As it's been pointed out, the blog has been quiet recently. Not because people haven't been racing, but honestly because I haven't had time. SO GET OFF MY BACK.
Just kidding. But seriously, I just haven't had the time. And then you know how it goes when you miss one week, it's easier to just miss a bunch of weeks. What I'm going to do is a series of hopefully reasonably short posts with just the highlights, let them hang out up top for a day and then push them down.
This is going to be all about Rockville Twilight 8k. A longstanding tradition among our group in particular, it really is one of the best summertime races out there. With the exception of one year when a tri I was doing conflicted, I've been out there since 2005 - but have only run it 3 times. The race is generally associated with oppressive heat and humidity, and last year's event was canceled after a lightning storm wouldn't move out of the way.
Like the rest of this summer has been, race day came and the forecast was for temps in the low 80s, and by race time it was maybe the 2nd nicest day I've seen in the last decade (behind 2009). This meant fast times were on tap!
Up front, Conrad Laskowski looked determined to race hard from the gun. With a handful guys faster than him, he gritted out a 25:25 8th place finish. Graham Peck, who seemingly never runs this fast in training, blasted a near-PR 25:44 for lucky #13. Our third finisher was Nick Gehlsen, who ran a solid 26:33. Now that should have been our scoring three but apparently in the team results C-Rad was conveniently left off...get to that later.
Next 3 were Andy Sovonick, who ran an absolutely great race to run his fastest time on the course (26:59) followed closely by the Prime Minister of Swag himself, Sean Caskey, in 27:05. That's a great first crack at Rockville, and a fine Falls Road debut. There were a few other notable male performances: Erik T. Orberg, in off-season form, ran a solid 27:37; the wolfpack of Ed Aramayo, Terence Baptiste and Brennan Feldhausen all...finished; and to toot my own horn, I ran 30:11. Not that this is spectacular, but my times here have been: 30:24 (2005), 30:03 (2007), 30:03 (2008). So, at least I'm pretty consistent, and technically I ran faster at 32 and broken than I did at 23 and slightly less broken.
Once upon a time, I actually used to beat Chrissie Ramsey...
Now she wipes the floor with me. Fortunately, I'm not the only one. In 2009 Chrissie won Rockville in a PR of 27:15. It was easily one of the best performances I've ever seen, maybe for her only topped by a 1:14:57 half marathon and 2:44 NYC Marathon. Earlier this year she won the other Rockville-based race, Pike's Peek 10k, and despite moving out of Baltimore we'd hoped she would come race again to cement her status as Queen of Rockville Pike. Just a day before the race I finally found out that she was racing (don't get me started on this!) so I couldn't make sure she was added to the team roster, but she looked ready to go on the start line. She also started campaigning for the Brita Grothe B.A. Award, wearing the tiniest Brooks bottoms we've ever seen.
Chrissie ripped along the course, ultimately finishing 3rd but in a very good time - 27:25, just 10 seconds off her fastest 8k time. For team purposes, Kiera Harrison was our first finisher, 8th in 30:16, and then we had what I thought was the surprise performance of the day come from Kaylyn Peck. Kay ran 31:32 for 11th, which was about a minute faster than I realistically thought she might run. With teams scoring 5 (3M/2F), Kaylyn helped seal our team victory!
As always, it was a fun night down in Rockville, and many thanks to our hosts Montgomery County Road Runners. This race is one of my favorites and is one I always look forward to each summer. Post-race was much less congested this year, and a bunch of us went to Ted's Big City Diner afterwards for late night breakfast food. It ends up being a pretty late night by the time we get back to Baltimore, but it's worth it for a race that brings the team together!
Earning the Purple Drink Athlete of the Week was Chrissie, and Kaylyn won the KC Masterpiece Award this week.
Showing posts with label Rockville Twilight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rockville Twilight. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Friday, July 19, 2013
Rockville Twilight Teams
With at least 26 people racing in the dark at Saturday night's Rockville Twilight 8k (the premier summer event in our area!), we are fielding 3 official teams for the race. Since those are for real (see also: I pay for the separate team entries) I stack them accordingly, but for fun's sake, we will have an internal scrimmage. I have segmented the teams as best I can* and we will do two teams of 13. We will score based on aggregate time meaning I will add up all the times and whichever team has the lowest time wins. I hope I have done a good job and that it will be close!
Team D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F.
Dave Berdan
Dustin Meeker
Phil Turner
Tim Burns
Dan Miranda
Joel Gladfelter
Cory Donovan
Melissa Majumdar
Melissa Tanner (will be replaced by PJ Anderer)
Amy Horst
Sara Breedlove
Amy Flashenberg
Denise Knickman
Team I.D.G.A.F.
Conrad Laskowski
Nate Brigham
Alex Battaglino
Matt Franco
Tom Stack
Tristram Thomas
Jon Miller
Chrissie Ramsey
Megan DiGregorio
Meg McNew
Bryn Burkholder
Sara Damiano
Suzanne Andrews
In the event that someone does not start, you will not be penalized. If you have a teammate start, but not finish, then I will use a time of 33:00 for men and 40:00 for women.
