February Runner of the Month: Jack Marley-Payne
Jack joined NBR in 2020, attending only one group run before the COVID lock-down. However, once lockdown restrictions finally eased, they started going to NBR runs more regularly. “It was so lovely to have the chance do this thing I’d become obsessed with in isolation with other people – plus now I could be held accountable for actually finishing my track workouts.” You can usually find Jack running and hanging out at the evening runs, except for the occasional appearance at Narwhals. “I’d say my commitment to Thursday Track and the Turkey’s Nest is pretty exemplary.” Most recently, Jack was nominated for NYRR Runner of the Year in the non-binary category!
What do you do when you're not running?
Currently I’m reading far too much Freud for my own good and trying to write a story about what would happen if the Paris commune went down in near future New York.
How did you initially get into running?
Technically, I was already running pre-pandemic, but it was definitely the lockdown that got me obsessed. With no other acceptable outside activities available, my run became the highlight of my day. I quickly found myself at the limit of running my body could handle at that point and so I got into the murky business of reading about running – technique, different types of workout etc. – and from then on there was no going back.
What is your favorite race distance?
I guess it’s either 5k or ½ but I’m pretty fickle. Whenever I’m hurting in a race, I convince myself the distance I’m currently running is the worst of all possible distances. But after I finish, if I’m happy with the time, I immediately decide it’s the best distance.
Best running memory?
Probably running Philly Marathon last year, when around mile 22 I realized for sure that I had it in me to keep up my goal pace until the finish. I felt myself shedding the anxiety that my legs or lungs would give out too soon and I could really stay in the moment and focus on pushing forward each step without second guessing myself.
Favorite running route in NYC?
I’d say the West Side Highway via Manhattan Bridge and Battery Square Park – aka avoiding running crosstown at all costs.
Any running-related superstitions?
I wish I had some superstitions because that would imply some kind of routine. Instead I’m prone to trying something completely new on a whim right before a race. I cannot stress enough what a bad idea it was to swap out my usual iced coffee for a Skittles flavored Bang energy drink the morning of the Brooklyn Half.
What has running taught you or changed about you?
I think that running has, in many ways, improved my relationship with my own body. Registering for a race as a non-binary runner was one of the first times I’d entered my gender on any kind of official form – and the bureaucratic stamp it gave definitely felt like a significant event. So now running and identity are closely linked in my mind. It’s obviously pertinent when I’m checking race results, and it’s great to have that not be a dysphoric experience. When I’m running, though, it’s just a conversation between me and my body about what it’s feeling and what it can do over the rest of the run. Learning this mode of thinking has been deeply valuable to me.
Favorite post-race food?
Not strictly speaking a ‘food’, but a bottle of blue Gatorade after a hard run during peak New York summer is one of life’s great pleasures.
Favorite song to run to make you want to run?
I run almost exclusively to Grime (roughly UK rap) which provides relentless forward momentum but tends to be a hard sell for Americans. 3 Wheel-Ups by Kano is probably my favorite home stretch track – just pure adrenaline with enough ridiculous one-liners to distract you from what your legs are currently feeling.
What do you think is the worst part about being a runner?
My non-running friends not being sufficiently fascinated about the intricacies of how my training plan is going.
Best advice to running newbies?
If you’re focused on getting faster and trying to up your training, you cannot take your easy runs easy enough. If you’re normal and just running for fun then you’re doing great, don’t change anything! And if you’re procrastinating about switching from running solo to with NBR: take the leap, it’s better this way!
Current running goal?
I’m hoping to run New York for the first time which is obviously a big one. Also, I would love to get enough non-binary runners running with NBR in the club points races for us to score points in the non-binary division. If anyone reading this is thinking about doing so or has some questions, please get in touch with me – I’d love to talk about it. I promise it can be incredibly rewarding and even fun!
Any other fun running facts about you?
As a kid I was on the cross-country team for an entire six months, but gave it all up to play clarinet.
