Leigh Gerson

Saturday, August 02, 2014

The year has gone by so fast, I can not believe we are already in August. August in South Africa is womens month and what better way to celebrate it then to pick the brains of inspirational women from around the world. 


A few days ago I posted about the midnight half and to kick off my womens month series titled "The women", is the female winner of the Midnight half Leigh Gerson.

Q: Please give us a short intro on who Leigh Gerson is?


A: well you already know my name, but I'm 30 years old from New York City though I've lived in London, New Hampshire, Florida and California not necessarily in that order. I started seriously running about a year ago at this point though I picked up the sport when I move back to nyc 2.5 years ago

Q: What does running mean to you?


A: running means a lot to me. It completely transformed my life--I didn't have a life that anyone would have wanted for their own. I've met amazing people and been to some really cool places and I'm lucky enough that I get To run as one of my part time jobs





Q: What is your favourite running shoe?

A:  hands down, nike flyknit racer

Q: What Can you not run without?

A: my feet. I'm not a gadget person

Q: What does Black Roses NYC mean to you?


A: I joined black roses nyc this past January. What's that wonderful saying? "Crew love is true love?" Black roses is my family.

Q: Could you tell us about the Midnight Half?

A:  the midnight half is an unsanctioned alleycatrace through parts of Brooklyn and lower manhattan that is put on by joe Dinoto of orchard street runners and David Trimble of Trimble racing. This year was the third year the race has been around and I've run it twice. Actually--the first time I ran, it was my second race ever. It starts at midnight, it was a Friday and I was a few margaritas deep but I came out to support my friend who was going through a divorce. I decided I was going to win and told this to joe who promptly laughed in my face as I was a complete stranger to the running crew scene. I did win and That night changed my life. Plus the prize money was a good bonus

Q: How did it feel to win the Race, not once but twice?

A: it was a relief. I had also won the orchard street runners women's 10k race a few weeks before so I was coming into the race trying to go 3 for 3. I was also running injured (very very stupidly) and a bout of food poisoning kicked in half way through the race. I honesty didn't think I was going to finish. I was in so much pain. But hands down--it's one of the coolest ways to experience running and nyc

Q: How would you feel if you lost the title?

A: shit happens right? You can't win everything all the time. But I someone's going to beat me, they are going to have to work very very hard to do it.

Q: How is the running scene in your area?

A: the running scene is super diverse. It's kind of difficult to put into words the options and the crews. Everyone has their own identity but we all still can run together. The crew scene is about vibes. Good people who love to run and who love to party together as much as the former. There's also an elevated element to the urban running scene--those of us who want to train hard and run fast and win races and be not just about an image and lifestyle. 
Now with the new iteration of Nike plus, elite training has been brought to NYC by Nike. Offering elevated experiences an intensely focused training for every distance from a mile to a marathon for runners of all levels. It's really something truly special. I am honored to be a part of the pilot pacer program and I can't wait to see what happens. Real training accessible to everyone for free? That's kind of awesome

Q: What keeps you going when you feel like your legs are about to give in?
A: my legs won't really give out--it's all in my head and stopping just prolongs the pain. Also, I don't really want to let myself or anyone else down, so I will never quit no matter how many times I tell myself to stop. I can always talk myself back into a race. It's never going to feel good and you won't win them all but if it was easy, everyone would do it.


Thank you Leigh, to keep up with her. follow her on instagram:@gersonperson

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