Shooting Star Results

Dirk and Wade battle each other to come in second...

RESULTS:

Dirk - 1st, 21:04
Chicken Tender Runner - 3rd, 22:15
PMurphy - 4th, 22:30

DIFFICULT RUN ON SUN

Yo, despite pain and love and all of the complexities of being a human, I spoke to Keith Dowling and Chuck Moeser the other day. they are game for meeting a posse of some young runners at D-Run at 83oam this Sunday. For those who do not know, Keith used to train here and was the first american at Boston a few years back. He is a multiple marathon trials guy and was a pro runner for adidas for over 10 years.


Chuck Moeser is just a wild Man


there is only LOVE

M

PAIN AND RUNNING ARE A COUPLE FOREVER

Sorry to hear about the foot pain brother Mercer. For good or for worse, unless you can afford the maintenance to combat such woes, pain and running are lovers never to part.

Don't fret as you will learn to live with and then be at one, with some tender loving pain.


ran 10 miles on rolling hills with some slight, but none the less, faint pain.


love and kisses from the RunCO

Foot pain

I am experiencing this odd tenderness/pain on the bottom of my foot just south of the small toe. It is pretty concentrated and when I walk around it feels like there should be a lump there, but then it's just swollen and pink. First noticed it yesterday but I did not feel it much last night during a tempo run on the treadmill, though I think it started with irritation via the Luna Racers which seem to be, well, rubbing my feet the wrong way. Anyway, I got through 9 this morning but it was pretty unpleasant, as it took 30-40 minutes to dull it. This is not Plantar, as that is mainly in the heel and arch, right? Suggestions?

Wednesday, Saturday 4 miler

Hey Guys,

I know that the guys who are running this weekend may or may not go on the track, but I'll definitely be at B-CC on Wednesday. Something like 2x 1600-1200-800-400? But I'll be open to anything (like 20x200 if the indoor track runners are there and prefer that).

For those of us not quite ready to hit the indoor track, there is a low key MCRRC (approximately) 4 miler in silver spring on saturday that Andy and I plan to run, start 8 a.m. After the race, if anyone else is interested, a light swim or bike (maybe after a well-deserved visit to the bagel shop).

1-16-2010; 8:00am 4mi. "The race starts on the Sligo trail behind the Rec Center and parallels Sligo Parkway to University Ave. The race is part of our low-key club race series and is free for MCRRC members, $10 for non-members 18 and over."

Location & Directions
Sligo Recreation Center
location map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=39.025389,-77.029272+(Shooting%20Starr)&iwloc=A&hl=en

Take I-495 to Georgia Ave/MD-97 North. Proceed north 0.9 miles on Georgia Ave. Turn right on Denis Avenue and proceed east 0.9 miles, then turn left on Sligo Parkway. The Recreation Center on the left about 500 feet north of that intersection.

DOUBLE: 4:18 & 8:44!

GRCer Murat Kayali ran a solid double at his alma mater, Yale, on Saturday finishing 4th in the mile (4:18) and 5th in the 3k (8:44).

Indoor action continues next weekend when GRC sends a squad to the Terrapin Invite in Landover, Md. Murat, Mike Smith, Karl Dusen, Patrick Reaves and Jake Klim are seeded at 8:35 in the 3k. Kitten killer Bert Rodriguez seeded at 8:36.

A little help from my GRC friends...

I beg a small amount of your time for something not related to running, but related to something that should just make you feel good.

As some of you know, I recently lost a dear friend of mine in Kentucky to Leukemia. My friends life was extended by over seven years because he was able to find a Bone Marrow donor through the National Bone Donor Program. What I'm asking you all is to take a few minutes and please join the National Bone Marrow Registry. It's free, they send you a mouth swab and you send it back. It's that easy to be a life saver!

Here is the link: www.marrow.org/JOIN/index.html

No pressure...instead of posting any other comment to this post, I ask for you all to simply post a comment saying..."I registered"

Thanks for your time...Matt.

Tonight

A RECORD (fact check needed) 20 runners showed up for the Saturday Store run. To celebrate we're heading to the Four Fields/Four Ps Irish Bar right at the Cleveland Park metro station. Yes, this is simply an excuse to go out and have fun. I am sure the game will be on and live Irish music (no cover) starts at 9:30.

3412 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202)244-0860


http://www.irelandsfourprovinces.com/

Who wants some Guinness?

8pm?

FLASHBACK

While gleening YouTube for videos of foxes, I came across this SLAM DUNK video that shows Raabe's finish at Grandma's Marathon - "USA, USA, USA..." Pretty Awesome!!

Late Notice: Anybody want to go for an Aqua Run at Germantown Rec Pool. Meet 3pm at front entrance. Start Pool run at 3:15. Fee is 6 bucks.

Comment by 2:30 or call cell: 215-913-3481. I will be going for 1 hour. Helps to have company for sure...

The Line on Sunday

Since most of the trails are still beaten up, I was thinking of running from THE LINE Sunday morning at 9:30am. I need to run 18, so maybe an extended "Zoo Loop"...or something like that. I am open...just need to get in the miles. Who is in?

I'm heading to the Store tomorrow morning at 9:00am.

GRC's Robert JARRIN loses freedom, weds

In all seriousness, a very hearty congrats! You found a good one.

