Hearts Abound
For a few years now the blog has featured PPTC couples for Valentine’s Day (2020, 2022, 2023). I must remark every time on how sweet the couples are. Read on to share in our PPTC Couples’ love.
Luzette Garces and Clark McCaskill
Whether hiking or running Clark (he/they) and Luzette (she/her) are probably most noted for their warm smiles.
For background, what do you do for a living?
Luzette: I work for the city health department as a data equity specialist. I get to play around and make reports with the data from the public health laboratory and clinics.
Clark: I help brands make content that convinces audiences across Vox Media (Vox, Eater, NY Mag, Thrillist, etc…) to buy their stuff, aka a director of creative strategy.
When did you meet? How did you meet?
Luzette: It was at some point in 2022, but I remember the first time being aware of Clark’s existence. (PPTC Social Committee co-chair) Evy and I went splitsies on an order of Strawberry Pretzel Pie ice cream that Dolly Parton was promoting for her new book in January. Evy mentioned she was borrowing the same book from an eager and new-ish PPTC member in Social Comm. She showed me their Instagram profile, I thought they were cute, and the rest is history (the history being that I didn’t have a real conversation with Clark until joining a PPTC hike in October, before we happened to match on Hinge one fateful Thanksgiving weekend).
Clark: Luzette first caught my eye on a leaf-peeping hike in October, and then we bonded over music during another hike, and matched on Hinge. After we moshed at a concert and she made an ube sticky rice cake for NYE, I knew I had to ask her on a date. A year and a few days from that first date at Lore in January and we’re still here!
Were each of you runners before you met?
Yes, we both ran our first marathons three years before we met, with Clark running the Niagara Falls International Marathon and Luzette running the NYC Marathon in 2019. Our running journeys followed similar but parallel trajectories until we joined PPTC in 2021 and finally crossed paths.
Do you run together?
Yeah, we love to run together but we love our solo runs too. We’ve run the Warriors Ultra, Philly Half, and several other AGSSs. This year, we’ll be running the Warriors Ultra again and one leg of Rock the Ridge together. And when we aren’t running together you can find one of us being the loudest person cheering along the course.
What do you admire most about your partner’s running?
Luzette: That Clark views running as something more than a means of personal achievement and the pride that they take in the community built by PPTC. It’s amazing how much Clark is always finding ways to give back to the running community - whether it’s organizing a New Year’s Eve fireworks run or starting a virtual playlist competition in PPTC. He has dedicated a lot of time in the past year volunteering with Achilles. Most of Clark’s training cycle last summer was spent running with Neill BlackDaredevil Biddy, an athlete with hydrocephalus (a condition that causes excess fluid buildup in the brain), in preparation for the NYC Marathon. I am so proud, and also awestruck, by the patience and commitment it took for Clark to help Neill achieve his PR.
Clark: That Luzette uses her skill and love of running to help others hit their goals. I don’t think I know any other runner who has dedicated so many of their races to pacing others. It’s a testament to the caring and supportive friend she is, but also her skill as a runner to consistently set a pace and keep it. On top of that, her dedication to streaking the NYC Marathon (15 consecutive years) and the yearly 9+1s that requires.
What is something unexpected about your partner that you could share with us?
Luzette: Clark enjoys purchasing items of clothing that are identical to mine. We own matching pairs of Birkenstocks, Brooks, and Janji shorts just to name a few. I don’t know what to make of it but Clark is an absurdly generous partner, gives really good foot rubs, and makes a mean pot of chili so I reckon they’re a keeper <3
Clark: First, we already had identical items of clothing. We just have very similar tastes (and Luzette can be convincing about the stories she makes up)! Also, she only cooks recipes from physical cookbooks to create decadent meals. She is one of the most talented cooks and bakers I know. I am so spoiled to get to cook alongside her and try all her incredible creations.
How does running affect your relationship with one another?
