Last Minute BQ? No Problem!

Let's go back to August 31st, where Phil ran marathon #47 in his quest for 50 by age 50...the Marquette Marathon on the UP of Michigan.  He clocked yet another sub 3 performance, finishing 9th and winning the Master's division in 2:58:47.  #stud

Tunde took on the challenging hills of Ellicott City at the Labor Day 10k and ran a solid 39:20, good for 4th on the men's side.  That same day, Maurice showed his endurance at the Charm City 20 Miler and finished 13th in 2:16:55.

Last Saturday, Adam ran the Bagel 2 Beer Marathon which is a challenging course through Columbia that finishes at Ram's Head Tavern in Savage.  He won it in a training effort at 2:53:27.  He's a freaking machine!!!

Sunday September 8th was the big day for a few Striders...their last chance to get BQ before registration opened for the 118th Boston Marathon at the Lehigh Valley Marathon.  I haven't talked with anyone so I can't speak to the difficulty of the course but I understand it's primarily run on a packed surface trail.  Madison led most of the way but was overtaken by Centennial HS alum, Brian Harvey, who flew past him running 5:10 pace for the last 10k to win in 2:31.  Madison was 3rd in a solid 2:38:24.  In the ladies race, Tiffany showed all of her hard work over the past several months paid off, running a HUGE PR in 3:10:31, while also breaking the top 10, finishing 7th.  Robyn needed a 3:55 to get her BQ and crushed it without a doubt in 3:34:29.  It is also worth noting that Madison's better half, Mairin, killed it in her marathon debut!  Going from no running to Lehigh in 12 weeks, she ran a 3:15:16 to punch her ticket to Boston next year!  WAY TO GO EVERYONE!

Meanwhile at Centennial Park, we had a one through five sweep on the men's side at Police Pace.  Peter won in 17:00, Nick was 2nd in 17:45, Chris 3rd in 17:55 taking top Master, Dave won his AG in 18:12, and Tunde was right behind in 18:15 to round out the top 5.  John finished 18th in 19:45.

The Four Horsemen (left to right): Peter, Tunde, Dave, and Chris

Finally, we had a crew travel to Rockville to take on the Parks Half Marathon.  Mick claims he crashed a bit over the last 5k but still managed a good run in 1:30:46 for 2nd in his AG.  Bobby wasn't far behind in 1:32:57, winning his AG and a little $.  Jess was right on front of Mick and pulled away at the end, crossing the line in 1:30:29, for 15th in the ladies race.  Emily had a successful race, as she continues to recover from recent injuries.

Happy postrace Parks crew (left to right): David, Bobby, Jess, Jack, Emily, and Mick

Maurice ran the Run To Remember 5k and won it in 18:34.

Now to this weekend...

Conrad proved once again that age is only a number, competing with the local young guns the likes of GRC at the Navy-Air Force Half Marathon in DC.  He crushed the course, running 1:15:30 for 11th and top Master.  Looks like sub-2:40 at Marine Corps is looking good!

Caroline decided to strap on her trail shoes as she ran the VA Happy Trails Women's Half.  No clue about the terrain or elevation gain, but her time indicates it was a tough one.  She finished 10th in 1:52:50.  Maurice was at it again, doubling up with a 24:18 at the White Marsh 4 Miler yesterday and 17:58 BRRC Executive Stampede 5k this morning.

In Philly, a few fellas partook in the race formerly known as the Philly Distance Run...the Rock 'N Roll Philly Half.  Craig had a huge day, clocking a PR in 1:16:03.  Tunde clocked a 1:25:12 as he prepares for Baltimore.

Next weekend features the Columbia Metric Running Festival.  If you aren't racing, please help out!!!!

Well hello Mr. Summer...nice to meet you

"Party in the summer and the heat is on..."  Name that artist

Saturday was certainly a scorcher.  It was in the mid-70s and humid as hell as the sun rose.  Unfortunately, The North Face Endurance Challenge races were kicking off.  In the 50k, Tunde participated in his first ultra and ran well given the subpar conditions, finishing in 5:44:44 for 43rd and 5th in his AG.  Caroline battled through the heat, telling me that the race was way harder than it should have been.  She crossed the line in 5:42:26 for 7th and 2nd in her AG.  Tiffany, also running her first ultra, took 3rd in her AG in 6:02:02.

