Running a marathon at the Equator, Turkey Chasin', and Zoo Zoomin'...

As the holidays quickly approach and the Fall racing season comes to an end, we are welcomed with cold weather, strong winds, and darkness during just about any run...

Contrary to the cold weather, last weekend kicked off with Conrad beasting it out at the CISM World Military Marathon Championships in the Republic of Suriname, just north of Brazil.  He was representing the USA in a loaded field of 120 men.  This place is located just 4.7 degrees latitude north of the Equator.  From reading his race report, the gun went off at 0530 and it was already 80 degrees and 100% humidity.  Several countries brought 2012 Olympic athletes.  Conrad managed to negative split a 2:48:26 in the brutal conditions, grabbing 2nd American and 29th overall.  Winning time on the men's side was 2:24 and 2:32 on the women's side.  Average age in the race was 25, almost half of C-rad....#beast  Next year's race is in The Netherlands, so conditions should be much better!

Sunday featured the Columbia Turkey Chase, hosted by Suzy's RIP IT Events.  I've seen advertisements claiming this course is fast, but in my experience running those roads, it has its hills.  Jorge ran a big PR, coming in 2nd in 37:08 with Chris right behind him in 37:24.  In the ladies' race, Kendra and Emily went 1-2, crossing the line in 41:59 and 42:15 respectively.  Here are some action shots courtesy of Mick and Jess:

Jorge showing off his finishing kick

Chris all alone in 3rd

Kendra bringing home top honors

(A finally healthy) Emily smiling with her 2nd place finish

Meanwhile, John ran through the Baltimore Zoo at the Zoo Zoom 8k.  He grabbed the top grandmaster spot, finishing in 32:42 for 8th overall.

There's tons of options for Turkey Day races tomorrow morning and don't forget about the Prediction 10k Run at Jeffers Hill if you don't feel like racing but rather would just want a training run with company.

WISHING EVERYONE OUT THERE WHO MAY ACTUALLY READ THIS THING A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Sssssooooo it's been a while...

Well, it's been six weeks since the last post.  I guess it's official I may be the worst blogger this planet has ever seen.  Since I have so many results to recap, I'm opting for a list in lieu of a book.  Most notably, Adam set a new team record at the lovely distance of 100 miles at the Burning River 100 in 21:05:21!  Keith also put together a hell of a weekend in July winning a 3-day stage race which included a 50k, 50 mile, and marathon. We have a decent group running the A-10 this Sunday so good luck to everyone racing!

Now for the results:

7/4/2013	6th Annual Smiles for Sophie Birthday Bash and Dash	Nick Grossi	17:05	5th	PR, 1st (M30-39)
7/14/2013	Pikesville Miles That Matter	Maurice Pointer	18:37	15th	2nd (M50-59)
7/12-14/2013	Blue Blazes Ultra (3-day stage race)	Keith Levasseur	4:07:37		50k
		Keith Levasseur	10:08:06		50 mile
		Keith Levasseur	3:43:57		27 miles; Overall event winner
7/14/2013	Utica Boilermaker 15k	Robyn Humphrey	1:04:42	45th	4th (F45-49)
7/27/2013	Crystal City Twilighter 5k	Carlos Renjifo	15:56	12th	1st (M30-34)
7/27/2013	Cricket Baltimore Road Race	Chris Chattin	17:35	5th	1st Master
7/27/2013	Burning River 100 Mile Endurance Run	Adam Wytko	21:05:21	23rd	PR, RTR
7/28/2013	Hadassah Check It Out Challenge 8k	Maurice Pointer	27:26	1st	GM PR
8/3/2013	Casey Cares Foundation 5k	Nick Grossi	17:21	7th	2nd (M30-39)
8/10/2013	Charles Street 12	Maurice Pointer	1:17:54	17th	1st (M50-59)
		Robyn Humphrey	1:22:15	3rd
8/10/2013	Tom Ausherman Memorial 5 Miler	Chris Chattin	29:12	23rd	1st (M45-49)
8/18/2013	BRRC Too Hot To Trot 10k	Weems McFadden	38:34	7th

What's that you say?...Luck? Nah, we don't need it

Well, the spring racing season has officially arrived!  The past couple of weekends featured some of the best organized and most competition local races of the year.

Getting right to it, last Sunday kicked things off with two fast races.  In DC, Mick and Tiffany took to the roads in the St. Patrick's Day 8k.  Tiffany cruised along to finish at 32:00, just outside the top 20.  Mick was right behind, clocking a 32:10 for 2nd in his AG.

