October Runner of the Month: Mikayla Savuto

Mikayla joined NBR in early 2019 when she moved from Astoria to Greenpoint. “I was doing a weekly Friday run at NYRR at that time, and one of the runners told me that I should join NBR because "they're nice people". Sold.“ You can find Mikayla as one of our Monday Morning Easy Run regulars, and a familiar face at Narwhals or Bridge Run depending on what training she’s doing. She is also helping NBR out by being the Unofficial Lottery Czar, reminding members to apply for race drawings before they close.

What do you do when you're not running?
I have a bad habit of turning hobbies into careers or jobs; I teach Pilates and do screenwriting, specifically joyful stories about queer, religious women in rural/Middle America. And to avoid writing I read a lot of books, especially fantasy and science fiction.

How did you initially get into running?
I started running in early 2018. I was deeply unhappy and my mental health was in the toilet. I have anxiety and panic disorders, and I was having at least one panic attack a week, often in public places like the subway. The (notoriously reliable) internet told me that coordinated, repetitive exercise might help my brain make new neurons or something. I was running these mental health 2-milers alone until late June 2018 when my then-partner and I broke up. I realized I needed to expand my world, try to make new friends. I had once heard something about some small group called "New York Road Runners", so I googled and saw they had a free group run every Friday at noon. I was terrified to go the first time - hello, social anxiety - but I went and kept going, every Friday, and it is no exaggeration to say that Friday Lunch Run changed the course of my entire life.

Best running memory?
August 19th, 2018: my first unofficial half marathon. I had been running with my Friday group for a few weeks, and I was curious about this "race" thing. The Staten Island Half was coming up. After the Friday run, I met my ex to return some of his things from my apartment. We grabbed a coffee, and I told him that I was thinking about signing up for a half marathon. He said "Mikayla, if you want the experience of the race, then that's great, do it. But if you want to do the race because you want to prove that you can run that distance - don't wait. You can run 13 miles any time you want." I thought about that all day Saturday. And on Sunday, I woke up, went to GNC, bought exactly one chocolate Gu, and ran 13.1 miles. Once I hit the number, I collapsed onto the grass in Astoria Park and just started laughing. That run was in me the whole time; the only difference between Friday and Sunday was that Friday I didn't believe I was capable, and Sunday I convinced myself I was. I am of the Mean Girls generation, and I had my own "the limit does not exist" moment. That run broke me open; it freed me.

Favorite running route in NYC?
Central Park, Bridle Path.

Any running-related superstitions?
Honestly, my memory is too bad to be superstitious.

What has running taught you or changed about you?
Running has instilled in me the power of working slowly and deliberately, that there is liberation in running my own race.

Favorite post-race food?
If I'm feeling self-destructive, a maple frosted donut and a blueberry donut from Moe's Doughs. If I'm feeling like I want to be a functioning adult and not a toddler coming down from a sugar high for the rest of the day, a cheeseburger and fries.

Favorite song to run to make you want to run?
Generally "Cut to the Feeling" by pop queen Carly Rae Jepsen, but if I'm feeling a little mad "Turn It On" by Sleater-Kinney will do the trick.

Favorite running social media account?
I mostly follow individual athletes - Nikki Hiltz, Gabriela DeBues-Stafford, among others - but Citius is the obvious follow for news, and I have a soft spot for the Coffee Club boys podcast. I hope they get their Beeri with Hellen Obiri soon.

What do you think is the worst part about being a runner?
That feeling when you're on the run and your stomach suddenly churns in a disturbing way and you think "I might be about to shit myself but I'm not really sure and there's nothing I can do to stop it". And just generally porta-potties and the not-so-irrational fear of dropping my phone into one.

Best advice to running newbies?
Slow down. Like, way down. And wool socks, for everything.

Current running goal?
Get to the start line of the 2022 New York Marathon healthy, cross the finish line excited to do another marathon, and then get very, very drunk afterwards.

Any other fun running facts about you?
I learned to love myself on the run, and I happen to think that's pretty fun.