To nobody's surprise, Keith ran the longest race offered...the 50 miler.  The course definitely had some good hills thrown in but he ran a solid time of 7:27:31, good for 7th overall and 2nd in his AG.

The postrace North Face gang...good day for Striders all around!

 Dave ran the Run for Hope - USATF Master's 8k Championships and clocked a 29:43 for 20th.  However, his team took top honors!

On Sunday, the racing conditions weren't much better, but it was one of the popular local races...the Bel Air Town Run.  Chris led the way for the men, running 18:33 for 26th and 2nd in his AG despite dealing with a stomach bug.  Weems and John had a friendly battle, with Weems taking it, 19:10 (39th) and 19:13 (40th), respectively for 2nd and 3rd in their AG.  Mick rocked his AG, running 19:55.  Dorothy had another day as well, winning her AG handily in 21:41.

Finally, though nobody treated it as a race, the Striders put on the 4.09mi Run Benefiting the Be Strong Stay Strong Fund.  All proceeds went to support two local runners that were severely injured in at the Boston Marathon, Erika Brannock and her sister, Nicole Gross.  Over 300 runners participated with several others donating money, raising $8,000 for the fund.  Runners doing what they love for a great cause!!!

The start of the 4.09mi run

The Brannock family nearing the finish line

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!!!

PR City

Still a week behind, but I'll catch up eventually...

Last Saturday, we had a couple nice performances in some lower key races.  Adam won the Glen Mar 5k handily in 17:30.  Maurice was 30th at the Sole of the City 10k in Baltimore, grabbing the top Master honors.

Keith, a week removed from Boston, laced up the racers on Sunday for the GW Parkway 10 Miler and met his pre-race goal of under an hour, crossing the line in 59:24 for 14th overall.

Meanwhile, in Rockville, a large group of Striders woke up at the crack of down for the Pike's Peek 10k.  This race is known to be fast and always gets about a dozen or so African runners to blaze sub-29 minute times!  This year, the weather was a tad on the chilly side, but we had a slight tail/cross wind while strolling down Rockville Pike on the point-to-point course.  We had new team records on the men's and ladies side.

Madison led for the way, going out in 5:00 for the first mile and was able to hold on for a 30+ second PR from his UMBC days, running 31:21 for 27th and nabbing the team record .  Mark was right behind, clocking nearly a 40 second PR in 31:33.  Carlos, in only his second return race, crossed the line in 32:06.  Chris won his AG in 34:54; it's good to see him healthy again!  Tunde, at age 49, ran a PR, breaking 37 for the first time with a 36:57.  Weems, still on the mend, finished in 38:32.  Bobby also broke 39; 38:54 and earned himself a spot on the elite team...CONGRATS BOBBY!!!  Mick was right behind him, running 39:11 for 3rd in the competitive 60-64 AG while John was right on his heels in 39:18.

In the ladies race, Kelly set a new team record with a stellar 37:04!  That's sub-6:00 pace and she's a Master!  Way to go Kelly!!!  Jessica had a big day, running a new PR of 38:17.  Tiffany was next with a huge PR of 39:36, also qualifying for the elite team!!!  Dorothy crushed her AG, finishing in 42:17 after telling me on the ride down how tired she was.

The Party Bus crew...all smiles post Pike's Peek

 Another great weeks on the roads.  Catch us if you can...

