A Weekend to Remember

As we honored our Nation's veterans, there was plenty of battles taking place on the pavement...

In Baltimore, we had a small contingent take part int he McVETs 5k/10k.  Carlos ran a solid 15:33 in the 5k, winning his AG.  Shortly thereafter, he took to the roads again for 3rd in the 10k, running 33:14.  Chris was 6th in 36:36 and top Master.  Maurice was his AG, crossing the finish line in 40:57 for 14th.

Meanwhile, in PA, Adam had a huge day at the Bob Potts Marathon.  The course runs on the York County Heritage Rail Trail.  According to the race recap, Adam led most of the race before being overtaken.  He was able to push through some rough patches, running a big PR of 2:44:12 for 2nd.  I believe this is his second qualifier for the elite team!  WAY TO GO ADAM!

Up in Burlington, VT, Mark ran as part of the elite runners in the Vermont City Marathon.  Temperatures were in the low 40s with strong, gusty winds, making it feel close to 30 degrees and a driving rain for most of the race.  He missed a PR by 45 seconds, but still ran a good time of 2:34:09 for 7th...just missing out on the $$$...

On Monday, Memorial Day, before everyone headed out for BBQ and drinks, several team members toed the start line at the Remembrance Run 5k in Columbia.  It was a humid morning and overall the times looked slower than previous years, but we still got at it.  Steve led the way for the men, finishing 4th in 16:53.  Peter made a rare racing appearance and took the Masters crown in 17:13.  Nick was right behind and clocked a PR of 17:20, good for 7th.  John was 2nd in his AG in 19:21.

John doing work

In the ladies race, Emily and Tiffany ran together and finished 3rd and 4th, respectively.  Emily just missed a PR in 19:43 and Tiffany ran 19:45.

Tiffany and Emily looking strong

 We have a lot of people running in The North Face Endurance Challenge 50k on Saturday.  Good luck to everyone!  Also, don't forget the 4.09mi Run Benefiting the Be Strong Stay Strong Fund, for a local runner who was injured at the Boston Marathon.  Please consider supporting this great cause!!!

Please don't stop the music

For those who were curious, yes I dropped a Rihanna reference.  Anyway, it's beginning to feel a lot like summer out there.  The sun is intense, the humidity is high.  I've been told that these are the days that make you a better runner come the Fall season, but it's a bitch...

Chris kicked it off on Friday morning at the NPC-50K National Police Challenge 5k at the U.S. Secret Service Training Center in Laurel.  He could probably give us a race recap, but then he'd have to kill us!  He clocked a 17:43 for 5th overall and 1st Master honors.

Saturday was the Musical Madness 5k, put on by Greg Schuler and Reservoir HS.  Mark paced the way for the men, winning in 16:39.  Dave had a good race despite not feeling great, grabbing 5th in 17:50.  Phil, returning from a long layoff, showed he hasn't lost much fitness, finishing 6th in 18:19 and winning his AG.  Tunde was right on his tail in 18:24.  Bobby was able to hold off his girls with a 19:23, but I think his days are numbered.  Mick won his AG again in 19:41.

In the ladies race, we swept it on dominating fashion.  Jess took top honors in 19:01 as she continues to drop her times and return to college form.  Tiffany clocked a solid 19:30 and Emily ran a 90+ second PR with a 19:41 for 3rd.  Dorothy was the 1st Master and beat the rest of her AG by 5+ minutes!!!

Happy Musical Madness postrace crew

On Sunday, Suzy had an early start with the Pros at the Columbia Triathlon.  She turned pro last year and has an amazing training regiment, while juggling her job as a PE teacher.  The weather was far from ideal, with wet roads and a chilly breeze.  She finished 9th in the Pro division in 2:14:42, which included a 21:30 swim, 21.6 mph average on the bike, and 41:24 on the tough 10k course.  Awesome job Suzy!

Keith rolled down to VA to HOORAH his way through the Marine Corps Historic Half.  He finished 10th in 1:21:02.

Meanwhile, in Finland, the Stenholms both participated in the Finnish National Duathlon Championships.  Reports showed Sari on the podium and Pekka finished with an AG bronze.  Not sure of distances or times as I can't comprehend the website.  I could certainly go for some of that Finnish cold air right about now...

