Three Bridges Run – Behind the Scenes or “Please volunteer for Three Bridges Run #2”

Linda C

You’ve probably heard about the Flyers’ Three Bridges Run. It’s the Flyers 20-mile long training run that takes runners over three bridges: the Brooklyn Bridge, Pulaski Bridge, and Queensboro Bridge. Bag check is provided, runners are divided into pace groups, and there are pacers and fluid stations. Just how do these runs come together? Well, now that Three Bridges Run #1 is done for this year and we’re gearing up for Three Bridges Run #2, I’m going to give you a brief look into what takes place to make the run happen. Please volunteer for Three Bridges Run #2.

The Flyers holds two Three Bridges Runs and the idea is to plan them at a time that works with most fall marathon training schedules. I don’t know who planned the first Three Bridges Runs for the Flyers (Blogmaster's Note: It was Glen W as confirmed by Lara K), but we’ve built upon those original runs every year. I organized this year’s and last year’s runs and planned the runs on the same weekends as previous years, so September 7^th and October 11^th were chosen as the days for this year’s runs. The dates were run by the Executive Board for good measure and our hosts, the New York Running Company, and then the dates were announced on the Flyers’ website. This year, the Executive Board also discussed and approved an increase in the fee for non-Flyers-members to sign-up for the runs. The Flyers web gurus then set up the sign-up pages for runners and volunteers. Please volunteer for Three Bridges Run #2.

Once the sign-up pages for the runs were on the Flyers’ website, runners start signing up for the run. A separate volunteer registration webpage was also set up and some of our long-time Flyers members who have volunteered in previous years signed-up to volunteer to staff the fluid stations along the course or to pace. From the time the sign-up pages are set up, I began to almost compulsively check runner and volunteer sign-ups. Then the questions start: Will we have enough pacers? Will we have people to staff the fluid stations???? Does anyone really run a training run at 7:30 minutes/mile pace? Luckily I internalized all these questions or I’d be institutionalized. Please volunteer for Three Bridges Run #2 – and we will need a 7:30 minutes/mile pacer!!!

I still had to tweak the course map!  Since last year’s runs, the New York Running Company’s east side store moved locations a few stores down from the store’s previous location. It should have been fairly easy to adjust last year’s east side course map for the new store location, but that’s when I found I had not saved last year’s east side course map! I had saved the map of the course that started from New York Running Company’s west side store. It should be easy to adjust the map for the different start/stop location, right? Well, not as easy as one would like especially not as easily as I would like. I made adjustments, but then runners wouldn’t cross the Queensboro Bridge until mile 18 – that wasn’t going to work. Please volunteer for Three Bridges Run #2.

The idea is to have the runners cross the Queensboro Bridge at the same mile as they would, if they were running the New York City Marathon, so between Mile 15 and Mile 16. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure was scheduled for the same day as Three Bridges Run #1. I had to check their course and start time to make sure that would not interfere with our runners – it looked like we’d be okay, that run would not start until later. The course map was then set. Ugh, we still needed more pacers. I sent e-mails to all the Flyers signed up to run the race pleading for volunteers to pace. The e-mail helped to generate more volunteers, but we still needed more pacers. We needed at least one, but ideally at least 4 pacers, for each pace group. My fingers were crossed for more volunteers. Please volunteer for Three Bridges Run #2.

The run was getting closer, and then it happened… Ed A who usually volunteers to coordinate the fluid stations was not going to be available for Three Bridges Run #1!!! Uh-oh, I needed to find someone to step in to that position. That someone needed to be able to drive to help set up and tear down each fluid station and deliver the water, Gatorade, and energy gels to each fluid station. Theoretically, I could do it (get someone else at the store to help with the sign-in and baggage check), but I’ve driven only once since I’ve gotten my driver’s license. Yes, it’s been over 10 years, but I don’t drive and taking the subway and city buses to the fluid stations wasn’t going to work.  Maybe it was the long-run god or Pheidippides, but Richard B volunteered to coordinate the fluid stations!  Richard got to work and quickly moved fluid station volunteers around to make sure we had volunteers for each of the three locations (in lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens). And, we still needed more pacers. I then started sending e-mails to Flyers signed up for specific paces for which we still needed pacers. That helped and we got more volunteers. Please volunteer for Three Bridges Run #2.

