The tortoise becomes a hare?!?

Ever since I ran the Army 10 miler I have been moderately enamored (ok slightly obesssed) with the idea of running a half marathon in Washington DC. It was truly amazing to run down Independence Ave at the 10 miler, run past the monuments that are so familiar and ok I admit it have friends and family come watch me run. But there was a small hurdle to overcome -- in order to participate in the second annual National Half Marathon I needed to qualify. I am known for being stubborn but I have to say I was hoping to only have to try once because the racing opportunities are thinning out as the weather gets colder. I am pleased to report at yesterday's Marine Marathon 10K time proved to be a winner!

To put this in perspective you only need to look back at my timed run in May. I was happy just to finish (at a 14 minute per mile pace). Yesterday I went out and ran 6.2 miles as if it were second nature. That must be some sort of minor miracle. (Or as Coach Rich said while we watched the Marine Corps Marathoners finish, some really good coaching - I am inclined to agree).

Count down to the big event

This weekend a little thing called the Marine Corps Marathon takes over your nation's capitol. Now I have the running fever but not the patience to run the approximately 6 hours it would take me to finish a marathon. But my fellow teammates have been training all season long for the big day and I thought I'd share their thoughts as the day approached.

Twas three sleepnights before the race

And throughout metropolitan D.C.,

Carb-loading marathoners dreamt apace

Of the fans semper fidelis they might see.

The season, training since May, had been long . . .

And their legs/knees/feet were oft sore.

But they planned to finish strong!

(The effects of pilates on their core?)

With determination on their faces,

They remembered their mission: a CURE!

As they tied and re-tied their laces,

Victory, one step at a time, was sure.

The weather forecast for run/walking was ideal --

The better to attract a supportive crowd.

These TNT athletes imagined the zeal

Of friends and family cheering, cowbelling loud.

The course offered numerous chances, it seemed

For enterprising spectators, travelers among them,

To shout, "Run strong!" and "GO TEAM!"
Spectator Information

So when, where, how to find (or text) Stro?

Averaging 12.5 minutes per mile . . .

Singlet purple, visor green (day-glo) . . .

Mostly, thanks to your support, by her smile

To read Daphne's take on all of this
It's Three Days Away

I will be running the 10K companion race and then will be on the course cheering people on. Run Strong and GO TEAM!

I'm back

After all of my training I thought it would be a shame to waste the newly developed muscles, endurance, etc. Here's what I have been doing since my last post:

• Fair Lakes 8K -- 1 week after VA Beach - how motivated is that?!? Although I was greatly humbled by a significantly older gentleman who ran the last leg neck and neck with me. It turns out he is 74! The finish line commenter was calling out names as we approached the line. Even though he beat me by 2 seconds all I could think was I want to be that strong at 74!
  
• Navy 5 Miler on September 24th -- Humbled by the young this time - a coworker's 10 year old beat me by 6 minutes!
  
• The Army 10 Miler on October 8th -- an awesome run through DC and the monuments with a great crowd on Independence Avenue.
  

Next weekend I am running the Marine Corps Marathon 10K run and going out to support my awesome teammates from Team In Training. My other great news is that I will be running for TNT's spring season and will be a team captain.