Sunday, January 31, 2021

Goodbye, Brookland!

After 13 years and over 35,000 miles run (calculated via Strava and my personal spreadsheet), I am leaving Brookland. I moved into the neighborhood in November of 2007. So much has changed. Colonel Brooks was really the only pub in the town (torn down years ago). Monroe Market did not exist. There was no bike share. The breweries and bars were years away. It wasn't the hot neighborhood that it is today. There was no MBT. To get to work, I had to take the Metro (the horrors!). But in the last decade, the neighborhood that I am going to miss has developed and thrived.

In the time I've been here, they built the MBT to go from the city dump to Union Station. For almost a decade, I have commuted to work either by riding a Bike Share or running the MBT. The Anacostia River Trail was completed. I discovered the Anacostia Tributary Trail system. My primary route was a loop to the edge of the National Zoo and back. Now, I regularly run one of the Anacostia Tributary Trails. In fact, my new home is not far from an entrance to Sligo, and I have run there and back in the past.

In 13 years, my life has changed so much since I moved into the neighborhood. I endured a break-up, lived with roommates, met my now-wife, got married, and had two boys. My dog, Sammy, lived to be 17.5 years before we said goodbye to her over the summer. She was my favorite running partner. We'd regularly run the Zoo loop, which took us about an hour. One time, we ran a half marathon at the onset of a blizzard. She had a blast! We've run the neighborhood together so many times. She loved seeking out squirrels and letting them know she was the boss. And, in our snowstorms, we played at Mosley which became my older son's favorite playground.

My former house is now occupied by its new owners, another young family. It was where both my boys took their first steps (the 12 month old barely made it - taking his first official steps days before our move out), and the only home they've ever known. We've upgraded the house significantly over the years and redid the basement completely. I wonder how many pairs of running shoes I wore in my time in the house (7 pair a year for13 years = about 90 pairs!). I went from running solo to running with friends who lived in the neighborhood. And, I started taking Strava segments and crowns and local legend.

This final year in Brookland was a year unlike any other for running. It was the first calendar year since 2003 where I did not run an in person race. To stay motivated, I focused on various challenges such as the Run Washington DMV Distance Derby, the DC Road Runners Club 1 mile and 5K challenges, and earning Strava segment crowns and local legends. I ran with my two sons, pushing them in our Bob stroller; either individually in the single stroller or together in the double stroller.

DCRRC Challenges
1st #dcrrc1milechallenge - flat road mile 5:48 19th Overall 
#dcrrc5Kchallenge - road 5K 18:59 12th Overall
2nd # dcrrc1milechallenge - track mile 5:23 13th Overall - also walk/ran with my son, Miles Ames, who at 3 became the youngest finisher of this challenge!

Run Washington Segments: DMV Distance Derby
Klingle Valley Trail (10th Overall) 4:04
Smelling Big Stinky (3rd Overall) 7:46
Beach Drive North (11th Overall) 28:27
Beach Drive South (19th Overall) 27:53
Anacostia Loop (16th Overall) 5:22
RFK Way (3rd Overall) 5:53
Colorado (3rd Overall) 9:42
Hains Point (23rd Overall) 16:19
Colmar Manor to Anacostia Freeway (2nd Overall) 1:09:28

3:09:01 along the Anacostia River
Shawn Zeller, 2019 Masters Runner of the Year, supported me while on bicycle: "I gotta give Kenny props. He started slow and I figured he would jog it in, given the imperfect weather and the lack of competition. Then he negative split it and BQ'd."  

Strava segment crowns
Signanc Brook Loop
Ratzner to Preakness
NE Branch Out and Trolley Trail Back
Wayne Loop
Louisiana Ave to MBT
Along the Monastery
Behind the Monastery
Holy Hill
Taylor to Trails
Maryland Line to South Dakota Ave
Queens Chapel to Metro
Down South Dakota We Go
Taft Track
When the Levee (access trail) Breaks

Strava Local legends
Ratzer Road Climb
What goes up
River Road to the River
M-Square to the Lake
Trolly Trail - Campus Dr. to Amherst Rd
NE Branch Straightaway - trailhead to River Rd
Chillum Exit to University Blvd  
University Blvd to Chillum Exit

Stroller and Double Stroller
I ran a double stroller double marathon over Thanksgiving weekend pushing both my boys (Aden 11 months; Miles 4 years) 13.1 miles per day for 4 straight days.

