Eric Fleisher – In His Own Words
Racing up the stairs at the 33rd Street subway station, I was once again late and rushing to get home. When I finally reached the top of the stairs, I was short of breath and sweating. It was then that I realized that I needed to do something. It was time for a change!
Looking back, I still recall my first run. It was one loop around Central Park's Reservoir - an approximate distance of just over one and a half miles. It was probably the hardest run of my life and drained nearly all my motivation. The only thing that kept me going was the constant barrage of encouragement from my girlfriend not to stop. Her favorite tagline, "We're almost there, we're almost there!" was often shouted out regardless of where we were. At the end, I looked down at my watch and was disappointed with my time, nearly a twelve minute mile pace, yet I had to remind myself of the old adage, ‘Rome wasn't built in a day'.
Shortly after that first run, I discovered RUN NYC. The training program was exactly what the run doctor ordered. It provided me with several key components to the training that I lacked. First and probably most importantly, it gave me a schedule, or a fixed time to run. Prior to attending the training sessions, I would often procrastinate by telling myself that "I'll run in an hour," but having a group that leaves at 6:30, I know my hour has arrived. Second, the people I've met doing the runs help me push myself. With so many runners around, there's no chance of stopping prematurely. You can call it positive peer-pressure. Finally, RUN NYC brings back the feeling of being part of a team. The laughter shared with a new comrade and the feelings of training as a team certainly helps motivate me each day. Of course, the free bag check and food afterwards doesn't hurt either.
With only a few weeks left until the Nike+ Human Race 10K, I have seen my goal change often. Just a few short months ago, if asked my goal for the 10K race, I would have been happy not to walk during the race and to finish it. Now I am proud to say that I have far surpassed these goals. Going into the race, I have set three goals for myself: (1) my minimal goal for success (a 9 minute mile pace); (2) my realistic goal (an 8:45 minute mile pace), and (3) my stretch goal (an 8:30 minute mile pace). Of course, with only a few weeks left, I may see all that change again. With each day I train, I know I am improving and that I can accomplish my goal. The Nike+ Human Race 10K is only the beginning for me, a stepping stone into the world of running. I can definitely see many half and full marathons in my future, starting with the Hamptons Half at the end of September...but one thing at a time!
Good luck to the all the people running with me. I'll see you at the finish line!
Looking back, I still recall my first run. It was one loop around Central Park's Reservoir - an approximate distance of just over one and a half miles. It was probably the hardest run of my life and drained nearly all my motivation. The only thing that kept me going was the constant barrage of encouragement from my girlfriend not to stop. Her favorite tagline, "We're almost there, we're almost there!" was often shouted out regardless of where we were. At the end, I looked down at my watch and was disappointed with my time, nearly a twelve minute mile pace, yet I had to remind myself of the old adage, ‘Rome wasn't built in a day'.
Shortly after that first run, I discovered RUN NYC. The training program was exactly what the run doctor ordered. It provided me with several key components to the training that I lacked. First and probably most importantly, it gave me a schedule, or a fixed time to run. Prior to attending the training sessions, I would often procrastinate by telling myself that "I'll run in an hour," but having a group that leaves at 6:30, I know my hour has arrived. Second, the people I've met doing the runs help me push myself. With so many runners around, there's no chance of stopping prematurely. You can call it positive peer-pressure. Finally, RUN NYC brings back the feeling of being part of a team. The laughter shared with a new comrade and the feelings of training as a team certainly helps motivate me each day. Of course, the free bag check and food afterwards doesn't hurt either.
With only a few weeks left until the Nike+ Human Race 10K, I have seen my goal change often. Just a few short months ago, if asked my goal for the 10K race, I would have been happy not to walk during the race and to finish it. Now I am proud to say that I have far surpassed these goals. Going into the race, I have set three goals for myself: (1) my minimal goal for success (a 9 minute mile pace); (2) my realistic goal (an 8:45 minute mile pace), and (3) my stretch goal (an 8:30 minute mile pace). Of course, with only a few weeks left, I may see all that change again. With each day I train, I know I am improving and that I can accomplish my goal. The Nike+ Human Race 10K is only the beginning for me, a stepping stone into the world of running. I can definitely see many half and full marathons in my future, starting with the Hamptons Half at the end of September...but one thing at a time!
Good luck to the all the people running with me. I'll see you at the finish line!