Long run tonight

Is anyone interested in running a distance run in NW DC tonight. I will be starting from Cleveland Park around 6:00 and likely running out towards the track guys like last week. Looking to go 14 miles.

Company always appreciated.

Wednesday Workout

Karl suggested the following. I am game too.

600-300-150 x 4-5 sets

Rest is 200-200-150.

It's about 4-5 miles on the track including rest.

Takers?

Morning runs in upper NW DC?

At Friday's run, Dirk mentioned that March is only 8 weeks away. Suddenly I realized I'm not doing enough to be ready for the races I'd like to run in 2010.

I can feel my training falling by the wayside as I'm getting busier with work. It's unacceptable.

I want to recommit myself to this running enterprise. So morning runs it will have to be. Anyone interested in joining me in the upper northwest DC area (Van Ness/Tenleytown/Cleveland Park)? The runs could start anytime between 7AM and 8 AM, a few days a week? Distances: 5-11 miles.

GTOWN RunCO RACE CLUB AnD the NeW YeAr

Let me start this off by making the well acknowledged assertion that perhaps I can be a bit pushy/opinionated and direct with my thoughts. So be it as most if it is intentional for the sake of sparking some thought and or debate. Sometimes I do it with the intention of throwing a curve ball at convention.

With this said, as the new year has started, my mind takes me back to when I first met a tall red head named Jake Klim as the Kentlands 5k several years ago. I was at the race with a young Kenyan, Hillary Kipchumba, whom Jay Wind was trying to save by getting him some sort of permit to stay in this country. Some time after Jake made inquiries about running with others and the rest is history. During this time, others joined the group such as Chris Bain, courtesy of Chuck Moeser, Jarrin, who conacted me out of the blue regarding running with others in order not to run like an asshole, Matt Ernst, who I met through Terrel Hale at a massage, Pat Murphy, who I met through Scott Munro(I think) and countless others who have made their way to the club/team through the blog, word of mouth and so on.

During the last few years, the team has won numerous team race awards, traveled to races, trained together, bonded on hiking trips and more.

It is a great thing.

One noticeable flaw is the lack of women runners, of course. For some reason, they have not been drawn to this flock. How can this be altered? Do we need a coach?

So, if you rap your minds around the last few years and analyze the events and subsequent results, you might smile, you might question and you might decide what you all want for the next year.

I am only a messenger from this point on and seek only to see something continue to evolve that stands the further test of time and can be worthy of a LetsRun atricle and more.

Max

Jan 16 Indoor Track Race

Maryland University is hosting an indoor track race at the PG center in Landover, MD on January 16th. They are having a mile and a 3K, but no 5K. I am not exactly sure what the competition will be like, but I think it will be only college kids and us. If you are interested, please e-mail me this week with which event you want to do and your seed time. The cost will be $20 payable at the meet.

-Karl
215-859-8528
karl.dusen@gmail.com

GRC Race

The GRC is looking to put on a race to benefit the GRC Race Team...and we need YOUR help. The GRC Race Team is defined as anyone who dons the GRC singlet in any race (local or national). There are currently approximately 35 members of the GRC Race Team. I would like to put together an ad hoc committee to help get this thing off the ground. Duties will include logistics, finding sponsors and of course all day-of-race work. We have a general idea of where we want to do this, but there is plenty of fine tuning to do. The more bodies we have involved in this, the easier it will be to execute. It'd be great to pool together our professional skills and resources for this cause. Some of the funds accrued from this race could help pay for Chicago Marathon travel/hotel, USATFXC Club Champs next December and uniforms for those who don't have them...however these details are some of the items that can be nailed down by the ad hoc committee. The race will likely take place in May or June (ie - after the majority of our spring seasons are behind us).

Please contact me if you would like to help. Thank you. jklim007@yahoo.com

Letsrun.com Marathon Rankings - 2009

LRC #10 Chris Raabe • 2:15:13 • 1st, Grandma's Marathon

Chris Raabe won "Grandma's" by over three minutes in 2:15:13, an impressive performance that might go unnoticed by many. We think Hartmann's win in Twin Cities and Raabe's win at Grandma's were the two highest quality non-major marathon performances by Americans in '09 (and Cox's 2nd-place finish by 9 seconds at CIM was in there for the top non-major performance as well).

http://www.letsrun.com/2009/09ranksmar262m1201.php

Sunday Long Run-Riley's Lock

The group is running from Riley's Lock Sunday at 9:30am. If you need a lift out there, comment with your contact # and we'll find you a ride.

Dress warm. The forecast calls for 23 degrees, 7 degrees with windchill. The more the merrier.

WHAT HAPPENED TO DYLAN?

DYLAN, WHERE ARE YOU? I MISS YOUR CAMEO APPEARANCES AT OUR RUNS AND ESPECIALLY, YOUR OUTLOOK ON THE WORLD AND MORE.

YOURS TRULY

REPORT

Diego Runs 31:45 for 10K in Europe...

GRC Year in Review

FEBRUARY

At Home in Derwood
GRC Turns heads around the country and WINS(!) the USATF XC Championships in Derwood, Md.


