Flyers Food Drive Fundraiser

The holiday season is normally a time for celebration, but joy is in short supply for the approximately 3 million New Yorkers – including senior citizens, low-income families, single mothers, and the working poor – who experience difficulty affording the most basic necessities for survival.

WHAT IS THE FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY

The Food Bank for New York City is New York's largest non-profit hunger relief agency in New York.  It serves communities in all five boroughs, supplying shelters and food assistance organizations throughout the city.

In addition to procuring and distributing food, the Food Bank for New York City also sponsors a variety of programs on nutrition education, teaching basic cooking skills, and promoting healthy food choices and increasing the availability of fresh, healthy ingredients in neighborhoods that are underserved by traditional grocery stores and supermarkets. The Food Bank for New York City also works with community-based organizations to increase the availability of food stamps, and with low-income individuals and families to file income taxes.

WHAT IS THE NY FLYERS FOOD DRIVE FUNDRAISER?

Since 2008, the Flyers have raised money for the Food Bank for New York City during the holiday season through the New York Flyers Food Drive Fundraiser.  While we've never tracked exact numbers each year, this drive, which normally kicks off in mid-November and runs through mid-December, has successfully raised more than $10,000 total in its four consecutive years.  This year our target is $3,000 total, and as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we have raised a smidgen below 50% of our goal to date.  All donations are fully tax-deductible!

WHY IS THERE A NY FLYERS FOOD DRIVE FUNDRAISER?

There are a great many worthwhile charitable organizations supporting a vast array of causes in New York City.  The Flyers chose to support the Food Bank for New York City both because of its mission to address the most basic of human needs in our own community, and because the Food Bank for New York City scores extremely high marks with watchdog agencies like Charity Navigator, which assess non-profits' organizational transparency and efficiency of donation use.

While the Food Bank for New York City plays a key role in acquiring and distributing food to a broad base of immediate-relief organizations, it encourages its supporters to focus on monetary contributions rather than direct food donations.  This is because the Food Bank for New York City is able to leverage relationships with wholesalers and other suppliers to buy large quantities of food (including fresh produce) at prices that are vastly lower than retail.

In addition, by not using its limited resources for picking up and transporting individual food donations to its warehouses for redistribution, the Food Bank for New York City also can focus on efficiency in distributing the larger quantities of food it has acquired through its supply network.  Each dollar donated to the Food Bank for New York City provides five meals to help alleviate hunger, and 96 cents of every dollar donated go directly to hunger relief.  As a result, even small donations make a significant impact.

VOLUNTEERISM

In 2012, the Food Bank for New York City was directly involved in Hurricane Sandy relief to assist individuals and families hard-hit by the storm, and to provide volunteer relief services. A dedicated volunteer program continues in which volunteers can provide services including meal preparation, food repackaging, and working at relief centers throughout the city.  800 volunteers are needed every week!

Click here for more information on the 2014 Flyer Food Drive Fundraiser and to donate. Additional information is posted on the Food Bank for New York City's website.

The 2014 Flyer Food Drive Fundraiser runs through December 19th.  As the year draws to a close, please consider including this worthy cause in your annual giving.

-Dana M.

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Laurie Harris Hope and Dreams 5K

Scott C

Chemo, coffee and courage throughout

I started to think about writing this when I recently had coffee with Laurie Harris and Paco “the wonder dog” at our usual meeting place, the Starbucks on Second Ave and 81^st street. It was on a Monday and the morning started out grey and drab, but by mid-afternoon the sun was shining.

Laurie with Paco

I knew it was Laurie’s birthday and I was pleasantly surprised when she called me to say she was nearby and wondered if I had time for coffee. We’ve been trying to meet somewhat regularly these past several months either through our race committee, which consists of me, Laurie, Betsy P, and Heather M. or on our own at Starbucks to discuss the race, my upcoming wedding plans, how she and her husband Neal L are doing and to watch Paco a young boisterous Portuguese water dog nap diligently next to Laurie.

As I mentioned, it was a Monday, it was her birthday and it was also the day she goes and receives chemotherapy. But if you know Laurie or have seen her these past several months, getting pumped full of chemo on your birthday at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and then meeting a bud for coffee is just a piece of cake.

I’ve always believed that running has either given me certain qualities, or has enhanced in me those qualities, that can help me go the extra mile when life itself presents its challenges or when one can lose perspective on what is truly important on our journeys through this life.  Laurie inspires these qualities in me, as well.

Let’s dance in style, let's dance for a while, heaven can wait we’re only watching the skies

I’ve also come to see that belonging to a club like the Flyers can inspire, aspire and forge long-standing friendships.

Surrounded by like minded folk who lace on running shoes to free their minds of stress for a little while, find their creativity, set and exceed goals, rip up their bodies, and to sweat. To do what they may once have thought was highly unlikely if not impossible until they laced up those shoes and joined a club like the NYF and discovered that the only limits are those we place on ourselves.

