2010 Care First Frederick Running Festival

May 1 – 2, 2010

Thank God I Only Ran the Half…

Springtime can be an “iffy at best” deal for many runners and unpredictable heat and humidity can and will destroy one’s goal of a 1:48 half even after she trained oh-so-hard to improve her speed and endurance and made sure to properly hydrate and replenish her electrolytes which a lack of had caused issues with calf strains and pulled Achilles tendons. She was pumped! She was ready to go! She was going to crush this race! She was dripping with sweat 1.5 miles into the race and wondering why she could actually see heat waves on the horizon…

Dagger.

2,627 half-marathoners and 1,038 (728 finishers) marathoners were signed up to participate in the 2010 Frederick Running Festival. Weather reports called for temperatures in the low- to mid-90s on race weekend. The staff of the Frederick Running Festival made sure to have plenty of water and Power Ade at each aid station (wait, wasn’t there supposed to be GU at the stops??). The sky was overcast for the first part of the run but the humidity was brutal. Less than two miles in I realized just how difficult completing this race would be.

I stuck with the 3:40 marathon pace group for the first 3 miles but slowly backed off after realizing that a pace of 8:15 was not in the cards today (note: I realized this before the race began but “just wanted to see what I could do”). I wasn’t able to even stick with an 8:30 pace. Ugh, God, 8:57??

It was a rough going for a majority of the runners; the medical tents had lines forming and quite a few people being carried off of the course on stretchers to waiting ambulances. One runner that I was pacing at mile 11 on Gas House Pike simply collapsed on the course and rolled into a ditch (mind you, I made sure he was OK and not, in fact, well, dead). No less than three ambulances screamed by me as crossed the finish line. A reported eight runners were taken to the Frederick Memorial Hospital for leg cramps and heat exhaustion.

My official time was 1:57:40 due to a pit stop and my actual time was 1:56:42. Honestly, I was glad simply to finish but was disappointed in my time. While I set a PR for myself, I only ran 2 minutes faster than the National Half Marathon where I was nursing a popped Achilles. Therefore, I was not all to impressed with my new record.

I would tell you where I placed but, frankly, I have no idea! I received an email from the race directors with one set of standings while the race website gives me two different sets of standings. I’ll stick with the rankings that make me look the best! Thus (as per the email from the race directors):

1:57:40 (unofficial 1:56:42)

Overall --> 570/2,267
Female 25-29 Age Group --> 37/276
Female Division --> 198/1,451

Aside from the humidity I did enjoy this race. The course is beautiful, the aid stations were well-manned and the people of Frederick were all out rooting us on. I will be back next year and I will get that 1:48 PR.

2010 Kaiser Permanente Pike’s Peek 10K

April 25, 2010

Just a quick recap since I need to spend a good amount of time researching how not to die running a half marathon in 92° heat (Frederick Half Marathon on May 2).

Pike’s Peek is a community run through the heart (The Pike) of Rockville, Maryland. And, may I emphasize “community run” to the gentleman who crossed the finish line with his arms outstretched, middle fingers extended? Yes, you sir, the gentleman who made sure to salute and thank all of the spectators, participants in the “1K Kids’ Run” and the toddlers participating in the 50m “Toddle Trot” right next to the finish cheering you on, ringing cowbells and hootin’ and hollerin’ as you crossed the line. Way to keep it classy.

The run begins at the Shady Grove Metro just off of Redland Road before turning onto everyone’s favorite haunt, Rockville Pike, for 6.2 miles. A net downhill course still includes generous inclines and potholes to keep a watch out for. The early morning rain tempered off just before the race began but the runners had to deal with high humidity (tunnel vision, anyone?). Water and PowerAde stations were well-manned by the support crew and, surprisingly enough, there were lots of spectators along the course cheering the runners on!

The Montgomery County Road Runners Club put on a fine race with a fantastic post-run celebration (although I grew nauseous at the thought of consuming a BBQ pork sandwich after the finish). This was the first time I ran this event and it will not be the last. I was able to notch a fine and dandy new 10K PR (by 5 minutes!) and feel pretty good about my standings in the race!

