News On the Pitch Front - May 2024

Q&A with Pitch and Run OG and Six Star finisher Karen Lee

We have to start with congrats on becoming a Six Star runner, having completed all the Marathon Majors!! When did this become a goal for you and how long did it take? How does it feel to have Six Stars?

It is bittersweet, I started the Six Star journey (not knowing about the Six Stars then) at the 2007 NYC marathon. Since then, I’ve run each of the 5 (NYC, Boston, Berlin, Tokyo, Chicago) majors at least twice avoiding London as I didn’t want the journey to end. I decided 2024 was the year (as the race date overlapped with my kids' holiday and I wanted them to be there) so I finally got it done two weeks ago. 

How did you learn about/get involved with Pitch and Run?

Tejpaul started a parents running group at our kids school and during one of those runs, he told me about Pitch and Run. I first ran with Pitch and Run 3 years ago when it was a smaller group and since then, I feel like something is missing in the week if I don’t do a PNR group run! 

Tell us about your NYC ties/life/connections.

I grew up in Houston, Texas and spent my middle and high school years in Hong Kong. I came to NYC for college 25 years ago and I currently live in West New York (which is in New Jersey). Since my kids are in school in the city, l run commute between state lines every day (usually on the ferry but also via the GW bridge on longer run days). Which has just led me to question why I’m not the local legend on Strava for that WSH segment! :)

What are some favorite memories from Pitch and Run or favorite things you’ve gained from PnR?

My favorite moments are the NYC half and marathon with the Pitch and Run team - from the expo to the start line to the after party. Mark your calendar for 11/3 - I’ve already booked our spot for the marathon after party!

What do you do for work/what’s been your career path? 

I studied electrical engineering and computer science in school and had a short stint as an investment banker (RIP Lehman Brothers) when I graduated. After realizing banking was not for me, I went back to engineering and worked at ESPN (where I met Tej!) as a developer during its digital infancy and was there for 12 years in various roles. Two kids later, I did a complete 180 and was a small business owner of a kids playspace in NJ. The 10 year lease just ended last month so I’m taking some time off and will be traveling this summer with the family.

What do you like to do outside work and running?

I have 2 boys ages 7 and 9 so they keep me plenty busy. Our family spends part of our winter and summer in Colorado and we love snowboarding, mountain biking, camping and trail running. I also love to craft, so basically I’m free Etsy for friends and family and make t-shirts, cards, decorations and recently race bibs (for our NYC PNR marathon team!). Requests welcome!

What’s on deck for you the rest of this year?

Running wise - I’m scheduled for my first ultra this weekend in Mohonk and have Chicago, Berlin and NYC scheduled for the fall. Work wise - I have a few ideas in the kid space that I will get started on in the fall. 

✈️ 6 CITIES, 1 COMMUNITY

📆 EVENTS

[Thursdays @ 7am] Early Bird Spring+Summer Series!!! https://lu.ma/7ljsqb7g

[MAY 10] ON Running x Tech Day run Friday 9am @ Bluestone Lane

🍎 Racers

CONGRATS TO ALL OF THE LONDON MARATHON RUNNERS!!!

Upcoming Races

[May 18] RBC Brooklyn Half

🚀 Product News

💫 Eniac raises $220M across 2 funds https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/24/seed-stage-firm-eniac-ventures-raises-220m-across-two-funds/amp/

💫 Candle, the app to chat with your money, launches on product hunt! https://www.producthunt.com/posts/candle-3

💫 REAL newsletter launches with events lined up for the summer https://real.beehiiv.com/

🗞️ OTHER NEWS

🚨 Sid’s gym PnR exclusive code PITCHIT for your first class! Join us every Wednesday morning 9am 🌝

🚨Order your Pitch and Run gear

🍰 BIRTHDAYS

[MAY 17] Chaitenya

[MAY 21] Abraar

[MAY 23] Patrick

[MAY 27] Wilson

[MAY 27] Ayman

[MAY 30] Zoe

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