This past year, I ran 1160 miles pushing the single stroller (either Aden or Miles) and 105 miles pushing the double stroller (both Aden and Miles). I ran a total of 3575 miles in 2020, averaging nearly 10 miles a day. I completed 39 virtual races including: 1 1K, 6 one milers, 13 5Ks, 1 five miler, 1 10K,  8 half marathons, and 1 full marathon.

I sold my home in November and we moved out to our new home in Silver Spring at the start of the New Year. Follow my new blog, "Sligo Runner." Thanks for reading over the years!

Monday, November 30, 2020

Double Stroller Double Marathon - A Thanksgiving Weekend Challenge

With no in person racing, I challenged myself to run with both my boys for four straight days over Thanksgiving weekend. I ran a total of 53 miles over four days broken into legs using my half marathon route going out on the Levee Access Road, up the Northeast Branch Trail, to Lake Artemesia, on the Paint Branch Trail, back the Rhode Island Trolley Trail and down the Rachel Carson Greenway Trail and home via 22nd Street to Monroe. This route is about 13.15 miles, but I extended it to 13.2 Thursday, Friday, and Sunday and 13.4 on Saturday to get to 53 miles. It took me about 7 hours and 20 minutes. My fastest half marathon pushing both boys was Sunday in a time of 1:45:45. For reference, my fastest single stroller half marathon is pushing Miles for 1:35:30 on Election Day. My personal best half marathon is 1:22:47 a few years back at the DC Road Runner Club Gar Williams Half Marathon on the C&O Canal.


Aden was a cool dude for all four runs, but Miles had a few whiny moments. I let him bring his iPad and he mostly watched PBS Kids. We did play I Spy, a rhyming game (he keeps starting with duck and truck), sang Baby Beluga and Down By the Bay, and observed nature.


The first three runs were pretty consistently run at 1:52. The last one I had some unexcepted energy and got it down to under 1:46, just about an 8 minute pace. We got very lucky in that I didn't hit a single stop light (a few crossings paused me for less than five seconds). There is a tunnel we go under from Lake Artemesia on Paint Branch where he wanted me to go left, but I went right the first day. I had to explain to Miles momentum and why his telling me to go left was too late. Each subsequent time he called it out with plenty of time.


For the most part, the runs were steady. The stroller weighs 35 pounds, Aden weighs 20 pounds, and Miles is 40 pounds. It is a workout pushing 100 pounds. I am pleased that I was able to hold an 8:30 average for three straight days then an 8:00 flat for the final. Since in person racing isn't a thing for a while, I am pleased that I was able to push them and hold a decent time. As I write this on Monday, I am sore. I was going to run with just Aden this morning, but it rained. I went out a little later during a break of the rain and held a 7:56 pace for 9 miles, which made me happy.


As my time in Brookland draws to a close, I appreciate each run and route knowing new routes and crowns and local legends are ahead.

Saturday, October 3, 2020

Virtual Boston Marathon





I ran a virtual Boston Marathon. It is probably the only marathon I am going to run this year. I don't anticipate a return to racing until we have an "all clear." I planned the route to start somewhere along my usual route along the Anacostia River Trail, go south and then north toward Lake Artemisia. The plan was to take a bike share from my house to the starting line. Shawn hurt his foot, but he agreed to pace and support me along the way on his bicycle. The original starting line was going to be Perry and 35th, but there were no open bicycle docks. We had to go to downtown Hyattsville to fine one. And at 6:02 AM, Shawn said go!

Route: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/3403197334






I start off slowly. I didn't really have a goal. I thought it would be acceptable to hold a 7:00 minute per mile pace. But when the first few miles came in averaging 7:20-25, I figured I would come in 3:15-20. It took me 7 miles before I loosened up. Once I got into Anacostia Park, I started to get a boost, maybe it was from my first Gu during the sixth mile, maybe I broke through the mental fog, or maybe I was just finally loose. Either way, I noticed my miles were closer to my original goal. When I got into Anacostia Park, Shawn said he had bad news: he had a flat. With quick thinking, I told him there was a bike share near at the Anacostia Pool. He ditched his bicycle in the woods (it was there when he retrieved it later), and caught up to me. I ran down to the Frederick Douglass Bridge as that served as my turnaround point. He met not far after the turnaround. Once I hit the halfway point, I was finding my groove and going under 7 for my pace. Something clicked. I think it had to do with the fact that Shawn mentioned a runner in my club posted a 3:10 yesterday. If I didn't know that, I might have jogged it in. It made a huge difference having someone carry my water and Gu and be there for companionship and support.