#runforboston...it's as simple as that

Well, it's been quite a rollercoaster ride this past week.  I will start with the obvious.  The bombings at the finish line of the 117th Boston Marathon early Monday afternoon were a harsh reminder to America that we live in a world where anything goes, and people with radical anti-American views will do whatever it takes to disturb the lives of those they despise (us).  When I first saw the headline, it was from a non-credible online news source.  I thought it was a dirty hoax...until ESPN broke the story.  Then my jaw hit the floor.  The immediate thought is that you hope that all your friends and family up in Boston were safe.  The good news is that the social media world makes that 1,000 times easier then 20 years ago when we relied on the USPS and 20 pound cell phones with poor signals.  Our hearts and prayers are with the victims (4 dead, 175+ injured) and their families.  Fortunately, we woke up yesterday morning to find that Suspect #1 was shot to death during an engagement with police.  Then yesterday evening, Suspect #2 was caught alive.  For the sake of everyone involved, I hope law enforcement gets the answers they need then put him out of his misery.

The running community is unique.  Many of us get up early to go out and rack up the miles and sacrifice valuable free time to rest for a race.  Many of the toughest people I know are runners and that's because running is a sport where you can't fake your fitness.  If you don't go out and work hard, you will not get the results you are looking for.  It was overwhelming to see how the running community put on thousands of runs for Boston over the past few days.  Though I haven't spoken to him directly, I hear our own Dr. Kent, getting a post-race massage when the bombs went off, rushed over to the finish line and offered his medical assistance with the triage set up at the medical tents.  This is one of I'm sure many heroic type stories that make us the best country in the world!  I know we will move past this and become stronger because of it.  As a matter of fact, I've personally become more motivated than ever to sign up for the 118th Boston Marathon next year and run my ass off for those who no longer can.  I think that the race will be one of the largest celebrations that historic race has ever seen!  For those who have or will get a BQ prior to registration opening in September, I encourage you to join me and partake in truly one of the world's greatest races and part of American history...THINK ABOUT IT

Now, let's shift gears and get to the more positive part of the post...race results from last weekend...

Sunday morning started with a Columbia running tradition...the 35th Annual Clyde's 10k.  It was a bit chilly as the starting gun went off, but overall the weather was near perfect.  Kyle Stanton had this race in the bag within the first few steps, going out in +/- 5:05 for the first mile and never looking back, winning in 31:27.  He is going for a sub-30 at the Olympic Development 10k at the Penn Relays next weekend!  Madison took 2nd, running a controlled 32:52.  Mark, running 22 miles the day before, was 3rd in 33:32.  Kevin didn't have his best day, but ran a very respectable 34:48 for 5th.  Adam was right behind in 34:57 for 6th.  Peter won the Master's crown, running 35:44 for 9th.  This guy only runs a couple times a week!  Chris was next, finishing 11th in 36:26.  Our newest addition, the ageless one, Dave Berardi crossed the line in 37:38 (16th).  Phil had a nice race despite battling some nagging injuries (38:11).  Tunde was 27th with a 38:52 and John won his AG in 41:30.

On the ladies side, Kelly rocked it once again, running around a minute faster than last year, finishing 2nd in 38:38.  Suzy, another new addition, wasn't far behind in 3rd, clocking a 39:04.  Robyn was 8th in 40:40.  Vicki had another strong performance, running 43:21 for 11th and Dorothy crushed her AG, crossing the line in 43:44 for 14th.

Here's some pics, courtesy of Mick:

Kyle

Madison

Peter

Chris

Dave, with James and Doug tracking

Phil

Tunde

Kelly

Robyn

Dorothy and Vicki doing battle

Monday was Patriot's Day.  The weather at the start of the 117th Boston Marathon looked about as good as it gets, 47 degrees and light wind.  The gun went off and thousands of runners began their 26.2 mile journey from Hopkinton to Boston.  Conrad was in #beastmode again this year, running 2:43:07.  Keith said he struggled the last 5 miles or so, but added another sub 3-hour marathon to his resume, 2:54:21.  Kent ran the second half with a seizing calf, but this dude is a true baller and still averaged 7:00/mi pace, crossing the line in 3:03:58.

Our lone lady was Caroline who had been training his ass off the past few months for this race.  She indicated that it was painful, but she busted out a 5+ minute PR, meeting her sub-3:10 goal, running 3:09:37.  Way to go Caroline!!!

Boston crew, post-race (left to right): Donnie, Caroline, Grace, Keith

So blessed that everyone was safe and I know we will continue to run hard and achieve our goals!!!