Nike+ Human Race Quick Links

It's almost 9pm and we're riding the 1 train to the Upper West Side. We're visibly disheveled—sweaty, hungry and exhausted—but that doesn't keep us from laughing over the night’s events. We’ve just come from Run Club, code for Nike's NYC training group. This is our ritual every Wednesday night.

Being first-time marathoners, and nervous ones at that, we registered for Nike’s 26.2 Training Program four months ago. Every Wednesday and Saturday we meet for speedwork at Paragon Sports and long runs at The Runners’ Station with our fellow New Yorkers. We’re led by Nike coaches and pacers—some of the best runners on the Island who dedicate a chunk of their running time to training novices like us, as well as lifelong runners. Throughout the runs, these coaches impart more than just running knowledge. When we’re tired, they motivate us. When we reach new milestones, they congratulate us. And when we’re anxious about the “ultimate” challenge on the horizon, they calm us and confirm that we are not out of our minds.

Our story begins several months ago at our first night of Nike speedwork training. As we stand amid a group of runners listing off the marathons they finished and those they are about to conquer, we sheepishly admit that, unbeknownst to each other, New York would be our first marathon. From there, we quickly begin exchanging marathon questions and rumors. “Have you heard about the wall?” “How often are you doing tempo runs?” “Is it true that marathon runners just go when they have to, you know, go?”

We went from strangers to running buddies in only a few miles. Who are we?

I’m Aileen. Seven years ago, my dad and I started training for a 5K race. We’d run together on weekends down by the Jersey shore, and my mom soon joined in. Running became a hobby I shared with my family. But it was more than that. Growing up, I played on a lot of sports team, but always ended up as a bench warmer. Running with my dad taught me that I can compete no matter how good the competition and I now consider running ‘my sport.’ For me, running means time with friends and family, it means proving I’m not a bench warmer, and it means always pushing myself to be healthier and happier.

And, I'm Brie. You could say that running keeps me sane. Challenges keep me motivated and active, and with running, I'm never at a loss for them. Every day I hit the pavement, I have a new goal. Run 10 seconds faster, race up the hills, go two miles longer. I'm not a natural runner, but I tend to snub the things I'm good at and hone on my weaknesses until they become my strengths. Running is a perpetual challenge. There’s always room to improve and, with coaches, pacers, running buddies, and my Nike+ pushing me every step of the way, it’s pretty easy to stay motivated.

The Nike+ Human Race has been on our calendar ever since we attended a Nike+ Human Race kick off run over the Brooklyn Bridge. Talk about the ultimate New York moment – 100+ runners donned in vibrant red t-shirts and matching neon glow sticks trailing across the bridge. The Italian tourists were confused, to say the least. Nike treated all of the runners to a post run dinner complete with skee ball, dancing, and raffles. It was the perfect opportunity to mingle with fellow runners and coaches and learn about the Nike+ Human Race, which we eagerly signed up for.

What’s so great about this race? For us, it’s the excitement of knowing that we will be running with thousands of runners in New York and around the world, all sharing a common passion. Some of these runners are our friends – our coaches and training partners who we’ve sweat with week after week. Some of them are the voices of Nike’s online community, who share their stories of devotion and inspiration. And some of them are future NYC marathoners, who will join us on our trek across Manhattan’s five boroughs in only eight short days following the Nike+ Human Race.

When we signed up for Nike’s training group, we thought it was a means to an end – a necessary measure to prepare us for November 1st. Now we know that it’s more than just speed workouts and long runs. It’s a community of runners brought together by our love for the sport, to experience and support one another through each trying mile.