A PPTC Valentine
We’ve seen them in the park, on runs, or at events. They’re the PPTC couples near and dear to our hearts. This year we are spotlighting a few more couples made up of PPTC members. Read to the end for an update on some of the couples from our 2020 spotlight.
Jana Trenk & Justin Sherwood
If you don’t know Jana (she/her) and Justin (he/him), they probably still piqued your interest when a photo of them was featured in the January 24th SpeedRead congratulating them on their engagement. Jana is a director on the Board and active on a number of the club’s committees. If I remember correctly Justin said Jana made him join PPTC, and we’re all the better for it.
When did you meet and how did you meet?
We met on Hinge in March 2019, our first date was at 68 Jay St Bar. We reconnected and started seriously dating in January 2021. We got engaged on January 23rd, 2022!
Were each of you runners before you met?
We’ve both been runners for many years and running is a big hobby in both of our families as well. Jana’s dad and two of her sisters are runners, and both of Justin’s parents are runners. Jana has been a PPTC member for about 8 years, and Justin joined the club after we started dating.
Do you run together?
We try to run together whenever possible, at least once a week! We both enjoy the club’s group runs, pub runs and other social runs. Jana paced Justin for many long runs when Justin was training for the NYC marathon. When we want to run at different paces, we’ll go to a group run together and then run with different groups of people. Then we’ll reunite again at the end of the run for the social part.
What do you admire most about your partner’s running?
Jana: Justin seems to have found a perfect balance with running where he wants to improve his race paces, but also enjoys himself and doesn’t take it too seriously. I have the tendency to get more obsessive with training so I really appreciate seeing the balance that he has.
Justin: Jana is FAST
What is something unexpected about your partner that you could share with us? .
Jana: Justin is really good at pranks and tricking people. He will say something ridiculous and false in a completely serious tone of voice and I believe it every time.
Justin: Jana can eat an entire box of pasta by herself.
How does running affect your relationship with one another?
Running with someone is an amazing way to bond and connect. Over the course of many miles, you see someone in their best moments and also during times when they are struggling. Running is an area where we work on goals together, cheering and supporting each other along the way.
Has being a PPTC member contributed to your relationship?
It’s been really nice to attend group runs, meetings, and events together. Since we are both members, we’ve made mutual friends and had more shared experiences. That helps to strengthen our relationship.
What advice do you have for new couples?
Try your best to be open about your feelings. Express things that bother you so resentment won’t build.
What advice do you have for any of our single members looking for that special “running mate?”
Finding a good relationship is not always an easy path, but if it’s something you truly want then you will find it! Expand your social circle by going on group runs and attending club events to meet new people, as well as trying out dating apps. Eventually you’ll get a better sense of who you are and what you are looking for in a partner.
Screenshot of the January 24, 2022 SpeedRead
Jana and Justin at the Hartford Half Marathon in October, 2021.
Motoko Yuri & Yushiro Okamoto
Aside from seeing them running together at some of our runs and seeing them cheer on runners at races, you probably remember Motoko (she/her) and Yushiro (he/him) from when they got engaged at the finish line of the 2021 NYC Marathon. It will be no surprise to you that they recommend that new couples run the NYC Marathon together.
When did you meet and how did you meet?
We met at a dinner through mutual Japanese friends back in 2013 a few years after both of us moved to NY. Motoko was moving from Tokyo, and Yushiro was moving from Boston.
Were each of you runners before you met?
No, we were not. Running is pretty new to both of us. Before running, we shared other things in common such as our passion for eating, drinking, and dancing Salsa or Lindy Hop.
Do you run together?
Yes! Although our race pace is different, we would spend miles together during the week. I wouldn’t say we talk a lot while we run. It's mostly just a few words off and on, we would listen to each other's breathing and footsteps. But I kind of like it, especially in the park early in the morning.
What do you admire most about your partner’s running?
Motoko: When he sets a goal, he always achieves it.
Yushiro: Motoko is a fighter. As I would sometimes try to get through tough workouts around 80%, she would tackle it at 120%. She would challenge herself to stick to faster groups, and often end up crying towards the end, and tell me she’s not doing it anymore, she would always come back the following week.
2021 NYC Marathon, Photo credit: CheerEverywhere
What is something unexpected about your partner that you could share with us? Please each provide an answer.
Motoko: He makes the most delicious curry in the world :)
Yushiro: She sleeps more than I do.
How does running affect your relationship with one another?
It has changed the way we travel. Whenever we plan a trip, “where should we go for a run” is a question we always ask ourselves, and it's the most fun part. Sometimes we go as we planned on Google maps, but oftentimes are plans are derailed when we finding something that looks tasty to eat, find a more adventurous path, or it just turns into a long walk. Whether we’re in NY or other parts of the world, running is often a centerpiece of what we share and do together.
Has being a PPTC member contributed to your relationship?
Yes!
One of the first events we participated “together” at a PPTC gathering was the NYRR Team Champs in 2019. It's one of my favorite NYRR races, and it's the race I {Yushiro} fell in love with PPTC, a year before that (in 2018). Since the women’s and men’s races are separated, we are able to cheer on one another. If you have been to one I think you’ll know that PPTC has the biggest and loudest roar out of any clubs.
