Member Spotlight #2: Jason Poblador
- Why do you run? How did you first start?
JP: I run because it is hard! It’s a prime example of delayed gratification! Training reminds me I can accomplish difficult things as long as I consistently show up for myself. When I turned
30 I told myself I needed a goal that seemed impossible at the time. Completing a marathon! - What is your most memorable or proud running moment?
JP: Completing the Brooklyn Half in 2022. Race conditions were brutal and I made every rookie mistake you could think of. I am most proud of how I was able to collect myself and finish strong towards the end of the race. - What do you enjoy doing when you are not running? Other hobbies?
JP: Boxing, traveling, dancing bachata/salsa - Do you have a favorite race/route/distance?
JP: Favorite race: NYC half marathon-running through Times Square with the crowd support is like something out of a movie!! Route: The Oval Office with Coach Gary and the crew (Always a surprise!) Distance: 5K-perfect mix between pain and discomfort
5. What is home like? Kids? Pets? Work? And how do you balance daily life, responsibilities and running?
JP: I remotely work as a software developer at Salesforce. I specialize in e-commerce. I’m part of a team based in Germany so wake up early to have more overlapping hours with my coworkers. This can make finding time to run difficult but I do my best to stay consistent. I jokingly say my cat Felix is my only coworker because he’s the only one I talk to in person during business hours.
6. What are your upcoming races, goals and/or dream races you’d like to run?
JP: Upcoming: 2023 NYC Marathon Goals: Finish my first marathon Dream race that I’ll never have the fitness for: Ultra-Trai du Mont-Blanc (UTMB)-running through France, Italy and Switzerland would be unreal!
7. Is there a piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor that sticks with you?
JP: In order to run fast, you must be able to run long distances. In order to run long distances, you must be able to run slow!!! Anyone who has done Zone 2/Maffetone training can speak on how frustrating and rewarding this experience can be!
8. What is your go-to running song and favorite sneaker?
JP: I don’t run with music because it gives me a sense of solitude. New Balance Fresh Foam x1080 v12.
9. What is one thing most people don’t know about you or a guilty pleasure?
JP: I watch 90 Day Fiancé with my girlfriend and pretend I don’t like it.
10. What is your biggest takeaway from being a member of an organized running club like NHP-Mineola?
JP: Initially I thought this was a group of running fanatics. Later I realized this is a group of runners who are dedicated to each other. Week in and week out we show up and train no matter what life throws at us. For some of us that means before/after work or even before the sun rises on Saturday/Sundays. Everyone has different goals, abilities and training capacities yet there’s always someone to share the miles with. It’s easy to skip a run/run on your own, but we all make time and effort to run with each other. It has been very motivating watching the hard work you have all been putting in during training translate into success outside of the group sessions.
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