Chelsea Lahey

Chelsea Lahey of Salisbury, owner of Galaxy Gymnastics, keeps a busy schedule as a business owner and mom. She sets goals and figures out how to stay diligent to her training.

When did you start running? 
This is a funny story! My dad was a runner for my entire childhood, and as much as he wanted me to run, I just hated it! When I went to college, I started running / walking a few miles once or twice a week, but I still didn’t enjoy it. After college (2013) I met my husband, Aaron, and he told me he wanted to run a half marathon. We were still in the stage of me wanting him to think that I was “cool,” so I signed up with him. That began my “real” running journey. 

Congratulations on finishing the Salisbury Marathon. What was your training like? 
Thank you! I did a 16-week marathon training block. I am very strict with my training, so most weeks look very similar. I would do an interval workout once a week, a shorter tempo run once a week, and a long run once a week. Two other days of the week I would do recovery runs. The distance of these would be based on where I was in my training. I also took up boxing this year which really worked my strength and cardio. After two months of boxing, I actually PR’d my 5k! 

Any favorite workouts to share? 
My favorite workouts are ALWAYS interval runs. I like that intervals break up your workout and that I get to do them with my friends! When we do intervals, we run on a track so anyone can run no matter what their pace is… There is no way to get dropped! I like a good ladder workout with descending times – for example 400, 600, 800, 1600, 800, 600, 400 with a nice jog/walk recovery in between.

Do you have a favorite race distance or event? What’s on your running calendar the rest of the year?
I really love the 10-mile distance! I was so upset I couldn’t run Tim Kennard this year because it’s one of my favorite races. Currently, I’m not signed up for ANYTHING! Since I didn’t qualify for Boston at Salisbury, I will be trying again at some point soon! I’m thinking I’ll either try to qualify in June (PA) or November (GA). I have been being bullied (kidding- kind of) into signing up for the Island Tour, and I do want to try to PR my 5k at Ben Layton this year.

You are a busy mom of two and you own a business, Galaxy Gymnastics. How do you balance all the demands of life and get your run in, too? 
My support system is UNMATCHED! Many times I get up between 4:30 – 5:00 a.m. to run before the kids get up, but if I don’t, I will try to sneak out of work to get in a run. I have amazing managers at the gym who hold the fort down if I need to go for a training run. My husband or parents will also take the kids for a few hours if I need a long run on the weekend. I try to remind myself how lucky I am that my body is able to run and not to take it for granted. 

Do you have any gear you like to recommend? 
I LOVE my Athleta Rainer tights! Athleta is worth every penny! 

What advice would you give a new runner or someone trying to improve? 
When I started to take running seriously, the furthest I could run was .6 miles. My first half marathon was an 11:45 pace (2:34:06); I currently run a sub 1:45 half marathon. I am NOT a natural runner, but I have worked really hard over the years. Here are my top 3 words of advice. 

1. If you want to get faster… Run with people you love and people that are faster than you. My running really got better when I started running with Melissa Lahey, Kaytlyn Senkbeil, Melissa Wilson, Brian Swift, Matty B, Jay DeBerardinis, etc. I was struggling to keep up with them at first, but I JUST KEPT SHOWING UP and hanging on until it became comfortable. Not only did it make me faster, but when I was fast enough to be able to talk while I ran, they really became my best friends!
   
2. TAKE DAYS OFF if you need it (mental health, physical health, whatever). Prioritizing your health and recovery is hard but necessary! If you’re just starting and you’re healthy, don’t go more than 3 days without running / walking. Getting in a grove is hard, but trying to get back into a grove after you stop is even harder! I call this “The Three Day Rule.”
   
3. Sometimes you won’t have motivation and you’ll have to rely solely on DISCIPLINE. I think about this a lot. Even if I don’t feel like doing a workout, that doesn’t mean that I just get to skip it. Do it for yourself. Your goals are for you and no one else. Enjoy the journey.