Filed under: Inspiration, Marathon, Members, Races | Tags: goal setting, marathon, Races, running, team
The fourth in our Marathon Team Spot check-ins, we talk to the Tuesday Night drill sergeant run leader, Katie Winther!
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Q: So unlike most people who knew they were going to be running the Marathon since earlier on in the year, you’ve only had since June to mentally and physically prepare. How do you feel?
KW: I’m feeling pretty psyched and appreciate being a procrastinator when it comes to the marathon. I’m not sure how I would manage if I had the marathon on the horizon since before June. Physically, NBR has helped make sure that I had the physical strength and now it’s just working on the mental side of running through a marathon.
Not wanting to let NBR, or myself down. I have a goal and I am determined to try my best to make sure I get to the finish. Plus my mom is flying out to see this so I’d better at least finish.
Q: Do you have any mantras or catch phrases that get you through the long runs?
KW: I had a coach once tell me, “the will to win is worthless, without the will to prepare,” and for some reason that has always stuck in my head whenever I hit a wall. I just think of what’s on the other side and how I’ll get there.
Q: What of your training accomplishments have you been proud of thus far?
KW: Running 20 miles and afterward being alive and able to throw down at Beer Island.
Q: Do you have a favorite running route?
KW: My favorite route starts downtown and goes up the West Side Highway and then around Central Park and then back across the Queensboro to Pulaski to Greenpoint. It’s a favorite of mine because it covers so much of my own NYC history from where I used to live on the UWS to where I currently live now in Greenpoint– and everywhere in between.
Q: What’s your favorite way to refuel after a hard workout?
KW: People’s Pops or really anything cold and delicious.
Q: Have you picked out your “marathon shoes” yet?
KW: New Balance 890s.
Thanks, Katie! We always look forward to your chipper, and yet unrelenting, attitude towards hill repeats– see you out there!
Filed under: Inspiration, Marathon, Members, Races | Tags: goal setting, marathon, Races, running, team
The second in our Marathon Team Spot check-ins, we talk to the smiley and always positive Alex Walsh!
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Alex (in dark blue) with some of his sources of motivation.
Q: So unlike most people who knew they were going to be running the Marathon since earlier on in the year, you’ve only had since June to mentally and physically prepare. How are you feeling at this point about all of this marathon business?
AW: I feel there is so much built up to the marathon, that I am happy I did not find out about my entry until June. I had been running a lot and had a good base, so if I had not gotten into NYC I would have ran another fall marathon (however I am really happy to be running NYC with/for NBR).
Q: Do you have any mantras or catch phrases that get you through the long runs?
AW: Folk songs like, The Mermaid, “Oh the ocean winds may blow, the stormy seas may roll, bumph pha rump bump bum, but we poor sailors go skipping to the top while the landlubbers like down below, below below,” etc… there are many verses and it can be sung in rounds…
Q: What of your training accomplishments have you been proud of thus far?
AW: I am proud of myself after ever run, and thankful for anyone who accompanied me.
Q: Do you have a favorite running route? Why?
AW: I would usually list the trails around Lake Minnewaska, up near New Paltz, but lately I have been enjoying the company of other runners so I guess I’ll say whatever route the Sunday Funday Runday is taking.
Q: What’s your favorite way to refuel after a hard workout?
AW: Endurox/Accelerade. Healthy eating, stretching, foam roller, yoga.
Q: Have you picked out your “marathon shoes” yet?
AW: Brooks St Racer 5, otherwise known as my clown shoes.
Thanks Alex! Hope you’ve been teaching your Nite Owl and Sunday Funday cohorts the verses to your favorite folk songs so you can all sing together on those long runs!
Hey NBR!
I’m psyched to tell you all about this nice weekend retreat my friends, Shannon and Steve– avid runners and cyclists– are hosting just for NBR members in late August. Just a few hour’s from NYC in Stafford Springs, CT we’ll be cooking out at the campfire, relaxing in a jacuzzi, crossing a state line to run a cross-country 5K on an organic farm, and eating breakfast with goats (which we all know is NBR’s adopted mascot). While it’s not an “official” NBR retreat, this is going to be an really fun weekend escape and all proceeds from the retreat will go directly to NBR. The area is beautiful with lots of long quiet roads for hill work, long runs, short runs, or anything in between. And not to worry– if you’re not in the mood for a lot of running, and need a bit more relaxation, there’s no pressure! We’re really excited about this retreat and hope to make it an annual tradition, but register soon– there are only 15 total spots available!
-Aja
Here’s the schedule:
Friday – August 27th
Midday departure: Port Authority to Hartford
Hartford to Stafford Springs transportation provided
Free time in the afternoon at ClearPoint Center
Sunset cookout at the campfire
Saturday – August 28th
Tomato Trot 5K at Red Fire Farm in Granby, MA
(Prizes: Baskets of fresh produce for top finishers!)
Spend the day at the 10th annual Tomato Fest
Dinner and Free Time at ClearPoint
Sunday – August 29th
Early Morning Run; Breakfast at Bush Meadow (Goat) Farm
(Seriously, check out that breakfast menu– inspiration to get your run on!)