Running towards Lake Artemesia
Running towards Lake Artemesia

Along the Northeast Branch, Shawn rode ahead to take some photos. I was in the zone at this point. I felt pretty good and thought if I could hold pace, I could get under 3:10. As we ran around Lake Artemisia (counter clockwise like a track) I began to feel like it was possible to hit my target. There were quite a few runners and bicyclists along the lake. 

On the Northeast Branch Trail headed north to Lake Artemesia

As my Garmin approached 3:00, I had a little over a mile to go and was on the straightaway coming back from Riverdale Park. I've been in this position before and knew what to do and how to hold my pace. I considered running up the ramp and finishing by the skate park on Route 1 by Melrose Park, but Shawn told me to go straight, so I did. There was a small bridge ahead that I was going to use as the finish line. Once over the bridge, I stopped my watch and saved the result. 

Results: 3:09:01 first  half 1:36 / second half 1:33 = 3 minute negative split; 
Miles: 7:44/19/21/25/32/23/29/10/04/19/20/01/6:52/55/57/7:05/04/06/05/12 /08/17/02/15/16/08/ 1:23 (.21) 
Splits 5K: 23:15/ 10K 46:31/ 15K 1:08:59/ 20K 1:31:08/ 25K 1:52:33/ 30K 2:14:48/ 35K 2:36:57/ 40K 2:59:17

For some reason, Strava cut my run short of the bridge, which served as my finish line. But I clearly ran over the bridge and stopped my watch exactly at 26.3. MayMyRun had it at 26.3, but my Garmin first had it at 26.18. I was able to correct it on the Strava app to 26.21. It is strange that it stopped recording right at 26.21 which is the exact distance of a marathon when I ran the extra tenth of a mile to ensure I ran at least a marathon. Close enough. I ran 26.3 in 3:09:44 and the app had my at 26.21 in 3:09:01, so I'll take it.


Finished!


Shawn: "I gotta give Kenny props. He started slow and I figured he would jog it in, given the imperfect weather and the lack of competition. Then he negative split it and BQ'd."


The final miles - just passed the College Park Airport





Sunday, August 2, 2020

2019: A Year in Review




Finally, here is my long overdue recap of 2019. I ran the most miles ever in a single year, 4418 with an average of 12.1 miles a day. While is was a milestone for number of miles, it was a mixed bag race results-wise. It was the first year since 2009 that I didn't add a new state in my quest to run a marathon in every state. In 2009, I had only run 10 marathons and hadn't yet joined the 50 State Marathon Club; I didn't know it existed until 2011.

A few miles into the race

Finishing a loop


Running strong and having fun


My best marathon was the GW Birthday Marathon, put on by DC Road Runners Club. I ran a 3:01 on a very challenging course without a taper. I thought the race would be canceled due to snow, so days before while on work travel in Pittsburgh, I ran long. I was surprised the weather forecast changed and the race went off just fine. Maybe I could have broken 3 with a proper taper, but we'll never know.

Racing while pushing Miles


In March, I raced the St. Patrick's Day Double (5K then a 10K) while pushing Miles in a stroller. I did pretty well, even winning my age group outright in the 10K.

First stroller and first in my age group!


After my strong effort last year in Boston during the storm, I was primed for a big performance this year. Unfortunately, I sustained a left calf injury a week before the race. I thought I was good to go for the actual race, but within the first mile I knew it was 100%. Since my brother and Shawn were racing, I didn't want to drop out, so I hobbled to a 3:23 finish with a negative split.

The Brothers Ames run Boston


My leg healed in time for me to lead my work's team in the FEEA 5K. In fact, I won the race outright, with a respectable 19 minutes, with my nearest chaser dozens of second behind. It was a high point of my racing season.

Winning the FEEA 5K


First place overall


Another high point of my racing season was joining Rep. Conor Lamb's ACLI 3 Mile Challenge Team. Not only did I break 18 minutes, I also helped his team win top House team. As a bonus, I was the first Congressional staffer to finish (House or Senate).

First Congressional staffer and under 18 minutes



Team Lamb: Motion to Recommit to Running


I traveled to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and brought my son and pregnant wife, but the morning of the race they canceled the marathon due to "flooding" on the last couple of miles (seriously, though, it was puddles and we could have run around them). So I ran the half instead - I tried to PR, but I wasn't in half marathon shape. I would have run a very fast marathon, in my opinion.

