RUN ON NEW YEARS DAY

Rather than try and plan anything elaborate or run in some ultra sleep deprived state, i am running from the G-town Store on New Years day at 10am. Nothing too dangerous. Just a 70 minute run to celebrate the new year.

all paces/all abilities and so on are welcome


peace out and be safe out there!

Max

Year in Review

As 2008 comes to a close, here is a look back at some of the many successes the GRC has had this year. With the help of a few others, I’ve listed the accolades below in (roughly) sequential order.

CHERRY BLOSSOM - Caroline White, Jake Klim, Laura Turner and Melissa Tanner all finish in the top 25. PRs by Patrick Reaves, Patrick Murphy, Billy Askey and others. GRC Men finish second in team competition.

BOSTON MARATHON - GRC Men (Reaves, Bain, Klim) place 4th out of 45 as a team at the "Boston Marathon". Top 5 (also including Patrick Murphy, Jason Dwyer) all run 2:36 or better. GRC the only team with three (let alone five) runners to finish within five minutes of each other. Solid performances by Jarrin, Max, and Ernst as well.

FREDERICK MARATHON - Melissa Tanner wins with a time of 2:56:17

The success of the inaugural GEORGETOWN CLASSIC 8K ~ 356 finishers.

GRANDMA’S MARATHON - Chris Raabe is the 13th fastest men's marathoner in 2008 with a 2:17:35

BAYSHORE MARATHON - a sub 2:50 marathon, and PR, by Robert JARRIN (2:49:19)

ANNAPOLIS 10 MILER - Patrick Reaves repeats as the Champion

Peter "Towpath" Silverman wins inaugural RUN GEEK RUN 8K and the SOMERSET 8K. Patrick Murphy and Dyaln Keith follow up in second and third at Run Geek Run, Caroline White second (?) female as GRC wins team title.

BALTIMORE MARATHON - the return of Wilson Komen! 2:22:40!

MARINE CORPS MARATHON - Melisa Tanner wins bronze at "Marine Corps Marathon" running a 5 minute PR of 2:51. GRC Team (Reaves, Timm, Tanner) wins top honors

PHILADELPHIA MARATHON - Matt Ernst PRs with a 3:07

Philippe Rolly wins the NORTH FACE CHALLENE 50 MILER

Domination of GRC at the JINGLE ALL THE WAY 10K. Two teams sweep team awards, Five GRC women in top six.

The first GRC Christmas Party!

The success of the “GRC Media Team” ~ Peter Silverman (camera/editing), Dylan Keith (correspondent) and Robert Jarrin (photos)

The arrival of the NEW singlets!

Last, but not least, the addition of the following new members:
Chris Bain, Patrick Hughes, Alex Eversmeyer, Caroline White, Lindsey Jerdonik, Robert JARRIN, Sam Blasiak, Sheena Dahlke, Johnathan Amato, Diego Miralles, Geir Sølve Sande Lie, Shannon O’Neill…like an acceptance speech, I am likely forgetting a few. If I've forgotten you, I do apologize.

How did YOU do this year? Please feel free to add additional attributes AND please list off your personal 2008 bests along with races where you PR’d.

Thanks Ben, Max, Allen, Sheena, Zach, Chris, Gene and everyone else at both GRC stores for your support!

Auld Lang Syne. Here is to 2009!

New Years Eve Run

New Years Eve DAY Run

8:00am WEDNESDAY @ "The Line"

The "Zoo Loop"

Please RSVP

So far - me, Bain, Max...others?

Track Workout Tuesday

Klim, Bain, and I are meeting at Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS at 6:45pm on Tuesday for a track workout. We plan to run 800m repeats. All are welcome.

A NEW YEAR IS UPON US AND......

I have purchased a new red shirt and red tights to run with.

As for running, I want to do a new year's day run. I am willing to meet at the g-town store, great falls, etc. Please post a comment if interested.


As for whether Jarrin should run Boston, that is a hard question to answer. I have read some of his blog posts over the last few months and something deep inside his inner soul is or has made him borderline obsessive compulsive about working out and overcoming his injuries.

Though i have made reference to my injuries and battles with them, I am not nearly as diligent as Mr. Robert in terms of doing the PT and going to the gym for hrs upon hrs. If this work has indeed paid off, then it shall serve as a model for all.