Remember, the race starts at 8:45pm in Rockville Town Center. I sent a separate email with directions and other instructions so you should be good at this point. See you down there! Most importantly, GO FALLS ROAD!
*individual runner rankings based on recent race results, historical data, what I believe your fitness to be right now, and training logs
Team D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F.
Dave Berdan
Dustin Meeker
Phil Turner
Tim Burns
Dan Miranda
Joel Gladfelter
Cory Donovan
Melissa Majumdar
Melissa Tanner (will be replaced by PJ Anderer)
Amy Horst
Sara Breedlove
Amy Flashenberg
Denise Knickman
Team I.D.G.A.F.
Conrad Laskowski
Nate Brigham
Alex Battaglino
Matt Franco
Tom Stack
Tristram Thomas
Jon Miller
Chrissie Ramsey
Megan DiGregorio
Meg McNew
Bryn Burkholder
Sara Damiano
Suzanne Andrews
In the event that someone does not start, you will not be penalized. If you have a teammate start, but not finish, then I will use a time of 33:00 for men and 40:00 for women.
Remember, the race starts at 8:45pm in Rockville Town Center. I sent a separate email with directions and other instructions so you should be good at this point. See you down there! Most importantly, GO FALLS ROAD!
*individual runner rankings based on recent race results, historical data, what I believe your fitness to be right now, and training logs
Monday, July 23, 2012
I Wanna Rock With You
Everybody's favorite summertime race, Rockville Twilight 8k, was held on Saturday night, and while it was about 20 degrees cooler than we've become accustomed to, the humidity was at Defcon 1. As always, Montgomery County Road Runners Club put on an exceptional event, with a tremendous field of competitors showing up to race 4.97 miles around the neighborhood. This year we rolled more than deep, with a crew of spectators that seemed as big as the number of racers we had!
So first, support shout outs: Pete, Denise, Amy's friend Tina, Christa, Conrad, Kevin.
It became clear that the field was not going to challenge the course record (23:39), but the race was exciting nonetheless as the top two came barreling down the street towards the finish. Eyob Alemu and Christopher Mills looked to be stride for stride, neither giving up an inch - but separated by about 15 feet, as one was to the left and the other to the right. They hit the tape at what looked to be the same exact time, and for a minute I thought we were going to have to entertain a run-off, but they awarded Alemu the win by 0.01 seconds!
The women's race went out very fast, and was actually on pace to challenge the record of 26:40 (set by Denise's Terp teammate Rosalind Taylor Sheppard). It was close, but no cigar, for the women's winner, Aziza Aliyu of New York, who ran 26:53.
But forget about them, what about us? Alex Battaglino ran a great race as our top finisher (15th, 25:48). He had just returned from a vacation across the pond and was unsure of his fitness, but was pleased with how it turned out. Dustin Meeker has been running strong this summer, and it showed as he ran 26:19 for 26th. Ed Aramayo was a little rusty, but he hasn't been running much and hasn't done a workout in months now. So his 26:54 wasn't too bad. Dan Miranda had an awesome race, and seemed surprised at the finish. He ran 26:56, which would probably put him on equal time to Celtic Solstice (5 miles). Tim Burns and Brennan Feldhausen flip-flopped throughout the race, with Tim using his kick to finish just ahead of Brennan, 27:55 to 28:00. Andy Sovonick was another who had just returned from vacation, and ran a proper 28:20, and Terence Baptiste finished up at 28:55. Terry Decker had a HUGE race as he broke 30 minutes for the first time (29:43). Tom Stack was 30:02, and Joel Gladfelter surprised himself a little bit, running 30:46. PJ Anderer looked good at 33:50, and Tom Stott ran with Patty as they ran 40:26.
On the ladies side, Chrissie Ramsey was a little off, having a tough 4th mile, but pulled it back and ran 29:20 for 11th. Meg DiGregorio was 13th, and ran the same thing she ran last year (30:23) but was pleased as she's been dealing with some problems since the marathon. Amy Horst ran well - and looked happy about it - running 31:53. Melissa Tanner was not far behind in 32:07. Sara Damiano was super pumped to be out there and ran 37:18. Molly Eagen ran 40:44 and Amy Flash Flashenberg finished up at 42:52.
It was a really great effort from everyone, and probably the biggest group we've ever had down there!
Elsewhere in the US, Claire Lears ran her first 100 mile trail run, the Angeles Crest 100, and finished 13th in 32:45:35. Claire's addiction continues to escalate, what an awesome accomplishment for her!
And in Chicago, Jen Koshy and Colin Brooks ran the Rock n Roll Half, finishing 1:49:24 and 2:00:41, respectively.
But like I said early in the week, it was going to be tough to usurp Dave Ploskonka as the Purple Drink Athlete of the Week following his monster performance at Badwater!
And of course a special KC Masterpiece Award goes to Mike Mashner, who crewed for Grace on her first 100 miler up in Vermont. Props to both!
So first, support shout outs: Pete, Denise, Amy's friend Tina, Christa, Conrad, Kevin.
