Post-Race Wisdom: What the Mindful 5K Taught Me About Running Together

Fresh off another incredible New York Road Runners event in Queens (seriously, is there any organization that does community better than NYRR? And I’m not just saying that because they orchestrate the magic of the NYC Marathon), I’m buzzing with gratitude and a few lightbulb moments I want to share. After 15+ years of running with NYRR in this amazing city, I’ve found my sweet spot as a proud back-of-the-packer who runs for the sheer joy of the journey and the incredible energy and connections that happen along the way. Consider this my love letter to the running community, seasoned with hard-earned wisdom and gentle guidance for making these experiences even more wonderful for everyone—from speedsters to fellow back-of-the-packers.

The Beautiful Stuff That Made My Heart Sing

Elite Runners Who Stay Behind: Y’all, the elite runners who crossed the finish line and then jogged back to cheer on us mortals? Pure magic. Some even ran alongside back-of-the-pack warriors, offering encouragement. If that doesn’t restore your faith in humanity, I don’t know what will.

Celebrating Each Other: There’s something absolutely gorgeous about cheering for someone who just passed you. I love studying their form (even when it’s questionable), admiring their gear choices, and sending them silent wishes for speed and grace—even when they accidentally body-check me in their zone of focus. Hey, we’ve all been there.

The Comeback Moment: But here’s the thing—when you inevitably pass them later (because running is weird like that), you get to smile and become their cheerleader. That’s when you say out loud, “You’ve got this! Don’t give up!” Trust me, they need to hear it.

Some Gentle Wisdom From a Seasoned Slowpoke

Late or Missed Today’s Race? Perfect! That’s future motivation right there. Sign up for the next one NOW. Set three alarms (seriously, three). And here’s my decades-of-running secret: lay out your gear the night before. Even though I can bolt out the door at a moment’s notice, I still do this ritual. It builds excitement, and tomorrow-you will thank yesterday-you when you’re having a rough morning, couldn’t sleep, or the weather looks apocalyptic. Same goes for prepping your coffee and fuel. Success loves preparation, not hope.

Nothing New on Race Day: This is running wisdom 101, people! Just ask anyone in those porta-potty lines who decided to experiment with new energy gels on race morning. Your digestive system will NOT thank you. Stick with what you’ve tested and know works.

Paper Towels for the Win: Okay, this is my #1 race day essential that nobody talks about enough—paper towels! They’re the MVP for sweaty days, you can reuse them, they beat tissues hands down, and they’re ready for whatever curveball the race throws your way. Trust me on this one.

Give Back: This reminds me of my days in weight-loss support groups. Once I’d “made it,” I was shocked by how hungry newcomers were for my stories—the victories AND the setbacks. Your running journey, with all its ups and downs, is someone else’s roadmap and comfort. Share it.

A Few Loving Requests From Your Back-of-the-Pack Friend

For My Fellow Hearing Aid Warriors: I’m grateful every day for technology that makes me feel like a superhero, but here’s the thing—when you’re behind me chatting, laughing, or (bless your hearts) screaming as you pass, my hearing aids create a seismic jolt that scares the bejesus out of me. I know you’d totally pause your conversation for the three seconds it takes to pass if you knew. So now you do. Thank you in advance!

Save the Fragrance for After: We’re all working hard to inhale as much oxygen as possible out here. That cologne or “make me smell like a flower garden” body spray? It’s not helping our breathing situation. Save it for the post-race celebration!

Weaving = Wasted Energy: I get it—sometimes you feel stuck behind someone who seems “in your way.” But all that zigzagging just adds distance, wastes effort, and frustrates everyone you’re cutting off. You probably didn’t realize you were doing it, right? Straight lines are your friend.

Phone-Free Zones: I know, I know—races are Instagram gold. But those starting and finishing line selfies often step on other people’s achievements and moments. Let’s stay present for this magical experience we’re all sharing. The memories will be even better than the photos.

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The beauty of running communities like NYRR is that we’re all in this together—fast, slow, and everything in between. These little considerations just make the magic even more magical for everyone.

Now, who’s signing up for the next race with me? 🏃‍♀️✨