Member Spotlight: Katherine Fleming
She joined PPTC for the awesome red singlet, and considers the half-marathon her favorite distance. Read on to learn more about how she got into running and why she considers it “me” time.
How did you get into running?
I've always done a short 3-6 mile run once or twice a month as part of my fitness repertoire, nothing serious. Three years ago, I signed up for a half marathon (Greenway Half Marathon) with my friend, when she and I suddenly found ourselves between jobs. I thought it would be fun to train for something while I had all this time on my hands.
In the beginning, running was hard. When I first started, I couldn't even get to Prospect Park from my home (about a mile). After a few run/walk attempts, I finally got myself to the entrance of the park, and I told myself that I needed to at least see the park. It took me another month or so to be able to run around the park and back home.
I'm glad that not only can I now run to the park and back, but I've actually done eight rounds of it for the Brooklyn Marathon. Running has now become the "me" time to think, listen to music/audiobooks, and just to enjoy life.
“My favorite [PPTC race] would have to be Harry’s Handicap. I’m not a fast runner, and I like that for once, I can be slow and still be a winner. ”
Why did you join PPTC?
It's that red shirt! I always see other runners with them, and they all seem to be having so much fun and enjoying themselves. I could feel that I wanted to be part of it. Also, I was training for the NYC Marathon, and I thought it would be great to have some support, which was absolutely the right decision!
What is your favorite club event/activity?
I pretty much enjoyed every event or activity I participated in, from the monthly meetings, annual Harry's Handicap New Year party and run, be a Good Run Citizen run specials, the new member-run, to the weekly marathon training group workouts. My favorite would have to be Harry's Handicap. I'm not a fast runner, and I like that for once, I can be slow and still be a winner. Also, I love the opportunity to hear all the PPTC stories at the party while eating amazing food from everyone.
What distance do you most enjoy about running/racing? Why?
My favorite distance is a half marathon as it is hard enough to push myself beyond my own expectations and still enjoy the run, but not as hard as a marathon that can get so painful and long that it is no longer enjoyable, and I will need time to prep for and recover. It's a distance that I feel that I can shoot for a PR with my abilities and need little to no recovery time.
Has the pandemic changed how you run/race at all? Why?
Due to the pandemic, I had so much time on my hands without having to commute to work and the gyms were closed too, I was able to run almost every day. By the end of 2020, I would have doubled my run mileage compared to previous years. I'm proud as I'm injury-prone, and to be able to run/jog at such high volume is an accomplishment. My only regret is that I wasn’t able to hit my original 2020 PR target goal for the half marathon. I was so close right before the pandemic hit. I had done some socially distanced races, and while I finished with good times, it's not the same.
What is your favorite [running] memory with the club?
It would have to be Harry's Handicap New Year’s party where we had the past PPTC members join us to talk about what it was like to run when PPTC first began. I could see Brooklyn, Prospect Park, and what it was like to be a runner through their eyes. It's very inspiring. We are all making history, I hope in 20-50 years, what we went through today will be told and shared with future PPTC members!
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PPTC is a diverse and supportive team. We want to showcase and celebrate the diversity of our club and membership, and encourage everyone to share your stories with us.
Text & Photo: Katherine Fleming
Edited by: Rachael DePalma
Produced by: Alison Kotch