Run, Karla, Run!

Kim Smith passes the Cyclone roller coaster on her way to victory at the 2013 Brooklyn Half. (Photo: NYRR)

Mark your calendars. Registration for the 2014 Brooklyn Half Marathon on May 17 opens this Wednesday, January 22 at 12 p.m. EST.

The Brooklyn Half Marathon may not be as famous as the New York City Marathon or NYC Half, but it should be. The event, also put on by New York Road Runners, is a world-class race on the verge of becoming very big, indeed. Mark my words: the day will come when this event is popular enough to have its own lottery. For 2014, NYRR is expecting its biggest field yet. Read the rest of this entry →

Kids and kids at heart at the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. (Photo: runDisney)

112 years ago today, a man was born who would have a profound influence on my own life, my family, and millions of other people worldwide. On December 5, 1901 Walt Disney was born in a small house on the northwest side of Chicago. I grew up not too far from there, 30 minutes due west of the city and Walt’s first home.

Walt and Mickey watch over Magic Kingdom in the “Partners” statue. (Photo: Gene Duncan/Walt Disney World News)

So today, Walt’s Birthday, feels like the right time to reflect on why I run Disney.

Why I Run Disney

When I was about 8-years-old—just 30 minutes and 85 years from where the man behind the mouse was born—I promised myself I’d never forget what it felt like to be a kid. I was surrounded by grown-ups who had clearly forgotten.

I don’t remember the inciting incident, but I remember the day clearly.

I was sitting on the grass by the pond next to my house picking dandelions. A grown-up I didn’t know well yelled at me, essentially, for having fun—the kind of fun a kid has on warm spring days, doing cartwheels, singing, playing and like. Maybe I accidentally cartwheeled into her, or maybe I was giggling too loudly. Whatever I’d done, I thought it was innocent child’s play. The grown-up did not.

Her grumpy admonition stung. As I sat sulking, staring at the grass stains on my pants, I promised myself I would never, ever forget how it feels to be a kid.

It was a solemn promise that I’ve held close to my heart. I run Disney races because of that promise. Read the rest of this entry →

What an amazing day to be in New York City. The 2013 ING New York City Marathon came back with the biggest field of runners in the history of the sport. At the 43rd running of the race 50,304 finishers made it the world’s largest marathon ever.

Bryan Steinhauer ran the ING New York City Marathon after recovering from a life-threatening attack and coma. (Photo: On The Run/NYRR)

In this episode of “On The Run” Tim Hutchings, Carrie Tollefson and I look at the highlights from the race, talk to some runners including pros and charity runners, and follow-up with a few of the athletes we profiled in previous episodes including Bryan Steinhauer, Team One Spirit, Bill Rancic and more. We also take a look back at the excitement of race week.

But I’d also like to share my thoughts about the marathon and what it means to me.

It was an honor to be a part of race week and the marathon, and to be in the middle of all the action. I’ve run the ING New York City Marathon three times and watched as a spectator even more. Each time, New York didn’t disappoint. It was my first marathon and it still stands as my favorite. Read the rest of this entry →

In the latest installment of “On The Run at the 2013 ING New York City Marathon,” we broadcast from the Dash to the Finish Line 5k, a run from the United Nations to the marathon finish line in Central Park. More than 5,000 runners joined the race, including a stacked field of Olympians.

We bring you the race and chat with some of the favorites including Shalane Flanagan, Molly Huddle, Sally Kipyego, Evan Jager, Lopez Lomong, and Nick Willis.

Plus, the amazing story of Bryan Steinhauer: after languishing in a coma following a life-threatening attack, Steinhauer re-learned to talk, walk, and run. Now he’s taking on the ING New York City Marathon.

Join Tim Hutchings, Carrie Tollefson and and me as we cover a world-class field of athletes on marathon eve.

From left, Carrie Tollefson, Karla Bruning, Tim Hutchings, Tom Glick and Zach Starr. (Photo: On The Run/NYRR)

Here’s episode 3 of On The Run at the ING New York City Marathon!

In this episode of “On the Run,” we travel west for a peek inside the lives of top American distance runners Alisha Williams and Jason Hartmann, who are each hoping for a big breakthrough here in New York.

Alisha holds down a full-time job as an accountant while also training as a professional runner.

Jason Hartmann runs unsponsored, despite the fast that he finished fourth as the top American at the Boston Marathon in both 2012 and 2013, and coaches one of America’s top high school runners.

“On The Run” visits Jason Hartmann. (Photo: On The Run/NYRR)

Joining us at the desk, ING New York City Marathon champions Geoffrey Mutai and Meb Keflezighi talk about the thrill of winning and the pressure of staying on top.

Mutai is the fastest marathoner in history with his unbelievable 2:03:02 finish at Boston in 2012, and Meb is the perennial American favorite who manages to keep running on top at the age of 38.