It became clear that the field was not going to challenge the course record (23:39), but the race was exciting nonetheless as the top two came barreling down the street towards the finish. Eyob Alemu and Christopher Mills looked to be stride for stride, neither giving up an inch - but separated by about 15 feet, as one was to the left and the other to the right. They hit the tape at what looked to be the same exact time, and for a minute I thought we were going to have to entertain a run-off, but they awarded Alemu the win by 0.01 seconds!
The women's race went out very fast, and was actually on pace to challenge the record of 26:40 (set by Denise's Terp teammate Rosalind Taylor Sheppard). It was close, but no cigar, for the women's winner, Aziza Aliyu of New York, who ran 26:53.
But forget about them, what about us? Alex Battaglino ran a great race as our top finisher (15th, 25:48). He had just returned from a vacation across the pond and was unsure of his fitness, but was pleased with how it turned out. Dustin Meeker has been running strong this summer, and it showed as he ran 26:19 for 26th. Ed Aramayo was a little rusty, but he hasn't been running much and hasn't done a workout in months now. So his 26:54 wasn't too bad. Dan Miranda had an awesome race, and seemed surprised at the finish. He ran 26:56, which would probably put him on equal time to Celtic Solstice (5 miles). Tim Burns and Brennan Feldhausen flip-flopped throughout the race, with Tim using his kick to finish just ahead of Brennan, 27:55 to 28:00. Andy Sovonick was another who had just returned from vacation, and ran a proper 28:20, and Terence Baptiste finished up at 28:55. Terry Decker had a HUGE race as he broke 30 minutes for the first time (29:43). Tom Stack was 30:02, and Joel Gladfelter surprised himself a little bit, running 30:46. PJ Anderer looked good at 33:50, and Tom Stott ran with Patty as they ran 40:26.
On the ladies side, Chrissie Ramsey was a little off, having a tough 4th mile, but pulled it back and ran 29:20 for 11th. Meg DiGregorio was 13th, and ran the same thing she ran last year (30:23) but was pleased as she's been dealing with some problems since the marathon. Amy Horst ran well - and looked happy about it - running 31:53. Melissa Tanner was not far behind in 32:07. Sara Damiano was super pumped to be out there and ran 37:18. Molly Eagen ran 40:44 and Amy Flash Flashenberg finished up at 42:52.
It was a really great effort from everyone, and probably the biggest group we've ever had down there!
Elsewhere in the US, Claire Lears ran her first 100 mile trail run, the Angeles Crest 100, and finished 13th in 32:45:35. Claire's addiction continues to escalate, what an awesome accomplishment for her!
And in Chicago, Jen Koshy and Colin Brooks ran the Rock n Roll Half, finishing 1:49:24 and 2:00:41, respectively.
But like I said early in the week, it was going to be tough to usurp Dave Ploskonka as the Purple Drink Athlete of the Week following his monster performance at Badwater!
And of course a special KC Masterpiece Award goes to Mike Mashner, who crewed for Grace on her first 100 miler up in Vermont. Props to both!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Party Rock
Well, I meant to post results the day after the race, but I didn't.
By now, everyone is pretty aware of how well Rockville Twilight went. As always, it showed why it's the premier summer event, and even though they have no control over the weather, it was among the more favorable conditions for this race. With temps in the low 80s and the humidity at a reasonable level, the race actually started on time and the field ripped into the course, with eventual winner Abiyot Endale splitting two miles at 9:10. Not far behind him was a pack containing Dave Berdan and then Alex Battaglino. As a spectator, the race is very convenient, and the 2 mile mark is a great place to watch. It's also tremendously convenient when the majority of the people you are cheering for are in the top 100-150 of the race.
I was particularly impressed with our pack of women, who really showed up on great form for this one. At the 2 mile, it was Melissa/Diane/Meg D with Meg McNew just 2 seconds back, right on 6 minute pace I think.
The previous course record was 23:42, and as Endale narrowly missed eclipsing that mark (23:46), not far behind was Berdan, who ran 24:36, finishing 5th. I am quite sure this is not an actual PR for Dave, but in the 6 years of me keeping track, it's the fastest he's run, bettering his mark of 24:39 from Rockville a few years ago. I watched as three GRC guys came through bangbangbang in 25:12-25:15, and then HCS' Carlos Renjifo in a great time of 25:50. Just finishing on the other side of 26 minutes was Alex Battaglino, who was racing for the first time since Club Challenge, after enduring a back injury that sidelined him for much of the year. Next through for us was Ed Aramayo, who finished inside of 27 minutes (26:59), and was pleased with the result. Dustin Meeker was a couple of seconds back at 27:08, and then Brennan Feldhausen finished up at 27:20. This bettered his mark of 27:22 from the 2009 edition of the race, and shows he is on pretty good form right now, a few months out from NYC. Keeping the PRs rolling, Pat McLoughlin came in just under 28 minutes (27:58) which was an automatic PR as he's never run an 8k before, and Seth Tibbitts was right there at 28:02, just a week removed from his Boilermaker race. Arjun Majumdar has a ten second window that he likes to keep inside of when he races Rockville, and he stuck to it again on this night, running 28:13 to finish 51st. Kris Simms ran 29:08, well under his pre-race anticipated 30 minute race, and then Matt Castille and Louis Foudos finished together at 29:58. Joel Gladfelter obliterated his rather soft 8k PR by 3+ minutes, running a 31:05, and Terry Decker ran 31:18, which is great to see him back in that shape so soon after having his appendix removed. Our final male finisher across the line was Pete Mulligan, who ran 34:59. This is a 2+ minute lifetime PR and a 4:13 improvement from his 2010 time - way to go Pete!
