Dakotah Lindwurm In running, he is often referred to as the “underdog” despite numerous podiums over the marathon distance.

By all accounts, Lindwurm should not have been an Olympic marathoner for Team USA. He attended college at a small Division II school not exactly known for producing professional athletes, and after graduation he worked as a substitute teacher and then a paralegal.

After years of hard work before and after his day job, Lindwurm began to find success over the marathon distance as an elite runner.

The 29-year-old athlete cemented herself as a top American distance runner by placing third at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February and furthered her talent by taking a top finish of 12th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics this summer. An American woman in the marathon at the 2024 Games.

“I am extremely proud of my result at the Olympics and really grateful to have had a great experience there,” Lindwurm tells Well+Good. “This is something I will always look back on fondly.”

Lindwurm is preparing to stand on the starting line of the 2024 New York City Marathon, and she’s doing it with a happy attitude.

“I will be entering the New York City Marathon as excited as I have ever been for the World Marathon Championships because I am not nervous at all,” says Lindwurm. “This year has been really great, and if the New York City Marathon goes well, that would be great. If not, I can still look back on this year and be proud of everything that’s happened.”

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Now, in what Lindwurm describes as “the best year I could have ever imagined,” he shares that despite intense training and racing, he continues to enjoy and appreciate the process of becoming an elite marathoner: no matter the results.

“If the New York City Marathon goes well, that’s the best outcome. If not, I can still look back on this year and be proud of everything that happened.” —Dakotah Lindwurm

1. Spend time with people

There are days when even professional runners look more attractive than running the miles. When Lindwurm feels that emotion, she relies on her community of friends and supporters to keep her going.

“When I’m not feeling well for my daily workout, I try to take my friends along, even my fiancée, and I’ll even bring my dog ​​with me,” says Lindwurm. “Seeing my friends or running and chatting with my teammates makes the miles fly by; running with my friends is one of my favorite things.”

In a year that certainly had its pressures and intensity, Lindwurm’s close friends and family helped her stay consistent throughout her life. marathon trainingWhether it’s for the Olympics or a World Marathon Major like the New York City Marathon.

2. Compete for fun

While the races you’ll most often hear about from professional runners are big, important events like the Olympics, Lindwurm also likes to participate in local, short-distance races just for fun.

“You will always have a big goal or race in your future, so do fun, low-stakes races. Türkiye Race “This blend helps me remember why I love running,” says Lindwurm. “If the little race goes well that’s great, but even if it doesn’t you can remember that you signed up to have a good time first and that’s the most important thing.”

Including short-distance, “fun” races while training for a longer or more intense race can also be a good way to train for your big day. You can enter your nutrition and hydration strategy, the clothes and shoes you’ll wear on race day, and of course your pacing plan.

As an added bonus, local races often have much less intense weather than large-scale events like a marathon in a big city, and you might even see a friend or two at the starting line.

3. Get lost in a good playlist or podcast

Lindwurm says that although runners are comfortable with their own thoughts and believe in the difficulties of making friends with your brain (especially on race day), every once in a while pumping playlist or podcast to reconnect with the joy of running.

“When I can’t convince my fiancé or friends to go for a run with me, I’ll review my list of podcasts I keep for runs or play my favorite energizing songs and give any of those a little mental treat,” says Lindwurm.

When asked what one of Lindwurm’s favorite exciting songs is, his answer may surprise you.

“I really like ‘How Far I’ll Go’, a song from the Disney movie MoanaLindwurm says. “It’s a good motivational song and definitely the most embarrassing song on my shotgun playlist.”

Hey, anything that will make your miles smile!

“If you don’t take planned rest, your body will eventually force you to take unplanned rest.” —Dakotah Lindwurm

4. Eat *all* the sweet treats

Many people think that professional athletes follow a diet consisting primarily of extremely healthy staple foods such as salads, rice, and chicken. Lindwurm makes sure he gets the nutrients he needs to perform at an elite level, but he’s no stranger to a sweet treat or two.

“I love Crumb Cookies,” says Lindwurm. “I really love their cheesecake-flavored cookies, or the ones with that delicious, thick frosting on top. Every week Crumbl has these types of cookies in stock, I order them.

Lindwurm admits he is in the highest echelon Crumbl Cookies customer loyalty program: Pink status.

“I think the food delivery guy comes to my house a lot to deliver cookies,” says Lindwurm. “But it makes me happy.”

Working on sweets or savories that bring a few moments of bliss to your taste buds can make it extra rewarding in the long run or extra relaxing on a rest day. Don’t stay away from foods that make you feel good!

5. Take a break

Once you find success in running or any sport, it can be tempting to keep pushing harder. But truly wise athletes know that taking breaks can actually help you achieve more success along the way, rather than never giving up.

Lindwurm certainly isn’t ascribing the “no days off” mantra floating around social media or recited by “gurus.”

“When you’ve had a bad day and every bone in your body doesn’t want to run and nothing is working to get yourself out the door, sometimes your body just wants a break,” says Lindwurm. “Taking a week off can actually reignite your joy of running. “At the end of this break, you may find that you can’t wait to get out the door for a run.”

Taking a break from a dedicated running program can be scary, but Lindwurm advises others to embrace it rather than fear it.

“If you don’t take it planned rest“Your body will eventually force you to take unplanned rest,” says Lindwurm. “I prefer to decide when to take a break rather than my body forcing me. For as long as I’ve been doing marathons, I’ve always taken a week off after the race, sometimes even two; This leave will reward me rather than harm me.”