from you! Congrats on your accomplishments!
I love your blog! I’m hooked!
I have an MPH too and always get really excited when I “meet” fellow health promoters
Congrats on qualifying for and running Boston! That’s my goal one day too.
Just found your blog! : )
I’m an undergrad going for my Community Health Ed degree. And I’m a vegan, and I run! I have a feeling that I’m going to enjoy reading more!
Just found your blog – it’s fab! I’m a New Englander, too. I get so excited when I find local bloggers! Looking forward to reading more!
Hi Lauren, I just found your blog and I love it! The picture of you and your sisters is so cute, you all look so alike! I think we have a lot in common, I can’t wait to follow along!
Just stumbled upon your blog through Meghann’s blog. I’m so glad I did, I’m already hooked!
Hi! Just found your site! Love the blog! Your about me makes me wish I had sisters!! Or that I should try to run a marathon!
Hi! I just found your blog and love it… we have tons in common, can’t wait to read more, and nice recent job in the Cape Cod marathon!!
Hi Lauren! You left me a comment on my blog ohh…about 7 or 8 months ago! I’m getting back into blogging and wanted to say:
a) I love your blog! I’ve become much more interested in public health, nutrition and running in the past 3 years so I’m excited to learn more through you.
b) YEAH RHODEY!!! I’m in PVD too! Have been for almost 5 years (hard to believe) and I’ve come to love it as my home. It’s so funny to recognize places in your pictures. Going to check out the rest of the site!
Aww, four beautiful sisters.
Congrats on all your marathons! That’s amazing!!
Thank you!
Hello, from one New Englander to another.
I just found your blog and look forward to reading more. There are 4 girls in my family, as well….and then the boy (aka ‘The King’) came along. I’m the eldest and I couldn’t live without them. Congrats on completing all of your marathons. You rock! I’m a HORRIBLE runner, but am looking to start working on that by possibly training for a half marathon scheduled for this coming October.
Kim @ Imperfectly Perfect´s last post ..So Much To Do In Such Little Time
Hi Lauren,
I’m interested in going into Public Health. I’m curious what your next degree would be if you go back to further your education?
Thanks!
Lauren
lauren @ sassy molassy´s last post ..Im not good at everything
Can’t wait to meet you this Saturday!! We are going to rock it
I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian as well and a runner! I am so happy that I found this site. Thank you and can’t wait to be a regular reader : )
How can I found out what I need to run my next marathon in, in order to qualify for Boston?
Hi Jenn! Thanks for reading!
Sounds like we have a lot in common.
You can find the qualifying standards for Boston here: http://www.baa.org/Races/Boston-Marathon/Participant-Information/Qualifying.aspx
There is a sort of complicated rolling admission process this year (for Boston 2012) and then all qualifying times get 5 minutes faster for Boston 2013. Best of luck!!
Thank you so much. This has been on my “bucket List” for years and I’m ready to check it off : )
hi, I find to you by google. Nice to meet u!
Is your college XC picture from the course at Bates? We had NEWMACs there this year-that gigantic hill is ridiculous!
…and by Bates I the state park in Paxton, MA that is WPI’s?
I’m pretty sure it’s from Tuft’s course in Grafton, MA (by the veterinary school). We had NESCACs there. Not sure how awful the Bates course is but the Grafton one is also super hilly!
Just found your blog and LOVE your photo with your sisters!! In fact I am quite envious of it. I am the youngest of four sisters and we haven’t been together in the same place at once for years (and it’s not likely to happen again, unfortunately). I am also interested in your diet; considering the same for myself as a change for my health. Also, I can relate to being a “native New Englander”. Will be following your blog with interest. Thanks.
lauren,
you are such a doll!!! i love your blog and i just love the opportunity to get to know all you buckle (and becker!) sisters even more!
Hey! I just came across your blog and wanted to say hello
I always like coming across other bloggers living in New England! Can’t wait to read more about you!
ChocolatePBCups´s last post ..Weekend Recap
Thanks for visiting! I also like finding fellow New Englanders. I see that you’re from MA – I lived in Mass for many years before moving south to RI.
Awesome site! You are a running super star! congrats:)
Tomboy´s last post ..Why bring your camera if you don’t have a memory card?
Love your blog! I am running Boston in April for the first time (qualified my first marathon in June). In week 5 of training. So far, so good. Stop by my blog for a visit, if you’d like.
I think it’s really cool that you’re a vegetarian (and an awesome runner). I’m a vegan and always have to explain to people about it and they’re shocked that I’m a decent runner.
If you haven’t yet, check out nomeatathlete.com – pretty awesome vegetarian running website. Runvegan.wordpress.com is really good, too (the guy is an elite runner w/a marathon of 2:25!)
Hi Kenny – thanks for your comment and the blog recommendations! I do read No Meat Athlete, but hadn’t heard of Run Vegan before. I love hearing about elite runners who are also vegetarians/vegans. Excited to check out his blog!
I love your blog. You look familiar; did you go to Tufts?
Hi
Great site. Would that fair city you call home be Providence? I live in RI.
My wife andf I have run for years. Lots of 5Ks and 10Ks and we do a 10 miler annually in Narragansett. We did our first 1/2 marathon in 2010. I keep kicking around the idea of doing a full marathon before I’m too old to it. I don’t want to wind up sitting in a sun room of a nursing home wishing I had done one!!
great job-keep it up
Dean
Coventry, RI