Weekend Runs...Anyone have plans?

Anyone have plans f0r group runs either Sat. or Sun.?

Just a Reminder...

REGISTRATION FOR THE 114th BOSTON MARATHON ON MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2010 IS ONGOING AND THE RACE IS RAPIDLY APPROACHING ITS FIELD SIZE LIMIT.

Click here to see registration details.

www.baa.org

Revision

So it turns out that I can do Wednesday evening, and it looks like we are clear at BCC ... so I will be there.

RUNCO REPEAT AS CHAMPIONS

Though I have not received official word from the Marines, based on my layman's analysis, the RUNCO has defended its title as the local running store team champion of the Marine Corps Marathon

congrats to the following who finished

Will
Chris
Lauren
Mike
Patrick
Bill

and all others unmentioned but of equal greatness.

Max

Workout this week

This is my last week of buildup before taper for the Philly Marathon. (Is this race ever going to actually happen?)

I am looking to do 4 by 2 miles with a lap jog for rest, starting at 10:40 (and hopefully not getting slower).

First off, is anyone interested in doing this workout, or part of this workout? The second thing is that I have assignments Wednesday and Thursday evenings, so I am hoping to do it either one of those mornings or perhaps Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.

Let me know if there is any interest.

Some Minor MCM Casualties

Just wanted to share this lovely shot of me in my GRC singlet after finishing my first marathon.

Lesson learned. Tape up.

MCM Results

Will Knox 2:47.18
Patrick Murray 2:50.51
Chris Sloane 2:57.39

Developing ...

Sunday Run - Watching MCM

Hey all,

Some of us plan to watch the race go by the store and do our long run from there. We plan to be at the store at 8:45 to see the GRCers run by, and will start the run at 9:15. Plan ahead for some difficult parking/road closures.

Dylan has offered to host a brunch at his place near the finish line if anyone is interested.

FINAL MARINE CORPS MARATHON TEAM

After scrapping around and begging and maneuvering, this is the final roster for the GTOWN RUNCO STORE team for Marine Corps

Chris Sloan
Pat Murray
Hillary Cairns
Lauren Gabler
Will Knox
Bill Merguson(correct spelling?--probably not)
Michael Wardian(yes, i asked him to run for old time's sake and the fact that i needed a runner)

Wardian is running with a friend and plans to run 240ish, Sloan plans on 240ish and Will Knox has been drinking too much beer so is not sure what he can do so the jurry is out on this one. The others are unkowns to me.

Bless them all and everyone else doing the big M

Once A Runner

"I hope I do inspire some kids to give it a shot, even after college. If you have a desire and the will to put in the work, anything's possible. We need that in American distance running."

- American Brian Sell, who says he's 98% sure New York will be his final marathon. Brian, 31, talks about not breaking 10:00 for 2 miles in high school and ending up making the US Olympic team in the toughest OT marathon in American history in 2007.

EDITOR NOTE - I usually don't post about (intern)national running news, but this rings true for a number of us post-collegians. Sell was in my conference in college. He went from being an average college runner, to a very good college runner, to one of the best marathoners in the country. A true success story and proof our running careers don't end after college.

Vets Day 10K on 11/15

Please e-mail me if you are interested in racing - jklim007@yahoo.com

More information can be found here - http://www.runwashington.com/veterans10k/

DATE CHANGE: Spring Goals Meeting - 11/21

I know that everyone won't be able to make it, but I wanted to schedule a spring goals meeting on Saturday November 14th after the GRC Store Run. We can meet at Dean & Delucas (just a couple blocks from the Store) like we've done in the past. Mark it on your calendar.

The goal of the meeting is for everyone to throw out their spring (and winter) race plans so that we can form teams for these races and training groups leading up to them. Aside from Philly, most of the marathons will be behind us and it's time to look ahead to 2010. Races of interest might be - National Marathon/Half, Cherry Blossom, Boston Marathon, Broad Street Run. Others?? Given our numbers, we should have teams at all these races. I will print out a calendar so that we can all take a look. Also, looking WAY ahead, there also seems to be a lot of chatter about running Chicago in 2010. I, personally, am interested in this.

