2019 NYC Marathon - Richie Eisenberg

Name: Richie Eisenberg

Tell us your running backstory. I started running my Freshman year of high school during the spring track season and instantly became hooked on distance running. The following Fall I ran XC and have not stopped since.

Why TMIRCE? I started running with TMIRCE in 2015 after a college friend recommended I come to a Monday Night Track workout. I started attending Monday nights regularly because it was an excellent way to incorporate speed workouts into my weekly routine and sprinting alongside faster runners allowed me to continually push myself and improve. I continue to come because Darren, Chris, and Chris do an excellent job at programming while keeping the mood fun and jovial.

Why did you enter the TMIRCE NYC Marathon lottery? I entered the marathon lottery because I have been dying to run NYC for the past 5 years.

What number marathon will the 2019 NYC Marathon be for you? Second Marathon (Ran the Hamptons Marathon 2018).

What excites you most about the NYC Marathon?I am excited about running with the largest group of marathon runners in the world.

What scares you the most about the NYC Marathon? The possibility of bad weather.

Tell us a fun fact (not running related) about yourself.I love to cook. My favorite dish to make is risotto.

What do you do when you aren’t running?Besides from work, I’m a bit of a fitness junkie. I like to go to the gym, practice yoga, and spin.

What’s your favorite distance? 6 Miles - I tend to procrastinate, and I like that I can finish a 6 mile run and shower within an hour in case I have somewhere I need to be after.

What’s your most hated distance?20 Miles - Might as well run a marathon at that point.

What’s your favorite running route in NYC?The large loop around Central Park.

Long runs - Go it alone or run with other people?Always alone with a good Spotify playlist.

What’s your guilty pleasure song to run to (The REAL one!)?So Yesterday by Hillary Duff, but I feel 0 sense of guilt.

What’s your favorite post-race food?Protein Smoothie with banana, blueberries, and peanut butter.

What’s piece of running gear could you not live without?My Nathan running belt to hold my keys and phone.

What’s your running goal?I’d like to run a marathon sub-3 hours and outside of running I’d like to compete in an Iron Man.

Do you have a favorite running quote? No but I love Born to Run by Christopher McDougall.

What’s your best running memory?Either breaking 5:00 during the mile in high school or spending time with my mom trail running.

What lessons has running taught you?Running has taught me to be goal oriented and recovering from running-related injuries has taught me a great deal of patience.

What’s the best part about running? The meditative state your head enters, sweating, and being able to enjoy the outdoors.

What’s the worst part about running?Shin splints or sunburn.

What advice would you give to a running newbie?The first run is the hardest, and from there it only gets easier.

2019 NYC Marathon - Patricia Johnson

Name: Patricia Johnson

Why did you join TMIRCE? I joined TMIRCE when I moved to New York in January. I thought I would try a few different run clubs until I found one that I liked, but I ran with TMIRCE first and you have been stuck with me ever since J

Tell us your running backstory. I have been running casually on and off since college, but I got into running more seriously and consistently a couple of years ago when I had to stop other competitive sports due to injury.

Why did you enter the TMIRCE NYC Marathon lottery? Because I wanted to run the NYC marathon ;). Seriously though, I’m doing 9 + 1 for 2020, but I was excited/impatient and didn’t want to wait until next year.

What number marathon will the 2019 NYC Marathon be for you? The NYC marathon will be my first successful marathon. My last attempt was a disaster and now I'm looking forward to redemption!

What excites you most about the NYC Marathon? I’m excited to race with my TMIRCE friends! Jenny, Chris, Anthony, Colleen and Catherine, you guys have been working so hard all season and I’m excited to see it all come together for you on race day!

What scares you the most about the NYC Marathon? Racing with the other 50 000+ people; I’m not a fan of crowds haha.

Tell us a fun fact (not running related) about yourself. I have the world’s sweetest cat. Her name is Audrey.

What’s your favorite distance? My favorite race distance is 10K, but the 5K is really growing on me.

What’s your favorite post-race food? Does coffee or beer count?

What lessons has running taught you? Running has taught me that its ok to do things that I’m not good at; I’m not a great runner and that’s ok. I am having a lot of fun trying to improve.

2019 NYC Marathon - Helena Cheng

Name: Helena Cheng

Why did you join TMIRCE? I moved to NYC back in March from Aussieland, and I didn’t really know too many people here. But I love running, love food and enjoy meeting new people and TMIRCE was the first run club which I leaned towards immediately – the people, the energy! I’m so lucky to have met so many amazing people, they have all definitely made my time in NYC very special (ALSO it was the name TMIRCE that did the trick, I was getting pretty good at the tongue twister non abbreviated version that I was using for at least 3-4 weeks!)