As the run approached, I sent e-mails to runners and pacers with information they would need for the day of the run. I also had to field questions for runners. The weekend before the run, I ordered water and Gatorade to be delivered to the New York Running Company. Implementing some suggestions from last year, I asked Naomi R to help come up with a navigational pointers sheet for the pacers, which I printed to hand-out to the pacers on the day of the run, and I printed out back-bibs for the pacers, so that they could easily be identified. Please volunteer for Three Bridges Run #2.

We still needed more pacers and I started getting e-mails from pacers who had to pull-out due to injury or work commitments. More e-mails to Flyers signed up for the run with pleas to please volunteer to pace. Please volunteer for Three Bridges Run #2.

The night before the run, more e-mails to pacers with last minute information…. Uh-oh, I got a reply from David F (a Flyers member and one of the pacers) – the Century Bike Tour was also going to be tomorrow! Argh! What’s their course? I was madly Google-ing and reading their website, reviewing Map My Ride course maps– 100 miles with two start locations and some overlap with the Flyers’ Three Bridges Run course. Okay, no course adjustments needed, but the pacers and fluid station volunteers needed to know – more e-mails. Please volunteer for Three Bridges Run #2.

The day of the run, I arrived at the New York Running Company’s east side store at 6AM. The store was open and Richard B was already there loading up the van with Gatorade. Andrea M, who was helping out with the sign-in and baggage check, soon arrived and we set-up for the runners. The runners and pacers started to file into the store signing in and checking their bags. Every 15 minutes beginning at 6:30, we sent waves of runners out and on their way. All the pacers made it and soon it was 7:30 and the last of the runners were off. We set out the water for the runners’ return and Andrea and I left the store to return later around 9:15, when we could expect the first of the runners to return to the store. Please volunteer for Three Bridges Run #2.

The runners and volunteers soon returned to the store and the New York Running Company had purchased some post-run snacks (mini cupcakes and KIND bars) and coffee for the returning runners. It was great to hear what all the runners and volunteers had to say. There were some suggestions for course adjustments and reports on the fluid stations (some ran out of water – sorry about that!). All the runners and volunteers seemed to have had a good time. The New York Running Company gave all the runners a discount for the day and it was a long morning (especially for the weekend), but it all seemed worth it. The run was successful and it was all due to our great team members who volunteered to help make the run come together. I hope you join us on the Three Bridges Run #2 on October 11^th and  Please volunteer for Three Bridges Run #2.

Blogmaster's Note: Rumor has it that volunteers are needed for Three Bridges Run #2.  To sign up to volunteer, please click HERE :)

 -Linda C

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Unnata Aerial Yoga: Flyers Taking Flight

Linda C

The first time I ever heard of aerial yoga was from a former colleague's Facebook post. It was a selfie she took in the class while suspended upside down. It seemed a little crazy, but also possibly fun. At the time my concern was more that yoga class etiquette should not have allowed her to have her phone with her, let alone allowing her to take a photo while suspended upside down – how un-Zen! The second time I encountered aerial yoga was last year when the Flyers had a yoga recovery day at Sacred Sounds Yoga (located on the second floor of 163 Bleeker Street).  

Flyers member and studio owner Stephanie T gave us a tour of the studio after our core yoga class, and part of that tour included a peek into the room used for the aerial yoga classes. Hanging from fixtures on the ceiling were beautiful blue silk cloths that were at the time tied together in storage until the next aerial yoga class. After that, I attended other yoga classes at Sacred Sounds and would occasionally think of giving aerial yoga a try, but it was always a passing thought. I had some reservations  ––  after all, regular feet on the ground yoga is challenging for me :) But then it happened, a Flyers recovery yoga session was scheduled for June 8th and it was going to be an aerial yoga class. Fate was calling. I signed up!

