FitSugar

Words That Move You . . .

Susi May — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:00:43 PDT

In honor of the the seventh annual Nike Women's Marathon, which hits the streets of San Francisco this Sunday, Oct. 17., I bring you this advice from a Nike-sponsored marathoner.

"Do the work. Do the analysis. But feel your run. Feel your race. Feel the joy that is running."
- Kara Goucher

Update: The Cinderella Story of the Nike Women's Marathon

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:05:00 PDT

This just in! Just minutes ago, Nike issued a formal statement announcing that Arien O'Connell is in fact the winner of last weekend's Nike Women's Marathon. Initially, O'Connell was not recognized as the official winner, even though she had the fastest time, because she was not registered as an "elite" runner. I think it is great that Nike has responded to this issue, and it looks like they are changing the rules for next year.

To read Nike's official announcement about the matter, just

Nike is announcing today that it recognizes Arien O'Connell as a winner in last weekend’s Nike Women’s Marathon completing the full race in 2:55:11. She shattered her previous time and achieved an amazing accomplishment.

Arien will receive the same recognition and prize, including a Tiffany & Co. trophy, the full marathon elite group winner received. Arien was unfortunately not immediately recognized as a race winner because she did not start the race with the elite running group, which is required by USATF standards. Because of their earlier start time, the runners in the elite group had no knowledge of the outstanding race Arien was running and could not adjust their strategies accordingly.

Learning from the unique experience in this year’s race, Nike has decided today to eliminate the elite running group from future Nike Women's Marathons. Next year, all runners will run in the same group and all will be eligible to win.

Nike has a proven track record of supporting athletes and we’re proud to be able to honor Arien and other athletes who surpass their goals and achieve great accomplishments.

Yay for Arien and for all the other fast, but non-elite, runners out there. I think it is great that Nike will be changing the format of the race next year. I think it will bring some extra excitement to the race. What about you?

Source

The Sad Cinderella Story of the Nike Women's Marathon

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:00:00 PDT

I have always heard that the Nike Women's Marathon is a super empowering experience. Running with a pack of women and receiving a charm necklace designed by Tiffany (pictured below, some finisher is selling it on Craig's List for $175) at the finish line sound great. I even plan on running the half marathon next year.

On hearing Arien O'Connell's tale, I feel almost as disappointed as she must have. This fifth-grade teacher from NYC ran the course the fastest, but is not officially recognized as the winner - wtf? - due to this unfortunate rule: you have to register as an "elite" runner to qualify for winning the race. The race officials were "flabbergasted" that a non-elite runner could win. O'Connell is not alone in this non-elite unrecognized status. Last weekend at the Chicago Marathon, the fourth fastest runner was not officially recognized as the fourth place winner. He didn't start the race with the elite group so he didn't collect the fourth place prize money. It wasn't until the finishing times were announced at the Nike Marathon closing awards ceremony that O'Connell realized she had the fastest time.

To see O'Connell's finishing time and by how many minutes, not seconds, she beat the official winner,

Arien O'Connell had the best run of her life, shaved 12 minutes off her personal record, and finished the hilly course in 2:55:11. Her official finish time, recorded on the race's computer, was 11 minutes faster than the first place winner. Wow! That is no small margin. I need to ask, why have chip times if no one is going to check them before the winners are announced? One would hope that Nike would figure out a way to celebrate this modest runner, who classifies herself as a solid runner rather than an elite runner, even if the closing ceremonies were completed. Instead, the Nike spokesperson said, "At this point, we've declared our winner." What about thinking on your feet, or dare I even say, thinking on the run? Figure something out, bend the rules, give this gal, who is fleet of feet, some form of acknowledgment.

The press reports that O'Connell is not bitter about the situation; she's just proud of her new personal record and it sounds like she knows she won.

How would you feel? Tell me in the comments section below.

Please read the update with press release from Nike.

Source

Run Like a Girl: Nike Women's Marathon

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:30:00 PST

If you're looking to run one race this year that will be memorable, I suggest signing up for the Nike Women's Marathon (and half marathon) on October 19, 2008. Not only are the official Finisher Necklaces designed by Tiffany & Co (and given to finishers by firemen in tuxes, mind you), you'll also get to run a truly beautiful course laced with girly perks ("pedi-care" stations for blister treatment or a change of socks) through San Francisco. If the fabulous scenery isn't enough, there will be 39 stations with live music, DJs, and cheering squads, plus two more bands at the finish.

