Author Archives: Nick Berra

About Nick Berra

I am a 43 year old masters runner from Central Pennsylvania. I have been participating primarily in track events since turning 40 in 2009. The last two years have produced much more consistency and better results than my first, I believe primarily due to being a year older and wiser about my training and racing. I run USATF events with a team out of Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Track Club. They are a great group who have played a big part in making the sport enjoyable for me again. I am also supported by HydroWorx here in Harrisburg PA. Their training center has proved to be a crucial part of my training, rehabilitation, and recovery programs. I set personal records in the 800m (1:56.06) in 2010 and in the 1500m (4:02:63) and mile (4:23.48) in 2011. I am hoping give these marks one more shot this year as I turn 43... I am married and have two grade-school daughters. I am an assistant XC coach at my alma mater, Cumberland Valley High School here in Mechanicsburg PA. I am also a 1991 graduate of the US Naval Academy, currently working as a pilot for FedEx after serving 10 years on active duty flying in the Navy. Beat Army! Beat Army!

Making The Most Out Of Nothing

Posted on May 16, 2013

It’s been about 2.5 weeks now since the 800m at Drake, I’ve kind of enjoyed not having another race on the schedule.  In past years I’ve almost tried to raced myself into shape if that was possible, but in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Competitive Races, Drake Relays, HydroWorx Exercise Pool, Running, Tempo Run, Uncategorized, Underwater Treadmill | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Des Moines Is French For “The Moines”

Posted on April 28, 2013

I saw that on a tee-shirt on the campus of Drake University – I don’t know what it has to do with my Drake Relays adventure but I think my Uncle Yogi would appreciate that little nugget of wisdom.  Anyway … Continue reading →

Posted in Competitive Races, Drake Relays, Hydrotherapy, Running, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

4:09.11*

Posted on April 14, 2013

I’ve had a pretty productive week+ since last post, including two road races.  The Drake Relays is less than two weeks away now, and I have finally been able to string together a decent stretch of preparation – lifting, racing, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquatic Fitness, Competitive Races, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Good Visit From The Arch Frenemy

Posted on April 4, 2013

Well, a couple of days without writing has turned into ten before I knew it, sometimes I honestly don’t know where the time goes anymore.  After racing in Landover the weekend before Easter, I have finally started to return to … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquatic Fitness, Competitive Races, Hydrotherapy, HydroWorx Exercise Pool, Interval Training, Track Sprints, Training for Runs, Uncategorized, Underwater Treadmill, Water Running | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment
Posted on March 23, 2013

Heading down to Landover, Maryland for the 2013 USATF Indoor Nationals.  It’s nice that the meet is relatively “local” – traveling to Albuquerque and Bloomington the past couple years have been fun getaway weekends and good opportunities to catch up … Continue reading →

Posted in Competitive Races, Masters Track, Running, Training for Runs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Graduation and Post-Grad Work

Posted on March 6, 2013

Well, I officially graduated from therapy several weeks ago, and am working on the fresh start.  As I had planned on doing, I stuck with Rich Harris and am now an official (workout) card-carrying member of Elite Athletic Performance.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquatic Fitness, Hydrotherapy, HydroWorx Exercise Pool, Interval Training, Running, Uncategorized, Underwater Treadmill, Water Running | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Limbering Up

Posted on February 12, 2013

Eleven visits to the therapist later and I am happy to report that all is well.  I won’t be auditioning for Cirque du Soleil or trying out for the Chinese gymnastics team, but in the last 3.5 weeks I have definitely … Continue reading →

Posted in 5k running, Aquatic Fitness, Competitive Races, Hartshorne Mile, Hydrotherapy, HydroWorx Exercise Pool, Running, Running Injuries, Training for Runs, Uncategorized, Underwater Treadmill, Water Running | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Final Straw

Posted on January 22, 2013

So much to discuss, so little time… First things first – 4:29.12 on Saturday up at Cornell, second place.  Went in thinking maybe I could run in the 4:25-4:26 range, circumstances (and a recurring uncooperative hamstring) left me just grinding … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquatic Fitness, Competitive Races, HydroWorx Exercise Pool, Uncategorized, Underwater Treadmill | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Fighting A Cold – With Cold!

Posted on January 14, 2013

After spending the end of last week being a CDC flu statistic, I finally felt well enough to get back out there this afternoon.  I just started another week of the Arctic Express (Indianapolis – Ottawa) here in 27° Indy … Continue reading →

Posted in Competitive Races, Cross Country Running, Hartshorne Mile, Running, Training for Runs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Let The Games Begin…

Posted on January 6, 2013

Well, I guess the 2013 season has technically begun, because even though I never actually got my spikes laced up I have a time in the books.  I ventured up to Penn State for the third year of their Indoor … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquatic Fitness, Competitive Races, Indoor Nationals, Running, Training for Runs, Uncategorized, Water Running | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment