Meet Mixail Petrochuk, one of our February Runners of the Month! This dedicated Monday Night Easy Run leader brings enthusiasm, creativity, and multiple talents to our community. Beyond welcoming NBR newcomers each week, Mixail shares his passion for exploring routes like Bedford-to-Coney Island, participating in off-key ultras with friends, and surprising everyone (including himself) by setting PRs during workouts. When not running, he experiments with vegan cookie recipes, captures candid moments through photography, plays violin, and even holds an official Guinness World Record! What for? Guess you’ll just have to join MNER to find out!

When did you join NBR and why?

I moved to New York in October ’23, and after running with NBR in January '24, I joined the listserv on February 16th. New to New York, I had been on the lookout to join a community and keep my health up. As a largely remote employee doing independent research day-to-day, I am excited to get out of the house and socialize with runners in the neighborhood!

In what ways have you been involved with NBR?

I am a fellow Monday Night Easy Run (MNER) run leader! It’s been lovely welcoming new faces to the club every week for their first run! Aside from that, I love cooking and photography. Predictably, you’ll see me experimenting with delicious Vegan cookie recipes for the Holiday party and snipping cute candid photos of runners!

What do you do when you're not running?

I feel like I do so much! I love trying to do everything at least once! Recently, I took the plunge into music for the first time and picked up a violin. If anyone wants to practice together, let me know! If and when I get the chance to cook for others, I am also experimenting with new recipes! Soon, I want to start making my own teas! I tend to take things too far, so feel free to ask me about the time I got an official Guinness World Record...

How did you initially get into running?

Shortly after moving to NYC, I got giddy seeing everyone running along the waterfront and I wanted to join in!

What is your favorite race distance?

While I don’t typically race, it would probably be a half-marathon! Maybe I am an odd one out for not racing, but there is just too much pressure. I have been finding it so much more rewarding to track my unofficial progress on Strava. I try to go after my PRs during my weekly workouts (:

Best running memory?

That’s hard. I have too many — I couldn’t pick one! Here’s three: goofing off with Samie at Plyo every week, running ultra-marathons “off the beaten path” with Miranda and Ken, and spontaneous summer beach runs to Coney Island or the Rockaways. I have met so many new friends in NBR that it's hard not to make new memories!

Favorite running route in NYC?

Did you know you can run along Bedford all the way down to Coney Island? It’s one of my favorite routes and discoveries this year!

Any running-related superstitions?

While sports fuel brands are popular, did you know dates (or most dried fruits) and salted pretzels work just as well as fuel? If you want, you can even add a splash of fruit juice and a pinch of salt to your water for a hit of sweetness and electrolytes!

What has running taught you or changed about you?

Okay, I had no idea my body could look so good, haha! I love how I feel day to day; I have so much positive energy (:

Favorite post-race food?

Veggie cream cheese, roasted butternut squash, horseradish beets, red onion & watercress, on a pumpernickel bagel.

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

I will always return to Spirit: The Stallion of Cimarron

“You run like the river, you shine like the sun (Yeah!)

You fly like an eagle

Yeah, you are the one

I've seen every sunset

And with all that I've learned

Oh, it's to you I will always, always return"

Favorite running social media account?

Chari Hawkins, Allie Ostrander, Ben Parkes, Total Running Productions

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

n/a

Best advice to running newbies?

When you start running, talking about mileage can be intimidating and discouraging. I would instead shift the focus and think about clock time. Much like any other sport, you should try to get a couple of workouts in a week for around an hour. As you get faster, your mileage will increase, but the length of your workouts will stay relatively the same!

Current running goal?

To earn more Strava Kudos from my friends as I make progress!

Any other fun running facts about you?

I accidentally set my lifetime mile PR at a normal Thursday Night Track. I surprised myself and everyone else, too!