Officially, the aerial yoga class is called Unnata Aerial Yoga. What exactly is Unnata Aerial Yoga? Well, the course description explains that "Unnata is the Sanskrit word for "elevated," meaning both elevated in spirit and physically elevated. With the weight of the body supported, students learn how to achieve proper postural alignment through relaxation rather than effort, enhancing a relaxed and peaceful state of mind as well."  

This time when I walked into the aerial yoga room, the beautiful blue silks were down and we could see that they formed a loop anchored to the ceiling. The silks were very welcoming, like a swing or a hammock. Some people were a little more adventurous than I was and popped into the silks swinging and laying back in them, but I’m a Capricorn and pragmatism is my middle name. I wasn’t going to do anything until I had some instructions.     

Unlike traditional yoga classes, our mats for this class were arranged diagonally across the room, one mat per person under each loop of silk. The silks were cool to the touch.  Our instructor, Cynthia, went around adjusting the height of the silk loops as needed for each person  ––  the silk loop should hang to a spot between the pelvic bone and belly button. Once everyone's silk loop was properly adjusted the class began with some traditional yoga poses on the mat as a warm up. Then it was time to take flight. 

Cynthia, Our Instructor, Getting Us Set Up

The first pose incorporating the silks was an elevated downward facing dog. It sounded easy enough and some did take to it rather easily, but I had difficulties getting the loop in the right position along my pelvis to support my weight so that I could come off the ground. The idea was to get off the ground and reach down and forward, while keeping the legs back and down (as if to form a floating triangle).  

Debbie P and Luiza S

As recommended, I used a blanket placed over the silk loop to help better place the silk loop along my pelvis and relieve some of the pressure. I felt the pressure of the silk on my pelvis and with Cynthia's assistance I was suddenly up and reaching forward in an elevated downward facing dog. I was just a few inches off the ground, but it felt wonderfully free and much higher. The elevation allowed me to extend my arms out long without the pressure of my weight on them (as I normally experience in a traditional downward facing dog pose).  

For a few moments, I felt very free. I took breaks from the pose at times to relieve the pressure where the silk loop was pulling against my pelvis and possibly because of moments of fear as my mind screamed that my feet were off the ground and I was likely to lose control. There was a regular Unnata practitioner on a mat near me who seemed to hang forever in the pose. But I was new to this and I was taking it easy.  

Next up was a reverse lunge using the silk loop for support of the upper body. The silk loop wrapped around under our arms and along the widest part of our ribs while we stretched one leg back in a reverse lunge. I could feel my hips open up more than I've ever experienced in a "grounded" reverse lunge  –– my physical therapist would be impressed!  

Dave K and Pei A -- Disobeying Directions

Then came some of what we were hoping for, but also probably fearing.... inversions! You'll have to take a class to learn how to go from a seated swing position to have your legs wrapped around the silks and your head and arms hanging down towards the floor. The most challenging part for me was actually getting into the silk loop to sit in it like a swing - a seemingly insurmountable obstacle that I was able to overcome with the assistance of two yoga blocks to stand on. Once I was in the swing, it was a snap for me to get into the inverted position. It was exhilarating. Of course, Cynthia advised that the rush of blood to our heads would give us a natural sense of excitement and it did  –– a yoga equivalent of a runner’s high?  

Lara K Enjoys Her "Yoga High"

Coming out of the pose occasionally to relieve the blood that was rushing to my head in the inversion, I looked around to see our fellow Flyers in their inversions. One warning, should you take this class, don't stay inverted for too long at any one time as some began to feel a little nauseous from inversions held for long periods of time.

A few more different poses aided by the silks and soon it was time to wind down. We were in the silks once again, but this time in restful cocoons. Each silk loop is nine feet wide and served as luxurious hammocks. We were completely enveloped in the blue cool fabric swaying ever so slightly as we were lulled to a peaceful calm in the silky cocoons.  Sheltered from the outside world, we enjoyed some restful minutes suspended above our mats. Then it was time to emerge from the silks and come back to earth, back on to the ground where we ended the class with some traditional yoga poses. 

