Women’s Health Week is more than just a series of events—it’s a movement.
It’s about amplifying voices, breaking down barriers, and advocating for equitable access to healthcare and resources. At its core, it’s a celebration of the resilience, strength, and vitality of women everywhere. Today, we’re privileged to hear from Emily Edquist, Quality Assurance Specialist, Tekton Research, who recently participated in the Boston Marathon.
For Emily, participating in events like the Boston Marathon isn’t just about physical fitness—it’s about empowerment. It’s about reclaiming agency over one’s health, defying limitations, and embracing the boundless potential within. Through her journey, she embodies the transformative power of movement, community support, and a commitment to well-being. As she reflects on her experience, Emily shares insights into the intrinsic connection between physical activity, and overall health.
Emily’s Marathon Journey Q&A:
- Reflecting on your journey as a runner and a woman, what does women’s health mean to you personally, and how has your participation in events like the Boston Marathon shaped your understanding of this topic?
Women’s health to me means loving your body and being thankful for all it can do. I’ve been a runner most of my life and I’m so thankful I’m able to run and that I qualified for Boston.
- What role does health & nutrition play in your marathon preparation, both in terms of fueling your training and maintaining energy levels on race day?
Health and nutrition play a huge role in ensuring I’m able to achieve my running goals. If I don’t eat or hydrate well enough the night before a long run I can immediately feel it and do not perform as well. I also have Celiac Disease so for me it’s a little harder to ensure I’m getting the right amount of nutrients. Thankfully it’s become a lot easier every year with more GF options available. I can easily feel the difference running after eating a healthy dinner versus a lot of unhealthy food. That being said I still do love my dessert.
- Can you share any specific experiences or encounters during your training or participation in the Boston Marathon that highlighted the importance of women’s health issues?
Lately, I’ve been made aware of how many women stop participating in sports starting at 14 years old. For me that really hit home, although running is my way of staying healthy and active there are a lot of women who do not get the same joys I do from it. I’ve had a lot of encounters where women tell me they wish they could run but something prevents them from doing it. To those women I would like to tell them that it doesn’t have to be running, just find something that you enjoy that elevates your heart rate and gives you joy. Don’t compare yourself to others, instead be proud of what you’re able to achieve and focus on how you are loving your body by staying active.
- Reflecting on your training journey, what were some of the most rewarding moments and biggest challenges you faced in preparing for the Boston Marathon?
Honestly, it’s waking up before 5 am to go for runs even when it’s pouring rain or below freezing. Those mornings made me really think about how badly I want to achieve my running goals. Although getting out of bed early isn’t fun, I always would come home with a feeling of accomplishment. The training for a race is really where you learn most about yourself and is where I grow mentally stronger. By the time the race comes along, I am able to pull all those tough training memories and use them as fuel to achieve my goal.
- How do the lessons learned and challenges overcome during marathon training contribute to your success at Tekton and in other areas of your life?
Using all the determination and resilience in training for a marathon really taught me that if I put my mind to it I can achieve it. There may be some weeks I don’t hit my goals in training just like in work or my personal life however I have taught myself that there are things out of my control. As long as I do the best I can every day, then I’m proud of myself. Because as we all know the path to success isn’t a straight line.
