The Runner Diaries — Christopher Baker

On April 24, 2017April 24, 2017 By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn Ironman Training, marathon training, race recap, running, The Boston Marathon, The Runner Diaries, travel, triathlon2 Comments

Inspired by Refinery29’s Money Diaries and The Cut’s Sex Diaries, welcome to The Runner Diaries, where we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look into a week of training with runners of varying ages, paces and GPS coordinates.

This week, we have Christopher Baker of New York’s Upper East Side. Baker is an artist, endurance sport coach, and active member of running and triathlon community The Battalion. Below, he documents his training to achieve an aggressive goal of qualifying for the 2018 Boston Marathon (“BQ-ing”) in the upcoming New Jersey Marathon, and a trip to the northeast to spectate and cheer at the Boston Marathon on Marathon Monday.

The Run Down

Name: Christopher Baker
Location: Upper East Side of NYC
Age: 39
Training For: New Jersey Marathon on April 30, and Ironman Chattanooga on September 24
Occupation: Artist
Goal: BQ (under 3 hours, 10 minutes) at the NJ Marathon
Training Plan? Yes, I personally designed it. It is an aggressive 6-week plan due to when I decided I wanted a BQ attempt, and when the race fell. I run 20 to 25 miles a week on average when not training for a race, so I already had a solid base to start.
Part of any running clubs? I am part of The Battalion, a local running/triathlon team.
How long have you been a runner? I have been running for 9 years.
Goal weekly mileage? My goal mileage this week is 30-40 miles. Continue reading “The Runner Diaries — Christopher Baker” →

Looking Ahead: Race Goals For 2017

On December 28, 2016December 28, 2016 By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn triathlonLeave a comment

Last year I wrote about what I was most proud of in 2015. I will probably do that again, but first I am going to talk about what’s coming up on my race calendar in 2017. Continue reading “Looking Ahead: Race Goals For 2017” →

#TheErins: A Podcast About Running, Friendship & Life

On December 11, 2016December 11, 2016 By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn cold weather running, headlines, marathon training, race recap, running, travel, triathlonLeave a comment

There are few things I like to talk about more than running. And while there are a variety of running-related podcasts and web-isodes that exist, there was nothing available that I felt combined news and updates surrounding the sport with the social aspect of the running community that I love so much. That’s why my friend Erin and I have teamed up to create #TheErins: a podcast about running, friendship and life.

In our first episode, meet #TheErins and learn about some of the latest updates surrounding the running community, our love/hate relationship with Quest bars, and how to dress for cold weather running.

Erin and Erin, Also talk about running, friendship and life. #TheErins

Lake George Triathlon Festival: Half Ironman Recap

On September 16, 2016September 16, 2016 By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn cycling, Ironman Training, race recap, running, triathlon1 Comment

Over Labor Day Weekend, you may have seen me post about the Lake George Triathlon Festival on Instagram. Throughout the festival, Adirondack Race Management hosts a variety of various-distanced races (from the Olympic-distance bike and swim, to the all out half ironman event) in Lake George, New York. Last year, I competed in the event’s signature “Big George,” or 70.3-mile course, as my first half ironman-distanced race. It was also my first “big” race as a triathlete. Luckily, it was a good one — good enough to come back this year for round two, and still have my sights set on the Maryland Ironman on October 1st.