NYC Marathon Team Spot Check In: Sara Cohen
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 joined NBR in 2018 after James Gray-King bullied me enough times to try it out while training for the 2018 Berlin Marathon. I think my first run I ever attended was MNER, but it might have been Plyo, or Thursday Night Track. I'm actually not sure which one came first. Each run was intimidating at first, but I eventually fell in love with the NBR community and am fortunate enough to have made some amazing friends because of it over the last 4 years.
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.
Marathon training has been going okay so far. I don't do great while it's hot out, so have experienced some disappointing runs this summer. Definitely looking forward to the cooler temperatures! I'm a big fan of tempo and track workouts because they're always challenging no matter how fast you are. My favorite NBR long run story has to be my first Narwahls run back post-COVID this May. It happened to coincide with the NBR virtual half and a few of us finished the very toasty run at the Other Half brewery. Nothing quite like a cold beer at 10am on a hot day.
3. Which NBR runs are you attending regularly to train? Are there any NBR members who inspire you to train hard(er)?
I'm a regular at MNER, Thursday Night Track and Narwahls. These runs are always such a supportive group and there's something about suffering together that validates the insanity. The list of people who inspire me is definitely a long one, but absolutely must shout out my crew. I'll spare you the individual embarrassment but Paul Donnelly, James Gray-King, Natalie Gleed, Liz Shea, Carrie Cody, Thomas Kelsey, Anthony Zhu, Mary-Kate Lyons, Seth Pompan, and Caitlin Papageorge. Thank you for being willing to be seen in public with me <3
4. What does it mean to be chosen by your peers for a coveted NBR marathon team spot? What does it mean to you to be running the 50th anniversary NYC Marathon?
Definitely means a lot to be picked for the NBR team spot! I was fortunate enough to receive mine in 2020 before COVID, so I feel extra honored. Injury kept me out of 9+1 in 2019, and running the NYC Marathon is hands down the best part of being a runner here.
5. What do you plan on eating post-marathon? What about the night before?
Immediately post-marathon (or any long run really) is absolutely a bagel with scallion cream cheese and a big glass of orange juice. A little later on will be pizza and copious amounts of beer at the NBR after party. The night before is always pasta, most likely just a classic spaghetti pomodoro.
6. What inspires and motivates you to run this year's NYC marathon?
Weirdly enough, coronavirus is a big motivation this year. The consistency of being able to still get out to run when you couldn't leave your house for anything else really got me through. The day of the marathon is also one of my favorite days in the city. I frequently find myself tearing up watching everyone from pro-athletes to your average runners tough it out on the course.
7. In your head, what animal (real or fictional) do you think you most resemble when you're running?
Maybe how I imagine an Ewok would run. Something in my body inevitably always hurts so I feel like I always start off a run looking more like a waddle.
