You're not the only runner who changed your habits during the pandemic! Says Larry Balick, who has been doing his miles alone: "I am dodging people. Someone comes too close? I run in between cars, or off into the grass." Read on to learn about how Larry joined PPTC and some of his favorite club memories.

“[I’m] good at gutting things out: I prefer longer distances, like the 10 miler and half-marathon.”

How did you get into running?
The summer after I graduated college at Northeastern University (completed December 1976; graduation was June 1977), my summer exercising was mostly playing softball for a team in my home town of Wilmington, DE. After each game, teams retired to their favorite bar to drink and tell tales of the game. I was concerned about being out of shape. I spoke to my brother about it, and he suggested I jog on a nearby path where we lived in Philadelphia called Forbidden Drive. I found I was much better at putting one foot in front of the other than softball, and usually passed the other joggers in the park.

In the early fall, I was at cousins' picnic (meaning: all the available Balick's and related family members), and was talking about this “jogging” when an older cousin overheard, described his running, and challenged me to enter a 10K race. I think I was running about 6 miles on the days that I ran. I did well in the race, and really enjoyed the challenge of going the distance.

Also, Wilmington courses can be very hilly–and this course was–but I enjoyed pushing past people on the hills. I am very competitive, [so] I was hooked. I would typically run about 5 to 13 miles a day 5 to 6 days a week. This was in addition to the full court pick-up basketball I would play twice a week.

Why did you join PPTC?
My wife, Sally, and I moved to Brooklyn's Park Slope area in the fall of 2014. I joined the Armory Y. While there, I saw people doing track workouts, which I really missed doing. I did my best running when I worked out with various track teams in the Philadelphia/Wilmington area, [but] many years had gone by. I inquired and found that they were sponsored by PPTC and–as we all know–led by Charlene and Tony. I signed up and became a regular in the workouts, as well group runs, particularly Wednesday nights.

What is your favorite club event/activity?
There are many: I loved the track workouts where I met so many wonderful people. The Wednesday night group became a nice little regular bunch whose company and talk, as we did a loop, was a lot of fun. Then, of course, there is Team Champs, where everyone is pulling for everyone. [There’s a] surge of energy you get as you pass through the cheer tunnel.

What distance do you most enjoy about running/racing? Why?
I have never been the fastest runner, though I did have some very good times when I was younger. [I’m] good at just keeping moving and gutting things out, so I prefer longer distances like the 10 miler and half-marathon. It would probably be the marathon, except that I have rarely had the opportunity to prepare (thanks to issues such as graduate school, family and injury). So, I have run only three.

However, contradicting what I just said, there is nothing like going all out for a mile run on the track, especially when you are near to others to compete. Just like some people dream about shooting the winning basket or hitting the walkoff home run, coming around the last turn on the track and trying to outlast someone is invigorating.

Has the pandemic changed how you run/race at all? Why?
Well, since I started running I have enjoyed just doing it, and feel it is a bad day when I don't run, bike, or swim. There are two changes for me during the pandemic. First–with just a couple of exceptions–I don’t race, because virtual races just don’t have the same feel or spirit as the real thing.

For me, there are two parts to a race: One part is meeting and talking with people around you (in between breaths). Second is the race, both against yourself and against the people around you. These aspects are missing.

The other change is that I don't run with anyone. As a matter of fact, I am dodging people. Someone comes too close? I run in between cars, or off into the grass.

What is your favorite [running] memory with the club?
There are a lot of great memories. Team Champs in general is great. Running Leatherman's Loop with the water crossing is just fun and hilarious. But, probably the best [memory] is the first time I experienced the New York Marathon, and it was not as a runner. It was being with all those cheering on 4th Avenue, giving strength to all the team members and the sea of runners from all over the world.

Until I came to Brooklyn, the New York Marathon was something to be avoided. It was a great day for people like me to find other races and have a chance of winning, because all the good people were at the Marathon.

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PPTC is a diverse and supportive team. We want to celebrate the diversity of our club and membership, and encourage everyone to share your stories with us.

Text: & Photos: Larry Balick
Edited by: Linus Ly & Alison Kotch
Produced by: Alison Kotch

Member Spotlight: Larry Balick