(eeeeeeeeeeeek…..excitement……!!)
All in all, I would say I am pretty lucky to be living in Columbus, Ohio and have the support and friendship of a huge and growing running community. I am proud and excited to me part of the movement that is Fleet Feet Columbus and if I had not met the people there and started running with MIT two years ago, I know I would not be where I am today. My running buddies have been there with me through the happy times and helped me cope with one of the most difficult times in my life, losing my mother this April. We’ve run racestogether, laughed together, cried together and grown together as a family. Fleet Feet always seems to take care of us – whether it be putting water out on the trails at 4:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning, providing access to community medical providers or hosting a meet and greet with the legendary of Bart Yasso – they’re awesome like that!
Yesterday was no different because Fleet Feet hosted a morning with none other than the Marathon Woman…
Kathrine Switzer!
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| Kathrine speaking at Fleet Feet Columbus |
Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as a numbered entrant in 1967, five years before women were officially granted entry to the event. She was able to finish the race despite attempts by race officials to remove her from the course. Challenging what was at that time a male dominated sport, Kathrine became an inspiration to many women looking to excel in sports and bridge what was a huge gender barrier. You may remember seeing this photograph:
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| Kathrine is running (Bib #261) as race officials try to stop her during the Boston Marathon |
With the help of Katherine’s work, equal opportunities for women have emerged all around the globe. Since Boston, Kathrine has gone one to run numerous marathons including a personal best of 2:51.33! She has gone on to be the driving force behind the first women’s Olympic marathon, has been a television broadcaster and now an author and public speaker. Her books, 26.2 Marathon Stories, Running and Walking for Women Over 40, and Marathon Woman have sold millions of copies worldwide.
I am still grinning from ear to ear that I got to meet her!
Not only that, but she ran with us (okay, not me because she is a lot faster than me, even though she calls herself slow) for our Saturday morning workout. She looked gorgeous!
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| Kathrine (middle) with a group of MITers! |
Kathrine’s talk was so inspiring – I could have listened to her talk all day! She talked about so many things – including the 1967 Boston Marathon – but primarily about the movement she has seen in running as pioneered by women themselves. Kathrine really believes that running brings women – and also men – together like no other sport. She talked about how running makes us stronger and happier and allows to accomplish what was once thought to be impossible. Running pushes us to the extreme and the possibilities in running – both now and in the future – are limitless.
| The Lucky 13’s with Kathrine and our newest ‘lil runner – Avery! |
Avery spent many miles running with us over the past several months while still inside her Mommy’s tummy . Since Kathrine was the first celebrity she has ever met (she’s only 3 weeks old!), we know she will grow up to be a Marathon Woman too! Think I’m kidding? This girl already has her very own pair of Nike running shoes!
The Giveaway
Don’t think I forget about you, Blogland! 😉 I know most of you guys probably have not have the opportunity to meet Kathrine, but I did pick up a few extra things for you and put together the 26.2 Marathon Woman Prize Pack:
Item #1
A signed hardcover copy of 26.2: Marathon Stories by Kathrine Switzer and Roger Robinson (also signed by both authors!). But wait, you haven’t run a marathon yet? This book is “For anyone who has ever run a marathon or dreamed of doing so, 26.2: Marathon Stories is the ultimate tribute. And the ultimate inspiration.” Katherine said she is really proud of this book because not only does it have stunning photographs throughout, but it tells the history of the marathon. She said you cannot read this book without learning something, as well as being inspired – no matter what distances you run.
Item #2
Marathon Woman charm/shoe tag. It is inscribed with MW Fearless on the front and 261 (Kathrine’s Bib # during Boston) with an artist representation of Kathrine on the back. Kathrine said it is made of pewter and if worn on your shoe “gets you a guaranteed PR in your next race!”
Item #3
TWO Marathon Woman bracelets. Kathrine wears hers on her wrist and it doubles as a hair tie when she needs it! It also has 261 inscribed on the back.
Please leave me a separate comment for each entry to increase your chances of winning!
Mandatory:
- Become a follower of my blog or let me know that you already are. (+1 Entry)
- Tell me why you want to would like to win the 26.2 Marathon Woman Prize Pack. Are you a Marathon Woman already? Do you aspire to run 26.2 someday? (+1 Entry)
Extra Entries:
- Spread the word! Facebook, Twitter (be sure to include @wordstorunby), your blog (+1 Entry Each)
- VOTE for me to earn a spot on Chocolate Milk’s Team Refuel HERE(Search for me by name- Sara Wyen) and leave me a comment each time that you do. (+1 entry PER DAY that you vote)
You have through Sunday 09/11/2011 to enter (and vote!) and I will announce the winner on my blog shortly after then.
Until the next mile marker,
Follow
Sara ! Awesome giveaway !
I was reading the Fleet Street web site and saw that Kathrine was going to address you but hadn’t realized she was going to run with the group too. So neat.
Of course I am following you… I am reading your tab pages for inspiration and love the posts!
I have been voting for you every day… today as well. Sept 4th
I so hope you are chosen.
I have even started having chocolate milk occasionally after I run!