Journalists David Epstein, author of “The Sports Gene,” and Weldon Johnson of LetsRun.com, share their podium predictions for the professional fields in this year’s race.

Digging in at the On The Run desk. From left, David Epstein, Carrie Tollefson, Karla Bruning and Tim Hutchings. (Photo: On The Run/NYRR)

And wheeler Tatyana McFadden is poised to make marathon history. She’s just one win away from a Grand Slam of victories in 2013. She’s already won the London, Boston and Chicago marathons. All that’s left is New York.

So join Olympians Tim Hutchings, Carrie Tollefson and me as we go On The Run.

Episode 2 of On the Run at the 2013 ING New York City Marathon is up!

“On the Run” chats with with “The Apprentice” winner and “Giuliana and Bill” star Bill Rancic as he talks marathon running with Dean Karnazes.

We also meet two documentary filmmakers who traveled to Kenya with Boston Marathon champion, Kenyan parliamentarian and philanthropist, Wesley Korir.

Marathon legends Bill Rodgers, Frank Shorter and Joan Benoit Samuelson talk about the growth of the sport, and “Runner’s World” Editor-in-Chief David Willey gives us his perspective on the men’s professional race.

Plus, runners from the Lakota Nation share their inspiring story as they prepare to run the 2013 ING New York City Marathon.

From left, David Willey, Carrie Tollefson, Karla Bruning and Tim Hutchings get ready to start the show. (Photo: On The Run/NYRR)

Join me and Olympians Carrie Tollefson and Tim Hutchings as we give you an all-access pass to the ING New York City Marathon. More to come tomorrow!

The first episode of On the Run at the 2013 ING New York City Marathon is live!

This episode includes a look back at the runners who helped at Staten Island, an insider glimpse at New York’s fastest lady, and a conversation with a spirited drummer from Harlem who will play to the cadence of 45,000 runners.

Plus, one wheeler pushed 3,000 miles across America and another runner is hoping to become the race’s oldest finisher—at 93-years-young.

All these stories and more in this episode of “On The Run.”

Buzunesh Deba prepares for the ING New York City Marathon. (Photo: On The Run/NYRR)

Stay tuned for another episode tomorrow!

Photo courtesy of New York Road Runners.

It’s marathon week in NYC! Even if you’re not running the 2013 ING New York City Marathon, there are lots of ways to be a part of the excitement. Here are just a few.

On The Run

Shooting the Brooklyn Half with “On The Run.” (Photo: nyrr_ontherun/instagram)

I’m back at it, catching the action with New York Road Runners’ “On the Run at the 2013 ING New York City Marathon.” We’ve got five race week episodes coming to you starting tonight, Wednesday, October 30. Joining me this year are Olympians Carrie Tollefson and Tim Hutchings as we give viewers an inside look at the largest marathon in the world.

What in store “On The Run?” We’ve got stories about runners from the front of the pack, in the middle and the back. The motto of this year’s race is “YOU make it the marathon,” and our show reflects that. Sure, we’ll talk to the pros, including World Champion Edna Kiplagat, defending champion Geoffrey Mutai and American challengers Meb Keflezighi and Jason Hartmann. Shalane Flanagan and Lopez Lomong will stop by before they run the NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K on Saturday morning. And a few marathon legends will stop by the “On The Run ” desk too.

But we’re also focusing on some of the 45,000 runners who may not be pros, but whose stories are inspirational, heart-warming, or just plain enjoyable. A competitive eater? Check. The oldest NYC Marathon runner in history? Check. Celebrity runners? Check.

So please check out the show. They will be available online daily at OnTheRun.NYRR.org after the following times:

• Wednesday, October 30: 8:00 p.m.
• Thursday, October 31: 8:00 p.m.
• Friday, November 1: 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, November 2: 5:00 p.m.
• Monday, November 4: 4:00 p.m.

ABC in New York

If you’re in the New York metro area, be sure to watch ABC7 on Saturday night at 7:30 for a 30-minute special “Countdown to the Starting Line.” I filmed a short segment for the show highlighting the top professional runners to watch in Sunday’s race. Read the rest of this entry →

Nike’s Just Do It NYC: House of Innovation showcases their latest running technologies. (Photo: Nike)

Last night I had a chance to get a sneak peek at the Nike Just Do It NYC: House of Innovation, an art/commerce installation that showcases the brand’s new running gear for winter through video, lights, and sensory objects.

The Nike Hyperwarm shirt floats in a sea of icicles. (Photo: RunKarlaRun.com)

The project is housed in New York’s Skylight at Moynihan Station, NYC’s historic James A. Farley Post Office turned event space. Guests walk into a completely blackened space, ushered through by Nike employees also glad in black. Lights are kept to a bare minimum—just enough to safely walk to the starting point of the installation.