Midday Hiking & Swimming at Bigelow Hollow
Late afternoon departure from Stafford Springs
Arrive in NYC mid-evening
Registration is open now and closes August 16th.
Cost: $200 per person (a few “camping” spots available for $175)
Included: two nights lodging (shared rooms of 2-4) and linens; 4-5 meals and snacks (including Goat Farm breakfast); race registration, shirt, and festival entry.
A 50% deposit or full payment must be paid to secure your spot.
Full balance due by August 26th.
Full Details and Registration Here
Questions? Email Aja!
Running the NYC Half? Meet up with your NBR buddies on the Bedford L tomorrow morning! Good luck to everyone running! A crew of 30+ NBR friends and volunteers will be cheering you on at the water station right around Mile 3!
NBR <3, Aja
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Remember: Baggage closes at 7am (and they are very particular about this at this race) Corrals close at 7am (or very shortly there after… they are also very particular about this)
…Start Entry Points & Baggage Info below…
Option 1 (Strongly Suggested) – Meet at 5:45am
5:52am – L Train to Union Square
6:19am – 6 train transfer
6:33am – arrive at 96th street
Option 2 (Not recommended, you’ll be in a rush) – Meet at 6:05am
6:12am – Bedford L train departs – get off at Union Square
6:33am – 6 train transfer
6:49am – arrive at 96th street (add a couple of minutes if you decide to get off at 103rd)
BTW, I did check, and it doesn’t seem you’ll save any time if you take an express train, so… just suck it up, it’s an early morning.
——–
The Start
NYRR recommends the following entry points:
* Runners with race numbers between 1-6,999 to enter the park at 5th Avenue and 97th Street
* Runners with race numbers between 7,000-15,999 to enter the park at 5th Avenue and 102nd Street Transverse [Course]
Baggage Facilities
All runners wishing to check their baggage should go to Fifth Avenue between 97th and 102nd Streets, where all the UPS baggage trucks will be located. The lowest bib numbers will be closest to 97th St. and will work their way up. You MUST use the goody bag provided by NYRR as your race-day checked bag. No other bags will be accepted. A baggage sticker that indicates your baggage zone will be included in your race packet. Affix your sticker to the outside of your goody bag. Baggage will open at 6:00 a.m. and closes promptly at 7:00 a.m. Baggage can be reclaimed at the Finish Area on River Terrace between Warren and Murray Sts. All finisher baggage must be claimed before 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. All unclaimed baggage will be transported NYRR Office at 9 E. 89th Street, where it can be claimed for one week. After one week, all baggage will be donated to charity.
Hey Everyone!
First off, thanks so much for your commitment to our Team Volunteering
efforts at the Half this Sunday– we have a great group! It’s an early morning, but our station is right after the 3 mile mark, so we’ll be done by probably 8:30/9am. Feel free to rock your NBR shirts for some
team spirit!
And advanced thanks to Mary and her famed PB+J muffins, without which, I’m sure we would have a much lower turnout.
Okay y’all, brace yourselves…
Sunday Morning Meet-Up Options
OPTION 1 – Meet at the Bedford L
For the majority of us coming from Williamsburg/Greenpoint, we will
meet on the Bedford L platform, at the usual spot, by the cop-in-a-box
at… 4:05am. Specifically, the train leaves at 4:12am, according to MTA’s
TripPlanner.
This will get us our transfer to the A and up to 86th street at 4:46am, which gives us time to find our spot inside the park.
OPTION 2 – Meet in Central Park
If you are coming from elsewhere or have different travel arrangements, please note that our call time is 5:00AM! We are at
Fluid Station #3 – West Drive @ 86th
If we’re not yet there, please note that the the Fluid Station Manager is Louise Kim.
It’s not too late to invite other friends/family, etc. along to volunteer. We could use 2 more to get us into the next bracket. Just let me know, or just show up with them!
NBR <3!
Aja
Filed under: NBR Goings On, Races, volunteering | Tags: fun, goal setting, NYRR, Races, racing, volunteering
Whether you are a member who’s injured, have never come on a run, didn’t get into the NYC Half, or just love muffins… COME VOLUNTEER AND JOIN US AT THE NBR WATER STATION at the NYC Half on the 21st! It’s going to be a blast, mixing up gatorade and screaming for thousands of runners (and a couple dozen of our own) in Central Park on the first Sunday of Spring.
Mary has promised to bring her world-famous PB+J muffins for all of the volunteers but ONLY if we can get at least 25 people!
So far we have about 10.
You DO NOT have to be a runner– so coerce your roommates, significant others, friends who owe you favors, students, and family members to come join us.
This team volunteering opportunity is one of two parts to help us get 2-4 spots for some of our members in THIS YEAR’S NYC Marathon!
Do NOT sign up through NYRR, please sign up here: http://tinyurl.com/nbrvolunteers or email us — I am submitting a list to NYRR.
SIGN UP BY MONDAY 3/15!
NBR <3,
Aja
P.S. Please read full details here
Filed under: Group Runs, NBR Goings On, Races | Tags: club points, competition, fun, NYRR, Races, racing, team
Mark Your Calendars – Register Early & Often!
