Becca grew up in Nashville and was an extremely energetic kid. When her energy couldn’t be contained to her Hillsboro Village neighborhood, her family would go camping and backpacking, which created a love for the outdoors at a very young age. It was on a hiking trip to Rocky Trip in the fourth grade that Becca saw “real backpackers” and inspired her to do the same thing when she grew up. Last week Becca hiked Rocky Top as one of those real backpackers!

Becca on Rocky Top with her cousin Anne

In high school, Becca played soccer for Hillsboro High and admits to being a rule follower who participated in Model United Nations and wrote for the school newspaper. She went on to attend the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, where she was on the soccer team.

After college, Becca served one year in the AmeriCorps in Washington D.C., and then worked on one of the 2004 presidential campaign in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. When her candidate didn’t make it to the White House, Becca moved back to Nashville and landed a job as an account executive at a local PR firm, where she met fellow ENOW Meg Willoughby.

Becca’s running career started in her soccer days, though she first hated it. On her first run with her mom, an avid runner, Becca told her that running was stupid. She began to enjoy running in college and officially fell in love with it in 2007, when she ran her first half marathon (Country Music Half) with her best friend from college, Jes. Around that time, Becca was introduced to East Nasty through Meg. Meg inspired Becca to become an East Nasty regular and by 2009, she was a loyal Wednesday night runner. Becca also credits Meg for encouraging her to complete the Country Music Marathon in April, her first full marathon.

Becca loving every mile of the 26.2 at CMM!

Becca and Meg representing ENFL at CMM.

Today Becca works as the Communications Director for Hands On Nashville (HON)**, Nashville’s volunteer resource center (and one of the largest of its kind in the world). HON meets the volunteer needs of the community and offers over 400 volunteer opportunities each month. Becca lives in Inglewood with her husband and casual East Nasty runner, Will Wilson, their crazy dog Cody and cool cat Mustachio (he has a mustache). You’ll be shocked to learn that the couple enjoys backpacking and camping together.

With one marathon in the books, Becca is considering another marathon this fall. She and Will have contemplated registering for Huntsville and are looking for race suggestions!

In addition to running and backpacking, Becca also loves beets and cheesecake (her husband co-owns Tennessee Cheesecake).

Make sure to congratulate Becca on her ENOW honor!

**In the spirit of East Nasty community and volunteerism, read more about Hands On Nashville:

The  Opportunity Calendar offers 400+ volunteer options each month. In the last year, HON has launched three new volunteer-driven programs that aim to promote healthy and sustainable communities, including the Home Energy Savings Program (engages volunteers in improving the energy efficiency, comfort, and safety of North and East Nashville homes owned and occupied by low-income homeowners), the HON Urban Farm, and the Nashville Waterway Recovery and Restoration Project.

-Erin Burcham Taylor

We have had a great response from coaches, so now it is time to start getting our participants signed up.  Send this link to anyone who has struggled to start / stick with an exercise program.  Or if that person is you, click on our Potato to Tomato page and sign up!   This video should be a great way to start a conversation or to get yourself motivated.  If you are worried about not being able to finish, ask around.  Our Potato to Tomato program has been successful hundreds of times over! (We’ve had 400+ p2t “alumni”, many of who run with us on Wednesday nights…)

The Potato to Tomato program starts on June 18th, but first please attend our informational meeting at the Margaret Maddox YMCA on June 7th at 6:30 p.m.   Thanks to Duane and Annie Parsons, we actually have on-line sign ups this year.  (finally…)   Check out all the information here.

Calling all shoes!

Part of our vision is to make running accessible to everyone, regardless of finances.  One way we do that, is to collect gently used running shoes and give them away to people in our community.  We’ve given away hundreds of pairs of shoes.   Last year, we gave shoes to about 30 potato to tomato participants, and we assume that we’ll need at least that many pairs this year.   That’s where you come in.  On June 6th, we want you to bring any and all old pairs of shoes to the Wednesday night run.  (If you would be willing to clean them up first, that would be extremely helpful.) We’ll take any pairs of shoes that have life left in them, and pass them along to a runner in need!

Morning Running

Starting on May 30th, Amanda Tungett will be leading Wednesday morning versions of the East Nasty run starting at 5:50 a.m.  They will be completing the same course as our afternoon run.   This is a great way to get out of the heat and/or get in a good run if you are a couch to 5k coach.