Can you imagine when this race is won turning our faces into the sun

Next year, our club will celebrate 25 years of camaraderie, PR’s, parties, memories and people that have helped shape our club, given it a soul, a character and a special place within the NYC running community.

I’ve often though that the best quality of being in the Flyers was the voice many have found, the personality many have developed, and the numerous ways many have gone on to use both and to continue to make us a better organization.

For years now the concept of the Flyers creating our own race has been discussed and conceptualized, but for various reasons had just never gotten off the ground beyond talk.  But at the start of this year, one of our own, our Laurie, became the catalyst for us to finally stop talking about doing a race and to create one on her behalf.  The courage she shows as she fights every minute of every day to keep running, keep living and to continue to embrace those qualities as a runner have gotten her far in life and serves as an inspiration for us all.

It’s so hard to get old without a cause I don’t want to perish like a fading horse

Racing Mini 10K, August 2001

Laurie Harris is a long time member of our club, very well known throughout the running community and cannot be missed when seen running in Central Park with both her distinctive running gait and long blond curly hair. While the hair has been replaced with an auburn colored wig of late due to frequent doses of chemotherapy, Laurie can still be seen often running and racing in CP nearly two years since her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer on August 29, 2011.

Her running resume boasts an impressive 540 races and 14 NYC marathons, the first marathon being in 1992, which many will remember as the year NYRR visionary and leader Fred Lebow ran with the great marathon champion Grete Waitz at his side mile after mile after mile during his own battle with cancer.

To offer a brief timeline, at the start of 2013 after agreeing to terms with Steve Lastoe of NYC RUNS, the Flyers Executive and Advisory Boards signed off on the creation of what would become the inaugural Laurie Harris Hope and Dreams 5K to benefit pancreatic cancer research at MSKCC.

We were offered a range of dates between August-October and a choice of venue between Fireman’s Field on Roosevelt Island and Riverside Park in Manhattan.  We looked at running calendars and decided that a Saturday morning on Roosevelt Island on August 10^th could work as there were no local road races that weekend and the flat course Roosevelt Island provides great views, free of any traffic, and otherwise provided us the best venue to race in and to invite those who might want to walk the course.

During February and March we realized our work was only beginning as we reviewed a race budget and sought out much needed help through race sponsorship. Getting sponsors would be our greatest challenge as we were often rejected, but we kept at it believing that people, companies and others would come through––and like Laurie’s faith and courage we would not be denied!

With June upon us, and the race now only two months away, we still have a lot more to do but we have received invaluable help from individuals and companies who have agreed to sponsor us, including Skechers, the NYRR, the Running Company, the Mars Co and the National Pancreatic Foundation.

I also am deeply touched and want to thank two of our own teammates who approached me and asked how much do we need to get this race off without a hitch.  Flyers Sungwon Huang with Joe Jones, and Howard Brown, we are all deeply grateful for your very generous financial donation to help insure that indeed this race will go off without a hitch!

The race is scheduled for Saturday, August 10th, at 9:30 AM.  You may register right now by clicking HERE.

With two months remaining an appeal, please!

If you feel you can help in any way, including if you think you can provide an introduction to someone or a company or corporation that might want to play a role in our developing the race then, please, we need your help now!  Click here to contact me if you wish to help out.

Racing Club Team Championships 2012

Thanks for reading this and we will continue to keep you updated these last two months!  Please note:

• We hope to see you at the summer party our sponsor Skechers has agreed to host in their showroom on Thursday night July 25^th 717 Fifth Avenue Suite 494!  
• The party will go from 6:30-8:30 PM and refreshments will be served.  We will be offering anybody who would like to register for the race immediate on site registration by bringing either a CC a check or cash in the amount of $25.  
• An RSVP will be required as building security requests it and a photo ID will be required for admittance to the building and the party.  
• Details will be posted on Flyers FB, including a sign-up sheet on the Flyers website.
• For folks who'd like to donate to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on behalf of Laurie, a separate Giving Page has been set up and you may click HERE to donate. 
• You also can "like" and follow the Laurie Harris Hope and Dreams 5K on Facebook––Laurie's daughter, Tracey Rediker, created the Facebook page for the race and you may click HERE to view it.

Laurie Strikes a Pose with Daughter Tracey

Finally, some of you will recognize the following lyrics, but if not I'll make mention that throughout writing this piece for the blog, Alphaville’s “Forever Young” kept playing in my head.  And so I want to leave you with this last verse and with a thank you on behalf of Laurie and our race committee for all of your support!

So many adventures couldn’t happen today

So many songs we forgot to play

So many dreams are swinging out of the blue

We let them come true

Go Flyers!!! 

-Scott C.

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The Race Buddy Training Method

Michael R

I was sitting on pins and needles, eagerly awaiting the launch of the Flyers’ new Marathon Training Program.  The program would be unveiled soon and I was watching for news.  I also knew it would be a special program this year and very different from the previous program we offered.  Then, late one night our president, Alan G., posted an announcement that we would be partnering with the New York Road Runners (NYRR) in their Race Buddy program.  I thought, “This must be it!  The new Marathoin Training Program!!”  With space limited to only ten participants, I signed up immediately without even reading the details.  I got in and I knew it would be great!