This is the final word on the upcoming Club Points races for the year…
Make sure you’re always (for any and all race) registering under “North Brooklyn Runners” as your team*! Be sure to mark and/or enter your planned races for the year here: http://tinyurl.com/lky333
What’s a “Club Points Race“? Scroll down…
*if you have already registered for some races, but haven’t done so under NBR, never fear, just call NYRR and have them change/update your club affiliation: 212.860.4455
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• Homecoming Scotland Run (10K) / Central Park / April 3
• Healthy Kidney (10K) / Central Park /May 15
• NYRR Mini (10k) / June 12
Note: Women’s only race
• NYRR’s Annual Father’s Day Race Against Prostate Cancer (5M) / Central Park /June 20
Note: Co-ed race, but club points only count for men
• CPC Run for Central Park (4M) / Central Park /July 17
• NYRR Championships (5M) / Central Park /August 7
• Fitness Magazine Mind, Body Spirit Games (4M) / Central Park / September 11
• Norwegian Festival Grete’s Great Gallop (13.1M) / Central Park / October 2
• ING New York City Marathon (26.2) / November 7
• NYRR Joe Kleinerman (10K) / Central Park / December 5
Register for these races through NYRR
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Q: What’s a “Club Points” Race?
A: Through New York Road Runners, NBR is an officially recognized team, which means when you register for races, you can affiliate with our team! NYRR designates certain races each year (usually one a month) that are club points races, meaning, they are specifically targeted for teams to compete against one another. The better your top 5 men and 5 women do in these races, the more points we can earn. All the points are totaled at the end of the year to rank the teams. NBR has been making a great showing It’s mostly just for fun, for us anyway!
More info on NYRR club affiliation and races.
Filed under: Group Runs, NBR Goings On, Races | Tags: fun, goal setting, group run, Races, running
Here’s the plan for where we’re meeting to head up to the Coogan’s 5K this Sunday…
It’s a hike up to Washington Heights, and in order to best compromise not too crazy early of a wake-up call, but still getting to the start
in good time…
Meet on the Bedford L platform by the cop-in-the-box at 7:15am!
The train leaves at 7:20am! Be on it!
We’ll take it and transfer to the A, getting us to 168th St. (a block
away from the Armory) around 8:08am, giving us a few minutes to drop
off bags, do a little warming up, etc. before getting into the corrals
before they close (8:45/8:50).
[If you want to get there a little earlier, I would recommend the
6:50am L train, which will get you up there around 7:50am. ]
Excited for our first club points race of the year! It’s going to be a
blast.
-Aja
FYI: There are still spots open in this race and you can register in
person at NYRR or on race day. Race day registration/number pickup is
at the Armory (@ 168th St.) ends at 8:30am! If you can pick up your
number (or have someone do it for you), etc. before Sunday, it is
highly recommended.
Filed under: History of Running, NBR Goings On, Races | Tags: fun, goal setting, NYRR, Races
Mark Your Calendars – Register Early & Often!
This is the final word on the Club Points races for the year… Make sure you’re always (for any race) registering under “North Brooklyn Runners” as your team! Be sure to mark and/or enter your planned races for the year here:
http://tinyurl.com/lky333
What’s a “Club Points Race”? Scroll down…
Note: The Gridiron 4M is NOT a club points race, but sounds like a fun day all the same!
———
o Coogan’s Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks Run (5K) / Washington Heights / March 7
o Homecoming Scotland Run (10K) / Central Park / April 3
o Healthy Kidney (10K) / Central Park /May 15
o NYRR Mini (10k) / June 12 (WOMEN ONLY)
o NYRR’s Annual Father’s Day Race Against Prostate Cancer (5M) / Central Park /June 20 (MEN ONLY)
o CPC Run for Central Park (4M) / Central Park /July 17
o NYRR Championships (5M) / Central Park /August 7
o Fitness Magazine Mind, Body Spirit Games (4M) / Central Park / September 11 (Separate Starts)
o Norwegian Festival Grete’s Great Gallop (13.1M) / Central Park / October 2
o ING New York City Marathon (26.2) / November 7
o NYRR Joe Kleinerman (10K) / Central Park / December 5
——–
Q: What’s a “Club Points” Race?
A: Through New York Road Runners, NBR is an officially recognized
team, which means when you register for races, you can affiliate with
our team! NYRR designates certain races each year (usually one a
month) that are club points races, meaning, they are specifically
targeted for teams to compete against one another. The better your top
5 men and 5 women do in these races, the more points we can earn. All
the points are totalled at the end of the year to rank the teams. It’s
mostly just for fun, for us anyway! More info on club affiliation and races
Filed under: NBR Goings On | Tags: club points, goal setting, group run, Races, running
And the results are…
NBR Men’s Team ranks 7th!
Out of 26 teams in the Men’s Open B Division! [link]
NBR Women’s Team ranks 12th!
Out of 22 teams in Women’s Open Division! [link]
NOT TOO SHABBY!
Way to go NBR, 2010 is gonna be awesome.
<3, Aja