Our ladies put 6 in the top 22 of the race, and it was PRs for at least 4 of them, as Melissa Majumdar led the charge, finishing 7th in 30:00. Her previous best was 30:59 from 2009, and in 2008 she was 31:39 I think. Melissa has been on quite a tear recently, and seems to be enjoying running quite a bit. Megan DiGregorio, meanwhile, definitely surprised me as she came through in 30:23 - a 2 minute PR - as she finished 10th. She looked great coming into the finish. Meg McNew came into the race like Melissa, with a 30:59 personal best, set last year, and despite her thinking she's not in as good shape, she showed that she comes to compete at Rockville. She ran 30:38 and finished 14th. Diane Heiser, just a few days removed from her half Ironman, clearly wasn't too tired as she ran a 30:40 for 15th. Amy Horst and Denise Knickman, who had each raced the Meet of Miles on Wednesday, ran 31:11 and 31:44, respectively, and our newcomer, little Susannah Feinstein, ran a 36:04.
While there were more than enough performances that could have been the Purple Drink Athlete of the Week, this week's honor went to Melissa Majumdar, as she really rocked out there!
A special shout out to our friends at GRC, particularly Joe Wiggy Wiegner, for the invite to their annual post-race festivities. I don't think you guys typically come up for Baltimore Marathon events, but you will certainly be invited to whatever post-race we've got going on after that one.
As for the track workout this week, as mentioned in yesterday's email, Ed is planning on doing a workout that is essentially 6 miles straight on the track, run as 400m @ 3k pace (72s, for him) followed by a 400m @ long run pace, so probably in the 1:45 realm (7min pace). If you feel like doing this one, cool, just adjust the paces for yourself and realize that 6 miles is a long time to run, so maybe look to do 4-5 miles worth of it.
However, if you're looking for an alternative, a workout I might suggest would be 1600m (2:00), 3min (1:30), 1200m (2:00), 4min (2:00), 800m (2:00), 5min (2:30), 400m. We did this workout last year and it's pretty good. On the intervals that are time based, you can run on the path so you're running for effort rather than time. Rest is in parentheses. If nobody feels like doing that one, we'll save it for another week. Additionally, since we haven't done hills yet, and I'm feeling like doing some soon, I think we'll look to do that next week. I already hear the groans and complaints but keep in mind these are workout suggestions and you're welcome to do whatever you feel like is in your best interest.
By now, everyone is pretty aware of how well Rockville Twilight went. As always, it showed why it's the premier summer event, and even though they have no control over the weather, it was among the more favorable conditions for this race. With temps in the low 80s and the humidity at a reasonable level, the race actually started on time and the field ripped into the course, with eventual winner Abiyot Endale splitting two miles at 9:10. Not far behind him was a pack containing Dave Berdan and then Alex Battaglino. As a spectator, the race is very convenient, and the 2 mile mark is a great place to watch. It's also tremendously convenient when the majority of the people you are cheering for are in the top 100-150 of the race.
I was particularly impressed with our pack of women, who really showed up on great form for this one. At the 2 mile, it was Melissa/Diane/Meg D with Meg McNew just 2 seconds back, right on 6 minute pace I think.
The previous course record was 23:42, and as Endale narrowly missed eclipsing that mark (23:46), not far behind was Berdan, who ran 24:36, finishing 5th. I am quite sure this is not an actual PR for Dave, but in the 6 years of me keeping track, it's the fastest he's run, bettering his mark of 24:39 from Rockville a few years ago. I watched as three GRC guys came through bangbangbang in 25:12-25:15, and then HCS' Carlos Renjifo in a great time of 25:50. Just finishing on the other side of 26 minutes was Alex Battaglino, who was racing for the first time since Club Challenge, after enduring a back injury that sidelined him for much of the year. Next through for us was Ed Aramayo, who finished inside of 27 minutes (26:59), and was pleased with the result. Dustin Meeker was a couple of seconds back at 27:08, and then Brennan Feldhausen finished up at 27:20. This bettered his mark of 27:22 from the 2009 edition of the race, and shows he is on pretty good form right now, a few months out from NYC. Keeping the PRs rolling, Pat McLoughlin came in just under 28 minutes (27:58) which was an automatic PR as he's never run an 8k before, and Seth Tibbitts was right there at 28:02, just a week removed from his Boilermaker race. Arjun Majumdar has a ten second window that he likes to keep inside of when he races Rockville, and he stuck to it again on this night, running 28:13 to finish 51st. Kris Simms ran 29:08, well under his pre-race anticipated 30 minute race, and then Matt Castille and Louis Foudos finished together at 29:58. Joel Gladfelter obliterated his rather soft 8k PR by 3+ minutes, running a 31:05, and Terry Decker ran 31:18, which is great to see him back in that shape so soon after having his appendix removed. Our final male finisher across the line was Pete Mulligan, who ran 34:59. This is a 2+ minute lifetime PR and a 4:13 improvement from his 2010 time - way to go Pete!
