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Community Corner

Bed-Stuy's NYC Marathon Runner: Folake Oguntebi

Our weekly profile of local favorites running in the ING Marathon

Name: Folake Oguntebi

Age: 32

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

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How long you've been running:

I started running about 2 years ago, Fall 2009. I started running at a time when I was feeling somewhat bored at work and needed something to be more excited about. I also hadn't been super consistent about exercising and realized I needed to be better about working out as I was getting older. So I started running. I haven't run a marathon before, but I have run two half marathons (the Brooklyn Half in 2010 and the Philadelphia Rock and Roll also in 2010). I've also run Restoration's 10K twice.  

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Why you are running:  

I am running for both myself and a team! I'm running for Bed Stuy Restoration Corporation, an organization I really admire for the important role it plays as an anchor community organization for Bedford Stuyvesant. I also had been really inspired by watching the marathon in NYC a few times including a few close friends of mine and wanted to get the sense of accomplishment that comes from setting a really ambitious goal and achieving it.

What inspires me: 

My parents, my husband, Obama, friends, people with a passion, people who work hard.

Training routine:

I run 3-5 times per week (try to get at least 4 runs in, but it's hard sometimes) including a long run on Saturdays or Sundays and also do at least one other cross training workout like yoga.

Other tidbit:

I recently got married in March of this year and after the all the wedding planning was over, I needed a new activity...so I decided to sign up for the marathon! I also started playing the piano again after 10 years of not playing. So those two activities, along with hanging out with my husband and friends, take up most of my time.

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