Flyer Race Buddies and Course Marshalls included:
Joanna C, Dave K, Noirin L, Lara K, Wendy B, Michael R, Maribeth C (Course Marshall), Josefine I (Course Marshall), John McC,  plus Lizabeth R (blue cap), Meredith J (pink socks), and Amy S (Course Marshall but not pictured here)

The program launched on June 2nd at the annual NYRR Celebrate Israel Run 4-Mile Race.  Program participants were instructed to arrive at 6AM for introductions.  This all seemed a bit unusual to me.  I’m not normally an early morning runner but I had high expectations and trusted that the program would be worth it.   It seemed particularly odd to be kicking off the program in conjunction with a major race.  However, I decided to “go with the flow” and implicitly trust my new guru coaches, whoever they would be.

On that morning the coaches arrived at their own rhythm and seemed to be a somewhat ragtag group.  As we were assigned to our coaches I sensed that this would definitely not be a typical marathon training program.  Plus I soon felt self-conscious and ill-equipped, noticing that one of my Flyer friends came armed with a walkie-talkie in case she got lost running along the course.

Flyers Course Marshall Maribeth C

One feature of the program that immediately struck me was that the ratio of participants to coaches was completely reversed.  I had six coaches assigned just to me!  They called themselves the Tappan Tigers.  They seemed to be a bit short and on the youngish side, but I was determined to simply let go and trust.  It was time for the program and the race to start.

I had thought they were simply late in arriving but there was method to their madness.  The first lesson my new coaches taught me was:  rather than jostling for a corral position near the front of the race pack, enter the corrals at the rear after two-thirds of the runners have already crossed the start line.  This was simply brilliant.  We were able to start running immediately and there was no half-stepping toward the start line or pesky runners behind us!

My six coaches immediately scattered in as many different directions and left me wondering what I was supposed to do next.  This was a great lesson in race stress management and a testament to their coaching wisdom.  I was forced to let go of my anxiety and just let things unfold.  I kept running toward the start line trusting that they would find me when I needed them.  This, in fact, did happen.  Soon after I crossed the start line my two principal coaches, Shankea and Elijah, were waiting for me as they strolled along the course.  Thus the real training began as I adjusted my pace to match my coaches’.   The other four coaches had vanished mysteriously and I wondered what they had in store for me.

With Two of My Coaches

Shankea and Elijah had devised for me a very unorthodox training protocol.  The primary strategy was a radical run/walk method but much less focused on the run part.  I learned much from them as the day progressed.  This is the core of what they taught me: 

• Pace yourself.  A very hot and humid day might not be the best day to push your limits or to run four miles if you’ve never run more than three before.  In fact, on a day like that it might be enough to just run through the corrals to the start line.
• Enjoy the course.  Look around, particularly if you don’t spend much time in Central Park.  Who knows what that squirrel might be up to?
• Hydrate.  Stop and take a cup of water whenever one is offered.  In fact, stop and take five.  
• Listen to your body.  Potty stops can offer an unexpected opportunity to relax and unwind.
• Know your priorities.  It can be very comforting to stop and hug a tree, as Elijah showed me.
• Improvise.  When your legs are tired, anything makes a good seat.
• Mix it up.  Sometimes skipping can make the time pass more quickly.
• Perception is reality.  Believing there is a pebble in your shoe is the same as there actually being one in there.  You might as well take your shoe(s) off to make sure.
• Let go of your ego.  Every once in a while it’s OK to remind yourself that you’ve entered a race by running for a few yards.  But there’s no shame in just walking if that’s all your legs have in them.
• Motivation matters.  Knowing that there’s a lottery at the end of the race might be very exciting but may not necessarily provide enough motivation to reach the finish line any sooner than you’re ready to.  An Xbox might have done it, though.
• Know your reserves.  No matter how tired you are, you always have enough energy to sprint the final 50 yards of your race.
• Learn.  An hour-and-a-half is all it takes to make friends from perfect strangers.  Everyone has a great story to tell, irrespective of his or her age, and time passes much more enjoyably when you’re sharing stories.

If you haven’t caught on yet, this was not the launch of the new Flyers Marathon Training Program.  Rather, the Flyers were invited by New York Road Runners to participate in their Race Buddy program at the Celebrate Israel run.  It’s a nice program in which experienced runners are paired with kids during a race to help them appreciate running and motivate them to the finish.

Getting Instructions from NYRR Before the Race

Nine other Flyers also participated and were assigned to different kids.  Our experiences varied widely.  I was assigned a group of city kids from PS 46 (The Arthur Tappan School) between 10-13 years old who were thrilled to simply reach the end of a 4-mile course and sprint across the finish line.  I shared the thrill.

