NYC Marathon Team Spot Check In: Tara Merigan
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 was new to the city/country and was looking to make friends in the neighbourhood (plus running alone gets boring!). My first NBR run was Saturday Morning Bridge Run! It was around April/May 2022, though I was nervously lurking in the Google group for a few months prior to that.
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.
*Touching wood* It's going really well! I'm loving the process and it's been such a rewarding experience. My favourite workouts are long (ish) intervals, 1km-1mile or so. I'm also partial to a prog run!
3. Which NBR runs are you attending regularly to train? Are there any NBR members who inspire you to train hard(er)?
I lead Just Central on Wednesday mornings, so definitely a regular there! I also enjoy popping along to Thursday Night Track when I have the chance, same with Monday Night Easy Run and Bridge Run. It's so hard to call out any specific NBR members who inspire me, there is so much passion and wisdom! I feel extremely lucky to be surrounded by people who are so dedicated to this community and sport.
4. What does it mean to be chosen by your peers for a coveted NBR marathon team spot?
It's such an honour! I think I cried at Gala? I feel incredibly grateful that I stumbled onto this wonderful team. NBR has been such a huge part of me falling back in love with running and what better symbol of that than the marathon?!
5. What do you plan on eating post-marathon? What about the night before?
The night before probably pasta. Afterwards... 20 beers? Maybe also pizza?
6. What inspires and motivates you to run this year's NYC marathon?
All my wonderful NBR teammates! Speaking with everyone and being inspired by all their hard work encouraged me to take this step in my running journey. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such a supportive community (both on the track/road and off!) who have provided me with endless motivation throughout this training block. Though I think I really caught the marathon bug last year at NBR's water table - marathon energy is infectious!
7. In your head, what animal (real or fictional) do you think you most resemble when you're running?
I like to think I look cat-like... though I was recently traumatised by seeing a video of myself running at PT, so that image has been shattered.
