Interview with a Runner

This week's runner, Nicole O'Donnell not only helps athletes cross the finish line, but also helps fight Parkinson's Disease in the process. Nicole has always wanted to help people and make a difference so she embarked in a nonprofit career.  Recently, she started working at the Michael J. Fox Foundation as the Team Fox Athletics Officer (dream job!) which is how the Hot Birds met her. Nicole lives on Long Island with her husband, Sean and their dog, Mabel. She's a health freak and vegetarian, loves to travel and is obssesed with cooking. She is also loves running now thanks to Team Fox and the NYC Half! Thanks for inspiring us to do what we love, Nicole!

When did you start running?
I have to be honest, prior to this year, I was not the biggest fan of running. But then I gained entry into the NYC Half marathon through Team Fox! I wanted to run in honor of my father-in-law who is living with Parkinson’s. This whole journey, from training to crossing that finish line, was truly an amazing experience and my love for running has blossomed.

Who or what inspires you to run?
Working in nonprofit, I have meet so many amazing people that have overcome various obstacles in their life. Each person I have met has inspired me in ways I could never fully articulate into words – they not only inspire me to run but to live life to the fullest.

What is your favorite running route? Why?
Around my neighborhood – it’s good motivation to keep going or pick up the pace…at any moment someone you know might pass by!

Favorite post-run meal?
Peanut butter! I always eat a teaspoon right before and after a run. This ritual came to fruition while training for the NYC Half marathon – Why? No clue but any excuse to eat Peanut Butter is fine by me.

Best piece of running advice?
Listen to your body. Don’t be caught up on the amount of miles you are running but focus on your breathing, your pace and just enjoy the moment.

Are you running for fun or sport?
Fun.

Who would you love to run with (doesn't have to be a runner)?
Anyone who is willing to run with me.

Favorite way to sweat other than run? 
Kickboxing!

Interview with a Runner

Sometimes the best inspiration comes from hearing what inspires others. This week's runner, Jenna Horne, is one of those examples. We got to know Jenna through her dedicated training and involvement with Team Fox last fall. Jenna lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts with her husband and their two (very) fluffy cats. She works in the Wedding & Events industry and loves all things party planning, so it's no surprise that her most recent obsessions include DIY projects in their new home and her veggie garden as well as local craft beer (she loves checking out breweries in New England and has even dabbled a little in home-brewing). I think we know what Jenna will be drinking at the finish after her next race!

When did you start running?
I started running about 4 years ago as a way to get in shape. I’ve never been one to enjoy working out in a gym so running was a great way to get moving without being stuck inside. I ran my first 5k in 2011 and then a few months later I completed my first half marathon. Most recently I completed two marathons (New York and Boston) in the past 6 months. I'm totally hooked and can't wait for my next marathon!

Who or what inspires you to run?
My sister, Lauren, first inspired me to run. I watched her & my brother-in-law complete the Chicago Marathon in 2010 and it was so inspirational! After that I had so much more respect for running—especially marathon running. Two years later I watched her complete the Boston Marathon in 90+ degree weather. That proved to me that running a marathon is so much more than just logging miles; it’s about setting a personal goal, committing to it, and accomplishing it. Lauren is the reason I became interested in distance running. However, it was my Uncle Frank’s resolve to achieve anything while living with Parkinson’s Disease that made me want to run for my 1st marathon with Team Fox this past November. It was so amazing to have my whole family in NYC to cheer me on—especially the two people who have inspired me the most! Seeing them on the sidelines that day was a great reminder of why I love running.

What is your favorite running route? Why?
My favorite place to run is along the back shore in Gloucester, MA. I found the perfect 7 mile run right along the water. You get a nice breeze and a beautiful view- nothing better!

Favorite post-run meal?
Anything that is accompanied with a good beer.

Best piece of running advice?
Listen to your body. It's so important to be in-tune with your body and its limitations. A great piece of advice from my friend Brittney who is also a runner and NYC marathon finisher!

Are you running for fun or sport?
I run for fun and the sense of accomplishment. Growing up I was never really athletic. I love that running is something you can do at your own pace and for your own reasons.

Who would you love to run with (doesn't have to be a runner)?
I would love to run with Shalane Flanagan because she’s a hometown hero on the North Shore of Massachusetts and I’d love to get advice from her.

Favorite way to sweat other than run? 
I love to swim. Not only is it a great way to cross-train because it’s low impact on your body, but the water is also so calming.

Interview with a Runner

One reason we love working with Team Fox runners is because they are as dedicated to their running as they are to their cause.  This week's runner, Jeff Klein, ran the 2013 NYC Marathon with Team Fox and not only acheived his fundraising goal, but also his running goal. Jeff currently lives in Manhattan on the Upper East Side, has completed 7 marathons and is gearing up for a half ironman in June in Syracuse, NY! 