Flyer Race Buddies Lara K, Dave K, Michael R and Wendy B

Dave K's Young Runner
Katherine from the NEST School
Finishes Her First Ever Race

Mysteriously my other four “coaches” somehow found me within half a mile of the finish.  Some were ahead and some were behind but, in the end, we all came together and found the finish line.  This last lesson was “Trust.”  It didn’t matter that the main race was over, the mats pulled, and the lottery already called… these guys had a great time and were proud of their efforts.  I was proud of them, too.  I’d recommend the experience to anyone.

-Michael R.

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NY FLYERS 2012 TOYS FOR TOTS RUN

Scott S

The Flyers annual Toys for Tots Run is one of many longstanding Flyer traditions. For years Sandy A arranged the toy drive to benefit children with serious illnesses staying in the Pediatric Center at Mt. Sinai Hospital on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Participants would typically gather at the Engineers’ Gate, put their donated toys in Jerry F’s car, run down Central Park’s East Drive, exit the Park, stroll past the holiday windows on Fifth Avenue, and sing holiday songs underneath the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree with Laurent N conducting. Then the singers would run north through Central Park to Mt. Sinai, go room to room singing for the appreciative children (and their parents) and distribute toys as they sang.  The event concluded with a celebratory holiday brunch.

This Year's Singer's Show Off Their Dance Moves, Too!

Several years ago, for the sake of the health of both the patients and the singers, Mt. Sinai forbade the Flyer choir’s singing in the children’s rooms. Instead, the Flyers were ushered into the hospital’s new internal television studio, where the singers would perform live for approximately half an hour. Children were able to call in with their requests, which inevitably were dominated by songs the Flyers had just sung, songs the Flyers didn’t know, or everyone’s favorite musical tribute to holiday sadism “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” Thankfully, the mellifluous bagpipe stylings of Flyer Patrick D kept the singers’ holiday spirits bright.

Unfortunately, the toy drive was canceled in 2011 when the Flyers and the Mt. Sinai staff could not agree on a suitable time for a visit (“could you come in at 6:30pm on the third Sunday in December?”) However, this venerable Flyers’ holiday tradition returned this year thanks to Sandy A’s tireless efforts. She arranged a toy drive to benefit kids affected by the recent Hurricane Sandy and coordinated with the Central Park Zoo to accept the donated toys (no, we didn’t sing for the animals). As an added benefit, those who gave toys were given a ticket good for future admission to the Bronx Zoo (note: Sandy also volunteers as a guide at the zoo, so be on the lookout for a Flyer day at the zoo in 2013!).

Jodie F, Laurent N, Laurie H (with her dog Paco), Steve K, Debbie P, Robert B, Scott S, Amy S, Jennifer B, David W

The Flyer singers met near the Central Park Zoo entrance at the appointed time – this year’s participants included Sandy A, Jennifer B, Robert B, Maribeth C, Jodie F, Laurie H and her dog Paco, Laurent N, Steve K, Debbie P, Amy S, Scott S, and David W. After introducing ourselves to each other and posing for some group photos, the singers dropped off their toys at the Central Park Zoo, then headed out of the Park and down Fifth Avenue to see the 2012 holiday windows.

Laurent was waiting for us underneath the Rock Center tree when we arrived, but as has been the case the last several times the event has been held, our group was prevented from singing directly underneath the tree by the Center’s crack security force. Apparently, there’s now a formal sign-up process in place for groups wishing to perform underneath the tree, and groups that attempt to circumvent this process are threatened with eviction, incarceration, and forcible removal of vocal cords with a sharp instrument (my apologies to any junior Flyers who may be reading this). After posing for several group photos underneath the tree, we found an unguarded area across the street and belted out several up-tempo holiday favorites before the wind and steady rain conspired to dampen our spirits.

Click the Arrrow:

Then Sing Along with The Von Flyer Family Singers

The group had planned to return to Central Park and enjoy a four-mile run together, but due to the weather the group decided to forego the run and proceed directly to the brunch portion of our program. After securing a table for twelve at a café in the Rock Center concourse, the group decided to leave after discovering that the cafe didn’t see fit to include brunch items on its menu.

Brunchtime for Hungry Singers

A new venue was chosen, brunch was ordered, and a good time was had by all. Thanks again to the hearty souls who chose to participate this year, and special thanks, as always, to Sandy for organizing the event and Laurent for leading us in song!

-Scott S

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Flyers Food Drive Fundraiser

The holiday season is normally a time for celebration, but joy is in short supply for the approximately 3 million New Yorkers – including senior citizens, low-income families, single mothers, and the working poor – who experience difficulty affording the most basic necessities for survival.

WHAT IS THE FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY

The Food Bank for New York City is New York's largest non-profit hunger relief agency in New York.  It serves communities in all five boroughs, supplying shelters and food assistance organizations throughout the city.

