Women's Challenge 2011
PIM Women's Challenge 2011 interview
What do you consider to be your biggest achievement during the project?
What I like about the project is that it is not aimed only at experienced runners but also at complete beginners or entry-level, and that it stands by its motto: for all women regardless of age and physical shape. The biggest success is the growing number of female runners. Let's keep it up!
What was your greatest experience during the PIM Women's Challenge?
I think it was the first time our team of 12 got together – our first collective run in the Strahov gym, sharing our life stories. We instantly became good friends and a great team. As for the project's races, to my surprise it was not the marathon but the half marathon that made a bigger impression on me. For many of us, it was the first time we had run such a distance in a competitive atmosphere with so many participants.
You became the overall winner of the project. What inspired you to register for the PIM Women's Challenge?
I registered because I wanted to make my dream come true and complete the half marathon and, later, also the marathon. I thought it would be great to have a personal coach and to prepare in a group. I know myself, if it was just me, I would have given up. I was lucky to be selected for the second level of the PIM Women's Challenge. It was no longer a joke – I had to work hard and make the best of it. Practicing five times a week – in freezing temperatures, in the snow, dark, with a sore throat, with constant fears that I would never succeed and with the thought that I surely would (!), with thoughts of the other girls also running somewhere, of Miloš whom I didn't want to let down... I had a broken heart when I lost, and happiness when I improved. Tell me, who would not want to experience this?
What will you do with the prize?
I want to enjoy it. Many of us can only dream about driving a new car. And I get the chance to do it for four months.
Have you changed your lifestyle?
Certainly, yes, when preparing for the marathon. In February, I started preparing for the half marathon under the guidance of the project's head coach Miloš Škorpil. Although I ran five times a week and was getting in better physical shape, I wasn't losing weight as much as I had wished. Only when Pavlína, another member of our team, told me what to eat did it became much easier. But a more relaxed period came after the marathon and the less I ran the more I ate. As I was putting on weight I became less enthusiastic about running and less happy. I realized it would not work without running. I set up new goals and started all over again. I am again preparing for the half marathon and marathon, and I participated in two triathlons and started playing tennis again after many years. One of my plans is to organize a small local Women's Challenge in Přelouč after the summer holiday and get the local women interested in collective running. Let's see what it brings.
Have you inspired someone through running?
I hope so. I think I gave a good example to those project participants who share similar physical features with me. I showed them that we can do it despite being older, having more weight and being in worse physical shape. As for me, I was inspired to run the marathon by the story of Irena Ellis, one of the participants of last year's PIM Women's Challenge. It was her determination to complete the race although everyone else had lost hope. I liked it. When I finished the half marathon and wondered what to do next, I checked her training plan and saw that it was quite similar to mine. I began to believe that I could reach the same level of accomplishment. I hope my story will inspire someone who wants to fulfil her dream and run a marathon.
What was your goal when entering the project?
There were many goals. To improve my physical shape in guided training sessions, to lose weight, and to complete the half marathon. I also wanted to participate in the Mělice triathlon in the summer and the marathon next year. I think I did a great job in achieving all my goals. Now I have run three half marathons, one marathon and two triathlons.
Did you experience something very special during your preparation?
The entire preparation process was very special for me. It is a life experience and I am very happy I got to know 11 extraordinary women and one very special man to whom we are all grateful for our successful preparation. We were a great team, always supporting each other. We were not rivals but friends who would help each other when something went wrong. That's what I find so great and special about it.
What do you think is the most important thing in preparing for such a long race?
You have to be convinced you want to do it and to not be afraid. I know many people in much better physical shape than I am who have never run a marathon and may not have even considered running. What is also important is to keep on practicing and don't give up when the first failure occurs.
What are your plans with running and your other dreams for the future?
I had plans to run the marathon in Budapest and Cannes but I decided to first "explore" on home ground. So first on the list is the Monacký half marathon or marathon in Slatiňany near Chrudim in September, to be followed by the Sršský marathon (Srch near Pardubice) in November. I also want to keep on orienteering. I have two dreams – the Jungfrau marathon, and any long triathlon. May my dreams come true...
