Get to know Mary!

MS: When did you become a runner?

MM: I started running with my father when I was in middle school. I used to run with my dad very early in the morning along a river. He inspired me to run to watch the sunrise. 

MS: When living in Iran, what challenges did you have in the sport of running?

MM: Women are not allowed to do outdoor activities. There are other sports like volleyball,

basketball, tennis, running on indoor track. I used to wear an Adidas hoodie with a baseball cap to disguise that I was a girl to avoid being stopped by the police.

MS: What inspired you to want to run the Boston Marathon?

MM: In 2007, when I moved to the US as a Fulbright scholar, I watched the Boston marathon on TV. I was in awe of how you can train to run a long distance in such a short amount of time. I did not start training for a full marathon until 2010 when I graduated from a master’s program in Massachusetts. During an internship, I got to know a runner who was training for the New York marathon. She recommended that I try the Chicago marathon. I raised money for a charity to secure a spot in the marathon with the goal of finishing. I successfully finished the marathon and then continued on to do a few more races over the next couple of years while working on my PhD. 

MS: What are some of your goals in the next few years?

MM: My goal is to run a marathon in 3:30. This will be 10 minutes below my PR. 

MS: In 2022 you started working with a running coach. What inspired you to make that jump?

MM: I took 6 years off from racing and only ran 3 to 4 miles to keep going after having kids.

When we moved to Saint Louis, my neighbor introduced me to the Big River Running training group. I trained with them for two seasons. My plan was to run a marathon for my 40th birthday. They supported me through my training that led to a PR in the Indy monumental marathon.

I trained with the 8:30 group and Tim Gallagher, recommended to me to talk to

Mark Spewak for training for Boston. He told me that I need a training plan to finish Boston. 

Rapid Questions! 

MS: Where is your favorite spot to run at in St. Louis?

MM: I love to run along the river and the Al Foster trail gives me the serenity that I need. 

MS: When you aren’t running, you are doing what?

MM: Listening to my son reading books. My son is 6 years old and over Christmas I picked up reading. He loves reading and his favorite Author is Mo Willems.

MS: Tell us something unique about yourself! 

MM: Tell us something unique about yourself. I hiked over 10, 4000 footers on the east coast before I moved to Colorado, Even though I am afraid of heights. All you need is good company!

*Spewak Training coaches are currently taking on new athletes. Email contact@spewaktraining.com to schedule your free 30 minute consultation call today.*