This week’s run

This week we are running round LP field (Run #9).  For those of you who are familiar with this run, we’ve made a slight change.  Instead of crossing Gallatin, we are going to run straight up Woodland back to 5 points, so you may have to add extra mileage.

See you tomorrow.

Mark

Part of our mission statement at East Nasty is to make running accessible to everybody in our neighborhood.  One way that this mission manifests itself is in our free couch to 5k training every summer.  (We call it “Potato to Tomato”)    The details for this year’s program are outlined here, but we need coaches.

Last year we had around 250 participants, so we would love to have 20-25 + coaches.    We meet on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from June 18 until the race on August 11, and are looking for coaches who can make at least 2/3 of the training sessions, and are willing to pace their group during the Tomato Fest 5k race.  If you are interested in becoming a coach please email Mark at millema6@hotmail.com.

Wednesday, May 16

This week we are back to Rick’s Market…Coldest Beer in Town.  Take a moment to check out the route, and be sure to volunteer to be a leader!

Wednesday Night Run

We are running Route #7: Little Hollywood this week. A nice easy 3.2 miles through a fun part of the neighborhood. As usual, we meet at 6pm at 11th & Holly.

Last week was a great start to our new streamlined process. Let’s keep that momentum going! Please help us continue to get things moving along on Wednesday nights – find your pace group before the annoucements begin, or better yet, volunteer to be a pace group leader. It’s easy and we need volunteers each and every week. All you have to do is: 1) learn the route, and 2) run approximately at the pace you select. A little slower is fine, faster is not. The purpose is more about keeping people from getting lost, not to maintain the strictest pace.

Again, here is the plan for Wednesday nights:

1.  We are going to shorten announcements, and have them start right at 6:10.  Which mean you guys need to read the blog!

2. All 3 sub-8 minute pace groups will leave at the same time.  We will still have three pace leaders, but all three groups will leave at once.

3. We will have all the pace leaders up front right at 6, so people can line up in their groups BEFORE the announcements.  This step REALLY requires your help.  Over the last couple of months the real bottle neck to getting the run started has been finding pace leader volunteers. We need you to come to us and volunteer. Look for the person with the pace signs, and go grab one.

Summer Couch-to-5K

We’re still ironing out plans for our Summer Couch-to-5K program - look for details soon. Also, new shirts for summer are on the horizon.

Weeekend Runs

While there are currently no ‘official’ East Nasty runs on the weekend, there are lots smaller groups of people who have been making their own plans. Ask around on Wednesday nights and find one if you want to run on the weekends, or check our Facebook page. If you are hosting a run on the weekends (or any other time), please feel free to post it in the comments below or on our Facebook page and invite others along.

See you tonight!
- Duane

The half-marathon is over, but we keep on running!  This week’s run is Route #6: Riverside and everyone should take it nice and slow! 6pm at 11th & Holly.

Puma

This week Puma will be visiting Nashville Running Company, and they are willing to bring some shoes for us to take our for a test drive (run).  If you are interested in trying on a pair of Pumas, come to our normal meeting spot at 5:30.

Being Good Neighbors

Races create a lot of trash. Gu packets, used cups, powerbar wrappers, etc.  This week after the run, please hang around for 15 minutes for a post-marathon street clean-up. We have garbage bags, gloves, and maps. All you need is a willingness to make our neighborhood a better place.

Also, we need volunteers to help wash the cups. Sign up here. We need someone this week!

Speeding Things Up

East Nasty is committed to make Wednesday nights a great experience. We are actively trying to streamline our processes, and have created a post-marathon goal of having everyone running before 6:18 every week.  Here is our plan, but to make this a reality we need everyone’s help:

1.  We are going to shorten announcements, and have them start right at 6:10.  Which mean you guys need to read the blog!

2. All 3 sub-8 minute pace groups will leave at the same time.  We will still have three pace leaders, but all three groups will leave at once.

3. We will have all the pace leaders up front right at 6, so people can line up in their groups BEFORE the announcements.  This step REALLY requires your help.  Over the last couple of months the real bottle neck to getting the run started has been finding pace leader volunteers. We need you to come to us and volunteer. Look for the person with the pace signs, and go grab one.

