Club News, June 25, 2003

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The WRC – Club News, June 25, 2003

People news, members racing, prez thanks, track, pool outing,
Sunday distance run, so long G’Town Firehook, the Phoenix revisited,
and DC trivia tidbit.

People News

New Members

Dana Dubose, 35, originally from Tustin, CA, has been an inhabitant of DC for over a dozen years, minus the two-year stint in New Haven, where she recently got a Yale MBA. Now back in town, Dana can be found running all over Capitol Hill, and even racing when the mood strikes.

Elizabeth Klee, 30, originally from CT, resides in Arlington, and is an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank. Beth has been a regular at our Sunday distance runs of late and enjoys longer races, particularly the marathon.

Ashley Etue, 20, is a Virginia Tech student and runner hailing from Columbia, MD. Ashley is heading into her last semester this Fall…and then will graduate and return to the DC area.

Bruce Reynolds, 52 Fairfax, VA. Bruce works for USDA and has been a long-time runner in the DC area running numerous road races over the years.

We sincerely welcome Dana, Beth, Ashley, and Bruce into the club!

Here for the Summer

Julianne Warner, a grad student at Cal-Berkley is doing an internship at the General Accounting Office. Julie is a member of the Pacific Striders running club, formerly the East Bay Striders, in the Bay area.

Nikki Underwood from Brookings, South Dakota and recent graduate of Black Hills State University is here through August doing an internship with NBC’s sports channel, the “George Michael Sports Machine.” Nikki, with a pr and school record of 37:05 for 10k, became the NAIA women’s marathon champion on May 22nd in Olathe, Kansas, with a time of 3:05:13. We’ve found Nikki to be very modest, so we’re taking the initiative to do some bragging for her. Nikki will be joining us for runs and events when her busy schedule allows it.

Back in Town

We recently saw our friend Russ Crandall at the Sunday run. Russ is back in DC this summer, taking a break from teaching at Davidson College. Davidson College is located – well, we are actually not sure where Davidson College is located.

On Sunday, Russ showed to run 16 miles “the first part at 6:30 pace and then dropping to six minute pace.” Patrick Dudley chose to drink the kool-aid and go along…but he somehow lived to tell the tale.

Anyway, Russ is continuing his academic work about democracy, drugs & terrorism in Colombia. Russ has written articles for Christian Science Monitor, Washington Times, Journal of Commerce and The Wall Street Journal (editorial page motto “we are totally nuts & very proud of it”). Russ just published an article called “Clinton, Bush and Plan Colombia.”

And, we understand that after this past Sunday’s run, Patrick Dudley is ready to write an article entitled “Terrorized, flogged & darn near annihilated – my failed attempts to persuade Russ Crandall to just slow down.”

Actually, Patrick held up well under the torrid pacing. Russ is training for this fall’s Marine Corps Marathon.

Member Race Results

Lawyer’s Have Heart 10k, Washington, DC, June 14th

Do they? We’ll let you be the judge of that. However, the race was for a good cause indeed. It was quite humid, which made for a tough morning for racing. Over 3,000 runners ran anyway and much water was consumed at the finish line, where a number of members of the WRC were helping hand it out.

Men:

8th Russell Crandall 31  33:26 (up from NC, 2nd in age group)
38th Albert Han 29  37:48 (who then showed on Sunday to run 18 miles)
44th Bryon Powell 24  38:12 (da Honor Goat takes time out of his law studies)
57th Jay Wind 53  39:13 (3d in age group, 25th anniversary of Jay’s 1st 10k and he ran it faster than in 1978′!)

Women:
29th Beth McCann 43  45:39 (5th Master)
65th Katherine Turner 23  48:53 (down from Harvard for the summer)

Spud Long Triathlon, Indian Head, MD, June 15th

Four WRCers ventured out to swim a mile, bike 25 miles, and run a 10k, all for a triathlon competition named after a potato? Hmmmm, okay, if you say so.

Here’s the mashed tale:

Men:
Aaron Schwartzbard 26  2:11:39 (2nd age group)

Women:
Lisa Thomas 27  2:26:09 (1st age group)
Marie Sandrock 31  2:37:00 (5th age group)
Erica Morton 26 2:57:50

Our hats are off to these athletes who somehow find time to put in training of a tri-fold kind.

Ithaca Twilight 5k Footrace, Ithaca, NY, June 19th

Bryon Powell ventured north to hang out with a friend and run this annual event in the finger lakes region of New York State. Bryon reported that it was a flat course, which is a big surprise for those of us who have been to HILLY Ithaca where Cornell stands. Bryon cracked the top 10 finishers and ran a 17:23. Good going Bryon…yep, we credit this to his perfect track workout attendance.