Starting line


In July, I raced my club's 1 mile challenge. It was a very hot night. Miles participated in the kids' mile, running the first lap (he earned a DNF for his first race since I pulled him after the first lap - too hot and I want him to love running). In the master men's mile, I surprised myself with a 5:07 (a PR that will probably remain my lifetime PR), coming in first among my pack and fifth overall - first runner who didn't break the 5 minute mile barrier.

Start of the master's mile


I started running the Tidal Basin third Wednesday races. They were a nice change of pace. I even won a few of them.


Racing MCM along Rock Creek


I had high hopes of a solid race for the Marine Corps Marathon, but the weather was awful. It was rainy the whole time with a steady wind and warm. Unlike Boston 2018, it was too warm to post a great time. I sputtered out in 3:10, barely missing a BQ. It was the best effort I had in me that day, but it was disappointing since this was my final marathon before the baby's due date.

The agony of defeat


In November. I took Miles for a stroller race, the Veteran's Day 10K. I didn't break 40, but considering I was pushing a stroller, it was a fine effort, and I was the first stroller to finish. I also raced a 5K turkey trot on Thanksgiving. I was 51st overall and 6th in my age group.

DC Road Runners Club photo


With the birth of my son Aden on Boxing Day, 2020 will present new challenges to my running career. I'll likely cut back on mileage and have to figure out how to keep things fresh to stay motivated.

First stroller!






Sunday, July 19, 2020

Run Into Peace: Sammy Ames, A Good Dog

Samantha Jones Ames
2002/2003? - July 17, 2020


Samantha Jones "Sammy" Ames

Sammy passed away peacefully on Friday, July 17, 2020, at 3:54 PM surrounded by her doggy mommy and daddy, Laura and Kenny Ames. She leaves behind her little brothers, Miles and Aden, who cuddled with her earlier in the day. She enjoyed a regal feast before departing our world: ribeye steak, grilled salmon, roasted potatoes, and Kenny’s birthday cake for dessert. She even finally got to taste chocolate. She is preceded in death by her cousin, Benny. Her death was non-COVID related.

Sammy celebrates a quiet Independence Day in 2020
Sammy was born sometime in late 2002 or early 2003. From what we know, she is an abuse survivor that was rescued after being left in the cold for a week tied to a pole. She was adopted through the Humane Rescue Alliance on New York Avenue in Washington, D.C.


Sammy lost a waggiest tail dog show contest in Old Town, Alexandria

We believe she was an English springer spaniel mixed with a beagle. She had a distinguishing long, undocked tail that was black from her rear then white to the tip. Her floppy ears and tongue were pushed back by the wind when she ran.




Sammy loved to run. For over 12 years, Kenny and Sammy regularly ran around DC together. Most runs were about an hour (7 miles) but some were longer. She had the heart of a runner, probably due to her hunting dog pedigree. One time she even ran a half marathon at the onset of a blizzard.

Sammy loved a good nap
She was a fast runner with explosive speed and a regal gait. She used to love chasing squirrels and kitties and would let out an audible squeal whenever she spotted one in her territory. She once caught a squirrel that took her entirely by surprise, and she released it quickly.

Sammy at the Ben & Jerry's factory in Vermont

Sammy loved to travel. When she was an only child, she would ride in the car either on the back seat or in Mommy’s lap on the front seat. She had many trips to Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York City. She also visited Virginia Beach, Vermont (where she chased Kenny as he finished a marathon), West Virginia (where she watched Kenny run a marathon), Ohio, and Connecticut, among others.

Sammy congratulates Kenny on finishing the Mad Marathon on his birthday in 2015 in Vermont

She was a great cuddler and always knew when to cozy up for a snuggle. Sammy was a sweet and gentle girl. She was adored by her human cousins, Molly, Drew, and Evan. When she became a big sister to human brothers, she loved and protected Miles and Aden. While she found baby-crying annoying, she looked forward to the scraps toddlers dropped.

Sammy cuddles with her family one last time

Burial will be by cremation. Donations can be made in her memory to the Humane Rescue Alliance.

Run Into Peace, Sammy. Rest well, diva dog!

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Veterans Day 10K - First Stroller



Miles and I raced the Veterans Day 10K. I bundled him up, and we ran about 10K from our home in Brookland to the start of the race near the Lincoln Memorial.

