You are about to enter another dimension. A dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. Next stop, Kyle's Korner!
This week on a special Halloween edition of the Korner, besides stealing the openers to classic TV shows, we put on our masks, gave out some candy, carved some pumpkins, and yes still found time to interview a club member. So here's your treat for the week, the tricky Kevin D'Emic. Some one get this guy a 10 pound crunch bar for playing along so well.
Kyle: Hello Kevin and thank you for joining us!
Mr. D'Emic: Hi there Kdog. Thanks for having me!
Kyle: In the spirit of the holiday lets get trick or treating.
Treat number 1, how did the 8k at deer park shape up for you?
Mr. D'Emic: Well let's just say...the 8k at Deer Park played no tricks on me. I loved the course. It was fun, the weather held up and we had some good competition. But yea I think you are onto something Kyle, the people who beat must have been full of trickery. Revenge ahead (ha ha ha evil laugh) So yes.. that was treat number 1 for me haha,
Kyle: Trick number 1, where you been since College Ave yo?
Mr. D'Emic: Haha awesome, calling me out. I like it. Well time has been split between my apartment in the Bronx and my parents place back in Rockaway Beach. Training alone can be tough so I just plug along with the miles and dream about the racing days to come with my GSTC homies. BUT WAIT, there's more. Chuck came out of nowhere this week with a curveball and connected me with Steve Bonica of Rockaway. I had no idea I was so close to a fellow NY GSTCluber. So I look forward to linking up with him on the tiny concrete and sand peninsula that we call home.
Kyle: Treat number 2, do you plan on doing more club races this Fall?
Mr. D'Emic: YES absolutely. I already booked up my flight for SF. I am very excited to travel with the team and get to know everyone better. I also plan on making it to the Garden State XC Invite of Pennsylvania. Couldn't we look for a NJ location?? Ahhh I'm just messing around, I am real excited for that race too. And if my recon serves me right, the Philly course is tough! You gotta love a good challenge.
Kyle: Trick number 2, why distance running?
Mr. D'Emic: Ooooo I did trick you Kyle, because I fancy myself a middle distance runner. I love the 800, I might love the mile/1500 equally, but XC is fun as hell, so I do it! So the question is, why middle distance? It's actually a tough question. It is not one we get to pick. I am not saying anything earth shattering when I mention that we tend to gravitate naturally towards the event that best suits us. So in light of that fact, I am most happy that middle distance picked me. Namely, I enjoy the strategy involved. All events in our sport involve their own strategy. But the long sprint on the indoor boards?? Common, that is epic!! My hair stands up just thinking about it! Haha.
Kyle: Treat number 3, how did you learn of the GSTC?
Mr. D'Emic: It was Coach Chuck all the way, the recruiting master. So last spring I started getting more involved with racing again. I entered myself in the Larry Ellis invite at Princeton University (a college favorite of mine). I wore a blank Jersey...Chuck saw that blank Jersey and the rest is history. Chuck reminds me weekly how blessed he is for that day and always tells me how much of a treat I am. So yes, treat number 3. But in all seriousness, I love the move, and I am extremely thankful to have found the team!
Kyle: Trick number 3, how'd you get stuck in the city?
Mr. D'Emic: Birth! Landed in Brooklyn. Manhattan for High School. Bronx for college. The way I see it, I am just wiggling out, and it's taking a really really long time haha.
Kyle: Treat number 4, can you give us some highlights from your high school and college running career?
Mr. D'Emic: Hmm...Ok, let's see. High School: CHSAA XC Championships. Top 5 teams qualify for the NYS Federation championship. At the time, only 2 teams in my high schools history (Xavier) have accomplished this feat. This was a goal we set at the beginning of the season, so we all really wanted it. I managed to take 2nd place overall on VCP 4k course with a school record effort. As a team we topped Bishop Ford by 4 points to take 5th place, insane feeling!
College: Indoors 2012 - The Armory Track and Field complex. MAAC Championships. I was a senior, doing my best to rally the Jaspers to take back the team title we lost the previous year to Rider University. I felt a ton of pressure to deliver on the day. I was entered in the 800m. An individual by the name of Greg Wesh (Rider) took the race out hard, 50 seconds after 400m. It was really starting to look like a race for second. I maintained my position and on the final lap he just started coming back to me. I passed by with 50 meters remaining while one of my teammates followed closely behind. The Jasper's went 1-2-4 on the event and team champions on the night. It was an amazing way to end my senior year. (Guess what: I have it on video, so lucky for that!!)
Kyle: Trick number 4, you planning on some big performances this indoor season?
Mr. D'Emic: Yes, it's tricky. I am going to take this one step at a time. I really do understand how to race. I have eye of the tiger all the way. What I am trying to get better at is training. I am working hard on expanding my knowledge of smart training and trying to figure out what works best for me. I want to be a coach someday. I am just not done being a student, so that is my focus. BUT if I could run competitively this indoor season with the 800/mile, that would be darn awesome. Milrose relay?? maybe?? That would yield a big cheesy smile haha.
Kyle: Treat number 5, what are you planning on being for halloween? A couples costume with a lady perhaps?
Mr. D'Emic: Single, so no couples costume! I am hanging out with a bunch of college buddies. Pirate's was the final call. Not too original, but we usually figure out some funny spin to it haha.
Kyle: Trick number 5, how exactly do you pronounce your last name?
Mr. D'Emic: Hahah awesome. DEM-ICK. My great grandfather's last name was D'Amico. He wanted to own a business and NYC natives did not like Italians. So he dropped the o, switched out the A for an E, and decided to never pronounce the apostrophe. So if you ever have the privilege of meeting another D'Emic.. that person is related to me.
Kyle: Well thanks for all of the trick or treating, sorry no candy. That's all the time we have for this week.
Mr. D'Emic: Awesome. Thanks, Kyle. I certainly had fun.
Kyle: Tune in next week to see who we interview!
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