SheRuns - a "Zine" written by Women for Women
The first of a series of articles reprinted from a "Zine" called SheRUNS, written by women for women

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By Jennifer Bostwick
Posted Wednesday, 10 December, 2003

Cool Running is excited to be re-running a series of articles written by women for women. The complete set of articles are part of a new "Zine" called SheRuns. This is the first of a series of articles you will find on Cool Running but is only a subset of the articles and information contained in SheRUNS.

Introduction by Jennifer Bostwick - SheRuns publisher

I have created SheRuns because I believe women runners need a voice and a space for expressing themselves. Although more women run than ever, there are limited magazines for running, in general, and insufficient magazines and articles aimed at women, in particular. Running is individual, for certain, but as a group, I believe women make up an amazingly connected presence with unique perspectives, goals and lives. With SheRuns, I hope to address issues that directly relate to running and how it fits into our lives as women. Excerpted articles for the current issue of SheRuns will be posted here monthly. Be sure to come back and check out next month's article! Send me a note, let me know what you think.
Happy Running!
Jennifer Bostwick
email: sheruns@cox.net
subscriptions: sherunssubscription@cox.net

The Need for Speed
Q and A with Alisa Rogers

Alisa Rodgers runs fast, very fast. Her mile PR is 4:41 and 5000 PR 15:59. She was a 2000 Olympic Trial Qualifier and a three-time NCAA Division1 All American. At 30 years old, now a wife and mother, she is training for the 2004 Olympic Trials. Here's a few Q and A that illuminate why some women have the need for speed when they run and how being a woman creates added challenges for elite runners.

How does being a woman factor into being an elite runner?
It gets a little complicated when you want to have children. When men want to start a family, they can continue on with their training. Women have to decide on one or the other. We just can't be pregnant and train at the same time

Describe speed versus distance in running?
Some people enjoy the ultramarathon races. They train to go long. I like going fast. The speed is the fun part of running for me. There is a joy and freedom in running fast. I run long runs because they make me stronger so I can go faster. The ultra-racers run long so they can go farther.

How is running different for you now that you have a husband, house and a baby?
It took me over a year to figure out if I even wanted to run competitively again. My baby, who is almost two-years-old, is everything to me. Having a child really puts life into perspective. She is definitely most important to me and I did not want to sacrifice time with her. I think that now it is very important to have the support of my husband because if I am out running, he has the full responsibility of her. It was a huge adjustment for all of us, but we have gotten into a good routine. On the positive side, there is nothing quite as sweet as hearing my baby yell, "Go Mommy go!"

Most of us cannot imagine running sub 5:10 minute miles,
describe what it feels like to be running a fast, successful race.
Before a big race, there is so much adrenaline and excitement. When I get out there and start running, I can put all that energy into my race. The nerves relax, and I get into a rhythm and go. It is a great feeling to push the limits and see the hard work pay off.

How did it feel to compete at the 2000 Olympic Trials? What are your most vivid memories? What do you want from the 2004 Olympic Trials?
My college career ended with injuries, so the trials made me feel like I had really made it back into the running world. It was an honor to be there. My most vivid memory is standing on the starting line with Deena Drossin on one side of me and Regina Jacobs on the other side (both American Record holders). Also, the crowd was amazing. I had never seen so many spectators at one event. In 2000, I did not make it to the final race. So that is my goal for 2004. Of course, my dream goal is to make a spot on the Olympic team.

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