47°
Running around Bronxville has a whole new meaning for husband and wife Rudolfo DeLuca and Laura Rodriguez.
The couple are part of a running club that meets every Wednesday at The Running Company, located on Pondfield Road in Bronxville.
DeLuca, 37, just finished a triathlon last weekend, which included a three mile swim, a 12 mile bike ride and 400 meter run.
"I did ok," he said. "I was happy with my time."
Running has become so important to Rodriguez, 31, she rarely skips a day - regardless of the weather.
"I can't start my day without it," said Rodriguez who lives in the Bronx with her husband.
The Wednesday night group meets at 7 p.m. and usually does a five mile run.
Running Company manager Bobby Papazian said the store opened about three years ago and the Wednesday night run began soon after. Since then, a Sunday run, which begins at 9 a.m. has started. That run is usually a 10 mile trek.
For beginners, there is a Sunday run, which begins at 5 p.m. and is about two miles. Papazian also presides over runs for fifth and sixth grade kids.
"In most communities, you have the sports for the younger kids and then of course JV and varsity sports begin at 8th grade, he said. We decided to do this fun run for the kids in the middle.
The response from the community and surrounding areas has been good.
"People love this," he said. "It's a great opportunity to meet other runners and do what we love to do."
Runner Bobby Asher said that for the newbies, it begins with the first step.
"Most people start by doing a little walking and a little running and build up gradually," he said
That's how Fernando DeLuca, older brother of Rudolfo began. "I started about nine months ago," he said. "Before that I was a smoker, and not in good shape at all."
Now DeLuca, 41, keeps up with the five mile group every Wednesday night. And he has begun to train for a triathlon, although he does not have one in mind yet.
But Asher said new runners who want to try a Wednesday night shouldnt worry about trying to keep .
"What we do when we have a runner who is running slower than the group is one of us will drop our pace and check in with that runner," he said.
Papazian said walkers have begun to ask about starting a club for them.
"We have been getting a lot of requests and we are going to consider it," he said.
While the group said every runner finds his own pace, running style and schedule, they all agree on one thing - visit your doctor before beginning any new exercise routine.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bronxville and receive free news updates.