From the pitch black of the warehouse-like space, a video on two screens straddling a walkway begins the presentation. When the video ends, lights rise on the first part of the exhibit: a collection of shoe forms and Nike Free Flyknit shoes hanging from the ceiling.

We’re encouraged to touch and walk through them before proceeding to the next stop on the tour, a similar presentation of Nike’s Pro Hyperwarm Hybrid shirt surrounded by field of floating icicles. Read the rest of this entry →

The fifth anniversary of the Kaua’i Marathon and Half Marathon on September 1, 2013 had 1,700 runners tackling the 13.1- and 26.2-mile courses. I ran the half marathon on a tropical morning made for running: 77 degrees and overcast, with a light intermittent drizzle that kept me perfectly cool. Read the rest of this entry →

Becki Lynn Lassley wears the Kaua’i Marathon logo proudly. (Photo: RunKarlaRun.com)

How much do you love your favorite race? Enough for a running tattoo? Enough to tattoo the race’s logo on your body?

Becki Lynn Lassley of Colorado did just that. She’s run the Kaua’i Marathon all five of the race’s five years, and with great success. She’s finished in the top three women every single year. She won in 2010, finished second in 2009 and 2011, and third in 2012 and 2013.

If I had that kind of track record at a race, I might consider a running tattoo too. Lassley had the Kaua’i Marathon logo tattooed by a local artist in Kaua’i. Here’s a detailed view: Read the rest of this entry →

Fourth triathlon done! (Photo: RunKarlaRun.com)

I finished my fourth triathlon on Sunday, August 11 at the Wild Dog Triathlon In Bristol, Rhode Island. The course in Rhode Island’s Colt State Park was dazzling with a surprisingly warm open water swim in Narragansett Bay, a bike ride through the 464-acre park, and an out-and-back run entirely along the waterfront.

Check out the video below.

I had a great time at this triathlon and would love to do it again. But it was full of highs and lows.

Swim

The swim was a high. I finished 13th of 74 women, polishing off the quarter mile swim and tenth of a mile run to the transition zone in 7:49. The only woman in my age group who beat me won the women’s race overall. Read the rest of this entry →

If you’re like me, you crank the radio full blast and start fist pumping when you hear “I Love It” by Swedish music duo Icona Pop from their EP Iconic. It’s a great song for a running playlist, and probably the song I will forever associate with the summer of ’13.

But Icona Pop is just the latest in a string of Swedish imports since ABBA to storm American radio waves.

In honor of loving “I Love It,” the first installment of “Monday Music” is dedicated to artists from the land of Ikea.

Looking to keep your running playlist fresh? “Monday Music” is here to help. As the lead singer of an ‘80s cover band, I truly heart music. So every Monday, I share a song, album, artist or playlist that I love running to. This week: Swedish Running Playlist. Read the rest of this entry →

It’s all about Brooklyn. NYRR On The Run at the Brooklyn Half, hosted by yours truly, looks at the race that has quickly become one of America’s largest half-marathons. More than 21,000 runners finished the 13.1-mile race from the Brooklyn Museum through Grand Army Plaza and Prospect Park to the spectacular water-front finish on the Coney Island boardwalk. Read the rest of this entry →

At the Brooklyn Half Pre-Party (Photo: NYRR_OnTheRun on Instagram)

We’re back! “On The Run,” New York Road Runners’ web show hosted by yours truly, is back for the Brooklyn Half Marathon. But this time we’re making the leap to the big time. We’re going to be on TV! WABC-7 in New York will air “NYRR On The Run at the Brooklyn Half” on Sunday, May 19 at 1 p.m.

Then the episode will hit the web so anyone, anywhere can catch all the action from the means streets of Brooklyn.

It’s the biggest Brooklyn Half in the race’s 33 year history. More than 25,000 people have registered for the 13.1-mile race that takes runners from Grand Army Plaza and Prospect Park to the boardwalk in Coney Island, making it the second largest half-marathon in the U.S. and top five in the world. The half-hour episode of “On The Run” will bring race highlights, but also a bit of local Brooklyn flavor.

Chatting with a New Balance shoe designer at the Brooklyn Pre-Party. (Photo: NYRR_OnTheRun Instagram)

The race kicked off on Wednesday with a three-day pre-party in Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood, sandwiched between the Manhattan Bridge and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

This isn’t your average race expo. Presented by race sponsor New Balance, runners pick up bib and race shirts at the Old Tobacco Warehouse to the beats of a DJ, live bands play on an outdoor stage, food trucks line the walls of the warehouse, and a beer garden serves up Brooklyn brews along with treats from a slew of local eateries. It’s a whole new take on a race expo, and having spent the last two night there I can honestly say this: it’s spectacular. Without contest, it’s the most fun and most creative race expo or pre-party I’ve ever seen. Read the rest of this entry →