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Look Who's Running in Canton
Jennifer Mucci, Canton, OH
Jen Mucci, a native of Plain Township, began running seven years ago to get back into shape after the birth of her second child. Since then, Jen has participated in the 2009 and 2010 Boston Marathon and the 2010 New York marathon. Jen is thrilled to be running again in the Canton Marathon for the benefit of the American Heart Association's, "Go Red for Women" campaign!
Jen came from a very "sports oriented" family where she had the challenge of keeping up with three competitive older brothers. In high school, Jen was active in volleyball, track and basketball.
Jen's training involves running every day beginning at 5am. On average, she runs 30-40 miles a week and at the peak of her training, she runs about 60 miles a week in addition to weight training.
Jen's two goals, for this year's Canton Marathon, are to raise both funds and awareness for Go Red, and help Stark County make their first marathon a smashing success! Jen thanks her husband, Marc, their children Addie and Carter and her loving parents, Chuck and Ruth Bast for all of their support during her training process.
Becki Michael, Alliance, OH
Winner, 2011 Akron Marathon (female) 2:45:57
University of Akron 3-time All Mid-America Conference
Qualified to the 2012 Olympic Trials in the Marathon
13th in the 2009 USA Championship Marathon
Qualified and competed in the 2008 Olympic Trials in the Marathon
"I started running in 6th grade. I have a sister Liz Michael who is 10 months older than I am. Yes, we are full sisters, I was born 10 weeks early! Anything Liz did I wanted to do. I started out as a sprinter for about a week, and my coaches pushed me toward the mile/800. I won my first distance race, and loved it! I qualified to the state meet 4 times in cross country and track while running for Marlington High School in Alliance, Ohio. I became a Zip in 2002 and ran for the University of Akron for 4 years. I was all conference in the steeplechase and the mile during my time at Akron, and loved being a ZIP! I ran my first marathon and qualified for the 2008 Olympic Trials placing 2nd in the 2008 Austin Marathon. Since then I have run 2:40:16 for the marathon distance and qualified for the 2012 Olympic Trials as well. I won the 2011 Akron marathon in September. I have been really blessed to have people push me toward the longer distances.
In terms of training for a marathon, I will usually do a day of marathon paced work somewhere between 8-14 miles then another day of faster broken intervals like 20 1K runs or 10 - 1 mile runs, and a long run day somewhere between 20-26 miles. I love racing, and enjoy running so having a passion for what I do makes it fun. I have a lot of support from family, friends, and the community here in Northeast Ohio. The thing I love the most about running is the people I get to meet along the way. I get to hear awesome and inspring stories from people that have a passion the same as mine.
My goals for 2012 are to compete to the best of my ablity in the Olympic Trials, to win the Akron Marathon for a 2nd time, to get back on the track and run a qualifying time to the Olympic Trials in the 3k steeple, and to race in and win an event in the 1st Canton Marathon.
I am excited for another great race to be in North East Ohio, and I hope you will come enjoy the day with me in June!"
Rob Stienberg's Fat2Fit Blog
Brought to you by:
"... I began my journey with an off handed conversation that took place between a good friend of mine and I about my struggles with food, weight loss etc. He mentioned a program entitled " New Outlook" operated by the Aultman Health Foundation, medically monitored, reasonably priced for the resources afforded one in the program and supported not only during the wight loss, but well after to teach you how to maintain your goal weight long after you reach your goal. After hearing about its premises I decided to give it a shot..."
Read about his progress at Rob's Fat2Fit Blog.