Our ladies put 6 in the top 22 of the race, and it was PRs for at least 4 of them, as Melissa Majumdar led the charge, finishing 7th in 30:00. Her previous best was 30:59 from 2009, and in 2008 she was 31:39 I think. Melissa has been on quite a tear recently, and seems to be enjoying running quite a bit. Megan DiGregorio, meanwhile, definitely surprised me as she came through in 30:23 - a 2 minute PR - as she finished 10th. She looked great coming into the finish. Meg McNew came into the race like Melissa, with a 30:59 personal best, set last year, and despite her thinking she's not in as good shape, she showed that she comes to compete at Rockville. She ran 30:38 and finished 14th. Diane Heiser, just a few days removed from her half Ironman, clearly wasn't too tired as she ran a 30:40 for 15th. Amy Horst and Denise Knickman, who had each raced the Meet of Miles on Wednesday, ran 31:11 and 31:44, respectively, and our newcomer, little Susannah Feinstein, ran a 36:04.
While there were more than enough performances that could have been the Purple Drink Athlete of the Week, this week's honor went to Melissa Majumdar, as she really rocked out there!
A special shout out to our friends at GRC, particularly Joe Wiggy Wiegner, for the invite to their annual post-race festivities. I don't think you guys typically come up for Baltimore Marathon events, but you will certainly be invited to whatever post-race we've got going on after that one.
As for the track workout this week, as mentioned in yesterday's email, Ed is planning on doing a workout that is essentially 6 miles straight on the track, run as 400m @ 3k pace (72s, for him) followed by a 400m @ long run pace, so probably in the 1:45 realm (7min pace). If you feel like doing this one, cool, just adjust the paces for yourself and realize that 6 miles is a long time to run, so maybe look to do 4-5 miles worth of it.
However, if you're looking for an alternative, a workout I might suggest would be 1600m (2:00), 3min (1:30), 1200m (2:00), 4min (2:00), 800m (2:00), 5min (2:30), 400m. We did this workout last year and it's pretty good. On the intervals that are time based, you can run on the path so you're running for effort rather than time. Rest is in parentheses. If nobody feels like doing that one, we'll save it for another week. Additionally, since we haven't done hills yet, and I'm feeling like doing some soon, I think we'll look to do that next week. I already hear the groans and complaints but keep in mind these are workout suggestions and you're welcome to do whatever you feel like is in your best interest.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Registration Fees
Late notice, but if you are planning on doing Rockville Twilight 8k (Saturday, July 16), and would like to take advantage of $26 registration - do it today! As of midnight tonight it will go up $5.
Additionally, if you are contemplating doing Army Ten Miler this year (October), spots are filling fast. Only 4000 remain as of right now and that will probably close out in the next day or so.
TONS of great results this weekend, I'm going to have to get an early start on the email tonight so stay tuned tomorrow! For now, you can see the results on the right hand side. Let me know if you raced somewhere and I need to look for you as well.
Finally, here is a great article in The Sun about birth control for deer. Sorry Barf!
Additionally, if you are contemplating doing Army Ten Miler this year (October), spots are filling fast. Only 4000 remain as of right now and that will probably close out in the next day or so.
TONS of great results this weekend, I'm going to have to get an early start on the email tonight so stay tuned tomorrow! For now, you can see the results on the right hand side. Let me know if you raced somewhere and I need to look for you as well.
Finally, here is a great article in The Sun about birth control for deer. Sorry Barf!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Rockville Team Champions!
Results are posted and, by a considerable margin over our friends at GRC, our "A" team was the team champion. And this was with a minor slip-up of having our top female runner on the "B" squad, and our defending champ Chrissie/firepower Melissa not running!
Rockville Team Results
Overall results are posted as well, but I think some of the times may still be not quite correct.
Rockville Team Results
Overall results are posted as well, but I think some of the times may still be not quite correct.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Rock the Ville
Saturday as we all know is the summer's premier event: Rockville Twilight 8k.
If you haven't registered, you usually can on race day. I'm guessing at this point those of you who plan on doing it have already done so. I will be driving Ms. McNew, and Misters Feldhausen and Majumdar, leaving Fed Hill approx 5:45pm. For those of you not from the city, and desiring to carpool, you can meet at Falls Road store around 6pm. There will be a few people meeting up there.
Upon arrival, feel free to text me or something, we should have access to the "invited" runners room, wherever it is this year. Hang out there.
Race starts at 8:45pm, post-race is a fun little party.
