Jun 29, 2011
The Meaning of Running
I saw this in The New York Times and thought it was funny! When you say "run" in DC, I think it's this type of running that comes to mind.
Little Runs Here and There
It's been a busy and eventful few weeks. I've been running, but it's been 3 milers here and there. I've been trying, at least, to get to the Pacer's Run Club once a week and am trying to meet up with a run coach to help with marathon training in July. My schedule is such that finding the time to run is a bit difficult. But I can't slack off. I did 7 miles this morning with T -- it was fun, but I was slow and plodding. At least I remembered to bring some water. It's been warm these last couple of weeks. Warm and humid. Last night's run was like swimming, until we got to th epark and it started to cool off.
Jun 5, 2011
Sun, Run, and...Wine
4 June 2011 - (Loudoun County) What's better than running 13.1 miles on a sunny, cool day? How about adding some wine into the mix. Yesterday, was the inaugural Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon. Almost 2,000 runners, including myself and JM, started the race at Breaux Vineyards. The course snaked through wine country, passing estates, ranches, farms, and even a stretch of road mid-way through the race that had a canopy of trees overhead and had hard dirt and gravel under our feet. There were gently rolling hills, as well as some sharp, steep uphills. The last few miles of the course had little shade and felt very uphill-y. All in all, it made the finish line at Doukenie Winery a most welcomed sight.
This was the inaugural Virginia Wine Country Half. Except for a 30 minute delay in the start, it was a well run event (pun intended). Packet pick-up was smooth, everything was clearly marked and labeled, and transportation back to the start went well. The post-run food and activities were fun. They gave out Reidel wineglasses as well as a finisher's medal that had a wine cork stopper. Granted it won't fit in my refrigerator if placed atop a bottle of wine, but it's nice to have the option!
I started with the 2:15 pace group, but then broke away for a bit. It was only when I stopped for the Port-a-Potty, that the pace group passed me. Still, I wasn't to far behind. My chip time was 2:16:24, but my watch time (which didn't include my bathroom break) was even closer to 2:15.
This was the inaugural Virginia Wine Country Half. Except for a 30 minute delay in the start, it was a well run event (pun intended). Packet pick-up was smooth, everything was clearly marked and labeled, and transportation back to the start went well. The post-run food and activities were fun. They gave out Reidel wineglasses as well as a finisher's medal that had a wine cork stopper. Granted it won't fit in my refrigerator if placed atop a bottle of wine, but it's nice to have the option!
I started with the 2:15 pace group, but then broke away for a bit. It was only when I stopped for the Port-a-Potty, that the pace group passed me. Still, I wasn't to far behind. My chip time was 2:16:24, but my watch time (which didn't include my bathroom break) was even closer to 2:15.
May 30, 2011
The Three H's
Hazy. Hot. Humid. We're approaching (and on some days we're there) summer weather, complete with late afternoon thunderstorm. It takes even more motivation than usual to get me running. Last week, it was the thought of Pitango Gelato after the run. Today it was the chocolate milk that was waiting for me when I got home. But I also enjoying running to see new parts of town or explore a town when I travel. That's what I did Sunday morning in Fredericksburg, VA. SA and AA got married Saturday night and LC, AM and I stayed the night. It was a beautiful ceremony and everything was in walking distance of one another: the hotel, the church, the reception, and the bar for the after party. We got to see a lot of historic Fredericksburg. It was cute and quaint. I got up early on Sunday morning, donned my running gear, and hit the pavement. I asked the front desk for a good running route, which they provided happily. It's one thing I've noticed about hotels is they usually have a running route map all ready for you. The route I ran was down through the historic downtown and onto the canal trail. There was water on one side of the pat and on the other parkland. I got to cross a couple of bridges across the canal. It was shady and a good pick-me up. I was tired from the late night.
May 23, 2011
Half Marathon #6: Or the Most Fun I've Had at a Half
22 May 2011
Unsurprisingly, at 6:13am it was overcast and chilly while runners waited to board the MegaBus to take us to the race start. I knew the ODDyssey Half Marathon would be a different race from most when I noticed a group of Wonder Women, Jack Sparrow and a bride and groom in the crowd waiting to board. The organizers of the race encouraged costumes and many of the runners complied. At the race site there were more people dressed up -- vikings, the Incredibles, some flowers, Crayola crayons, Wills and Kate...even the King, Elvis that is, donned running shoes this morning.
