October
2019
Betsy Welch Perry
Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself.
A: Born and raised in Vestal, I have both my bachelors and masters from Binghamton University and am currently a Family Nurse Practitioner at Endwell Family Physicians.
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Q: How long have you been running and how did you get started?
A: I’ve been running for 7 years and I totally credit the Couch to 5K app for my successful entry into running. I was never a runner in high school or college and that program gave me the confidence to run my first 5K (the Santa Run in 2013).
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Q: Would you rather run with a group or alone? Trails or road?
A: A little bit of both! I mostly run alone but definitely enjoy long runs with friends when I get the chance. I prefer the roads but have done some trail running which is very therapeutic (just watch out for those roots!)
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Q: What is your favorite distance or race?
A: Favorite race is the Boilermaker 15K. I’ve run it 5 times and I love the camaraderie, the amazing spectators, and hanging out with my TCRC friends!
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Q: What's the most rewarding thing about running and how do you stay motivated when you don’t want to run?
A: That’s tough! This past December to July I was on a run-streak and on those days I didn’t feel like running, I just told myself to do a mile and then I can be done - 9 times out of 10, I would end up running more than a mile! Initially, I thought, “crossing a finish line” [is the most rewarding experience], but then I remembered why I started my run streak last December. I had a friend that I’ve known since 4th grade that was battling brain cancer and he was an avid runner. I decided to start raising money for his organization, Stache Strong, and so far I’ve raised close to $300, just for running! I will be running the Philly Marathon this November in his honor.
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Q: What is your favorite running memory and any goals for the future?
A: I have 2: one is meeting my now husband (Aaron) at the Bridge Run back in 2014- we dated for the past 5 years and married for 2 months. 2nd memory is crossing the finish line of my first Half Ironman- I put in 6 months of training and it was the hardest yet most rewarding thing I’ve done (so far). I’m currently training for the Philadelphia Marathon and have very ambitious plans of doing an Ironman in the next 5 years.
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Q: Who inspires you most?
A: the “6 Pack” (well 5-pack excluding myself). They are: my husband Aaron, Kat Hores, Nick Gillotte, Grace Tabeek, and Mike Thompson. They’ve done marathons, Ironman distance races, 70.3 distance tris, and 2 have competed in the 70.3 World Championship race - talk about inspirational. They are 5 of my favorite people!
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Q: What advice do you have for new runners?
A: Be patient with yourself and don’t compare yourself to anyone else because we’re all at different levels of expertise and in varying states of training. Oh, and come out and join the TCRC for group runs and races!!
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Running Strong for over
50 years (1971-2021)