When did you start running?
I started running in high school to lose weight and stay in shape. I began long distance running in the past 2 years.

Who or what inspires you to run?
Myself, being out of shape. I wanted to lose weight and get fit.

What is your favorite running route? Why?
My favorite for long runs is up the West Side Highway. Anything that you avoid taxis and traffic lights are perfect for running in the city. Central Park (Kennedy Reservoir is awesome for short runs), East River (East River Track is awesome for speed work).

Favorite post-run meal?
Banana and chocolate milk for a regular run. A beer and a cheddar bacon cheeseburger burger after a marathon.

Best piece of running advice?
Listen and take care of your body. That means stretch and if you are in pain or don't think you should be running that day don't. No one knows your body better then you do. Don't let anyone doubt you either.

Are you running for fun or sport?
Fun, but it's a sport as well because you continue to challenge and push yourself.

Who would you love to run with (doesn't have to be a runner)?
Jay-Z and Beyonce could run next to me so I don't need to listen to music. Running side-by-side with Meb Keflezighi would be an incredible experience as well.

Favorite way to sweat other than run? 
Cycling. Peloton Cycling that just opened in Chelsea is my favorite place these days.

Interview with a Runner

This week's runner is one of the most enthusiastic runners we've ever met.  We met Juliane Smoker while she was training for the 2013 Chicago Marathon with Team Fox in honor of her father. Juliane currently lives in Overland Park, Kansas where she works as a nurse at her new job in the operating room at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. She's pretty sure that she is the one and only Juliane Smoker ever and enjoys the perks of her last name in the running environment after someone yelled after her during a trail run, "See, I told you you'd smoke me Smoker!" Find out what else Juliane loves about all things running - there's a lot!

When did you start running?
I started running, and really running, when I was in nursing school doing an accelerated track program to earn my BSN. Fortunately where I have lived in the Kansas City area, I have always been blessed with great trail systems usually within a quarter mile access. Running seemed like it would be a convenient way to get moving, be outside and just “be.” I found all that and more. I found my strength and determination an outlet. I found a hidden community of people I passed on the trails that I felt connected to, even though I didn’t know anything about them or who they were, just seeing them regularly there. I found that whether I was happy, sad, frustrated, nervous or even had a headache, running always magically was an option that left me feeling better and in good spirits. Oh, and I’ve also found humor. Yes, wedgies, chaffing, fraken-walking, GI issues, farmers blows, etc.

Who or what inspires you to run?
The ability I have to run in itself inspires me to run. My mom used to run when I was younger, but a drunk driver took that ability away from her.  To this day she has a permanently broken ankle with no cartilage between the bones. My dad never ran, and being diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s Disease at age 40, his ability to even walk was compromised. Running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October 2013 with the Michael J Fox Foundation in honor of my dad was something I am so proud to have accomplished and was very emotional for me! Hot Bird Running provided me with a great deal of support during my training for that marathon which I am very thankful for!

What is your favorite running route? Why?
I don’t have a favorite running route. I just run where I am planted :) But I do find that, once planted, I will establish route options for myself. That I tend to then re-run but not the same way everyday. I love going places and running and exploring. Running helps with critical thinking skills because when you run in a new place you have to make decisions about where to turn next, encounter hills you don’t know are how high, and avoid that big puddle, ice patches etc.

Favorite post-run meal?
I love food! But usually, I focus more on strategy for what I eat before the run. My go to there would be a half banana, egg whites, toast and coffee. Afterwards I listen to my gut! But, in general, I like to keep it well rounded with a definite emphasis on protein. After I ran my first full marathon I went to Kansas City’s famous Oklahoma Joe’s for some good old BBQ.

Best piece of running advice?
Don’t do too much too soon, too hard, too fast. That’s how I got a stress fracture in my right tibia. It was a sad 4 weeks of non-weight-bearing on that leg and using crutches!

Are you running for fun or sport?
I run mostly for fun 65% of the time. But when it comes to setting my sights on a marathon or PR I am all about being hardcore. I attempted to do my first ever trail run February 8th this year in the worst snow Kansas City had this winter. I was all about the research of gear, the route, topography and screwing my shoes to train!

Who would you love to run with and why (doesn't have to be a runner)? 
My mom. I think she misses it, and we’d have fun laughing at each other.

Favorite way to sweat other than run? 
I like to do classes at my local gym, primarily one called “total conditioning”.

