MEMBER: Preshita Gadkari

Name: Preshita Gadkari
Hometown: Plainsboro NJ and Mumbai India
High School: West-Windsor Plainsboro High School North
College: Rutgers University
Occupation: PhD Candidate
Favorite Place to Run in Philly: Schuylkill River Trail

Personal Bests
Half Marathon: 1:35:13
Marathon: 3:28

Career Highlights
Relatively new to both running and science. Stay tuned...

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

By: Kevin Brandon (03/12/19) 

Preshita, thanks for taking time to speak with us. Could you tell us a bit about yourself? How did you end up in Philadelphia and running with PRTC? 

We (my husband, cat, and I) moved to Philly in mid-2017, and I was looking for a running group to train with. After several tries with other groups, it was difficult to find runners that ran sub-8 pace regularly. At the time, I had come across PRTC online, but was too intimidated to join as I had not run in college. With the encouragement of a former PRTC member, I finally joined.

When did you first become a runner? Did a specific event compel you to take on the sport?

I became a runner in 8th grade track and 9th grade cross-country. However, I really HATED running back then, though I stuck with cross-country throughout high-school. I cringe now when I think about the way I trained in high-school—I ate all the wrong foods, didn’t work out from spring-summer, and ran in the same 2 sneakers (not even actual running shoes) throughout ALL of high school. Crazy, right? Unsurprisingly, I run better now than I did back then.

Once you began running, how did your career develop? Take us through day one to today.

My second start of running was during end of undergrad, and sustained my grad school sanity. I kept signing up for 5ks, then half-marathons, and eventually marathons. My goal was to be better than my initial high-school running, and that was easily achieved after I finally ran more consistently (and bought actual running shoes!).

 What is a favorite running accomplishment or moment?

 Running a Boston-qualifying marathon at the Arctic Circle in Finland after 1 week of Arctic fieldwork was surreal.

 How about a not-so-great moment? 

Getting hypothermia at the Boston Marathon when it rained (it was in the upper 30s F). I finished that marathon almost an hour over my qualifying time and was initially so embarrassed. Now I’m amazed that I even finished. 

Regarding your running future, what are your near and long-term goals? 

I’d like to work on speed in the half, 10-mile, and 10k distances. I always feel as though I push too early or have too much left in the end.

 Preferred pre and post-race meals?

Prerace: PB-banana-toast and coffee.  

Postrace: Eggs, avocado toast, and water.

Can you share with us what you're currently up to professionally?

 I work in clinical trials as a medical writer. It is inspiring to work with the data on newest therapies before it reaches patients/global markets. My job is to digest the complex clinical information and tailor it to a healthcare/scientific audience.

What inspired you to pursue this field?

I went into science because it’s data-driven and same in every country. After earning my PhD, I wanted to be involved in a role that allowed me to constantly learn about the newest medicines, and be involved in bringing a product to market.