DC Road Runners Club team photo

It was a fun day. I finished in 41:20, which is not a bad time considering I had a stroller. Miles loves these races. Along the race, we started in the middle of the pack. It was slow getting out that first mile. I went down on the bicycle and walking path and off the street to give me a clear lane. Miles yelled for me to get back on the road. When I had a chance and a clearing, I got back on the road. For the next 3 miles or so, I kept passing runners. One woman near the second mile marker asked if she could hitch a ride. Others cheered us or said how nice it was and impressive that I could run so fast and push him. I saw DC Road Runner Club mates ahead of us on the turn and behind us. I saw Ray from the House - he did a 1:01. It gave it a good race. And, toward the end of the race, one guy surged as he wasn't going to lose to me. I gave him kudos for that (but really, since I started so far back, my net time is likely better than his).

First Stroller Team

Miles loved the race. He waved as we approached the finish line at the fans who cheered louder.







Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Return of the Storm: 44th Marine Corps Marathon



For the 2018 Boston Marathon, the weather was cold with heavy rain and a strong head wind. I embraced it, earning the nickname, "The Storm." As the forecast for Marine Corps 2019 came into similar focus, I would have to summon the spirit of "The Storm" I relied upon to set my course PR of 3:08 in Boston in 2018.

My first two Marine Corps Marathons were my first two marathons. That was back in 2004 and 2005. I barely knew what I was doing, but at least I had pretty decent conditions. The 44th Marine Corps Marathon was my fourth and 47th overall (27 different states), and the conditions were was far from the perfect conditions I hope for each race (40s, overcast, no wind or rain). The rain came down in sheets, strong gusts blew me into a near running standstill, and there was standing water, especially around the tip of Hains Point.

The DC Road Runners Club Male Masters Team



I don't control the weather, but I would think I have slightly better luck in 2019: Boston in April was heavy rain prior to the race which I ran injured; and two canceled marathons. When they called for thunderstorms, I worried I would have a third marathon canceled on me (Green Bay in May, Omaha in September). But these are the Marines who call rain "Warrior Sunshine." What looked like perfect weather conditions a week ago devolved into heavy rain, wind, and warm temperatures for the race. How do you have a rain storm in late October that is in the 60s/70s? Doesn't rain makes the weather cooler? Climate change, I suppose, as a late season tropical storm passed through. At least there wasn't thunder or lightning as they predicted.


Running so fast I'm a blur?


This was my fourth Marine Corps Marathon and 47th marathon in my 15 years as a runner. By the numbers, I did pretty well. 3:10:37, 165th overall, 149th male, and 26th male 40-44. Yet, I felt sad because it wasn't good enough for a Boston Qualifier. An arbitrary time, I had a goal to at least get a BQ after my "fantasy" goal of 2:55 was quashed by the weather which produced heavy rain, wind, and temperatures in the 60s with humidity. Breaking 3 was not a reality. In retrospect, I should have just tried for 3:05, but I would rather set an audacious goal and miss than a reasonable goal and feel I could have done better. Yet, as I process my effort, I am starting to feel better. I went and looked at the last ten years of results, comparing how fast the 166th finisher ran and what place 3:10:37 was:

2019 165th place 3:10:37 = my finish
2018 165th place 3:01:22 / 3:10:36 was 293rd
2017 165th place 3:03:03 / 3:10:36 was 254th
2016 165th place 3:06:32 (hottest MCM on record 60s start/70s finish) / 3:10:38 was 217th. NOTE: My 3:08:31 was 186th place.
2015 165th place 3:02:21 / 3:10:40 was 298
2014 165th place 3:03:49 / 3:10:41 was 262
2013 165th place 2:56:26 / 3:10:37 was 467
2012 165th place 3:00:13 / 3:10:37 was 333
2011 165th place 2:58:21 / 3:10:42 was 375
2010 165th place 2:59:15 / 3:10:37 was 389

Also, to compare with others with whom I ran that I found through race photos:
Matt # 224 finished in 3:14:26
James # 870 finished in 3:08:02
Pedro # 805 finished in 3:10:31
William # 4494 finished in 3:35


Two marathoners and a 50K runner

It is funny that ten years ago if you told me I would race MCM or any race in 3:10, I would have been ecstatic. 3:10:37 would have been a BQ in 2009 as the Boston Athletic Association used to give you up to 59 seconds, but they stopped that in 2012. Now, with the tougher standards, even though I'm 40-44 male, it is 40 seconds too slow to qualify and I probably need a 3:08 to assure a spot into Boston 2021. Out of my 47 marathons, it is my 16th fastest, yet is faster than every single marathon I raced prior to September 2011.