We have two teams and they both look pretty strong!
If you haven't registered, you usually can on race day. I'm guessing at this point those of you who plan on doing it have already done so. I will be driving Ms. McNew, and Misters Feldhausen and Majumdar, leaving Fed Hill approx 5:45pm. For those of you not from the city, and desiring to carpool, you can meet at Falls Road store around 6pm. There will be a few people meeting up there.
Upon arrival, feel free to text me or something, we should have access to the "invited" runners room, wherever it is this year. Hang out there.
Race starts at 8:45pm, post-race is a fun little party.
We have two teams and they both look pretty strong!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Agua Mala
To follow along the 2010 Badwater Ultra, click here. Plosko and Collin are set to take off any minute.
Good weekend of racing, I was really psyched to see a few people in action that I haven't seen results for in a while. At Pikesville 5k, Rodney Taylor and Tom Stewart went 14th/15th in 18:46/18:55. These two allegedly are training for the Berlin Marathon at the end of September. Lee DiPietro was 2nd in 19:38. Really great to see her name back in the results again. Cynthia Evans was 11th in 23:38.
Utica Boilermaker 15k is one of the largest races in the US, and while he didn't win like I told him he should, Seth D. Tibbitts was 222nd in 57:37 (6:11/mi).
Pete Mulligan raced the incredibly hard Skyline Challenge 50k, it took him 7h42m so it had to have been real hard.
Kevin and Meghan McGrath did the Belmar 5 on Saturday - Kevin ran a 4min course best and almost cracked the top 100!
And in a most usual Spider way, he had an absurd lead up to one of his races, involving canine diarrhea, oversleeping and not having a number. But he still got 10th apparently in the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon. I wonder if he would do worse if he actually prepared the way one is supposed to.
But, earning his first ever Purple Drink Athlete of the Week award is Seth Tibbitts. Just a few weeks ago he ran 6:35 pace for 10 miles. Yesterday he ran 6:11 for 9.3 miles. He's been at the track every week and really making an effort to improve. Awesome job!
Our cyclistas did well, with Alex placing 10th in his race on Saturday, and Dr. K in his field was 3rd. On Sunday, Dr. K and Tank raced the Capitol Crit, with Dr. K describing the sprint as a "fucking brothel" en route to finishing 19th.
ROCKVILLE IS THIS WEEKEND! Are you ready?? A great summer race around here. We could still use a girl or two for our team, so if you can race, let me know!
Good weekend of racing, I was really psyched to see a few people in action that I haven't seen results for in a while. At Pikesville 5k, Rodney Taylor and Tom Stewart went 14th/15th in 18:46/18:55. These two allegedly are training for the Berlin Marathon at the end of September. Lee DiPietro was 2nd in 19:38. Really great to see her name back in the results again. Cynthia Evans was 11th in 23:38.
Utica Boilermaker 15k is one of the largest races in the US, and while he didn't win like I told him he should, Seth D. Tibbitts was 222nd in 57:37 (6:11/mi).
Pete Mulligan raced the incredibly hard Skyline Challenge 50k, it took him 7h42m so it had to have been real hard.
Kevin and Meghan McGrath did the Belmar 5 on Saturday - Kevin ran a 4min course best and almost cracked the top 100!
And in a most usual Spider way, he had an absurd lead up to one of his races, involving canine diarrhea, oversleeping and not having a number. But he still got 10th apparently in the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon. I wonder if he would do worse if he actually prepared the way one is supposed to.
But, earning his first ever Purple Drink Athlete of the Week award is Seth Tibbitts. Just a few weeks ago he ran 6:35 pace for 10 miles. Yesterday he ran 6:11 for 9.3 miles. He's been at the track every week and really making an effort to improve. Awesome job!
Our cyclistas did well, with Alex placing 10th in his race on Saturday, and Dr. K in his field was 3rd. On Sunday, Dr. K and Tank raced the Capitol Crit, with Dr. K describing the sprint as a "fucking brothel" en route to finishing 19th.
ROCKVILLE IS THIS WEEKEND! Are you ready?? A great summer race around here. We could still use a girl or two for our team, so if you can race, let me know!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tacos y Burritos
The title has nothing to do with this post. I was just thinking to myself, does this group run anymore? Not that it's a bad thing, but I feel like all our activities revolve around drinking (usually while running or riding a bike), birthdays and drinking. Also I do realize everybody IS running, just seems like turnout has been small for "group" runs.
With that in mind, the spring season is done, and for those of you are are physically able to run, let's see some chatter about running plans again! I know we suffered a blow (too bad he didn't) when Ben left, but we need some new blood to lead some runs now that I'm retired.
Suggestions from me:
Mondays - they're fun, come on out and run. Great way to start the week.
Tuesdays - even if you don't do the workout, come up, run, then eat Chipotle. Not a bad Tuesday.
Wednesdays - don't make Cheese run by himself!
Thursdays - entirely possible the return of Thursday Night Swims at Gunpowder is right around the corner...