RUN BOSTON JARRIN---I will run it with you and we can suffer together.

take care and happy holidays

Falmouth Road Race

This is super early, but I know some people like to plan vacation time well in advance...

I plan to trek to Cape Cod again next August for the Falmouth Road Race. The FRR is a 7 mile race run on the western end of Cape Cod. It's a classic in the mold of Cherry Blossom, Bix, Boilermaker and Peachtree. Meb was the top American last year. They cap the amount of runners due to logistics etc and registration typically starts (and ends quickly!) in May. You have plenty of time to decide whether you want to do it, but all are welcome to crash at my pad for a few days; engage in some water sports, drink O'Douls, go clamming and of course run/race. It would be great to get a good squad of GRC singlets at this "away meet". I think the FRR is my favorite race course; majestic views of the ocean, undulating hills and great crowd support. Matt Ernst ran it last year, as did Mike Fleg, Scott Munro and Michelle Sikes.

It also could be a fun road trip (Dylan?) and we would likely need to take only a day or two off for work. All this can be determined later, but below is a tentative schedule (I think 8/9 will be the date):

Friday/Saturday - arrive
Sunday, August 9 - Race Day...post-race party at my house or Matt Ernst's house (Matt - can we have a beach party at your house?)
Monday, August 10 - head home

Does this interest anyone? See the website below for more information.

http://www.falmouthroadrace.com/

Last minute time change: Sunday, 8am @ "The Line"

I was going to run from the line at 10am but am now joining an 8am group.

RUN ON SUN AT 8AM

I am meeting at the Staples on M st at 8am on Sun for a run. Staples is right next to the store.

If you want to come you can store your stuff at the store. Max

RUN ON SAT

It is supposed to be warm tomorrow so come out and run. I will open the store at 8isham for those in town who want to run and chat.

I am thinking 10 miles as run/speak pace.

USATF XC Champs

If you plan to run the USATF XC Championships, you MUST sign up to be a member of USATF by Friday 1/16. Upon signing up, please e-mail me your name (that you signed up with) and you membership number. Please do this SOONEST.

I will, in turn, sign us up as a team the next day (1/17). Thanks.

BOSTON/THE CHARLES RIVER AND LIFE

THIS CHRISTMAS DAY MORNING I AWOKE TO 40 degree temps in my hometown of Cambridge, MA. Even though I always tell people I am from Boston I really grew up in the next town over, Cambridge. I grew up on a little street called Inman street, basically between Harvard Square and MIT. All of my friends and neighbors I grew up with were either "wicked smart" or just plain "wicked". None the less, I am still around to tell about such things.

I spent the first 29 years of my existence on earth in the this area.

This morning as I battled a fierce wind on the Charles River during my 90 minute run so many memories and thoughts flowed through the mind. As I ran I looked over towards Beacon Hill and remembered that I spent one whole year working that neighborhood as a US Park Ranger where I was tasked with managing and overseeing a small National Historic Site called the Black Heritage Trail. This trail commemorates the history of the region's first free African American community and their accomplishments. If my memory serves me right Massachusetts was the second colony/state to outlaw slavery, the first being Pennsylvania. One of my jobs was to stand out in front of the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial on State street and talk to tourists about the famed 54th Regiment, the first African American fighting unit commissioned by the North to do battle in the Civil War. The film Glory is about this unit.

Later during the run I recalled working as Park Ranger on the Freedom Trail where I was tasked with talking to the public about the origins of the American Revolution and some of the early philosophical thought behind our great US constitution. I remember giving talks at "the Cradle of Liberty", Faneuil Hall about the famed Sons of Liberty and their exploits. My stint as US Park Ranger gave fuel to my idealistic side as it provided me with insight into the greatness of this country and why one must never take the freedoms and opportunities we have been blessed with for granted.

As I battled the wind on the run i remembered countless times as a little kid riding my BMX out on the Charles and meandering in and out between all of the 'dorky runners' and thinking to myself, what weirdos.

