Marathon woman: Runner Lizzie Lee on juggling breastfeeding with world championships

Irene Feighan meets marathon runner Lizzie Lee.

OLYMPIC marathon runner Lizzie Lee is still breastfeeding her 11-month-old baby but it hasn’t stopped her from competing at the highest level. Two months ago she ran a personal best in the World Half Marathon Championships in Valencia, leading the Irish team home.

She credits her “guru”, strength and conditioning coach Joe O’Connor (Coachpact.com), for the impressive turnaround. “The biggest thing he did for me was my post-baby comeback, designing a very tailored programme. I just do what he tells me,” says the Cork woman who is a project manager at Apple.

“I love what my body has given me to running — it has gotten me to the finish line in an Irish jersey of the Olympic games.”

Mum to Lucy, 3, and Alison, pregnancy has naturally changed her body shape. “I’ve a jiggly bit above my belly button but I don’t care because I’ve two beautiful babies. You could spot the women who’ve had babies at the start line in Rio. You could see who had a jiggly tummy. None of us cared. Not an iota.”

Life at home is very much a team effort. Her husband Paul Kelleher is a keen sportsman (“he gets it”), so it takes a lot of juggling and family support to manage their packed schedule.

She has one simple rule: no TV. And when it comes to catching up with friends on social media, it’s only “when everything else is sorted.” Lights are out by 10pm.

Aged 37, her focus is on the next race. “I have been selected for the Irish team for the European Athletics Championships which are on August 12 and that’s all that is in my head right now.

“I will always run as far as my body will let me, until whatever age I can, but running at this level I just take it one championship at a time. The kids are always going to be my priority.”

Lizzie Lee launched the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon 2018, which will mark and celebrate female runners, linking with the nationwide commemoration of Vótáil 100.

What shape are you in?

From an athletic perspective, I’m in the shape of my life. I run about 90 miles a week and have two 40-50 minute gym sessions a week.

There are weights but a lot of it is my own body weight — as an endurance athlete you are never trying to get bigger, you are trying to get leaner and to prevent injuries. Efficiency is what you’re looking for — not power.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

When I’m training hard I crave good foods. I find it very easy to eat healthily. I’m a big fan of eggs, cheese and meat. You have to put diesel in the engine when you’re training at this level — if you don’t do it the car won’t run. The car isn’t go to run on junk, so you have to eat properly.

Monday to Saturday I tend to be very disciplined and then on Sunday I treat myself to a takeaway or something nice.

What are your guiltiest pleasures?

Chocolate and coffee — it has to be from a barista. I like flat white or a latte. I would walk to a coffee shop over hot coals. My favourite coffee is after a 20-mile run on a Sunday.

What would keep you awake at night?

My baby or my husband snoring.

How do you relax?

I take a nap — 30 minutes.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

What’s your favourite smell?

Coffee beans. If they made a coffee perfume I’d wear it.

What would you like to change about your appearance?

My feet. They are horrific. I was once told by a beautician: ‘I am not going near them’. I didn’t have enough toenails for her to paint. It’s very common for runners.

When is the last time you cried?

A few weeks ago when Desiree Linden won the Boston Marathon. She won it in the lashing rain and the perseverance she showed to win it ... I was bawling watching it. It was her sixth Boston Marathon— she’d never won before. After the race, she Tweeted ‘...keep showing up’.

What traits do you least like in others?

Indecisiveness. I’m very impatient — it’s not great.

What traits do you least like about yourself?

The fact that I’m impatient.

Do you pray?

No.

What would cheer up your day?

A cuddle from either baby. Or coffee.