Tim Harmon 5k, Fairfax, VA, June 21st 

Hearye, hearye, it didn’t rain…it didn’t rain! They said it wouldn’t in the morning and it didn’t. The media weather guessers called it right. No rain…what an unbelievable nonhappening that was. Anyway, it made for good racing conditions for a good cause – to help out the Hepatitis Foundation – and 532 finished. Some of our members were able to gather some trophies and medals from their performances.

Women:
3d Cecilia Lutz  42  19:01
20th Erica Morton 26  22:31 (3d age group)

Men:
4th Todd Martin 33  16:23 (1st age group) Todd’s last race as a Virginia resident…he headed on out to Ohio on Sunday
13th Jim Wadsworth 46  17:27 (1st age group)
44th Jay Wind 53 (3d age group)
68th Bruce Reynolds 52  20:46 (new WRC member!)

Grandma’s Marathon, Duluth, MN, June 21st

Patty Fulton and Mike Wardian headed to Grandma’s to attempt to make the Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying time. Things didn’t go as intended for them, but they certainly made valiant efforts and we’re proud of them for that. That tricky marathon race…you just never know what it will behold when you line up even though you have oodles of training in the bank – injuries rear their ugly mug, sometimes it’s just one of those crappy days, etc.

Here’s the scoop:

Patty ran a super 2:52:48 finishing 7th in her division. She provided the following accounting:

I didn’t get the qualifier but I’m very pleased about my race (in some ways).  I experienced the same problems as last year at Chicago – tight hamstrings and piriformis….was on pace through 14 but right after, I started to slow down. The tightness started at mile 2 but didn’t become painful until mile 8….I’m happy to say that I didn’t hit the wall (first time ever!!) so I don’t even feel like I ran a marathon.

Patty will be getting treatment, continue training, and try again in the fall.

Mike indicated that things just didn’t go well for him…but he ended up running the whole way anyway finishing in 2:45, not a good time for him, but still highly respectable…for a training run, right Mike? Like Patty, Mike will continue on with his training and soon give it another try.

We wish them both continued successful hard training and commend them for their perseverance!

Hugh Jascourt 4-Miler, June 21st

Jay Wind 53  24:28
Mark Drosky 42  25:09
Roberto Rodriquez 47  25:45
Bob Platt 51  30:04

Mark Drosky and Jay Wind cruising along…great form fellas!

(Pic from DC Roadrunners)

Racing Wrap Up

 

We humbly and sincerely apologize if we’ve forgotten any members in races, who would have liked to have seen their names in print. If so, send an email to wrc03dc@yahoo.com and we’ll update the page just for you!

In the future, if you run a race out of town and want to see your results posted, please send any info in. Interesting quotes or observations are welcome as well.
>Club Activities and Stuff

Prez Barb Thanks Volunteers!

WRC president Barb Fallon Wallace expressed her sincere thanks to the volunteers at the Lawyers Have Heart 10k race who helped with water and finish line duties. Those that showed to help and who also had a bird’s eye view of the finishers were:

John O’Donnell
Jim Wadsworth
Adina Wadsworth
Henry Grossmann
Prasad Gerard
Steve Baker
James Scarborough
Dan Wallace

At the Track

We’ve had super showings at the track for workouts lately. Recently, the likes of, Erica Morton, Steve Baker, Bryon Powell (and bud Rob), Adina Wadsworth, Heidi Reester, Jay Wind, Dave Keating, Jim Wadsworth, Ashley Etue, Patrick Dudley, Scott Doyle, Ben Gutman (and friend Felice), Julie Warner (and friend Melissa), Jim Heileman, Al Han, and big dog Yancy Hall have been seen. Indeed, the circle game is ON!

For more info on WRC track workouts, the track page beckons.

Pool Outing on the 4th of July!

 

For those sticking around over the July 4th weekend, the WRC is hosting a pool gathering and cookout at member Tris Kruger’s house in Potomac, MD. Some of us will be running races in the area prior to arrival, but, of course, it’s not a requirement to race in order to participate in the fun, sun (yep, it’s going to be out), and water at Tris’s pad. But, for those interested in racing, there is the Cure Autism Now 5k in Potomac and also the Go Fourth 5k & 10k in Bell Haven Park, Alexandria.

Following the races we will gather at Tris’s house for a few hours to swim, eat, drink, and be merry. We anticipate the duration to be from 11 am to 3:30 pm, or something like that. There will be plenty of time to still make any fireworks plans you may have.

If interested, let Jim know at jwads@yahoo.com so we can plan accordingly and keep you informed on directions and such. We’ll work to provide rides for those lacking transportation.

Ready, set, come on out to Potomac! No pool racing required of you, just your presence and a happy countenance. Dang, that water looks inviting!
Sunday Distance Runs!

We Want YOU! 

TO JOIN THE FUN FOR WRC DISTANCE RUNS!

