For our eighth and final episode of Habitual Routine, we chat with Lauren Nazarieh.  Lauren, a lifelong New Yorker from Kew Gardens, Queens, began running through circumstance. With gym closures and indoor activities non-existent, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed athletes outside creating a whole new group of people discovering the transformative power of running. After her grandfather passed away due to COVID-19 and the stressors of a pandemic, Lauren was looking for an outlet to help process...

For our seventh episode of Habitual Routine, we chat with two runners: Sara Kate Gillingham and David Kane. On Valentine's Day 2017, Sara Kate became a living donor when she gave 60% of her liver to her friend David. Because of this donation, David, a lifelong athlete, runner, and triathlete, was able to regain his life after a form of cancer had sidelined him and prompted an immediate need for a liver transplant. More than four years after the surgery, they will be running the TCS New...

For our sixth episode of Season 3, we chat with Intisar Abdul-Kader. Intisar is on a mission to prove that Black, Muslim, hijab-wearing woman can do anything, and is living proof of that mission. The London-based runner has already completed four marathons and climbed 5,364 meters above sea level to Mount Everest’s base camp. She joined a Facebook group called Surviving Hijab after its founder reached out to her and she feels hijab-wearers need to be more seen than ever. Intisar also lives...

For our fifth episode of Season 3, we chat with Maria Solis Belizaire. Maria is the founder of two nationally known run clubs; Latinos Run and Latinas Run. Launched in New York City, Latinos Run is an international organization that promotes running as way to improve physical and mental health in the Latino community and has a global audience serving over 25,000 runners. Latinas Run was created as a safe space for Latinas to connect and inspire each other through running or other fitness...

For our fourth episode of Season 3, we chat with Maria Jose Estrada Martinez. The 50th running of the New York City Marathon holds extra significance for Maria, as it also marks the 25th anniversary of her grandfather, Luis Martinez Nuñez, completing the marathon. Since a young age, she has treasured the stories her grandpa shared of his running experiences. Never a runner herself, Maria was motivated to take up her grandfather’s passion as a way to relieve stress induced by the challenges...

For our third episode of Season 3, we chat with Danny Su. Danny Su is a resident of Brooklyn, New York and is running this year’s Virtual TCS New York City Marathon. After getting into running following a difficult breakup, Danny used running as a way to find balance, manage depression, and set a goal. Professionally, Danny is a parks architect and has designed over five New York City parks. He discusses his passion for helping create and build recreation space for New Yorkers. We talk to...

Welcome back to Season 3 of Habitual Routine! For this season, Coach Annick and Coach Roberto will be focusing on telling stories of runners who will be joining us for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon. For our second episode of Season 3, we chat with Thomas Valles. Thomas was the top runner on the 1987 McFarland High School cross country team, a team that overcame the odds and significant challenges to win the 1987 California state championship, a story portrayed in the 2015 Disney film...

Welcome back to Season 3 of Habitual Routine! For this season, Coach Annick and Coach Roberto will be focusing on telling stories of runners who will be joining us for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon. For our first episode of Season 3, we want to honor and memorialize the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We speak with David Drake, a Battalion Chief for the FDNY, and hear his story and journey of running as he prepares for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon. In fall...

In recognition of Pride Month, on the final episode of season two of Habitual Routine, the NYRR team celebrates and discusses the ways to support transgender and gender nonconforming runners. While it may feel like rainbow flags and celebrations much of the time during the month, the team wanted to bring continued attention to the unfortunate discrimination occurring for transgender and gender non confirming athletes particularly in youth sports. In our ‘HOW ‘segment, Annick and Roberto...

In celebration of Global Running Day, we share why the world runs—literally. Annick, Roberto, and Shaquana share stories from runners across the globe covering all seven continents (and even dabble in some outer space running from our friends at NASA) to explore the many reasons why humans run. We all know running is transformative but hearing runners from every corner of the globe and beyond puts into perspective the unbridled power of simply putting one foot in front of the...

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, on episode seven the NYRR team discusses the integration of running into your current mental health and wellness regimen and how and why it’s important for you as a runner and a person. In our “how” section, Coach Annick and Coach Roberto chat with Stacey Younge, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, owner of Sixth Street Wellness, and New York City-based runner. Stacey specializes in individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, and trauma and...

In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, on episode six the NYRR team discusses how community activists are using running as a vehicle to support and protect the AAPI community and explores the why behind the historic legacy of two-time New York City Marathon champion and 2012 New York Road Runners Hall of Fame inductee Miki Gorman. In our “how” section, Coach Annick and Coach Roberto chat with Victoria Lo, the founder of {chinatown} runners, on how she is...

