NYC Marathon Team Spot Check In: Megan Stoutz
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 was training for my first marathon in 2017 and had been lurking in the Google group for about a year. A 2+ hour long run on my training plan finally pushed me to show up to Narwahls, and I've been running with NBR ever since!
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 is going well! I delayed starting a real training plan this summer to work on my 5k speed which I hope ultimately benefits me in the marathon. Now that we're heading into fall I'm shifting my focus back to the long run workout, which is a lot of fun if you like to feel exhausted.
Which NBR runs are you attending regularly to train? Are there any NBR members who inspire you to train hard(er)?
I've been showing up to many of the LC prospect park tempo and long runs over the past few months, and have been having a lot of fun chasing people a bit faster than me. I've never considered myself an especially competitive person, but running more with the LC Women inspires me to want to train and race harder! And of course, where would I be without the consistency of midweek easy miles with WNRR, and some post-run carb loading at the Park House?
What does it mean to be chosen by your peers for a coveted NBR marathon team spot?
I am so grateful for this team spot! I went through a serious illness a couple of years ago, and coming back from that has been a challenge, emotionally and physically. Running with NBR has helped to bring back a sense of normalcy and made me feel strong and capable- a feeling I had lost when I was sick. This November will mark 2 years cancer-free, which is kind of a big deal! So what better way to celebrate than with 55,000 of my best running friends?!
What do you plan on eating post-marathon? What about the night before?
Night before - pizza
Post-marathon - likely more pizza, and I wouldn't say no to a beer
What inspires and motivates you to run this year's NYC marathon?
Definitely my teammates! Seeing them absolutely crush their workouts and runs week in and week out while looking incredible and having the most fun makes me want to do the same!
In your head, what animal (real or fictional) do you think you most resemble when you're running?
In reality, I carry my arms too high when I'm tired and probably look like a praying mantis. But in my head, I'd have the "lady horse swagger" described in Ada Limón's poem How to Triumph Like a Girl.