Training together in preparation for these races will get us all better and promotes the Store in the Washington DC area.

We can also discuss ways to improve the team, grievances, questions, concerns, accoladesyadda yadda yadda.

As a side, PLEASE take 5 minutes and update YOUR race results on the race results tab to the right. Record your best time for each distance listed (when applicable), the race name and the date while donning the GRC singlet. Thanks.

Wednesday workout

Because the facilities at BCCHS are being used tonight, we have to switch our weekly track workout to Tilden MS off Old Georgetown Rd in Rockville. We will still meet at 6:30. Sorry for the late notice!

FINAL MARINE CORPS REQUEST

OK. I have worked the lines and we are putting together one team.

I need the following to send their confirmation #s to tami.faram@USMC.mil now.

Jake, since you read this blog every 15 minutes please makes sure this message gets to these people

Bill Merguson(jarrin's friend)
Will Knox
Pat Murray
Hillary Cairns
Chris Sloan


and.......................Dirk?

Dirk, what happened, you were to be our champion.

let me know if you have any questions. Max

MCM

Weather Forecast for Sat night & Sun morning

They say to wait until crossing the 14th st bridge to attack
They say Hains Point can be a breaking point
They say how you handle the onslaught of hills in the first 8 miles dictate how your day will end

I don't know who they is, but maybe they is right. Good luck to all this weekend.

Endurance Activities Social Calendar, THU 10/22

Running Event at Lululemon (logan circle): Motivational speaker, marathoner and former GRC racer Dane Rauschenberg will be available for setting race goals & book signing from 6:30-9 PM. In 2006 he ran 52 marathons over 52 wks. That IS motivation: http://danerunsalot2.blogspot.com/

Ironman Seminar: A panel of DC Tri Club ironmen will share their experiences and answer all of your questions at the Cleveland Park Bar and Grill at 7pm.

Race Across the Sky, Leadville Trail 100: a documentary covering the 2009 Leadville Trail 100 bike race is playing nationwide at 8 PM. A panel discussion including Lance Armstrong, Chris Carmichael, Dave Wiens (6x Leadville 100 winner) will be broadcast before/after the film. participating theatres

Report: Bain 2nd at Grand Rapids

2:37:12

One of Bain's top 5 fastest 'thons...1:16 at halfway

Matt Ernst has an "off day"...refuses to speak to press at time of posting and issues a "no comment"

Developing...

Grand Rapids Marathon Looms

Will THUNDER strike thrice this year? Chris Bain looks to tackle 2:30 (and possibly win??) tomorrow at Grand Rapids. The last time the unassuming, Stella-drinking Harvard grad ran a marathon he had the race of his life (see report). It won't be easy - yesterday Bain arrived back state side from England before boarding a jet bound for Detroit this morning.

Matt Ernst plans to attack the 3 hour barrier and better his PR of 3:06 from Philly.

Shannon O'Neill will make a game day decision whether she'll race the entire 26.2 due to lingering leg pain.

Bobby JARRIN is leading a +/- 3:30 pace group

RESULTS - Available HERE tomorrow

Photo - Grand Rapids Marathon in 2007

Sunday Run

I originally proposed running at Northern Virginia Regional Park on Sunday but I am now withdrawing that suggestion due to the heavy precipitation the area has received. Those trails do not drain well. Instead, I suggest Riley's Lock or Duel Ferries at 10am. Anyone else going 20+?

An Event We Should Support

A Marine Corps Marathon celebration and a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project will be held from 9-11 p.m. Thursday Oct. 22 at George (in Georgetown), 3251 Prospect St., Washington, D.C. 20007. At the door, a $10 donation will get you a wristband and drink specials.

The event is hosted by Doug Eldridge, the president of DLE Sports in D.C., as part of the 10-12-100 campaign. In 2009, Doug has pledged to run 10 marathons in 12 months and raise $100,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project. MCM will be his 9th marathon this year, and he has truly raced every single one.

