Troy Phipps
by Amy Duquette
Speed training works, it’s that simple. For some of us though, staying dedicated to the training is a bit more
difficult. PPTC member Troy Phipps’s doesn't have that problem. He's the perfect example of a runner who's
benefited from this tried and true method of training.
Back in 1999, Troy was living in Chicago and had several friends who were training for a marathon. Inspired, he
began running several nights a week and found the beautiful Chicago waterfront a joy to run along each night. As
he got more involved Troy also found the Chicago running community incredibly supportive. He did lots of short
runs and plenty of long runs, but all in one steady pace. He racked up enough miles to get him ready for the
Chicago ’99 marathon. The experience Troy had at his first marathon was very positive. The weather and crowd
support was perfect and he hit his expected time.
The following year, Troy moved to Manhattan where he lived for 10 months before coming to Park Slope. Here he met
his wife, Carlyn Kolker who is also a current PPTC’er. Although they are both runners, they do not train or race
together. In New York, Troy continued to do some short runs, several shorter races and then in 2005 found the
motivation to run his second marathon. Unfortunately, even though he prepared for the NY Marathon the same as had
for the Chicago Marathon, they turned out to be completely different experiences. "Everything felt wrong from
the start. The weather was very bizarre. There was a very strange fog in Staten Island, but it was very hot. There
was nothing smooth about this race; it was a struggle and tough from the very beginning. It was by far my slowest
race but the one I’m most proud to have finished. I don’t know how I finished it."
Troy decided to do one more marathon in 2007 in his wife’s hometown of Washington DC. For this marathon, Troy
thought, "If I can finish under 4 hours, I’ll feel satisfied and won’t do anymore." After plenty of his usual
training, Troy finished right under his target at 3:58, and soon after crossing the finish line he began toying
with the idea of doing one more big race.
Up to this point in his running career, Troy continued to train at one pace; going out for a run, clocking in
some miles without varying his training. He was averaging a 8.30/9 minute mile in the half marathons he raced.
In January of this year he decided to give speed training a try and joined PPTC Coach Tony Watson's Tuesday
night’s classes. He responded very well to this new type of training and became notably faster in a very short
amount of time. Additionally Troy said, "I just enjoy running more. I push myself now but actually like it."
Every race he has completed in 2008 has been a personal best. His Brooklyn Half Marathon pace in May was 7:31,
cutting off well over a minute a mile in that distance. Troy crossed the finish first for the males of the PPTC
team at the NYRR five mile Team Championship Race in August with a 33:06 time, 6:37 minute per mile pace. This
great time caused the team to take notice of his newly found talent. Before speed training, Troy held a 21:57 PR
in the 5K, his favorite race, and shaved a huge chunk off that time, cutting it down to a 18:50 PR. He’s made it
look easy, but he admits that he sticks to Tony’s set schedule, training 4 to 5 days a week.
Troy is very easy going and carries a peaceful energy about him. There is no apparent intensity about him or
the way he trains. What he likes most about our club is how there is room for all level runners and the positive
attitude of the members. Troy recognizes PPTC as a club for those who sincerely want to train and get better. At
the same time, he, and the club, respect those that are perfectly happy with their slow, single loops around the
park. "It is a diverse club that represents Brooklyn well."
When not running, Troy and his wife spend time remodeling the new home they recently purchased in the Slope.
Besides residing in NYC and Chicago, Troy has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area, grew up in a suburb of Oklahoma
City and went to college in Stanford, California where he studied product design. He now works for the Oxo Good
Grips design company and that sealable travel mug you take on the subway may have very well been designed by Troy
himself.
Now that he has tapped into his speed, Troy is curious to see what he could do in another marathon. He certainly
wants to keep pushing himself and training harder so he can see the results in races of different distances.
"Running gives me the opportunity to be a part of a team, but set my own goals and run for myself." This team
will continue to look forward to what Troy’s running career has in store...it seems as if he’s just begun.