Why did you start running?
I started running in high school because I wasn't good enough to play varsity baseball. I was fast so I figured I'd give track a try. What music do you listen to while running? Why? I have never listened to music. I like being able to hear what's going on around me. When it's quiet and you can only hear your feet and yourself breathing, it's super peaceful and relaxing. What do you think about if you don’t run with music? I think about everything. Good and bad. Long runs are where I work out most of my problems. What is your most memorable race? Why? I would say my most memorable race was my first marathon. New York City in 2006. I never thought I would ever be able to finish a marathon. EVER!!! When I came off the 59th St Bridge and hit mile 16, I was done. Lol. I thought there was no way I would be able to run 10 more miles. But I found a way. That race showed me it was possible to do something you never thought you could. Life changer. What was your least memorable? Why? Least memorable was Rock N Roll Raleigh Marathon in 2014. Inaugural race. Super hot day. Aid stations too far apart. Just a miserable experience all around. Only reason I finished was because I came across a medical tent before I could find a police officer to take me to the finish. Smh What advice would you give to new runners? Keep on running. No matter how far you run that first day, get back out there and run again. Just keep getting up & running. It gets easier, I promise. Lol Who would you like to go on a run with? I would love to run a 100m race against Usain Bolt. Who are your favorite athletes? Zlatan Ibrahimović and Venus Williams What do you admire about them? I love Zlatan because besides being incredibly talented, I find him hilarious. He talks a lot of trash but he usually backs it up. I love Venus because she's quiet and graceful yet powerful at the same time. What artist would you go on tour with? Jay-Z Who would play you in a movie? Why? Don Cheadle. Because he's underrated yet super talented. What’s your favorite movie? Coming To America. What’s your favorite running route? Running along the water in Long Island City/Roosevelt Island. The views of the Manhattan skyline are amazing, specially at night. Share an embarrassing running story? One day in high school at practice we were doing relays. My school didn't have a track so we practiced inside the school on the 1st floor. The school was basically a big square so if you had one person on each side, it was similar to a normal relay. On this day, the girls softball team came down to watch us. Lemme tell you, we ran like it was The Olympics when the girls could see us. When we were out of their sight, we straight up walked to save our energy for when we ran in front of them. Favorite social media: Black Runners Connection on Facebook. To see so many minority runners from around the world who have the same passion for running is pretty motivating. Favorite sports movie? Rocky IV. It's so 80s over the top and has classic lines for days. What is the last book you read? The Mueller Report. What are your pre-race rituals? Warmup run, stretch then get lost in my head to focus on what I'm trying to do for that race. How has running changed you? Running has given me more confidence and helped me to connect with so many people I most likely would never have interacted with. What sneakers do you run with? Why? I run in Hokas because I have flat feet & love the support in their kicks. What is the last movie you saw? Avengers Endgame, but Infinity War was better. Just saying. What race are you looking forward to? The Speed Project. The challenge of running from Santa Monica to Las Vegas is both insane & fascinating. Do you have a running mantra? One step at a time. What is your guilty pleasure on cheat day? Chewy Chips Ahoy, the entire package. Lol What is your dream running vacation? Don't really have one. What was your first race? What do you remember about it? Run for the Parks 4 Miler in 1997. I remember seeing an ad for the race and thinking it would be cool to do it. Bib pickup was at Niketown. That's about all I remember. Favorite race: mile, 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, ultra? Half marathons are my favorite. You feel like you ran a good amount and it doesn't fell like death afterwards!!! Finish these sentences: If a runner wants to break the ice with me they should ask about....anything running or comic book related. Running has....given me more happiness & fulfillment than I ever expected. My crazy dream is to....be the oldest person running at any race I do. Because that means I'd still be here doing what I love to do.
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Why did you start running?
To refocus my energy and thoughts after breakup. What music do you listen to while running? Why? - "Rachet" hip hop, 90s hip hop, up tempo pop; I love the boost energy music can bring to a solo run. What do you think about on the run if you don’t run with music? I'm usually running in a group when I don't have music and focus on the cadence of the group, conversations happening around me, and enjoying the feelings of camaraderie Most memorable race? Why? The New York City Marathon. Because there is no bigger stage for running and no hyper crowd support! Least memorable race? Why? Most races less than 10K because the amount of work that goes into them pales in comparison to marathon training! What advice would you give to new runners? Don't over think things, just lace up and go! Who would you like to go on a run with? Why? Steve Finley of course, his energy and support is a motivator. Who is your favorite athlete? Eliud Kipchoge What do you admire them? His natural ability and positivity in this sport is admirable What artist would you go on tour with? Beyonce Who would play you in a movie? why? Gabrielle Union, folks say I look like her.. . What’s your favorite movie? Imitation of Life What’s your favorite running route? Two bridges, Manhattan and Brooklyn. Share an embarrassing running story: Running along Eastern Parkway Promenade and getting tripped up by a tree...then the driver at the light asking if I'm okay and then proceeding to rant about the city fixing the sidewalks. Favorite social media: IG Favorite sports movie? Jackie Robinson Story What is your guilty pleasure on cheat day? Chocolate Ice Cream What's your dream running vacation: Greece What was your first race? What do you remember about it? Al Gordon 4M...freezing cold, but I didn't die! Favorite race: mile, 5k, 10k, marathon, ultra marathon? Why? Half Marathon, short enough not to take over your life training for, but long enough to feel a sense of accomplishment Finish these sentences: If a runner wants to break the ice with me they should ask about… strategies for running back to back marathons. Running has… changed how I view by body's ability to take me places athletically, I thought were not an option for me. My crazy dream is to… run the world majors and hit sub 6 in the mile.
Brooklyn Track Club had over 60 individual runners race the NYC Marathon with dozens of others in support pacing, cheering and handing off nutrition. Thank you to all who joined and held down the morning cheer zone at 8.5 miles and a big shout out to WRU Crew and the Uptown community for putting on another amazing cheer section on 131st Street!
It was great to see so many at our post-race celebration, I was grateful to have so many people from different crews, brands, and countries coming together to celebrate the season's accomplishments. Finally, major Congratulations to all of our 2019 NYC marathoners, the time, effort and sacrifice I witnessed from all of our marathon groups so far this fall has been remarkable and I am proud to be able to watch it.
Each year BKTC has its traditions: the OSR x BKTC x NIKE Saturday shakeout run, WRU Crew's 131st Cheer Zone street party, and our post-race afterparty — They have all grown more and more in the last 3 years, but this year we're able to add another tradition to the list, hanging out with Eliud Kipchoge, the World Record Holder, first person to go Sub-2 hours, and the greatest marathon runner of all time came to NYC again to celebrate his birthday at our combined shakeout run, albeit only every other year - see you in 2021 Eliud! Thank you Nike NYC for making it happen!
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