1.Name: Jill Bredow
2.Tell us about your past race/running experience: I have been running for the past 5 years. My good friend was a runner and I wanted to get in better shape, so she helped me get started. I have run several 5 & 10K’s and many half marathons. Running a marathon was the ultimate goal for me.
3. What race did you run? 2010 LA Marathon
4. Why did you sign up for this race? I had always wanted to run a marathon but never really had the motivation to get out there and do it on my own. A friend told me she was running it and asked me to join her. That was really all I needed to sign up and start training.
5. What/who inspires you to run? I was never very athletic in school, so it is amazing to me what my body is able to do now that I am older. I enjoy feeling good about myself and seeing my goals come to fruition. I love seeing my girls get excited about an upcoming race and hear them talk about how they will win a medal someday too.
6. What is your best training tip? For me, running with a partner was my motivation to get up each day and run. I have trouble self motivating, so it was great accountability for me to know that someone was waiting for me, so I had to get up and go.
7. Water or Sports Drink? Generally water, but I also like half water/half sports drink.
8. Tell us about the outcome of the race: The marathon was much harder than I thought it would be. My body was tired much earlier in the race than I was prepared for. Without my running partner I would have lost hope very early on. We started out right on pace, but as I got more and more tired we slowed down. It was a great course, with lots of spectator support. There was a lot of energy on the sidelines that really helped when my energy was low. My goal was to finish under 5 hours, and I crossed the line in 4:56:47.
9. Your favorite post-race indulgence? My parents live on the east coast and they sent me a box of hoagies from my favorite sandwich shop in Pennsylvania. I sat down and devoured an East End Hoagie. It was the best sandwich I have ever eaten.
10. Favorite part of racing in a Sparkle Skirt? The sparkle skirt got lots of props from the spectators. I heard so many people call out “Love the skirt!”, “Thanks for dressing up!” I even heard a “Yeah Team Sparkle!” When we passed cheer alley so many cheerleaders yelled out “Cute skirts! I love those!” It was fun to get called out so many times. Made me smile when I felt like crying.
Additional info:
Blog: http://blog.allyzabba.com
Twitter ID: @allyzabba
Race recap HERE
1. Name: Holly Thomas
2. Tell us about your past race/running experience: None before training for the LA Marathon – have done two half marathons in 2010.
3. What race did you run? 2010 LA Marathon
4. Why did you sign up for this race? Personal goal for some time
5. What is your best training tip? Run with a friend or someone you want to be friends with.
6. Water or Sports Drink? Water
7. Tell us about the outcome of the race: I finished better than my goal of 5 hours – 4hr 48min. Felt amazed that I could and did accomplish such an amazing feat.
8. Your favorite post-race indulgence? Had a massage and facial the next morning after eating an apple fritter. It was all delicious!
9. Favorite part of racing in a Sparkle Skirt? Since my running partner and I both had sparkle skirts, we were quite a running pair. And even when we split up, I got a lot of attention from the skirt which boosted my spirits, particularly after mile 20.
The Traveling Sparkle Skirts are a pair of Sparkle Athletic Running Skirts (one Hot Pink & one Turquoise) that travel the globe spreading the Sparkle Athletic love. Read more stories of the Traveling Sparkle Skirts HERE.