Interview with a Runner

As the coaches for Team Fox, we get to be inspired by runners who bring a deeper meaning to running than just running for themselves, but also for those affected by Parksinson's Disease. This week's runner, Ann Czernecki, is one of those special people. Ann was born and raised in the NYC area and now lives in Upstate NY with her husband Tom and their rescue dog, Abby. She is a higher education professional and also teaches indoor cycling classes at a local gym. She loves to travel and is pretty much up for going anywhere new and exciting. In college she studied abroad in Australia and camped in the Outback for 17 consecutive nights-so she's game for pretty much anything!

When did you start running?
I think I started running after college in an attempt to recoup years of less than desirable food and beverage consumption and little exercise (whoops!). Less than a year after I graduated, a friend was getting involved with the American Stroke Association to raise money for the cause while training for the VT City Marathon in Burlington, VT and asked me to join her. I had never run an organized race in my life, so of course I said yes! I guess you could say it was a couch to marathon training plan? The rest is history. If that didn't scare me away nothing could.

Who or what inspires you to run?
I'm always inspired by the fact that I can run. I really appreciate that my body has gifted me with that ability and I try not to take it for granted. Last year I got involved with Team Fox and the NYC Marathon to honor my father. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease over a decade ago. Running for him, along with other members of my family that have PD, and their caregivers, motivated me every single step of the way. Team Fox gave me the opportunity to find a deeper purpose in the miles I logged and hope that a cure is possible. Pounding the pavement has never been as inspiring as it is doing it for the people I love.

Ann and her dad - she ran the NYC Marathon for himWhat is your favorite running route? Why?
My favorite running route is the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail in New Paltz, NY, where I went to college. It's mostly a flat, dirt path that stretches about 12 miles end to end. It passes horse farms, goes over rivers and has beautiful views of the mountain ridge. It is the most peaceful place to zone out in nature. I just love it.

Favorite post-run meal?
Oh that's a good one! I'm not sure I have a go-to meal though there is a frozen coffee/greek yogurt/chocolate smoothie recipe I found in Runner's World that I'm a little obsessed with in warmer weather. Other than that I do like a good breakfast sandwich and cup of coffee from the local bakery.

Best piece of running advice?
One foot in front of the other. It's as simple as that. Let your mind go and just keep moving.

Who would you love to run with and why (doesn't have to be a runner)? 
Abby - my dog! I am slowly trying to train her to run with me, but she is too interested in stopping to smell the roses along the way. Maybe some day she will enjoy coming along with me and my husband but until then, she wants no part of it.

Favorite way to sweat other than run?
I guess that would have to be Spinning. I teach two nights a week and have such a blast doing it. The people in my class are so awesome and I draw so much energy from them I leave exhausted and happy every time!

Interview with a Runner

This week's runner is Stephanie Paddock who currently works for The Michael J. Fox Foundation, helping individuals fundraise as a part of the grassroots fundraising program Team Fox. Stephanie has called Brooklyn her home for over 10 years now. She enjoys traveling to new places and has a definite sense of adventure, climbing Kilimanjaro in 2012.  She loves that Brooklyn is her home and taking part in quirky local events like the Idiotarod and the Royal Palms shuffleboard league. We love Stephanie for inspiring us to run for a cause!

Stephanie wither her dad, her number one inspiration for running.When did you start running?
I’ve always been active dating back to middle and high school sports – basketball, soccer, tennis, track – and then gave rowing a chance in college. Once I realized that being on the crew team meant having no life, I quickly made the switch to rugby which was more my speed (more social, more beer). I used running as a way to stay fit both during and out of seasons, but never really considered myself “a runner” until my first half marathon in 2008. It was the Fred Lebow Half – 2 loops of Central Park on a FREEZING January morning. It was my first and almost my last – I definitely hadn’t trained as well as I should have!

Are you running for fun or sport? Current running goals?
Mainly, I run for Team Fox as a way to fundraise for Parkinson’s disease research. My dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s over 13 years ago, so I started fundraising even before landing my job at the Foundation. My first triathlon in 2010 was for Team Fox and I’ve racked up quite a few races since then – most notably my first marathon, the 2011 NYC Marathon. While I’m more of a “my goal is to finish” kind of girl, my competitive nature has me wanting to improve with every race. Current goals include a sub 2-hour half marathon and to complete my first 70.3 triathlon.

What is your favorite running route? Why?
My number one favorite is a Brooklyn Bridge run early in the morning so I get to the bridge around sunrise. It’s really the only time I can handle being there (I hate crowds) and it’s so fulfilling to know that my run is going to be done before most of NY is awake. Ultimately though, I love choosing new routes and running when I travel as well. It’s a great way to see new places!

Favorite post-run meal?
Beer. And a bacon, cheddar, avocado burger – no bun!