See you Wednesday!
-Mark

So let’s start with the basics:

Born in the suburbs of Mumbai, India.

Graduate of Mumbai University for his undergrad., and a master’s degree from Polytechnic University of NYU, located in Brooklyn, New York.

But there is so much more to “Geeky Gunjan,” for instance, his name. His name real name is Gunjan, and his self-given nickname came from a way to distinguish himself in the world of facebook. No need to throw his whole nickname out there, as he answers to just Gunjan any time you call his name.

Gunjan also revealed that he used to be ranked towards the top of young ping pong players in the nation during his middle school years. He claims that he was a relatively shy pre-teen, and thus was able to focus all his efforts in the art of table tennis. His team, that’s right TEAM, were ranked 2^nd in the entire state of New York, and he went on to win a fair amount of medals and trophies playing the sport. Unfortunately as he has grown older he has not had the ability to continue staying up to speed as he used to, but he more than likely could take down anyone who is reading this blog right now!

Undergraduate work was difficult at Mumbai University due to its intense nature of the computer science department. Graduate school in New York City offered a much more fun and active paced environment for his studies. In 2008 Gunjan was offered a 6 month work project here in Nashville, TN. He was supposed to return to NYC after the work project ended, but more and more work kept coming in and his contract was extended more and more each time.

So Geeky Gunjan got his start into the running world in 2010, and completed his first 5K in that year’s East Tomato race. He noticed all the of the “East Nasty” shirts throughout the entire race, and after looking up our group online, he found himself out with our group on a Wednesday night run. Through East Nasty he trained and completed his first half marathon (the CCM) in 2011. He owes everything in that race and his time of just over two hours to his friend and running partner, Jessica McCurly.

In his spare time he enjoys riding with fellow cyclists, doing yoga, and brewing his own beer. So far he has been able to create a Chocolate Milk Stout, a  Weizenbier and a Belgian tripel. He also is a BIG supporter of the Nashville Rollergirls! Finally, Gunjan is one of the happiest people out at East Nasty each week. You will more than likely find him smiling and ready for a good laugh.

Be sure to leave him a comment below!

Rod

You guys are ready to race!  But here are some things to keep in mind over the next 24 hours:

1) Start hydrating now.

2) Eat something race morning, and if you normally drink coffee, drink coffee!

3) Take the shuttles from LP field, but arrive early, the lines for the buses are long, the lines to the port-a-johns are long, and that is one thing you want to take care of before the race.

4) Be conservative early.  Don’t run slow…but DO NOT push the pace up to Belmont.  You should probably be slower than your goal time at Belmont, why?  Because that section of the race is almost entirely uphill.  Slow down, keep your effort level stable, and make up the time on the downhills…

5) If you want to join our 1:45 or our 2:00 pace groups, here is the deal:Our 1:45 pace group will be in corral 3.  Our 2:00 group will be in corral 8.  You can either look for Steve and Sarah at the front of those corrals, or you can meet them by the funeral home (near the Rite Aid) at 6:40 in the morning.

6) Wear your East Nasty gear!

Here is fun stuff

7) After you finish your race, meet under the letter “E” in the family reunion area.  There is also a new water stop going up at the 24 mile mark.  That is right when you leave Shelby Park.  I know that it is last minute, but if any of you are willing to swing by and help out, they could use the manpower.  Especially late in the morning when the 4 hour runners are passing through.

8) Come to our post-race party to celebrate with your fellow East Nasties!  Here is the information, including the address to Andy and Heidi’s house.  Bring something to share, bring friends, bring family, everyone is welcome!

Have fun tomorrow! ENFL!

- Mark

We are going to head over the walking bridge again this week as we complete Run #5: Walking bridge.  Check out the map, it’s an easy route. Even Q can is going to lead a group this week!

Note: Check out the blog on Friday as there will be more details about race day…

Post Race Party

After the race on April 28th, the Competitor group has some sort of concert thing going on,  but we would like to invite you to the real post-race gathering…

The East Nasty Post Country Music Half (and Full!) Marathon Bash

Everyone is welcome, even if you didn’t run. We start early (5 p.m) with grilling out, and end late with DJ Zach Barnett. The link above gives details (for example the address) and provides a place for you to sign up to bring something!