It’s something that bonds us together. We’re able to understand each other's time dedicated to training and racing, support each other on race day, and know how to help sore muscles after race day. Running is such a huge part of our lives and it’s nice to have your partner get how much it means to have them cheer at races and prepare post-run meals. Plus running and exercising together releases all kinds of good endorphins!
Has being a PPTC member contributed to your relationship?
Being a part of PPTC immediately bonded us. It made sharing our lives and runs together so much easier because we already knew everybody’s friends. I remember taking the first step of “first PPTC outing as a couple” at the Awards Night in 2023 and how excited we felt. We traveled with PPTC friends to Berlin together and are going back with a new crew of friends this year. It’s given us book buddies, hiking friends, and fellow board game nerds, music lovers and so much more.
What advice do you have for new couples?
If you want to test your relationship and communication skills early on, go on a multi-day hike across the unforgiving granite slabs lining the Presidential Peaks trail in New Hampshire. You will learn SO MUCH about your partner, how they act under pressure, their communication style, and what foods make them gassy.
What advice do you have for any of our single members looking for that special “running mate?”
Clark: Show up to events that interest you, talk to new people, and one day you just may find that person who shares the same running and non-running interests as you. Shoot your shot, but don’t be a creep.
Luzette: You could do what Clark did and start a number of niche meet-up groups within PPTC as a way to find people with common non-running interests. Or you could do what I did, put out feelers for insane hangout ideas (like a 20-mile hike in New Hampshire, for example), and see which one of your fellow PPTC member matches your crazy.
2023 Team Championships, Photo by Jiyoung Han
Julia Pugachevsky and Brad Johnson
You may have seen Brad (he/him) accompanying Julia (she/her) on the guitar while she sang Flock of Seagull’s “I Ran (So Far Away)” at the 2022 PPTC Talent Show. Newly engaged, Brad and Julia are much more than a one hit wonder.
For background, what do you do for a living?
Brad works as a creative director at a growth marketing agency and Julia is a senior health reporter at a digital media publication.
When did you meet? How did you meet?
We were classmates at NYU, in the Dramatic Writing department. We didn’t know each other well or have many classes together, but stayed in touch via Facebook. Brad moved to LA after graduating, while Julia stayed in New York. When Brad moved back to New York a few years later, we met up as friends to go to a Mad Men exhibit at the Museum of the Moving Image…and hung out for six hours. We had a very will-they/won’t-they friendship for about a year before Julia had about five tequila shots at a work happy hour and told Brad she liked him as more than a friend.
Were each of you runners before you met?
Technically, no! Julia got into running short distances when we were still just friends. She tried to get Brad to go running with her, but he hated the hill at the end of the Prospect Park loop. Then, when the pandemic happened, Brad had a steps competition at work and his competitive side got the best of him. We started running together all the time in 2020 and Brad found PPTC in 2021.
Ironically, Brad became the more devoted runner, inspiring Julia to push herself to finally do half marathons and (GULP) the NYC marathon this year.
Do you run together?
Sometimes! We fell off in the past few years due to our schedules, but we still grab each other post-run bagels.
What do you admire most about your partner’s running?
Julia: I love Brad’s running transformation! It’s been so inspiring to see him go from kind of hating running to finishing the NYC marathon twice! ( Beating his goal last year!)
Brad: I admire Julia’s drive to keep running longer distances — she keeps outshining herself! I also like that she’s used running to make new friends and enrich her life doing what she loves.
What is something unexpected about your partner that you could share with us?
2022 PPTC Talent Show, Photo by Linda S. Chan
Julia: When I wanted to sing “I Ran (So Far Away)” for the 2022 PPTC talent show, Brad hadn’t played the guitar in over a decade. He was sweet enough to use my acoustic, learn the chords, and perform on stage, even though it made him nervous. It was the first and only time we ever played music together, but it meant so much to me.
Brad: I think it’s so cool and unexpected that Julia met several other Ukrainian friends through the group. It’s just such a specific and meaningful connection for her to find!
