Trick Don't Kill My Vibe

It was so hot this weekend, I felt like Jim Carrey when he was in the rhinoceros in Ace Ventura 2:

WARMMMM

It wasn't just "warm for October" kind of hot, it was HOT hot. Like full-on, middle of summer hot. With temps in the mid 80s all week, they inched up closer to 90 by the weekend. Perfect if you were hanging out at Fell's Point Fest, but not so perfect if you were trying to race!

Thanks to the government shutdown, at least three planned events were canceled or postponed. One of those was the Run Geek Run 8k in DC. This forced Steve Febish and Tim Burns to take to the grass at the extremely competitive (and collegiate) Paul Short XC Invitational at Lehigh. 8k of cross country is way different than 8k on the roads, but they both ran well, with Steve finishing 63rd in 26:19. I think had he run RGR, it would have been a 25:40. Timmy Burn Burns finished 300th in 28:42. That's a time that's often good enough to win or be in the top few at any local road 8k. I also heard our friend and recent Hopkins grad Josey Mintel ran in the Women's Open race, placing 98th in 23:27 (6k). Interestingly enough, due to the heat, the event ended up canceling races after 2:30pm. DOUBLE SHUTDOWN.

Kevin and Meghan McGrath had already been planning on running the Shark Run 5k in Bay Head, NJ, which was helping raise funds for their elementary school that was heavily damaged after the hurricane last year. Kevin was also supposed to run the Jersey Shore Half Marathon on Sunday, but because it's held on a National Park property, it was canceled. Anyway Kevin ran 24:09 and Meghan ran a solid 24:56 in conditions that my family is incapable of dealing with, so good job guys!

Sunday's replacement race for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half was the Delaware Distance Classic 15k. Graham Peck led a team of 5 by winning the race outright in 49:20. GP's in phenomenal shape right now and I am excited to see what he's going to run at NYC. Erik Orberg took 9th in 53:18, and newcomer Jeremy Gworek finished 17th in 57:18. On the ladies' side, Meg McNew was 8th in 1:01:30, and Graham's little sister Kaylyn Peck finished 12th in 1:04:52. With all the top finishes, they won the team title - and $150 - and spent the morning along the beautiful Wilmington waterfront celebrating.

Up in Corning, NY, Marci Benda ran the Wineglass Marathon, finishing in 3:27:50.

Down in Columbia, there was a festival that celebrated hope, family, and survivorship, while remembering loved ones who have lost their battles with Cancer. The Half Full Triathlon and inaugural 5k. The day started off warm and the mercury only went up from there. Andy Sovonick took on the 5k and ran away from the competition, running a strong 16:03 solo effort.

He then turned around and put his spectator cap on for the triathlons. Christa Wagner was tackling her first Olympic distance event, with a swim that was twice as long as anything she'd previously raced, and a brutally challenging 6.5 mile run at the end. But Christa was ready, she'd been fastidiously preparing for this race all summer, logging yards in the pool, miles on the bike, and putting in some serious run work. When it came down to it, she was more than capable of not only completing the distance, but racing it, as she finished 10th overall and 2nd in her age group in an incredible 2:42:30. She split just over 27 minutes in the water, 1:22 for 25 hilly miles on the bike, and ran an unreal 48:00 for 6.5 miles (45:40ish 10k). Suzanne Hurst was also out there, and after her first triathlon back in July she was ready to race the big leagues. She had a solid bike (1:24) and as expected a quick run (47:30) to finish 13th in 2:49:11.

The day's main event was the half iron distance, and with Mike Mashner racing on his birthday, all signs pointed to a good day. With a time trial start for the 1500m swim (short for a half), he and I started in the very back. With a quick fist bump we sprinted into the water and started tearing into the race, and quickly went to work maneuvering through scores of swimmers. Mike exited the water at 21:10, which is blazing fast, and got onto the bike and started powering through the 53 mile bike (a road was taken out, cutting 3 miles from the course). He rode 2:27:53 and was ready to run 13.1 extremely challenging, and at this point very hot, miles around Columbia. He torched the course, splitting 1:29:40, and thanks to the time trial start, despite crossing the line in 3rd position, was the day's overall winner by a scant 13 seconds (4:23:13). A great day for Mike!

As for me, for 3 hours and 45 minutes I put together one of my best races ever. Swam 90 seconds better than I did here last year (22:28) and had what I think was the fastest T1. My transitions were from another planet on Sunday. I got onto the bike and was determined to make up for the shitty day at Chesapeakeman, and I did, riding 2:25:55. If you factor in the shortened course, it was an improvement of about 17 minutes from last year's ride (although comparison isn't totally fair since last year it was 40 degrees and raining, and I was shivering on the bike). T2 was quick, and I was onto the run. The first lap was decent, but by mile 8 it was lights out, and it was just another "get-to-the-finish" kind of day. I had put myself in the best position I could to do well, and was pleased with the effort. Finished up 6th overall at 4:35:10.

Who knows if I'll ever get to race in Kona, but Sunday's conditions reminded me of what I can only assume was as close as we would get in October to that - so all the best to Alyssa racing this weekend on the big island! And of course locally we have our biggest event, the Baltimore Running Festival, so it's going to be a cool week. Shout to Cory Donovan as well racing out in Chi-town.

Another week with multiple winners and some PRs made it tough for the Purple Drink Athlete of the Week, but rewarding a season of hard work and execution on a tough day, it went to Christa!

Are You Half Full?

