March Runner of the Month: Lili Tobias
When did you join NBR and why?
After many years of running by myself, I joined NBR this past September because I wanted to run with other people more often and make new running friends! My first run was a Wednesday Night Road Run over the Kosciuszko Bridge which was such an exhilarating experience that I knew I had to come back.
In what ways have you been involved with NBR?
I frequent WNRR, Friday Food Runs, and Saturday Bridge & Coffee Run, and I’m currently busy coordinating this year’s NBR Track Meet with the other Track Meet Coordinators. I’ve also helped organize an unofficial Fifth Friday Pizza Run a few times because I couldn’t let a week go by without a food run!
What do you do when you're not running?
Knitting, listening to music, or both at the same time. Lately, I’ve expanded my inclination for fiber/textile arts into quilting and am having fun repurposing old fabric into new art. On the music side of things, I particularly enjoy both attending and composing operas. I also like to sing and host occasional round singing parties with friends–if you’re reading this, you’re invited!!
How did you initially get into running?
I’ve loved to run for as long as I can remember and first started doing it in a more official capacity when I joined my middle school track team. I desperately wanted to be a sprinter, but I soon realized that distance was a better fit for me and ran the 1500m in high school and college. (Though now that I’m meeting people who run literal marathons, I finally feel almost like a sprinter!)
What is your favorite race distance?
Any distance, so long as it’s on trails. Or 25 laps around the Armory track for an indoor 5k…maybe not my “favorite” but it sure was an interesting experience!
The Unspiked
Best running memory?
A gorgeous trail run with my college XC team on a rainy day! I hadn’t been feeling great since it was so dreary out, but that run made everything better.
Favorite running route in NYC?
I wouldn’t say I have one particular favorite route, but I really like going on “adventure runs” to explore parts of the city I’ve never been to before or to revisit favorite spots! I’m so grateful for my NBR friends who have accompanied me on some of these excursions so far, from hopping on the Roosevelt Island tram midway through a Narwhals run to traveling all the way up to the Bronx for trail running + carrot cake + historical museum.
What has running taught you or changed about you?
My relationship with running has changed significantly over the years as I’ve worked on balancing the competitive (and for me, anxiety-inducing) aspects of the sport with all the other fun, weird, and chaotic possibilities running has to offer. Right now, I’ve been having a great time just being part of a running community again and running for fun without feeling pressure to compete.
Favorite post-race food?
I don’t really race anymore, but my favorite post-run food is an onion bagel with cream cheese and lox after First Friday Salmon Run!
Favorite song to run to / that makes you want to run?
The song Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer reminds me of autumn, which makes me think of cross country season, which makes me want to run!!
What do you think is the worst part about being a runner?
Injuries :( currently recovering from a badly sprained ankle.
Best advice to running newbies?
Avoid getting injured. Listen to your body, go to the doctor, strength train, don’t try to leap over a pile of snow because you think it’ll be cool, etc. Do I do these things? Not really…but you should!
Current running goal?
Run across all the runnable bridges in NYC! So far I’ve completed 14 out of over 90 bridges….