How does running affect your relationship with one another?
We think running has been pivotal to our respective growth and mental health. Setting a goal and keeping at it even when it’s uncomfortable or challenging is the core of so many other life changes. Since we’ve started running, we’ve both started doing other workouts (Julia lifts and Brad climbs), become way more social, and both moved up in our careers.
All of these exciting changes keep our relationship feeling sparkly and energized, and we’re very grateful for each other.
Has being a PPTC member contributed to your relationship?
Yes! It’s been such a nice social activity (we’ve made the most effortless connections through this club) and gave us a new thing to do together.
What advice do you have for new couples?
If you’re not into running, walk! Our relationship started with us doing long walks as friends, and are still a big part of our relationship now. They’re such a great way to get moving but also have conversations you otherwise wouldn’t think to have at a bar or on the couch at home.
What advice do you have for any of our single members looking for that special “running mate”?
PPTC is such a great resource! We both think if we were single, we would join a club like this and just show up, make friends, and see if something blossoms. It’s a wonderful and lower-stakes alternative to dating apps, and a good way to meet people who already share an important commonality with you.
Maggie Gram and Jen Tuohy
Maggie (she/her) and Jen (they/them or she/her) can often be found at the Friday-morning SEC (Southeast Corner) group run, sometimes pushing their older child in a jogging stroller. They’re now a family of four, and we hope to see them all out on the road together soon.
For background, what do you do for a living?
Maggie’s a product designer and manager at a giant tech company. Jen runs a program management team at a climate-tech startup.
When did you meet? How did you meet?
We met in spring of 2015 at the digital product agency where we both worked at the time. (Workplace romance: embarrassing!)
Were each of you runners before you met?
Maggie had been running since the year she graduated from college. Jen loathed running for most of their life but (after several years of gentle suggestions from Maggie) joined a PPTC 5K training class in early 2022 and caught the bug.
Do you run together?
Rarely. We have two little kids, so these days when one of us is running the other is usually home warming up baby formula, making noodles with butter, and/or reading Vegetables in Underwear aloud.
What do you admire most about your partner’s running?
Jen: I admire Maggie’s discipline. She always gets a few miles in no matter how she’s feeling.
Maggie: I admire Jen’s psychotically good attitude re: hills.
What is something unexpected about your partner that you could share with us?
Maggie: Jen loves electronic music and used to go to a lot of shows and clubs. They are also very earnest, a little sentimental, and extremely genuine.
Jen: Maggie taught for a couple of terms at a university in Venice, Italy. She is also sentimental, though she’ll try to convince you she’s not.
How does running affect your relationship with one another?
Running makes us each at least 100 times easier to live with.
Has being a PPTC member contributed to your relationship?
Definitely. We’ve met some of our best friends through the Friday “Southeast Corner” group. These friends have e.g. taken care of our older kid while her parents were at the hospital—on more than one occasion! They’re a second family to us.
What advice do you have for new couples? What advice do you have for any of our single members looking for that special “running mate?”
Hahaha! Advice-giving is for experts. But if you have any advice for us, send it our way.
SEC Run, photo by Will Ngo
Updates on Past ValentinE’s Spotlight Couples
MARY AND JOHNNY NUZZELA
Mary and Johnny are expecting a baby boy this May!
JANA AND JUSTIN SHERWOOD
The Sherwoods are now a family of three after Jana and Justin welcomed their first child, Jeanne, in 2023.
IVETTE GARCIA AND LUIS TUFINO
Ivette and Luis sealed their love with their marriage at the Dash to the Altar, held the day before the 2023 Chicago Marathon at Chicago’s historic Wrigley Building! Ivette and Luis are currently planning their honeymoon.
Interview questions and introductory text by: Linda S. Chan (she/her)
Interview answers by interviewees as noted
Photos courtesy of the featured couples unless otherwise noted
Produced by: Linda S. Chan
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.