Net Time: 49:33

Pace: 7:59

Place (F 25-29): 23/205

Place (overall): 131/1,244

2010 CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield National Half Marathon

2010 CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield National Half Marathon
I Beat Michael Wardian


No big deal, but I spent my Saturday morning out on a run through our Nation’s Capital with four-time winner of the Boston and New York Marathon Bill Rodgers and Joan Benoit Samuelson, winner of the first women's Olympic Marathon. No need to mention that I paid $85 for the privilege of rising at 4:30 AM and began my run with 38° temperatures and 9,197 other racers.

But most importantly, I beat this guy:

That, folks, is Michael Wardian; an Arlington, Virginia runner whose accomplishments are too numerous to list here (this entry will be long enough as is), but go ahead and Google him; it will only show how big my accomplishment truly was. More to come on that.

The March 20, 2010 marked the 5th running (no pun intended) of the SunTrust National Marathon, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield National Half Marathon and Team Relay (whew! Say THAT five-times fast!) here in our Nation’s Capital. Forecasts called for a pleasantly sunny and breezy afternoon, but not before chilly temperatures greeted runners at the 7 AM start (and a 4:30 AM wake-up call for me).

While the course touts itself as “the fastest looped course in the country,” in no way is it free of challenging climbs. Even Benoit Samuelson, no slouch runner herself, said, “It was a good solid run. It’s an Honest Abe course, it’s not flat.” From mile 4 through mile 7, one effectively runs at a 3% grade. Sharp inclines scattered about the route did not allow for easy coasting. This runner realized that she should have run the hilly section after running 3 to 4 miles rather than beginning her practice runs at the foot of Constitution and 18th.

I began training for this race at the end of December and was able to knock out 272.8 miles despite the blizzard and countless fights with my right leg that is plagued with issues (popped Achilles, ‘tweaked’ quad, ankle tendonitis, patellar tendonitis, need I go on?). My Achilles flared up immediately after crossing the starting line (of all the rotten luck…) and I spent the first three miles trying figure out if dropping out of a race due to injury (a ruptured Achilles) was “bad ass” or not. My pace at this point was pretty fast so I slowed down considerably (the hills helped me to slow down, too…) and focused on favoring my left foot in order to take pressure off of my right. While this helped a bit, six hours of ice and an elevated leg after the completed run helped even more!

I completed the race in 1:57:58 (9:00/m…dagger) (2615/6239 overall, 315/1025 age group) and, yes, did a little fist pump at the finish line when I saw that I completed the run in under two hours as hoped. Although the leg cramps commenced on queue after crossing the finishing line, I was able to hobble my way over to “The nice medal guy,” stick my arm out and as politely as I possible could, said/commanded/demanded, “Gimme.” After wrapping myself in one of those "warming capes" (the runner dressed as Batman did not receive a cape) and walked off of the course with my head held high. No Top 5 finish for me, but I did place and had a cash “pay out” next to my name.

2010 CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield National Half Marathon
6,239 finishers
Overall Women (clock time)
1. Laura Farley, 25, Bloomington IN - 1:18:38 ($1,000)
2. Phebe Ko, 27, Bethesda MD - 1:19:03 ($500)
3. Dani Prince, 24, Bloomington IN - 1:19:37 ($250)
4. Kristin Andrews, 28, Bethesda MD - 1:21:00 ($200)
5. Kathryn Neeper, 26, Washington DC -1:21:06 ($100)
2615. Allison Tully, 27, Falls Church, VA 1:57:59 (-$85)


But wait! I beat Michael Wardian, right!? Indeed, I did. Let me explain.

I spent a bit of time walking around, stretching and refueling (banana, water, not losing my guts when offered a banana-flavored Muscle Milk) while watching and cheering on the rest of the runners crossing the finish line. As the race announcer began to broadcast that the leader of the marathon, Michael Wardian, was nearing the finish, something utterly amazing occurred to me: Holy crap, I beat him! Yes, the four out of five time winner of the National Marathon who just crossed the line for yet another tally mark on his win list and, low and behold, guess who beat him? Me. That’s who.

Wait, you say. But how? I’ll explain.

