#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!!!

Is it July already?!?!...Clyde's and Boston recap

This weekend was one of the busiest racing weekends of the year for us. On Sunday, we had a solid showing at the 34th Annual Clyde's 10k. The weather was quite nice, with the exception of the humidity. Carlos Renijifo, going for the first three-peat in Clyde's history, had a hard fought battle with Kyle Stanton and Falls Roads' Dustin Meeker. As the trio passed me near Mile 3, they were making it look easy. Kyle put in a push after hte 108 hill and Carlos didn't have enough in the tank to go with him. The chase pack was quite a sight to watch as well. Kent Werner, Seth Geoghegan, Kevin Ford, Peter Keating, and Craig Lebro were running together as they proceeded up Columbia Road to 108. Kent ended up edging out Seth by 16 seconds for a 4th place finish! However, Seth logged another PR. This makes a 5k, 10 mile, and 10k PR so far in 2012 for him! Also of note was the long awaited return of Steve Olenick to the racing scene. For those who don't know, Steve battled a mysterious knee injury after PRing in the 2010 Baltimore Marathon and was forced out of action for well over a year. Two surgeries later, he's back at it and I expect him to be in the racing team by the Fall!

In the women's race, Unsong Ostrowski ran away from the field early and won easily in 38:49. Allegedly, she doesn't enjoy racing because she gets nervous. Well, that's about to change as we are starting a non-stop stalking campaign to get her on the team. Kelly Westlake ran a great race for 2nd place in 39:48. Former rockstar, Pam Markley, who currently resides in Vicenza, Italy, made a stop in her old stomping grounds to edge out Robyn Humphrey for 3rd place. Pat Wilkerson cleaned house in the grandmaster division with a 41:26 and Janeth Scott, recently turned 50, broke 44 minutes (43:51) for 21st.

Here's a recap of the results:

Carlos Renjifo (2nd) 32:36
Kent Werner (4th) 34:22
Seth Geoghegan (5th) 34:38
Kevin Ford (6th) 34:46
Peter Keating (7th) 34:50
Craig Lebro (8th) 35:52
Steve Olenick (9th) 36:34
Jason Tripp (10th) 36:46
John Chall (31st) 39:19
Tunde Morakinyo (32nd) 39:21
Bobby Gessler (65th) 41:58

Unsong Ostrowski (1st) 38:49
Kelly Westlake (2nd) 39:48
Pam Markley (3rd) 40:08
Robyn Humphrey (4th) 40:10
Pat Wilkerson (7th) 41:23
Janeth Scott (21st) 43:51

Monday was the biggest racing day of the year (in my humble opinion)...the 116th Boston Marathon! What a difference a day makes. The morning low was in the low 60s and the humidity never dimished as the sun went down. To make matters worse, this race starts at 10am, meaning that even if you run a world record time, you'll have to do it during the hottest part of the day!

I received conflicting records about temperatures during the race. Conrad indicated that temperatures reached 90 degrees as he hit Mile 16. Caroline Bauer's recollection seemed a bit more realistic with mid 80s, but either way that's a good 30+ degrees warmer than anyone in their right mind would have wanted it! Conrad, who had been battling some injuries, which included taking a couple weeks off about a month or so ago, was shooting for a 2:44 and ran a fantastic race crossing the line in 2:50. Keith Levasseur ran solid race in 3:02. The fearless Phil Lang, running marathon #45, crushed Mother Nature and ran an amazing 3:10. Adam Wytko struggled with the heat, but was able to gut it out with a 3:29.

On the ladies side, we only had Caroline representing the team. She had been running her butt off this winter with 70-80 mile weeks, several MP runs, and two 50k's just for the hell of it. She was undoubtedly in 3:10 shape, but played it smart and didn't let her adrenaline get to her and just enjoyed the race (as much as one could) running a 3:31.

26.2 results:

Conrad Orloff (207th) 2:50:12
Shawn Young (537th) 3:00:56
Keith Levasseur (581st) 3:02:00
Phil Lang (993rd) 3:10:34
Adam Wytko (2640th) 3:29:48

Caroline Bauer (443rd) 3:31:22
Becky Ramsing (1776th) 3:53:06
Julie Thienel (1798th) 3:53:19
Lisa Fichman (2098th) 3:56:30
Janelle McIntyre (2186th) 3:57:36
Amanda Loudin (4252nd) 4:19:00

Incredible job by all, especially the Beantowners! Don't let this year deter you from doing this race again. When the weather is right, it's one of the best running experiences you can have!

Here's some pics from Clyde's:


Top 3 men (left to right): Kyle Stanton (1st), Dustin Meeker (3rd), Carlos Renjifo (2nd)



Jason x 4!



The guys model their prizes (mini collapsible chairs and beach mats). 
Kent, um... takes modeling to a whole new level.



Bobby, Pat, Tacy, and Robyn enjoying the postrace party

More pictures from Clyde's here
Clyde's video, courtesy of Carlos and Issel, located here

BOSTON LOOMS...

We had several awesome performances at Clyde's this morning! I will provide a recap once chip times and pictures are posted.

Meanwhile, our focus shifts to Boston where the 116th running of the Boston Marathon is scheduled to be a scorcher! Good luck to all of those running. Forget that PR and enjoy the experience and remember to stay hydrated...

Strong Performances at Clydes' Despite Windy Conditions

Photo Credits: Denise Hyde. Collage: Carlos Renjifo.

What a difference the wind can make. While many individuals were reported to have run exceptionally fast times at the MCRRC Pikes Peek 10k due to strong tail winds, the situation at the Clyde's 10k was the exact opposite. Strong headwinds along the hilliest parts of the course, particularly the uphill sections to Governor Warfield Pkwy and up Columbia Road and 108, affected the times significantly. Despite the conditions, several individuals ran brilliant races, which resulted in several personal records being broken on the course.

Carlos Renjifo successfully defended his title, finishing with a time of 33:17 -- a minute ahead of his closest challenger, Karsten Brown. Peter Keating had a tremendous second half, resulting in a 34:46 finish; a 26 second PR and good for 3rd overall and 1st in the master's category. Robyn Humphrey exceeded her own expectations, knocking off 80 seconds from last year's time to finish as the first master in the female division (40:09).

But the best performance of the day goes to Donna Wecker, who delivered a two-minute personal best (42:50) on the anniversary of her first race ever (Clyde's in 2010). At the ripe age of 49, it looks like there's still lots of room for improvement!

Other racing team performances include: Joe Hanle (39:24, 1st M50-54), Pat Wilkerson (42:21, 1st F Master), and Dorothy Beckett (44:44, 1st F50-54).

Pictures taken by fellow Striders should be up soon here. In the meantime, enjoy the photos and videos, courtesy of the racing team's unofficial web guru/photographer/number-one-fan*!

*Don't worry Pekka: Your title for the official best fan ever is still intact =). Even this guy couldn't beat you (though it was a close call!).

Photo Credit: Denise Hyde.