On November 3, 50,000 runners will hit the streets for the 49th NYC Marathon.
Here are a few local runners to root for.
STEVE CHAPMAN, 43, Armonk
Occupation: Accountant
Marathons completed: 2
Breakfast of champions: Race day is always a bagel with peanut butter
Favorite local running route: North County Trailway
Exercise schedule: I’m also a triathlete, so I’m training every day in some way, shape, or form!
Inspiration for running: I’m running to raise money and awareness for Project Purple/ pancreatic cancer research in honor of my mother in law
Can’t run without: Bose SoundSport wireless headphones
Playlist: First half: happy, uplifting, and easy-going – I always start out with Here I Go Again (yes, I’m dating myself) and Save it For a Rainy Day by Kenny Chesney. Second half: heavier into rock, which keeps me going as the miles add up
Hardest mile: Mile 22 – the false flat, up 5th Avenue is just brutal.
Easiest mile: Mile 16 –the bottom of the 59th Street bridge -the adrenaline that comes with the crowd off the bridge is indescribable
Goal time: 3:59:59 –anything under that 4-hour threshold.
Favorite post marathon meal: I’m not hungry right away, but then definitely carbs – pasta, bread, can’t get enough!
“Just about anyone can run a marathon. It’s easy to get scared of the distance – add your miles slowly, and don’t be afraid to run slow. Your fellow runners, volunteers, and fans in NYC will get you through the day. The camaraderie and friendships that I’ve experienced through running and training are amazing.”
CHRIS DESSI, 44, Chappaqua
Occupation: VP of Sales
Breakfast of champions: Fruit
Marathons completed: I ran the marathon in 2012, when Sandy hit, and the marathon was cancelled. I ran it by myself throughout Chap-paqua and Pleasantville. I finished on the track at Pleasantville High School to the cheers of family, friends and a soccer game that was going on!
Favorite local running route: Chappaqua into Pleasantville via Washington Avenue, and throughout Pleasantville (sidewalks are great, and so is the track at the high school).
Exercise schedule: CrossFit Mount Kisco 5 days/week – I run after that class during the week. It’s exactly one mile from CrossFit Mount Kisco to the Saw Mill Club. So you’ll see me just pinging back and forth to get in my miles.
Inspiration for running: My father. I am raising money for the ALS Association. The disease killed my father in 2015.
Can’t run without: Apple Watch/MapMyRun app.
Playlist: Nothing at all. I do my deep thinking while running. It’s rare to be left alone to your thoughts, and I find it highly meditative and centering.
Hardest mile: 18 – my legs were cramping and my motivation was waning. A nice stranger asked if he could run with me, and I don’t think I could have done it without him. In an odd twist, I ran into him last week – we hadn’t seen each other since 2012!
Easiest mile: The last one!
Goal time: I just want to finish!
Post-marathon meal: Is scotch a meal? The first sip after the marathon was delicious.
“Marathons are 90% mental – if you can run one mile, you can run 26.2. My Father’s last words to me were “keep up the good work.” His words have been a powerful reminder for me to encour-age, love and support those around me. I will very much miss having Dad at the finish line.”
JACQUI MERRITTS, 50, Pleasantville
Occupation: Mom of 4
Marathons completed: 13
Breakfast of Champions: Oatmeal with almond milk, cinnamon and raisins
Favorite local running routes: FDR park and Tibbets Park in Yonkers for long runs. Short runs are mainly run around Pleasantville or on the North County Trailway
Exercise schedule: Spin, boot camp and strength classes, various cardio machines at Lifetime Fitness
Can’t run without: Garmin Vivoactive 3
Playlist: Anything with a good beat that keeps me on pace, from Justin Bieber to The Bee Gees!
Hardest mile: 1st mile
Easiest mile: Last mile
Goal time: Anything faster than my previous time!
Post marathon meal: Sushi
“As Nike says, Just Do It! At the age of 41 with four kids and with no running experience I never dreamed I could run a marathon but here I am 10 years later with many marathons under my belt. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it!”