The course was actually quite pretty and scenic. We started at Memorial Hall Green and ran around the area for about three miles before descending into West River Drive along the Schuylkill River. The only strange part of the start was that we had to cross the finish line before we actually finished. I saw the banner, and as I ran under it at mile 3, I think, I thought this is the shortest (and fastest) half marathon I've ever run! Then after a few more turns we went down a nice long hill (more on that later).
Running along the river was beautiful. As we headed south, you could see boat houses on the opposite shore and the city of Philadelphia topped with low hanging clouds in the distance. Even the highway to the right couldn't take away from that great city view. At the turnaround point was a volunteer dressed in a bright orange penitentiary suit, a good substitute for a cone, if you think about it. We then headed north. Again, we stayed along the river, there were lots of water stops, if not a lot of cheerers, and the organizers also had a lot of things for runners to do along the way. Typically you just run hopping to get a good time, or just finish. The first thing I noticed was a costume corner.
You could stop and dress up and get your picture taken. I didn't stop. I did stop at the "obstacle course." It was an adult-sized bouncy castle type structure. You had to dive in as far as you could, weave your way around buoys, climb a ladder, and the slide down. I went through with the Angry Birds runners! It cost me a few minutes, but it was fun! Then a mile down was the water balloon stations. Two guys were throwing water balloons near the runners or, 
if a runner asked for it, at the runners. It was a bit of childhood whimsy thrown in that I really appreciated. If it were a warmer day, I think I would have liked it more! You got to pass by the water balloon station twice -- once on the way out and then again on the way back. Also on the way back, was a Jegna-like station. Large wooden block, like the ones I played with at school, were put in a tower and runners were encouraged to stop and pull one out and place it on top. If you pulled the block with the word winner on it, you would win a gift certificate. When I stopped, I asked what happens if I tip it over. "Nothing, but please don't." I didn't! I didn't win either, but at least I wasn't the runner to send the tower toppling! I knew I was close to done when I hit the hill.
The nice long downhill an hour and a half earlier became a nice, long uphill. It was a cruel way to end a race, but I had such fun along the course with the activities and the views that I almost didn't mind. Luckily the finish was a few minutes away and that was the thought that got me through. The race clock flashed my name as I crossed, there were nice snacks, a pint glass and recovery ale ready for me, and the MegaBus ready to take me back to downtown Philly. All in all, a good race. I finished in 2:19:21, chip time. I got a late start with my watch but it had 2:18 and change.
MLJ, who came with me to do the ODDyssey Half, walked the course and didn't have as much fun. The obstacle station was deflated, the water balloons, even the snacks and pint glasses were being packed away when she finished. The organizers gave a deadline of four hours to finish the race, and MLJ finished well within that time. I felt bad for her. But MLJ said she had fun and I think our sightseeing around Philly made-up for the less than stellar treatment of half marathon walkers got at the end
Unsurprisingly, at 6:13am it was overcast and chilly while runners waited to board the MegaBus to take us to the race start. I knew the ODDyssey Half Marathon would be a different race from most when I noticed a group of Wonder Women, Jack Sparrow and a bride and groom in the crowd waiting to board. The organizers of the race encouraged costumes and many of the runners complied. At the race site there were more people dressed up -- vikings, the Incredibles, some flowers, Crayola crayons, Wills and Kate...even the King, Elvis that is, donned running shoes this morning.
The course was actually quite pretty and scenic. We started at Memorial Hall Green and ran around the area for about three miles before descending into West River Drive along the Schuylkill River. The only strange part of the start was that we had to cross the finish line before we actually finished. I saw the banner, and as I ran under it at mile 3, I think, I thought this is the shortest (and fastest) half marathon I've ever run! Then after a few more turns we went down a nice long hill (more on that later).
Running along the river was beautiful. As we headed south, you could see boat houses on the opposite shore and the city of Philadelphia topped with low hanging clouds in the distance. Even the highway to the right couldn't take away from that great city view. At the turnaround point was a volunteer dressed in a bright orange penitentiary suit, a good substitute for a cone, if you think about it. We then headed north. Again, we stayed along the river, there were lots of water stops, if not a lot of cheerers, and the organizers also had a lot of things for runners to do along the way. Typically you just run hopping to get a good time, or just finish. The first thing I noticed was a costume corner.
