July Runner of the Month: Shawn Young

Shawn Young is a North Brooklyn Runners original.

She joined the club not long after it was founded, and has become a regular fixture in the 15 years since - even founding the Monday Morning Easy Run! A wealth of knowledge about the local running scene who knows sometimes an apple can save a run in the Big Apple.

Congrats, Shawn, on being named one of our runners of the month!

When did you join NBR and why?

I joined shortly after the team was formed — I think it was 2010. I was intrigued by the club and live about a half mile from the McCarren Park track, but I lurked on the Google Group for a long time before joining because I was on another team at the time.

In what ways have you been involved with NBR?

I was an early member. I’m a founder of the Monday Morning Easy Run. My most regular run was Hellkatz on Thursday mornings but I did most of the AM runs at one time or another. I helped coach a beginner’s clinic sponsored by the team and have led pace groups on course rehearsals for the Brooklyn Half and I think some other races. I’ve volunteered plenty, and stood in the pouring rain to cheer. I am seriously yearning to come back to NBR runs when I’m physically able.

What do you do when you're not running?

I am the co-founder and president of North Brooklyn Cats, a local cat rescue group. Crawling under dumpsters after injured kittens, hauling crates and 20-pound, 3-foot-foot-long metal traps containing lunging feral cats can be a workout! Then you end up in weird positions trying to extract cats from under the bathtub and hauling 40-pound bags of litter up the stairs. Cross training, anyone?

How did you initially get into running?

I got into running by almost quitting running. I was an occasional runner who had no idea of my pace, didn’t race, didn’t train. Then I got injured and someone sent me to a doc who put me on a program of shorter runs, more often. Then I decided to do the marathon and I was hooked by about the second of the nine races I ran for guaranteed entry. I think that was 2000 or 2001.

What is your favorite race distance?

These days it’s probably 5k or 4 miles. For much of my running history it was the Half and the 15k. My favorite single race is the Bronx 10 Mile. Who remembers when that was a scalding mid-summer torture fest half marathon—the race you’d swear every year that you’d never do again?

Best running memory?

There are so many, and they’re so impossible to describe. Besides, I’d cry.

Favorite running route in NYC?

A favorite in recent years has been south on Morgan/Knickerbocker, halfway around Maria Hernandez park, take Willoughby up to Woodward, right (uphill!) on Woodward then follow the park and cemeteries until they dump you on Metropolitan, where you can either add more uphill or head back down homeward. It’s about 6 miles from my home near Cooper Park and I like it because there are some fierce downhills to compensate for the killer uphills, and you get a full variety of neighborhoods—lots of industrial but also some neat residential and park stuff. Not that much stopping for traffic. Check out the really cool houses on Willoughby between Onderdonk and Woodward.

Any running-related superstitions?

Never wear a race souvenir until after the race. Never keep a souvenir for a race you didn’t run. I have a $2 bill that I sometimes tuck in a pocket for luck.

What has running taught you or changed about you?

The biggest change was it turned me into a morning person, which I wasn’t until I realized that the only way to make sure the run got done was to do it before all the other stuff stole the time and motivation. 

Favorite post-race food?

After my disastrous, puking second New York City marathon I couldn’t even keep down water (I had trained, it was just an unlucky, too-warm day) until an apple in my post-race bag cast a magic spell that made me eat it. And I instantly felt better. So apples have  a place in my heart, though none has ever been magical again. Other than that, pretty much anything.

Favorite song to run to / that makes you want to run?

I have music sometimes, but I’m not that into it.

Favorite running social media account?

Not that into it.

What do you think is the worst part about being a runner?

So many terrible things! Dealer’s choice: injuries, the time commitment, relatively few really great runs/races, becoming that boring person, all that laundry, all those shoes. Summer. 400s and also marathons.

Best advice to running newbies?

Nothing new or fancy—consistency is the key. It grows on you so give it a few weeks or months before you decide you hate it. Pick a time of day where you’re most likely to actually get it done. For me and a lot of others, that’s the morning, before the day eats you alive—or you’ve been the one eating, and it’s not sitting well. For a lot of people, finding a group or buddy helps. Remember, there will be days when you’re sick, injured, or life makes it genuinely impossible to get the run in. Is it really one of those days? Really, really, physically impossible? If not, do the run so it’s in the bank for the day when you truly can’t. Personally, I love showing up at track workouts even though I’m often the slowest person by far and running  alone—but  also gaining the support and camaraderie of the group. Track lets you run with people you could never actually keep up with—and they don’t vanish into the distance 30 seconds after the start. It requires some swallowing your ego, but that’s good for you, too. Nobody is judging you, everyone is paying attention to their own workout, but also encouraging you.

Current running goal?
Get back to regular running and racing.