Runner Spotlight: Bianca Hart

Name: Bianca

City: Philadelphia
 
Years Running: 3
 
Why did you join Team Philly: To run Broad Street. I wanted to train, but I knew that if I didn’t join a group and be held accountable for working out that I would just sit on the couch and do nothing

What are your running goals: To run three half marathons and improve my pace

When not running, what are some of your hobbies: Knitting, crafts, and baking. Yup I know that I am one step away from cat lady status

Have you had any breakthroughs in your training since training Team Philly: I know that I am only limited by my mind

Overcome obstacles: Procrastination and my inability to motivate myself to stick to some form of a work out plan

Have you achieved any goals you thought impossible: Many. I completed a marathon (something that I will not do again, but hats off to all of those that do), became a distance runner. But I am still a work in progress

 

How I Caught The Running Bug

Allow me to introduce myself – I’m little miss socialite. I’m not kidding. That’s actually how I introduce myself to new groups of people followed by the phrase “once you get me talking, I won’t stop.”

I began my running journey about 3 years ago when I joined Fusion Cross Training’s (now Unite Fitness) summer bootcamp.  During the first night, while running circles around a football field at an elementary school, I remember asking myself – and the people plodding along with me – what the heck we’d gotten ourselves into.  Even gasping for air, I would still talk.  After a few weeks, I no longer wanted to cry while running and finally found out about that elusive endorphin high!  I began forming friendships with my fellow boot campers and soon, those Tuesday night sessions became a highlight of my week – I said a highlight, not the highlight… just to clarify!  

Once boot camp was done, my new friends and I had caught the running bug and we weren’t ready to stop, so we registered for and completed a couple of races together – the Maguire Mud Run and the Norcross Run the Bridge.  We trained, encouraged, and cheered on each other.  Those marines who chanted behind us through Camden didn’t hurt either!

The following year buzz about the Broad Street Run began. Who was going to do it? Should we do it? Can we do it? But by the time we decided we wanted to, the race was sold out.  My friend (who you may hear me later reference as Bubba, as in Bubba from Forrest Gump… Forrest always needs a Bubba) and I heard about Team Philly through Fusion and that we could train with this group and be registered to run.  YES!  So, we registered for Team Philly and prepared to tackle this Broad Street Beast!

Now, I can honestly say that some of my favorite memories of training for the run are those spent on Saturday or Sunday mornings hoofing it down Kelly Drive talking to Bubba.  I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard.  Sure, not every run was great.  It usually worked out that if one of us was having a great run, the other was not, but we made the best of it and pushed each other through those runs – the coffee at the diner afterwards didn’t hurt either.  Countless ailments – black toenails (me), side cramps (mine), blisters (both of us), shin splints (hers), bye bye hands (hers) – would also hit with no regard of how long we had to run that day.  

Then race day came.  A group of us made a pact beforehand that if anyone was having a crappy run, the others would go so no one got held back.  Unfortunately for Bubba, Forrest felt amazing that day and took off around mile 3.   

Without anyone to talk to and unable to find anyone else in my group, it wasn’t long before I got bored listening to my Ipod playlist. So, I did what any chatty – albeit winded – runner would do.  I cheered on my fellow runners!  I looked through the crowds and if I saw someone who looked like they were struggling, I told them they were doing great and to keep going, we were almost there!  I high-fived people, asked them how they felt, anything to keep us all motivated and moving.  As we neared the finish line, I was looking at the crowds cheering us on, thinking how amazing it felt to be completing a race like this, and how many friends I made along the way.   

After the race, several people I cheered on came up to me to say thank you.  You know what I did?  I thanked them because they are the ones who kept me going too.  That’s what we do – we motivate each other.  

As runners, we all have stories about how we grew to love the sport.  Some of us love how running makes us feel while others love how running relieves stress (yes to both for me, please).  If you’re new to the sport and haven’t found your sweet spot yet, be patient, you’ll get there and when you do, it’ll change the way you run forever. 

Although I haven’t raced since that day, I still run quite a bit and I’m eagerly waiting for spring – Kelly Drive and I have some dates lined up.  Hope to see you out there!

 Lauren Scarpa

Become a Distance Runner… and Calm Down

People ask me all of the time, why do you run? Why would you spend hours on a Saturday morning on Kelly Drive by yourself? Who runs more than 3 miles and enjoys it? What non-Kenyan runs half marathons just for the fun of it?

 

That crazy person would be me! When I first started running, it was to run Broad Street. I thought that 10 miles would be the ultimate test of mental and physical endurance. And it was. My first Broad Street was infamous “The Hot One.” The year when it was 80 degrees and the City of Philadelphia was so gracious to open all of the hydrants along the route. I survived and crossed the finish line without the assistance of the paramedics. But what I remember most of all is how I felt afterward. Cool, (not really) calm, and collected.

 

For me, running is my therapy and stress reliever. It keeps me out of jail. I could be close to punching someone in the face or breaking a few limbs, but after a run, it’s all good and I don’t have to worry about a criminal record. Seriously, at the start of my run, I could be thinking up things that would make Tony Soprano blush or invite me to dinner sometimes. To me, getting in shape is the second bonus from running. The first, is keeping my sanity.

 

So get out there any run, no matter what you reason. As Nike says… Just do it!

