Sunday Long Run – 2/9

Snow, rain, wind, cold — whatever Sunday’s weather brings, WRC will still be out there for an 18-miler. Shorter options will be available as well. The planned loop has plenty of downhills for all those training for Boston.

See you out there!

Empire State Run-Up

Jerold Paulson transmits the following upon the Observation Deck of the Empire State Building:

Like virtually all the other participants in the open field at the ESBRU, I was a ‘tower racing’ novice. My training had consisted of doing two to three sets of up to thirty repetitions of the three flights of stairs in my apartment, thinking that 3×30=90 would approximate climbing the 86 flights. However the actual stress involved in climbing 86 flights in a row without getting any ‘downhill’ respite was a bigger bear than I had bargained for.

DC’s height restrictions make it tough for WRCers to train for this unless we venture out to the hinterlands of MD or VA in search of tall buildings!

He recorded his progress in the modern fashion, with GoPro. And we’re happy to share the results on the club’s new YouTube Channel! To witness Jerry’s adventure firsthand… Continue reading

Back to winter

Ten little kids run laps in six inches of snow and 15°F, 5:30 PM on Wednesday, January 29th, under the lights at the Falmouth High School Track. Photo by Ken Gartner

Ten little kids run laps in six inches of snow and 15°F, 5:30 PM on Wednesday, January 29th, under the lights at the Falmouth High School Track. Photo by Ken Gartner

Each year after the rainy season, the runners of Bekoji have to excavate their earthen track from the encroaching grasses. And much like them, WRCers have to sometimes resort to extreme measures, to recover our all-weather track from, well, all sorts of weather.

Today was very pleasant, a welcome relief at SuperWinter’s halftime, and so dozens showed up for the distance run, while others headed over to Hains Point to contest a 5K & Combine. Sadly, this coming Tuesday is going to be rather unpleasant after Monday’s blowout.

But nevertheless, the unstoppable Jesse Frantz and Hillary Tipton are leading the charge to get back to business on the track. Donning their finest ushankas and shod in supplementary YakTrax, they will clear the way for others. And I will join them in the mushy wintry twilight fun, and you should also join us there.

First Down 5K & Pacers Combine
Washington DC February 2, 2014
Results: Combined, Non-Combined

Place Bib   Name                AgeS Combine Chip    TIME+COMBINE        
   10   650 Andrew Killian       34M  3:53   18:18   22:11 
   23   172 Rachel Clattenburg   29F  4:04   19:46   23:50 
379 Finishers (with Combine)

P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon
January 19, 2014 - Phoenix, AZ

45 Max Lockwood  2:56:12
2281 finishers

JFK 20K 
January 18, 2014 - Carderock, MD
Results

23	Jay Jacob	Wind	M64	1:35:31
88	James	Scarborough	M55	2:02:17
119 finishers

Walt Disney World® Marathon presented by Cigna®
Epcot®, Lake Buena Vista, FL — January 12, 2014

Place	 Name		Age	Div	Gender	Half	Net Time
146	DAISUKE OGATA	38	37	136	1:29:38	3:13:10
671	JULIA TAYLOR	42	8	116	1:51:47	3:38:08
Total Finishers	19230

Walt Disney World® Half Marathon presented by Cigna®
Epcot®, Lake Buena Vista, FL — January 11, 2014
467	JULIA TAYLOR	42	6	70	1:44:45
Total Finishers	20284

2014 Goofy Race and a Half Challenge
TAYLOR, JULIA 42 F 1:44:45 3:38:08

Runs planned for this Sunday 2/2

Come out and enjoy the warmer weather this weekend at the Sunday Distance Run.  Some of the runs that will be starting at 33rd & M St at 8 a.m. include:

  • 11 miles out-and-back on the Capital Crescent trail, led by Carla
  • 12 miles, with the second half faster, route TBD
  • 14 miles, brisk pace, route TBD

In addition, some WRC-ers will be at West Potomac Park to take part in this 5k, which conveniently starts at 8 a.m., allowing them to make it back to D & D in time to meet the rest of the crew.

See you out there!

Success!

Just a quick note of recognition and thanks to Carla Freyvogel, Mahdere Paulos Hirigo, Kayla Nolan, and Edward Dudlik, for combining forces in order to present a wonderful “Town of Runners” evening, shared with so many new and old friends. Our WRC hearts are with Bekoji, our minds are filled with thoughtful dialogue prompted by the film, and our legs are ready to carry us over the hills and around the track, just like Alemi and Hawii.

For those who feel moved by the screening to enable athletic, educational and leadership opportunities for Ethiopian women runners, we unhesitatingly suggest supporting the Girls Gotta Run Foundation.

Special thanks go to WRCers Liz Lambert and Michaela Corr, who both helped the club to coordinate this event, despite being drawn away to their other (amazing) obligations.

And finally, many thanks to everyone who attended tonight.