Fridays - I used to run Patapsco every Friday with guys like Kris, Kip, Prada, BG, Jake, Justin, Travis, Steve Levin, Arjun, Alex, Chrissie. Is it possible we can bring this one back??
Weekends - now that fall marathon training is about to begin, I'm sure more long runs and workouts will be done. Let's get a post on the blog about them. Conversely, if that's too much effort, send me your run plans and I'll even do it for you.
Some things to look forward to in the weeks to come:
Columbia/Bike Jam: This Sunday! Columbia's a wee bit early, but Bike Jam is at Patterson Park and Dr. K races at 2pm and Alex is at 4 maybe. Then perhaps Kisling's or pizza party after??
Dreaded Druid Hills: A truly unique race in Baltimore, and one of the hardest you'll ever run. That's why none of us ever run it. Traditionally we all volunteer, and since Wire to Wire will be timing and Pete is RD, let's get those of you who are around to come out and help Saturday June 5!
Hubs of Fury 6??? That's right, it's about that time. Tentative weekend plan right now is Saturday June 26.
Rockville Twilight: The race of the summer, there is no better event. I know some of you will be going to the Jack Johnson concert that evening but this...costs less. Saturday July 17. Always a fun time.
So sound off! The blog's been fairly quiet lately. Any suggestions or comments can be directed to the comment section or to me!
With that in mind, the spring season is done, and for those of you are are physically able to run, let's see some chatter about running plans again! I know we suffered a blow (too bad he didn't) when Ben left, but we need some new blood to lead some runs now that I'm retired.
Suggestions from me:
Mondays - they're fun, come on out and run. Great way to start the week.
Tuesdays - even if you don't do the workout, come up, run, then eat Chipotle. Not a bad Tuesday.
Wednesdays - don't make Cheese run by himself!
Thursdays - entirely possible the return of Thursday Night Swims at Gunpowder is right around the corner...
Fridays - I used to run Patapsco every Friday with guys like Kris, Kip, Prada, BG, Jake, Justin, Travis, Steve Levin, Arjun, Alex, Chrissie. Is it possible we can bring this one back??
Weekends - now that fall marathon training is about to begin, I'm sure more long runs and workouts will be done. Let's get a post on the blog about them. Conversely, if that's too much effort, send me your run plans and I'll even do it for you.
Some things to look forward to in the weeks to come:
Columbia/Bike Jam: This Sunday! Columbia's a wee bit early, but Bike Jam is at Patterson Park and Dr. K races at 2pm and Alex is at 4 maybe. Then perhaps Kisling's or pizza party after??
Dreaded Druid Hills: A truly unique race in Baltimore, and one of the hardest you'll ever run. That's why none of us ever run it. Traditionally we all volunteer, and since Wire to Wire will be timing and Pete is RD, let's get those of you who are around to come out and help Saturday June 5!
Hubs of Fury 6??? That's right, it's about that time. Tentative weekend plan right now is Saturday June 26.
Rockville Twilight: The race of the summer, there is no better event. I know some of you will be going to the Jack Johnson concert that evening but this...costs less. Saturday July 17. Always a fun time.
So sound off! The blog's been fairly quiet lately. Any suggestions or comments can be directed to the comment section or to me!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Chrissie, TWSS Rock Rockville
Holy crap, I don't even know where to start. I guess first of all I was really excited to make it back to Baltimore to see all of you race so incredibly well. I was also touched (not in the Joel Brusewitz way) to see some of the gang wearing pieces of blue painters tape with my initials on it on their singlets. It was like we were in the NFL or NBA or something.
The weather couldn't have cooperated better, in fact I was sad because I know if I do this race next year it will go back to normal conditions. Temperature was cool, there was a slight breeze and very low humidity. This enabled the race to start precisely on time for the first time I've ever seen.
Kipchirchir and I settled in to watch the start and then all we had to do was turn around and wait as the race passed by us again at mile 2. Daniel Too, the eventual winner, came blazing through in 9:20 and had a huge lead. To my surprise, Baltimore newcomer Jeff Gaudette was hot on the leaders heels. Before the race he said he was just hoping to run "around 26." Next through were Greg Jubb and Ryan Stasiowski, local college studs and FRRS employees. Then the unmistakable dayglo yellow singlet of NCOTB. I spotted Justin and Brennan running near each other, and then Kris, Hollywood and Berardi. Then all the ladies - Denise, Eileen, Melissa.
At the finish line there was excitement as Daniel Too came through in a very swift 23:51, with a huge gap to 2nd. Jeff Gaudette came rolling through in 24:51 for 5th place, which is an incredibly strong finish and it's amazing to see how quickly he's pulling himself back into his old form. Greg and Ryan came through in 12th and 15th, respectively, in great summer training times of 25:41 and 25:55. NCOTB was next in 28th at 26:36, which was well under his pre-race goal of 27.
Then, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but the tiny little shape of one Christine Ramsey. I realized that no other ladies had gone through yet - which meant Chrissie was WINNING this race. I looked at the clock and as she crossed it read 27:12 (later it became 27:15). She put 20 seconds into DC/NoVA standout Samia Akbar and ran one of the fastest times seen at this race. She obliterated her PR and TWSS record (formerly 29:31, Rockville Twilight 7/21/07) by almost 2:20. That's absurd. Unfathomable even.
