Runner of the Week: Kaitlyn Lauritzen

Every week, I will be posting about a runner in Utah Valley.  This week's runner is my friend Kaitlyn Lauritzen.  She started running three years ago because her older brother frequently went running.  This inspired her and she decided to try it out too.  Her mom would often bring her along to the gym, so Kaitlyn had the opportunity to start running on the treadmills there.  Since then, she has been consistent with running several times a week.  She has done about 15 races, five of which were this year.  These included the Freedom Fest 10K race, the 6K scholarship fun run for our high school, two half marathons, and a 17 mile race. 

Lehi Roundup 5K, 2012

Kaitlyn also ran a 5K in the American Fork Canyon.  Her Mom ran it with her and was very supportive.

Kaitlyn and her mom, American Fork Canyon 5K, 2012

Kaitlyn's favorite half marathon she has done was the Thankful 13 on Thanksgiving.  She liked the fact that it was flat, not downhill like some of the previous races she has done.  The runners got to run past part of the lake, which was really enjoyable.  It also wasn't too crowded.  There was enough space for people to run comfortably in their space bubbles instead of running shoulder-to-shoulder for the first couple miles like the AF Canyon Half Marathon. 

American Fork Canyon Half Marathon, 2013

The Freedom Fest 10K this year was another race that Kaitlyn ran.  It was on the 4th of July and looped all around Provo.  The runners got to run down the parade route, which makes it much more memorable.  Thousands of people cheering you on as you run would make a difference, I'm sure.

Freedom Fest 10K, 2013

Kaitlyn ran the Deseret News Classic Half Marathon on Pioneer Day this year.  This race also directs the runners down the parade route, but what makes this race even more unique is that it is the oldest race in Utah.  And Kaitlyn's picture for this great half marathon made it in the newspaper!

Deseret News Classic Half Marathon, 2013 (Kaitlyn is on the far left)

This weekend on September 29th, Kaitlyn will be doing the Remembering Penny Walk/Ride against abuse.  Penny was Kaitlyn's aunt's deaf friend who was killed in her apartment three years ago.  The race is hosted by Sego Lily, Center for the Abused Deaf.  Click the following link if you would like to know more about this event. Remembering Penny Walk/Ride Against Abuse

One thing that Kaitlyn has learned through her running experiences is to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth.  She learned this the hard way... After swallowing a fly!

Some advice Kaitlyn gives to runners is, "Sometimes it hurts, but you gotta suck it up!"  You have to push yourself to achieve your goals and be successful.  Another thing she tells runners is to always stay hydrated and drink a lot of water before running.  However, she suggests not to eat a lot right before running.  Kaitlyn suggests a white bagel and some orange juice because they supply a person with enough energy to run, while at the same time they're not hard to digest.  I am definitely going to try this out next time I go running.  Who's with me?!

Another thing Kaitlyn suggests is don't skip a day that you planned to run.  If you miss one day, you are likely to miss another and another, and you will most likely not achieve your goals.  Keep being persistent and run on!