Why did you enter the TMIRCE NYC Marathon lottery? Well, why not right? Nothing to lose and only a new challenge/experience to gain!

What number marathon will the 2019 NYC Marathon be for you? This will be marathon numero uno! Previously have done half marathons and a classic distance triathlon.

What excites you most about the NYC Marathon? I’ve never done a race overseas before, let alone run a marathon! I’m stoked to be part of such an international race, one which stops the city, and even more so because my boyfriend, Warner will also be coming from Australia to run the NYC marathon too (do give him a BIG hola/cheer if you see him on the course – he’ll be wearing a yellow & green singlet with his name!!!)

Tell us a fun fact (not running related) about yourself. You’ll likely hear my laugh before you see me. A good way to know if I’m around, as I’ve been told.

What do you do when you aren’t running?  Exploring something new, spending time with loved ones and friends, finding a good feed and travelling!

What’s your favorite running route in NYC? West Side Highway – sunsets there are phenomenal.

What’s your favorite post-race food? KFC – wicked wings.

What’s piece of running gear could you not live without? Blisterless socks!

What advice would you give to a running newbie? I’m still learning and I think I will continue to, but what I’ve gathered so far: don’t just run, it’s important to work on your core and incorporate other forms of training (whether it be weights, calisthenics, cycling, HIIT) and yoga/stretching into the routine! I’ve learnt the body is all interconnected – a misaligned hip can cause a strain on back, legs and this all affects running and other physical activities. It’s well worth the investment to see a physio/remedial massage therapist to readjust when necessary. Most importantly, enjoy and have fun on the runs!

2019 NYC Marathon - Anthony Galsim

Name: Anthony Galsim

Tell us your running backstory. My running history stems back in high school and college in cross country, indoor and outdoor track.  I was more of a sprinter/middle distance runner back then and I always enjoyed the 200m, 400m, 800m and occasionally the mile.  I enjoyed meeting other runners from other schools and leagues both at a social and competitive level. 

Several years have passed where I have kept myself in shape whether it would be running alone in the track, or just completing a session at the gym.  This provided me some release from the day-to-day.  However, it was not the same experience I felt from when I ran with a group.  This all changed when I was introduced to TMIRCE.

Why do you run with TMIRCE? I run with TMIRCE because of the welcoming members and support we all give each other.  There is a sense of teamwork when we cheer for each other during our workouts and a feeling of togetherness.

I love how even though we are informal, we still have structure with regards to weekly workouts at the track, tempo and weekend brunch runs.  I have been in and out of the running group for quite some time and from what I notice—there is always a place for every pace.

Why did you enter the TMIRCE NYC Marathon lottery? I wanted to try something new, so I put my name in.  At first, I really did not think I have a chance to get into this year’s lottery.  I was busy training for these longer races (Brooklyn Half, Staten Island Half, etc.) just to satisfy my 2020 Marathon 9+1 commitment and only a month after putting my name in—I get this little pleasant surprise informing me that I am one of the picks for this year.

What number marathon will the 2019 NYC Marathon be for you? This will be number one. Prior to my current training plan, the most I ever ran in one setting was 11 miles.

What excites you most about the NYC Marathon? The NYC Marathon is exciting to me because it will be the longest distance and largest event I have ever participated in to date.  In the past, I always observed how runners finish this event with a sense of pride and achievement.  I am very excited in my training plan and just hearing what goes on during race day.  A part of me is a bit anxious.  However, a bigger part of me cannot wait till race day!

What scares you the most about the NYC Marathon? The one thing that scares me about the marathon is this infamous wall everyone talks about.  In a way, it all makes sense on why this wall comes into effect for some of us.  I guess that just fuels me to not just run hard and take chances, but also run smart.

What’s your favorite distance? My favorite distance is the 5K.  It reminds me so much about my younger running days in cross country.  I feel like there’s so much opportunity for me to move up both in speed and strength on this event.  Sometimes, I laugh at myself when I hear some of my 5K splits in a longer race being faster than one of my previous 5K races.  That’s when I know I either messed something up, or I am due for a PR soon.

What’s your favorite post-race food? Spaghetti with meat sauce is my favorite post-race food.  I am guilty of this in many aspects.  If I could eat this 3-4 times a week, I totally would.

What lessons has running taught you? Running has taught me that every worth having is not going to just be handed to you.  No matter what level we are as athletes, we will have something either keeping us from our goals, or we will develop tools and tricks we can share to make us successful.  This concept goes beyond the run on the track, but also in our daily lives.

What motivates you to run/race? The thing that motivates me is the feeling during the run.  I specifically like to train more just so I can endure the race and tolerate the rest of the pain before I finish.

What’s the best part about running? The best part about running is knowing that this is something you can do alone and get a sense of self-achievement when tackling a new distance, or when with a group-you share a sense of building something together.  Not just a team, but a community. 