Putting a dollar in the pot will be Justin (27:18) and Brennan (27:22), who finished strong right behind Chrissie. Justin's was a post-collegiate best and Brennan's was an all-time PR. Kris Simms, so glad to see him finally exorcise the Rockville demons and put down a stellar 28:23. He can never do this race again now and be happy. Hollywood was right behind in 28:28, and Old Man Berardi wasn't too far back in 28:43. Amazing times from all the guys.
For the ladies, after Chrissie we had an incredible pack - really incredible, actually. Denise, 13th (30:46); Eileen, 15th (30:49); Melissa, 17th (30:59). It was awesome seeing the three come into the finish boom-boom-pow. For Melissa, it represented a 40 second improvement from last year. For Eileen it was welcome back party - she's really back in shape. Christine Trzcinski ran great too, 34:19. And Joel's better half, Alix, ran a solid 40:32.
It was, by far, the best team performance I've seen us pull together. Truly amazing. I am going to file a formal protest with the race management because we did not show up in the team results, which we would have won by a margin of :35. I sent in the team app (plus the reg fee) last week and emailed the guy to let him know it was on its way. So that pisses me off. But we don't need confirmation of us being awesome.
I'll be sure to post a little more on the results from the weekend tomorrow, when I find out about David Ploskonka's 100 miler and Ben's Great Lakes Relay. But really there was no denying this week's Purple Drink Athlete of the Week: Chrissie "Christy" Ramsey. That was one of the finest performances I've ever seen in my life and we are all super psyched for your great successes this year.
The weather couldn't have cooperated better, in fact I was sad because I know if I do this race next year it will go back to normal conditions. Temperature was cool, there was a slight breeze and very low humidity. This enabled the race to start precisely on time for the first time I've ever seen.
Kipchirchir and I settled in to watch the start and then all we had to do was turn around and wait as the race passed by us again at mile 2. Daniel Too, the eventual winner, came blazing through in 9:20 and had a huge lead. To my surprise, Baltimore newcomer Jeff Gaudette was hot on the leaders heels. Before the race he said he was just hoping to run "around 26." Next through were Greg Jubb and Ryan Stasiowski, local college studs and FRRS employees. Then the unmistakable dayglo yellow singlet of NCOTB. I spotted Justin and Brennan running near each other, and then Kris, Hollywood and Berardi. Then all the ladies - Denise, Eileen, Melissa.
At the finish line there was excitement as Daniel Too came through in a very swift 23:51, with a huge gap to 2nd. Jeff Gaudette came rolling through in 24:51 for 5th place, which is an incredibly strong finish and it's amazing to see how quickly he's pulling himself back into his old form. Greg and Ryan came through in 12th and 15th, respectively, in great summer training times of 25:41 and 25:55. NCOTB was next in 28th at 26:36, which was well under his pre-race goal of 27.
Then, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but the tiny little shape of one Christine Ramsey. I realized that no other ladies had gone through yet - which meant Chrissie was WINNING this race. I looked at the clock and as she crossed it read 27:12 (later it became 27:15). She put 20 seconds into DC/NoVA standout Samia Akbar and ran one of the fastest times seen at this race. She obliterated her PR and TWSS record (formerly 29:31, Rockville Twilight 7/21/07) by almost 2:20. That's absurd. Unfathomable even.
Putting a dollar in the pot will be Justin (27:18) and Brennan (27:22), who finished strong right behind Chrissie. Justin's was a post-collegiate best and Brennan's was an all-time PR. Kris Simms, so glad to see him finally exorcise the Rockville demons and put down a stellar 28:23. He can never do this race again now and be happy. Hollywood was right behind in 28:28, and Old Man Berardi wasn't too far back in 28:43. Amazing times from all the guys.
For the ladies, after Chrissie we had an incredible pack - really incredible, actually. Denise, 13th (30:46); Eileen, 15th (30:49); Melissa, 17th (30:59). It was awesome seeing the three come into the finish boom-boom-pow. For Melissa, it represented a 40 second improvement from last year. For Eileen it was welcome back party - she's really back in shape. Christine Trzcinski ran great too, 34:19. And Joel's better half, Alix, ran a solid 40:32.
It was, by far, the best team performance I've seen us pull together. Truly amazing. I am going to file a formal protest with the race management because we did not show up in the team results, which we would have won by a margin of :35. I sent in the team app (plus the reg fee) last week and emailed the guy to let him know it was on its way. So that pisses me off. But we don't need confirmation of us being awesome.
I'll be sure to post a little more on the results from the weekend tomorrow, when I find out about David Ploskonka's 100 miler and Ben's Great Lakes Relay. But really there was no denying this week's Purple Drink Athlete of the Week: Chrissie "Christy" Ramsey. That was one of the finest performances I've ever seen in my life and we are all super psyched for your great successes this year.
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