I am not a marathoner… and I am aspiring to be a half-marathoner (oh gosh did I just go public with that)
I am old enough to remember all the hubbub when Kathrine ran Boston in 1967 and was a young bookish shy girl, totally inspired by this beautiful brassy and pushy woman who broke the rules and excited the world. Pre women’s lib!
The giveaway package is wonderful and I would love to have the charm and the bracelets to wear when I run to give me motivation and inspiration to achieve more.
Linking to this post on my blog at eatrunsail.blogspot.com
I tweeted your giveaway!
Hmm, I think I’m a follower. Just a guess.
I want to win because my life sucks and I didn’t get to meet Kathrine. I know you’ll eventually talk me in to 26.2 (I don’t think I’ll be quite ready for Cbus in 2012 like we had planned, but probably 2013).
I voted for you. And if you win, there best be chocolate milk up in here.
i follow!
Tweeted, yo!
I want to win because even though I was the last women to officially cross the line at Chicago last year I wanted to get redemption this year and actually finish in a normal “there are still people at the finish line” time but I can’t due to injury. :/
I’m a follower of your blog, but I already was 🙂
I would love to win the prize pack because I am deeply thinking about taking the plunge and signing up for my first full!! I would love a little extra boost of motivation!
Tweet tweet, I tweeted about the giveaway!
AND I voted for you on Refuel because you deserve to win!! 🙂
I’m a follower, duh!
I *am* a marathon woman and proud of it!
I voted at team refuel.
Getting ready to tweet!
new follower! I’m ~K~ and my email is runner_girl5k(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’d like to win the 26.2 marathon pack b/c her story is so inspiring, I love reading running books and i’ve never run a marathon. (And will definitely need to get inspired to ever do one — 11 miles is as far as i’ve ever run at once!)
runner_girl5k(at)yahoo(dot)com
I tweeted it!
I posted it on FB http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baby-Weight-My-Fat-Ass/214277438592130
I follow your blog! 🙂
I would like to win the 26.2 pack because I have so much to learn about running. I started running (very slowly!) about 18 months ago and although I love it more, I am not improving all that much. I’d love to learn from her books and be even more inspired.
I follow on Google Reader!
I would love to win this prize package, because Kathryn Switzer has always been one of my role models. The book, signed by her, would be a truly awesome thing to have! I have run two marathons…not sure how many more I will do… 🙂
I tweeted about this giveaway!
I voted for you at Chocolate Milk Refuel!
Voted for your today, Sept 5th.
Happy Labor Day!
Avery is famous! Woot! Of course I’m a follower. You’re just that awesome. 😀
Why would I love to win 26.2? Because some day – we WILL run a marathon together…and this’ll keep me honest and inspired. 🙂
I voted for you. Again. 😉
And for the record – I’m obsessed with Chocolate milk. I buy it at Costco now. 🙂
wow!! seriously an awesome giveaway! i am a follower!
I would love to win this giveaway because she seriously sounds inspiring. Plus I have always been huge on learning, reading about, studying equality and women’s rights. I would love to know more about her story. ANd I believe running a marathon was one of the most empowering things I have ever done!
voted for you!
I’m a follower!
I am now following your blog!
I want to win because I am hoping to run a marathon in the spring and would love to have some inspiration to aid me along my journey!
I want to win because I am hoping to run a marathon in the spring and would love to have some inspiration to aid me along my journey!
I tweeted your giveaway! @wealths_health
Voted for you again! 😉
I am indeed a marathon woman! I’ve only completed one, but I’m hoping to get another two under my belt in the upcoming months. 🙂
And of course I’ve voted for you several times.
Following your blog! I’m doing 5 Days of Giveaways on my blog this week if you want to check it out!
I’d lose to win this because I’m aspiring to run a marathon in the next few years. I just started running this year and the extra motivation would really help me a lot!
Voted for you today!
I’m already a follower!
I’d love to win the prize pack! I’m a 1/2 marathoner, but always looking to improve my training/time, etc. and knowing that running is as much a mental sport as physical, I’d love to read another woman’s story.
I just became a follower!
I would love to win the prize pack because, yes, I am already a marathon woman. 10 years ago I did a marathon. Then had two babies and gained a lot of weight. Well, I’m back, baby! I’m doing another marathon this year- my second! I am very proud to be a marathon woman again.
I just voted for you!
I voted for you today, September 6th.
Voted for you today, Sept 7th.
Yup. I voted for you again. 🙂
Yup. I voted again. Because I have nothing better to do at 4am. 🙂 You were on the front page again!
Voted for you today Sept 8th
Following your blog!!
I have voted for you!!
And I voted for you again. 🙂
I am already a follower!
I hope to run a marathon one day
Follower!
I voted for you!
I’m a marathon woman x 6!
I linked your giveaway on my blog.
Hullloooo! I voted for you today, September 9th.
I am a follower of your blog!
I would love to win this prize because someday I aspire to run a marathon! Never thought I would say that! 🙂
voted today!
Vote for you today Sept10th. Nice run, Sara!
voted today!
I’m a follower! I’d love to have any of these prizes ’cause I just finished my first race yesterday!!! I’ve been “bitten” by the bug and your blog is so inspiring!
I voted for you again. September 11th.
Still voting for you every day… just wanted to tell ya!