Where it is Warmer
Mike Coterell wins the Ocala Marathon in 2:54

MARCH

GRC dominates the Shamrock 5k in Baltimore. Klim, Reaves and Blasiak go 1, 2, 3. Then GRCer, Melissa Tanner wins the women's race



GRC hosts first annual GRC 5k Invite. Unfortunately Bert bests Klim, Reaves and Diego. However, Klim and Reaves PR.



APRIL

The Spaniard's Kick
Diego goes from 5th place to 2nd in the last lap at the Terrapin Invite and runs 15:03 for 5k.

The Big Show
GRC wins team title at Cherry Blossom. 3 runners are sub-51:30, 10 runners break 55:00


The Spaniard Says Adios
GRC bids Diego Miralles adieu as he ventures back to Amsterdam



Winning the Watch
GRC wins team title at Penn Relays 20K. Patricks Reaves, Murphy and Hughes place 2nd, 6th and 11th respectively


Thunder Strikes Twice!
After missing all of February due to injury, Chris Bain runs 2:36 at Boston...then, 5 days later, against all odds, runs 2:31 halfway around the world in Seol, South Korea. Bain's second place finish makes him a millionaire in Korea.


MAY

Away at Philly...
GRC places 4th in heavy competition at Broad Street Run in Philly.

...And Back Closer to Home
Dickson Mercer makes debut for GRC and wins the Frederick Marathon coasting home in 2:37



JUNE

The White Kenyan
Chris Raabe becomes the 1st American in 12 years to win Grandma's Marathon with a PR, and Olympic Trials Qualifying Time, of 2:15!



Enter The Beastman
Dirk de Heer, from Holland via UTEP, joins GRC with collegiate bests of 3:47 and 14:07

JULY

The Beastman is a Beast!
Dirk runs 24:45 and 15:02 for 8k and 5k respectively in Twilight Races on warm summer evenings.


AUGUST

Hello/Goodbye
GRC bids adieu to Billy Askey and Patrick Reaves who leave the area but still don GRC singlets. GRC says hello to Karl Dusen who boasts PRs of 29:00 and 2:20

SEPTEMBER

Karl Dusen wins Ryan McGrath Memorial 5k in 15:06!

Klim & Dickson record personal bests at Philly Distance Run

Dirk finishes 12th at World Duathlon Champs!

OCTOBER
Wilson runs 2:26 in Charm City

Matias muscles his way through IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS in 9:49…finishing 29th in the 25-29 AG

NOVEMBER

A Cold Wet Hell
Patrick Reaves runs the race of his life and wins the City of Oaks Marathon (2:33) in a cold deluge

Brotherly Love
Dickson records his second best marathon with a 2:31:34 (good for 11th place) in Philly


DECEMBER

The Land of Bourbon & Horses
GRC takes 19th at USATF XC Club Champs. Peter Silverman runs race of the day

New to GRC in 2009: Jake Marren, Chris Sloane, Chix Tender Runner, Karl & Emily Dusen, Dirk De Heer, Joey Wiggy, Mike Smith, Charlie Ban, Neal Hannan...and others?

Finall, please remember to update your 2009 race results HERE. These results should refelct races you ran while running for GRC.

BELIEVE THE HYPE

Maybe.

Listen. I am taking a poll as who is the best "pound per pound" runner in land today. Think it through and send your choice with slight but meaningful rationale. The runner can be of American Dissent and or of another nation.

Max

DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE

What seems to be true and right is sometimes an illusion

BOOO....................

the NEW YEAR is coming........................................

Ran 10 miles in the freezing cold this am along the waterfront and loved it.

Remember to buy your cold weather running gear at the RunCO

Runs this Week

I am heading to the track on Wednesday evening. I wouldn't mind doing 4 x 1600m (400 rest) slightly cutdown, but I am open to suggestions. Any takers?

I propose THE LINE on New Year's Day (Friday)...a late(r) start - 10am.

I will be at the Store on Saturday and plan to hit up Riley's Lock for 18 on Sunday. If anyone wants another option, feel free to post. The regular Riley's loop is 13 or 15, but you can add on via the towpath.

PHOTO - CHRIS RAABE WINNING GRANDMAS

RUNNING WITH FRANK AND THE TOWPATH

YEsterday i met Frank and the TOWPATH at the line. Frank. thanks for coming out at a reasonable time and having fun with us. welcome aboard.

We ran with the TOWPATH for about 15 minutes until he complained of a slight pain in his lower Gastrocnemius muscle and some tightness in the upper right hand region of the Iliotibial band and he needed to cut the run short:) sorry Towpath but I needed to throw that out there for the masses. Please do not take offence.

Oh Yea, Dirk joined us but alas, Dirk has no infamy nor lore, attached to his name(for the moment)

Love MAx

NATIONAL MARATHON

Does anyone want to run the National Marathon? If so, and you can run well, I can get some entries. I already have one guy who plans on running around 2.27.

We should be able to dominate. C'mon Towpath. the four massages you get a week should be putting you in superstar shape:)

The world is yours

there is no more snow

Christmas is over and the New Year awaits like a growling bear emerging from hibernation.

Love Max

Noel

store run and sunday run

who is coming to the 9am store run? also, in order to meet the needs of the many, i suggest 9am at the line on sunday. i know of some who want to run but need to make it 9, at the latest. Yo Frank, I have seen your posts many times but have never seen you at any of our runs. are you a real person or ghost?

merry xmas and holidays and much love from the RunCo

Weekend Runs

FYI - I am not around this weekend. If people are, and want to run, please post a meet-up spot.

