2022 NYC MARATHON: Meet the Marathoners II
Our special preview of the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon kicks off with our “Meet the Marathoners” series. Over 60 New York Harriers are signed up for the race. Read below on how some of them are training and preparing for the big day — and how they plan to celebrate crossing one of the world’s most iconic finish lines!
Jillian Tofukuji
If you’re looking for a source of positive thinking and can-do energy as we head into the final weeks of marathon training, look no farther than Jillian Tofukuji.
Jillian’s first workout with the Harriers was Cat Hill repeats on a brisk March morning. “I was sold,” she says of a workout that has broken the spirit of many a runner. Then again, Jillian likes a challenging workout. “Pyramid Harrier workouts are high on my list,” she admits. “It may be the symmetry of the workout or the pleasant fatigue afterward, but I'm always up for a pyramid run.”
If that sounds surprising to you, know that it tracks with Jillian’s unique perspective on hard work. “The pandemic is what actually broke my decade-long running hiatus,” she says. “I started doing hill repeats every day as a reminder that hard things do get easier with time.”
On race day, Jillian will swap out her spectating hat for some running shoes, having cheered participants over the past few years with her 3 best friends. “I’m looking forward to seeing them on the other side of the tape soon,” she says. New York City will be Jillian’s first marathon – for which she calls herself “delightfully nervous” – and she’s excited to be tackling her inaugural 26.2 miles in the Big Apple. “I've approached training with a lot of flexibility and grace,” she reports. “And feel like I'm finally getting to a place where running is a cathartic, effort-based sport for me… The finish line feels well within reach, and I'm looking forward to experiencing the energy of each borough on race day.”
Her race day eve dinner is already planned, which will reportedly include “LOTS of mashed potatoes,” as is her race strategy: “make the first 13 miles feel easy, respect the Queensborough Bridge, and push through the remainder of the course at my intended marathon pace.” And when the going gets tough, she’ll rely on a solid mantra. "Every step is at least one step closer." One thing you won’t find her doing? Looking at her watch. “I actually stopped training with a watch because it was covering up my semicolon tattoo. Its ‘keep going’ symbolism was more powerful and motivating than any metric my watch could give me during marathon training,” she says. “I'm dedicating this run to those in the mental health battle and to those who have lost theirs.”
When Jillian isn’t running, you can find her hiking and climbing. She recently summited Mount Kilimanjaro, and has turned to mountaineering for inspo. “It’s a community that forges new paths and finds ways to create new challenges on paths already forged,” she explains. “There's a culture of unbridled ambition and a desire to summit, and there's also a deep reverence for nature and the elements.” And the Harriers will be cheering on Jillian as she forges her own path to the iconic finish line in Central Park next month.
Briana Guiney
Toeing the line this November will be a comeback of sorts for Briana Guiney, after a tragic moment in an otherwise festive evening – a foot injury sustained at the Harriers 30th Anniversary party – sidelined one of the team’s beloved longtime members from completing the 2018 New York City Marathon. Now, four years later, better and badder than ever, she’s ready to make her NYC Marathon debut (“The event of the century!” she jokes.)
While Briana loves long distance races – 15k and 10 milers are a favorite because they’re “long enough that I can make up for mistakes” – she’s only ever completed one marathon back in 2007. “That training was hellish due to over excitement (too much too soon) and patellar tendonitis,” she reports. “But the marathon itself was a success for me.”
Since moving up to the Bronx, she hasn’t been able to make it to as many Harrier workouts as she’d like, “but otherwise training has been great. Really embracing the slow run pace on easy days.” She reports she’s feeling “strong, positive, excited, anxious,” and that having a goal to focus on has been beneficial. “I thrive on that kind of thing,” she says, adding, “On that note, now taking suggestions for post-marathon hobbies!”
Like many of us training for a big race, her biggest challenge has been… herself. “Self-doubt and second guessing,” she laments. “I need lots of reassurance that I'm doing the right thing (shout out to those of you who had to listen to my obsessing and answer incessant questions!)”
When things get hard, she turns to legendary runner Eliud Kipchoge to get her through. “I read that he smiles when he's hurting, so if you see me sporting a disturbing grin, that's my attempt at that,” she explains. Briana will have a huge cheer squad to get her across the finish line – besides from the Harriers, her parents, sister, nephews, boyfriend and friends will be rooting for her along the course. “I can't wait to be on the other side,” she says. “I wanna make you all proud!” What Briana doesn’t know is, she already has.
Alexander Simon
Alexander Simon has run one marathon so far. But he made it count, nailing a 2:46:11 at last year’s Mohawk Hudson River Run. So far, he’s feeling pumped for New York. “I have been running well,” he says. “Probably more prepared this year than last so that gives me some hope.”
While he races hard, he actually prefers the easy jogs of marathon training. “Putting in some time on the bridle path, ideally around dusk, is the best.” Meanwhile, juggling his running schedule around the harder efforts has proven challenging. “Balancing your schedule to fit in long runs and tempo efforts” is hard, he says. “The demand for recovery is high and it is so important to feel good. I am constantly doing my long run on a different day of the week.”
For balance, Alexander likes the Harriers’ Canova intervals. “Probably an unpopular opinion, but I do very little hard running,” says this speedster who recently did the 5th Ave Mile in a blazing 4 minutes and 42 seconds. “So preparing for a hard session and getting it done can give me a lot of confidence. In a very nerdy way, I think this type of workout addresses my particular physiology well too. Similar workouts (but a lot less intense) are a staple for me.”
In his free time, Alexander likes to relax. You might find him on the bike, playing tennis, or being a proud dog dad. He reports his VIP (Very Important Pup) is a 1.5 year old shepherd mix named Cacio (“as in Cacio e pepe”). Adopted last September from Hearts and Bones Rescue, Cacio is a fun-loving guy who adores humans and other doggos alike. “He loves adventures and can play endlessly,” says Alexander. “His adventurous free spirit always reminds me of what is really important in life.”
That is the same attitude Alexander is bringing with him to the start line of the marathon. “My thoughts are usually pretty quiet. I try to smile and appreciate being out there running. Once things get really tough, I will tell myself to go 1 mile at a time,” he says. His advice? “Just relax. I used to get incredibly nervous but my relationship with running has improved a lot, so being relaxed and having fun, that's all,” he says. “Keeping that mindset in the race is also the key to a good day. It is great to be on the Harriers team because they really embrace the fun of running and I think that helps me perform my best.”
Also helping him perform his best? His partner, who “smashed NYC” last year. “It will be really motivating to see her on the course,” he says. Meantime, he has one small request for his pre-race meal: “Need to have pizza! I have not decided where my pre-NYC pie will be from yet, but it is a big decision. Any upper east side recommendations are gladly accepted!”