There were some wonderfully fun moments in the class and the cocoon was very soothing, but there were moments that I found challenging. I'm still relatively new to yoga, having attended less than a dozen classes, and Unnata aerial yoga didn't require any special knowledge from traditional yoga. It was yoga, but a very different experience. The days following the class, I found that I had some slight bruising on the sides of my pelvis where the silk rested when I was in the elevated downward facing dog pose. However, I note that I bruise relatively easily and some of the other Flyers I spoke to did not experience any bruising. 

Will I try aerial yoga again?  Yes, I think I will. For a runner who pounds on the ground for hours at a time, the time floating in the silks was a treat. 

By the way, if you’re thinking about taking a selfie while participating in an aerial yoga class or if you’re concerned that your aerial yoga attempts will be photographed by selfie-takers, note that Sacred Sounds does not allow photographs to be taken during class. Namaste.

-Linda C

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Laurie Harris Hope And Dreams 5K

Written by Linda C

On a beautiful clear Saturday morning, red, black, and white singlets dotted Firefighters Field on Roosevelt Island as the members of the New York Flyers and other runners gathered to wait for the start of The Laurie Harris Hope and Dreams 5K.  As a relatively new member of the Flyers, I only recently met Laurie Harris, but when you meet her, you understand why a group of people would come together to organize a race in her honor in order to raise funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer – the disease she is currently battling. 

A buzz of energy emanated from the crowd.   Laurie Harris, accompanied by her husband Neal, father-in-law, daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, and Paco the wonder dog, was surrounded all day by a swirl of people. Whether these runners came out to Roosevelt Island because of a connection to Laurie, a connection to the Flyers, a connection with pancreatic cancer, or just to run a 5K, everyone seemed to be having a good time. 

Laurie with Flyers and Family Taking On The course

Rita D

New York Flyers’ President Alan G addressed the crowd prior to the race start noting that this was the first race organized by the Flyers in its 24 year history.  The Flyers’ very own Rita D sang the national anthem just before the start of the race.

NYCRUNS’ provided timing and other race management services.  NYRR provided the technical race shirts, featuring a caricature of Laurie designed by Laurie's daughter, Tracey.  Sponsors included NYRR, Skechers, NY Running Company, Duane Reade,  Granoff Architects, and the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.  Sizeable donations and contributions to the post-race raffle also were provided, including by Joey Harary of the Moret Group and a one-year Gold Membership by Asphalt Green.

Runners on the Course

While there was definitely a Flyers reunion feel to the race, it still was a race as the horn sounded, and we were off!.  This was evident as those at the front dashed out.  The male winner, Logan Yu, came in with a time of 16:44, and the female winner, Una Broderick, came in with a time of 19:41.  Laurie Harris walked a portion of the course with her family, some Flyers, and Dr. Yu, Laurie’s oncologist from Memorial Sloan Keterring.

Race Awards
and Raffle Winners

Following the official race announcements, including the presentation by Laurie of awards to the race winners and raffle winners, the Flyers gathered for a group photo.

Janet H handed out “L” shaped crisped rice treats that she cleverly crafted after an entire night of baking and wrapping, and which we lifted in our team photo as a tribute to Laurie.    

Flyers Team Pic Tribute for Laurie on Roosevelt Island

There were more than 550 runners registered for The Inaugural Laurie Harris Hope and Dreams 5K and there were 461 official finishers.  The race raised roughly $25,000 for the Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Cancer Research Center, from race registration proceeds and sponsor contributions.  By all accounts the inaugural Laurie Harris Hope and Dreams 5K was a success, not just for the funds raised and the running of a good race, but for opportunity to celebrate a long-time Flyers member, Laurie Harris. 

To view a Skechers infomercial that includes footage of Flyers from the race and the pre-race Soiree, please click HERE.