Message from the PIM Women's Challenge 2011 winner to all women who may lack the courage to begin: Ladies; don't be afraid, come and join us! And don't forget, the more difficult it is in the beginning, the more beautiful it will be at the finish :-)
We already know the winner of PIM Women's Challenge!
Stanislava Schvachová has become the overall winner of the PIM Women's Challenge, 2011. She was elected by a team of judges consisting of PIM Team representatives and other experts, including the professional trainer Miloš Škorpil. The winner received a four-month lease of a Volkswagen car from Import Volkswagen Group.
Alena Vacková has received the title of 'Miss Congeniality'. She was elected by the readers of the website bezeckaskola.cz. Alena's performance impressed everyone during the Hervis Prague Half Marathon. She won a romantic weekend package from Hilton Prague.
The 2011 edition was really special. All participants have quickly become friends, formed a team where everyone supported each other and wished each other only the best. We hope that the same atmosphere will accompany future editions of the project, as we would like to witness how such an individualistic sport like running can become a team effort.
Phase 2 of the pim women's challenge kicks off now!
Have you always wanted to experience the thrill of a marathon, but feel a bit overwhelmed by the very long distance? The PIM Women's Challenge begins today, with Phase 2 of its successful motivational programme open for registration, and this time encouraging women to take part in either the adidas Women's Race 5km, or the METRO 10k Race. By entering either of these races in September, women will receive a 'credit' towards becoming one of the 'monitored women' of the PIM Women's Challenge in 2012, and also enjoy some fantastic benefits!
Phase 2 offers participants a specialized training program designed by our coach, as well as regular emails and newsletters with advice about workouts, nutrition and health. If you need some motivation to get up and get running, or you need to kick start your training programme, then now is your chance!
In addition, those women who keep a training diary or any form of story, anecdote or similar inspirational material during the build-up to September's race will be welcome to send us what they have written and have the chance to have their material voted as one of five of the most inspirational stories received. Those five will be published on the website, shared with other runners and sent to the media. The one that is regarded as the best story of all will receive a free entry into the Hervis Prague Half Marathon or the Volkswagen Prague Marathon as well as the PIM Women's Challenge 2012.
What more do you need to get up and get running?
PIM Women's Challenge Participant Wins Romantic Dinner for two at the Hilton Prague Old Town!
During the PIM Corporate Gala Evening on Monday, May 23rd at the Hilton Prague, representatives of PIM and Hilton Hotels in Prague organised a raffle for all the PIM Women's Challenge Level 1 participants. Ms. Katerina Lukešová was the lucky winner of a romantic dinner for two at the ZINC Restaurant in Hilton Prague Old Town. Congratulations to Katerina, and we wish her a fantastic gastronomic experience!
Welcome to the second year of the PIM Women's Challenge!
Although the age of the 12 women ranges from 24 to 60 and they are of various professions, interests and lifestyles, they have been able to build surprisingly strong and profound relationships among one another. They are in daily contact sharing their success or disappointment. The best women will be awarded at the end of the Challenge. Criteria for being awarded is not only the finish time but their individual improvement and meeting their goals among others. Here they share their feelings about running and how they started.
The PIM Women's Challenge is a project that aims to encourage women to incorporate running into their daily life. The Challenge is directed at women of all ages and fitness levels.
Whether you are a serious sportswoman or you have never run or taken part in any type of sports before, it doesn't matter! Everyone is welcome, and even if you think you can't, you can! Now is your opportunity to get up and get running and we will help you!
If you are interested to know more, please go to basic information.
Selected Participants in Level 2
On Friday, January 28th, 2011, a panel of judges met to select the twelve women that will take part in Level 2 of the PIM Women's Challenge.
The panel of judges were:
- Miloš Škorpil - Main Coach of the PIM Women's Challenge project
- Jiří Nečásek – PIM (Marketing Director)
- Věra Rohanová – PIM (PR Manager)
- Jaroslava Naidrová – PIM (Women's Challenge Project Manager)
- Zdenka Haraslinová – JWA Prague s.r.o. (PIM's PR Agency)
- Jan Taussig – Sportvital
When making their selection, the judges took into consideration a number of different criteria, including age, number of children, job, motivation, fitness level, home address, etc.
Based on this criteria, the following women were selected to participate in Level 2 of the project:
