Team Spot Check-In: Taeya Konishi Schoge
1. Tell us a little bit about how you came to be involved with NBR. What was your first run? How long have you been involved?
I started to run at the end of 2009 because a friend wanted to race a 5k which I've never ran that far at once and seemed way too far. Started one mile at a time and in 2010 I learned about NYRR and signed up for a couple of races. At the races I kept noticing the cool singlets that NBR folks were wearing. I eventually googled NBR, as I was looking to join a team to hopefully learn something about running, but took awhile to join since I thought NBR was too fast for me. I also noticed Anna McCusker at races and she inspired me and thought to myself "I want to be as fast as she is one day". It was around the 2010 NYC Marathon that Asics put together a group run at Sports Authority which I signed up for. I went to that alone, but I left that event making a friend, Marynella, who was so nice and convinced me to join the team. My first NBR run was Tuesday Night Tempo with Katie Winther and Brian Cicero. I can't remember the exact workout but we were running around the track and thought I was going to die. I've been with NBR since Oct. 2010.
2. How is marathon training going? Are there any specific workouts that are really moving things along for you? Tell the world a good NBR long run story.
Training is going ok, some weeks are great and others aren't. I wish I had more dedicated time for training, but since my son was born, priority shifted and constantly I have to coordinate with my husband's busy schedule to find time to run. Sometimes my job also takes over my time away from training so I have to be flexible/realistic with my goals. I would love to run more, but I have to be creative with my runs such as instead of dedicating a day for tempo run and another for a long run, most of the time I end up combining them and keeps me in check. I don't have a really good long run story, but a few years ago I ran the Tokyo marathon and a guy in full on Godzilla costume beat me. We crossed the finish somewhere in the 3:05 range so I was amazed not only with him, but I was also puzzled when I picked up my bag that some guys were already changed in their regular clothes and having a smoke...these smokers also beat me.
3. Which NBR runs are you attending regularly to train? Are there any NBR members who inspire you to train hard (er)?
I lived closer to Just South and then moved closer to McCarren that I used to go to the morning runs on a regular basis, but now living further away sometimes I join the Thursday morning or evening track or SFR. I am inspired by many of the NBR members who are out there at races giving their very best and how dedicated they are to their training and find time to volunteer.
4. What does it mean to be chose by your peers for a coveted NBR marathon team spot?
I am so honored to represent NBR at this year's marathon, we are such an awesome team!!
5. What do you plan on eating post-marathon? What about the nite before?
I am probably going to eat onigiri (Japanese rice balls). The night before I am going to have rice with grilled salmon.
6. What inspires and motivates you to run this year's NYC marathon?
The NYC Marathon is one of the more exciting courses that I have run. There is an enormous energy from the crowds that line the many diverse neighborhoods the course winds through. And of course I LOVE passing through the best water station of the entire course, Mile 12; it rejuvenates me :)
7. In your head, what celebrity do you think you most resemble when you're running?
Sorry can't think of one, probably some cartoon character?