Here's the tricky part. Since the race is extremely popular and already sold out for general registration, all interested participants must now register for the random drawing online through Active.com between March 4th and March 18th. Runners will be randomly selected and an email with results will be sent to each applicant on April 1st notifying you if you got a spot or not. Entry fees are as follows: Half Marathon is $90, and Full Marathon is $110. Check out InsideNikeRunning.com for more details.

Source

Run and Train Like a Mother

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 04:46:20 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

Five years ago, Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea immersed themselves in running while training for the Nike Women's Marathon together. While they had support from one another, they realized that there weren't many resources to help working moms balance race training with life.

"There is a huge community of women just like us: women who get up before the sun rises, lace up, and head out," McDowell says. "We wanted to write a book that spoke to those women - our tribe - that addressed the various reasons why we run." And that is how Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving - and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity was born. The pair's new book, Train Like a Mother, is in stores now and "fills in the gaps." You'll find motivation tips, "motherly advice," funny anecdotes, and nine busy-woman-friendly training plans for races from 5Ks to marathons.

We laughed, nodded in agreement, and dog-eared countless pages while reading Train Like a Mother, but nothing stood out quite like the running bucket list. It's like a fitness game full of fun challenges that you can start today! Here are a few bucket list items from the authors to get you started - check out the book for more or brainstorm your own ideas that will inspire you to "run this mother!"

Read on to get the bucket list!

More from Fitness Magazine:

Rock Your Run: Eight Beginner Running Tips

The 10-Week Half-Marathon Training Guide

The Top Seven Foods For Runners

Run Like a Mother

espnW — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 04:06:07 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea

The Run Like a Mother authors, Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea, provide words of wisdom for balancing training and motherhood - minus the guilt.

Running résumé:
McDowell and Shea are co-authors of the book, Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity (Andrews McMeel, 2010) and Train Like a Mother: How to Cross Any Finish Line and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity, which will be released in mid-March.

McDowell has two kids, has finished two marathons and has her eye on an Ironman in 2013, while Shea, mother of three, has crossed seven marathon finish lines and will cross her eighth at the 2012 Boston Marathon in April.

Olympic hopeful Erin Taylor-Talcott readies to race the men

Sage advice:

Don't think, just go. The hardest thing about being a mother runner is finding time to train - and having your running cause as few ripples in the family schedule as possible. Early morning runs are usually easiest, but motivation can be hard to find when the bed is warm and the sky is pitch black. Lay out your clothes and anything else you need - pre-run banana, water, Garmin - the night before, and when the alarm goes off, say to yourself, "Don't think, just go." Then do it. (The same four words also work when it's later in the day and your kids are begging you not to run. Don't think about guilt. We promise: They'll survive the hour or so you're gone.)

Tune into your breathing

Keep on reading for more advice on running.

The Five Best Races For Women

espnW — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:09:19 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea

Sage Steele, SportsCenter anchor, is preparing to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World on Feb. 26 and hoping to fall in love with running in the process. Follow Sage’s journey on espnW.com.

Women's races offer a decidedly different vibe than their coed cousins': more camaraderie, a sole sister atmosphere that welcomes all runners and walkers, and lots more running skirts. Here are five of the top women's races and series in the country. Sign up then train like Sage.

Disney Tinker Bell and Princess half marathons
Sage picked a winner. Let your inner child run free through the Magic Kingdom at these festival race weekends. Tinker Bell is in Disneyland, while Princess is in Disney World, but both allow thousands of runners to mix and mingle with Disney characters on courses that wind through each park. Racers put almost as much effort into costumes - Snow White, Belle, or Minnie, anyone? - as training. Bonus: your kids will be especially psyched to cheer you on.

Sage Steele gets some training advice from Disney runMom Lori Lovell

Nike Women's Marathon
Yeah, it's tough to snag an entry, but if you can, this race is so worth it. (Psst: Go through Team in Training.) This 26.2-mile race, and its half-marathon companion, traverses San Francisco with sweeping vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean to take your mind off the killer hills in the first 10 miles of the race. Tuxedo-clad firefighters bestow each finisher with a Tiffany & Co. pendant.

Run fast by fueling up smart

Three more great races after the break.

Have You Ever Run a Marathon?

FitSugar — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:08:25 PDT

This weekend, 20,000 women hit the streets of San Francisco to take part in the annual Nike Women's Marathon. The race is going on its eighth year, with benefits going toward the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. A few of our very own Sugar staffers took part in this year's run, and we couldn't be more proud to see them cross the finish line!

Running 26.2 miles is nothing to scoff at, and finishing a marathon is a goal many runners set their sights toward. With marathon season in full swing, we're curious about how many of you have hit the 26.2-mile mark.

Photo courtesy of Nike