Carolyn Kubitscheck
by Amy Duquette
Runners intimately surrounded PPTC member Carolyn Kubitschek before she became a runner herself. Her
husband, David Lansner, was running for about 10 years before she joined him. Both of their sons are
runners as well. The younger son ran track and cross-country in both high school and college, and
they both now competitively represent Central Park Track Club. Their girlfriends are runners also.
Actually, one of the sons recently got engaged to his girlfriend who is a running coach for CPTC.
Carolyn was also a PPTC member before she was even a runner as David signed them both up for membership.
It was not until 2003 when Carolyn’s doctor suggested she pick up an exercise regimen to prevent osteoporosis.
She had been biking about 50 miles a week, commuting to her law office from Park Slope to Manhattan.
Incidentally, David is not only her husband and running partner, but her partner at law as well and they
share the office. However, the doctor suggested more, a weight bearing exercise. Carolyn thought, "Well,
David seems to be having fun when he comes home from his runs." On top of witnessing his post-run endorphin
highs he used to sarcastically tell her "I was running next to a nice looking younger woman today," to
motivate her on a different level.
It was not until a group at her office decided to run the April 2003 Rabbit 5K Run in Central Park together
when she ran for the first time...literally. Carolyn did not train for this race at all. Meaning, the first
mile she ran in her entire life, was the first mile of this race. "I figured if I could bike 50 miles a week,
I could run three." Of course, David and their sons also did the race, making this the first of many full
family races. It was not until the very end of the race when she was about to break her pace and walk when
she saw her son running back towards her. "He did not let me walk," but provided the support she needed to
finish in 32:58. The whole family got their carrots at the end of this Rabbit Race.
Carolyn did not run again until three months later when she completed her second 5K in Indiana. Again, with
no pre-race training. This time, it was "blistering hot" so she had to walk a bit. Nonetheless, she finished
second of three in her 50-54 age group. At some point after that race, she began to run when there was not a
race. She continued to bike everyday and add running once or twice a week. Her longest race was in December
2005 at the Joe Kleinerman 10K that she finished in one hour.
She has stayed dedicated to the sport and when asked what has attracted her, she responded, "Running makes
me feel good. Physically I like feeling the wind on my face. I like being able to move fast and stretch my
body." Carolyn also likes taking a dog along with her when running. She and David take their neighbor’s
greyhound when they run in the park. She also finds that running suits her busy schedule. "I can run whenever
I want and can do it alone. I don’t have to find a team or a partner or a court like you have to in many sports.
Also, you can run year round. Only if there is ice will the weather stop you, but then you can run inside."
Besides running, Carolyn is very busy with her work. She was born and raised in Chicago where she studied music
for her undergrad degree. She seriously considered becoming a music therapist. However, a professor at the school,
who ironically was a music therapist himself, talked her out of it. He said that at the time, in the 1970’s, there
was not enough "respect for music therapists within the field". Looking back, she is glad this interaction
drastically changed her life. She set off shortly after this for law school in New York and grew to love it.
She responds positively to the intellectual and combatively side of the law and working with others with similar
interests. She continues to play the piano and enjoys live classical music. Along with David, she is also active
in their synagogue, particularly its social action committee. Other hobbies include reading, museum visits and
traveling and "David and I always have our running shoes with us."
She feels supported by the group of runners that make up the PPTC. A yearly favorite club activity is cheering
for the PPTC marathoners as they come into the rented hall after the completion of their race where the camaraderie
is at it’s highest. Also, "There is a wide range of ages and abilities in this club. That means I always have someone
who is approximately my age and my speed around me." As for her own running, Carolyn is always aiming for a personal
PR in races, but expects to "keep running and keep getting slower." However, in 2006, she was nominated for the PPTC
Most Improved Female award, so that "slowing down" appears to be happening later, rather than sooner.