As I was racing up the hill in Central Park, I saw Motoko cheering and screaming her heart out with the rest of the PPTC crowd. I was really happy to see that she was feeling the same excitement that I felt a year ago.
For us, spectating and cheering runners has been a big part of our “running” and being a PPTC member has definitely made it much more cheerful and eventful.
What advice do you have for new couples?
I recommend running the NYC Marathon together!
What advice do you have for any of our single members looking for that special “running mate?”
Make sure that he/she sees you screaming the hardest at Team Champs or any cheer stations!
2021 NYC Marathon, Photo Credit: NYRR
At the 2021 NYC Marathon, Photo credit: Marek Stępniowski
Crystal Cun and Marek Stępniowski
If you’ve been a long time member of PPTC or even if you just joined, you’ve probably met both Crystal (she/her) and Marek (he/him). Crystal is the chairperson of the Social Committee and she and Marek can often be found at our weekend group runs.
When did you meet and how did you meet?
It’s hard to say! We have both been members of Prospect Park Tinder Track Club for many years. As far as we can tell, there’s photographic evidence of us both at the 2017 Pajama Run having a good time. We got to know each other really well (Marek: "5 days in the same running clothes" well) on a Patagonia “W” hike, and then took it up a notch and made things “Strava official” in 2020.
Were each of you runners before you met?
For sure, we’d both been running for many years, but joining PPTC definitely helped make things more social. Instead of running by ourselves, we were now going on group runs where Marek was amused by Crystal’s genius idea of merlot-flavored energy gels.
Do you run together?
We run our easy runs together. (Crystal: Marek’s “easy” pace still sometimes ends up being my “you make me breathless” pace). Sometimes we will run a harder workout going in opposite directions of the park loop so that we can pass each other every 1.5 miles. We also enjoy exploratory runs and touring new places when traveling. We definitely do certain runs just to get the perfect Instagram photo.
What do you admire most about your partner’s running?
Marek: Crystal is much stronger than she thinks and always happy to try new things.
Crystal: Marek is always very optimistic about what we can both accomplish. Sometimes I’m tired or hesitant or grumpy, but will go along with an idea because Marek is so confident we can pull it off, and it always ends up fine.
What is something unexpected about your partner that you could share with us? Please each provide an answer.
Marek: Crystal is the only person I know, who can run a marathon without drinking a single sip of water.
Crystal: Marek secretly loves cycling more than running, and if not for this “Boston qualifying” thing, he’d probably ditch running and spend all of his time biking the Alps.
2021 Holiday Greetings from Crystal and Marek, Photo Credit: William Ngo
How does running affect your relationship with one another?
It’s an easy way for us to catch up and spend quality time with each other. It’s also nice that we have similar running schedules and don’t have to explain to each other the importance of a weekend long run or waking up pre-dawn in the summer. (Crystal: My mom was a lot happier and approved when I said I was dating a runner, as opposed to dating a competitive dancer.)
Has being a PPTC member contributed to your relationship?
Well, PPTC brought us together, so there’s that! PPTC also provides a natural outlet for us to have lots of mutual friends and shared activities, from social runs to volunteering at races. Thank you, PPTC, for planning our date mornings.
What advice do you have for new couples?
The couple that does hills together, chills together!
In all seriousness, the best advice we have is that, in the same way most of your miles should be easy, the vast majority of your relationship should also feel easy. In a good relationship, you aren't constantly frustrated and feeling insecure. You should feel loved and supported, and feel like everything just works. If you don't have that, maybe it's not the right fit for you!
What advice do you have for any of our single members looking for that special “running mate?”
The default these days to find a new partner is to go through dating apps, but don’t ignore all the organic opportunities around you in “real life.” Also, your relationships with people can change over time; sometimes playing the “long game” can work in your favor.
“The couple that does hills together, chills together!.”
All heart: Crystal and Marek
Chloe, Yves, and Paul
Updates on our 2020 Valentine Spotlight Couples
It’s been 2 years since our 2020 Valentine Spotlight. Some of our featured couples have some momentous updates.
CHLOE FREE-NOZIL and YVES NOZIL
Chloe (she/her) and Yves (he/him) welcomed the birth of their son, Paul, on September 21, 2020. Paul made his racing debut at the Diaper Dash at PPTC’s 2021 picnic where he won first place! Congratulations Chloe and Yves and we’re looking forward to seeing Paul race in a club singlet!
MARY JOHNSTON AND JOHNNY NUZZELA
Mary (she/her) is now Mary Nuzzela after Mary and Johnny (he/him) were married on September 5, 2021. Congratulations and best wishes Mary and Johnny!
Just married! Johnny and Mary walking down the aisle as husband and wife.
Interviews by: Linda S. Chan (she/her)
Produced by: Linda S. Chan
Photos courtesy of the respective couples
PPTC is a diverse and supportive team. We want to celebrate the diversity of our club and membership. We welcome and encourage everyone to share their stories with us.