In this Adventure Jogger episode, Lauren Paulson shares her inspiring journey of celebrating her 50th birthday with 12 races in 12 months. From triathlons to ultras, including her first 100K & 100 Miler and the Rim to Rim to Rim of the Grand Canyon, Lauren reflects on training, resilience, and the joy of racing with friends.
Takeaways
- Lauren is running a race every month to celebrate her 50th birthday.
- She transitioned from swimming to running after college.
- Her first marathon was in 2001 at the Columbus Marathon.
- Lauren has completed 12 full Ironmans and qualified for Kona.
- She experienced COVID during her first Kona Championships.
- Trail running became her favorite after knee surgery.
- Lauren enjoys the camaraderie of racing with friends.
- She balances work and training by being efficient with her time.
- Most of her races this year were about having fun.
- If you're not having fun with running, what's the point? March was filled with stacked road races including a half marathon, 10K, and one-miler.
- The Eagleton 50K in April was a beautiful run with friends.
- May's half Ironman in Chattanooga was a hot and challenging race.
- The Rim to Rim to Rim of the Grand Canyon was a bucket list adventure.
- Hydration was crucial during the Grand Canyon run due to extreme heat.
- The Great Hill Ultra 100K was Lauren's first experience at that distance.
- The course for the 100K was challenging with bushwhacking and climbing over trees.
- August featured a local Olympic distance triathlon, which was a shorter race.
- Lauren felt she performed well in the Olympic triathlon despite it being a fast-paced event.
- Each race brought unique challenges and memorable experiences. Lauren's journey includes a variety of challenging races.
- The SOS triathlon involved unique logistics and cold water swims.
- Mental preparation is crucial for endurance racing.
- Injuries can be a part of the journey, but recovery is possible.
- Support from friends and crew is invaluable during races.
- Lauren aims to qualify for prestigious races like Western States.
- She finds joy in the community and inspiration from others.
- Each race teaches valuable lessons about resilience and determination.
- The thrill of crossing the finish line is unmatched.
- Lauren plans to continue racing and exploring new challenges.
Chapters
00:00
Celebrating 50 Years Through Running
06:01
Diving into Adventure Racing and Obstacle Courses
14:59
Training Strategies and Balancing Work
23:09
March Madness: Stacked Road Races
31:20
Epic June: Rim to Rim to Rim of the Grand Canyon
39:10
July's First 100K: The Great Hill Ultra
44:39
Adventures in Racing: A Journey Through Challenges
52:08
The Rollercoaster of Endurance Racing
01:01:11
Celebrating Achievements and Future Goals
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