Forgot username?     |     Forgot password?

Show Blog Categories
Hide Blog Categories
February 28, 2011

Stephanie Rothstein (Houston third place finisher!) - A Pro's Perspective

Written by Dena Evans

Rotohstein_tuftsStephanie Rothstein is a 2007 UC Santa Barbara graduate who, after training in Eugene, Oregon after graduation, has enjoyed her best stretch as a pro since moving to the McMillan Elite group in Flagstaff, Arizona.  Capping a two year period in which she was named to the USA teams for the 2009 Chiba Ekiden and the 2010 World Half Marathon Championships after finishing 2nd in the US 20k Championships, she enjoyed an amazing breakthrough this winter, smashing her previous personal best of 2:40 while running 2:29:35 for 3rd place at the 2011 Chevron Houston Marathon.

Like many of our FNF Houston finishers, Stephanie is just coming through a bit of recovery after her race, and took a few minutes out of her schedule to connect with FNF.


Coach:  After a couple years living in Eugene, Oregon, you elected to move down to Flagstaff.  What were you hoping for with the move and how has it worked out?

SR: I went through a rough period in my running career and health in Eugene for about 2 years. It was simultaneously that my doctors made some discoveries and things were moving in the right direction when I decided to move. I was taking a leap of faith that working with Greg and being in an environment with other athletes would give me the chance to make a comeback. It has worked out better than I could have hoped for.

Coach:  What was your favorite part of your outstanding performance at the 2011 Chevron Houston Marathon?  Least favorite part?

SR: Favorite part was crossing the finish line and having all these moments/thoughts of my road to get there flash through my mind. Also seeing my boyfriend (Ben) run towards me crying (I had to put that in here). I didn't have a least favorite part as I enjoyed the ups and downs of the race that my body and mind went through.

Coach: What has been the single most important factor in your training as you have moved up to the marathon?

SR: Recovery- the key is how quickly you can recover from one workout to the next.

Coach:  What do you plan to work on or change between now and 2012?

SR: We plan on working on my weaknesses-(track speed, finishing kick) This will allow me to be able to run with the best 10,000m runners during the marathon.

Coach:  Five years from now, what are some things you are looking forward to trying to accomplish?

SR: I'd like to have made the 2012 Olympic Team, be a contender to medal in the 2016, won the [ING] NY City Marathon, and be closing in on the American Record in the marathon. Big Goals!

Coach:  This month, we are advising our runners about the importance of avoiding iron deficiency.  Living and training at altitude and running a large amount of miles - how have you made sure to address your nutritional needs while training hard?

SR: My nutritional needs are a bit different than the average person since I have Celiac Disease and that was a big factor in why I didn't absorb iron for several years. Now that I was diagnosed my iron has quadrupled in the last 10 months. For me the key is red meat at least 4 times a week, an iron supplement (liquid or pill) and one that had B vitamins, Vitamin C, and Folic acid to help absorption. I also have a blood profile done every 4 months to monitor my levels.

ed note:  FNF recommends consultation with a physician before embarking on any course of supplements.

Coach:  As a newer marathoner, what is a piece of advice you might give to someone who is thinking of moving from the half marathon to the full distance for the first time?

SR: The marathon is just another race, don't be scared of it or put it on a pedestal. As long as you train consistently, within yourself, and fuel properly you'll nail the marathon.

Last modified on March 31, 2011
Dena Evans

Dena Evans

Dena Evans joined runcoach in July, 2008 and has a wide range of experience working with athletes of all stripes- from youth to veteran division competitors, novice to international caliber athletes.

From 1999-2005, she served on the Stanford Track & Field/ Cross Country staff. Dena earned NCAA Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year honors in 2003 as Stanford won the NCAA Division I Championship. She was named Pac-10 Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2003-04, and West Regional Coach of the Year in 2004.

From 2006-08, she worked with the Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative, helping to expand the after school fitness programs for elementary school aged girls to Mountain View, East Menlo Park, and Redwood City. She has also served both the Stanford Center on Ethics and the Stanford Center on the Legal Profession as a program coordinator.

Dena graduated from Stanford in 1996.

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Movecoach is a brand owned by Focus-N-Fly, Inc Copyright 2024