Meanwhile, in Charm City, a large group participated in the Kelly's Shamrock 5k, which coincides with the St. Patty's Day parade.  As some of us did our warmup run around the bay, we noticed that the wind was blowing into our faces heading towards Key Highway.  This is a good thing, we thought.  Headwind at the beginning and tailwind on the back half.  Well, we were...WRONG!  Mother Nature decided she wanted us to earn all 3.1 miles and provided us with a headwind the entire race.  There were several PRs, including myself, Seth, Kelly, and Caroline.  Seth started his 2013 campaign the same way he did in 2012 with a PR in 16:16.  Jason, on pace for around 17:00, pulled a hamstring at 2.5 miles and had to limp to the finish.  Hoping this doesn't mess up his Boston plans!  Kelly crushed 6:00 pace, running 18:24 and winning some $ for first Master while Caroline continued her assault en route to Boston, running a 40+ second PR of 19:06.  Chris Chattin is healthy again and ran an impressive 16:57.  His son, Anders, ran 20:31, representing the Junior Striders in style.  Vicki beat her pre-race goal as she continues to get back into shape, running 20:41.  Complete team results as follows:

Mark Buschman    15:26    2nd
Seth Geoghegan    16:16    9th    2nd (M30-39)
Steve Olenick    16:46    14th    3rd (M30-39)

Chris Chattin    15th    1st (M45-49)
Craig Lebro    17:23    24th   
Jason Tripp    17:44    29th    2nd (M40-44)
Tunde Morakinyo    18:28    41st    3rd (M45-49)
John Chall    19:25    58th    1st (M55-59)
           
Kelly Westlake    18:24    7th    1st Master

Caroline Bauer    19:04    10th
Vicki Lang    20:41    17th    2nd (F40-44)

Here's some action shots, courtesy of Carlos:

Pre-race (left to right): Madison, Carlos, Jason, Steve, Seth,  and Mark

Mark rolling down Pratt Street en route to a 2nd place finish

Seth's final steps to another 5k PR!

Steve kicking it in

Chris rounding the final turn

Kelly running sub 18:30!

Nice running form, Caroline!

Vicki cruising down Charles Street in the fast first mile

 Yesterday, Kevin and Kelly rolled at the Rock 'N Roll USA Half Marathon in DC.  Some of the Falls Road guys informed me the course was quite hilly, making it tough for a PR.  I'm not sure if Kevin ran a PR, but if not he was close, clocking a 1:16:16 for 31st.  Kelly was just outside of a PR, running 1:25:23 for 22nd and 2nd Master.  In Reston, VA, Tiffany hit the roads in the Lucky Leprechaun 5k where she broke 20 again, 19:51 for 11th.  I'm still awaiting B&A Trail Half Marathon results but I know Caroline toed the line and Tacy made her return to the racing scene, running 1:35:45 for 2nd in her AG.  Welcome back Tacy!

The big races (Cherry Blossom, Clyde's, Boston) are only a few weeks away, let's keep getting at it!!!

Whoever said eating grapes was tougher than running through them must have been drunk...

With only a couple weeks left in the Fall racing season, it's now or never to crank out those last ditch PR efforts.  However, this past weekend did not present favorable racing courses...

On Saturday morning, Keith ventured to Lynchburg, VA to take on the infamous Mountain Masochist 50 Miler.  Sources says this is a very difficult, but scenic trail run through the Shenendoah.  This year, post Hurricane Sandy left upwards of a foot of snow on the high (relatively speaking) slopes.  As he always does, Keith battled through, crossing the finish line in 8:37:18, good for 10th.

Sunday presented one of the Striders' big time races, Run Through The Grapevine 8k.  Race director, Jason Tripp, will tell you that this is a fun race but the reality is those non-stop brutal hills will beat you down, no matter what shape you're in.  It was quite chilly at the race start.  There was a sizeable lead pack through the first mile and a half.  I recall spotting the aforementioned Keith in the lead for a bit.  Adam and Steve battled for the top spot all race long, until an unfortunate miscue with a course marshal resulted in a missed turn and top 10 finishes.  Seth returned from the DL after a bust-out spring, running 32:32.

In the ladies race, Donna showed she's right back where she left off pre-injury, finishing 3rd on the women's side behind WRRC studs, Sherry Stick and Jill Krebs.  Sam also produced a top 10 finish, clocking a 38:11 for 6th.

A summary of the results:

Keith Levasseur 32:20 9th
Seth Geoghegan 32:32 11th
Adam Wytko 33:30 14th
Steve Olenick 33:31 15th
John Chall 34:26 21st
 
Donna Wecker 36:30 3rd
Samantha Matthews 38:11 6th
Dorothy Beckett 40:16 12th

 

Now for some pictures....

 

Keith, the day after a 50 Miler...CRAZY!

Seth reppin' Beantown

Adam and Steve hiding their frustration well

John wearing a shirt?!?!



Donna in the zone



Sam staring at the finish line