Priya has been running since 1988 when she joined her high school cross country team in Cleveland, OH. She is proud to say that after all these years, she is now a masters age-group runner! Priya holds RRCA Level 1 and Jack Daniels VDOT02 Distance coaching certifications. Priya has coached youth with NYRR Young Runners program, served as a Team for Kids half-marathon coach, and coached for City Coach-JackRabbit. She has been a member of the NYRR Pace Team Presented by Biofreeze and has served as a pacer for Nike Run Club and the Nike Project Moonshot marathon training program. Priya has run 15 marathons, the JFK 50 Mile Ultramarathon, and the 120-mile TransRockies Run. Outside of running, she is a school social worker for the NYC Department of Education, working in the alternative district at a high school equivalency diploma program for justice-involved young men. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia University School of Social Work.

Q&A with Priya

What program do you coach?
Group Training

What languages do you speak?
English and Spanish

How would you describe your coaching style?
As a clinical social worker, I find that coaching combines both of my passions: my long-term love and knowledge of the sport of running and my love of assisting and supporting individuals in achieving their goals! I am a friendly, highly collaborative, runner-centered, supportive coach who will tailor sessions to runners' goals and needs. I will meet a runner where they are and provide the knowledge and expertise to get them to where they want to go on their training journey. You can expect a lot of humor, encouragement, support, and direction from me when I coach, and my goal is to make runners of all levels feel confident when tackling periods of challenging training. I also use visualization techniques and have been known to tell a great, engaging story or two when on a long run!

What is your proudest coaching moment?
My proudest moment was when I worked with a self-conscious exerciser. This person was new to exercising and also self-conscious about herself and her body when doing it. She wanted to learn to run but did not see herself as a being a "runner" and often made remarks about not "looking like a runner." Group running classes were intimidating, but after several months the person decided to go for it. She signed up, attended Fundies, and on the first day remarked at how Group Training had so many people of various running levels, body types, and ages. She was sold, and over the months I saw her confidence grow, and she began to enjoy running, appreciate her body, and take pride in doing it!

What is your favorite workout to coach and why?
I love coaching tempo runs! They give runners a confidence boost because they teach the runners that they can hang in there when it is tough. There is nothing more satisfying when runners discover that they can run "comfortably hard” for an extended period and feel strong when doing it.

How many years have you been coaching?
I have been coaching since 2004. I have been on the part-time NYRR staff in various roles since 2010 and have been coaching Group Training since 2019.

Please list any awards, achievements, or certifications below.
RRCA Level 1 and VDOT02 Distance Coaching certifications.

What is your favorite place to run in New York City?
My favorite route is along the waterfront in Williamsburg, over the Pulaski Bridge, over the Queensboro Bridge, down 1st Avenue, and then over the Williamsburg Bridge. I love the views from the bridges and seeing the skyline by foot!

What is your favorite NYRR race?
I love the NYRR New York Mini 10K because it is such an amazing thing to run with over 5,000 women who have different stories and motivations. I also love the TCS New York City Marathon because it is such a celebration of the NYC running community and the crowds are amazing. Plus, my family and friends always meet me at mile 11, which is an extra-special boost.

What is your personal running motto?
Remember that your “slow” race day is someone’s PR; it’s all relative. Appreciate the ability to run and don’t get caught up too much in your race times or daily run stats. DO get caught up in the love, joy, and camaraderie of running and the memorable experiences it brings you.