Best piece of running advice?
A good friend once said “You should be well trained or well rested – at least you are well rested!”

Who inspires you to run? 
My dad is my number one inspiration, followed closely by all of my Team Fox friends. This past year, we had 7 runners with Parkinson’s run in the ING NYC Marathon. If they can get out there week after week and train to run 26.2 miles, why can’t I?

Favorite way to sweat other than run?
Crossfit, almost to a fault. I train at Crossfit South Brooklyn which is an incredible gym and many days would much rather go there than put in the mileage!

Interview with a Runner

This week’s runner is Ricky Barrios. Ricky comes from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He moved to DC in 2005 for undergrad and just forgot to move back home. He now lives in upper North West with three platonic female roommates. Ricky ran track throughout high school and most of college. He stopped running due to a myriad of injuries, but after undergrad, picked it up again. He is now primarily a marathoner, having completed five since 2010, his best being a 2:44 finish in the 2013 Marine Corp Marathon. Ricky is on track to be a very impressive marathoner and has to reign in his enthusiasm to levels his body can handle. He fears this will be a lifelong balancing act. We are honored to have Ricky as our DC coach for our events with Team Fox this winter/spring.

Ricky (far left) and friends celebrating post Big Sur MarathonWhen did you start running?
I started running in 6th grade, when Track and Field was offered as a spring sport. Once I discovered I was pretty good at it, I couldn’t get enough. As a youth, all my friends biked everywhere, but I didn’t know how (I do now), so I opted to run alongside their bikes. I gained a reputation as that kid who ran everywhere. Pretty soon it didn’t even matter that I couldn’t ride a bike. I started up again a year after college once I realized that I couldn’t eat everything I wanted and keep the pounds off. I ran my first marathon on a whim. The Girls Gotta Run Foundation needed volunteers to run for them, and I had always thought about running a marathon. Signing up was just the push I needed to train consistently. Since then, I try to raise money for a good cause with as many races as I can.

What inspires you to run?
I’d always heard people talking about the “runner’s high” like it was something that just clicked and boom, you feel great. I’ve never gotten that. I feel achy and like my muscles are on fire. But in the last 3 years I’ve gotten something sort of like that, more of a confident calm that comes with pounding out mile after mile. If I just ran 25.2 miles, what’s one more? I never feel more adept than when I’m running. What inspires me is that if I can feel like I know what I’m doing when I’m wearing trainers and short shorts, I should be able to transfer that over into my waking life.

What is your favorite running route? Why?
I have a 9.5 mile route that I can run in my sleep. It’s my favorite because I can always convince myself to just go one more mile, and pretty soon it’s done. I’ve run it so often that it doesn’t require any mental fortitude on my part. Also, it takes me through many different parts of DC. From my house I run up past the National Zoo, up past the National Cathedral. It’s always very scenic and peaceful. And in the second half of the run, there’s little pedestrian traffic, so I can do all sorts of speed work without having to worry about being interrupted.

Favorite post-run meal?
The very first thing I do when I get in from a run is drink 1 glass of Gatorade and then 1 glass of a chocolate protein mix. That usually holds me over until I can make dinner. I eat pounds and pounds of pasta. Nothing fills me up and gives me energy I need as much as it. The annoying thing is that if I don’t eat enough at dinner, I’ll wake up painfully hungry well before breakfast. My favorite pasta dish is a simple clam sauce pesto linguine my mom used to make for me before track meets. It still hits the spot.

Best piece of running advice?
“Remember this feeling on days you don’t feel like getting out. Remember this feeling and you will.”  My high school coach said that to me my sophomore year when we didn’t qualify for the state track meet for the 4X800. I felt so angry and disappointed with myself. I expected him to be furious with us as well, but he was as calm as I’d ever seen him, and just told us to remember that feeling. I think that was the last thing he said to any of us. My coach ended up dying the following Monday. So on days when I feel like taking a nap, or just skipping the run altogether, I remember that I’d rather be happy having reached my goal on race day than being disappointed in myself like that again.

Are you running for fun or sport? 
Isn’t sport the fun? I’m trying to whittle my marathon time down as close to 2:30:00 as I can, which is the easy part. 14 minutes to go. I’m also trying to get there while taking care of myself and not getting reinjured. If I can figure out a way to get the miles, the pace, and the lifting in place while staying in one piece, I’m sure the time will follow.

Favorite way to sweat other than run?
In the last year I’ve taken up weight lifting as a general upkeep activity. I used to think of it as necessary evil to getting faster, but now I’m actually coming to enjoy it. My favorite lift is the calf raise. I suffer from recurring Achilles tendon strains, so having seen myself barely able to lift my body to now doing twice my body weight, has been really humbling and makes me thankful.