In addition to procuring and distributing food, the Food Bank for New York City also sponsors a variety of programs on nutrition education, teaching basic cooking skills, and promoting healthy food choices and increasing the availability of fresh, healthy ingredients in neighborhoods that are underserved by traditional grocery stores and supermarkets. The Food Bank for New York City also works with community-based organizations to increase the availability of food stamps, and with low-income individuals and families to file income taxes.

WHAT IS THE NY FLYERS FOOD DRIVE FUNDRAISER?

Since 2008, the Flyers have raised money for the Food Bank for New York City during the holiday season through the New York Flyers Food Drive Fundraiser.  While we've never tracked exact numbers each year, this drive, which normally kicks off in mid-November and runs through mid-December, has successfully raised more than $10,000 total in its four consecutive years.  This year our target is $3,000 total, and as the drive approaches its halfway mark, we have raised a smidgen above 50% of our goal to date.  All donations are fully tax-deductible!

WHY IS THERE A NY FLYERS FOOD DRIVE FUNDRAISER?

There are a great many worthwhile charitable organizations supporting a vast array of causes in New York City.  The Flyers chose to support the Food Bank for New York City both because of its mission to address the most basic of human needs in our own community, and because the Food Bank for New York City scores extremely high marks with watchdog agencies like Charity Navigator, which assess non-profits' organizational transparency and efficiency of donation use.

While the Food Bank for New York City plays a key role in acquiring and distributing food to a broad base of immediate-relief organizations, it encourages its supporters to focus on monetary contributions rather than direct food donations.  This is because the Food Bank for New York City is able to leverage relationships with wholesalers and other suppliers to buy large quantities of food (including fresh produce) at prices that are vastly lower than retail.

In addition, by not using its limited resources for picking up and transporting individual food donations to its warehouses for redistribution, the Food Bank for New York City also can focus on efficiency in distributing the larger quantities of food it has acquired through its supply network.  Each dollar donated to the Food Bank for New York City provides five meals to help alleviate hunger, and 96 cents of every dollar donated go directly to hunger relief.  As a result, even small donations make a significant impact.

THE FOOD BANK AND HURRICANE SANDY

This year, the Food Bank for New York City is also direcly involved in Hurricane Sandy relief.  In addition to leveraging donations from our own fundraiser and others like it to assist individuals and families hard-hit by he recent storm, The Food Bank for New York City is also running both a dedicated emergency response fundraiser and a dedicated volunteer program in which volunteers can aid the relief effort through meal preparation, food repackaging, and working at several different relief centers throughout the city.

Click here for more information on the 2012 Flyer Food Drive Fundraiser and to donate. Additional information is posted on the Food Bank for New York City's website.

The 2014 Flyer Food Drive Fundraiser runs through December 19th.  As the year draws to a close, please consider including this worthy cause in your annual giving.

-Dana M.

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Let's Get Social

Debbie P

Greetings!

As we welcome spring (did we have a winter?), I’m excited for this opportunity to introduce myself to the club as the 2012 Member-at-Large. My name is Debbie, and as a fairly new Flyer I’ve been learning the ropes these first couple months, getting to know the people that helped make so many Flyer social activities successful & a lot of fun.

I’m following the lead of our 2011 MAL Julie W, and have invited folks who have been involved in social events during the last few years to participate on a committee to do planning for this year. I am very grateful to Lara K, Lloyd H, Alan G, Ray S, Shira Z, Stephanie P, Charlotte N, Kenny D for their time, ideas, and willingness to step up and organize—I’m sure I will be saying “thank you” over and over again this year.

We’ve picked up pints a few times already this winter to celebrate Mardi Gras, open speedwork sessions, and the 92(!) Flyers who ran the New York City Half Marathon. I have a sneaking suspicion that in a few weeks we’ll want to toast the Flyers who are running Boston on April 16th – keep an eye on the NYF Events and Facebook pages for a location (please join our group there if you are a FB user!). We’d love to try to schedule monthly happy hours, doing our best to vary the days of the week and locations.

Whether you have recently joined the Flyers or were a founding member, please circle/bookmark/iCal Wednesday, May 2nd and hold the date for our New Flyer Social. We’ll head to the Mad Hatter Saloon (3rd Ave and E. 26th Street) to play some games and learn more about our teammates. The info is now up on the events page, and new Flyers, keep an eye on your email for a special invite.

Looking down the calendar a bit, TGIFFs in different areas of the city are in the works, as well as other warmer-weather events. We’re seeking a new venue to celebrate after the Brooklyn Half – with 15,000 runners Coney Island is likely to be a bit crowded this year! We’ll post the gathering place as soon as possible (as well as info on the Flyers bus to the Brooklyn half generously organized again by Richard B), but please plan to join us for some frolicking on the sand, screaming on the Cyclone and chowing down on Nathan’s and beer on the boardwalk.

Aside from running and social gatherings, we’d be thrilled to see the Flyers continue to expand our tradition of giving back through volunteer activities. I often get emails from people and organizations looking to promote projects such as running-related charity events, trail-preservation petitions, etc. We’re exploring the possibility of having a spot on the Flyers website to post such activities, as well as on Facebook.