 

Bianca Hart

Why I Run

This first post will probably be my worst.  I have no amazingly witty story about how or why I joined Team Philly.  Most of my choices in life are either overly thought out or impulsive.  Joining Team Philly was one of those impulsive decisions. 

On a whim, I decided that that 2011 would be the year I ran Broad St.  Up until the kick-off, I had never run more than 3 miles.  So I needed some sort of instruction, right?  And with minimal input from one person, I picked Team Philly.  Without any knowledge of what they really stood for or who they were.  Two Broad Street Runs, a Cherry Blossom 10-miler, two Half Marathons, and a full Marathon later, I can undoubtedly say it was one of the greatest decisions I've ever made.  Team Philly is built upon the principle that they will make you into the best runner you can be.  As long as you are willing to try, they are willing to coach, support, and nurture your inner run ninja. 

So if you are new to Team Philly: Welcome.  Don't over think it.  Be excited.  Be nervous.  Be here.  Nothing you are feeling is wrong :-) Just be ready to push yourself as far as you are willing to go.  Be ready to make new friends and socialize with a wonderfully crazy group of run nerds and coaches. 

And if you are a Team Philly veteran:  WHAAAAAT'S UUUUUP?!?!!?  I've missed you.  I can't wait to swap battle stories, discuss upcoming races, and decide once and for all if Ross is somehow getting faster.  And taller.

This is going to be an amazing run season and I can't wait to run with you all.  I'll be the broad giggling while she runs.

 

Ruthie

Runner Spotlight: Ruth Wright

Name:  Ruth Wright             

City: Philadelphia

Years Running: Yikes, since high school…but I only started running long distances in 2011

Why did you join Team Philly: Because I have very little impulse control (I just want to sprint!) and need to a group reign me in a bit...
 
What are your running goals: Stay injury free, tackle another marathon, and run a race in some cool, distant place.   Oh, and the run the Bermuda Triangle!

When not running, what are some of your hobbies: Volleyball!  Remedial Salsa dancing, reading, going to concerts, movies, and I’m always hunting for something new to try.

Have you had any breakthroughs in your training since training with Team Philly: That my body is a lot stronger and more durable than I ever gave it credit.  That and the breakthrough to never EVER look down when you enter a port-a-potty (aka swirling vortex of doom)

Overcome obstacles:  The biggest obstacle was the mental hurdle of training for a marathon.  I smiled for the last 5 miles, so I'm pretty proud of keeping a positive attitude throughout the race.

Have you achieved any goals you thought were impossible: Once I ran Broad St, I think realized I that any goal is achievable when broken down into small, manageable, pieces. 

Meet Your Coaches

One of the ways to gauge how good a training group might be is by having great coaches. At Team Philly, we have some of the best coaches you could ask for in Ross Martinson, co-owner of Philadelphia Runner and Sarah Walmsley, PT! We are proud to be sponsored by Nike, Unite Fitness and Excel Physical Therapy and Fitness. Each company brings their special expertise, resources and services to this comprehensive and unparalleled program including: fitness cross-training and strength conditioning, injury prevention and treatment and running coaching/apparel.

Meet our coaches...

Ross Martinson

Head Coach Ross, Co-Owner of Philadelphia Runner, has helped numerous runners achieve their goals, whether it is running a first 5k or qualifying for the Boston Marathon, which Ross himself finished 23rd! 

The Blue Cross Broad Street Run continues to be Ross's favorite event, where he has finished in the top 5 three times with a personal best of 48:58. Another highlight was taking 15th place in the local 2008 Philly Distance Run.





Sarah Walmsley

Coach Sarah. Sarah has competed in numerous events including short and long distance runs, endurance 100 mile bike rides and many sprint triathlons. She has studied the Chi Method of running and as a sports physical therapist she has rehabbed many athletes. 

Her goal is to help prevent injuries before they happen and has teamed up with our sponsor, Excel Physical Therapy and Fitness to help provide Team Philly with free screenings and workshops.




Jesse Frank

Coach Jesse. Jesse is the Co-Owner and Fitness Director of Unite Fitness, which offer cross-training sessions based on it’s Heart.Muscle.Mind philosophy.  He has helped propel the company from a single center city studio to three distinct brands: Unite Studio franchises, Unite Online mobile workouts, and the Unite Fitness Decathlon competitive event.

 

As a coach Jesse inspires everyone around him with his quiet confidence, disciplined training and joy in pushing his limits.  He got his Bachelors Degree in Applied Nutrition from the University of Delaware, and has since studied and practiced many different disciplines within the fields of exercise, nutrition, sports and massage/injury rehab to create the most well-rounded and challenging fitness programs available.  He is also one of the most patient master teachers around maintaining a friendly smile while his clients endure the most difficult of workouts. Some might call his smile a grin, and his training, with his never ending arsenal of smart, effective physical challenges, torturous, hence his nickname: the masochist. Bottom line, he gets results and people love him for it.

 

Jesse’s coaching style comes from his direct experiences as a thrill seeker and lover of challenging athletic events.  He has been cliff jumping, skydiving, and back-country snowboarding as well as racing in everything from 5ks to marathons to obstacle runs.  And when running 10 miles isn’t enough, he straps on a 30 lb weight vest … for fun, of course.