It would be cool if we could get some GRCers out to this.

I interviewed Doug, shortly after Memorial Day, for a Competitor Magazine Q&A article ... I will post it below.

Doug Eldridge is halfway there. After gutting through five marathons in four months, he now has seven months to complete the “10-12-100” — 10 marathons in 12 months to raise $100,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit group raising awareness about injured veterans of war.

The son of U.S. Army Col. Gary W. Eldridge, Eldridge was raised in a military household in which “duty to God, country and family” was firmly ingrained. His steadfast desire to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project, in turn, stems from his visits to Walter Reed Army Hospital. He was there with father, who died of cancer in 2001, and also to visit his mother, who was there three years ago for a procedure.

Eldridge, the founder and president of DLE Sports Management, started his company with an emphasis on serving endurance athletes. He completed two Ironman triathlons in law school. Around 2005, though, he was ready for a new challenge. Eldridge was also thinking about the men and women at Walter Reed, and trying to figure out a way to raise awareness for his current cause.

His “10-12-100” journey began at the ING Miami Marathon, where he finished in 3:30.18, an 8-minute mile average he will attempt to maintain the rest of the way. Thus far, he has been successful at it: His last race, May 3’s Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon, where he ran 3:33.15, came just two weeks after clocking 3:30.21 in Charlottesville. The second half of Eldridge’s campaign will include his favorite race, Marine Corps Marathon, before he wraps it up Dec. 6 in Las Vegas.

Eldridge recently spoke about his mission at his office in Washington, D.C.

Q: Memorial Day was only a couple days ago. The holiday reminds me of the Wounded Warrior Project in that both get such bipartisan support. How did you spend the day?
A: My Dad was a Cobra pilot in Vietnam, and while he never became [part of Rolling Thunder] there were not many Memorial Days that we did not come down to The Mall. … [This year] you talk about just a poignant atmosphere: You had the guys that started off as our fathers, then down to us and our colleagues, who are these guys 10 years our junior who are now coming back, who for better or for worse are now the newest members of the club — and then all the way down to what I would consider the young Doug Eldridges holding their dad’s hand, not really knowing what’s going on but being just awestruck by the spectacle.

Q: How are people finding out about your campaign? You are performing brilliantly in the running, but how is it going raising the money?
A: It’s good, but as type-A and as hard as I am on myself, when I set a goal, I want to destroy it. It’s coming along, but I knew from the start it was the back half where people were really going to come out and say, “Wow, he’s really going to do it.” Because a lot of people, when I told them what I was doing, they thought there was no way I was to going to be able to do this … As the campaign has progressed, we have been far more deliberate in spreading the word and spreading the message.

Q: Tell me a little bit about your training leading up to these 10 marathons.
A: Last fall I was trying to race myself into shape for Marine Corps [Marathon]. I had had an incredibly busy cycle at work and I was not getting in my training miles; I wasn’t doing my long runs. But I am not a quitter, and that’s just the mindset that I have: If I commit to doing it, I am going to do it. To be real honest with you, I was trying to mitigate any damage I would do to myself going into the training when I basically signed up for four races in the five weeks leading up to the race, with the weekend right before off … So I did Marine Corps, took some time off and then I really started a base fitness boot camp. I was getting on the bike trainer at 4 a.m. and doing that for an hour and a half and then I went down to Florida for about seven days. I packed a pair of jeans and two shirts and the rest was running clothes. I trained really hard, did long slow painful runs on undulating dirt roads. Ran in the driving rain, ran in the heat. Put the work in.

Q: Do your clients ever give you advice?
A: Rest. Take it easy. I will say that the common concern among my clients, irrespective of the sport, is, “Brother, you’re burning the candle. Because we’re getting text message responses from you at 4 a.m. and we’re calling you on your BlackBerry at 11:30 the night before a marathon and you’re still answering.”

