Written by Kristen:

Girls on the Run has been a very important part of my life for many years. I was so happy to have my wonderful CHRC friends come out to volunteer on June 5 at an event that means so much to me. The girls had spent 12 weeks working with their coaches not only on training for the 5k, but also talking about issues like healthy relationships, nutrition, goal setting, body image, and a whole host of other topics. The day of the 5k was a culmination of all of their hard work.

When I returned to New York I wanted to bring all of my experience working at Girls on the Run-Chicago and with the Bank of America Chicago Marathon to do anything I could to help the New York City council of Girls on the Run. I already knew that Allison, the Executive Director of GOTR-NYC (and fellow CHRC club member!) was a fantastic woman and had become a good friend, so this was a no-brainer.

Other CHRC volunteers can tell you about setting up flags for each of the schools that were represented that day, handing out medals to girls as they crossed the finish line (how can you not shed a tear watching this?), biking the course to make sure it is clear before the start (love you hubby!), and how their hands got sore from giving high fives to girls and their running buddies. Truly, there is no other event like this and I would encourage anyone to come out to experience the next 5k (in December, date and location to be announced soon).

My background in race operations and emergency management means I often work on the invisible aspects of event planning, and that’s where I’ve focused much of my time with GOTR-NYC.

Here are just a few things that Allison and GOTR staff and I focused on in the weeks and days before the event:

• Are the instructions for the many volunteers written as clearly as they can be?
• What is the evacuation plan for Roosevelt Island in case of emergency?
• What’s the best way to set up the barricades at the start line to ensure a clear flow of runners?
• Who is buying the airhorn for the start? (Me, from Amazon, $10.51)
• The forecast is calling for REALLY heavy rain and lightning, when/how do we decide to cancel if necessary?

Here are a few situations discussed/handled the morning of the event:

– The ambulance team is late, find out where they are. Turns out they had gone to Randall’s Island instead of Roosevelt Island. But they got to Roosevelt before the runners started!

 – Wow, we got the extra fancy port-o- potties delivered because the company had already sent out all of their standard ones to other locations. Hope people don’t get too used to this!

 – The bike marshal has reported that there’s some glass on the course at Mile 2 that has to be cleaned up before the start.

– A neighbor is complaining that the music is too loud. (Party. Pooper.)

Super sexy, right? But I love it. And no matter what volunteer job you might get at this event, you will know that you are helping young girls to have a life experience that teaches them that they are strong and capable.

I’ll end with what is often written on the back of the medals that girls receive at the finish “I have the power to believe in myself. To stand up for who I am. To say “yes” to a challenge. To cheer on new friends. TO GROW UP STRONG.”

Cue Kristen crying…

To be a part of the CHRC Community Engagement Committee, contact Aliza by emailing runningroyalty01@gmail.com

The Gear Shoppe is now Open! Pre-order your singlets and t-shirts TODAY!

This is your last chance to purchase your racing gear before the summer of PRs is over. If you are a member who is planning on racing with #CHRC for the NYRR Team Championship 5mile race, we will expect you to be wearing your Crown Gear on Race Day! Don’t miss this chance to gear up and prepare to look sharp with the rest of the team!

EXCLUSIVE SUMMER OFFER ….

Remember, the Gear Shoppe will close at noon on July 1st, so don’t delay! Go to our Gear Shoppe and Order today!

All Gear Purchases including Print-your-own will be hand-delivered at the Royal Court in July.

On June 12, the Crown Heights Running Royalty took their first group adventure to Bear Mountain State Park. Led by Duchess Kaitlyn, this band of gentry sought a day in the lap of Nature while straying not too far from their noble lands.

From Brooklyn, some traveled by car and others by direct bus. They all met in the State Park with the intent to conquer new Heights, appreciate the arrival of warm weather, and take in a view of NYC from a distance. At the end of the day, the Royal Crew agreed that they had attained all that they set out to do; and it only required a short day trip, a packed lunch, some sturdy shoes and a bit of cash for post-hike beers and ice cream!

Kaitlyn promises to lead more adventure hikes by the season; however, you wont have to wait long before the next great adventure! Next month, on the weekend of July 16-17, Sunny, our Social Media Baron and Grand Keeper of Records, Louie will be taking CHRC out on an overnight camping trip! This time, there may even be a bit of trail running involved (^o^)

Sign up on the Royal Bulletin before they take off without you. No experience required. Please contact runningroyalty@gmail.com or talk to Sunny as soon as possible to ensure the best experience!

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This year, CHRC was represented by 42 finishers at this popular event. Despite the rain forecast, the weather held up like perfection and our members ran like Royalty all the way from our backyard to the beaches in the company of 26,000 incredible participants. It was the perfect capstone to the winter and spring training seasons.

Airbnb made it possible for 2 of our members to join in! Here are some thoughts and images from Marina and Peter who won the CHRC drawing for entry! Congratulations #CHRC #RunningRoyalty on an amazing run!

