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26.2 Miles Later: 7 Women Share Their Tips For Marathon Success

Michele Foley — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:17:25 PDT

Running a marathon may be on your bucket list of things to do. However, since finishing 26.2 miles still seems daunting, you've put off registering for a race. To help inspire you, we talked to seven everyday - but in no way, ordinary - women who were running in this year's Boston Marathon. From a first-timer to a woman who has completed a whopping 24 marathons, keep reading to see how each of these fit females train, what they eat on race day, and their tips for marathon-day success. Also, make sure to check out our one-stop training destination for everything from a 5K to a marathon.

Race-Day Tips From 2012 Boston Marathon Winner Sharon Cherop

Michele Foley — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:27:27 PDT

This year's Boston Marathon was brutal. The unusually hot weather caused dehydration, heat exhaustion, and in some cases, heat stroke for some of the 2,000 runners. Amid those grueling temps, Kenya's Sharon Cherop emerged as the women's elite champion, who during a press conference shared what led to her victory on such a challenging day. While almost all of us will never finish a marathon with a time like Sharon's 2:31:50, we can benefit from her race-day tips.

Know the Course

Don't let race day be the first time you see the marathon course. When asked what led to her finish-line success, Sharon said knowing the course made all the difference. This was her second time running Boston, so she knew key places where she could afford to slow down or needed to speed up, and there were no surprises waiting for her around any corner, which allowed her to make that dash around the corner at the 600-meter mark before the finish. The specifics of the course also played out in her training. "Last year I realized there's more downhill than uphill. This time I was training more in downhill." Before heading to your destination, research the course online and make note of any elevation changes, winding paths, or road obstacles. Check forums to see what advice other runners offer about their own experiences there. Once you reach your destination, rent a car or sign up for a marathon tour to see the course up front. Driving the length of those 26.2 miles will provide you with a comfortable edge of knowing what to expect on race day.

See what other factors attributed to Sharon's winning success after the break!

Congratulations to Wesley Korir, 2012 Boston Marathon Men's Winner

Michele Foley — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:34:06 PDT

After an amazing race under the hot sun, Wesley Korir is the Men's Elite Winner of the 2012 Boston Marathon, finishing with a time of 2:12:40. Finishing behind Korir was Levy Matebo with a time of 2:13:06 and Bernard Kipyego with a time of 2:13:13. All three top spots are held by Kenyan runners. Korir, a graduate of Louisville, had a surprising come-from-behind victory moving from sixth place into first. No word yet if this win secures Korir a spot on the Kenyan Olympic marathon team, but his chances are looking really well. After the race, Korir had the press room in laughs: when asked his thoughts on the marathon, he lit up saying, "It’s hot out there, in case you didn’t know."

Defending champ and course record-holder Geoffrey Mutai was a favorite to win, but dropped out of the race at the 30K mark due to cramping.

Congratulations to Sharon Cherop, 2012 Boston Marathon Women's Winner

Michele Foley — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:07:56 PDT

Sharon Cherop of Kenya is the 2012 116th Boston Marathon winner of the Women's Elite Race; Cherop, 28, finished with a time of 2:31:50. Following behind Cherop was Jemima Jelagat Sumgong from Kenya with a time of 2:31:52. Georgina Rono of Kenya finished third with a time of 2:33:09. With 600 meters to go, Cherop broke away while turning onto Bolyston Street in downtown Boston, maintaining her lead to the very end.

Temperatures at today's starting line were in the 80s, making for a conservative start as the women adjusted to the unusual heat. Defending champ Caroline Kilel and 2011 New York City Marathon winner Firehiwot Dado were both favorites to win, but were dropped from the lead pack along the infamous Heartbreak Hill section of the race. After Dado and Kilel fell behind, it remained a tight two-women race until the very end with Cherop and Sumgong separated by a matter of seconds. On what attributed to her win, Sharon said, "I’m so happy because it’s my second time being here in Boston. This time around I was really prepared. Last time the race went so fast and I didn’t know I was about to finish. This time, I spent more time training it. Today we also started slowly, which also helped." Cherop placed third at last year's Boston Marathon, and with this win, may have secured a spot on the Kenyan Olympic marathon team.

5 Celebrities Who Ran Wicked Fast at the Boston Marathon

Michele Foley — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 21:09:25 PDT

While no famous faces are scheduled to appear in the 2012 Boston Marathon, celebrities have run this historical course in the past. Keep reading to see which of Hollywood's finest have taken on the country's oldest marathon.

Boston's Hot Weather Deemed Risky by Officials - Runners Encouraged to Defer Entry

Michele Foley — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:49:30 PDT

Running the Boston Marathon is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many, but due to unusually hot weather, Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) officials are encouraging less-experienced runners to defer entry until next year or go at a much slower pace during tomorrow's marathon; temperatures are expected to reach the high 80s. "The weather situation continues to be a significant concern for Boston Marathoners. We have determined that the race will occur in a 'red zone' which is considered an increased risk but acceptable for high-level elite runners. However, it is not considered safe for unfit and novice runners."

Because of the weather, the B.A.A. is allowing registered runners the option to defer their entries to next year’s race; runners who do choose to defer will have to pay the 2013 entry fee. The organization has also extended the finish systems by an hour to remain open until approximately 6 p.m. as a way to encourage participants to run at a slower pace, "For the overwhelming majority of those who have entered to participate in the 2012 Boston Marathon, you should adopt the attitude that this is not a race; it is an experience."

Running for a long period of time in high temps certainly puts increased duress on the body, so be sure to keep the following points in mind:

Run at a slower pace and maintain hydration.
Frequently take breaks by walking instead of running.
Heat stroke is related to intensity of running as well as the heat and humidity. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. If you experience any of these, stop running immediately and if symptoms persist seek medical attention.
Good hydration is important but overhydration can be dangerous. Replenishing with both electrolyte-replacements and water at each hydrating station should provide your body with the amount of fluid it needs during the marathon.
Thirst is an indication that you are underhydrated. You should maintain hydration levels slightly greater than your hydration program in your training, but not in excess.

Special Events Mark the 40th Anniversary of Boston Marathon's First Women's Race

Michele Foley — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:06:55 PDT

This year's Boston Marathon is special to us because it marks the 40th anniversary of women officially being allowed to compete. It was 1972 when Nina Kuscsik (bib number F2) became the first official female winner, beating the other seven women who started and finished the race that day. To mark the anniversary, Nina and four members of the pioneering "Class of 1972" will be the starters of this year's Boston Marathon women's race. These five women, along with Bobbi Gibb (the first female to unofficially win the Boston Marathon), will also be honored at the marathon expo and annual Champions' Breakfast the Saturday before the April 16 marathon takes place.

Seven of the eight women who make up the "Class of 1972"

Learn more about the pioneers who paved the way for women in the Boston Marathon and the milestones that have resulted since after the break!

A Healthy Bite: Valerie Bertinelli

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:00:53 PDT

"I am so high right now, more high than if I'd had a bottle of champagne! I feel euphoric!"

-Valerie Bertinelli shortly after finishing the Boston Marathon with a time of 5:14:37. Valerie, who is just four days away from her 50th birthday, tells People magazine that after a quick bath in the marathon recovery tent, she felt great, "I wonder if it's anything like childbirth where you forget how painful it was. I think I had a pretty amazing time!"

The Jenny Craig spokeswoman was one of 550 participants running for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Prior to yesterday's race, the farthest Valerie had ever run was 19.2 miles during a premarathon run last week. On what was going through her mind when she crossed the finish line: "When I turned the corner and saw the finish line, I turned the music off and just enjoyed the crowd."

Boston Marathon Winners!

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:11:10 PDT

I love a good race, and it sounds like the marathon in Boston today was an exciting one. With a winning time of 2:26:11, Teyba Erkesso of Ethiopia crossed the finish line first today at the 114th running of the Boston Marathon. The 27-year-old takes home a purse of $150,000. Second place was garnered by Tatyana Pushkareva, 24, of Russia, who crossed the line only three seconds behind the winner with a time of 2:26:14. Salina Kosgei, the Kenyan defending champion, came in third place with a time of 2:28:35. The prize for second place is $75,000, and the third place winner takes home $40,000. American Paige Higgins came in 13th place with a time of 2:36:00. Congrats to all the runners - elites and the rest of the pack.

Learn the winners of the men's race when you

Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya, 2:05:52 - winnings $150,000 plus $25,000 bonus for setting a course record
Tekeste Kebede of Ethiopia, 2:07:23 - winnings $75,000
Deribe Merga of Ethiopia, 2:08:39 - winnings $40,000
Ryan Hall* of the United States, 2:08:41 - winnings $25,000
Mebrahtom Keflezighi** of the United States, 2:09:26 - winnings $15,000

*Ryan Hall has the fastest US finishing time at Boston since Bob Kempainen ran 2:08:47 in 1994.
**Mebrahtom Keflezighi won the 2009 New York Marathon.

Speak Up: How Do You Stay in Shape on Vacation?

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:00:23 PDT

As a spokeswoman for Jenny Craig, Valerie Bertinelli lost an amazing 50 pounds on the weight loss system. Fast forward to today, and the actress is training to run the Boston Marathon (her first) on April 19 to support cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. But before she takes on the 26.2 mile run she decided to take a little jaunt to Italy earlier this month, where she enjoyed lots of pasta, red wine, and oysters. "I ate everything I wanted to and forgave myself," she told People Magazine, "and 3.4 lbs. is all I gained! I can take that off!”

Valerie was able to stay fit during her 10-day vacation by walking everywhere: "The smallest number of steps we took in a day was 11,000. We never caught a cab." By the end of the trip she had clocked in 85 miles! With Spring break either under way or just around the corner, staying fit on vacation is of special concern to many of you - especially if you're spending half your vacation in a bikini! Like Valerie, I do my best to walk everywhere when I'm on vacation so I can indulge on local fare but still feel pretty healthy.

How do you stay fit while on vacation?