Q: Do you wish the Marine Corps Marathon was the last race rather than the ninth?
A: There would be a certain poetry or symbolism in that. How fitting that the Marine Corps ends with the climb to Iwo Jima. There’s part of me that would like that, but on the same token, if you look at the course of the schedule — starting in the glitz and Ferrari and bikini- clad Miami and bookending it in Las Vegas with the glitz and glam of the Strip, I think it is an appropriate finish. … This was a very deliberate campaign, and now we are in the process of working on the celebrity component for the tenth marathon. It is going to be a very big event, because what good would any of this be it if it didn’t generate awareness and conversation?

Q: What do you think your father would think of this?A: I hope my father would be proud. I have no question he would be supportive, and I know he would understand why I am doing this better than anyone else. There are not many runs that I do not think about him.

Billy's Last Run

The architect got a job and will be moving to the Big Apple to join his wife. Billy's last run from the Store will be on Saturday morning. Come out and see him off. I don't even like the guy, but I'll be there...

Track work

How is it looking for this week? Can we get to BCC or a track on Wednesday?

800s?

More Results

Dickson takes the silver at the Lower Potomac River Ten-Miler this morning with a time of 53:51...

Columbus Day Run

Anyone down for a Monday morning run from THE LINE? 9:30am?

Matias in Kona

Matias finished the IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS in 9:49, finishing 29th in the 25-29 AG. Way to represent!

Hey Ladies

I know you are out there, reading this blog--so come run with us. Have questions? Post 'em here.

I also wanted to take some space to make special mention of recent performances by GRC women present and past: Emily ran PR in the Baltimore half on Saturday, where she took 4th place in a superspeedy 1:22.19, and Caroline ran a mindblowing marathon, detailed below...way to go.

Here's to more fast running this fall, by more of us womenfolk!

Kona Update

Matias right around top 100 @ Kona after swim (58 min) and bike (5hr 2min)!! Wow, but the conditions are very tough, hot and humid, and a marathon in those conditions will be brutal.. more updates soon!

Wilson Runs 2:26 in Charm City!

UNOFFICIAL: Finishes 10th at UNDER ARMOUR BALTIMORE MARATHON...

GRC on Vacation

That picture of Snizow breaking tape is incredible. What a race report.

GRC is taking the show on the road to the big island on Saturday. 140.6 miles of swim/bike/running, no better way to spend a day.

MIGHTY JAKE AND CO

who plans on running from the store manana?


also, i need to get in a 2hr45min run on sunday. is anyone game at 830am. great falls or the line.

Max

Caroline White's Race Report

Family and Friends,

So here you have it; the long anticipated Twin Cities Marathon race report! It’s been a tough, exhilarating journey, and I’m excited to share the story with you.

Upon reviewing this and on the verge of sending, I need to say; yes, the race is obviously important. But this email would lead you to believe success is all about race day. It's not. It's about all the hard work leading up to the marathon, and there is NO WAY I could do any of this without your love and support. It's the understatement of the century to say, but I couldn't do this without you.....so thank you for what you've enabled.

At the beginning of each 4 year Olympic cycle, the Olympic Committee determines a standard potential athletes must meet in order to compete in the Olympic trials. 2:47 was the standard for the Beijing trials (which were held in Boston in April 2008). Shortly after Bejing, the Olympic Committee set 2:46 as the standard for the 2012 trials. So to compete in the trials, one must run a marathon in 2:46 at a USATF certified event. The first opportunity to qualify (and only opportunity in 2009) was in the Twin Cities Marathon, held on October 4th.

In February 2009, I competed in and won the Armed Forces Cross Country Championship. This win served as a leverage point for me to be assigned to the Air Force’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). Initially, after graduation from University of Maryland, I was scheduled to start pilot training right away. However, the Air Force agreed to delay my start date and let me train in Colorado for the Twin Cities Marathon. When the Air Force allowed this opportunity, I was very grateful, but understood the reality that this was an opportunity to qualify for the trials, and it would take some serious, grueling training to meet this goal.

