There is still plenty of time for those who would like to complete an interview and get them in before the Marthon Monday! Please download the interview form and email it to tim.short1@gmail.com. Also, feel free to include a photo of yourself as well.

Boston Marathon Interview with Steph Cooper

How long have you been running, when/why did you start?

I have been running for about 12 years.   I started because I wanted to get in shape for backpacking and it took off from there.

Is there something about the Boston Marathon that makes it special to you? Why run this Marathon?

I grew up by the marathon start and went to watch every year.   I spent time in all of the towns along the route, so it only makes sense that I would run this one.  Besides, it is Boston!   The big show!

How many Boston marathons have you done? Or will this be your first?

This will be my second Boston.  I ran last year with Beth O’Grady and Steve’s Team

Do you have any special diet the week prior to the marathon?

We have a tradition of going out for Italian food on the Saturday night before the marathon.  Heck, I did that even when I was not running!

Do you follow any specific running program to prepare for a Marathon?

I actually don’t.  I just add longer and longer runs on the weekend.  Being in Wicked there are always other people training, so I take some cues from them.

What’s your favorite training run while training for a Marathon?

I like the 21 miles from Hopkinton to Heartbreak on the Boston course a few weeks out.  It is a real confidence booster!   

What is your way to approach running a Marathon? I.e., slow at first, negative splits?

 Anyone who knows me knows that my approach is always about having fun.  I am a really chatter, so I never run for speed, but more socialization and experience.

Do you bring your own nutrition for the Marathon? Electrolytes, Gels, Bars?

I always carry my water bottle (even for short runs) ~ the Tuesday and Thursday morning folks know this well.    I will also carry some Clif Shot and Shot blocks.

Are you shooting for a specific time at Boston or are you running to enjoy the sights and sounds?

I am running to take it all in.  I will run with my sister and enjoy every step.

Do you run with an MP3 player? Have any tunes that get you over the wall or the rough points in the Marathon?

I don’t.  I hardly ever run by myself, so chat rather than listen to music.  If I have to run alone I listen to podcasts of This American Life or Car Talk

Anything else you would like to add??

My sister and I will be wearing pink princess skirts in the marathon this year, so keep an eye out for us!

I am ever grateful to all my running friends, particularly the Lynn Woods Crew and the Tuesday/Thursday morning Wicked Runners!  You guys make my life great!

With only one week to go before Marathon Monday, runners from all over the world are starting to focus on next Mondays historic race. All this week you will be treated to an inside look at how Wicked Runners are preparing for the Boston Marathon through Wicked’s own Boston Marathon Interview. If you are running the Boston Marathon next week 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. Go Wicked! Tomorrows interview: Lester Friedberg.

Boston Marathon Interview with Denise Murphy (Member of Steve’s Team):

How long have you been running, when/why did you start?

I started running in 2002 and competed in my first road race; the 6^th Annual Northshore Wellness 5k.   I followed a 10-week training schedule to train for this event!

Is there something about the Boston Marathon that makes it special to you? Why run this Marathon?

Having grown up just 6 miles from the Boston marathon finish line, the race has always been a Patriot’s Day tradition for me.  Whether cheering at the race in person, volunteering at it, or staying glued to my television set all day; as a “local”, it’s just something I wouldn’t miss.

How many Boston marathons have you done? Or will this be your first?

This will be my first Boston Marathon!

Do you have any special diet the week prior to the marathon?

I plan to take in a little more carbohydrates than I usually do and make sure I’m staying hydrated.

Do you follow any specific running program to prepare for a Marathon?

I’ve been involved in the Mike Toomey running clinic in preparation for this event. I’ve enjoyed the speed workout sessions which you can find me doing around the Salem Common on Thursdays and the long runs with the other clinic members on Saturday mornings.

What’s your favorite training run while training for a Marathon?

My favorite training run has been the West Shore Drive / Marblehead Neck loop starting at Forest River Park.  You get a variety in both the elevation and the terrain.

What is your way to approach running a Marathon? I.e., slow at first, negative splits?

I usually start out slow to make sure I have enough “fuel in the tank” for when I need it at the end.  This will be the first race I’ll be wearing a Garmin Forerunner to track my pace.  I plan on holding back a little for the first 13 miles in order to save some strength in my legs for when the hills come up at miles 17 through 21.

Do you bring your own nutrition for the Marathon? Electrolytes, Gels, Bars?

I will be bringing my own nutrition to the race including Espresso Love GU (sorry Wicked Running Club volunteers at the Power Gel stop!) along with some Sports Beans.  If it’s going to be a hot/humid day, I’ll pack some salt tablets in my racing belt pouch.

Are you shooting for a specific time at Boston or are you running to enjoy the sights and sounds?

This will be my first “pavement marathon” event so I’m not too sure what to expect (I’ve competed in two trail marathons and an Ironman which ends in a marathon).  I’d like to finish knowing that I did the best I could have done out there on the course while not missing out on all the excitement the spectators, volunteers and fellow runners bring on that day.

Do you run with an MP3 player? Have any tunes that get you over the wall or the rough points in the Marathon?

This is the first long distance event I’ve trained for where I haven’t created a playlist on my iPod.  Every year when I train for a big event, I put together songs I like to run to.  When I hear a song on the radio from my playlist, it reminds me of the training I did and the event itself.  Some songs I’ve used in the past were chosen because of their beat and their lyrics including Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Can’t Stop (…”can’t stop, addicted to the shindig…”) and Eminem’s Lose Yourself (…“you only get one chance to blow do not miss your opportunity…”)

This year, I decided not to create a playlist and just enjoy the conversation of the fellow Toomey clinic runners on Saturday mornings.  I’ve also enjoyed the solitude of running by myself and thinking about the race and what it means to me and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem whom I’ve been raising money for by being a member of Steve’s Team.

Anything else you would like to add?

This event will not only be special to me because it’s the “Mecca” of marathons, but because I’m running it as a member of Steve’s Team.  I’m a part of a fundraising force that has been going strong for 11 years.  I’m honored and eternally grateful for this opportunity.