Before I officially met Laurie Harris, all I knew of her was that she was fighting pancreatic cancer, but still managed to finish ahead of me at NYRR’s races.  I had an opportunity to contact some Flyers members for their thoughts on the race and found some of the reasons for their endearing love for Laurie.

Heather M at the Race 
with Long-Time Flyer John W

Heather M noticed Laurie Harris at NYRR races long before they met.  Heather noted that Laurie “was easy to spot and always stood out because of her beautiful blonde mane flowing freely as she ran.”  She later got to know her better as a team member, volunteering and participating in some of the same local triathlons together when Laurie was always a podium winner!

About the race, Heather remarked on how widespread the love for Laurie is and how far her amazing spirit and strength reached, bringing “old timers” together for the race.  Frank C, Barry B with his wife Divya and their new son, Susan H and her family, Laura L, Ariella E, her husband and twin sons, and many more.   Long-distance Flyers Monika G, Tom D and their daughter Bo came up from North Carolina for the event. Heather also noted how heartwarming it was to learn that Flyers members no longer residing in the tri-state area were inspired to participate in the race by running “virtual” 5Ks, including Gina B in England, and Angela G, Carrie B, Julie G, Sandy B and Maria D around the US.  Heather also commented on the "coziness" of the race and how there was a “very special feeling and energy surrounding the race and Laurie, like a warm embrace.”

Francine A with Janet H at the Race
Looking Cool in their Shades

Francine A adds that one Flyer met Laurie more than 50 years ago! Gary Z and Laurie attended Hebrew school together.  They were reunited thanks to the Flyers.  Gary, his wife Eileen, and his son Jesse all did the race. Jesse brought along a many of his North Brooklyn Runner teammates, including the race winner! Members of Millrose and of Mercury Masters, many of whom have been racing against Laurie for two decades, turned out in force.  

Flyers Race Director Scott C, looking back on the race, noted that it exceeded his expectations in every way.   Scott, too, commented on how the race brought together so many of our teammates for “what turned into the most beautiful reunion of new and older members in one place to meet and reminisce and feel good about being together!”  Scott also commented that he was overjoyed for a few hours when everything came together on race day.  However, he noted that his “happiness is tempered by the very genuine reality of what Laurie is going through daily in her fight to survive.”  He concluded that his belief that the race gave Laurie purpose, gave him a determination to make the race as special as possible and that's what made the race worthwhile and he was happy to be a part of it.

Scott, Laurie and Paco!

Alan G recalled that when he joined the Flyers in 2008, he did not know Laurie, but recognized her from NYRR races.  He noted that it was not until 2010 when he learned who Laurie was and learned about her incredible running career.  Alan remarks that, “I just knew she represented what running is all about...getting out there, getting your run on and enjoying yourself.  Laurie always runs with a big smile that radiates sunshine for miles.”  Alan credits Laurie (and her husband Neal) with teaching him “much about positivity, warmth, Zen-ness and the power of a good soul.”  He describes Laurie as having indomitable resilience and warmth, compassion and selflessness that “is a model for us all,” and concluded that “one cannot help but love her (and Neal, too!, as they are two peas in a pod).”

Husband Neal, Paco, Laurie and Granddaughter Matisse 
as They Dash to the Finish Line

Alan described the race as magnificent and a landmark event for the New York Flyers and all running clubs and said that he looks forward to doing it all again next year. 

Were Quinnipiac Polling Institute out on Roosevelt Island to poll the runners of The Inaugural Laurie Harris 5K, I think there would be an overwhelming consensus that we, like Scott, were all happy to be a part of the race and we, like Alan, look forward to doing it all again next year. 

