Soho House New York

There’s no better way to spend a rainy Sunday in Brooklyn than with @percelldugger and the @fitforus team for a fireside chat with the one and only Marilyn Bevans! Marilyn Bevans is the first American-born Black woman to finish 2nd at the Boston Marathon, win a marathon, win the Mayor Daley (now Chicago) Marathon, run a sub 3-hour marathon (!!!), and be ranked in the top 10 fastest marathoners in the world. What was most interesting to about Ms. Bevan’s story was that she did this in a time where running was a man’s sport. In fact, she had to wear men’s running shoes and men’s running shorts that did not fit her well because at the time, women’s running apparel was not a thing. She never let this stop her and built an phenomenal career as a marathoner. As a strength coach for @stronghergirls and an athlete, I had to ask Ms. Bevans about how she integrated strength training into her running journey. She told me that she is a fan of strength training and started strength training toward the end of her time as a professional athlete but wishes she had done it sooner! Strength training is super important for women, but especially for women who run. Not only does it help prevent injuries by strengthening your muscles and joints, but it also improves your overall performance by increasing your power, speed, and endurance. It’s not just about how we look and move, but also about our health. By lifting weights, we can prevent osteopenia and osteoporosis, increase our bone mass, and improve our overall bone health. So, don’t be afraid to hit the gym and lift those weights! Your body will thank you for it!