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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Winning the FEEA 5K |
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| 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).
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| First Congressional staffer and under 18 minutes |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| First stroller! |
