Mary Ngugi-Cooper

World record-breaking runner Paula Radcliffe and double Olympian Chris Thompson guide you through week thirteen of marathon training. Paula and Chris explore tapering, trusting your training, and managing mindset in the final weeks of preparation. They’re joined by elite Kenyan runner Mary Ngugi-Cooper, who shares her inspiring journey, her Boston Marathon insights, and the powerful story behind her Nala Track Club – a safe space she created to empower young female athletes in Kenya. Any questions, please email us: hello@paulasrunpod.com, or you can leave a voice note on WhatsApp: 07418 627194 – we love hearing from you! Timecodes: 01:22 – Tapering begins: mindset shift & aches are normal 04:05 – Paula’s 10-minute rule for assessing niggles 05:34 – Chris on knowing when to stop a session 08:26 – Training is study, race day is the exam 10:30 – Practical taper prep: shoes, travel, kit 21:09 – Mary on founding Nala Track Club to protect & empower girls 27:03 – Recovering from injury & building back smarter 36:02 – Boston Marathon tips: respect the downhills, race smart This podcast proudly supports Children with Cancer UK - Britain's leading childhood cancer charity supporting families and research since 1988. Sadly ten children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK and it is the biggest cause of death in young people under the age of 15. Donate today: https://bit.ly/4h5SoXU to help the charity succeed in its mission to ensure every child and young person survives cancer. To find out more about Children with Cancer UK and see how else you can get involved or get the support you need please visit https://www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk/ Paula's Marathon Run Club is a Viral Tribe Entertainment Production. Exec Produced by James Carpenter and Jon O'Donnell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mary Ngugi-Cooper has been a formidable force in the Kenyan marathon scene within the past decade.

Mary's journey is not just about her remarkable achievements on the roads; it's about her unwavering commitment to empowering women through the sport she loves. In the wake of a tragic loss that shook the running community to its core, Mary took action by responding to the heartbreaking murder of Agnes Tirop by founding Nala Track Club in October of 2022. Named after the Swahili word for a powerful, successful woman, Nala Track Club is a sanctuary for female athletes. 

But it's more than just a club; it's a beacon of hope. Mary's vision extends beyond the finish line, providing not only a safe haven for young women to train but also covering housing and education costs for those in need. Additionally, Nala Track Club has pioneered a groundbreaking coaches training program, empowering women to lead and mentor the next generation of Kenyan athletes. Nike has come on board with the to assist with funding the girls’ basic needs and in-residence scholarships to remove financial barriers

Her story is one of resilience, determination, and the transformative power of sport. It was super nice to chat with her just days before she went on to finish sixth in the Boston Marathon in 2:24:24.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host: Mary Ngugi-Cooper | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@maryngugi on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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