Dagny Scott Barrios - Runners World Complete Book of Womens Running: the Best Advice to Get Started, Stay Motivated, Lose Weight, Run Injury-Free, Be Safe, and Train for Any Distance

A MONG THE NUMEROUS L IFE -E NHANCING ASPECTS OF RUNNING , the people you meet are near the top of the list. Over the years, Ive been lucky to get to know many of the wonderful runners, coaches, physicians, and leaders in this sport. Dozens of these people have graciously assisted in the creation of this book, offering their time and knowledge.

First and foremost among them is Maureen Robenrunner, coach, mother, and overall delightful spirit. Never without a smile and a laugh, Maureen is a force of nature who has quietly given back to the sport for years with her Womens Running Camps. She served as the sounding board for this book and helped to devise its workout schedules. Thanks also go to Diane Palmason, who cofounded and codirects the camps with Maureen. Dianes wealth of knowledge on the health of women runners was invaluable to me in my research. My thanks to both Maureen and Diane for allowing me to use their camp as a forum for discussing the issues covered in this book with other women runners.

Thomas Shonka, D.P.M., deserves thanks not only for his assistance with this book but also for his attentive treatment of my own litany of injuries. Thomas is a runners dream podiatrist: He understands our fervent need to get back on our feet quickly, and he finds time in his busy schedule to see that he makes it so. As a former president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, Thomas provided invaluable help with this book.

Countless other experts contributed their wisdom to this book, among them Henley Gabeau, Judy Mahle Lutter, Lynn Jaffee, Susan Kalish, Lewis Maharam, Jack Daniels, David Martin, Neal Pire, Ray Browning, Amy Roberts, Steven Ungerleider, Carol Otis, Nancy Clark, Susan Kundrat, Jerilynn Prior, Douglas Hall, Jerry Lynch, Roy Benson, and Lisa Callahan.

Special thanks go to the runners and friends who shared their thoughts and tips throughout these chapters: Shelly Steely, Nadia Prasad, Jane Welzel, Libbie Hickman, Kim Jones, Ann Boyd, Lorraine Moller, Anne Audain, JoAnn Behm Scott, Shirley Van Slooten, Mya Jones, Laurie Mizener, Mary Kirsling, and so many more.

To my coach, Willie Rios, goes a heartfelt thank-you. He was a guiding spirit to me in writing this book. Although I no longer race, Willie will always be Coach to me, just as he will always be with me on my runs.

To my editor, John Reeser, I owe a debt of gratitude. Thanks to Johns kindness and generosity, this authors first book was a joyous experience.

Finally, I thank my husband, Arturo, for his support while I undertook this project. The rest of the world knows him as a great runner; I am the lucky one to know him as a great man.

T HESE DAYS, IN CASE YOU HAVEN T HEARD , women are running the world. By many measuresshoe company surveys, retail sales, new subscriptions to Runners World magazine, even entries in road raceswomen runners have reached 50 percent of the total running population. And their participation is growing.

Twenty-five years ago, women made up only 5 percent of all runners. This is a revolution, make no mistake about it. And it has happened because running is the perfect sport for women.

I actually figured this out a long time ago. It was a simple call, really. You didnt need a crystal ball to see it. You just had to think for a moment about women and all the attributes they bring to running.

Many women are disciplined and determined and incredibly well-organized. They have to be to succeed in all the roles society layers on themjob, housework, mother, wife. And more. Running comes easily to these women, because all running takes is discipline, determination, and organizationexactly what women have.

And theres a bonus: Running doesnt require any special athletic skills. You dont have to be able to hit a backhand. You dont have to know a three-iron from a nine-iron, or a slalom from a mogul. You just have to make up your mind that youre going to do it.

Women also excel at running because they understand the importance of patience and following directions. Guys? Not always so bright. My wife cooks meals according to recipes, and they always come out delicious. I make things up as I go along, yet I cant understand why everyone refuses to eat my concoctions.

In running, it turns out, following a plan is the key to success. Theres a beginning plan, an intermediate plan, an advanced plan, a first-time marathon plan, and so on. Follow the plan, and youll do just great at running. Women value plans, and they reap the benefits.

Women also understand the emotional side of running better than men. Men sometimes make the mistake of thinking that running is a never-ending race against the stopwatch. We want to go fast. All the time. As a result, we too often get injured, fatigued, and burned out. Worse, we get depressed when we reach an age where we can no longer run as fast as we did in our youth.

Women like to run fast, too. Im not saying that they dont train as hard as men, or dont try to make it to the Olympics. But more women than men accept running for what it isa simple and immensely satisfying fitness activity. A time for solitary reflection, or for group social banter. An opportunity to drain out all of the stress of daily living and to celebrate the joy of good health.

Over the years, I have been lucky enough to run with some famous women. I ran with Joan Benoit long before she became a Boston Marathon and Olympic champ. I ran with Oprah Winfrey long after she became an international TV and movie star.

And heres what Ive learned from Joan and Oprah and hundreds of other women runners: You can make your running into whatever you want it to be. You can go for the gold, or you can simply set out to achieve something you never dreamed possible (even if no one else notices).

Its entirely up to you. I know you can do it, because tens of millions of other women runners have done it. In the pages that follow, Dagny Scott, a wise and experienced woman runner, has laid out all the plans and recipes and wisdom youll need.

The next step is yours.

Amby Burfoot

Executive Editor

Runners World magazine

A S I SIT DOWN TO WRITE THIS , I am sweaty, grimy even, from a windy November run that has coated me with dust. Although its the weekend, Ive logged on to the computer in an attempt to capitalize on the fresh mind-set that is the gift of a runas I so often do.

Today, I saw two friends out on the trail that meanders along the outskirts of town. It is a vast and hushed landscape where the Rocky Mountains give way to the quieter majesty of the endless plains to the east. Beth and Jennifer were with their three dogs, a spectrum of shaggy, golden- and cream-colored beauties. We chatted about the run, the day, yesterdays workout, the dogs. The two mentioned how they looked forward to this time each week, this Sunday ritual. Time away from husbands and boyfriends, from work and home, from tidier pursuits. This is what its all about, they said. Yes, I said. This is what its all about. I felt a chill and noticed that I had goose bumps, although the air was not cold yet.