You could stop and dress up and get your picture taken. I didn't stop. I did stop at the "obstacle course." It was an adult-sized bouncy castle type structure. You had to dive in as far as you could, weave your way around buoys, climb a ladder, and the slide down. I went through with the Angry Birds runners! It cost me a few minutes, but it was fun! Then a mile down was the water balloon stations. Two guys were throwing water balloons near the runners or, 
if a runner asked for it, at the runners. It was a bit of childhood whimsy thrown in that I really appreciated. If it were a warmer day, I think I would have liked it more! You got to pass by the water balloon station twice -- once on the way out and then again on the way back. Also on the way back, was a Jegna-like station. Large wooden block, like the ones I played with at school, were put in a tower and runners were encouraged to stop and pull one out and place it on top. If you pulled the block with the word winner on it, you would win a gift certificate. When I stopped, I asked what happens if I tip it over. "Nothing, but please don't." I didn't! I didn't win either, but at least I wasn't the runner to send the tower toppling! I knew I was close to done when I hit the hill.
The nice long downhill an hour and a half earlier became a nice, long uphill. It was a cruel way to end a race, but I had such fun along the course with the activities and the views that I almost didn't mind. Luckily the finish was a few minutes away and that was the thought that got me through. The race clock flashed my name as I crossed, there were nice snacks, a pint glass and recovery ale ready for me, and the MegaBus ready to take me back to downtown Philly. All in all, a good race. I finished in 2:19:21, chip time. I got a late start with my watch but it had 2:18 and change.
MLJ, who came with me to do the ODDyssey Half, walked the course and didn't have as much fun. The obstacle station was deflated, the water balloons, even the snacks and pint glasses were being packed away when she finished. The organizers gave a deadline of four hours to finish the race, and MLJ finished well within that time. I felt bad for her. But MLJ said she had fun and I think our sightseeing around Philly made-up for the less than stellar treatment of half marathon walkers got at the end
May 16, 2011
Lululemon Run Club
It's been awhile, but I went to the lululemon run club. It's a little larger than Pacers, and because of that this group has runners of all speeds. I'm still in the back, but I'm not the only one in the back. One thing has changed since I last ran with lululemon and this is they've started a new group: 5 mile moderate. I thought was was going to run three miles, but I decided to go with the moderate paced group (which was still faster than me).
It was fun. And I managed to run without music.
Speaking of which, I need to update my playlist. I've found some new music, one of which is the group Airborne Toxic Event. It's a group with a great beat (not techno/dance beat but more alternative/post-punk), has a viola player as a member, and also plays with a string quartet on occasion!
Tomorrow is cupcake class.
It was fun. And I managed to run without music.
Speaking of which, I need to update my playlist. I've found some new music, one of which is the group Airborne Toxic Event. It's a group with a great beat (not techno/dance beat but more alternative/post-punk), has a viola player as a member, and also plays with a string quartet on occasion!
Tomorrow is cupcake class.
May 15, 2011
Update to My 13 Halfs
My list of half marathons has changed:
1. Manhattan Half (Jan) 2:28
2. Austin Half Marathon (with JC in Feb)
3. National Half Marathon (with TK in Mar)
4. 13.1 NYC Half Marathon (not to be confused with the NYC Half Marathon, which I did not get into this year) (Apr)
5. More Half Marathon (Apr)
6.Still have to find one for May ODDyessy Half Marathon in Philly with MLJ (May)
7. Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon (Jun)
8.North Face Endurance Half Marathon DC (June - I still have to sign up for it) I never signed up for this. As much as I want the arm warmers, after the two halfs in one weekend in April, I cannot bring myself to do that again. Plus Post Hunt is that day, as is MW's 1st birthday party....oh and I have to work.
My additions:
8. See Jane Run (Seattle in July)
9. San Francisco Half Marathon 1st half route (July)
10. Still looking for August
11. Run to the Beat (London - Sept)
12. Baltimore Half Marathon (Oct)
My ".1". ING NYC Marathon (Nov)
Only two half-marathons left to choose!
1. Manhattan Half (Jan) 2:28
2. Austin Half Marathon (with JC in Feb)
3. National Half Marathon (with TK in Mar)
4. 13.1 NYC Half Marathon (not to be confused with the NYC Half Marathon, which I did not get into this year) (Apr)
5. More Half Marathon (Apr)
6.
7. Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon (Jun)
8.
My additions:
8. See Jane Run (Seattle in July)
9. San Francisco Half Marathon 1st half route (July)
10. Still looking for August
11. Run to the Beat (London - Sept)
12. Baltimore Half Marathon (Oct)
My ".1". ING NYC Marathon (Nov)
Only two half-marathons left to choose!
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