Marc Cerrone
Hometown: Pomfret Center, CT
Occupation: Pediatrician
How long have you been running competitively? 13 years, but have only in the past 5 years expanded to distances longer than 5 miles and triathlons
What is your favorite distance to race? 5K, I feel I can be more competitive at the shorter distances
What is your favorite HMF race and why? This is tough! I love the Courthouse O’Putnam 5K because it is a fun, local race but I also love the Hartford Marathon because of the community encouragement along the race course and the challenge of the marathon.
What was your single most memorable race day experience? Finishing my first marathon at the Hartford Marathon 2013. I never imagined it was a feat I could ever accomplish until I completed the Hartford Half-Marathon the year before and felt pretty good at the end!
What was the lowest moment in a race you experienced? Seeing another runner need medical attention a mile from the finish line of the Hartford Marathon—I felt so bad for them getting so close after all that hard work training.
What's your "Go to" pre race meal? Oatmeal, 2 bananas, 2 cups of coffee
What's your "Go To" Post race meal? Any free food at the finish line! If there’s a choice I’ll grab grilled cheese or a bagel and chocolate milk
Why do you run? Mostly to burn off the stress of work, but also to stay in shape and for that endorphin rush!
What one piece of advice would you give to someone running his or her first race this year? Make a training schedule, stick with it and most importantly have fun with both the training and the race. Train with friends and it will help to keep you all motivated and on schedule!
Stacey Clark
Hometown: East Berlin, CTOccupation: High School Spanish Teacher
How long have you been running competitively? A year and a half
What is your favorite distance to race? Half Marathon
What is your favorite HMF race and why? The 5k Red Dress Run. The camaraderie, comfort and connection of running with all females is incredible. Plus, what better way to support women's heart health?
What was your single most memorable race day experience? The home stretch of the Middletown Half. Everyone was cheering and I could see the balloon arc not even a block away. I hit my wall just then and thought I would trip and fall down. I didn't, and I finished the race just fine. This was my first race ever and it taught me to keep fighting and run through the pain and fatigue of future races
What was the lowest moment in a race you experienced? I took a digger in mini triathlon on the biking portion and it really shook me up
Why do you run? Peace of mind.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone running his or her first race this year? Go get 'em! It's always that first time doing everything that can be pretty daunting. You can do it, you will do it, and you won't regret it :)
Nichole Donzella
Occupation: 4th Grade Teacher
How long have you been running competitively? 7 Years
What is your favorite distance to race? I love them all and for different reasons; 5k's, half marathons, sprint, Olympic and Half Ironman triathlons!
What is your favorite HMF race and why? "My two favorites are max's O'Hartford and the Hartford Half Marathon.
What was your single most memorable race day experience? I feel like every race becomes a "most memorable." Each time that I cross that finish line and listen to the cheering crowds and see my two girls waiting for me, it's a high! The ability to do something that you love, that is good for you and that emotes a sense of health and well being is a memorable, special experience. I am truly grateful for each and every race, the opportunity to surprise myself!
What was the lowest moment in a race you experienced? My lowest moment in a race is when I found myself stopped and walking up a hill. Although it sounds completely understandable, it was a feeling of defeat. I have learned since that you just can't walk; slow jog, shuffle, even a sachet is better than a walk. For both physically and mentally, you lose stamina. Now, I remind myself that it hurts less to run than it does to walk; again, both mentally and physically.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone running his or her first race this year? Enjoy every minute of it...you have worked up to this particular moment; this is your victory lap! Look around, smile and wave at spectators and volunteers...run with a bounce in your step and a lightness in your heart. Set a goal for yourself, but don't dwell in disappointment. Instead, relish in the fact that you got out there and did something incredible!
Stacey Head
Hometown: Rocky Hill CTOccupation: Physical Therapist/Fitness Coach
How long have you been running competitively? Since 2003 I started running more competitively but started originally in 2001. Started doing triathlons in 2004
What is your favorite distance to race? I love half marathons and sprint triathlons
What is your favorite HMF race and why? I would have to say the Women's Tri at Winding Trails. I love the feel of the women only race. The variety that come there from first-timers and newbies to seasoned veterans. My second favorite would be Niantic as that was my first triathlon and is a great race.
What was your single most memorable race day experience? Completing my first Ironman distance race with my now husband (boyfriend at that time) as we ran the whole marathon together and crossed that finish line with our 2 nieces and 2 nephews.
What was the lowest moment in a race you experienced? This is tough as I try to forget those moments when I am at my lowest and just try to be in that moment with putting one foot in front of the other. There were many races where the heat didn't agree with me, I was sick or got stung by a bee of jelly fish but made it through with positive thoughts.
What's your "Go to" pre race meal? A smoothie or Peanut butter and jelly
What's your "Go To" Post race meal? P90 Recovery drink, banana, pizza and ice cream
Why do you run? To free my mind, stay healthy and fit, to be with friends and to show others that they can make that first step to be healthy and fit
What one piece of advice would you give to someone running his or her first race this year? Nothing new on race day. Make sure to have your nutrition tested.
Wendy Ku
Hometown: Farmington, CTOccupation: Technology Education Teacher/Department Supervisor
How long have you been running competitively? A long time
What is your favorite distance to race? Half Marathon
What is your favorite HMF race and why? My two favorite HMF races include the Red Dress 5k and the Hartford Marathon. I enjoy the Red Dress 5k because it is exclusively for women, thus allowing us to be more comfortable and confident in our participation. I especially enjoy all of the tutu’s and shirts the participants wear during the race. I really enjoy the Hartford Marathon because of the course and support. At the end of the race, there is a line of water fountains ready for us. I particularly appreciate how HMF went green with the water fountains.
