Our final 2012 Team Spot Check-in is volunteer extraordinaire and Saturday morning bridge run regular Mike Darmetko.
NBR: Generally, how is your marathon training going? Any good long run stories? Any ugly long run stories?
Mike: Training is going well. In the past I’ve struggled with some injuries when increasing my weekly mileage. This time around I adapted a “slow and steady” approach and was able to build up to some respectable training volume without falling apart. The highlight of my long runs was a 20 miler I did in Warsaw, Poland where Michelle O. and I arrived the day after she ran the Berlin Marathon. I think we checked into our hotel around 2pm and by 3:30 I was out on the road in a strange city running 20 miles on a gloomy, drizzly afternoon. The drizzle pretty quickly turned into actual rain and I got lost a couple of times, but the paper map I had stuffed in a ziploc bag got me back on track. Despite the difficulties, in the end it turned out to be one of my strongest long runs and I got to see quite a bit of the city.
NBR: What NBR runs have you been attending regularly to prep for the marathon? Have any NBR members really been inspiring you to train hard(er?)
Mike: I’ve been especially inspired by all our NBR Berlin Marathon runners. I was lucky to be able to be there in person and witness their accomplishments, some running their best marathons yet (Mishka, Michelle Okeon), and others who completed the race despite struggling with injuries (Katie Murphy, Charles Atherton). Great job everyone!
NBR: Is this your first marathon? What does running a marathon mean to you?
Mike: This will be my third marathon, but first New York. I had mediocre success in the first, and even more mediocre success in the second, so I have plenty of room for improvement. I’m definitely shooting for a PR. There was a time when running a marathon wasn’t even on my radar, but now that I’m in it, each one is part of the process of getting better and closer to realizing my potential as a runner.
NBR: How does it feel to be asked to represent NBR as a team spot awardee?
Mike: It feels great! New York is special, everyone knows that. With all the hassle of travelling to the start at dawn, waiting around for hours, then running 26.2 miles to be herded like cattle at the end, there are still thousands of people who would kill for my spot. I’m grateful to NBR for this opportunity and will do my best to give back to the team in the future.
NBR: If you were to run the marathon in a costume, what would it be and why?
Mike: Don’t know. In my mind “costume” sounds a lot like “chafing”. Maybe Jessica
, I like her attitude.
NBR: Thanks Mike, keep up the good work. We are rooting for you, all of our Team Spot Recipients, and all our NYC Marathoners. Good Luck All! See you on the Road and hug you at the after party!
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