-Linda C

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A Hot Time in Puerto Rico

Linda C

On November 1, 2012, before the NYCM was cancelled, I happened upon a booth at the NYCM expo for the Puerto Rico Marathon and Half-Marathon. The inaugural running in San Juan was set for May 5, 2013.  I don't remember it being particularly cold that week, but running a marathon in sunny warm Puerto Rico sounded like fun.  I took the postcard with the discount code and weeks later registered to run the Puerto Rico Marathon, later switching to run the half-marathon (Flyer Louie R also was in Puerto Rico and ran the full marathon). With that, at 4:22AM on May 5th, I found myself on a bus going from the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico heading to the start of the race near the Puerto Rico Convention Center.

A Pitch Dark Start

The race was scheduled to start at 5AM.  It was pitch dark out and already 79 degrees. With beads of perspiration forming on my pale NYC winter skin, I began to realize that I may have just underestimated exactly how warm it would feel going from temperatures hovering in the 40's to temperatures in the 80's with high humidity. Nevertheless, I was out to enjoy the race.  According to the race results, there were 1,321 runners (300 marathoners and 1021 half-marathoners).   

One week earlier I ran NYRR's Run As One –– a 4-mile race that had 6,998 finishers.  This was quite a different race. Marathoners and half-marathoners had the same start and the same start corrals. Corrals were set by projected race pace and based on the honor system with the fastest corral set at 6:00 min/mile and faster, and the slowest corral at 12:30+ min/mile. Some announcements were made and a moment of silence was taken for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings (or at least I think that's what the moment of silence was for as the announcement regarding it was made in Spanish), a musical recording of the Puerto Rico and U.S. national anthems were played, the start horn sounded and we were off.

We were in pre-dawn darkness for the first few miles of the race.  My thoughts ranged from telling myself to keep an even pace so as not to burn out in the heat to telling myself to run a bit faster to keep up with the group because I didn't know where the heck I was running and it was dark –– there were street lights, but the streets of San Juan are certainly not as well lit as the streets of NYC. We rounded a corner and suddenly the shore was to our left and the sun was rising. It was breathtaking. Running alongside this beautiful view was easy. It was still very warm, but I began to think that just maybe I could finish this race with a pretty good time; at least beat my time from the frigid Manhattan Half. But then the sun came out.

Sun Rises Over the Course

With the sun rising, we were back inland.  Saturday night revelers were still in bars along the course, but came out to cheer us on. There weren't many spectators along the course, but the few people we passed cheered us on heartily, whether they were intentional spectators, on their way to their Sunday chores, or extending their Saturday partying. We ran through the city and the sun continued to rise higher in the sky. My sunglasses went from the top of my head to firmly on my face and as the race progressed I tucked my visor a little bit lower. This was by no means a hilly course and several times after dousing my head with some iced water at the fluid stations, I'd attempt to push my pace. But it was a struggle and I would soon revert to just plodding along to the finish.

There were fluid stations every 1 to 2 miles and Gatorade gels available at several of the fluid stations.  While the course information promised three porta-potties at each aid station, I spotted only one port-potty at one of the aid stations on the course. The marathoners and half-marathoners share the course for the first 4.75 miles or so before separating. The marathon course then rejoins the half-marathon course within about 4 miles of the finish. At about this point in the race for me, the marathon pace car passed me and the would-be marathon winner ran quickly by seemingly unfazed by the heat (he is a resident of Bayamon, Puerto Rico and finished in 2:43:35).

The sun was unrelenting and when the course brought us once again within view of the shore, there was still no relief from the heat.  With the waves crashing below, one would think that there would be a sea breeze, but there was none. With not many miles left to go and running through a more affluent neighborhood in San Juan with glimpses of the shore, the heat was bearable. While I was running I didn't feel that I was slowing down, but my Garmin told me otherwise.  I still overcame some of the runners that were consistently in front of me throughout the race. The finish was in full sun and heat, but it was glorious! It was the finish. My sister was at the finish line cheering me on and was even able to take a video of me coming in to the finish.

A Glorious Finish!

