#73 - The 62nd Atlantic City Marathon (The Genia Bittner Story)
In this week’s blog/podcast we caught up with the director of the Atlantic City, New Jersey Marathon Series. Just like most races in 2020, this event to had turned virtual. Unlike most virtual races, this event had a huge buzz and a synergy that went on throughout the entire day. This event has always been special to me since running half marathons in 2014. My Keep Calm And Run To The Best You members ran the virtual event together on Sunday October 18th, 2020. Members paired off into three’s and gave each other support throughout the event. After the event Coach Tadris met up with Genia to do a Facebook Live to cheer on virtual runners. Then Genia decided to grab my podcast microphone and take over my show. Genia started asking me questions on my race strategy. You will learn so much from this week’s podcast that will help you in your next race. Click the link to hear Genia steal my show.
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In our written blog you will learn more about Genia, a mother of 3, a director of JCC events and a runner. How does she get it all done?
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Coach: Genia thanks for being on the show. Let’s tell everyone what you do for a living.
Genia: I am the Director of Marketing & Special Events at the JCC in Margate. This includes the Atlantic City Marathon Race Series.
Coach: How long have you been in this profession?
Genia: I have been at the JCC for 10 years, working on the Race Series for 9 years.
Coach: What moved you to get into this field?
Genia: I was working at the JCC overseeing a fitness and wellness program for active adults. I started supporting the previous Special Events Director and took on from there. I was always into fitness.
Coach: Let's talk about your profession and your running.
Between juggling being a parent and your profession, who do you squeeze in a run?
Genia: Usually, I run early in the morning before work. Occasionally after work/school, I will do other workouts, but typically I enjoy running in the morning for a few reasons.
1. I don’t like to run with a full stomach. I feel heavier after the day and not as comfortable running.
2. I find as a working parent once your day starts with other things it isn’t often you get to make enough time for yourself to run.
3. I don’t like running in the dark. My running is important to me. If I start my day with that I know that no one, nothing will interrupt it or get in the way of it happening later in the day.
Coach: What does running do for you?
Genia: It provides stress relief, physical fitness, enjoyment of friendships, and the nature around me. It allows me to appreciate the weather (drizzle or shine... I’ll run in the rain, but not pouring rain).
Coach: Don’t be scared of the pouring rain, lol. It doesn’t happen too often, but when it does pour on us during training it is exhilarating! What is your favorite race distance?
Genia: When running daily it’s 3 miles. It is a comfortable distance for me. My favorite race distance would be a tie between 13.1 and 10 miles. For the record, I have never run a marathon. 13.1 is an attainable distance for a mother of three with a full-time job. I can get the necessary training in, but it still allows for some push to reach my goals. I have run a few 10 milers and feel like I was able to push myself a bit more than any half I’ve done.
Coach: Genia, I believe with this new heart-rate training that I stumbled upon, I can teach you how to run fewer miles to be ready for a full marathon. And you will have plenty of time for your children in the process.
Genia: Heart-rate training? Ok, I’m intrigued
Coach: OK, fun question.......What is your favorite app on your phone that you just can't live without?
Genia: Bank account app... lol. Nowadays, it’s honestly my kids' school apps since they are not in person yet. For fitness and wellness, I would say I use the activity app from Apple a lot now because I started using an Apple Nike watch for running. I prefer that over the actual Nike app so far, but need to spend more time looking at the features.
Coach: Are you on any special diet to help you be a better runner?
Genia: I am not, but I am interested in your intermittent fasting and also going to try the meal delivery program you mentioned.
Coach: What are you excited about today, any special projects that you are working on at that moment?
Genia: the JCCs Fitness center recently reopened in accordance with the state reopening fitness centers. We are working on getting the message out about the availability of membership and what amenities we offer and safety precautions we are taking. It’s exciting and we are hopeful that our recovery from the closure due to COVID-19 will be a success.
Coach: Let's tell people how they can connect with you?
Genia: social media: IG @acmarathon
FB @atlanticcitymarathonraceseries
Twitter: @ACMarathon1
Acmarathon@jccatlantic.org
Coach: Thank you so much for your time! Genia, give us one parting piece of advice and we'll say goodbye:
Genia:
Strive for progress, not perfection!
Don’t compare yourself to anyone else.
like you say “run to the best you.”
Highlights From Our Virtual Atlantic City Marathon
Chris Ballard mother of 4, completes the 2020 triple crown
Lisa Keating a retiree, completed the 2020 triple crown
Jamie Burke mother of 2, completes the 2020 triple crown
Norm McCoy father of 1, crushed his 2020 triple crown
Coach Tadris father of 4, completes the 2020 triple crown
Katie Ayers mother of 1, crushed half taking 6min off her time
Meredith Hammlett mother of 1, dominated half w/ bum knee
Special shout out to our finish line volunteers Jen Burke, Lisa Diaz, Eric Keating and Matt Ayers! Thank you for coming out early, setting up food table, taking pictures and your loving smiles and cheers.
Thank you all who participated and continue to show other parents that they can make time for themselves. Training for half or full marathon’s does not have to take countless hours from your families. We teach you how to run less, yet further, faster.
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Thank You!
Remember, we are just one run or walk away……
So Keep Calm And Run To The Best You My Friends!
-Coach Tadris
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