What advice would you give to a running newbie? The advice I would give to a new runner is to be consistent, but not too aggressive.  Start with short distances each week and if you can find a way to put a gym workout into the mix, feel free to do so.  Also, get familiar with your body’s limits.  Listen to it.  It is the best asset you’ll ever have.

Anthony Galsim

2019 NYC Marathon

Informal Friends!!!

It’s perfect fall running weather, which means it’s also NYC Marathon season!

For those that don’t know, TMIRCE had guaranteed entry into the 2019 NYC Marathon - and through a rigorous and heavily researched plan, we raffled them odd based on attendance back in July!

Here are those winners who have committed to taking on 26.2 miles of NYC bridges, roads, concrete and smiles. Take it from us... it really does move you!!

Helena Cheng

Patricia Johnson

Anthony Galsim

Richie Eisenberg

You most likely recognize all of these faces, maybe follow them in run tracking apps, and know they are out there handing out sweaty high fives and toothy smiles long run after long run.

So join us in wishing them the best of luck, give them a reassuring high five at the next workout and get ready to cheer them on at our world renowned Cheer Squad on November 3rd!!

2018 NYC Marathon - TMIRCE Racing Team

Rounding out the incredible Informal Runner’s getting ready to take on the 26.2 mile block party!

Keep their faces and smiles in your mind’s eye and join us at our TWO cheer squads on November 4th, 2018!

Name: Eric Pastore

He says: Definitely looking forward to the energy of the marathon itself. It will be great to get hive fives from our Cheer Squads, and I’ll have thousands more cheering my name (or whatever I write on my shirt…). Getting my Sundays back after the race is also nice.

Name: Claire Wind

She says: What I’m looking forward to most is completing one of the longest relationships I have been in... 2 months of deciding whether or not to do it... 12 more months of completing 9+1... 12 more months for training and actually DOING IT!!

I’m excited of picking out a different color of toe nail polish other than deep purple to match my black toenails.

After 2 years of poster making and being a part of the best cheer squad ever, I’m going be on the other side of the high fives!!! Ready to get all of the high fives from my TMIRCE family! 

2018 NYC Marathon - TMIRCE Racing Team

Here’s the next batch of the incredible Informal Runner’s getting ready to take on the 26.2 mile block party!

Keep their faces and smiles in your mind’s eye and join us at our TWO cheer squads on November 4th, 2018!

Name: Jiheng Huang

He is: [looking] forward to "seeing the best of NYC - My TMIRCE friends!" during the marathon. 

Name: Matt Levin

He is: looking forward to all the people yelling [his] name as [he] runs by. “I'm a bit of a narcissist and had shirts printed up with sayings to encourage yelling my name. Go me”

Name: Keenan Lacey

He: can't wait to have a load of pints after the marathon...roll on the Guinness!

2018 NYC Marathon - TMIRCE Racing Team

Here are some more of the incredible Informal Runner’s getting ready to take on the 26.2 mile block party!

Several of these runners completed the 9+1 program to guarantee entry, some were prayed to the Race-Gods and got a spot in the lottery; no matter which way they got in - we’re giving solidarity high fives for their commitment through this training cycle!

Keep their faces and smiles in your mind’s eye and join us at our TWO cheer squads on November 4th, 2018!

Name: Leo Gil

He is: most looking forward to singing “This Is How We Do It" by Montell Jordan at the finish line.

Name: Victor Tello

He is: looking forward to beating [his] NYC marathon PR from last year: in time finishing the marathon and hamburgers consumed after. 

Name: Paul Huzarski

He is: most looking forward to crowds of "Thunder Alley" on the upper east side; and of course, blasting Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" in the final 400 meters of the race when [he] sprints to the finish.

2018 NYC Marathon - Ben Cassidy

Name: Ben Cassidy

Location: Sydney

Race History: First Marathon

Story: I was introduced to TMIRCE on a whim in 2015 via a friend of a friend from Australia. I wasn't a runner. I also didn't know a single person beforehand, but it didn't matter, and I've kept training every since.

Monday track workouts were and still are the best way to start a week in New York, catching up with a bunch of mates old and new, and generally having a good time while everyone pretends not to be exhausted. Saturday brunch runs are more of the same - everyone is welcoming and no-one could care less whether you're running fast or slow. It's these reasons I keep coming back, even when life drags me away from New York for weeks or months at a time. 

That's the thing about TMIRCE - it's all about the running, but it has nothing to do with the running. It's all about seeing friends every week, from all walks of life and from all over the world. 

Running a marathon is equal parts exciting and intimidating, with a hint of mystery as to whether i'll actually finish. I've been told it's easy - just put on the TMIRCE shirt and collect high-fives the whole way.

Best run ever.