
This Sunday, members of New York’s chic elite will trade in their designer footwear for running shoes as they compete in the ING-sponsored 26.2-mile race. Fashion designer Yigal Azrouel, model Veronica Webb, Man-About-Town Euan Rellie and socialite Jennifer Creel spoke to WWD about their training tips, special diets and what they’ll wear on the big day.
YIGAL AZROUEL, designer
Motivation: I decided at last year’s marathon that it would be a great goal and challenge for the year ahead.
Footwear: Asics
Uniform: Usually a long-sleeve running shirt and running shorts with a hat or headband. I wear a lot of Nike, but I’m testing out some Lululemon Athletica and really like it.
Accessories: Pedometer, heart monitor and a water bottle belt with five mini bottles.
Soundtrack: “Under Pressure,” Queen; “Around the World,” Daft Punk; “Bonnie and Clyde,” Jay-Z and Beyoncé; “7 Nation Army,” White Stripes.
Running Partners: Two good friends.
Training Diet: Lots of carbs and protein, but I started off with Kathy Freston’s Quantum Wellness Cleanse.
Sacrifices: I can’t really have any vices now. A good night’s sleep is so important, so no more late nights and no alcohol.
Post-Marathon Celebration: My goal is to finish in three hours and 15 minutes — basically to qualify for Boston. I guess the training is addictive.
VERONICA WEBB, model

Motivation: I’ve wanted to do this for 15 years.
Footwear: Asics
Uniform: Under Armour Accessories: Fuel Belt water bottle and a Timex.
Soundtrack: Jay-Z, Alice Smith, Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi, Robin Thicke, Kanye, N.E.R.D.
Running Partners: Team Apollo for HarlemUnited.org.
Training Diet: My friend and nutritionist of 17 years, Oz Garcia, has me on a diet that’s really effective. Fruits that are rich in antioxidants: all berries, açaí, pineapple, papaya, melon, apple, pomegranates, kiwi. Fish that are rich in Omega-3 oils and are low in calories: salmon, halibut, mackerel, sole, bluefish, tuna, mahi-mahi, whitefish, grouper, monkfish, sea bass. Probiotic yogurts, and feta, goat and sheep cheese.
Sacrifices: Complaining! And yes, drinking [alcohol] slows you way, way down. I did have a glass of red wine to deal with PMS last week. I’m still human.
Post-Marathon Celebration: Having earned the right to call myself a marathoner. Then a pedicure and a margarita.
EUAN RELLIE, man-about-town

Motivation: To be thin, good looking and healthy, like everyone in the fashion industry.
Footwear: Brooks Racer ST 4: strong enough for 26 miles, but light. Apparently they will shave minutes off my time.
Uniform: I’m ashamed to admit I wear stretchy shorts when training on the West Side Highway, and a sleeveless running shirt. I get funny looks dropping my sons off at school.
Accessories: Garmin FR60 watch with a foot pod, to measure distance and speed.
Soundtrack: None. I clear my head.
Running Partner: It’s all about me.
Training Diet: Coffee, water, bananas. Spaghetti, apples and green vegetables in the lead-up to the race.
Sacrifices: I have not smoked a cigarette for three months. And I have generally, but not totally, avoided the Boom Boom Room.
Post-Marathon Celebration: Not aching any more. But I’m going to do more of them.
JENNIFER CREEL, socialite and sunglasses designer
Motivation: I am running with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center team because I lost my cousin, Virginia, two years ago to cancer and I wanted to do something in memory of her.
Footwear: Asics
Uniform: Black leggings, top and a zip-front jacket from Ralph Lauren and Nike black, blue or green long-sleeve shirts. Also Nike socks, black or white. Accessories: Nike + iPod — it calculates everything you need and then you can download it on your computer to keep a chart.
Soundtrack: U2, Depeche Mode, Beyoncé, The Cure, Jay-Z, Dave Matthews.
Running Partner: My trainer, Toby Tanser.
Training Diet: Lots of hamburgers and french fries, fish, spinach, fruits and chocolates.
Sacrifices: It’s just made me more conscious of my daily routines and how to take better care of myself.
Post-Marathon Celebration: Hanging out with my children and thinking about what is going to be my goal for next year.




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1 Baltimore Marathon Full Recap | Baltimore Marathon 2009 … « John's Blog // Oct 30, 2009 at 2:38 pm
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