When did you join NBR and why?
I joined NBR last July, shortly after moving home to the city after more than a decade in LA. Having been part of a very supportive and community-minded run club there (shoutout Silver Lake Track Club), I wanted to find a running community that was similarly, if not more, welcoming, supportive, and inclusive, and surely, I did.
In what ways have you been involved with NBR?
Wednesday Night Road Run was my first run with NBR and after a few runs and the consistency of seeing the same faces week after week, it quickly became a part of my week I'd look forward to. When a run leader call opened in October, I was a little worried it'd be too soon for me to put my name in the hat, but already knew WNRR was my crew. Find me Wednesdays claiming one pace and (chaotically) running another.
You can also typically catch ya boii losing count of laps and Guinnesses at Thursday Night Track (shoutout Roman the Track Dog), and running a few minutes late to Trail, Narwhals, and (occasionally) Sunday Funday. Unofficially, I organized the Inaugural Guinness 5k back in March and look forward to seeing folks unofficially at the 2nd Annual Guinness 5k next March (shoutout unofficial Beer Mile).
What do you do when you're not running?
I enjoy a well-written book and an aggressive iced coffee, often at the same time. I love live music and confess I recently ditched WNRR to go see Harry Styles. I can also be found regularly at the Metrograph, occasionally nodding off about 35 minutes into a feature.
How did you initially get into running?
I never thought running would become such an integral part of my life, but my journey began in 2018 with indoor cycling, where I'd fallen in love with the ways rhythm, movement, and mindfulness were brought together in a form that felt fun and challenging. Having struggled consistently with fitness up until then, I'd found a confidence in myself and my abilities that led me to set a goal of completing a marathon before I turned 25. I ended up running the LA Marathon in March of 2020, a week before everything changed.
During the pandemic, I made a list of things I'd want to do once the world returned to normal and running another marathon was one of them; I'd run my second marathon, the Twin Cities Marathon, in October of 2022. Then, in 2023, I ran my third marathon, the Honolulu Marathon, where I learned to never take the marathon for granted again.
Hot and humid, dehydrated and under-fueled, and having made a terrible wardrobe choice (a thick long sleeve and a pair of Ultraboost 22s), I had a terrible race that made me realize how underprepared I was in my training and how little I actually knew about the sport. It was the struggle and disappointment I experienced in Honolulu that really got me into running. It forced me to become more serious about the sport and start actually putting in the work needed to become a better runner.
What is your favorite race distance?
Without a doubt, the marathon.
Best running memory?
Maybe not the best, but certainly a chaotically memorable one. Signed up for the San Francisco Marathon buzzed after calling myself out for not doing so out of fear of the elevation profile. Proudly called my best friend to let her know what I'd done, only to be reminded of a potential scheduling conflict. I still ended up running the marathon, and remember the moment at mile 16 when I looked at my watch and realized I might finally break five hours—and comfortably, too.
Got the race done, broke five, and achieved a new PR, all while carrying a cardboard cutout of Brock Purdy on my back for 21 miles (before he fell to the ground and needed to be carried by hand for the remaining five). Quickly got back to my friend's place, showered, and made it onto my flight back down to LA, and, most importantly, made it in time to see Niall Horan with my best friend. Best of all possible worlds.
Favorite running route in NYC?
I grew up in Bensonhurst and remember accompanying my grandfather at least once a week as a child when he'd jog along Shore Parkway, turning around once he'd passed the Verrazzano, often having to wait for me as my short legs struggled to keep up. My grandfather no longer runs, but I feel almost as if I've taken on the sport for both of us, and Shore Parkway will always be ours.
I'm also always partial to a bridge. A run down to the Rockaways is always a vibe.
Any running-related superstitions?
Not a stition, but I like to give the concrete divider at the end of the Manhattan side of the Williamsburg Bridge a shoe tap before turning back. Also, I think my gastrointestinal department is actively conspiring against me.
What has running taught you or changed about you?
Any time I've experienced hardship in recent years, I've gone on a long run. Sometimes, the run feels hard enough that it replicates physically what I'm feeling emotionally and I become too busy trying to survive the run that whatever turmoil I'm experiencing becomes, at least temporarily, irrelevant. Sometimes, the run feels good, easy even, and I take stock of all the work it took me to get there, how strong I've become, and what I'm able to do for myself, and dismiss the cause of stress. Almost always, I come out of these runs with the necessary perspective to keep going, simply grateful to be alive, to get to do this, and to have a body that's able to carry me through the distance.
Running has taught me to be kinder to myself and to tune out the voices that try to disturb my inner peace or make me feel less than.
Favorite post-race food?
Hand me a chocolate milk and we can figure it out from there.
Favorite song to run to / that makes you want to run?
If I'm ever struggling to pull myself together for a run, "Lights Up" by Harry Styles usually gets me out the door. For whatever reason, I really lock in once "On the Floor" by JLo and Pitbull comes on.
Favorite running social media account?
Not on socials, but would saying it's the London Marathon account increase my chances of getting into London?
What do you think is the worst part about being a runner?
I'd say let's take a moment of silence for my knees, but they're the ones making all the noise. Also, knowing a double-decker bus juggling eggplants will run a faster race than you.
Best advice to running newbies?
In running (and in life), it's easy to get distracted by what someone else is doing. Understand that each person's running journey is different, so take yours at the pace that works best for you and sustains you for the long run.
Current running goal?
I'm trying to run a sub-3:30 marathon, but really the goal is just to keep working towards becoming a stronger and better runner, and to enjoy the process.
Any other fun running facts about you?
Not a fact, but highly recommend Tiger Balm Muscle Rub Cream for recovery; you're welcome.
