Shamrock Sportsfest 2009

On Sunday, March 22nd, six NORSA members traveled to Virginia Beach to participate in the Annual Shamrock Marathon and Half Marathon. This event, coupled with its flat course, strong organization, large cheering crowds, and great post race finish party featuring essentially unlimited Yuengling and all you can eat beef stew, was a hit with NORSA members last year, and so were joined by three additional competitors this year to make it one of NORSA's largest events (and without a doubt the highest female to male ratio).



Bethan repeated her performance from last year by running a strong full marathon. This year she brought along a contingent of fellow classmates to also participate in the full. Julia, Adam, Anna, Alan, and Taylor meanwhile settled for the half marathon. This was a NORSA-filled weekend for many of the competitors, as Julia, Alan, and Taylor participated in Sir Walter's HHH 800th R*n and Adam returned from the NORSA Ski Trip to Wyoming the day before.

The race conditions were perfect (if maybe a little warm by the end of the marathon) for strong finishes by all competitors.

Full Marathon:
Bethan 4:22:28

Half Marathon:
Julia 1:38:45
Adam 1:49:36
Anna 1:51:47
Alan 2:15:36
Taylor 2:49:23

After the race, all NORSA participants, as well as three of Bethan's classmates ate a celebratory meal at Olive Garden - the site of a similar celebratory meal after the 2007 Sandman Triathlon.

Legs and joints ached at the end of the day, but all members were satisfied with an excellent race and a successful challenge. Special thanks also to NORSA newcomer Jasmin and the Tidewater HHH for a motivational refreshment stop on the course.

From our family to yours ...

And a NORSAtastic New Year!

Strong Showing at the Rockville Twilight Runfest!

This past Saturday, Team NORSA members Tom Saffell, Steve, Matt White, Julia Brockman, Leo Weitzenhoff, Bethan Haaga, Fred Kukelhaus, and Adam participated in the popular Rockville Twilight 8K.

The race started in downtown Rockville and snaked through hilly suburban neighborhoods before emerging on to Route 355 near Montgomery College for the one-mile downhill finish. Despite the start getting pushed to 9:00 (originally 8:45), the temperature and humidity of the evening still lingered and made the race quite a challenge. Thankfully, there were plenty of water stops for the runners along the course. Also, several homeowners came out to their front yards in order to shower the participants with cold water from their garden hoses, helping to keep racers from overheating.

This year's event showcased the increasing competitiveness for Team NORSA, with Steve and Adam both beating their goals and setting personal records for the course. They had both previously run the race in 2006 (40:42 and 42:44, respectfully) and 2004 (43:15 and 42:32, respectfully). The race also served as training for future NORSA races; the Nation's Triathlon (Matt, Leo, Steve, and Adam), Louisville Ironman (Adam), Culpeper Sprint (Steve and Fred), and the Lake Logan Tri (Adam).

The team results:

Rank        Bib # Name            Age Time      Pace
318         649   Adam   25  36:54     7:26 
323         672   Fred Kukelhaus  25  37:02     7:27 
82          606   Julia Brockman  24  37:56     7:38 
419         640   Steve           25  39:49     8:01 
440         721   Leo Weitzenhoff 26  40:05     8:04 
171         642   Bethan Haaga    25  43:06     8:41 
748         666   Matthew White   25  47:17     9:31 
1087        639   Thomas Saffell  25  64:10     12:55 

A bit of NORSA history: this is the first race at which NORSA made a showing, with Adam and Steve participating on a whim in 2004. Prior to that point, NORSA had been exclusively an outdoor recreation society (e.g., camping and canoeing). It was with this race, and the many to follow, that NORSA members found ways to challenge their fitness level in the outdoors.

First NORSA Picnic at Carderock, MD

The first of hopefully many picnics to come was held this past weekend at the park in Carderock, MD, off Clara Barton Parkway across from the David Taylor Model Basin. NORSA's DC area contingent gathered in force to enjoy picnic food, good times, and a some summertime fun by the Potomac. With dogs, burgers, and sides on the menu, the happy NORSA folks filled their agenda with frisbees, footballs, and brief canoe trips over to Scott's Run, a small waterfall on the Virginia side of the Potomac that splashes into a clear pool. Steve was smart enough to bring his camera and waterproof case to get some awesome footage of an American eel foraging for food while two other eels fought in the background.

NORSA is planning many more such social events similar to this one because the picnic was such a success. The only reason it ended before dark was because of the rainstorm that came along. Although some NORSA members were actually enjoying the rain while out on the river. Stay tuned to the Upcoming Events for more opportunities like this one.