Together
Why do we run? A simple enough question, one which we could surely answer (and have before) over a 3 hour, 20 mile-long run, proved to be a more difficult task than anticipated when asked to write about it. For people like us who pour over running websites and coach’s emails, devour Runner’s World the day it arrives in our mailbox, and obsess over every gel-packet/body-glide/spandex purchase, you’d think we had a lot to discuss…and we do. Therein lies the problem. How does one describe all the reasons they run when often words are inadequate? It’s like talking about your most passionate, tumultuous and long-lasting emotional love affair- nearly impossible to put into words.

We met on a trip to Israel almost 2 years ago. Tanya was scheduled to run a half-marathon the week after our trip and while lamenting to Sara about the toll the 2-week running hiatus (and food binges) might have on her training, Sara’s interest was piqued. Sara, who had always been athletic and a casual runner, had dreamed of training for a full marathon, didn’t know where to start. “Team in Training,” Tanya suggested.

Tanya
In May of 2006, I found myself bored. A year after graduating college (where I was a dancer and lacrosse player), the intervening months of a desk job combined with a detest for all cardio equipment (hell=elliptical) had left me sluggish and out of shape. That combined with a troubled relationship and my mother’s diagnosis with a rare and rapidly progressing form of Parkinson’s disease had left me seeking for an outlet. I randomly found a Team in Training packet and after 6 months training for the Disney Marathon with the team, realized that what I had really found much more than a new workout routine. Not only was I healthier physically and mentally, but I had gained a new-found appreciation for New York City. Runs with the team had taken us all over the 5 boroughs, and almost all the bridges, highways and parks in between. Through our Team in Training coach, Sara and I were introduced to the Nike RUN NYC Training Runs and found a way to continue running with a group and loved having a variety of challenging workouts with the guidance of great coaches and pacers.

Sara
After our trip to Israel, Tanya brought me to a Team in Training meeting, because she was a mentor for the Fall 2008 season. I told myself I was just going to get more information, and to see what this team was really all about. After watching a video about how TNT donations help people diagnosed with Leukemia and Lymphoma, and hearing about the research and lives that this team has saved, I was an emotional wreck and was hooked! I signed up to run the NYC marathon with TNT, Tanya would be my mentor and all I could think was, what did I just get myself into?! In May 2008, at the TNT Kickoff Meeeting, we would get to meet the other people in our mentor group, and meet all our coaches and teammates for the upcoming season. On the morning of May 7th, 2008, I woke up and got ready for work like any other day; I was excited to attend the kickoff later that night, and to really begin my journey to the marathon. Little did I know, that morning my life would change forever. As I was running out the door on my way to work, my Dad had called several times. I was late already, and only answered the phone to quickly tell him I would call when I got to work, but by the tone of his voice, I knew he wasn’t just calling to chat. He was calling to break the most devastating news I know I will ever receive- my mom had suddenly passed away.

After several weeks of spending time with my family, I came back to the city. I was now already a few weeks behind in training, and while I thought about dropping out of the season, I pushed myself to accomplish the goal I had set for myself. My mom knew I had signed up for the marathon, and I wanted to continue to make her proud, as painful as it was to just get out of bed some days.

Tanya
I completed the San Diego Marathon with TNT in June 2007, but I was unable to complete the Fall 2008 season with Sara due to injury. After nearly completing training for 6 marathons, I’ve only made it to the finish line of 2 injury-free. Injuries are frustrating and maddening. “Why do you keep trying to run if you get injured?” non-runners always ask me dumbfounded. The answer is only in part due to a mild masochistic streak. The real truth is I can’t live without running. I love the challenge of a new hill. I love the anxious energy before the gun goes off in a race. I love the sense of discovery on a new running route, or how fast a run can go with a new playlist. I love the efficiency of literally running errands. I love tuning the world out and listening to the sounds of my breath and the rhythm of my feet striking the pavement when it’s really early and no one is up yet. I love the sky and the swirling wind right before it storms, and I pick up the pace to make it home in time. I love the looks from strangers in cabs I get when running, unbothered, through a summer rainstorm. I love the foliage falling around me in Central Park in October and the smell of fireplaces on a winter run in the Berkshires. I love the piles of pasta the night before a long run and I love the bagels, lox and cream cheese I eat Saturday morning when I’m done.

A month after my disappointing injury, I also got let go from my job. My mom was sicker than ever and I once again felt lost. As I began to heal I started incorporating yoga into my gradual running routine. Over the next few months things started to fall into place: I decided to go back to school to get my PhD in Psychology (a college dream I had all but given up on) and got my certification to teach yoga as well. Running has become a form of therapy to me.

Sara
With Tanya out for the season, I got a new mentor and group, and made some great friends throughout the season. I ended up not getting into the NYC marathon, so instead chose to run the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco that fall, still with TNT. I was excited to travel to a new city and run with my team, but was unsure what the day would hold. That weekend in October 2008 ended up being one of the best weekends of my life. My team and friends were there to offer me support along the way, and I completed the marathon with my good friend Nina by my side. My sister, aunt and grandpa flew out to watch me run that weekend, and I felt tremendous pride crossing the finish line wearing my mom’s pin on my TNT singlet. While I was in pain, and emotionally and physically exhausted, I knew this wouldn’t be my last marathon, and I knew too that I couldn’t have survived the past few months, the hardest of my life, without running. I really cant live without running either.

Together
This is the first season we have been able to share together. Both of us injury free and ready to tackle NYC Marathon on November 1st. We’ve been training this season with Nike, and feel so fortunate to have found yet another running group in NYC that is full of great people and has really kept us motivated and inspired over the past few months. We’ve run through a lot this past year and a half since we met; from our moms, to simultaneous bouts with unemployment followed by major career/life changes, and the ups and downs of relationships.

Tanya’s mom lost her battle with Parkinson’s this summer. While its not a commonality we wish to share, it has brought us together even more. When our runs get tough, our moms are right by our side, encouraging us to finish. When we think of how much it hurts, or our bodies ache, we think of how fortunate we are that we are able to get up and run each day.

We chose to include the Nike+ Human Race on October 24th as part of our marathon training this year, because it’s timing (the week before the NYC marathon) fits in perfectly with our running schedule, and we know the importance of bringing runners together all across the world. This race is especially close to our hearts because $5 of the $20 registration fee goes to the NYC Chapter of TNT. We both have continued to run through the many different obstacles life has thrown our way, and we feel we have been able to get through the tough times through the support of other runners encouraging us. The second annual Nike+ Human Race is one of the best ways to show our support for the sport of running because it brings together people from cities worldwide. We have seen first hand some of the great running events put on by Nike (those joining us in Brooklyn, there will be food, music and more), and a 10K is a great way to shake off some pre-marathon jitters. If signing up for a race has been on your mind, what better way to embrace the sport. The running community here in NYC continues to enrich our lives each day, and we look forward to running with the rest of the world on October 24th.

For both of us, as tumultuous as life has gotten, running has been a constant. In the same way we are there for each other, running has been a reliable, loyal friend. And on November 1st, no matter how hard it feels, no matter what we may say, we both know that by the time we stumble across the finish line after 26.2 miles side by side, we’ll probably be talking about the next race. Because we’ll always sheepishly crawl back to the welcoming arms of a run.