Phew—we’re getting the Flyers calendar up and running for an exciting 2012! If you have ideas and energy, whether about new locales to celebrate (bonus points if they serve sweet potato fries :-), ideas for volunteer projects or other activities, please feel free to contact me at mal@nyflyers.org. We would love to see new faces at events and new hands to help organize.

Happy running!

Cheers,
Debbie P
Flyers Member at Large

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Why A Flyers Food Drive Fundraiser?

The NY Flyers has launched its 4th Anuual Flyers Food Drive Fundraiser for the NYC Food Bank.  Although I've had absolutely nothing to do with creating or maintaining the Food Drive initiative aside from donating my dollars along with so many other Flyers, I'd like to share some reasons why I think this is a wonderful Flyers initiative, and to encourage Flyers to consider donating via the Flyers website link.  If you'd like to share addititional reasons for why you like the Food Drive Fundraiser, please do so in the comments section of this blog entry.  And if you'd like to share your dollars by donating via the Flyers Food Drive Fundraiser, please do so, too!

Volunteerism.  The Flyers are largely about running.  The Flyers also are about friendship, camaraderie and volunteerism, including through organized activities.  Those latter aspects are even written into our by-laws.  Page 1, Article II, if you're curious.  I hope everyone participates by donating via the Food Drive.  For those who'd rather not, I'm not here to say that you should, as I hope you may instead consider many other opportunities to fully express your friendship, camaraderie, and volunteerism with the Flyers.

Community.  Flyers like to take initiative to serve other members of the club, and the larger community within which we exist as an organization.  From singing holiday songs with hospital patients after the Toys for Tots Run, to pulling weeds at Central Park, to providing shoes for people in need, and much much more.  The Annual Flyers Food Drive Fundraiser is yet another popular club initiative through which Flyers give back to the broader community.

Leadership.  Many people are good at suggesting things that other people should do (who'd like to do my laundry, please?).  Fewer folks, perhaps, may seem quite as good at taking ownership over seeing an iniative through from conception to fruition.  When Flyers propose good ideas, take initiative and demonstrate leadership by pursuing and ensuring the completion of wortwhile activities such as the Food Drive Fundraiser, this strengthens the club, builds team spirit, and demonstrates the gargantuan goodness that exists within the Flyers.

Worthy Cause.   There are many worthy causes, and certainly addressing hunger is one of them.  Hunger in New York City is in a dire situation.  There are 3 million New Yorkers who experience difficulty affording food — an astounding number and one that continues to increase as the donated food supply drops to an all-time low and food costs continue to rise. The Food Bank of New York City procures and distributes food to a network of approximately 1,000 community-based member programs citywide, helping to provide 400,000 free meals per day for New Yorkers in need including at food pantries, soup kitchens, kids' cafes, and senior programs.   

Popularity.  There are many different popular Flyer initiatives, just like there are many different popular Flyers :)  From the Three-Bridges Marathon Long-Run through three boroughs, to the fascinating Bridges and Arches trot through Central Park, many Flyers would be disappointed if their favorite initiatives were to disappear.  And many Flyers have requested that the Flyers continue to sponsor the Food Donation Drive.  The Flyers are fortunate that there are those within our midst willing to devote their effort and caring to organize and promote the drive each year, helping to keep this popular effort in place.

Why Collect Money but Not Food?  The inaugural Flyers food drive included a food collection component.  Besides this being a labor intensive activity, we have learned that food banks prefer to receive the dollars. See this link to a NY Times article to read about why.  In brief, the monetary donations are preferable because the Food Bank of NYC and its community-based member organizations can leverage the dollars, benefit from econmies of scale, and have the flexibility to use the funds for the most pressing needs.

Please click here to learn more about the NY Flyers Food Donation Drive.  Please click here to donate.

And if you choose not to click or donate, please know that this piece isn't intended to guilt-trip you.  The Flyers offer plenty of opportunities for many different types of involvement, and you surely will find what appeals to you if you haven't already.

-Dave K

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Fright Fest: Read About it if You Dare (MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!)



Sondra M

The Flyer Fright Fest fun started at 7pm on Friday night of Halloween weekend when a group of Flyers channeled their inner ghouls and goblins at NYC’s scariest haunted house, Blood Manor. One by one, the Flyers and “friends of Flyers” arrived to find a crowd of thrill seekers lined up for several blocks. Flyers Stephanie P and Sondra M, along with Sondra’s husband, dressed in their Bavarian gear recently purchased during their Germany travels for the Berlin Marathon. Flyer Claudia O chose a colorful and fun clown costume after a bit of “encouragement” to dress up.

Scary Flyers

Flyers Alan G and Heather M arrived just in time after fighting tunnel traffic. Alan G was barely recognizable with multiple tattoos and a hat. He claimed to be vampire, but without large incisors, he took on more of a Freddy Krueger look.


