Paper hearts, candy tarts, flower art, and teddy bears from sweethearts, where does Valentine love start?

If you ask romantics like John Keats, Sappho, Shah Jahan, or romantic comedy lovers (me at age 15 and maybe still…), it starts with a bolt of lightning from the sky and an over-the-top courtship including foot massages and being hand-fed grapes (or drool-worthy mangoes if you know what’s good).

Yet, the love that colors our days and anchors us when we feel adrift- the love of friends or family- is often overlooked. This type of love is rare and vital, and there’s no denying our cherished club is built on just that: encouragement, support, laughter, kindness, and ebullience.

Together we set goals and push ourselves and each other to achieve dreams, we confide in each other over early morning runs and post-run coffees and teas. When the going gets tough we hit the pavement and vent about life, work, and everyday stresses. We lean on each other, finding comfort and often leave workouts happier than when we had met up.

Thus, this Valentine’s Day we’re grateful for each and every club member. You all have helped build our little community to be the kinetic, nurturing vessel it is, extending beyond Prospect Park, throughout Brooklyn, and into many corners of the world.

To celebrate on this day of love, PPTC members have written little notes to their PPTC running buddies commemorating the familial, platonic love that composes our club’s fabric. Read it and weep with joy! Happy heart day you all. <3

Lisa Zelznick

Lisa has come so far as a runner in the last two years. She is the most positive and motivating person I know. She is constantly pushing herself to increase her speed and mileage, while also encouraging her friends and family to start running or get stronger. I'm so thankful for her for pushing me to get out on the days when I feel less than motivated and for the long talks about running, parenting, and life. So thankful to have her as my running buddy.

PaFoua Hang

PaFoua is part of the fabric of PPTC, and she's always positive, no matter the running conditions!

Otto (dog of Caryl) Pierre

Otto, you are adorable! Thank you for the joy and the licks :) Marta

Kelly Greene

I love you, Running Buddy! You can be in my pod anytime there's a pandemic. Jen

NIck Cohen

All around great guy, and awesome runner! -- Oren

Katherine Fleming

Katherine, you're one of the most determined runners I know. I feel like nothing can stop you. So glad we're PPTC mates! -Randy

Brittany Hoffman

Happy Valentine's Day, Brittany! From across the river to down the street, I'm glad we've found our way to being friends. - Katie Claiborne

Tricia Romero, Jennie Matz, and Andy Wong

Jen MatZ and Andy Wong

From our runs to our heart to heart talks, you both have helped show me the value in a running community and the friendships that come out of it... even when I move across the country!

Cressida Illingworth

Cress is a modern day superhero and a joy to run with!

Pete James, Will Ngo, Rob Dimock, and Jonathan Giles

Team Breaking 8: Jonathan Giles, Rob Dimock and Pete James

For Team Breaking 8: I feel like I'm still just barely scratching the surface with my knowledge of the hobby, but the vast majority of what I know about running, I've tried to sponge up from Jonathan Giles, Rob Dimock and Pete James. I've really appreciated the guidance and advice that this crew has shared on our runs as they slow down just enough for me to keep up with them. I've got so much respect and admiration for not only how skilled these guys are with their running, but also just how kind, humble and generous they all are outside of it. - Will

Akiko Togami

Happy Valentine's Day, Akiko! I've enjoyed getting to know you this year. Let's make that weekday morning run happen! - Katie Claiborne

Ricky Shane Reid

Ricky Shane Reid, you are the dreamiest runner of the bunch. I am so impressed with your ability to set a goal and work so hard to accomplish the impossible. You motivate me so much to do the runs that feel beyond my abilities in the moment. Like that hilly route you forced me through on the 5th of July. I'm so lucky to have you as my running, parenting and life partner. Thank you for giving our family such a kind hearted person to look up to.

Laura Hagadone

Laura is full of positive energy and a great running buddy!

Ian Landau

Ian is a speedy trail goat and it's always fun to get out there with him.

Jonathan Giles

Jonathan is the humble genius.. and is a master pacer too!

Lorea Amatria + Caroline Turner

No matter how many miles and time zones are between us, I'm so happy that we always stick together. Love you ladies!

Isaac Josephson

Everyone loves Isaac, and you will never get bored on a 3 hour run with him by your side!

Dan Feldman

Dan has a new dog, make him happy and ask him about it!

Murray Rosenblith

Well, as we've often said, you poured the Kool-Aid and handed me the cup... but it was my decision to drink it! Sorry to see you are on the 21-day (or however many day) disabled list, and best wishes for a speedy recovery. Special thanks for three occasions where your company was essential: my very first half-marathon in 2017, and my first and second 50 milers (and going above and beyond by ferrying my bike home for me). Photos are from a few of our tamer adventures.

Janice FulD

We don’ t run together nearly as often as we “should...” and I miss you! You are awesome at bringing people together and spreading the love and support! I love being your teammate ❤️ Marta

Justin NG

Happy Valentine's Day, Justin! Thank you for being a good friend, especially during a difficult year. I hope we can train together for another race in the future. - Katie Claiborne

Alexis and Maureen on “Womxn Run the Vote”

Alexis Gordon

So happy that our PPTC paths have crossed thanks to lavender lemon loaves and thumb print cookies, and that our friendship has continued with speed work and hill repeats :) Looking forward to more fun with running, biking, baking, and cats! Happy Galentine's! - Maureen

Louise Carbery

Louise! I am so thankful I met you on that GOD AWFUL run the first weekend of January. We have never been so cold and miserable on a run, but I am so grateful we became friends! I am glad we are taking up knitting together and get to do so many fun things! You are such a kind, fun person and I am SO excited for spring running in the warmth. :) Happy Galentine’s day!

BRIAN SCHWARTZ

Happy Valentine's Day, Brian! From group runs to UMTG to workouts of the week, I've enjoyed getting to know you better. - Katie Claiborne

Larry Balick

Larry, thank you for being so positive and supportive on Strava! Even though you've moved away from Brooklyn, your presence as a teammate is still very much active. Thanks for your encouragement and kind words. They mean so much sometimes. Best, PaFoua :)

Lance Vining

You are my soles’ best mate. And my own! Thank you for being the best company for running (and life in general) ❤️

hilary crichton

Happy Valentine's Day, Hilary! I've enjoyed running, walking, eating, and drinking with you during these hard times. Cheers to being back on the road soon, and to happier days ahead. - Katie Claiborne

Sara Devine

Happy Gal-entine's to my friend, a PPTC Queen, and one of the very few who inspires me to get up early, even during a pandemic, in the cold, and eat hills for breakfast. Love you lady!

Ola Galal

Happy Valentine's Day, Ola! I've been so grateful for your friendship, especially during this past year of COVID. Thank you for always being there to lean on! - Katie Claiborne

KATIE CLAIRBORNE

I’m so happy to be your teammate! For miles of runs, and walks, and... game nights!

Morgan Liston

Morgan, it has been so fun running with you on Friday mornings! Thank you for slowing down and decompressing the week with me. Your friendship and our miles have made this pandemic more tolerable. XOXO, PaFoua :)

Will Ngo

Will, It was so great to meet you on that terrible hail run on the first weekend of 2021! Thank you for being so kind and welcoming on my first group run! Your crafting of the SpeedReads is amazing and I am so excited to do more fun things with you with PPTC! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Joelle Reeves

Happy Galentine's Day, gal pal - you brighten up my life

Stephanie Mei

Thinking of you, Solemate! (Aka Noodle's mom)

Rachel Harris

Rachel, I'm so glad we've become running/walking/tea drinking/shopping pals. Thank you for being a great running partner, pal, and for never saying no to a post run pastry <3

Michael Ring, Janet Gottlieb, Linda Chan, Lisa Knauer

Thanks for running/walking with me in Prospect Park—I appreciate you!

Eric Severance

Thanks for the pacing and support, coach!

