Gail Myers (right in picture) and Rozalynn Frazier (left in picture) are two faithful RUN NYC members competing in this year’s NYC Half-Marathon. Though they often train together throughout the week, Gail and Rozalynn came to RUN NYC for different reasons and look to accomplish separate goals in the upcoming race. So who are these two runners about to hit the pavement for one of the most exciting half-marathons NYC has to offer? Let’s find out!

Gail Myers began running in the fall of 2006 when she was convinced to come to NIKE for a group run. Though worried she would embarrass herself, she decided to go to the group run anyway and see what she could do. Luckily, in her eyes, she completed the run and was not lagging behind. Ever since that first running experience, Gail has not stopped running.

Having completed three half-marathons (the first being the NYC Half-Marathon on ’07), Gail looks to the NYC Half-Marathon as her coming out party.

“I actually just got into the NYC Half-Marathon. RUN NYC often raffles off entries into the race and I was lucky enough to be chosen. I cannot believe I won since winning an entry was the way I got into last year’s NYC Half-Marathon.”

With only two weeks notice, Gail has been making up for lost time, adjusting her training to ensure a good race.

“Though my training has not been tailored to peak at this time, I have enough base miles and conditioning to run a good race. Last year, in the NYC Half-Marathon, I set my PR with a 1:59. The funny thing is that after running another two half-marathons with more training under my belt, that 1:59 is still my fastest time. Regardless, I am looking to break my PR in this race. I’m hoping for a 1:54 but as long as I break 1:59, I will view that as a huge success.”

In preparing for her races, Gail often sticks to a routine. Even with a 7:00am start on Sunday, she sees no reason to do anything differently.

“I often sleep to the very last second, getting as much sleep as I can. After waking up, I drag my son with me to pick up a large coffee and a few donuts before I head off to the race. This routine might not be for everyone but since it works for me there is no reason to change. And when I run a PR this coming Sunday, it will just prove to me that this method works.”

Rozalynn Frazier began running in July 2006, making this month her second anniversary. Rozalynn took up running as a means to cope with the death of a close friend and she thought that running was going to be a short term solution; she eventually came to terms with the lost of her friend, and developed a strong passion for running that she now refuses to let go. Looking for extra motivation, she joined RUN NYC in September ’06 and quickly began to see her ability to run longer distances improve.

“When I first started running, I barely made it around one loop of the reservoir. I think I completed one loop at an average of 13 minutes per mile. Since then, I have made significant progress. I now run a 9/9:15 average pace per mile while covering longer distances. I have even cut down my race time. I have run two half-marathons and shaved off 12 minutes. I cannot wait to see what I’ll do in the NYC Half-Marathon.”

Rozalynn entered into the lottery for the NYC Half-Marathon and was selected. This will be Rozalynn’s first NYC Half-Marathon and she has been preparing for the race for months, looking to set a new personal best.

“I can’t wait to run in this race. The only half-marathons that I have been in were in Central Park. Running two loops around Central Park can get a little boring so it will be fun to leave the park. I have heard so much about the NYC Half-Marathon – how exciting it is to run through the streets of Manhattan and how amazing the crowd support is – it makes me so happy to have a chance to run on Sunday. Also, it is going to be fun trying to set a PR. I’ve been training so I am looking to break two hours. I am planning to stick with the NIKE pacers and hopefully cross the line in 1:59. That would put me at a 9:08 pace. That would be amazing.”

For Rozalynn, running has been an inspiration for life. What started out as a means to cope with tragedy has now turned into a passion for life!

“Though I often say that I hate running, I secretly love it. I have lived in NYC for 8 years, but during the first 6 years I was only in Central Park once. When I actually started running, I realized what I was missing. Not only is Central Park beautiful, but it is a wonderful place to train. Running for me clears my mind and relieves stress. It is a perfect way to spend my evenings after a long day at work.”

Gail and Rozalynn have been great additions to RUN NYC, always smiling and bringing a lot of energy to the training runs. We wish them luck in the NYC Half-Marathon Presented by NIKE and will be cheering them on so that they can accomplish their goals.