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.

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

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.

https://www.strava.com/activities/4024889723/overview

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

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

https://www.strava.com/activities/4024889723/overview

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!

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!