The post-race amenities included sports massages (not my thing), Gatorade, water, bananas (raw green bananas that I did not take), and, oddly, packages of sweet honey buns and bottles of Pepsi! I finished with my slowest half-marathon time, but I enjoyed the race. What made the race experience even better was walking back to the hotel and recovering in the hotel pool and the private hotel beach. My legs never felt better.  I would run this race again and next time I'll be ready for the heat. Plus, one lesson I learned from running this race –– remove the KT tape from my leg BEFORE spending the afternoon recovering in the sun.

-Linda C

P.S.  There was a peacock and swans on the hotel grounds!

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New Flyer Linda Chan

Linda C

I am a little over one year short of being a born and bred New Yorker and Brooklynite.  At the tender age of 13 months old, I emigrated from Hong Kong to the United States.  For me, there is no other place like New York City.  I recognize that I am very much one of “those” New Yorkers who don’t really think anyone else is a New Yorker unless they grew up here or at least have been here for 25+ consecutive years.  

My mom will tell you that I was an early walker and that I was a speedy toddler running everywhere.  Well, beyond my formative years, my running stalled.  I was educated through the New York City public school system and while we had gym every day in school, I don’t remember ever having run a mile at any time while I was in school.  Running was always doled out as a chore or a punishment in gym class.  At some point in my adulthood, I started tuning into television coverage of the NYC Marathon. I ran a race here and there in my early 30’s, but really with no running at any other time.

In 2009, I ran the NYC Half Marathon.  I have no recollection as to what possessed me to register for the race (it was the last NYC Half that was held in the summer and the last one for which there was no lottery for entry).  Before race day, the longest distance I had run was about 7 miles a couple of weeks earlier as part of my “training” – I had actually planned a 6 mile run, but missed my exit in Central Park and ended up running an extra mile.  I may have run two other times in the weeks preceding that, probably no more than 4 miles each of those two times.

Am I naturally talented and required little to no training to run my first half-marathon? No.  I was just determined.  I enjoyed the race, but it was a long slow race for me.  Running down the West Side Highway, I turned back more than a few times to see if the “sweep” bus was coming behind me.  Only when I saw groups of runners still behind me was I reassured that I would not be picked up by the bus (maybe it’s a car, I’ve never seen it and hope I never do).  I finished the race and started having thoughts about running the NYC marathon. 

NYC Half 2009

Me and Meb!

I was on Central Park South when Meb Keflezighi came in to win the 2009 ING NYC Marathon, ending a long drought of Americans winner of the marathon.  That day I fell in love (or was it just a crush?) with the NYC Marathon (and Meb).  I signed up for the lottery for entry to the 2010 NYC Marathon and started looking into what was required to actually train to run a marathon.  I didn’t know much about running, but I knew enough to know that I needed to train to run and finish the marathon.  Luckily, I did not win the lottery.  Instead, I got an extra year to wrap my head around running the marathon and completing the 9+1 requirements.  In the extra year I had to train for my first marathon, I took some NYRR running classes and ran the nine qualifying races for guaranteed entry.  

Sometime in 2011, I started to think of running clubs, but I did not join any clubs.  I did start to “stalk” the Flyers’ Facebook page and what I found were runners who supported one another and who were active in the community.  While I found the Flyers to be much to my liking it still took me a while to join.  I admit it, I may be commitment phobic – I don’t even belong to a political party and I’ve been voting a lot longer than I’ve been running. 

I’m happy to be a Flyer and hope to become more involved with the club socially and as a runner representing the club.  I hope to run more regularly and learn from my fellow club members. I was registered to run the 2012 NYCM, and didn’t get out to run a substitute marathon.  The next big races that I have scheduled are the NYC Half and the Puerto Rico Marathon.

I live in South Brooklyn, but spend almost all my waking hours in Manhattan.  Other than running, I enjoy knitting and karaoke!  Anyone up for a tune or two?  Perhaps a Flyers karaoke outing?  It’s been a while and I need a fix – I’ve been singing (off key) in the street!  Oh, and if you want to learn to knit, I’m willing to give lessons. 

Thanks for having me.  If you see me in Central Park, give me a holler. 

-Linda C

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