Oren Efrati

לישראלי החם השני אחרי בר רפאלי. תמיד יהיה לנו הר משה. אוהב אותך חבר(ITS IN HEBREW)

Lori Sommerville

Lori, I appreciate you and we will run the next NYC marathon. Step by step.✊🏽🏃🏾‍♂️👟-Randy

Alison Kotch

Alison, thank you so much for everything you did for the Blog team. It was so much work and you were always willing to pivot in order to deliver content to the membership. Looking forward to more miles with you in the near future! XOXO, PaFoua :)

Jimmy, Anja, Danielle and Blair

Grateful for these running buds for getting me out to run and for all the laughs along the way! Thanks for being great friends as well as running mates ❤ Lisa

Alison Restak

Alison, it took a pandemic for us to finally start running together but I have really enjoyed your positive energy and level-headedness. I look forward to more runs and future donuts with you! XOXO, PaFoua :)

Laura E

Seeing your daily runs keeps me motivated. Looking forward to when we can do some easy park loops or hard ones in the armory again. - Michelle Harris

Crystal and Jana enjoying post-run beverages

Crystal Cun

Do you believe in fate? In magic? In bread? No?! I didn't either. I didn't think heaven would send down a running and baking friend for me. But it did. For years, our paths were meant to cross: in college (we were in the same school and graduating year!), at our mutual friend's wedding, and finally living 300 feet away from each other and in the same running club. Crystal, you are my sole mate. Fate brought us together and bread kept us in each other's floured arms.

Sara Rafiy

Sara, you're a super mom for doing all you do and still running as much as you do. I always enjoyed hearing stories about your family and your latest show news. I look forward to more miles with you. XOXO, PaFoua :)

Caitlin Miner Ong

Your positive energy, willingness to help, and creative talent brighten my days. Thank you!

John showing off some doughnuts from a chilly run.

John Vaghi

John, you make food runs possible even during a pandemic winter. Thanks for the S+Miles and sugar rush. I look forward to reading more of your writing and more miles together! - PaFoua =)

Claire Jardin and Rachael DePalma

One of my fondest memories in all of my time running was getting to share the NYCM 2019 marathon training cycle with Rachael DePalma and Claire Jardin. With only about a year and a half of running with any consistency, I found myself training for my first marathon and running with two much younger, incredibly talented competitive former college athletes. Despite feeling like a total newbie outsider, these two were so welcoming and encouraging. From our early morning "Mighty Ducks" runs to our pre-pandemic Pi(e) Day Run, I'll always be grateful (and a little bit confused) as to how I was lucky enough to find these two training partners that would become really dear friends. Will

Christine Goh

Who knew that a chance meeting on the Dyker Heights Lights Run in 2015, my very first outing with the club, would become a long term relationship and a real friendship? Plus you've kept me company on some of my crazier running adventures like that 60K last year. Happy V-Day!

Anna Kushner

To the other AK! So thankful for long runs with you, early morning motivating texts, and all the fun we will surely have during RtR (when it finally happens - longest build up ever!)

PaFoua, Rachael, Pam, Sara, and Alison out on a chilly Saturday run

Pam Ritchie

Pam, I'm so grateful we get to train together during this pandemic winter! Thank you for getting me through all these long workout runs and being so willing to just go with the flow. The pandemic and winter sucks, but you make it less awful. You are so positive and strong, and I feel immediately empowered whenever we run together. If there is one silver lining from this pandemic, it's that I'm glad we now have each other to get through future long runs with! XOXO, PaFoua :)

Tom Meany

Tom, watching you welcome new member to the club is always a highlight of any meeting. Your generous kindness is contagious and makes the world so much better! Thank you for all that you do for the club. We are lucky to have you! Marta ❤️

Adam Devine

We are lucky to have you, Adam. Thank you for your honesty and your generosity, your good spirits, and... your training plans! I can’t wait to be back in MGT :) Marta

2693EE1D-87E4-444B-AE83-57EE9D27B658 - Linda Chan.jpeg — PPTC at Team Champs 2019

PPTC

Thank you for your continued encouragement and inspiration to keep running through the hardest times. Thank you for the unending activities to keep us all connected, even if it is through pixels on a monitor. Thank you for providing a safe and welcoming community. Thank you for making this the best damn running club around.

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.

Graphic by: Caitlin Miner Ong

Introduction text by: Rachael DePalma

Notes and photos: PPTC note writers

Edited by: Linda Chan

Produced by: Rachael DePalma

Notes to Your "Sole Mates"