NYE

No, I am not scheduling a run on New Year's Eve (although I would be happy to run in the morning).

Yes, I am letting you know that everyone is invited to a party at my place at 406 4th St. SE., a couple blocks from Eastern Market metro.

I have not yet established an itinerary, but we do plan to make it a bit more than the usual house party (not that I am, like, against the usual house party -- quite the opposite). Dodgeball, maybe?

If you are interested in coming, please let me know.

Happy holidays to all, and safe travels this week.

dickson.mercer@gmail.com

THE LINE @ 9:30am

For those who can make it...

I will post, no later than 8:30am, if I can/can't get out of my parking lot . As of now, I plan to hit up THE LINE as it is one of the only places to run sans cars which is also plowed...

"Comment" if you are interested.

HOLIDAY PARTY: REVISED!

Due to the metro closures and dangerous driving conditions, we don't expect a great turnout at the holiday party. Instead of bothering to open the store, the GRC holiday party has been relocated to my place. The time has not changed (8:30). Anyone that plans on coming should post a comment below and plan to bring whatever they wrote in the spreadsheet.

Address:
2750 14th St, NW, Apt #601
Washington, DC 20009

3 blocks south of the Columbia Heights Metro Station (Green/Yellow Lines).

Call my cell (607.621.8047) when you're in the lobby.


*** As an alternate, Klim's neighbor is hosting a party. Get in contact with him for details.

1111 Grosvenor Place

North Bethesda, Md

GRC snow angel?

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Snow-pocalypse2-79714462.html

WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 19: Jogger Max Lockwood is covered with snow and and ice while running down Pennsylvania Avenue December 19, 2009 in Washington, DC. Heavy snowfall has blanketed portions of the east coast with the Washington, DC area expecting up to two feet of snow. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

SNOW IS OVERRATED

If the snow is not too horrendous I will be at the store Saturday morning. Hot Chocolate and bagels to follow for those brave souls willing to make the trek.

"Biggest December Snowstorm on Record"

Tonight: Cloudy with snow showers becoming a steady accumulating snow later on. Low 29F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches.

Tomorrow: Snow and gusty winds. Snow will become heavy during the afternoon. Cold. High around 30F. Winds N at 20 to 30 mph. Snow accumulating 8 to 12 inches.

Tomorrow night: Periods of snow and windy. Low 26F. Winds NNW at 20 to 30 mph. 3 to 5 inches of snow expected.

DEVELOPING...

HALL & MEB TO RUN BOSTON 2010

Watch out Bain!

Grote Poll

I guess I need to just be honest with everyone and apologize for not running Club Nationals. Because according to the Grote Poll, had I run we would have done even better than a solid 19th. (Note: This is a big, fat joke. Ryan Grote is a friend of mine.)

But it's pretty cool that Jake's recap of the race was posted on Grote Poll. The site is very well read. Check it out at http://grotepoll.com/component/content/article/1-grote-poll/34-club-nats-race-recap-from-georgetown-running-companys-jake-klim

Winter Weather Advisory

Check it HERE.

*Snow from 5-10 Inches starting Friday night/Saturday morning and stretching until Sunday.

Five inches is not such a big deal, but 10 inches of white makes running interesting.

This event should trigger a general discussion of how we should schedule our weekend runs. I am debating running my long run Saturday, during the heart of the storm but when less is accumulated, versus running long on Sunday in lighter snowfall but with more on the ground.

What do you guys think?

Chris Raabe in ad in Jan/Feb Running Times

I was skimming through the most recent Running Times and I saw an ad for the 2010 Grandma's Marathon. On it is a picture of a runner who caught my attention because he had a Georgetown Running Company jersey on! Pretty sure this is the winner of the 2009 Grandma's Marathon, Chris Raabe. Just thought I'd share!

PARTY THIS SAT

All, I would like to know if folks have a genuine interest in having an end of year party at the Chevy Chase store this Sat eve? It will be a potluck and folks can bring their own beer and festive cheer. We had one last year and it was fun.

You can invite anyone you want. We need to know now if there is some serious interest.

Please post your thoughts in the comments section here.

Max

Jake here...I have hijacked this post. I noted this in the "comments" below, but I should do it here as well:

Like last time, I made a tab under the 2009 Race Calender Spreadsheet to indicate whether YOU are coming and what YOU will bring.

This link should also get you there:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pIgDe0VxDnk16c4gQdGLWOw#

Please go here and let us know if you're coming...and what you're bringing.

Start Time is 8:30PM

PMurph here... The party has been relocated to my place. See blog post above.

Wednesday Workout

I don't think I am going. I have an unpredictable week at work and my legs are still a bit battered from Saturday...and I am fighting off a cold.

If you're going, please "comment" and post the workout.

Thanks.

National Club XC pictures

*Special thanks to Ernst for coming out to support us and snap these pictures!

RUNCO DOMINATES LOCAL 10K

The runCo Race team captured the team crown for the Jingle Bell 10k down at Haines Point. We had solid performances by all. Congrats! below are the top five scorers

1. 2:12:36 GEORGETOWN RUNNING COMPANY       (  33:09)
===========================================
1    31:50  Wilson Komen         M
2    33:04  Murat Kayali         M
3    33:29  Chris Sloane         M
4    34:13  Maggie Infeld        F

Jake, looks like Bert has taken his running to another level. Not sure if you can match his ferocity

enjoy and stay dry out there.

