When did you join NBR and why?

December 2023 - I had just picked up running, and my friend Kelsey had started leading the Wednesday Night Beginner Run, so it was the perfect way to ease into my running journey!

In what ways have you been involved with NBR?

Since joining NBR, I'd been a very consistent face at WNBR, so much so that by December 2024, I had become pretty good friends with the rest of the run leader crew and they asked me to join as a leader! Besides WNBR, I've been to almost all the weekly runs at least once! I've also raced on a 4x400 relay team at the NBR track meet the past two years.

What do you do when you're not running?

I love to swim, so you'll catch me in the pool quite often. I'm also big into musical theater—I've gotten really lucky with the lotteries this year and have seen a bunch of shows this season! Favorite so far has been Jamie Lloyd's Sunset Blvd revival.

How did you initially get into running?

Two of my boyfriend's aunts ran the NYC Marathon in 2023, and it was just so emotional and inspiring (y'all know how it is) that I was like "That's going to be me one day!" I didn't think that my "one day" would be so soon, but here I am two years later, 9+1 under my belt, about to take the NYCM starting line.

What is your favorite race distance?

I've really enjoyed the half marathons I've raced! I've only done one 10k, but I'd like to do more of those because I enjoyed that distance, too.

Best running memory?

My first half marathon, the 2024 NYC Runs Brooklyn Half (before they changed the name, lol). I had a sub-2 goal in mind, and I remember rounding the corner, seeing the finish clock, and realizing that I had about a minute to make sub-2. That mad dash to the finish was just exhilarating, and I crossed just in time!

Favorite running route in NYC?

I know it's only a once-a-year-occurence, but Summer Streets!!! Besides that, I'll always love the Williamsburg waterfront.

What has running taught you or changed about you?

That I am much more mentally tough than I think I am. Running has pushed me in ways that I've never been pushed before, even though I grew up doing sports. I've gotten really good at giving myself pep talks, which I think has naturally made me more confident in myself in general.

Favorite post-race food?

A cold beer, a hot dog, a bagel, a slice of pizza, a burger, a jumbo pretzel, a slice of pie... anything and everything, really.

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

We listen and we don't judge... but I love listening to a Broadway show on a long run. Hamilton, Sunset Blvd, Legally Blonde, In the Heights, Tick, Tick... Boom!, Wicked, you name it.

Favorite running social media account?

Not an account, but my favorite running quote comes from the legend herself, Sifan Hassan, "What the hell am I thinking that I want to run marathon?"

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

The tan lines, for sure. I could blind someone with my watch tan.

Best advice to running newbies?

Don't worry about pace, don't worry about perception! When I started out, I was really worried about how strangers on the street were perceiving me, and I felt like I needed to go fast, all the time. Once I realized that no one is watching and you can literally just run, I started having so much more fun.

Current running goal?

Working toward a sub 1:50 half marathon!

Any other fun running facts about you?

I used to absolutely hate running. So much so that it was a joke amongst my friends that if I were ever to be kidnapped or something, my covert SOS text would be "Hey, I'm going on a run!" If someone were to receive that text from me, they'd know I was in trouble. I'm so glad that's not the case anymore! New SOS text is still needing to be chosen though...