August Runner of the Month: Mike Ortley

Mike first joined NBR in August 2021 after moving to New York from Montana. “I wanted to focus on road running and find a community to be a part of.” Mike attended many NBR runs but thinks Narwhals is his favorite weekly run. He’s a big fan of the Community Outreach events as well as jumping in with friends on their workouts when they need the motivation. When he’s not racing, you could find Mike cheering on his NBR teammates. Mike recently took on the Grandma’s Marathon and finished with an unbelievable time of 2:49:14!

What do you do when you're not running?
I save up my vacation days to travel out west for hunting, fishing, hiking and camping. I also enjoy cooking, latin dance, and learning languages.

How did you initially get into running?
The impetus was applying for the USMC officer candidate school after college. Part of the fitness test was a 3-mile run (18 min for a perfect score), 20 pull ups, and 100 sit ups. That didn't work out and I ended up in Phoenix where for a short period of time, I couldn't afford to do anything else besides run the trails near me.

What is your favorite race distance?
I'm not sure yet since I have a few longer distances I'd like to tackle. So far I think 50K (trails) might be my sweet spot.

Best running memory?
I can't say I have a "best" memory (hopefully I have more memories to come). Some of my most cherished memories involve beautiful backdrops, friends/overcoming a tough day, or solitude and untethered thoughts.

Favorite running route in NYC?
Running in NYC is more about the people I get to run with and less about the place itself. If I had to pick, I'd say the dirt path on the outside of the dog park in McCarren.

Any running-related superstitions?
Besides eating toast with peanut butter most mornings - nope not even a littlestitious.

What has running taught you or changed about you?
Running has changed how much I spend on shoes. I'd say it's also taught me how to enjoy suffering, to stop negatively comparing myself to others, and to not hold on to goals too tightly.

Favorite post-race food?
Chorizo breakfast burrito.

Favorite song to run to make you want to run?
I don't often listen to music while I run but before I run, anything Daddy Yankee, or Queen's, Don't Stop Me Now.

Favorite running social media account?
I've really enjoyed watching one of my MT run group friends, Jennifer Lichter, start her professional running journey over the past year.

What do you think is the worst part about being a runner?
Maybe the tendency to take this all too seriously, or make comparisons to others and what works for them. The more goals I set the more often I need to pause and remember that while I love this hobby, obsessing over it is kind of silly.

Current running goal?
Either to find a new PR in the marathon/half, or run a 100K trail race.

Any other fun running facts about you?
Lay's potato chips are my favorite long-run fuel.