M

GRC Takes Home Team Title at JATW

MEN
2nd Wilson Komen* 31:50
6th Murat Kayali* 33:04
9th Chris Sloane* 33:29 PR
11th Matias Palavecino 34:00
13th Andrew Sovonick 34:05 PR
14th Phillippe Roly 34:46
38th Max Lockwood 37:34
127th Sean Baumann 41:52

WOMEN
1st Maggie Infeld* 34:13 PR
7th Hilary Cairns 38:07
614th Emily Bitetto 55:56

*Team Scorers

GREAT JOB EVERYONE. Wilson, Murat, & Maggie, I have trophies for each of you. I will drop them off at the running store in Georgetown(I will probably give them to Wilson since he works there)

JINGLE BELL LOGISTICS

All,

Someone just delivered all of the race bibs and pins to me. this means that I will have them and will hand them out at the start line at 7am. this means you do not need to collect them at the registration tent but rather with me at 7am. Please try and be at the start line no later than 710am.

Please email me at Max.lockwood@gmail.com

thanks

Max

Results!

Nice job everyone - one of the better team spreads. Jake leads the way.

http://www.usatf.org/events/2009/USATFClubXCChampionships/results/men.asp

Race Day

GRC Thoroughbreds do shake out run on the Red Mile Horse Track. Races time is set at 1:30PM.

GRCXC Update #1

Somewhere, West Virginia

No one wants to get behind the wheel of the Beige Van. "It's a lot of car" noted one driver. Spirits are high and the stench is down.

Developing...

SAT RUN

All, just a reminder that there will be a run from the store on Sat at 9am. Please come. Bring friends and foe, alike.

Max

JATW

GRC TEAM for JATW 10K

Chris Sloane (captain)
Andrew Sovonick
Sean Baumann
Matias Palavecino
Philippe Rolly
Wilson Komen
Murat Kuatali
Emily Bitetto
Hillary Cairns
Maggie Infeld

Of all team members, I have met Matias, Andrew, & Wilson. I will be wearing a Virginia Tech Jacket. I look foward to meeting everyone else. Lets all meet in front of the start line at 7AM SHARP for a warm up. After the race, lets get everyone together for a cool down. After I finish, I will put on some warm clothes, and then meet on the opposite side closest to the river near the finishline for a cooldown(on the paved path). So lets meet there for the cooldown, as each person finishes. Lets try to keep track of everyone as they come through the finish so we can regroup. So, if you finish 1st out of all 10 GRC runners, start looking out for the next GRCrs finishing on the team, 2nd runner...do the same. Remember, the race starts at 7:45 AM! Looking foward to seeing everyone on Sunday!

MEETING TIME AND PLACE FOR JINGLE BELL 10K

Chris, we have an army of people running this race. I think it would be a good idea if you name a spot to meet and a time to accompany it. Mighty Max

There Will Be Mud

In a recent dispatch, my contact on the ground (Matt Ernst) tells me that the ground in Lexington is "slop". Temperatures are expected to dip into the teens tonight before rising to mid 30s on race day.

Bring it on.

RACE TEAM PARTY

All,

we want to put on a big party at our Chevy Chase store. Its going to be a Holiday party. We want to have it in the next week or two. Please send out your opinion as to what weekend dates work best with you. We are thinking a Saturday.

The party will be for race team members, their friends and others associated with the running world here in DC.

Its going to be a potluck so all will be asked to contribute accordingly.

Jake and Co. If you can help with coordination and planning that would be great.

Max

Upcoming Opportunities

Al Lewis 10 miler -Saturday, 09 Jan 2010 9am
Entry Fee: $5 for non-DCRRC members
Course Description: The race starts on the Rock Creek Trail approximately 0.25 miles north of the Ken-Gar Rec Center. The course is an out and back that proceeds south along the trail before turning off on Old Spring Road. There is a waterstop at the intersection of the trail and Old Spring which is the 4.25/5.75 mile points. The entire course is on a paved surface
Location: Ken-Gar Recreation Center, Kensington, MD

Cloud Snapple Half Marathon - Saturday, 30 Jan 2010 9am
Entry Fee: $25 by January 8
Course Description: A towpath favorite, the course is out-and-back along the canal starting at Carderock Rec Area and turn around just before Chain Bridge Rd.
Location: Carderock Recreation Area, MD
Packet Pickup at the GRC DC store Friday, January 29, 3-6 PM
All race proceeds will benefit the High Cloud Foundation and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Workouts this week

Since a slew of the guys are out of commission for Wednesday and Saturday workouts with Club Nationals this weekend, I have a few ideas to toss up-

I was thinking of at least 4xmile Wednesday at B-CC. I'm planning on 5:15-5:20 pace with 2:30 rest. If anyone is up for that, reply by Wednesday at 5, otherwise I'll just do that workout in Fairfax on Thursday and do an easy run Wednesday from the store.

