Check out the image below to see the Table of Contents of the Jul/Aug edition of Level Renner magazine. Keep scrolling down and we’ll give you a sneak peak into one of the Legion Profiles you can find in the issue.

The Jul/Aug Table of Contents
Claire Gadrow was spotlighted via our dossier feature in the magazine. Here it is, unabridged:
Name: Claire Marcille Gadrow
Age: 44
Nickname: SpeedyG or Claire Bear
Residence: South Kingstown, Rhode Island
Day Job: Assistant Vice President for College Advancement, Connecticut College
High School: Centre Wellington District High School, Fergus, Ontario, Canada 1987
College: University of Rhode Island 1991 (accounting degree), 1998 (MBA degree)
Club: Narragansett Running Association
Sponsor and Race Team: Block Island Sport Shop – Thanks Jim and Marion Ortel
Coach: Glenn Guillemette
Average Miles per Week: 70
Notable PR’s:
New Bedford Half Marathon 2010, 1:24:05
Boston 2011 2:56.46
Boston 2010 2:56.52
Hartford 2010 2:57.58
California International Marathon 2009 2:57.59
Favorites
Races:
Boston Marathon
Hartford Marathon, especially 2010 when Helen Dinan, Maureen Terwilliger and I ran side by side
Gansett Marathon
Blessing of the Fleet 10 miler
Workouts:
1. Any long run with marathon pace at end
2. 6-8×1 mile repeats with 2:00 rest. If any mile repeat is slower than previous one for two consecutive repeats, then you have to stop the workout (pace properly or fail).
3. Any mid distance run of 12-15 miles with 3 mile tempo blocks at 10 mile race pace
Places to Run:
Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI
Corn Neck Road, Block Island, RI
White Pond and Duval Trails, South Kingstown, RI
Running Shoe: Asics Gel Racer
Workout Songs: Thunderstruck
Book: Jack Daniels Running Formula
Hobbies: Competitive Equestrian, 2013 Rhode Island Modified Adult Equitation Champion. My beloved horse is Connor, a Dutch Warmblood.
- Gadrow racing in her Block Island Sport Shop kit. Photo by John Gadrow.
Running Intangibles
Training Philosophy: You have to earn everything you get. There are no shortcuts. Work hard and be patient.
Prerace Ritual: Go in a cave. Travel to races alone or with husband. Stay quiet and focused.
Career High/Lowlights:
Highlights: 1. Breaking 3:00 for first time at Philadelphia 2008 (2:58:35) and having my sister and husband in the race – and having my husband set his PR that day too. 2. Breaking 3:00 six times, four times since turning 40 years old. 3. Winning the Boston Prep in Derry, NH in 2010.
Lowlights: Boston 2012. I never should have started the race in the heat. But once I start something, I won’t quit. I was given bib F116 and it was the 116th Boston Marathon. I went into several medical tents along the route and then at 30K Diona Fulton said to me, “Sometimes you need to quit and sometimes you just can’t. This is a just can’t moment. Anyone can run 8 miles. Go do it.” I honored the race, but it was one of my slowest marathons in my career.
Goals:
Break 2:55 in the Fall of 2013
Set a PR at Boston 2014
Proudest Moment: Being invited to the all women’s start for the first time at Boston 2010 and cracking the top 10 masters and running 2:56 and then sharing that moment with my husband who PR’d with 3:09.
Best Distance Runner of All Time: Paula Radcliffe
Local Running Role Model: Glenn Guillemette. Honorable mention to the local guys I have been running with for more than 15 years: Glenn, Peter, Mike, Dave, Jim, Ryan, Vinny, Paul, and of course my husband John Gadrow.
Oddest Thing That’s Ever Happened to You on a Run: Spotting the albino deer on our morning run after doubting its existence despite numerous reported sightings by Dave.
Footnote: As a female masters runner in New England, I am inspired by the talent. We are wise, tough, and determined competitors.
If you liked the above, you’ll love the rest of our current issue. Read it for free right now by clicking the cover.