More women in the running community are beginning to speak out about amenorrhea

More women in the running community are beginning to speak out about amenorrhea HERE.

UK Runner Gives Advice on Training, Avoiding Osteoporosis

UK Runner Gives Advice on Training, Avoiding Osteoporosis HERE

Michigan State Runner Talks About Her struggle with Body Image

Q&A with Rachele Schulist https://t.co/Wi88i75GzE pic.twitter.com/CEwlrUncNs

— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) December 7, 2016

The Fight for Women's Rights in Sports

The fight for women's rights in sports HERE

NSIC Women's XC Team Preason Rankings

NSIC Women's XC Preseason team rankings   HERE

Gender Testing. Fair? Necessary?

Sarah Barker writes about the Dutee Chand case that was recently ruled on by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).  Was it the right decision?  Fair?  necessary? Should generate discussion on all sides of the issue. Article HERE.

Research on Female Endurance Athletes, Energy Levels, and Diet

Research into the dietary practices of female endurance runners and the impact of diet on energy levels and performance HERE

Dot McMahan and Three Kenyans Front the Women's Field at Grandma's

Women's course recordholder Sarah Kiptoo is the early favorite among the female participants at this year's Grandma's Marathon.  Jane Kibii and Doreen Kitaka are expected to challenge Kiptoo with "ageless wonder" Dot McMahan potentially leading the US runners HERE.

Women's Running Camp Launched for this Fall

Two-time Olympian Kara Goucher has signed on as the head coach of the first annual Minnesuing Acres Women’s Running Retreat scheduled for October 16 – October 18, 2015 at Minnesuing Acres Resort in Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin. The retreat is for women of all running abilities, ages 18 and older, and is being organized by Minnesuing Acres and the founding and former director of Grandma’s Marathon, Scott Keenan, via his company Scott Keenan Consulting, LLC.

Joining Goucher on the coaching team are fellow Olympians, Janis Klecker and Adam Goucher, who is also Kara’s husband. Klecker’s husband and 1978 Grandma’s Marathon champion, Barney Klecker, and Duluth’s Katie McGee, round out the coaching line-up.

The retreat is an all-inclusive experience that features group runs led by the experienced and knowledgeable coaching team, inspirational and informative running seminars. The seminars will span a variety of topics including, but not limited to, nutrition, injury prevention and care, how to train smarter and race faster, and the latest in running gear and apparel. Participants will also have access to the coaching team and other expert presenters to receive personalized advice and answers to individual questions.

The cost of the retreat is $745 for the full-weekend all-inclusive retreat option, which is limited to 60 participants, and $295 for the day camp (Saturday, October 17) option, which is limited to 40 participants. Online registration and full retreat details can be found at www.minnesuingacresrunningretreat.com.

The Minnesuing Acres Women’s Running Retreat is sponsored by Duluth Running Company, Grandma’s Marathon, Minnesota Distance Running Association (MDRA), Minnesuing Acres Resort, and Scott Keenan Consulting, LLC.

News: AOW; Mom Up; Technology; The Mind, the Last Taboo: Weight and Diet; Mellow Mile Preview; Sportsmanship

Congrats to Erin Teschuk on being named Summit League Athlete of Week! @NDSUTrackField http://t.co/lVTpXDmL5R pic.twitter.com/E9oZFKWaRC
— NDSU Athletics (@NDSUathletics) January 20, 2015

NSIC weekly women's summary and AOW HERE. Men's summary and AOW HERE.

MIAC women's AOW HERE. Men HERE.

WIAC women's AOW HERE. Men HERE.

Cristy Cazzola has advice for mothers who are runners; "Mom up" HERE

Cut through the philosophy jargon and you get to the issue of technology's impact on sports HERE.

The power of the mind HERE.

The "last taboo" in women's sport HERE and HERE.

Team USA Minnesota Emily Gordon's blog on weight, diet, and managing them both HERE.

Preview of January 31 Camel City Elite Races Mellow Mile is HERE.

Milwaukee tennis player's sportsmanship draws praise at the Australian Open HERE.

News: LA Prepping for Marathon Trials; Preventing Injuries Through Science; Lornah Kiplagat

The LA Marathon staff are preparing for the 2016 US Olympic Marathon Trials HERE.

Sports Illustrated story on attempts to prevent injuries using sports science HERE.

Some of you might remember Lornah Kiplagat, a top Kenyan distance runner, who this year launched a women's sportswear line.  The online catalog is  HERE.

Albertson-Junkans Eleventh, McGregor Fifteenth in Oakley New York Mini

Team USA Minnesota's Ladia Albertson-Junkans finished eleventh in 34:00, and Katie McGregor 15th in 34:26 in the Oakley New York Mini 10K on Saturday in New York City.

Beth Alford Sullivan Named Head Coach of US Women's Team for Moscow IAAF World Championships

Hopkins High and Gopher grad Beth Alford-Sullivan, currently the at the Director and Head Coach for Track and XC at Penn State University, received another honor being named the Head Women's Coach for the US team for the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Moscow this summer.  More on that HERE.

