March Runner of the Month: Reid Andren

Reid first joined NBR in April 2021. He had just moved into Williamsburg proper and was looking for more of a structure to his running and training schedule. “NBR's daily runs gave me an opportunity to give my training a more regimented schedule with pace variability that turned into results pretty quickly.” You can find Reid as one of our Tuesday Night Tempo run leaders, “so you can always find me lapping Kent St. and West St. on Tuesday nights with a great group.” He’s also frequently attends one of our Saturday Long Runs and Thursday Night Track.

How did you initially get into running?
I was about 6 months out of college and was a bit lost with my activities generally -- getting back from the office and putting on television wasn't the adult life I dreamed up. All that kind of came to a head around New Years eve of 2016 -- I opted to not attend an all night open bar situation and instead had a quiet evening in my apartment. Jan 1st I went on what must have been a 4 or 5 mile run and that is kind of where everything got started. A few weeks later a coworker convinced me to sign up for the Brooklyn Half Marathon and I thought that would be the furthest distance I would ever run. 7 years later I'm training for my 4th marathon so things have escalated and I don't recognize the monster I've become.

What is your favorite race distance?
Right now I'd say the half marathon. It's a distance where the training mileage doesn't take over your life (depending on who you ask) and the speedwork you put in can really make an impact. Looking forward to the Brooklyn Half Marathon this year!

Best running memory?
Any Marathon I've participated in has left me with a certain feeling of accomplishment that is hard to top. Chicago in 2019 is something I hold near and dear. My family was able to catch me at 4 different spots on the course and I negative split. Definitely an inflection point in my journey as a runner that has spurred me to be the athlete I am today.

Favorite running route in NYC?
Running from McCarren to Rockaway Beach in the summer is the absolute best. You really get to experience the whole breadth of our burough -- running through neighborhoods many New Yorkers never get the opportunity to see -- it's a quality about running that is hard to share with non-runners. Once you cross the bridge to Rockaway beach you can go for a quick dip, enjoy some food and drinks and soak in the ferry/economy cruise back to Williamsburg all while ogling at the beauty of our great city. Highly recommend for anyone who hasn't given it a go.

Any running-related superstitions?
I always try to wear something related to my beloved New York Mets. I've gotten some good use out of my Mets headband the past few years but prior to that I insisted upon running in a Binghampton Rumble Ponies T-shirt - The AA affiliate of the Amazins.

What has running taught you or changed about you?
You really are never done defining the person you are. I was never a fan of running prior to 2016 and if you had asked college me whether I would ever run a marathon I would have likely told you no. I also never really thought of myself as a fast person until recently. I have ideas of the person I think I can be and the best version of the runner I can be but I've realized pretty recently that I can surprise myself in many facets. I think every athlete will tell you what you learn from your sport applies to many other aspects of life but running has the added benefit of being able to measure your improvement through your race times.

Favorite post-race food?
I love throwing back a potato breakfast burrito from Santa Fe on N 8th street. A great restaurant with a legendary brekkie burrito.

Favorite song to run to make you want to run?
Rattlesnake - King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Favorite running social media account?
Heapsgoodrunners is great.

What do you think is the worst part about being a runner?
If I spent as much time lifting as I do running I would be very strong and people could come up to me at the beach and be in awe of my muscles or commend me for saving the person who was stuck beneath a Mini Cooper. Alas, I am confined to being tired on Saturday evenings and trying to trick people into asking me how fast I ran my 15 mile long run earlier that morning.

Best advice to running newbies?
Don't worry about running too fast too often. The speed will come to you if you spend enough time on junk miles and work on your form.

Current running goal?
Qualify for Boston. I know I will do it eventually. I want to do it soon.