With the world celebrating Earth Day this week, in episode five we discuss sustainability, particularly through the lens of our running. We’ll dive into how and why runners in our community and NYRR, as an organization, are working toward a more sustainable future. In our “how” segment, Coach Annick and Coach Roberto discuss what sustainability looks like for runners and races, and how it affects us all. They chat with Aly Criscuolo, Manager of Environmental Sustainability at NYRR, about...

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, an important month of recognition and celebration at New York Road Runners as our organization could not exist without the year-round assistance of tens of thousands of volunteers to help us serve runners. In episode four, the NYRR team discusses all things volunteering. In our “How” segment, Coach Annick and Coach Roberto interview Mary Haskins, Senior Manager of Volunteer Operations at NYRR, as she offers us some behind-the-scenes glimpses at what...

After the one-year anniversary of the global pandemic hitting New York City, the NYRR team discusses the journey for runners returning to exercise post COVID-19. From a training perspective in our “How” segment, Coach Annick and Coach Roberto chat with Dr. Jordan Metzl, a sports medicine physician at Hospital for Special Surgery, about how any runner living through this global pandemic should approach running or getting back to running post COVID with their health and safety top of...

In episode two, the NYRR team discusses two experiences of running as a woman. From a training perspective in our “how” segment, Coach Annick and Coach Roberto discuss the role the menstrual cycle plays in sport performance by chatting with Dr. Ellen Casey from Hospital for Special Surgery to dive deeper in the science of period tracking. In our “why” segment, Shaquana chats with Coach Asteria Howard, former member of the Bolivian and Venezuelan national teams and current NYRR Team for...

In episode one, the group explores motivation from two perspectives. First, through the lens of the athlete and motivation, Coach Annick and Coach Roberto discuss and break down the challenges of running and provide practical and specific ways to stay motivated. Second, Shaquana, a program coordinator at NYRR, chats with Gary Corbitt, a running historian and the son of Ted Corbitt, the founding president of New York Road Runners and a pioneer of long distance and ultra running. Ted amassed...

On the 12th and final episode of Habitual Routine, join Coach Annick Lamar as she chats with marathon legends and New York City Marathon champions Shalane Flanagan and Meb Keflezighi. Shalane and Meb provide last-minute tips to help you prepare for your virtual marathon on the final weekend of racing by exploring two specific topics: being present in racing and the trials and tribulations of marathon running. Both champions deep-dive into how presence—often called “being in the moment”—has...

On the 11th episode of Habitual Routine, join Coach Annick Lamar as she provides all the necessary preparation in a full race-day checklist to prepare you for a successful Virtual TCS New York City Marathon. Annick uses the collective learnings from our first season, focused on virtual marathoning, to discuss the categories of race logistics (including a nutrition chat with Abbott Nutritionist Pamela Nisevich Bede), mental preparation, and finally, as you will be your own official race timer,...

On the 10th episode of Habitual Routine, join Coach Annick Lamar as she breaks down the physiological and mental benefits of tapering as you near the end of your virtual marathon training. First, Annick chats with Heidi Skolnik, MS, CDN, FACSM, from The Women’s Sports Medicine Center at Hospital for Special Surgery, to deep-dive into what exactly is happening to your body during the tapering period why and how it will benefit your marathon performance and enjoyment. Then, Annick chats with...

On the ninth episode of Habitual Routine, join Coach Annick Lamar as she helps you assemble your support crew with the help of Joseph Gray, 18-time United States national champion and 2-time World Mountain Running champion. Coach Annick and Joseph  define what a support crew does and who you need in it, but first they advise you to reflect on yourself as a runner: Do you need people to show up for you on race day physically or emotionally—or maybe a mix of both? Then, they deep dive into...

On the eighth episode of Habitual Routine, join Coach Annick Lamar and Coach Roberto Mandje as they discuss the art of virtual racing. The coaches are joined by 17-time Paralympic medalist and 23-time Abbott World Marathon Majors champion Tatyana McFadden. Coach Annick, Coach Roberto, and Tatyana break down “the art of racing” and explain why it is applicable for every runner. Every runner can become a better racer—whether that means getting faster, improving technique, or deepening their...

On the seventh episode of Habitual Routine, join Coach Annick Lamar and Coach Roberto Mandje as they help you build your dream virtual marathon course. The coaches are joined by industry veteran Ted Metellus, Vice President of Events at New York Road Runners and Technical Director of the TCS New York City Marathon. Drawing on Ted’s 20 years of experience organizing endurance events, the three break down how to build a virtual marathon route and discuss all the logistics step by step from...

On the sixth episode of Habitual Routine, join Coach Annick Lamar and Coach Roberto Mandje as they discuss how to make gains in your training by creating strategic frameworks around rest, recovery, and nutrition. Beyond the miles on the roads and trails, these three elements are integral to making you a better, healthier, and happier runner. In the first interview, we go to class with Professor Ward, who teaches statistics at Brigham Young University and also happens to be a 2016 Olympian...