One week from today twenty+ Oiselle ambassadors will step to the start line at the Boston Marathon. We began #marathonmonth with Haute Volée elite, Susan Empey and her first marathon experience at Big Sur in 1989. Kristine Burgess and Sara Bradley updated us on their goals for the race and what the preparation has been like. Each gal has trained for this memorable journey they are about to embark on and now it's our turn to follow and fan girl from start to finish. Meet the women gearing up for the Boston Marathon on April 21st! 

Robin Kutner
San Francisco, CA

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 4
Pump-up song: "Show Me What I'm Looking For" - Carolina Liar
Goal: Have fun!

"Good enough never is."

Kristine Burgess
Mundelein, IL

Starting position: Wave 1, Corral 7
Pump-up song: "Radioactive" - Imagine Dragons
Goal: 2:55

"Always train by feel, not by what your watch says."

Emily Ward
Richmond, VA

Starting position: Wave 1, Corral 4
Favorite workout: 6 x 1 mile repeats with 1 min rest.
Goal: 2:57

"We are educated collectively, but educate ourself individually."

Stephanie Viloria
East Greenbush, NY

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 8
Pump-up song: "Girl On Fire" - Alicia Keys
Goal: Sub-3:30

"Ninety-eight percent of success is in the head and the heart."

Emily Halnon
Eugene, OR

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 3
Favorite workout: Chasing fast guys.
Post-race treat: A tall IPA and an apple fritter.

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."

Susan Empey
Mercer Island, WA

Starting position: Elite wave.
Post-race treat: A juicy burger and beer.
Goal: 2:50

"Whatever your 100% looks like, give it."

Mary Johnson
Hamden, CT

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 4.
Favorite Workout: Mile repeats or tempos.
Goal: 3:10

"Without balance, it's genuinely harder to find complacency and - more importantly - happiness."

Julia Griffith
Denver, CO

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 9.
Pump up song: "Shake It Out" - Florence and the Machine
Goal: Sub-3:30

"Don't be afraid to give up the good and go for the great."

Jessica Graham
North Bend, WA

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 7.
Favorite Workout: Fast-finish long runs.
Goal: Sub-3:29

"I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running...It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement."

Megan Manaois
Bellingham, WA

Starting position: Wave 1, Corral 7.
Pump up song: "Till I Collapse" - Eminem
Goal: 3:15

"Ability is what gives you the opportunity; belief is what gets you there."

Sara Bradley
Waterford, ME

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 6.
Favorite Workout: 800m repeats on the track!
Goal: Sub-3:30

"Life is for participating, not for spectating!"

Rebecca Trachsel
Winchester, MA

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 2.
Favorite Workout: Tempo runs.
Goal: sub-3:30

"Running is just the work you put in and the clock. You get exactly as much as you put into it."

Sheila Wordell
Milwaukee, WI

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 9.
Favorite Workout: 6 mile progression run.
Goal: Sub-3:30

"Running is the greatest metaphor of life, because you get out of it what you put into it."

Lindsey Hein
Indianapolis, IN

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 1.
Pump up song: "Focused" - Whale
Goal: 3:10

"It's pretty simple. Work, works. Put the work in then believe in it."

Ellen Moss
Durham, NC

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 7.
Post-race treat: A non-fat latte with 2 splendas and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Goal: 3:19

"Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second."

Rachelle Kuramoto
Norcross, GA

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 3.
Pump up song: "Get back" - Ludacris and Sum 41.
Goal: 3:20

"A woman is like a tea bag - you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water."

Julie Cousins
Oxford, OH

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 7.
Post-race treat: A veggie pizza and chocolate chip cookies.
Goal: 3:30

"[The marathon] asks us to forsake pleasures, to discipline the body, to find courage, to renew faith and to become one's own person, utterly and completely."

Emily Stone
Thousand Oaks, CA

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 9.
Pump up song: "I love it" - Icona Pop.
Goal: 3:30

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."

Mollie Turner
Chesapeake, VA

Starting position: Wave 1, Corral 9.
Post-race meal: An icy mocha and juicy burger.
Goal: sub-3:00

"Bad weather always looks worse through a window."

Robyn Broker
Denver, CO

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 9.
Pump up song: "Titanium" - David Guetta ft Sia
Goal: Have fun!

"Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second."

Stacy Black
Bear, DE

Starting position: Wave 2, Corral 7.
Post-race meal: Chocolate milk, followed later by a burger and beer.
Goal: 3:25

"Run hard, run strong, and never give up!."

 Jayci Zakaras
Omaha, Nebraska