Saturday, I know a skein of you (it's a pack of birds in flight, look it up) will be taking it easy for the Jingle all the Way 10k, but if anyone else is interested and the towpath is as dry as I expect it to be, I plan to do a 30 min. tempo out, cool down the way back. Again, any takers? We might not be able to battle the other top club teams in the county Saturday morning, but we can emulate our compatriots for 9/10s of the time they'll spend doing it...

In Memory: Larry Olsen's Lifetime Love...

Yesterday, the world lost a truly unique and gracious man. For those of you from Southern New England, you may have come across Larry Olsen at one time or another. He was a 63 year old local MA running legend and he died yesterday of an apparent heart attack while doing what he loved doing most: running.

In his lifetime, Larry ran a 2:19 at the Boston Marathon and broke two national records since becoming a masters runner including a 1:05:46 20K when 46-years-old and 43:30 12K when 61. He was a two-time Olympic trials marathon qualifier with more than 130,000 lifetime miles, having run 1,100 races and 273 career wins.

What made Larry so unique was that he literally would give the shirt off his back to the kids he coached as the assistant coach of a local high school team in Hopedale, MA. He was a man of meager possessions as he did not even own a car, a TV, or a computer but the little he made through odd-jobs, coaching and winning he would donate to the poorest kids on the team. He was truly selfless and he will be missed.

http://www.runningtimes.com/Print.aspx?articleID=18305

Matias Tops at Gar Williams Half

Mike Cotterell takes second.

Matias Palavecino M 28 20-29 1:17:21.4 1:17:21.7 1 1 1
Mike Cotterell M 28 20-29 1:19:56.1 1:20:04.7 2 2 2

The Chicken Tender Runner

I've heard stories about this guy...he is a "vegetarian" who is married to a vegetarian who supposedly sneaks out of the house after runs to eat chicken tenders...and only chicken tenders. What gives Andy?

UPDATE: THE LINE on Sunday!

9:00am

Do it! Brave the elements!

Running the Sahara - Film & Run

I received an email yesterday and will paste the import details below. In short, Running the Sahara will be shown on Wednesday, December 9 at 7:30pm at the Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema. There will also be a run with of the stars on Wednesday.This is a GRC sponsored event. I am fairly confident I am going to the film. It looks interesting.

We are having a film screening of our latest documentary Running the Sahara in Bethesda, Maryland. This public screening will be at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at the Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema on Woodmont Avenue. Directed by Academy Award™ winner James Moll and produced and narrated by actor Matt Damon, Running the Sahara follows three Ultra Marathoners as they cross six countries in their attempt to become the first to run across the world’s largest desert. This moving documentary captures desert life in Egypt. I would like to reach out to members of your Running Club and their families to personal invite them to this special screening. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Ultra Marathoner Charlie Engle and ask questions about his experience.

GRC SPECIAL

"GROUPSALE" is a promo code to use when you purchase the tickets online at www.runningthesahara.com. It will save you $5 off the ticket price.

Charlie Engle will also be hosting a 3-5 mile run an the Capital Crescent Trail at 12noon on Wednesday, December 9th. It will start and end at the CHEVY CHASE Georgetown Running Company....they will be giving anyone who comes to the 3-5 mile run a 15% discount on all shoes and apparel!!!!

Party

Just wanted to extend an invite to all to an apartmentwarming party at my place at 8 on Saturday. All our welcome, and it would be great to see people.

The address is 406 4th St. #1 SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. Eastern Market metro is a couple blocks away.

If you can't come -- no worries. I am sure Emily and I will have to move again in a couple months and thus host another party.

Email at dickson.mercer@gmail.com if you have any questions.

And have a good XC workout on Saturday!

Workouts - Wednesday & Saturday

WEDNESDAY

Assuming my left shin is okay, I am going to head to B-CC tomorrow for some track. I know plenty of others are heading over that way as well. Any ideas for a workout? Rock Bottom has been proposed as a post-workout carbo loading exercise.

SATURDAY

GRC is sending 10 harriers to Kentucky to fight it out in the mud at the USATFXC Club Cross Country Championships. For those of us going, we need to get at least one good xc-style workout in before the big throw down. Some of us were thinking about heading to the Farm Park in Derwood on Saturday, but Derwood is a bit of a hike, especially for those in DC/VA, so I am proposing THIS spot HERE. It is a 1+ mile loop that rolls over nice grass just 2.5 miles from my apartment. There is a beaten down path that outlines the field but you can run 2-3 abreast as the grass is very low. It rolls and is reminiscent of a USATF-style course...and there is usually a patch or two of mud. I propose a 1-2-3 min on/off type of workout so that we hit all the different parts of the trail. We can fine-tune this later. I am game for Derwood as well, I simply offer his up as a closer alternative. Let me know what you think. Either way, bring the spikes...

***There will still be the standard group run from the Georgetown Store on Saturday, this is just for those of us heading to Lexington.

Gar Williams Half Marathon

At $5 to race, what a deal! Low key, we could turn it into a GRC tempo run.

I've done this race 2 out of the last 3 years and for 5 bucks, you typically end up walking away with some socks, a beer mug, and some other DC Road Runner goodies. They changed the location, it used to be down just south of Alexandria in Belle Haven, this year the race is at Carderock Recreation Area (not Park), Carderock, MD

Event Information

Gar Williams Half Marathon

This is race #1 of the Snowball Series.

Course: USATF certified course.

