February Runner of the Month: Luis D'Elias
“It was the twilight of the month of May 2016, in the midst of my first post-race haze... “
Luis joined NBR after 2016's Brooklyn Half - his first race ever - “back when AirBnb was the purveyor of sign-up stress.” His friend Mari Pombo had been a member of NBR for a while, and they reconnected when she saw him training for the BK Half. Luis loved the race so much (post-race beers, pancakes, and Cyclone rides included), she encouraged him to join NBR and go straight to attempting the 9+1. That's when his running journey officially began.
He started going to Saturday Bridge Run and Monday Night Easy Runs, later joining the longer Sunday Funday Runs as he geared toward his first marathon in 2017. “For the past year, I've been an active member of the ‘Just East League’ and dabble in soliciting friendship via (unofficial) running routes and quirky Strava art every Wednesday at 7am from The Benches. Come out, we always treat newcomers to coffee and pastries! #selfpromotion.”
What he does when he’s not running: “I am a full-time musician and artist. Mostly a composer and guitarist, I also do theater, write lyrics, play the piano, and philosophize way above my pay grade.”
How he initially got into running: “I started running once a week during my last year in Boston. The Charles River definitely helped me find love for the sport. Then when I moved to NYC in 2015, I started running a bit more in an attempt to feel like I was getting exercise and to clear my mind, but nothing serious. It all got very intense when I signed up for my first ever race, the 2016 Brooklyn Half. It's been a core part of my identity ever since.”
Favorite race distance: “I feel like I am better at shorter distances (the mile being my best AG time. Also, I know now what AG means, and what the IT band is, and what VO2Max entails. Just kidding, I still don't know what the IT band does, haha). But I love the marathon. It's transcendent because I feel it encompasses something so much bigger than itself, and it ALWAYS kicks my butt. Every marathon has taught me something about life, and that is just way special.”
Best running memory: “Pretty much every Just East run/coffee hang/bagel adventure. But specially, traveling with them to Philly and running 20 miles alongside Becky Phillips (3 marathons seeing each other on the course and counting!) and celebrating everyone's accomplishments, including first-ever marathon finishes for many of the Just Easters.”
Favorite running route in NYC: “I love going all the way to the Brooklyn Bridge Park and exploring the piers. This usually includes running the Brooklyn Bridge at times where there are no tourists (but plenty of Instagram influencers, which is great for PHOTO BOMBING!).
“Special mention to running to Rockaway Beach. The route is tough as nails, but the rewards include ocean water, Venezuelan arepas, and alcoholic beverages to enhance the dehydration!
“Also, the NYC Marathon course.”
Running-related superstitions: “No coffee on race day! I also have a tradition of watching How I Met Your Mother's ‘Lucky Penny’ episode the eve of every marathon I've run. *Disclaimer, I don't condone the banditing portrayed in the episode!
What running has taught him: “So many things, but a big one is discipline and trusting the process. Also, knowing what the IT band is. Just kidding, I still don't know what its point is besides MAKING MY KNEES SAD.”
Favorite post-race food: “Is beer food? Is that an original answer? Are my responses even funny at this point? Burgers do come in a close second, unless it's before 11am, then pancakes!”
Favorite song to run to make you want to run: “I run without headphones. I love the city sounds, and it's been a way to learn how to spend time with myself in my head, which is a powerful way I've learned to grow while living in this city.”
Favorite running social media account: “I am a fan of Colleen Quigley's Fast Braid Fridays, even though I never even tie my hair, let alone braid it. She's a complete badass though.”
Worst part about being a runner: “Becoming a hypochondriac, thinking every little ache is an injury, which leads to a constant fear of sideline sadness. #sidelinesadness”
Best advice to running newbies: “Slow is good. There's friendship back in the caboose crew! And strength training, strength training, strength training. It really is the secret sauce to achieving mileage goals!
“Make sure you're also having fun. Find ways to do it, whether it’s music, route planning, or finding the best friends ever to run with. Shoutout to Caty, Becky, Bryce, Caitlin, Thomas, Alexis, Cynthia, Martin, Rachel, Jodie, and the rest of the Just East League!
Current running goal: “Being cool with being flexible about my mileage goals for the first half of the year, because later, I'm going for an Ultra, which is my main 2020 goal.”
Any other fun running facts: “I once ran 17 miles on a treadmill because it was so bad outside. It was, as you can imagine, horrible. I am allergic to the colors purple and yellow ever since. Now I go to Blink.
“I also like running so much I have a running tattoo. The artist used Kipchoge's silhouette. It's my nerdiest tattoo and I love it. (Running tattoos, contrary to popular belief, don't make you faster, by the way.)”
