Meet Our FHITspiration: Miriam

Say hello to Miriam, our FHITpro who loves running, fiery FHIXes, and being a new mom! Miriam has conquered and completed multiple marathons, and has a milestone run just around the corner. She will be running the 2024 Boston Marathon and we could not be more proud of the hard work she has put in to qualify for this exciting race. Learn more about Miriam’s running journey and how she prioritizes strength training to fuel her success.

Please give a little background on your running history. 
I started running as a means to stay active when my college softball career ended. I love the idea of training for and building towards something, and running allowed me to continue to have that feeling. My first official race was a 5K back in 2013. My favorite distance to race is the half marathon (13.1 miles). It’s long enough to be a challenge but also short enough to be fun. After Boston I’ll be running the Brooklyn Half Marathon. 

How many marathons have you run? 
I have run three marathons thus far (New York City twice and Chicago once). My favorite is of course New York City. There is nothing like the energy of marathon day in New York City both as a runner and a spectator. The Boston Marathon will be my fourth. Running Boston is really special because it’s a time qualifier marathon, so not everyone gets to run it. Boston is on every runner’s bucket list! The simple fact of getting to toe the line at Boston is already a win.  

What does your race day routine look like? 
My clothes, pacing bracelet, and nutrition are laid out the night before race day (Instagram post-worthy layout of course!). Race day morning I wake up extra early to have ample time to get ready, eat, and stretch/foam roll before heading out. My race day breakfast includes coffee, cinnamon raisin toast with peanut butter & jelly, and a banana.

How can Fhitting Room classes help runners train for races? 
To really excel at running you have to also work on other areas of fitness (not just running) including flexibility, mobility, balance, and strength. Among many benefits, strength training provides a great way to cross-train to avoid overuse injuries, helps strengthen your muscles and connective tissues, improves neuromuscular coordination, and improves running efficiency. But also the fun factor! If you’re a runner like me who runs solo, it’s always nice switch up the pace and squeeze in a workout that’s fun and provides a sense of community. 

How do you keep your body free of injury/stay on track with training for big races? 
I’m big on listening to my body. I adjust my workout schedule and intensity based on how I’m feeling on any given day. That was especially important training for Boston over the past couple of months where I juggled being a first-time mom (hello sleepless nights) while trying to stick to my training plan. I’m very diligent about my strength training routine. For me, it’s always been as important as my running routine. Recovery days are also key. Taking at least one day completely off from exercise to let your body heal and recover is imperative in avoiding injury. Some of my recovery go-tos are Epsom salt baths, stretching, and using a massage gun. I also eat, A LOT haha. 

Any advice for people looking to run their first race? 
Set a goal, find the right shoes (so important), and just go for it. Just like with any fitness goal, you just have to start. It will be hard at first but with time, hard work, and dedication you get better and it gets easier.