A recent heatwave may have us thinking otherwise, but the fall racing season is upon us! For many, our goal races are just around the corner, and we're putting the finishing touches on our training cycles and tapers. One question I get asked more frequently than you can imagine is "what good races are there?" and "what races are you doing?" Since I always have an answer, I present my:

Top 5 Reasons to Race Half Full

1. A Race for Everybody!

The centerpiece of the weekend is the "Half Full Triathlon" - a 70.0 mile swim/bike/run - but new for 2013 is the Half Full 5k. That's great news for those who may not be comfortable in the water or prefer not to pedal. In addition to the 70.0 mile edition (which is basically a half iron distance event), there is the shorter, closer-to-Olympic distance race.

2. The Course

The races are held at Centennial Park in Columbia/Ellicott City. Close to home and on familiar roads. It's challenging, but fair, and it's a great venue for racers and spectators alike. And the time of year is perfect - October 6th is the race date, which makes it the ideal tune-up race for those running races in October and November.

3. The Race Organizers

In a joint effort between the Ulman Cancer Fund and the amazing team at REV3, you can be assured of a top notch event that values every competitor and volunteer, as well as a rewarding day for families and other spectators.

4. You Don't Even Have to Race!

Seriously! Racing is cool, but you know what else is cool? Volunteering. There is nothing - and I mean nothing - like volunteering at an event like this. The competitors are so grateful, and it really becomes a fun day as you help others realize their dreams. Plus, it's important to give back to our sport, so if you don't want to race but are available that day, considering signing up to volunteer! (Plus, I may need it when I end up in the med tent with a body temp ~92 degrees)

5. THE CAUSE

I know, it sounds cliche, because many races benefit a cause these days. But, where UCF and the Half Full differentiate themselves is that they truly live this mission every day of the year. In 2012 they organized a Run Across America. Earlier this year they led a ride from Key to Key (Key Highway to Key West). This summer was 4k for Cancer, another ride across the country with many cancer survivors leading the way. This group doesn't just talk the talk, they walk the walk.

Each year approximately 70,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer. I would be hard pressed to find someone among us who hasn't had cancer touch their life in some way. The mission of UCF is to enhance the lives of these young adults, as well as their loved ones, through support and education, as well as to provide them with the resources necessary to thrive.

I competed in the Half Full last year, and it was an incredible day. Every day I take for granted my health, and my ability to do this thing that I love. Like many others, I get caught up in training, in racing, beating myself up over "poor" performances. I'm a competitor, that's just what I do. And for me, the race is able to provide that outlet without taking away from its true purpose - to show that those affected by cancer can go out and live their life.

If you're looking for a race, do this one. If you want to support a great event and more-than-worthy cause, do this one. If you want to show your support for others and see a lot of smiles, come down to Centennial Park on Sunday, October 6th. You can read more about the race at either www.halffulltri.org or www.rev3tri.com. If you want to learn more about the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults and how you can become involved with this great organization, go to www.ulmanfund.org.

All I Want For My Birthday

Perhaps it was the calm before the fall storm, but it was a pretty quiet weekend on the racing front. Or maybe it was just sheer exhaustion, as the Orioles played three games between Friday and Monday, which all finished midnight or later after a few lengthy delays. The atmosphere in Baltimore is great right now, and we'll keep supporting the Birds as they take on the Pinstripes in New York.

Chicago Marathon on Sunday was a thing of beauty, as Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede ran a perfect race, negative splitting a Course Record 2:04:38. Andrew Beef Jaffe didn't quite negative split, but still ran 5 minutes faster than he went earlier this year at Boston, crossing the line in 219th place overall in 2:43:45. Molly Eagen ran a big PR, finishing in 3:57:48.

Nationally there were some big events in the B.A.A. Half Marathon and Medtronic Twin Cities 10 Miler, but there wasn't much for us out here. As new editor-in-chief of the Washington Running Report/GRC runner Charlie Ban says, we need to get ourselves out to Great Allegany 15k next year. So let's put that on the schedule and get it done.

We haven't seen Seth Tibbitts' name in a while, but he finished 2nd at the Casey Cares 5k in 17:51. Only first place got any money though, and it was solid - $250. Megan DiGregorio was sneaky and made sure she didn't mention it to anybody, and got the win in 18:33. Fiana York was 3rd in 19:02.

Down in Columbia, the REV3 Half Full Triathlon, featuring an Olympic distance event as well as a half iron, went on despite some absolutely atrocious weather for triathlon. The pros were racing the Olympic, as were the college kids (it was the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Championship), but the ballers were racing the half. And by ballers, I mean yours truly and Lance Armstrong. I have to give a shout out to Mike Zero, who the morning after his birthday and the Virgin Free Fest concert came out to spectate, and really helped me out at the end of the race when I was in rough shape.

Our Purple Drink Athlete of the Week went to Jim Adams, as he raced not once, but TWICE this weekend. Sunday he did the Harvest Harrier 5k in Columbia, after running the Blue Steel Stampede 10k on Saturday. Both were challenging trail races.

We've got the Baltimore Running Festival this weekend, the expo starts Thursday. I hope everyone has everything ready! I'll be on the course on Saturday, so if you need anything, be sure to let me know. I can't promise I'll be able to carry too much, like I won't be able to take your clothes probably, but if you think you'll need any support, holler.

And of course we have triathlon's biggest event this Saturday - IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS from Kona! Baltimore + Kona, the best day of the fall.