• Dear 2016. We’re coming for you!

    The year end can feel like a time when something grand should happen; something to sum up the miles we ran, the people we touched, the changes we achieved, in a climax of awesome lights and music.

    Then there are those years when we can’t wait for the old calendar to be pulled down and the new page to be put up: blank and pristine, free of the messes from the past year, the dreadful days and injuries that somehow we got through.

    The start of 2016 comes like a mile-marker, not a finish line or a starting clock.

    start clockWe’ll swiftly run through it reflecting on how far we’ve come and looking at what’s ahead. With determination, friends and loved ones, and with the strength of our hard-working legs (tired and strained as they might be), we’ll take a sip of water (or champagne) to savor the sweet joy of the moment… before we continue on.

     

    Congratulations to all #CHRC members who completed personal bests, Boston qualifying times, first 5Ks, first marathons, first run with a group, 9+1s, 1000th mile, 1000th squat, etc. Congrats to #CHRCWomen who finished the year tied for 13th in the Open Women B among NYC clubs in their inaugural year!

    From the Royal Council at CHRC, THANK YOU for being with us in 2015 and we look forward to another wonderful year of friendship and miles. You are Royalty!!

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    **If you are interested in being a member of the Royal Council, we want to hear from you! Our new year “retreat” is on January 10th. Hope you will join us!**

     

     

  • ~*.*: Winter RUNderland :*.*~

     

    Only 10 days away, the 2nd Annual Winter Runderland will be hosted this year by the CHRC Royal Council on Friday December 18th, from 8pm – 11pm.

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    We are celebrating a year of running, friendship, racing, personal bests, training challenges, recovery from injury, yummy eats and drinks, thousands of miles, and all the smiles.

    Whether we have gotten to see a lot of you or a little of you, (or even if you’re a total CHRC newbie) we certainly hope to see you with your finish line supporters at our seasonally festive celebration. Party attire encouraged!

     

    We’ll have door prizes, awards, games, some snacks and drinks! This runnerific party has no cost. We will be accepting:

    • donations of hats/scarves/gloves for girls (ages 8-12) involved in Girls On The Run who are living in NYC Homeless shelters.
    • drinks or noshes to share!!

    We can’t wait to nae nae the night away with you!

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    RSVP TODAY –>FACEBOOK EVENT<

  • Guest Post: Marathon Water Wench

    This Guest Post comes from Brooke, our favorite Marathon Water Wench, who courageously gathered the CHRC Volunteer forces for action at this year’s NYC Marathon. Thank you to all our volunteers and to Brooke for heading this up!

     

    4 Weeks Ago, Eighteen Noble Knights showed up at 6:30 am on November 1st to represent the CHRC by volunteering at the 2015 New York City Marathon. It was a momentous day. The majority of CHRC was stationed at the Mile 8 Barclays Center Hydration Station, looking HOT HOT HOT in our uniforms of voluminous green ponchos and itchy wool hats, handing out water and Gatorade until 2:30 pm.

    Mile 8 was a great place to be stationed as the happy endorphins were kicking in and most of the runners who passed us were smiling, swept up in marathon euphoria.

    We were a mere 2 knights shy of earning a guaranteed marathon entry for 2016, so we have a goal to aim for next year. Goals aside, it was a day of so much connection and jubilation. We Noble Knights spread the Good Word about CHRC, chatting it up with lots of runner volunteers who’d never heard of us before. The fun continued later that afternoon, with Good Lady Yael Elmatad hosting a potluck feast at her lovely manor house for all the volunteers and runners. Who knew a tofu-based chocolate mousse could be so scrumptious?! Thank you, Lady Yael, for that recipe, and for your warmth and hospitality.

    Just days before I led CHRC’s group at Mile 8 as Ye Olde Marathon Water Wench, my boyfriend, who had cancer, told me that he was entering hospice care with his family in California.CHRC Brooke In the midst of so much sadness, it felt profound to have so much life–in all shapes, sizes, and paces–rushing toward me. It was wonderful to look all those lives in the eyes and smile. “Great smile!” one lovely 60-something woman called out. (She was clearly hitting on me.) The marathon seemed a metaphor for this big, beautiful, heartbreaking life we inhabit, and all the ways we find our way through it. I’d never had any desire to run a marathon before, but after volunteering, I did.

