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!

Happy New Year!

Posted on January 3, 2013

I am back from a long visit with the Dalai Lama, where I have spent the last three months solving all of life’s great mysteries.  Quality or quantity?  Dry land or aqua training?  800m or 1500m?  Fruit Loops or Lucky … Continue reading →

Posted in Hershey Half Marathon, Running, Running Injuries, Training for Runs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Grasping For Some Karma

Posted on October 15, 2012

I am coming clean in my attempt to make some changes in my life that will hopefully change my mojo.  First confession – my Facebook picture was not really me, but rather somebody snagged off mullet.com.  After attending my 25th high … Continue reading →

Posted in 5th Avenue Mile, Competitive Races, Hershey Half Marathon, Hydrotherapy, HydroWorx Exercise Pool, Running, Running Injuries, Training for Runs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Somebody Lose A Primate?

Posted on September 24, 2012

Well, I’m back from the weekend in New York City.  The weather was beautiful, the kids seemed to have had a good time, and had one guy not been one second faster than me on my little jaunt down 5th … Continue reading →

Posted in 5th Avenue Mile, Competitive Races, Hydrotherapy, Running, Training for Runs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Fifth Avenue Mile, Take 3…

Posted on September 21, 2012

Fifth Avenue Mile Eve – since this will be my third running I feel like a seasoned veteran.  I know I am definitely a veteran of running this race dinged up – hamstring in ’10, achilles in ’11, now hamstring … Continue reading →

Posted in 5k running, 5th Avenue Mile, Competitive Races, HydroWorx Exercise Pool, Masters Running, Masters Track, Running Injuries, Training for Runs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Just A (Aqua) Phase

Posted on September 12, 2012

After tweaking my hamstring over a week ago in Delray Beach, I re-wrote my plan to take the rest of that week off, then a week of running in the pool.  Then, if all felt well, I would have a … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquatic Fitness, Competitive Races, Hydrotherapy, HydroWorx Exercise Pool, Running, Uncategorized, Water Running | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

HydroWorx Underwater Marathon!

Posted on September 10, 2012

My situation in a nutshell:  shut down.  After Monday’s cross-town walk (hobble) of shame, I kept to my plan and did absolutely nothing.  The leg is feeling a little better, but no way to tell how it’ll perform under pressure. … Continue reading →

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

(Re) Aggravated

Posted on September 6, 2012

Another day, another drama.  Anything less would be way too boring.  After the hamstring tweak last Friday, I was left with 3 weeks to get it right before hoping to race on 9/22 in New York City.  I wasn’t happy … Continue reading →

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

Double Dog Days Of Summer

Posted on September 4, 2012

Motivated by my 5k performance two weekends ago, I was excited to spend the next four weeks getting ready for the Fifth Avenue Mile.  Ever since last year when I came in fourth I have had this date circled on … Continue reading →

Posted in 5k running, 5th Avenue Mile, Aquatic Fitness, Competitive Races, Cross Country Running, Hydrotherapy, HydroWorx Exercise Pool, Running, Training for Runs, Uncategorized, Water Running | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Breaking Through

Posted on August 26, 2012

In preparation for Saturday’s race (and after letting the mileage get a little out of hand on Wednesday), I tried to take it easy on Thursday and Friday.  I was right where I wanted to be after logging 30 easy … Continue reading →

Posted in 5k running, Aquatic Fitness, Competitive Races, Cross Country Running, Hydrotherapy, HydroWorx Exercise Pool, Running, Training for Runs, Uncategorized, Water Running | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Going Long(er)

Posted on August 23, 2012

Pretty big week since last post, both in terms of quality and quantity.  While I am still back and forth about my race schedule this fall, I found a fast-looking 5k right under my nose this weekend so I am … Continue reading →

Posted in 5k running, Competitive Races, Cross Country Running, Hydrotherapy, HydroWorx Exercise Pool, Interval Training, Running, Training for Runs, Uncategorized, Water Running | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment