Below is a catalog of our blog posts in chronological order, starting with the most recent. The blog highlights various PPTC members and their accomplishments as well as topics that may be of interest to the NYC running community or at large.
If you are interested in contributing to the blog, please get in touch at blog@pptc.org!
My book is about those hidden costs and the psychic and social effects of those costs. My hope is that by having an honest conversation about some of these pressures, we can confront some of the things that are really stigmatized in our society, like mental illness, things that we internalize as failures, and we can begin to talk about trauma in a more compassionate way that enables us to deal with it.
Read MoreOn July 10th, PPTC hit a milestone with our 2000th member! Some people in the club were watching intently and waiting for us to reach 2000 members. With a few clicks on a keyboard, Brian Hansen (he/him) became PPTC’s 2000th member. If you’ve been a member for a while, then you may remember that we hit 1000 members only a few years ago in February 2020. Did Brian know that he could be member #2000?
Read MoreApril was Volunteer Appreciation Month and while this post comes a little late for Volunteer Appreciation Month, we always appreciate our volunteers. Volunteers help make PPTC what it is. With Volunteer Appreciation Month just behind us and volunteer opportunities for PPTC’s Al Goldstein Speed Series opening soon, we are turning the spotlight on two members who are dedicated volunteers and often volunteering at PPTC’s Al Goldstein Speed Series.
Read MoreLast year, Crystal became club president, the first Asian American to hold the position, and the fourth woman to serve as PPTC president. Since her inauguration, Crystal has led the club with kindness, thoughtfulness, and strength.
Read MoreNeil has been a PPTC member for the past year and has enjoyed volunteering and taking part in the pub runs. He has a lot of great ideas to work with club runners, including live run analyses in the park, sideline care at team races and meets, and running injury prevention and running performance workshops. Neil looks forward to community events and helping PPTC runners get back to running!
Read MoreWalking downhill on Brooklyn’s streets as the sun lowered, cars, trucks, and e-bikes rolled past, we navigated to Chilo’s and I learned about Danielle. Not only is she a member of Race Committee, but is the Chair of the recently formed Volunteer Committee.
Read MorePPTC has been the long-time club home for Coaches Anthony “Tony” Watson and Charlene Kohler-Britton. They started formally offering the Speedwork Training series about 18 years ago.
Read MoreSigning up for the 5K Training Program was an easy* decision for me because I am familiar with Coach John and his coaching. I first started training with Coach John as a runner in NYRR’s VIP training program for my first marathon (the 2011 NYC Marathon). More recently, I did workouts written by Coach John as part of the Off The Hook Track Club. While I know Coach John, most of you probably don’t know him. Hopefully this coaching spotlight will help you to get to know Coach John.
Read MoreWe’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 MoreFresh off of a sunset viewing over Prospect Heights and dressed in overalls and a yellow top, Lorena met up with me at Ample Hills Creamery. She spoke not just about her bilingual play, Unspoken Garden, but also her journey with running, PPTC, and activism.
Read MoreSome five years ago I met Michael Ring (he/him) at NYRR’s Open Run at Marine Park. I don’t remember the exact date or that exact moment, but undoubtedly Michael was wearing a red PPTC hoodie or a PPTC T-shirt, perhaps with the Achilles logo pinned to his shirt. Michael was a slow walker who at that time may have joined us to walk only a loop of Marine Park (0.84 miles). Michael was talkative and friendly. Anyone who took time to speak with him learned a lot about the evolution of the running scene in New York City through the years and the medical condition that afflicted Michael.
Read MoreBen Clerkin joined PPTC in 2019 after moving to Brooklyn from the UK in order to meet new people and get involved in club training groups and activities. Ben is currently enjoying the marathon and has reflected on how the pandemic has changed his running habits.
Read MoreKevin created and donated custom PPTC soaps to our club which have been given out as event prizes. You can even win your own custom made soap at PPTC’s Virtual Award’s Night on February 20th. Read more about Kevin here:
Read MoreKatie Skinner is a new member who was introduced to running as a dancer as a way to cross-train. Read more to learn about her journey through running, how she found out about PPTC, and how she navigated the past year.
Read MoreI started running cross country and distance track in my small public middle school outside of Boston. Through runs on the local trails with my co-ed team, I learned the power of gender equity and the wonders of nature.
Read MoreShe joined PPTC for the awesome red singlet, and considers the half-marathon her favorite distance. Our next member spotlight is on Katherine Fleming: Read on to learn more about how she got into running and why she considers it “me” time.
Read MoreThough the pandemic has changed his running habits a bit, Larry’s attitude towards running hasn’t changed. He says: “Since I started running I have enjoyed just doing it, and feel it is a bad day when I don't run, bike, or swim.”
Read MoreOur next member spotlight is on Janet Gottlieb, who we interviewed on the blog in 2017. We followed up with Janet to see how the pandemic has affected her training, and how she stays motivated even though her PR days are behind her.
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