Still one of my favorite marathons, even though I ran the 10k instead. No one organizes a race like the Marines. In spite of having a few more important things to do, like fight two wars, they made all of us feel special.
Joanne and I ran the 10k, arriving a bit early to the start as I was particularly worried about the metro and crowds. Fortunately it was a fairly nice morning and we stayed reasonably warm inside our fashion conscious garbage bags. After a couple of quick port-o-john trips we hid out in the metro tunnel for awhile, until security shooed us away. The announcer kept saying 7400+ runners had registered for the 10k, but I had no problem finding space to warmup or getting into a corral and about 30 yards from the start line. Joanne, a bit nervous for her first 10k, was further back in the crowd.
The Howitzer went off and we quickly left the Mall and the Washington Monument and headed towards the Jefferson Memorial. We ran across a bridge over the Potomac (the bridge had hills) and headed left towards Crystal city. When we turned back towards the finish we passed the Pentagon before finishing at the Iwo Jima monument near the Arlington National Cemetery.
The race, though a little more rolling than I expected, turned out well. Joanne ran a great time for her first 10k. I was a bit slower than expected, but somehow finished in the top 5% overall, with 5000+ finishers. I think the fast people ran in the marathon.
The gang of five, Mike May, Mike W., Eileen W. Lou K, and Jan M, ran the full marathon, starting near the cemetery, through Rosslyn, Georgetown, the endless island, the Mall, Crystal City and back to Iwo Jima monument. Everyone finished, with Eileen setting a pr by 20 minutes or so. It is not an easy course, with a few hills, especially in the opening 8 miles.
Our hotel, especially the location, was fantastic, about 3-400 yards from the finish (Virginian Suites). Every room included a full kitchen.
This was Jan's 5th MCM, I think we will be back in a couple of years so I can get my fifth finish.
The Erie Canal, Running Paradise
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
XC at Ithaca
Good Luck to the Fleet Feet teams of Rochester competing at Ithaca College this weekend. The weather looks awesome and I'm sure there will be some great races! Here is my version of the course description that was sent earlier in an email. Sorry I can't be at the race, but Prez. Obama is calling me to DC. :)
The course is challenging, another 6k. The start area quickly shrinks to a 3 person wide path and heads uphill. Don't get sucked in here, relax, get up the hill, and you will pass many people who went out too fast and are now gasping for air. After a mile or so of some flat, small up and downs, you get to Mt. Everest. This is pretty much single track up a steep hillside, many people walked this, but it will slow everyone down even if you are running, unless you are part billy-goat. Work the hill but keep it under control. At the top you have at least a mile of flat and downhill to the finish, you can press it here and pass lots of people who misjudged the hills. The last 2-300 yards are downhill and flat to the finish, near where you started. Let it rip. Spikes, if you have them, would be helpful.
The course is challenging, another 6k. The start area quickly shrinks to a 3 person wide path and heads uphill. Don't get sucked in here, relax, get up the hill, and you will pass many people who went out too fast and are now gasping for air. After a mile or so of some flat, small up and downs, you get to Mt. Everest. This is pretty much single track up a steep hillside, many people walked this, but it will slow everyone down even if you are running, unless you are part billy-goat. Work the hill but keep it under control. At the top you have at least a mile of flat and downhill to the finish, you can press it here and pass lots of people who misjudged the hills. The last 2-300 yards are downhill and flat to the finish, near where you started. Let it rip. Spikes, if you have them, would be helpful.
Marine Corp Marathon
It's off to our nation's capitol for a contingent of Sal's runners. Joanne and I will attempt to complete the "fun" run, a 10k beginning in the mall near the Washington Monument and taking us past several other scenic sights before finishing at the Iwo Jima monument.
Mike W, Eileen, Lou, Jan, Mike M. and Lou's cousin will be racing the marathon. They get the full tour of Arlington, DC, Crystal City, and the Pentagon before finishing at Iwo Jima. The weather looks great for a race on Sunday. This will be Jan's 5th MCM and I think MW's 3rd.
If anyone is interested in tracking a marathoner, here is the link to signup.
Mike W, Eileen, Lou, Jan, Mike M. and Lou's cousin will be racing the marathon. They get the full tour of Arlington, DC, Crystal City, and the Pentagon before finishing at Iwo Jima. The weather looks great for a race on Sunday. This will be Jan's 5th MCM and I think MW's 3rd.