Explaining the goal to friends, I frequently heard “ohh I’m sure you can do it, you always do what you set your mind to!” I would respond with, ‘I don’t think you quite understand how ambitious this is.’ Running a 2:46 is no small feat. It would require a big PR from my Boston marathon in April, giving me 6 months to drop 10 minutes. But I had my heart set on qualifying, so my tenure in Colorado consisted of running, running, and some more running. I averaged between 80-100 miles a week (my peak week was 114), plus core strengthening and cross training.

WCAP also allowed me the opportunity to race in the national road racing circuit, where high caliber athletes compete for national titles and large prize purses. This was great because one, I love racing. Two, I got to travel to misc places like Michigan, Connecticut, and Ohio that I would not otherwise be exposed to. Three, I got to spend time with some running legends (including individuals who competed in Athens and Beijing in various distance races). And four, it was great to be the military’s representative. When toeing the start line, athletes wore jersey’s for their various sponsors (Asics, Nike, etc.) and it was pretty cool to be the individual chosen to wear the Air Force’s blue and white jersey.

At my first race in Iowa, I met Magdalena Boulet, who ran the marathon for the US in Beijing. When shaking her hand, I couldn’t believe the situation…wow, I’ve been tracking your progress and watched you race on TV (in addition to the rest of the world), but I’m actually shaking your hand. Woah. Of course, all of this can out as, “hmmner nerm caroline white …”

But the races went well and I made some serious progress. For instance, in Michigan I ran the 10 mile race in 59:36, which was a big mile stone to break an hour. It was also sweet to spend quality with my running idols…the night before my Flint race, I ran into Magda in the hotel lobby, “Hi Caroline!” (oh my God, you actually know my name) “What are your dinner plans? You want to grab something with us?”....(with huge eyes and a gaping mouth) ‘uhhhh, YES…err, I mean, okay.’ When recounting this experience to a friend, I told him dinner was like watching running celebrities walk out of Runner’s World magazine and into this restaurant. His response to this was, “Caroline, you’ve got to understand that your idol is quickly becoming your peer,” which was an inspiring notion to me.

My Colorado training went fantastic, and generally injury free (with a few foot problems here and there, but nothing too serious). Before I knew it, taper week came and a message in my inbox read “United Flight 387; prepare for your upcoming trip”…..I hope I’m prepared! I put in a ton of hard work in over the summer, and it’s time to cash out.

My parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all traveled to Minneapolis for the event. I was grateful for the support and love being with my family (well, not so much with Uncle Mike), but at the same time, it built up the pressure of this event. In fact, the night before the marathon I was probably the most nervous I’ve ever been….I’ve competed at high levels before but nothing had such a black and white outcome. For instance, before the World Ironman Competition in Kona, I was nervous yet had a reasonable goal; to give it my best and see what I could do (and I achieved that, 12th wasn’t to shabby). With this race though, it’s really all or none. Not only had I set my own expectations, but I’d feel bad for having everyone travel to witness a let down. I didn’t want to dwell on this….or the fact that this is the only shot I have to qualify before or during pilot training…no, I need to shut out these thoughts, stay positive, and get to bed. Easy enough, right?

Well I did make it to sleep, went through my morning routine, and got to the start line. For this race I was considered an ‘elite athlete,’ so I got to start in the very front and not fight the masses. The race plan my coach and I created was to run 6:17-6:20 miles throughout the first 20 miles, and push it to the max for the last 6. The Boston marathon taught me the importance of not going out too fast and sticking to your strategy, otherwise it will (painfully) catch up to you in the end. So I was fixated on the number 6:17. My coach also warned me, “there will be a group of women trying to qualify just like you, stay with the pack if it works, but they are probably going to go out too fast and fade. Remember, your well trained and can do this, but you have to run it smart.” Okay, stick with you plan…6:17’s…stay calm.

The gun went off and I tried to keep my nerves under control, and find my pace. I tried to feel out my rhythm and waited for the first mile mark….6:03. Okay, your fast, the first mile is always tough but slow down…

Mile 2—6:07…Slow some more.

