North Brooklyn Runners: A Community Running Group Serving Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick, and Beyond!

NYC Marathon Team Spot Check-In: Katie Winther!

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.

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!

NYC Marathon Team Spot Check-In: Alex Walsh!

The second in our Marathon Team Spot check-ins, we talk to the smiley and always positive Alex Walsh!
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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 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!