If anyone is interested in tracking a marathoner, here is the link to signup.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Squirrel Whisperer
There are runners who store their new shoe collection under the bed for safe keeping. Some runners have cubbyholes in their closet filled with untouched shoes. Others might have a special spot in a recreation room or mudroom.
Then there is the "squirrel whisperer (sw)". Our yard is filled with squirrels, constantly zig-zagging around carrying nuts and acorns from one location to another for winter storage. Of course squirrels are so stupid they don't remember where the new location is within a day, but they seem to be happy being able to move the food nonetheless. Annoyingly the squirrels dig up my newly planted flower bulbs. The purchase of a bb gun has crossed my mind. But, our resident SW seems to attract squirrels without any problem and I would feel bad shooting one of her "pets".
The SW's mind may be changing though and coming over to the dark side. Not only has she been chased down the road by squirrels, a few days ago she went in our garage to choose a pair of running shoes. Mind you, the garage doors are constantly kept closed, and at night, locked. This particular morning the SW put her foot gingerly into a shoe (always being afraid of spiders, love squirrels, hates spiders) and found a present inside! One of her furry buddies had left an acorn in her running shoe!
Isn't that nice of her squirrel friends to think she might need a nut for energy while running?
Then there is the "squirrel whisperer (sw)". Our yard is filled with squirrels, constantly zig-zagging around carrying nuts and acorns from one location to another for winter storage. Of course squirrels are so stupid they don't remember where the new location is within a day, but they seem to be happy being able to move the food nonetheless. Annoyingly the squirrels dig up my newly planted flower bulbs. The purchase of a bb gun has crossed my mind. But, our resident SW seems to attract squirrels without any problem and I would feel bad shooting one of her "pets".
The SW's mind may be changing though and coming over to the dark side. Not only has she been chased down the road by squirrels, a few days ago she went in our garage to choose a pair of running shoes. Mind you, the garage doors are constantly kept closed, and at night, locked. This particular morning the SW put her foot gingerly into a shoe (always being afraid of spiders, love squirrels, hates spiders) and found a present inside! One of her furry buddies had left an acorn in her running shoe!
Isn't that nice of her squirrel friends to think she might need a nut for energy while running?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Half an Ironman Anyone?
Quickly catching on to a money-making scheme, Ironman USA has added a bunch of new 1/2 Ironman races to their franchise. IM recently added races in Boulder, Colorado, New Hampshire (formerly Mooseman), Miami, Syracuse (are you kidding-that is a destination people want to travel to?), Texas, and for you world travelers, Singapore. As of today there are 35 1/2 IM races.
The cost is only $200-$250 to register, so get ready to throw your money down. All of which is not to say that I didn't attempt one, and may again someday, but, well, I'm jealous, okay? Once again I didn't come up with the idea and spread it across the world. Damn. I guess this makes Musselman and Tupper Lake bargains, since they "only" charge $140 or so?
The cost is only $200-$250 to register, so get ready to throw your money down. All of which is not to say that I didn't attempt one, and may again someday, but, well, I'm jealous, okay? Once again I didn't come up with the idea and spread it across the world. Damn. I guess this makes Musselman and Tupper Lake bargains, since they "only" charge $140 or so?
Monday, October 5, 2009
XC Race at Grand Island
The second race in the Upstate NY series will be on Sunday, October 11 at 11:00am at Beaver Island State Park, part of Grand Island.
Pete Glavin tells me there will be no park entrance fee on race day. From Spencerport it is estimated to be a 90 minute drive.
The race distance is 6k (about 3.7 miles). I'm told it should be a flat as a pancake course. My goal is to set up the FF tent at least one hour before the race begins. We will have drinks and some food for FF team members. At this point it looks like we should have full teams for scoring in all of our divisions.
Pete Glavin tells me there will be no park entrance fee on race day. From Spencerport it is estimated to be a 90 minute drive.
The race distance is 6k (about 3.7 miles). I'm told it should be a flat as a pancake course. My goal is to set up the FF tent at least one hour before the race begins. We will have drinks and some food for FF team members. At this point it looks like we should have full teams for scoring in all of our divisions.
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