Alan G

Heather M was prepared to keep us all safe in her police outfit complete with a billy club and handcuffs. Flyer Elizel A also joined in the fun along with a few friends of Flyers. While in line, characters dressed in various costumes pleased the crowd with sudden spooks raising the level of excitement for the scare that awaited us inside. Despite its length, the line moved quickly and we were ready to enter in no time. Once inside, the fun began as we meandered through a series of well staged rooms and hallways. Every room took on a different horror scene, decked out from floor to ceiling with props, paint, and actors preparing to spook you. Personal favorites included a long maze in the pitch black, the Nightmare on Elm Street room, and the 3-D glasses and scenes. Laughs and screams ensued during the 15-20 minute tour through the haunted house. Once out, all decried the great fun of the experience, one most hadn’t had in decades.


Anyone Know Where's the Bridle Path?
I'm Ready for a Run!

Next up were drinks at M1-5. Trusting Alan’s sense of direction and Stephanie’s superior logistic skills (i.e. map) we meandered through southern Manhattan where after a few missteps, we finally arrived! Happy hour pricing, a large RSVP section, and more friends of Flyers welcomed us, what a delight. In preparation for a Halloween party the following night, M1-5 was even decked out in full Halloween décor and cheer. We spent the remainder of the night munching on appetizers, drinking cheap cocktails, watching game 7 of the World Series, and discussing the fall marathon season. As the bar filled, more and more people arrived in costume enhancing the Halloween spirit. For those willing to forego their Saturday long run (replaced with a Sunday run of course), there was even a visit by a very famous rock band bassist.

Mark your calendars now as discussions of a Flyer trip to Sleepy Hallow for next year’s haunted house are in progress.

-Sondra M

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A Summer to Remember, and Flying Into Fall!



Julie W

Hello, fellow Flyers, it’s me again...your Social Events Coordinator, bringing you a recap of the fun events we’ve shared this summer, and whetting your appetite for a fabulous fall.

It’s been a terrific summer for the Flyers. We’ve done a lot of hard running, but had a lot of fun as well! It seems like just yesterday that we kicked back on the Beer Island beach after running 13.2 in Brooklyn, rode the Cyclone, and dipped our toes in the very cold waters of May.


Lara K, Julie W, Nina T and Andrea K


We had a mysterious run through lower Manhattan and over the Brooklyn Bridge in June, and took in a baseball game and enjoyed the 4th of July fireworks on Staten Island.  We also drank a lot of beer and sangria in Tribeca, Queens, and the Upper West Side, scavenged for treasure in Central Park, and cheered on our fellow Flyers at the Team Championships (not to mention devouring the yummy bagels at the post-race picnic orchestrated by Fran O!).


TGIF at Studio Square

On Sept 9th, we officially bid summer adieu with an awe-inspiring harbor cruise aboard the Zephyr. With great friends, great music, and of course great boat drinks, we partied hard. We also took time on what was the Friday before September 11^th to acknowledge all those brave souls who gave their lives and continue to do so for our freedom. As the sun set, we had Lady Liberty on one side and the lights of Manhattan on the other, with the new One World Trade Center lit up in red, white, and blue. And to top it all off, a beautiful moon above…truly inspirational! After docking, the party continued at the Beekman Beer Garden and Beach Club, where we met up with more Flyers for fun in the sand. What a great way to cap off the summer!

Richard B, Lara K, Charlotte N, Kenny H, Mio, and Dorian D'A

Although summer may be over, there's no need to despair.  There are plenty of fun events on tap in the upcoming months. 

Thursday, September 22nd will bring the fall edition of our New Flyer Social. This always popular event will be held at the Mad River Bar and Grill on the Upper East Side. It’s a great chance to meet new folks and catch up with the not-so-new, while we learn more about one another.
Of course there will be fun to be had in October and November as well (in addition to that little race on November 6th!), including at the Marathon Nutrition Workshop on October 13th, and at the Central Park Horticultural Event on November 19th.

I also want to take this opportunity to officially announce that our Holiday Party this year will be held at The Rockefeller University Faculty Club at 64th and York, on Saturday December 9th, from 7-10 pm. So mark your calendars now, because you don’t want to miss this one!

And finally, a special thanks to all the Social Events Committee members, without whom I would be lost. Special shout-outs to Heather M and Fran O (and their crew) for organizing the wildly successful scavenger hunt and team champs picnic respectively…we couldn’t have done it without you! And to Lara K and Stephanie P for heading up many past and future events this year...your dedication and hard work is much appreciated. And as we bid farewell to summer and hello to fall (the best running season!), I want to thank you, the members, for showing up and making all of this planning worth it! Party on, folks!

Julie W.

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Flyers Scavenge in Central Park on a Beautiful Summer’s Day

Blogger Stephanie P Forgets it's July!

