After the cold Arctic air landed us in a deep freeze for several weeks, the more moderate temperatures these last few days are the best Valentine’s Day gift one could ask for. Feeling the sun on our faces, not needing to wear two pairs of pants, and potentially venturing outside with an open coat are little joys to revel in.

Aside from a shift in weather, a focus on love ushered in this Valentine’s week, which brought me more delight and reflection. This past year taught me lessons about self-love that I thought I had already learned. Sometimes life recognizes that you need a refresher.

Self-love is the foundation of all other kinds of love. Without actively loving ourselves, we don’t have the capacity to love others. Our attempts at love turn bitter on our tongues and can twist into contempt with our actions. The antidote to this souring is taking time for ourselves. Loving ourselves takes multiple forms:
- Saying no when we need rest, even if we feel the pull to say yes
- Setting boundaries clearly and firmly. This can be as simple as saying, “If you email me over the weekend, I’ll get back to you on Monday.”
- Believing in ourselves despite our own doubts
- Asking others for help when we need it. We don’t need to do everything alone, and we are not a burden when we ask for help. In fact, our loved ones probably want to help us more than we realize.
- Eating well
- Sleeping well
- Exercising and listening to our bodies when they need rest
- Writing gratitude lists
- Saying or writing affirmations
- Stating our needs and wants
-And the list goes on….

When we love ourselves well, we have the capacity to love others well, too. It opens us up to friendship with those we meet at a Friday morning SEC run, MTG, or a Saturday morning long run. Before we know it, our loop conversations turn into post-run coffees, longer hangs, and friendship spanning years and possibly many miles.

Several PPTC members have become friends in this way, and this year, as in years past, many have expressed their appreciation for one another in the sole mates notes below. Self-love makes this platonic love possible, and together, our love makes anything possible.

Jenna McPhail-DePersia, Lizette Christoff, Nicole Thur

To the best 11-pace girlies for Saturday long runs: Thank you so much for all your support, friendship, and being the BEST cheerleaders the past couple of years. It's been so much fun to get to know you through PPTC, and I can't wait for more this year. I admire you all greatly and you've already helped me so much in preparing for my first marathon this year!! -Lauren

A cartoon image of a blonde person with long hair and rosy cheeks is next to the words, "thank you for changing my life. I'm literally a group of women in a central bk run club. The image also contains a tweet by Ezra Koenig — Photo courtesy of Natalie Morin

MWGG!

I'm so grateful for your friendship — it's incredible to think about where it's taken us! What a gift! x Nat

Kristen Ebert & Harsha Misra

Tuesday night Alt Speed loops are a true joy when we are discussing the trials and tribulations of the education system, Indian politics, recent travels, parenting, NPing, or the latest article Harsha wrote for HBR. You both inspire me not only in your perseverance in running, but also because of the way you navigate the world with levity, tenacity, care, brilliance, and humility. Grateful! Love, Sarah Stone :)

Three people stand smiling as the sun rises (or sets) over a body of water behind them. Trees with bare branches surround the water. — Liz, Barb, and Jen
Photo courtesy of Jen Tuohy

Liz Christoff and Barb Foley

Thanks for all the early morning loops!! You two are the best and your positive energy helps get me out of bed on cold mornings! - Jen Tuohy

Shanyn Rubinstein

I’m so impressed with your amazing PR this fall!! You worked so hard and ran consistently throughout the year, so it’s no surprise you absolutely crushed it! Congrats on a well-deserved massive PR of 40 minutes! You’re an incredible friend and it was great to celebrate your win!

Four people touch their heads together against a wooden background as they laugh and make funny faces. — Zach, Tomer, and friends
Photo courtesy of Zachary Cosenza

Tomer Stern

You're the best bud!

In front of a display of Christmas lights including a snowman, Santa, and Chewbacca, stand three smiling women, 2 of whom are wearing winter hats with pom-poms on top. — Maria, Nikki, and Daniela
Photo courtesy of Nicole Zingman

Maria Mammina, Daniela Sandoval

To my Fourth Avenue Gals: you’re the best! Can’t wait to keep eating more baked goods and sparkling up <3

Two people run and smile in red race shirts as a crowd of people behind them are also running. — Audrey and Angela
Photo courtesy of Angela Workoff

Audrey Rosenblith

I would like to give a running solemate shoutout to Audrey Rosenblith. We've been training partners for the last two years for the NYCM, training for our first and second marathons together. We had a loose plan to start together for the 2025 NYCM and wound up running almost the entire race (save for 4-5ish miles) together, splitting up and then reuniting on the 5th Avenue climb. Audrey is so tough and also keeps everything chill and fun, exactly what you want in a training partner and a friend. She cares about communities-- running, friends, family, political communities, all of it. I'm so lucky to have such a good friend and one who I know I'll continue to cover so many miles with in the future!