Registration: Online by clicking this link until noon the day before the race, or day-of-race on-location starting at 8:00 am. Note: Non-members must register in advance, as our race permit does not allow us to exchange money on National Park Service grounds.

Fees: Free for DCRRC members, $5 for non-members.

Refund policy for Snowball Series: In the event the race is canceled, pre-paid non-members will receive a credit to be applied to a future Snowball Series race.

Location: Carderock Recreation Area (not Park), Carderock, MD.

Directions: Take the Capital Beltway (I-495), to the Cabin John Parkway headed west, outside the beltway. Make a right on the first exit which is for both Carderock and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (Carderock Division). Turn left at the stop sign at the top of the ramp to cross the parkway. After passing under the canal, turn right and proceed to the third parking area on the left. Note: We normally hold races at the parking lot that is the first after you make the right, but continue onward to the end of the road.

Race Calendar

The race calendar for 2010 has been posted in the upper right corner of the blog. This is based on the input from the team meeting last week. For those new to the group or who were unable to attend the meeting, please add your name and any races not listed to the google spreadsheet and save your changes. Please let PMurph or Klim know if you have trouble accessing or editing the spreadsheet.

RUN TOMORROW

I am meeting colin and some others at Newton and 16th at 8am for a two hr run in Rock Creek Park. Murphy, Hughes and anyone else looking to do a run from NW and hit the park should join.


peace out

Max

Team Comp-Jingle All the Way

For those of you not running XC Club Nationals, the Jingle All the Way 10K is on December 13th. Who's in? I know I am. A team consists of at least four and up to ten registrants and must include at least one female and one male participant. The times of the top four finishers will be combined to determine the team's scoring time, and will include at least one member of each sex. The top three teams will be awarded a trophy. It'd be great to have a team to compete in one of the last big races of the year!

SAT MORNING RUN

the store will be open for the usual saturday morning run. come one and come all.

THANKSGIVINIG IS ABOUT THANKS FOR BEING ALIVE

Perhaps because I am an "old soul" so to speak, i have always seen action and behavior as a reason for something. What the something is, is perhaps a mystery or piece of info for a more tuned in brain to figure out. As for today, I woke up in the same bed I spent my youth in back in Cambridge, MA. As the morning broke, I looked out the window and saw neighbors who have stood the test of time and kept my old house company. I saw the same trees that i saw when i was 7 years old.

I got up and wandered about the house and then put on an old pair of Saucony shoes. These must have been 20 years old. Something I wore back in my early 20s to local dance clubs, perhaps. In any case, they were serviceable and somehow, still fit.

As I put them on, memories bounced into the brain of my early to mid 20s. Long before I really got into running I was an avid basketball player. I used to literally run from my house in Cambridge to Jamaica Plain or another neighboring town, to play in those courts. I would simply put on some shoes and jog three or four miles to a court where I would jump into pickup games with whoever happened to be there. I loved to play in the paint and though not tall, I enjoyed mixing it up down low. I used my running to give me more endurance on the court. After the games I would be exhausted but would manage to run or walk home.

As I ran along the river today, these memories and more popped into the head.

The parkway along the Charles is much improved than it was a few years ago. There is less trash and more wildlife.

Today, as I scuttled about, people were walking, jogging and just enjoying some fresh air and day off from the day to day routine they have become married to.

I enjoy the little moments like this more than ever and appreciate the fact that I can move the legs in order to make life and the day more enjoyable.

Happy Thanksgiving

Max

Turkey Trot Results Continued

Patrick HUGE and PMurph go 1-2 at Cortland, NY YMCA Turkey Trot 5k. HUGE ran 16:10 and PMurph ran 16:12. Both won delicious birds, pictured below.

GRC Wins Turkey Trots Up & Down East Coast

UPDATED

WIGGY Wins 5 miler in PA, 25:36

KLIM Wins 5k+ in MA, 15:59

Patricks HUGE and Murphy go 1 & 2 in NY, 16:10, 16:12

DUSEN Wins YMCA 10k in MD in 32:12, Mike Smith 4th (33:07), Sloane 8th (33:40), Matias 12th (34:28), Jake Marren (34:59), Emily Dusen (37:34)

JARRIN to Wed

Robert JARRIN, GRC's resident lawyer, will wed the Fetching Pilar Oberwetter sometime in the not-too-distant future. JARRIN got down on one knee last week and proposed after crisscrossing the country in search of the perfect ring. On top of that, JARRIN recently purchased a beautiful home in Washington. Congrats to you both!

Damn, he looks good in that picture!

GRC Happy Hour!

As we mentioned at the meeting on Saturday, a few of us will be getting together for a happy hour before we head in our different directions for the holiday. Let's plan to meet at Chef Geoff's (3201 New Mexico Ave NW, near American University) around 6:30 on Tuesday. Excellent burgers. SUPER mugs with a great selection on tap.

We especially encourage some of the new faces in the group to come out and get to know the rest of the team.

Here are the specials:

CHEF GEOFF'S ORIGINAL HAPPY HOUR

$5.95 Bistro & Next Burgers $8.95 Pizza Pies

$4.95 Bar Snacks

$7.95 Super Mugs (33.8 oz) $3 Long Necks $3 Pints

$5.95 Estrella Wines

DIX - 2:31!

BULLETIN: 2:31:34 for Dickson in Philly...11th place.