What was your single most memorable race day experience? I remember crossing the finish line at the Hartford Full Marathon to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I was using the race as a training run for the NYC Marathon (which ended up getting cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy) and was surprised when I finished the race faster than my race goal! I also PR'd for my marathon race by over 35 minutes.
What was the lowest moment in a race you experienced? My lowest race moment was when I ran the Cincinnati Flying Pigs Marathon undertrained. My baby at that time was only 9 months old, but I thought I would be able to train and run a full marathon. I had also never ran past 7 miles in my life prior to starting my training plan, and my longest training run during the place was a half marathon race. The night before the race, I contemplated switching to the half marathon race, but at the last minute decided to go ahead and go for the full marathon. I was doing ok until mile 15 where experienced “the wall.” Long story short, I had to walk and stop several times to complete the marathon after mile 15, but I did it! I’ve learned my lesson & will never run a race under trained.
Why do you run? I run because it helps me become stronger and faster both physically and mentally. I love all the health benefits that come with staying fit. I also really enjoy the running community.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone running his or her first race this year? My advice would be to be patient with your training and hang on! It might hurt because you might not be used to it, but it gets better.
Tony Labriola
Hometown: Highland, NY
Occupation: I've been working in PR and Social Influence for Mullen, a Boston-based communications agency for 20 years.
How long have you been running competitively? About four years.
What is your favorite distance to race? Half Marathon
What is your favorite HMF race and why? Hands down, the Surftown Half in Misquamicut, RI is my favorite race. I could say it was about the course, flat, great views of the ocean around every turn, lots of cheering fans. Or the time of year, late summer on the shore with crystal clear, cool mornings turning to warm afternoons. The pre and post-race festivities. But the real reason is that Surf Town is my annual homecoming. My family spent summers on the RI shore. Running through Misquamicut Beach and Watch Hill is like running back in time for me. Every step is full of memories.
What was your single most memorable race day experience? My most memorable race day experience is from my first half marathon in 2010. I found out that my brother-in-law had registered for the race and having run a few 5Ks, I had been considering moving up to a more challenging distance. About 8 weeks before the race, I decided to register too and start training. Training went well and I set a personal goal of finishing in under 2 hours: a goal that I didn't really share with anyone.
Fast forward to race day, my brother-in-law and father-in-law and I set out at a moderate pace. I was feeling great. About mile 9 my brother-in-law starts to slow down (his knee started hurting). I kept my pace and fell in with a small group of runners. As I pass the timer at mile 10 I do some quick math and figure that I might just make my 2-hour goal. As I make the turn into the home stretch (down a long hill) I can see the finish line clock just turn over to 1:59 and I start into an all out sprint. I run past my cheering family - intent on reaching the finish and cross at 1:59:59. Mission accomplished.
Fast forward to race day, my brother-in-law and father-in-law and I set out at a moderate pace. I was feeling great. About mile 9 my brother-in-law starts to slow down (his knee started hurting). I kept my pace and fell in with a small group of runners. As I pass the timer at mile 10 I do some quick math and figure that I might just make my 2-hour goal. As I make the turn into the home stretch (down a long hill) I can see the finish line clock just turn over to 1:59 and I start into an all out sprint. I run past my cheering family - intent on reaching the finish and cross at 1:59:59. Mission accomplished.
What's your "Go to" pre race meal? Pre-race fuel is important but I'm not a huge carb loader. I've found that a balanced meal of lean protein, salmon or chicken, paired with a bunch of whole grains does the trick. I also hydrate like crazy. You can find recipes and inspiration on tonymakeslunch.com
What's your "Go To" Post race meal? Post race I slam a chocolate protein shake to recover then hit the food tent for whatever is on tap (and by on tap, I mean finding a cold beer).
What one piece of advice would you give to someone running his or her first race this year? Soak it all in. A lot of my friends have started running later in life. I tell them that they aren't out to break any records, only set new personal ones. Relax. Enjoy the atmosphere. Meet new people. Run your own race. If you feel good, push your pace. If you don't..save your legs for another day and another race. Enjoy a cold beer at the finish and then look forward to your next race or your next distance. At this point in our lives, we should be running and racing because we love it and doing everything we can to keep that love-affair going.
Christopher Trotta
Hometown: Longmeadow, MA
Occupation: Deregulated Energy Sales
How long have you been running competitively? 4 years
What is your favorite distance to race? 10K or any triathlon
What is your favorite HMF race and why? Niantic Bay Triathlon. It was my first HMF race and the course and community are beautiful. Plus, what's not to love about finishing on the beach in August?
What was your single most memorable race day experience? Crossing the finish line of the 2011 Mohawk Hudson marathon with my daughter. She was 4, and ran the final few hundred feet of the race with me.
What was the lowest moment in a race you experienced? The 2015 TCS New York City Marathon. I had a nagging injury that flared back up at mile 8, and by mile 10, I was walking. I ended up walking to mile 26, and fought to run across the finish line There was NO way that I was walking across that line!
Why do you run? I want to inspire my children and others to live a full, fit, and healthy life. People say life is short. I disagree, life is long, enjoy it, embrace it.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone running his or her first race this year? Enjoy every second of it. Don't get discourage if you need to take a walk break or stop at every water station. You are doing something that may have scared the pants off of you when you signed up. Then, after the race, go find another race to register for. You now have a PR to lower!
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