This is it, the final day before the 113th Boston Marathon. If you are running the Boston Marathon on Monday feel free to click here to download the interview questions and email it back (with a picture of yourself if you would like) to tim.short1@gmail.com.
Boston Marathon Interview
Wicked Runner: Steph Cooper (Member of Steve’s Team)
Steph Cooper has her eye on the prize as she prepares for the Boston Marathon
How long have you been running, when/why did you start?
I started running about 11 years ago because I needed a positive change in my life. I still remember my first run-3 miles around Green Lake in Seattle with Dan. I had to stop 3 or 4 times, but as I was taking a shower after I was thinking, wow, I ran 3 miles!
Is there something about the Boston Marathon that makes it special to you? Why run this Marathon?
I grew up in Holliston, MA, right out there by the marathon start. Every year my sister and I watched the race with our parents and it never crossed my mind that I would run it one day. As the race approaches I am getting more and more excited. I will run the race with my sister Jen as well as my Steve’s Team teammates!
I was thrilled when Beth O’Grady asked me if I wanted to join Steve’s Team. It has been great running with Beth, Karen, Billy, Sally and Alison, meeting the kids at the Boys and Girls Club and learning more about all the wonderful things the club has available. I am honored to run in Memory of Stephen O’Grady and support the causes that meant so much to him.
How many Boston marathons have you done? Or will this be your first?
This will be my first Boston! I have paced my sister the last 10 miles for the past 4 years and always thought that would be enough for me, but now that I am running from Hopkinton to Boston I am pretty psyched!
Do you have any special diet the week prior to the marathon?
Not really. I have to taper my eating as well as my running, since I think I have been giving myself too much liberty with my diet these days!
Do you follow any specific running program to prepare for a Marathon?
I actually followed other people’s training plans! I ran some training runs with my sister, including 21 miles from Hopkinton to Heartbreak a few weeks ago in a wind and rain storm. I did the Great Bay Half with folks from Wicked and a bunch of long runs out at Nahant with Steve’s Team and others. I also run Tuesday and Thursday mornings with Wicked from Front Street, which is great!
What’s your favorite training run while training for a Marathon?
Definitely Nahant! The hills and scenery are great training and there are hardly any cars on the road. There is also Dunkin Donuts at the Finish!
What is your way to approach running a Marathon? I.e., slow at first, negative splits?
Start out slow and then taper off! Seriously, anyone who knows me knows I never run for time, always for fun and camaraderie.
Do you bring your own nutrition for the Marathon? Electrolytes, Gels, Bars?
I like Cliff Shots Mocha flavor.
Are you shooting for a specific time at Boston or are you running to enjoy the sights and sounds?
Want to enjoy it and soak it all in! My sister and I will be stopping a hundred times to see people we know who will be out there cheering us on.
Do you run with an MP3 player? Have any tunes that get you over the wall or the rough points in the Marathon?
I never run with headphones, but often have songs going through my head. Lately it has been the Ting Tings “That’s Not My Name”, tunes from Prince’s Purple Rain or really anything by the Foo Fighters.
Anything else you would like to add??
I want to thank everyone who has been so supportive, Beth for giving me the opportunity and the Tuesday/Thursday morning crew for getting me up so early and always being there waiting in any kind of weather. The running community here makes my life great!
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