Play Like a Girl--Title IX 40th Anniversary Celebration at St. Ben's

By Afton Goebel, MIAC

 “You play ball like a girl,” is not only a famous quote from the movie, "The Sandlot," but it is also something I have heard a time or two throughout my childhood. The usual intent of the quote is meant to be an insult, but from where I stand - and on behalf of all women athletes - we will take it as a compliment. Yes, we do play ball like girls – but at least we can play ball, which wasn't always the case.

Monday, the College of Saint Benedict celebrated the 40th anniversary of Title IX with guest speakers and a full room eager to learn the history of how women have gained equality in athletics.  I was in the presence of Title IX pioneers, or as speaker Peg Brenden said, "Title IX Rock Stars." To hear the obstacles both Brenden and fellow pioneer Val Rogosheske overcame to participate in the sports they love made a huge impact on myself and the younger generation in attendance, who have benefitted from these women's efforts.

In high school I played on two of the six different women’s sports teams offered, but Brenden’s high school did not have any women’s sports. While I participated in try-outs to earn my spot on the team, Brenden participated in a lawsuit. In 1971 she was involved in a case that sought permission for her to join her high school’s men’s tennis team. The lawsuit was one of the first Title IX cases in the country and, ultimately, awarded Brenden the right to play. Thanks to the groundbreaking legal action, she was also one of first women to participate in high school sports in the state of Minnesota.

As she looked back on the lawsuit and her resulting tennis matches, Brenden noted that of her best memories was the reaction when she was invited back to speak at her high school many years later. As she stood in front of the student body, an administrator asked all the female student-athletes to stand. Brenden recalled only a handful of girls still seated. As they all sat back down, the administrator said if that same question was asked to Brenden’s class, she would have been the only one standing. The students' reaction was applause, and a standing ovation in appreciation her accomplishment. Not only did her actions of fighting for what she loved to do affect her own participation, but it also had an impact on all the females in that gym, as well as gyms in every other school across the country. 

Up next was Rogosheske, who is a part of the Boston Marathon group known as “The Class of ‘72.” She was one of eight women who ran in the Boston Marathon the first year it was officially allowed. I say, “officially,” because prior to 1972, a handful of women would participate in the marathon by hiding in the bushes at the starting line or - in one particular case - registering for the race using just one's initials so race officials would not know registrant was a woman.

Rogosheske’s interest in running was sparked when someone asked her how fast she could run a mile. Not aware of the answer, she went out to a track and realized she wasn't trained to even finish the mile she had set out to complete. A suggestion from her husband encouraged her to set a goal and choose a race to participate in, so she had something to work towards. At the time, the only race Rogosheske knew of was the Boston Marathon, so she thought that would be a good place to start, and a very ambitious start at that.

She heard of the few strategies women prior to her used to sneak their way into the marathon and went in with the mindset that if she had to hide in a bush, she would. Monday night, she told the crowd she was prepared to be: “hiding in the bushes for the good of all women.” Two weeks prior to the race date, the AAU changed its ruling and opened up registration to women, so there was no need to hide in a bush or disguise her name. The efforts women made to participate in the Boston Marathon prior to 1972 had an obvious effect on the future of the race as well as all sports for women.
 

Title IX was passed almost a year after Brenden’s lawsuit and just a few months after Rogosheske ran the Boston Marathon. The strength and courage those women displayed, as well as the strength and courage of many other women around the world are a big reason why I'm in my current position at the MIAC. Not only did they open more doors for women, but my position is funded by an NCAA Women's and Ethnic Minority grant. For those who may not know, Title IX was not written with the intent to affect change in the athletic world - but clearly, it did.

Monday's final speaker was Team USA's Amanda Smock, who recently represented our country in the triple jump in the 2012 London Olympic games. Smock shared what it took for her to qualify for the Olympic team and compete in London, including the countless hours of training, lessons learned on and off the field and, most importantly, the influence the previous two speakers as well as other "Title IX Rock Stars" had on her ability to even participate in sports. Smock thanked Brenden and Rogosheske for sharing their stories and paving the way for the rest of us women.

Hearing first-hand the stories of how life used to be before Title IX and what life has the potential to be after its passing made me reflect on all the choices and opportunities I had growing up. There has never been a doubt in my mind, or in the mind of people closest to me, that one day I would work in sports. I have received tremendous support from family and friends to chase after all my dreams, no matter how crazy they may be. Just 40 years ago there was a significant lack of support for women of all ages to participate in things that were seen as unconventional at the time, and now athletic opportunities are commonplace, proving the legislation has been a success. 
 

Thanks to the efforts of many strong women, education, athletics, and the working environment have us placed at an even playing field with men. Thanks to Title IX, I am proud to say that I am have a degree in Sports Management and am currently in full pursuit of my dream to work in sports in my position at the MIAC, where I work with two men who were just as amazed as I was to hear the stories we did Monday night.

Monday's celebration at Saint Benedict did a great job honoring the women who paved the way for groundbreaking changes in the women's athletic landscape, while informing a younger generation, like myself, about the important work done to ensure we have equitable opportunities. As the 40th anniversary of Title IX continues throughout the year, I will surely take time to thank those who have made all the things I have dreamed a possibility. I only hope one day I can claim my fame as a rock star for women following in the my footsteps as well. Yes, I do play ball like a girl, and am very proud of it!