Life goes by fast and running is but a reflection

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and so on

M

Christmas Day run

I am planning on getting in an easy 5 mile run at RCP tomorrow. The plan is to head down towards the valley and get on the golf course trail (the course is closed Christmas Day so you don't have to worry about getting smacked with a golf ball). Interested parties should meet at 12 noon at the parking lot adjacent St. John's college high school. See map:

View Larger Map

LADIES NIGHT FASHION SHOW

Last night the Chevy Chase store hosted Ladies Night, a fashion show focused on women's winter running apparel. There were a host of vendors and businesses there to promote fitness and their goods. All in all it was a nice success. Good turnout and pleasant holiday cheer in abundance.

Various celebraties decided to crash the party including Alan Webb. I had an opportunity to speak with him about training. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that he considers the DC area to be one of the best running areas in the country in terms of providing quality training. He loves Difficult Run, in particular. I will see if he will come out on a run with the GRC gang one of these days.

Thanks to Lauren, Allen and Sheena for working as a team to make the show happen.

Happy Holidays

Be careful out there...runner attacked near Key Bridge.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- A man was attacked while jogging near the Key Bridge and the GW Parkway Thursday morning.

He had just run off the bridge into Virginia and accessed the bike path on the south side of the bridge when he was hit with a bottle several times on the back of his head.

The victim was treated and released from an area hospital.

The attacker took the man's iPod, $80 and two credit cards.

The attacker was a white man of medium build in his mid-to-late 30s. He had curly brown-gray hair. He may be homeless, Park Police said.

Sunday Run @ the line

PR and I are planning to meet up for a long run on Sunday at "The Line" (here) at 10 AM. Please post a comment if you plan to join.

RUNNING ON THE MILL

Even though I was sort of injured at a Thanksgiving day race I have been able to run on the Treadmill for long periods with relative ease and comfort. Not sure why

Ran for 2hrs on the Mill and discussed macro economics with a buddy who works at an investment firm on K st. He is ultra smart and is convinced horrific things will happen before our country rights itself. He is already buying a house in the country to retreat to.

None the less, I hope he is wrong as I love running on the Mill. Its borderline surreal. I feel sort of like a caged in animal with lots of creature comforts around me.

Upon conclusion of the run, i stretched and did some interesting hip strengthening work that has really helped the hamstring and glute muscles. I can even touch the toes with ease now.

When all else seems out of whack there is always the run to retreat to.

peace out

RUNNING/TO/FAT CATS AND CHICKENS ROOSTING

First and foremost I have always been a firm proponent of DOING THE RIGHT THING and secondly, that chickens will come home to roost or what comes around goes around, etc.

As I did a 97 minute run on the treadmill today I watched ESPN shows that seemed intent on making Terrel Owens seem like the second coming of Hitler and then switched to Wolf Blitzer talking to people about the Armageddon surrounding our economic state.

I have always admired Owens for his football prowess and brilliant athletic ability. Yes, he acts selfish, yes, he has personality flaws and you know what, we all do. So what. He sells tickets and makes owners wealthy and gives the fans something to talk about. He does not beat people up, shoot himself and or others and is a pretty gutsy ball player to boot. Plus, his antics make me laugh.

As for Wolf Blitzer and the onslaught of negativity surrounding our economic state, it is what it is due to greed and poor management and oversight of our financial institutions. Many people saw this coming years ago. Many top level economists predicted such a state would slam us. Either nobody listened or they were too busy buying things they could not afford, playing on MY SPACE and or, lending institutions ignored common lending practices in order to get a quick buck. Its probably a combination of all of the aforementioned and more. Bottom line is this is happening for a legitimate reason and we will have to handle it as mature and responsible citizens and this means handling it head on.

You can absorbe all of this and more during a 90 minute treadmill session so yes, life is indeed interesting.

A day in the life of a runner

Thursday Happy Hour

If any of you are interested myself, some GRCers and some other random people are meeting on Thursday for a Christmas-themed Happy Hour. Details below...

THURSDAY at 6:00 at Chef Geoff's downtown, just off Penn Ave. on 14th or
13th St. (I think?). We'll stay there long enough for everyone to get a
cheap 'uge brew or two and half-price burger, then set out for a
Kringle-mingle around the White House around 8 where we will see the White House Christmas Tree. SLAM DUNK!

The Man is Begging People to Buy Stuff

Seriously, did I see 0% - 0.25% target rate? Geeez, if you've ever thought of buying a house/condo/property NOW is the time to do it.

"Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful." - Warren Buffett

Don't be scurrred.

CB10M Online Registration CLOSED

Yikes!