“Caitlin Phillips had mentioned the idea to me a while back. It was kind of something that she was working on and forming. She wanted to get a group of women together to be a supportive environment. Around December, I was pulled into this group of women, who were having this very organic discussion about forming this group. I was very intimidated because it’s a very fast group of women, who are way faster than me. I’m very much the turtle of the group. It’s cool because it’s inspiring. It’s something for me to see and work toward. It’s also cool to be part of something from the very beginning.” – Lucy Paez Stelzner on the start of Distance Project NYC

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Lucy Paez Stelzner of Distance Project NYC and We Run Uptown joins the Runners of NYC Podcast. On Instagram, she describes herself as a “Runner. Obsessive traveler. Public health advocate. Proud Latina. Reading nerd.” Lucy is an emerging sub-elite in the New York City women’s running community and has made a major impact on the uptown running community. Lucy ran 2:58 at the 2019 Tokyo Marathon, which is a major improvement from the 4:29 that she ran at the 2009 New York City Marathon. She’s done all this while balancing a full-time job as a program director for Doctors of the World USA.

We discuss how she’s elevated her running talent to that next level, why she surrounds herself with such fast athletes in a newly-formed women’s running crew, how she motivates those in the uptown community and much more. She also shares why she ran the Tokyo Marathon in memory of Marquita Francique, who passed away in December 201. Quita left behind two kids and a husband but showed the power of the uptown running community when hundreds gathered in a memorial run for her.

Lucy is also coached by CITIUS MAG co-founder Stephen Kersh. She explains what led to the decision to pursue a personal coach and what it’s like being coached from afar.

This is Runners of NYC. A biweekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Leigh Anne Sharek and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. You can catch the latest episode of the podcast on iTunes so subscribe and leave a five-star review. We are also on Spotify!

❤️SPONSOR – GLOBAL RUNNING DAY – Mark Your Calendars!

Join us on Global Running Day on June 5, 2019, as we celebrate running and encourage others to get moving. No matter how fast you run or how far you go, what’s important is that you have fun being active and inspiring others in the community to join you. Leigh Anne and Chris want you to pledge to run and join the Runners of NYC team to see how many miles we can stack up. It’s simple. Visit globalrunningday.org/RunnersofNYC. Make the pledge and join the Runners of NYC team when you select your team name.

Don’t forget to share your posts on Global Running Day by using #GlobalRunningDay and following @globalrunningday on Instagram.

RUNNERS OF NYC LIVE

On June 6th, we are hosting our first-ever live show. We’re keeping the Global Running Day festivities going at Custom Performance. Jess Movold, who is a coach at Mile High Run Club and was most recently featured on the cover of Runner’s World will share her running story with us. Check-in starts at 6:30 p.m. at 295 Madison Ave #1026, New York, NY 10017.

Join the waiting list here.