Me: Holy cow, I beat Michael Wardian!
Sean (husband): Umm, no sweetie. He ran the full marathon; you only ran the half.
Me: Yes...but I crossed the finish line first.

Sean said that he didn’t respond because his head hurt from my logic; I chalked his silence up to me being correct. So I stood there, banana, water, medal, shinny cape and all reveling in the fact that all of the hoopla for Michael Wardian was misdirected: I, in fact, beat the 2008 and 2009 ultra-marathoner of the year. I should be interviewed by NBC 4, Runners World, Running Times and so on. Next time. Next time...

Nevertheless, this is a great course and event for beginners and veterans alike (even fellow NORSAites who either failed to man-up for this run. *cough* Tom, Matt and Steve. *cough*). The entire event, from sign up, to expo, to pre-race, race and post-race was run with the utmost of efficiency. Those in charge of this race have set the bar pretty high for those hosting future half-marathons that I have entered (I’m talking to you, Frederick Running Festival). I still have much to do to improve my time but I will be entering this race again next year with two goals: finish with an 8:30/m pace (baby steps) and beat Michael Wardian. Again.

Yeah, Michael Wardian, you may be crossing the line now, but guess who already has her medal?

St. Patty's Run Green 2010

On March 7th, 2010, NORSA member Adam, along with newcomers Amanda and Nam, strapped on their running shoes to participate in downtown Raleigh's St. Patty's Day Run Green 8K. Sponsored by local Irish Pub Tir Na Nog (which is getting quite involved in the Raleigh running scene - sponsoring many races and hosting its Monday night Nog Run Club), this road race featured approximately 2,500 competitors and a mildly rolly course which took the runners through the residential neighborhoods immediately east of downtown.

Starting and finishing in front of Tir Na Nog in Moore Square, the runners were treated to bag pipes, green race shirts, an Irish rock band, and free pints and glasses - the usual post-race shenanigans that follow most road-running races sponsored by Irish Pubs that take place around St. Patrick's Day. The temperatures warmed up to the 60's with sunny skies, striking a wonderful balance between cool running and warm post-race shenanigizing.

Here are the results:

Name     Age_Group_Place     Time 
Nam      18                  37:55
Adam     33                  42:03
Amanda   20                  46:12

Full results can be found here

Mt. Isabel de Torres

NORSA members Alan and Adam, while taking a short leave of absence from regular scheduled NORSA events, took the opportunity to re-invigorate themselves in the NORSA lifestyle in the most proper way possible: by climbing a mountain.



Currently based in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, Alan and Adam began the day with their sights set on the nearby 2700 ft summit of Isabel de Torres. The mountain features a tram to the top, botanical gardens, and a Rio-esque statue of Jesus Christ. Armed with only their rudimentary spanish, stereotypical tourist costumes, and NORSA wilderness sense, the duo set off in the morning for the base of the mountain.

Knowing only that a trailhead existed somewhere near the base of the tram, and that the tram was located somewhere near downtown, Adam and Alan hopped onto a local 'wah-wah' taxi/shuttle/jitney for a ride into the city. Taking bearings off the mountain, they hopped off their ride at the nearest spot to the tram. Taking a trip up a side road, they made it up to the base of the tram, only to be bombarded (swarm-style) by a flurry of locals seeking to serve as guides. Various allegations were made about the hike (it was dangerous; the locals living in the woods will ambush you; hiking up alone is strongly discouraged), however, NORSA-wits prevailed (along with prior information that none of this was true). Eventually negotiating a contract with a different local, this individual provided what the team was seeking: instructions on how to get to the trailhead along a map drawn out in sticks on the ground about which turns to take on the way up.

The two confusing turns on the trail occurred in the first half mile, while the rest of the climb was extraordinarily pleasant. No knife-welding tree people were sitting in waiting. The trail itself, although not marked, was very well built and easy to follow.

The top of the mountain provided an epic view of the city and the northern Caribbean sea. The team enjoyed the view along with a hearty lunch of sardines on crackers. Accosted once more by a local trying to scalp tickets for the tram ride down, the duo parted with the summit and re-traced their steps back to the base. A successful outing, and a reassuring test of the blood-borne, NORSA spirit that lives within all NORSA members.