Mile 3—6:27…not so much!

Mile 4—6:04….Find the middle.

Mile 5—6:02…Nope.

Mile 6—6:48…Holy Hell, that’s not good...at all. Is my watch broken??

Mile 7—6:00….*$%#$**! What is going on?? In retrospect, it’s pretty obvious what was going on…my nerves were totally throwing me off. And it’s not as though I’m incapable of pacing a 6:17. Two week before TCM I ran a half marathon at goal marathon pace and was spot on….but the difference was the gravity of this event. So, I had a little heart to heart with myself, forget the last 7 miles, find your groove, you KNOW you can do this.

After that self talk, I found my efficient, effortless rhythm. I was nervous that I’d screwed the race with that initial nonsense, but got back to the plan and felt good. No, I felt great. Off in the distance I could see the pack of women hoping to qualify that my coach warned me about, but I didn’t chase them and stuck with my groove. (note: it’s not advised to find your groove this late in a race)

During races, I try to block out distractions and focus on my strategy. Despite this, two spectators seem to stick out in my memory...2 nuns dressed in traditional black habits holding a poster which read “Kick Ass, Sinners!” (since it was Sunday, and not being in church, I guess runners are default sinners). At no other city then St. Paul would you witness this...The sight made me smile; well I guess I’d rather laugh with the sinners then cry with the saints, because sinners are much more fun.

There was a race clock posted at the ½ way mark, which I crossed in in 1:21.22…A little fast, but this race is salvageable…stick with the plan. So I continued to knock out the miles at my goal pace and pressed through. Sure enough, the pack of women was thinning out; one by one, women were peeling off and out of my sight picture. When passing the faders I felt boosted confidence—I'm not going to die off like her, in fact I feel great, keep knocking out the 6:17s and you’ll finish strong.

Mile 15-19 directed us NW, back to toward Minneapolis and into a 10-12 mph headwind. Up until now, it had been negligible or a crosswind, but when I turned the corner at 15 the blast to the face wasn’t encouraging. Your doing fine, just push through it. Coincidentally, I found a broad shouldered male around mile 16 who was running right at pace. Perfect. This is my guardian angel. It was really nice to have a break, but short lived. Just past mile 17 my angel send stopped and literally sat down on the side of the road. Hmmm, someone seems to be sending me mixed signals.

About mile 18 the entire remaining pack of women was slowing down. I ran with them for about quarter mile and was tempted to use the massive wind block, but had to let em go to stay on pace, don’t sink with that ship, keep moving.

I made it through the headwind with a few miles just slightly behind pace. Soon enough, the turn East towards St. Paul at mile 19 relieved me of the headwind, and I was feeling strong.

When questioning TCM veterans, invariably you will hear “it’s a pretty good course, until you get to the end. There’s a substantial hill to deal with.” This hill had been haunting me all summer. The elevation profile indicated it was a gradual climb over three miles with varying grades along the way. I was curious how it would compare to the Colorado training, and how my body could deal with it so late in the race. Well, there’s one way to find out. The first mile of the hill (mile 21) I was exactly on pace—6:17. Perfect! Keep it up. But unfortunately I couldn’t; the next mile of hill took its toll on the legs—6:43. Uh oh, push it out. At this point, I also realized my destiny relied in the next 1.5 miles…if I can make over the hill feeling strong, I would have this thing in the bag. But if the hill drained me….good bye qualifying. Mile 23—6:37. Your almost there, just push over this last bit of hill.

My coach and I planned on not holding back the last 6 miles of the race and going all out. No more pacing, just 100% to the end. I knew some of the wind section and hills slowed me down, and I could not drop much below the 6:17 pace. But the last portion of the hill left me feeling tired, and there was just a smidge left in the tank. I hit the 24 mark in 6:23—you’ve got 2.2 miles left , and not much margin (if any) to spare.

Come on legs, take me home.

