I always dreamed of being a runner, but never thought it would be possible. In 2018, I applied for the Go the Distance program on a whim. When I was selected, I had my doubts about whether or not I would be able to run a full Boilermaker, never having successfully run so much as a 5K. I showed up to my first training run sure that I wouldn’t make it through my first mile. I quickly discovered though that running was a true passion; I fell in love with the sport, with the way it made me feel physically, mentally, and emotionally. Guided by the support of the Mohawk Valley Hill Striders and especially Coach Joe, I completed the 2018 Boilermaker. However, I quickly discovered that a 15K wasn’t enough. I went on to run six marathons in a six-month period. After breaking my ankle just two weeks before the 2019 Boilermaker, I spent months in physical therapy to make my running comeback. Though I’m still on the road to recovery, at least I’m still hitting the road! I look forward to running my first marathon in the fall of 2020!.
Jennifer Stein - Vice President
Kaitlyn Barlow - Secretary
I joined the Mohawk Valley Hillstriders in 2023 after I was a member of the GTD team. Since then, I have been supported and encouraged by this great group to compete in short and long distance races, from 1 milers and 5ks to half and full marathons, and even triathlons. Being a member of the board gives me the opportunity to give back to the community that guided me through my first boilermaker and beyond, helping me fall in love with the sport of running. I am proud to be a member and serve this community.
I became introduced to the Mohawk Valley Hill Striders through my wife, Gretchen, who was running with this group. I am not a runner, and have no desire to run!! I needed to find some method of exercise, so I started riding my bike with this group. I quickly realized that this was a great opportunity to help keep my physically motivated and to assist in the safety patrol of our runners. Through the years, with this great collection of people, I have been involved with multiple local races, and the WKTV Go The Distance program providing bike patrol.
Gretchen Kubera - Board Member
Jessica Sklarz - Board Member
Chelsea Arcuri - Board Member
I have been running for many years. I joined the Mohawk valley Hill Striders as I wanted to run a half marathon in the spring of 2016. This group ran as a group regularly and throughout the year. I didn't think I liked winter running until I started running in the winter with this group! I've met so many great people in the hill striders. My running family means the world to me. If you're running, walking, biking, and even struggling, I'm rooting for you!
Three (almost 4 years) ago, it was a rainy, spring afternoon, and I looked at my husband and told him I was going for a run. He looked at me like I had 15 heads, checked my forehead for any sign of a fever, and asked if I was ok. I was more than ok! I was pulling the trigger on something that had quietly been in the back of my mind. Something that I had been wanting to do just for me to drown out the noise of being a stay-at-home mom and pour into myself for a change. I ran off and on, walking most of the time but enjoying the fresh air, the light rain on my skin, and taking in the signs of spring all around me. It was the best I had felt in years, and even though I had walked a lot of the time, that initial run gave me a sense of accomplishment because I had finally put on those sneakers and done something for myself.
After running by myself for a while, I decided it was time to check out some local run clubs. As a newer runner, I was terrified. I wasn’t running a 7 or even 10-minute mile; I had only run one 5k, but I was dedicated and wanted to find my people. As a newbie, walking up to a group of fit runners and strangers can be very intimidating. Sometimes I was acknowledged, sometimes I wasn’t, but I was never made to feel comfortable or at home.
Until I found the Mohawk Valley Hill Striders.
In parking lot C at Suny IT, I found a melting pot of runners. From people who had run 1,000 marathons, to those who ran 6-minute miles, to those who were back-of-the-pack runners like me, I had finally found my friends and my home. Everyone was welcoming, accommodating, inspiring and kept reminding me that no one is ever left behind and that there will always be someone waiting for you in parking lot C at the end of your run.
Over these last few years, I have trained with Go the Distance, ran my first (AND HOT) Boilermaker last year, and will be running my first half-marathon in Buffalo this coming May. Running has taught me more than I expected. You get what you put into it, and every run teaches you something- about discipline, about patience, and about yourself. It has also brought me to the Hillstriders. To those I can count on to always be waiting for me, to inspire me when I need it most, and to those I call my friends.
