THE GENESIS OF THE NEW YORK FLYERS
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| Jonathan Buck |
Tim Kennedy and myself (Jonathan Buck) both worked at the New York Road Runners Club. Tim worked in the lobby handling phone calls and selling running merchandise. I worked in the library and often with race registration.
We both worked at the New York Road Runners Club because it provided learning opportunities about the running business and more importantly -- the running community. We were both able to develop friendships with runners of many different levels and abilities. It became very apparent to both of us that all runners were very friendly and sincere people. One evening, 1 walked over to the sales desk and Tim seriously suggested the possibility of a new type of running club -- in essence, a club that would be open to all types of runners.
Tim and I had discovered that manv clubs only lent themselves to fast, competitive runners, while shutting out average and slow runners. Our focus was then to create a club that would "promote the average runner", while still at the same time -- welcoming slow and fast runners.
That evening, we joined the New York Harriers at a local establishment called "Kinsale" that still exists on the Upper East Side. After their nightly runs, the Harriers often gathered to discuss their running achievements and humorous moments.
In many ways, they were a positive model for what a running club meant and how it should function. They were a fast running club, but more important than that, they were friendly to each other and even to other runners who were not members of their club. During that evening with the Harriers. Tim started to get very serious and focused about the function and structure of a more purposeful running club.
We rebounded some ideas off the Harriers and then we embarked on our very own deep discussion. As the Guinness pints continued to evaporate, we were slowly able to put together a solid, strong, philosophical foundation. However we were stuck on one major obstacle - the name for our newly, founded running club.
We spent the next few days brainstorming about possibilities. Finally, we decided on the New York Flyers because the first half of the name identified our proud community. The second half of the name described the sensation of what every runner felt, when they were running at their very best.
Tim and I quickly spread the word and a week later we had our first meeting with seven new members. who were nicknamed "The Magnificent Seven". The meeting was held in The New York Road Runners' Library. Everybody was accommodated with their very own individual seat.
It was an awkward -- and at the same time -- an exciting moment, because we really hadn't sat down to think about what we were going to say. Yet somehow, it didn't really seem to matter what we said, because what mattered that night was launching a feeling and a spirit about who we were and who we had the potential to be. Probably, the funniest statement we made that evening was "That some day we might grow to twenty or even thirty members".
Never in our wildest dreams, did we expect the club to have over 300 plus members as it does today. However now it makes complete sense. because we were one of the few clubs who opened our doors to everybody no matter what their nationality, sexual orientation and most importantly -- their running pace.
During the inaugural six months, the membership grew approximately from seven to fIfty members. After our first year, we had over 100 members. The single most important reason that we grew so quickly could be summed up in one word -- FUN! It was the key ingredient for our immediate success. We quickly created a yearly agenda that rewarded running with social functions. An incentive plan was mapped out for just about every possible social opportunity during the running calendar year.
What personally impressed me was the fact that every New York Flyer had dreams and goals with respect to their passion for running. Many Flyers have transformed their dreams into memorable, concrete experiences. For example. the Flyers have not only run races in Central Park. They have run in races throughout the United States and throughout the entire world as well. We have never had any limits because as a club and a team. we are always searching for those experiences and interactions that will enrich us both as runners and as productive human beings.
I have often thought about questions that other Flyers have said to me. They are complex questions, but they truly demonstrate the values of a reflective runner -- a runner who can think clearly and deeply while they run.
How will we transform our positive running experiences into the more difficult schema of life? In other words, what can we give back to society from what we have learned through our most, meaningful, running experiences? How can we value and respect everybody's unique role and purpose in life?
When I think about my beginning running years, four concepts immediately come to mind. To some degree. these concepts reminded me of dialogues with other Flyers and their related experiences.
First, I think about "fear" and how when many of us began running and especially when we ran our first marathons, many of us experienced fear about completing our intended running distances. Flyers have been known to share these anxieties with each other and thus transform this fear into a positive running focus. Second, I think about "PR"s or "personal records" and how as Flyers we share information and experiences that will extend our positive running focus. Third and fourth, I think about "self-esteem and confidence" that is not just restricted only to our running performances, but extends as well into our professional and personal1ives.
I believe that being a Flyer teaches us to be a happier and more confident human being. Today. I still see all these processes and qualities evolving within the much larger Flyer organization. It is still a running club that believes in its roots and above all. It is the friendliest and happiest club in the New York City area. The New York Flyers has taught all of us about becoming leaders with our running and with our lives as well.
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