Running on the Edge of the Shutdown

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Shutdown Safe Running Routes: in 10, 15, and 20 mile flavors.

Shutdown Safe Running Routes: in 10, 15, and 20 mile flavors.

Lauren Gabler suggests some constructive alternatives to our staple Sunday Distance Run training options, which are being denied to us by wanton, dangerous Congressional budget shenanigans with bafflingly arbitrary repercussions. She sez:

The government shutdown has closed some of our favorite running routes, including the Capital Crescent Trail and Rock Creek Park, but that won’t stop us from getting in our Sunday long run!

We’ve mapped out 10, 15, and 20 mile running routes that avoid all National Park areas but still go through some of the most beautiful parts of our city:

It’s supposed to be unseasonably warm on Sunday, so you might want to bring your own water as these routes do not have as many fountains as the ones in the parks. We hope to see you there!

Updated: Enjoy our interactive “Shutdown Safe” map, including running-specific amenities (i.e. drinking fountains, toilets, and tracks). Continue reading →

Imminent, Impromptu Birthday Fest

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Christine Hackman rallies the troops with this invitation:

Join Emily and Christine’s really-early, last-minute impromptu birthday fest!

Did you know that former WRC Runner-of-the-Year Emily “Let’s run faster” Cupito and Christine “Hell, I’m still vertical” Hackman share the same October 17th birthday exactly 20 years apart?

They’re heading to the Dupont Circle Pizzaria Paradiso at 6 PM on Saturday nite for celebratory drinks/dinner and welcome all who wish to join! No cards, no gifts, no buying them dinner – just show up.

FWIW: both hostesses have long runs on Sunday AM, so dinner ordering will likely start pretty early! (Plus, they’re turning 30/50, so they need that beauty sleep.) Hope to see you there.

SO, to recap:

What: Pizza! Drinks! Your clubmates!
When: Saturday, October 5th, starting at 6:00 pm.
Where: Pizzeria Paradiso Dupont Circle
2003 P Street NW, Washington DC. Get directions.
Point of Contact: Hackman cell phone = (303) 775-5004 if you have q’s.

MCM Team Entry

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Lauren Gabler, who is stepping up as captain of the squad preparing for this course, sez:

The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) is just around the corner and WRC is going to be well represented, both by our talented runners and our awesome new racing singlets. We’d like to enter the team competition, which consists of 3-5 runners for either a men’s, women’s, or co-ed team.

If you’re registered for the MCM and want to represent our club on October 27th, please contact Lauren at lauren.gabler@gmail.com. She’ll figure out the team logistics and make sure we’re registered by the cut-off date!

Best of luck with the rest of your fall marathon training!

Historic MCM Team Results

Absolutely Fabulous

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This morning, we began distributing pre-ordered 2013 Series singlets and they look terrific! Several club members slipped into these slices of awesome on-the-spot. So much for modesty.

The custom singlets (and their owners) got lots of attention, fetching compliments along the various training routes followed by the dozens of runners convening on this perfect morning.

Our thanks go to Rachel Clattenburg for designing and ordering everything, and also to Pactimo for all their good work.

Pending enough demonstrated interest, we can place another round of orders with relatively quick turnaround. If this interests you, please petition el Prez, Kirk Masterson, and let him know.

Trailing None

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Dear world: get used to this!

Hillary Tipton atop the podium at the EX2 Off-Road Half Marathon. Photo courtesy of Bill Tipton

Writing about the previously mentioned EX2 Off-Road Half Marathon and 10k, Hillary Tipton sez:

WRC was well-represented at yesterday’s EX2 trail races at Prince William Forest Park. Ben won the 10K outright and I the half marathon among the women. We also managed to chat up two potential 2014/15 recruits.

Both courses were hilly, single-loop and almost entirely on the park’s hiking trails (map). The half included a very-much-hands-on rock scramble and waterfall. Though my finishing time was nothing to brag about, (here’s hoping I’ll have a road half to my name soon), I would highly recommend the race to anyone thinking of trying out trail racing. The field was small at about 100 in the 10k and 200 in the half, but I’d say most were seasoned trail runners.

The race organization could be described as “small but but well-heeled”—we each took home a $99 Patagonia duffel bag, two pint glasses and a couple of t-shirts. Lots of friendly sponsor reps too, the best being The Bike Lane for letting me test-ride a Trek Speed Concept.

My dad was all-too-happy to capture my first-ever podium experience on camera. I’ve attached a few of the better shots.

Continue reading →

Tactical Formation

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Breaking news from this morning’s Navy-Air Force Half Marathon:

Navy-Air Force Half Marathon 
September 14, 2013 - Washington, DC
Results

51	2315 Nelson M Paz	35M	Washington	DC	1:24:51	6:29
55	1592 John R Kendra	50M	Falls Church	VA	1:25:09	6:30
58	2228 Daisuke Ogata	38M	Arlington	VA	1:25:54	6:34
163	1703 Shinobu Kusakabe	42F	Washington	DC	1:35:40	7:19
703	 755 Michaela Corr	28F	Washington	DC	1:53:01	8:38
972	1448 Zealan Hoover *	23M	Falls Church	VA	1:57:31	8:59
2474 finishers, * newest member of WRC!

and in the accompanying short-course:

Navy Five Miler 
September 14, 2013 - Washington, DC
Results

10	10238 Charlie Ban	31M	Washington	DC	0:27:40	5:32
1358 finishers

Some of these road warriors will be available on Sunday morning to tell battle stories, autograph your running shoes or favorite children, and receive unrestricted Federal grants in the areas of education, defense, justice, foreign relations, or the arts. Sequester be damned.

Sunday update: a perfectly matched pair of wins!

EX2 Off-Road Half / 10K Marathon
September 15, 2013, Prince William Forest Park - Triangle, VA
Results

10K
1	103	Ben	Stutts	24M Washington DC	40:58
84 finishers

Half Marathon
19	294	Hillary	Tipton	24F Washington DC	1:50:17 (1st woman)
206 finishers