Dickson runs by the Rocky Steps on his way to the marathon finish. - Photo Courtesy of PMurphy

PMurphy runs 1:14 in half

NYC - Dusen 2nd at BAD BOY XC MEET in Vanny (26:22)...Towpath debuts in 27:45 good for 14th. Course was "a minute long"

Dickson's Turn

Dickson Mercer, seen here winning the Frederick Marathin in May, hits the streets of Philly tomorrow.

PMurphy is running the half.

Meanwhile, Dusen and Towpath are in NYC for the Bad Boy XC 8k at Vanny.

Difficult Run on Sunday?

Anyone want to meet at Difficult Run at 10am tomorrow? I am giving myself the extra hour per tonight's festivities.

REMINDER

TEAM MEETING TO FOLLOW STORE RUN TOMORROW

Meeting at Dean & Deluca, just a block or two from the store...at 10:30am (approx)
3276 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007


Items on agenda include, but are not limited, to:
- 2010 Race Calendar with special focus on spring - Natl, Cherry, Boston, Broadstreet
- Summer and fall races - Chicago 2010?
- Creating a "captain" for each race GRC runs as a team
- Training more/working out as a team specifically for these goal races
- Saturday Store runs, or Saturday workouts
- Sunday long runs
- Wednesday workouts
- Other GRC weekly runs
- GRC Profiles ~ anyone want to start on these again/amend current profiles?
- GRC Race ~ putting on a road race with the help of the Store to benefit our run club/race team


Others?

"One More Time" II

As many (most?) of you know, I am co-hosting a party on Saturday night. Some of you might have come to "One More Time" (named after the Daft Punk dance anthem from earlier this century) and got jiggy wit it until the wee hours of the morning. We're piggybacking off this theme and calling our next fiesta "1MT2". We'll have some great dance music and even better times.

Bring a 6-pack.

Dickson - you should bail on that marathon and come hang out instead!

Start Time:	Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 9:00pm
End Time:	Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 3:00am
Location:	MANSION DUFFYSNOW
Street:	3479 S. Stafford St., Units B-1 and B-2
City/Town:	Arlington, VA

Wednesday workout

Is BCC available? I am heading there tomorrow night if it is for a marathon dress rehearsal (3 miles at MP pace). Others will want to do a regular workout, but it would still be nice to have some company.

COACH KOMEN

I was speaking with Pat Hughes after the race on Sun and mentioned the possibility of using Wilson Komen as a coach. For those who want a program and want someone to provide some direction and gentle prodding, Wilson is an excellent coach. He took me, at age 36 from recreational jogger to 2:33 marathoner and made Chris Raabe, who was a good runner into a great runner. I see him daily with his clients, all of whom have gotten stronger.

His email is wilson@coachkomen.com and his website is www.coachkomen.com

If interested, just send the word to the email above. You can also check out his website for further info. Max

Bad Boy XC Race in NYC this Sunday

Hello GRC,

My old club, MTC, is putting on their annual XC race on Sunday at the historic Van Cortlandt Park in NYC. Peter and I are planning on going and if anyone would like to join us, please let me know. It should be a good time. We would take the bus from Bethesda to NYC early Saturday ($30 each way), hang out there, eat dinner with the MTC guys, and then they will house us that night. We'll then head to the course Sunday morning, race an 8K, and hang out for a while before heading back to Bethesda (or Arlington if you prefer) in the late afternoon. Call (215-859-8528) or e-mail (karl.dusen@gmail.com) me if interested. Thank you.

-Karl

Sloane Leads GRC Pack at Vets

RESULTS

16 5/181 17 Chris Sloane 26 GAITHERSBURG MD 33:54 33:53 5:28*
17 6/72 15 Patrick Hughes 23 WASHINGTON DC 33:59 33:59 5:29
18 5/144 18 Philippe Rolly 37 MCLEAN VA 34:07 34:07 5:30
19 6/181 16 James Marren 27 WASHINGTON DC 34:13 34:12 5:31

*23 second PR

Also, PMurphy wins Multiple Myloma Research Foundation (say that 3 times fast) 5k in 16:44

ERNST - 3:06:54!

LATE BREAKING FROM RICHMOND

48 year old GRCer Matt Ernst records gun time of 3:06:54...just 9 seconds off his PR. Net time to come...

MORE: JARRIN runs 3rd marathon in 1.5 months and runs 2:58

Sunday Run

We are meeting at Northern VA Regional Park at 9:30am...the "address" is HERE.

Directions from 495:

Take exit 44 onto Georgetown pike/ 193 W towards Great Falls, VA. Go 10.2 miles. Turn right onto Seneca Rd/State Route 602. Go 3.7 miles until you reach dead end/parking area.

Towpath and I are meeting at Difficult Run at 9:00-9:10am and will convoy/carpool from there to the run.

I know Dickson is also going. Post here if YOU are coming and where you plan to meet us so we know who to wait for.

Weekend Run

After a long absence, I'm heading to the Store on Saturday morning for a run. Who else is going? I heard there has been some big crowds...

Any ideas for a Sunday run?

6:30 Tonight

Reminder: Workout at BCC tonight. Can someone check will are OK to use the track? Who will be there?

RFF Promo

This is kind of funny. It's a "never before seen" promo for the Running Film Festival I worked on in 2008.