Racing in a pack

I lamented my bad luck. I was stuck in my head with woe as me. I was primed for a big PR, but without perfect conditions, I was shooting just for a decent time. These conditions weren't even close to ideal.


The agony of defeat


As I warmed up on the start line, my right knee was creaking. Every ache manifested within the final few moments of the gun. And as I got my head in the right place, the howitzer went off and so did the race. The first two miles are directly uphill. I tried to just hold pace and not work too hard - I even tried to ignore the pace. In the second mile, I heard Coach Ed Grant call out to me. In the third mile, it was mostly downhill and I thought I found my pace. But, it was clear going through Georgetown and up Rock Creek that my effort wasn't smooth. In races where I run fast, the effort early feels relaxed and mostly easy. That didn't happen at all this race. It was a grind. I wondered how fit I really was and if I had the mental resolution to complete the race.

Post race

I don't have many memories from the race. I remember arriving in Georgetown and receiving a boost from the DC Road Runner Club water stop. I remember the out and back on Rock Creek where I saw Michael Wardian on his way to winning the 50K. I remember teasing a fan cheering us on as he wore a Flyers jersey - "Did you lose a bet?" He was a good sport. I caught up with a group of runners led by a 20-something male named Reagan (Do you have a brother named Ronald?). He was shooting for a 2:55, so I thought I could hang with this group. I stuck with them past the Kennedy Center and into Hains Point, but they pulled away around the "Wear Blue Mile," featuring "Faces of the Fallen posters and ribbons honoring service members who lost their lives during their years of active duty service." It was a quiet and somber mile along the most isolated stretch of the course. It was also by the halfway point, where I crossed in just under 1:32. I thought I had a good shot of 3:05.


But, I never found my groove. Between heavy rain, head wind that was strong at times, and overall soreness, I was slowing down. Running around the Mall, I thought I could hold a 7 flat, but it started to slip as I ran over 14th Street Bridge. I caught back up to Regan while still over the Potomac. He crossed the half in 1:28, but fell apart and claimed a 3:19 finish. I recall passing the 26.2 mark for the 50K on the bridge and joking with the volunteers as if I was crossing my finish line. In that moment, I wished I had signed up for the 50K. At least I wouldn't be disappointed as I would have been tackling a new challenge. But my race had a little less than 5 miles to go. The part through Crystal City was tough, with a headwind to the turnaround and a body that was getting tight and tired. Somehow, I stood upright. On the final two miles, I gave it everything but I had left it all on the course. When I got to the finish hill, I was barely able to move and didn't have a finish kick. Maybe if the finish were a straightaway, I could have gotten in under 3:10:00.

Family ice cream treat


While I was disappointed I missed a BQ by less than 40 seconds, I have no regrets. I know I left it all out on the course. I tried to hold the best pace possible the final stretch, even reminding myself "I think I can!" There have been races in the past where I left thinking I could have pushed harder at the end. This time, I have no doubt I pushed as hard as I could - I had nothing left. It is a freeing feeling. It was a rough weather day, so I just move on to the next one. Marathon 47 is in the books. When will that next one be? I don't know, but I cannot wait!


My mile splits:
7:00/7:16/6:56/6:29/7:00/6:52/6:53/6:45/6:57/6:55/7:00/7:12/7:05/6:56/7:06/7:10/7:12/7:14/ 7:22/7:36/7:30/7:42/7:31/7:45/7:46/ 8:30 pace for 0.44.

Course timing markers:
Distance Time (Difference)
5K 22:01
10K 42:01 (20:00)
Half 1:31:53 (49:53)
30K 2:11:50 (39:57)
40K 2:59:29 (47:39)
Finish 3:10:37 (11:06)

Strava race report


P.S. I am honored to know Ray Celeste. He spent 26 years as a Marine and has run 28 consecutive Marine Corps Marathons. He works for a North Carolina Representative as his military legislative assistant. He picked up my bib for me and has been helpful including me in the Capitol Hill Running Club. Friday before the marathon, they inducted him into their Hall of Fame. He is an inspiration and a general good guy.