No, we didn’t get lost and miss the finish line…you might be asking, what were those Flyers doing running around Central Park after the Central Park Conservancy Run for Central Park (click on this link for Flyers race results) last Saturday? What, am I not making sense? Then you missed the fun this past Saturday, when 20 of your fellow Flyers could not get enough at the 4-mile race and decided to pair their running skills with their knowledge of Central Park.

So, you are probably asking, what was this Flyers Scavenger Hunt all about? Heather M was our leader who organized the event. Her team was responsible for coming up with the clues that were given to each team. It all started around 9:30 a.m. after the 4-mile race. Heather broke us up into teams of 2-3 Flyers. Each team received ten clues before we were set off on our way. The winner would be the first team to return to the designated post-scavenging picnic spot after using the clues to find all of the hidden items. We weren’t doing this for only the fun of it; oh no, we were told there would be prizes for the top three teams. (C’mon, it's not like we have any shortage of competition among Flyers!)

Heather M Discusses Rules with Ed A

Each team started at a different clue number and was instructed to go in order thru all ten clues. One clue was a “wild card,” and we were told we would figure that out quickly. Central Park encompasses 843 acres, and thank you Heather and team for not making us hunt thru all 843 acres! The clue locations ranged from the Amory South, to the Met at the North end, with the Falconer statue, William Shakespeare and the Bandshell as some of the destination spots.

One of the “easier” clues was to find the “place that running coaches like and runners generally dread…” with a reference to a cat (that would be Cat Hill!). Another clue was “a place where ABC Good Morning sometimes films” (Summer Stage). Once you figured the “spot” you had to find the trinket left there and put it in your scavenger collection. (These would be inspected by Heather at the finish to determine the winner!)

At Cat Hill, we were told by Julie W, “Sorry, you have to do a hill repeat first!” So, we had to turn around, run down to the Boathouse and back up the hill and only then were we rewarded with our booty – this time rock candy.

Julie W, relaxing, while sweetly commanding Cat Hill Repeats!

One of the more difficult clues had to do with the Met - did you know it was once a deer park? Well, many of the Flyers that day didn’t either as it stumped a lot of us! This contest challenged our Central Park knowledge and navigational skills! Teams worked together to get to the spot, and then find the trinket. At the Falconer statue, it took us a while to realize that the prize (a fake bird feather) was actually at the top of the base of the statue, which required a little trail climbing in addition to our running; we burned a lot of calories that morning!

The other items that we had to collect along the way were:

1. At the Arsenal...toy soldier

2. Poet’s Walk..Silent Willy (William Shakespeare statue)...heart ornament

3. Summer Stage...a star

4. The Bandshell...jazz beads

5. The Falconer statue...a feather

6. Loeb Boathouse...beer cooler

7. Cat Hill (repeats!)...rock candy

8. Cleopatra's Needle...buttons

9. The Metropolitan Museum of Art...had to bring back a museum bulletin, button or other identifying item

10. Wild Card: Hot Dog Cart...had to bring back sauerkraut

Some of the Scavenged Items

We did get a few stares from tourists as we ran (yes literally) around the park collecting our trinkets. And when we went to collect the “wild card” (we were given a baggie and instructed to bring back sauerkraut), my team was told by the first hot dog vendor that we went to that they didn’t have any! Hey, what’s up with that? So we ended up finding sauerkraut at The Boathouse restaurant.

It took the winners TEAM PINK (Sondra M, David B and yours truly) about an hour to complete the challenge, but we weren’t done yet. We were then given chalk by Heather and we had to produce some sidewalk art for her (a la James De La Vega) to claim our prize, three JackRabbit $20 gift cards.

"On the hunt" - Triumphant Teammates Sondra M and David B

The other winning teams:

Blue: Lara K, Celia K, Bob C - 2nd place. - Flyer s/s shirts

Purple: Shira Z, Rob A, and Justine A - 3rd place - $10 Starbucks cards

Trivia Winners - Steve K and Ed A - Flyer shirts

No specific prizes (beyond a magnificent free lunch!):

Red: Richard G and Victoria S (short one team member (Kudos to them as they DID get Museum question correct which was admittedly obscure!)

Orange: Ed A, Loredana D, Steve K

Green: Eric F, Sabrina G, Michael and Bo K- (also got Met question right).

As we all were famished after all the fun in the sun, Heather and team had prepared a picnic for us. There were delicious hand-made assorted sandwiches with lemonade, and there were even generous friends from Brazil who came bearing delicious Sprinkles cupcakes! Many Flyers came to hang out, with their friends, dogs, and babies -- and a good time was had by all.

Scavenger Hunt Picnic

Special thanks to the volunteers who put on this fun event!

Deb M (“great sandwiches”), Julie W (“the Queen of Cat Hill”) , Janet H (“clue planter”), Jens Hewerer (“picnic helper”), Scott S (aka the “brain trust”), Donna R (“picnic logistics”), Murat B (“picnic supplies” and his dog Papiko, Richard G, Richard B, and Dana M (“shameless promotion and advertising”).

-Stephanie P

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