A Winning weekend

Last weekend was light on the racing front as the spring season winds down, but there were a few highlights...

In Maple Lawn, the Maryland Half Marathon kicked off the weekend.  Reports indicated the course is slightly long, closer to 13.5 miles, and is quite hilly.  Nick led the way on the men's side as he continued with his steady diet of racing, running 1:24:04 for 6th overall and 2nd in his AG.  Keith wasn't far behind, finishing 8th in 1:25:09.  I think he needs a break...anyone agree?  Maurice showed his endurance, finishing 2nd in his AG in 1:32:51.

In the women's race, Caroline took off from the gun and never looked back, WINNING the race outright in 1:32:29.  Awesome job Caroline!!!

Caroline starts her celebration just a tad early

 The first annual Wine in the Woods 5k took place in Centennial Park on the Police Pace course.  Madison, despite stopping twice with stomach issues, managed to snag the W in 17:44 and won two free tickets to the Wine Festival this weekend.  Hopefully he actually uses them!

Finally, the Hills of Milltown 5k closed out the weekend.  Dave ran with the young guns and finished 4th on an extremely tough course in 20:04.

Meanwhile in Finland, Pekka raced in the Finnish National XC championships in Helsinki.  Not sure of his final time as I can't read the website but he played it off as a bad race.  He is racing the Duathlon Nationals this weekend.  Good luck big dawg!

Desert-like terrain in Finland...??? #gameface

Taking the show westbound

As the spring racing season comes to an end, there's always a small group that continues to pour it on...

Not much action last weekend, except out in Frederick.  The Frederick Half Marathon, the first race in the MD Double (Baltimore being the other), went off with a bang in chilly conditions on Sunday.  I've always envisioned the course being extremely hilly and slow.  However, it didn't seem to be the case (though I know there are lots of rolling hills with some good climbs towards the end). 

Our newest recruit, Nick Grossi, rocked it with a top 10 finish, 1:18:03 for 8th.   Mick, our ageless grandmaster, continued his remarkably consistent 2013 campaign, winning his AG with a time of 1:27:45.  Tunde took on 1:40 pacing duties with Dan Miranda of Falls Road and they nailed it...1:39:56!  Shout out to local superstar, Dave Berdan, who ran an incredible PR and won the race outright in 1:05:40!!!

Kelly, celebrating her birthday, started off the day with a 2nd place overall finish with a near PR of 1:24:57!  Pretty amazing considering she's been battling a sore calf for the past few weeks!  Happy birthday Kelly!   Emily also ran a great race, crossing the finish line in 1:28:54 and grabbing her second qualifying time for the elite team!

Happy postrace crew...rumor has it Michael ran slow to accompany a cute chick???  Say whhaaa?!

Lots of races to choose from next weekend....

Saturday: Wine in the Woods 5k, MD Half
Sunday: Hills of Milltown 5k, Preakness 5k

Iron Women

Last weekend was highlighted by the Iron Girl Half Marathon in Columbia, a race sponsored by Tri Columbia.  The weather was near perfect but the course is unforgiving for sure.  The course was reportedly a bit short, but I'm not sure how much...

Suzy led the race for the first 13 miles, but had a rough patch right at the end to get edged out, running a PR of 1:21:28 for 2nd.  Tiffany also ran a big PR, clocking 1:26:25 for 7th overall and 2nd in her AG.  Our newest recruit, Emily Drew, cracked sub-90 minutes as well, in PR fashion (1:27:32).  Great job ladies!!!

Here's some action shots, courtesy of Mick and Columbia Triathlon Association:

Suzy crossing the finish line

Tiffany looking strong

Emily in stride

In related news, Keith took on an incredible two race weekend on opposite coasts.  On Saturday, he toed the line at the Promise Land 50k++, which is measured at 34 miles and is organized by ultra running legend/crazy dude David Horton.  The course is all hills and the terrain is not runnable in certain areas.  He came in 25th, with a 5:47:41.  Most of us would take off the next day.  However, Keith hopped on a plane to CA to partake in the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge at the Big Sur International Marathon.  Amazingly, he was able to crack 3 hours, running 2:59:24 for 33rd place and 7th in the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge.  I wonder if he can walk....?