“Early in the morning, Gerry Ives whistle blows, runner rises from bed and puts on his clothes, runner takes his stuff, walks out in the morning sun, it’s the run, the run, just the WRC distance run.” (sung to tune of the Boss’s “Factory”
song)

For distances of 10-18 miles (if you want/need to go shorter, you can turn around and head back at any point to your liking since our runs are almost always out and back courses). We start at 8 am in Georgetown on M Street:
Directions Here

Recent spottings of those doing the WRC distance dance lately include: Gerry Ives, David Young, Erica Morton, Nikki Underwood, Chris Duke, Ashley Etue, Russ Crandall, Patrick Dudley, Adina Wadsworth, Beth Klee, Tris Kruger, Steve Baker, John O’Donnell, Jim Wadsworth, and Al Han. Also showing to join the group after the run for coffee have been WRC vice prez Casey Smith, Professor Ed Doheny, and English chap John Aston.

So long Firehook in G’Town…we’ll miss ya!

With sadness we report that the Firehook Bakery in Georgetown has closed. In fact, we regathered there following the run last Sunday on its last day open. We’ll certainly miss the economical coffee and baked goods, and especially the upstairs area which we often overtook through the rough winter months and the mostly dreary Sundays we’ve experienced lately. A big table and relaxed atmosphere no longer. Back to D&D we go. So now, after running, we’ll be regrouping at Dean & DeLuca for the latest developments on dis, dat, and da other thing.

This development does beg an extremely important question, “where will Tris Kruger now buy his weekly crumbs and long breads?”

That Phoenix Symbol of the WRC 

Some members have inquired as to the origin and meaning of the Phoenix bird seen on our webpages and other WRC material things. What does it portray they ask? A google search will provide variations of ancient mythology, but reading all that stuff isn’t on everyone’s must-do list. Here is our attempt at providing some insight into this intriguing thing called the Phoenix. First, some facts:

  • On same page of dictionary as phlegm and phony.
  • Rhymes with Kleenex.
  • Webster’s Dictionary: a mythological Egyptian bird that after 500 years consumed
    itself by fire and rose renewed from its ashes.
  • Webster’s continued: a person or thing of unsurpassed beauty or excellence:
    paragon.

Okay, we know that David Keating offered the Phoenix as a symbol for the WRC when he
became el prez, developed the website, and surveyed the landscape of the membership and
club activities. Well, that’s good and fine, but it doesn’t explain why he made the choice.
Here are some theories as to why Dave chose it:

  • Dave is awestruck with Eqyptian mythology and symbols.
  • Dave saw the WRC as burning and needing a rebirth from old member ashes.
  • Dave visited Phoenix, AZ, and just couldn’t get the name out of his head.
  • Dave believes the WRC is 500 years old and will be here for another 500 years…and
    another and another.
  • Dave was profoundly impacted by the premature death of River Phoenix.
  • Dave looked in the mirror and saw a paragon of the ultimate distance runner.

So, there we have it…more questions than answers and we have no major reasons to doubt any of those theories. But, alas, only Dave can provide the truth. And that’ll be a long long time coming. Here’s the latest give and take between our Prez Barb and Dave on the subject:

David Keating on the Stand

David Keating: You want answers?

Barb Fallon Wallace: I think I’m entitled to them.

Keating: You want answers?

Wallace: I want the truth!

Keating: You can’t handle the truth! Madam, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men like me. Who’s gonna do it, you? You, or that has been Wadsworth? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom.You weep at my stubbornness and you curse my secrecy. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that putting up the Phoenix was a brilliant idea and helps the club. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, helps the club…You don’t want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.
I use words like honor, code, loyalty…I use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use ’em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to people who rise and sleep under the blanket of the very ideas I provide, then question the reason why I provided them! I’d rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you ask someone who cares. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you’re entitled to!

Wallace: What did you intend the Phoenix to stand for?

Keating: (quietly) I did what I needed to do.

Wallace: (loudly) What did you want it to stand for?

Keating: You can go fry ice!

The above dialogue was borrowed from the movie “A Few Good Men” and adapted in a spell of crazed writing. You see, Dave is actually a nice guy who would never be that beligerent. Of course, a few have known him to sometimes be incomprehensible, but we won’t say who.

DC Tidbit of Trivia – What is This?

We all know this Gold Dome…don’t we? In 1989, the Farmers and Mechanics Branch (of Riggs Bank) on 1201 Wisconsin Avenue (on the corner of M Street) in Georgetown was restored to its original neo-classical style, particularly its interior details and gold dome.

Ya can’t miss this baby…and the sight of it becomes especially welcome when the Sunday run brings us back along M Street after a rolling and tough Rock Creek Trail run…because then you’re almost done and can merrily skip your way toward coffee tawk time!

That’s all for now folks…thanks for Reading!

Disclaimer: Club News is designed to inform, enlighten, and amuse. We make no guarantee that this stuff is completely accurate, or even bears a passing resemblance to reality. We also don’t guarantee that your sense of humor will be tickled. But alas, we try.

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