April Runner of the Month: Greg Clark

Congratulations to our April Runners of the Month! During this difficult time, we are featuring two of our runners who are medical professionals here in NYC.

Greg first joined NBR 3 years ago while in medical school here in NYC. "I was running and training alone and found myself really missing the camaraderie of a team and sharing the up's and down's of running with friends." Greg is part of our men's local competitive team and is in his first year of residency at NYU.

What is your job and where do you work?

Right now I'm a doctor in my first year of residency at NYU. With the pandemic of course our schedules have changed a lot recently. Lately I've been working mostly in the ICU at Bellevue Hospital, but normally the residents will rotate between NYU, Bellevue, and the Manhattan VA. How is your daily life right now? Right now my life mostly rotates between sleeping and being at the hospital. The residents work 12 hr shifts, either 7am - 7pm or 7pm - 7am, 6 days a week. My wife is staying with her parents in Connecticut to minimize the chances of her being exposed, so it's just me in our apartment.

Has running helped you cope during these scary times?

I do my best to squeeze in a run just about every day, but my mileage has certainly taken a hit during this. When I have the energy I do my long runs on whatever day off I have that week. Running has been a big part of my life for at least 10 years now and my runs have felt very therapeutic in the midst of all this. When I'm out on a run, there are moments when things almost feel normal again and I can forget about the pandemic.

What's the one thing that keeps you going?

Besides my wife, family, and friends, I would say that right now the one thing that keeps me going is that my wife and I are getting a puppy in May. His name is Arlo and he's a smooth collie. He's 8 weeks old right now. We spend a lot of time planning and shopping online for dog beds and leashes and stuff, which has been a nice escape, and certainly something to look forward to.

Any inspirational thoughts or uplifting stories to share?

When I was trying to think of some uplifting stories from the hospital, I initially found myself struggling. During normal times there's death and heartbreak in the ICU, but it's usually spaced out and outnumbered by stories of recovery and happiness. Lately the the stories of recovery and happiness in the ICU have been few and far between. However, that's just meant that anytime we are able to extubate someone or discharge a patient from the ICU, it feels like an enormous triumph. It feels like an achievement beyond anything I had done in my medical career before this pandemic.
Honestly though, I think the most uplifting thing about the situation right now for me is the incredible support the entire healthcare community has been receiving. I've had so many friends and loved ones and even strangers reach out to me and give their support. Not to mention the hundreds of healthcare workers from other specialties and around the country that have stepped up and answered the call to come to the city and help. I'm working every day with new faces from all around the country and it's really my coworkers who have inspired me. Every time I find myself struggling with fear or anxiety, I look at the people working alongside me and think "how could I ever quit when I'm surrounded by so many selfless colleagues". My fellow residents, nurses, doctors, PA's, and healthcare workers are what give me the inspiration I need every day to set aside the fear and keep fighting.

Thank you Greg and the rest of our essential workers who are making huge sacrifices for the community.