MARINA

I never thought I’d run a marathon. Even a half marathon. I didn’t even consider it when the Brooklyn Half Marathon went on sale. ‘That’s not for me.’ I mostly run with the club for the good company. And now, I guess, to be pushed beyond my perceived limitations. When the draw was posted on the CHRC page for a position in the race I was compelled to enter. Mostly because I needed a distraction (that would keep me out of trouble), but also because I wanted to be a part of the excitement that was brewing amongst everyone.

Fate determined that it shall be so! And, my training began the very next day. Three weeks. Three weeks to get in long-distance-running shape. Up to this point, I may have made it to the seven or eight-mile mark but I certainly didn’t enjoy it. So, the challenge: how do I run this thing and not hate it? My first training run was ten miles. I hated the last three. But I ran again the next day (trails!), and the day after that too. Oh, I was in pain. Emergency yoga was in order. I hadn’t cleared week one and I was already broken. But then I ran again and something started to change. The next long run we did was a bit easier, dare I say fun? My reward, a Nagle’s breakfast sandwich.

My confidence was growing. With CHRC support and the promise of brunch, I could do anything. The week of the race I was feeling pretty good. I found someone to run with, and the weather promised to be great. I was going to do this! Then, the nerves set in. When I picked up my bib I realized that I was in the second wave—alone. What? I didn’t train alone. I need a running buddy. Let’s face it, I was getting through the long distances by being distracted by the lot of you, talking about our lives, loves, and idiosyncrasies.

Race day. We’re up early. I’m mixed up with nerves, excitement, and impatience. Let’s run already! It took a while to get the second wave going. It was a moving wall of people. Probably, a good thing. It forced me to keep a relaxed pace for the first part of the run. Weaving through the crowds became a kind of game. I wasn’t wearing a watch so I had no idea at what pace I was going. After we left the park, I plugged into my Run 1 track on Spotify and pushed passed the crowds of people and up the ramp. Finally, space. I think I felt every moment of the last three miles, keeping my eye on the horizon, searching for the mile markers. I believed that I’d get a second (third) wind when I made it to the final mile. I didn’t. I was tired. I thought of stopping. I slowed down. It seemed to take so much energy to keep one foot in front of the other even in the last 200m. Then it was done. I love that giddy feeling when you finish a race. Where’s my brunch?

With the completion of the Airbnb Brooklyn Half Marathon last weekend, it appears that the Spring Racing season has ended and Hot Weather running has arrived.

We hope you are enjoying a short respite and enjoying some grilling and sunshine as you trade in your merino long sleeves for dri-fit tank tops and your capris for your short-shorts. Keep on those runners though, because our summer is shaping up to be an active one you wont want to miss out on!

Here’s some of CHRC events and #CHRC target races you can look forward to this June
**Event dates and times subject to change ** Regular weekly group run schedule continues ** Keep your eye on our updated Schedule for the latest **

June 1: Global Running Day – Join in on a Global pledge to run! NYRR will have Hydration Stations. Liz will meet CHRC at 6:15am at Franklin & EPW to join the Coach-led Group Morning Run @Grand Army Plaza (6:30am)

June 5: NYRR Retro 4-Miler – Summer Club Points Race opener. Come cheer your #CHRCMen and #CHRCWomen in Central Park as they sport their old school cotton gear.

June 5: Girls on the Run 5K Volunteering – If you’re not running the 4-Miler, we encourage you to give back to this amazing sport by spending your morning with these inspirational girls as they run their first 5K! You won’t regret it.

June 5 @5:00pm: CHRC Royal Council Open Meeting – Interested in learning more or contributing your time to the club’s organizing committee? Every year, the Royal Council meets in the January and in June for an open meeting to all club members who want to discuss all things Royalty.

June 12: CHRC Outing to Bear Mountain – Kaitlyn will be leading a day hike/trail run at Bear Mountain. Details to come!

June 18: NYRR Queens 10K -#CHRCWomen and #CHRCMen take on a Five-Borough Series Race in Queens. Brunch to follow, surely.

June 19 @7:30pm: TCS NYC Marathon 2016: HERE WE COME! Are you running the Marathon this November? This day is 20weeks out from the big day. Let’s get together and talk goals, training, what the next 5months of preparation will mean for you, for us! This is Meeting #1 of a series of get-togethers to come throughout the summer training season.

June 20-30: Shoppe Opens for Gear Orders – Hurrah!!

June 23: Nutrition Lesson – Details to come for this new series of informational talks from the CHRC Events Committee.

June 25: NYRR Front Runners New York LGBT Pride Run -#CHRC teams will be taking part with all the colors of the rainbow in Central Park for this major Club Points Race.

June 27: Monthly Meet’nGreet – Our monthly opportunity for runners to get together and enjoy a drink or two, meet new friends and unite with old ones.

Not included above: PPTC Al Goldstein Speed Series in Prospect Park on Wednesday nights and TBA – Monday night bike rides! So many more exciting Events coming in July and August!