Adrian Falcone

You rock, Adrian! Thanks for being a great friend and for pushing me to be a better runner!

Jennifer Brown

Jen, I miss our 7am runs, and I hope we can run again together soon. Thank you for being a great friend and coffee talk buddy!

Linda Chan

Linda, thanks for being a ray of sunshine at every race! Your enthusiasm for running is infectious.

Michelle DeFeo

Michelle - I have grown so much as a runner because of your encouragement as well as your generosity. You are an inspiration! Thanks for always being there for me. Liz R-M

Two people stand in a cut out frame as they smile and hold their TCS New York City Marathon Bibs — Jenna and Liz
Photo courtesy of Lizette Christoff

Jenna McPhail-DePersia

Jenna! Thank you for always being the most enthusiastic and supportive running friend. You are the very best cheer squad! It was great to experience marathon training with you, and even more impressive to see you finish a graduate degree on top of everything else. The planet is in good hands with you! Hugs, Liz

Two people in red running shirts hold up their medals and smile as other people mill about in the background. — Liz and Jen
Photo courtesy of Lizette Christoff

Jen Tuohy

Jen - thank you so much for being such a big part of my running over the last year. From long pre-marathon training runs, to running the marathon together (I don't know what I would've done without you to pull me through those last miles!), to being part of our Monday/Thursday running trio with Barb. I always look forward to our runs, even when it's pre-dawn and I'm still bleary-eyed! <3, Liz

Two smiling women in red PPPTC singlets stand among a crowd of people in running clothes. — Nicole and Liz
Photo courtesy of Lizette Christoff

Nicole Thur

Nicole - I am so impressed with your consistency and dedication; thank you for all your advice, your long run company, and for the push to take on hard things. I can't wait to tackle trails with you! <3, Liz

Two people in windbreaker jackets smile as they stand on the road of a snow-covered park. — Liz and Barbara
Photo courtesy of Lizette Christoff

Barbara Foley

Barb - thank you so much for all the encouragement, the advice, and the running company! You inspire me to keep taking on new running challenges. Will be cheering you on from here as you take on Tokyo! <3, Liz

Edith Asibey

Edith - you are amazing! This has been such a tough winter to train through, and I am so inspired by your dedication throughout. Will be cheering from here as you take on Tokyo! Thank you for always being so supportive, inclusive, and fostering such a great running community. <3, Liz

KZ

Amidst the chaos and turmoil of the daily news, what a relief it is to have a group of supporting friends to share our jokes, gripes, memes, and pet photos. Thank you for your continuing support and love.

Janice Fuld

Dear Janice: Thank you for being such an amazing friend and running buddy! Your support and guidance means so much to me! 💕Ellen

Jess Ames

I always look forward to our runs and wanted to just say Happy Galentines Day! 😻Ellen

A group of smiling people with their arms around each other sit around a wooden table littered with glasses filled with water. — Prachi, Igor, Jen, Kishor, Katie, Ola, and Rachael
Photo courtesy of Rachael DePalma

Prachi, KishoR, Jen, Igor, Katie, and Ola

Thank you for being running friends that turned into everyday friends. How lucky am I to have found a group of like-minded people who are so genuinely kind, silly, empathetic, creative, and thoughtful? So grateful for your love, support, encouragement, joy, and laughter through life’s many seasons.

Linda Chan and Rachael Nevins

Thank you for being a part of the Blog Team with me. I don’t know what I’d do without you two. I suppose the blog would simply cease to exist. You both are so understanding and encouraging, fun and kind. I just appreciate you all.

Intro text by: Rachael DePalma (she/her)
Photos by: as attributed
Notes by: signed or anonymous
Produced by: Rachael DePalma

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.

Notes to Your Sole Mates 2026