I was trying the best I could to keep my form through mile 24, but couldn't find my normal efficient rythm. It was getting harder and harder to get smooth leg turn over. I know this hurts, but you’ve got to push.

I ran mile 25 in 6:30. Next to the 25 mile marker was a race clock reading 2:37.47 Ohhh no, I better make this. I’ve got 1.2 miles left, so this next mile needs to be…..uhhh ……(turns out I’m not the greatest at mental math, particularly when my brain is oxygen deprived). After struggling, and loosing, to 3rd grade math skills I came to conclude it doesn’t matter what the margin is, continue to give 100%, but you can’t run another 6:30 and qualify. YOU HAVE GOT TO PUSH.

I made the final turn of the course and could see the finish line in the distance about ½ mile out. I couldn’t read the race clock, but kept on pushing through the escalating pain. I had no idea what is going on with the crowds, other runners, winds, scenery, etc. It could be midnight in the arctic for all I know….I was entirely fixed on the finish line and the illegible race clock. After what seemed like an eternity, I passed the 26 mile marker in 6:13 and could read the clock…2:44 and change. Oh my God, I’m actually going to do this. I’m going to qualify.

I’d like to describe that last minute and twenty seconds, but I can’t give the moment justice. Running the final .2 miles will stay with me forever. I crossed the finish line in 2:45.21 (6:18.66 mile average), and with 39 seconds to spare I met my goal. I qualified for the 2012 Olympic Trials.

My family greeted me at the finish line shortly there after. Dad was shouting “YOU DID IT! I CANT BELIEVE IT!” and mom was speechless, gushing with tears. After barely surviving my parent’s jaws of death hugs, my dad told me being at the finish line was one of the most nerve wrecking moments of parenting. Apparently watching the clock tick pass 2:43 and no sight of Caroline about killed mom. “Well what can I say dad? I wanted to make your day interesting.”

My coach and I could not be more excited about future racing. A few things to consider; most every elite runner I’ve met raced in college; I competed in my first road race less then 2 years ago; I am 24 years old; and women tend to peak in the marathon in their mid 30’s. Basically, there’s a future in these legs and I can’t tell you how motivating the idea of finding their potential is.

So what happens next? Tomorrow I leave my Colorado utopia for Sheppard AFB, TX to start the next chapter of my life; pilot training. Leaving Colorado is unfortunate, but I’m excited to start the next challenge. Pilot training will be 13 months, and I look forward to find what the future holds, because right now possibilities seem endless. But the few things I know with certainty,

1) I only have one way of operating; go big or go home. And this mentality applies to pilot training. It’s exciting to have the chance to earn my wings and I hope to excel at Sheppard. Does success in athletics indicate an aptitude for being a pilot? Who knows….only time will tell.

2) I truly love running and want to see what I can do with it. I will continue to train as much as the demands of pilot training allow.

3) The Olympic Trials are scheduled to be held in New York City in November of 2011. Mark your calendar.

Track Workout...on Thursday?

It appears B-CC is not available on Wednesday, but the track will be free on Thursday. I've spoken with a few of you, but in general, are people game for meeting on Thursday at 6:30pm at B-CC (THIS WEEK). As darkness sneaks up earlier and earlier, B-CC is a good option because half the track is lit by the adjacent school.

Caroline White Qualifies for Olympic Trials!

FLASH: Former GRCer Caroline White runs the race of her life and qualifies for the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials with a time of 2:45:21 at the Twin Cities Marathon this morning...

...places 28th (unofficially)...a 10 minute personal best.

...6:19 pace

...peaked at 114 miles per week

LEAD UP ARTICLE: http://www.schriever.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?id=123163803

RIO 2016!!

Patapsco on Sunday?

Fall is here and the weather is ideal for running...and there is no better place for a fall run than Patapsco State Park. Karl and I were toying with doing our Sunday run here. This was my training ground in college and I can promise a great run. Karl or I could drive folks from Grosvenor. Start time at 10am?

Any takers?