    I’m cramming in the 3 races I need to make 9, and looking forward to training for those 26 miles with the CHRC community. Thanks to all you Noble Knights who volunteered and all the people who made the marathon possible and all the runners running toward me. You helped me to remember what it is to be alive.

     

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    Here’s to nabbing that guaranteed entry next year, and to 26 euphoric, grueling miles of life!

    Volunteer Opportunities for the 2016 NYC Marathon are already accepting applications. Sign up today —>www.tcsnycmarathon.org/volunteers-for-2015/opportunities

  • The Shoppe is Open!

    Did ya hear the news?? Cold weather gear is on Sale NOW!

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    Our specialty Gear Shoppe, run by friends and members of CHRC, has opened their “doors” starting today to take your orders for our Long Sleeve Performance Tees (now in Black AND White) and NEW Neck Warmers.

    The Shoppe is open 24/7 to take your orders over the Interwebs but ONLY UNTIL NOVEMBER 13, 2015. MIDNIGHT. Your gear will then be magically created and hand-delivered to you at our next Public Court on Monday November 23!

  • It’s Marathon Week in NYC!

    Autumn has arrived and Marathon Week in the city has officially kicked off!

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    CHRC started the week with some fabulous performances by #CHRCWomen at the Poland Spring Marathon Kick-Off 5Miler on Sunday. Despite the drizzle, all participants found their stride and came across the finish line, smiling!

    Others went picking for apples and running in the fall landscape just north of the city at Run the Farm 5mile race of the Trail Mix Series. #CHRCTrails

     

    The 45th Annual TCS NYC Marathon is only 1 week away!

    Here are some ways you can be a part of it:

    • NEW this year, NYRR has built a Pavillion at the marathon finish line that is open to everyone all week from 7:00am-9:00pm (except Friday when it will close at 3:00pm). It’ll serve as an entertainment hub and welcome center for this incredible race! Check out the events that will be happening here.
    • Pick up your race materials, do some shopping, ask your last-minute questions, check out the NYRR Running Lab at the NYC Marathon Expo – Thursday through Saturday.
    • Participate in free runs, talks, book signings by your running heroes, running film screenings around the city and across the five boroughs on this comprehensive list compiled by runningandthecity 
    • Cross that marathon finish line on Saturday by participating in the NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K. There’s still some space left in this sign up for this high-speed preview! #DashtotheFinish
    • Not racing and not sure what you’re doing on race morning? CHRC has a great group heading to Mile 8 of the marathon in Brooklyn to volunteer! Sign-ups happened a few months ago but if you are able and interested, there may be some spots open for you. Please contact us at runningroyalty01@gmail.com and address your questions to Brooke (AKA Marathon Water Wench)!

     

    On Sunday November 1st, after the marathon and volunteering is over, our Royal Council and members are hosting a cozy celebratory Potluck in Crown Heights! Bring a little something and hang out with us as we close out Marathon Week and the end of our summer and fall season!

  • Balancing Outdoor Frolicking with Cozy Desserts’n’Drinks

    Fall!! …. or more summer…?

    This weather definitely has us guessing but here we are in the busiest time of year for racing and a great time to be out in a soon to be a colorful leaf-covered wonderland. For those that trained with us all summer, you’re likely feeling that surge in your legs now. And for those joining in after a summer of recovery, your fresh legs will keep us all motivated for more!

    As you complete your major fall races, find some time for balanced recovery. Enjoy the cozy comforts of sweaters and tea while finding that exhilaration of running in cooler temperatures.

    We have a couple of great events this month to help you celebrate so mark these in your calendar. We can’t wait to see you and have some fun!


    The Royal Council invites you to our monthly

    Public Court on October 14, 2015 at 7:30pm

     

    This time we will be at Butter & Scotch on Franklin Avenue. Let’s hear about your racing season and chat about your Halloween costume and your running goals for next season!

     

     

    runthefarmGet out of the city for a day of apple picking, hay rides and pumpkin patch dancing, October 25, 2015.

    We are heading up to Stuart’s Farm, up the Hudson. Join CHRC Trail Runners at Muscoot Farm nearby for a frolic in a 5mile trail race in the morning, or join us for just the fall fun! Be sure to RSVP so we can coordinate rides.

  • September Public Court

    Mark your calendar for Sept. 16th @7:30pm for our monthly Meet’N Greet at Catfish!

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