Being Good Neighbors

iPods are a running necessity for some people, but may not be the safest thing to be wearing during a run. I completely understand that listening to Guns and Roses helps make the runs go by easier, but it can also make you less aware of your surroundings, and can potentially be dangerous. So if you are going to listen, be careful – and maybe you can leave the iPod behind and talk to the person running beside you!

Thursday Night Workout

Great job guys! Our last workout is a well deserved easy one. This week we just need to run 2-3 one mile repeats at goal pace – NO FASTER! – with a good 2 or 3 minutes rest between each one.  As always, 6 p.m. on Thursday at 11th and Holly.

Shirts

If you haven’t picked up your shirt yet, this is the week! We will have them after the run on Wednesday, or you can pick it up at NRC anytime they are open this week. We have a VERY limited number of extra shirts (pretty much just one in each size) that we will be selling this Wednesday after the run for $33 – first come, first served!

- Mark

Sunday, April 22: Shelby Park 8 a.m.

We are only a week away from the Country Music race! As Mark would say – “in the final week before a race there is nothing that you can do to make yourself run faster, but there is a lot you can do to make yourself run slower!” So, this week is called a “taper”.  Your focus this week should be on being fully rested, hydrated and to stay “sharp” with your running. What does that mean?  Cut all of your workouts in half, but keep a little bit of intensity.

So this week is just an easy 60 minute run in Shelby and is not as long as what we have been doing the past few weeks. Mark will explain more when we meet Sunday morning.

Mark says: “If you think that you have missed too many long runs and want to get on last log run in this week – don’t do it!  You will be better off on race day just doing our easy run than if you try to sneak one last 12 miler in. Resting will allow our bodies to fully repair all the damage we’ve done to our muscles the last 16 weeks, and some short bursts of speed will help to maintain your leg turn-over.  Here is a pretty good article about tapering, and here is another article about the mistakes people make when they taper.”

The Post Race Party

Make plans to join us for our yearly post-race party at 5pm on Saturday April 28th!

The East Nasty Post Country Music Half (and Full!) Marathon Bash

Everyone is welcome, even if you didn’t run. We start early (5 p.m) with grilling out, and end late with DJ Zach Barnett. The link above gives details and provides a place for you to sign up to bring something!  (You need to bring your own grill-able item.)

Shirts

There are a few of you who haven’t picked up your shirt yet. They will be available after the run on Sunday, and then starting Monday you can pick yours up at Nashville Running Company during their regular business hours.

See you tomorrow morning!
-Duane

This week: Run #3: Musica Out & Back.  This is our one run that is out and back, which means that you can run almost any distance.  The run takes us down Boscobel, across the pedestrian bridge, up Demonbreun to the round-about (if you want to go that far) and back.    The entire run is about 6.5 miles.  Across the pedestrian bridge and back is about 4 miles if you want a shorter option.  Down to 3 Crow and back is about 200 meters if you want a really short option…

The Party

After the race on April 28th, the Competitor group has some sort of concert thing going on,  but we would like to invite you to the real post-race gathering…

The East Nasty Post Country Music Half (and Full!) Marathon Bash

Everyone is welcome, even if you didn’t run.  We start early (5 p.m) with grilling out, and end late with DJ Zach Barnett.   The link above gives details and provides a place for you to sign up to bring something!  (You need to bring your own grill-able item…)

Newtons and neutral running

If you haven’t heard of barefoot, neutral or minimalist running you haven’t been listening.  There had been a movement away from heavy bulky shoes, toward lighter flexible shoes.  Well, if you are interested in learning more about these topics or getting acquainted with these types of shoes, a representative from the Newton Running Company is going to be at our run tomorrow night.

If you want to talk neutral running, or learn more about their shoes, head over to NRC at 5 p.m. before the run.  Or you can catch him at 3 Crow post-run.

Bring Good Neighbors

Twice a year East Nasty does a alley clean up, and this year we are going to do one on the first Wednesday post-marathon.  That means that on May 2, after the run plan on sticking around for about 20 minutes to help clean up five points.  We will provide garbage bags, gloves, and we’ll tell you where to go.  All we need you to do if grab a couple of friends and clean up for about 15 minutes.

Thursday Workouts

Back to the track.  This week everyone is doing 3 one mile repeats, with a three minute break between each one.    These repeats should be done at your tempo pace, or a little bit faster.

See you tonight.

Mark