DC Road Runners Track Championships - Kids Run and Masters Mile

Racing the one mile track race against other 40+ men

After last year's disappointment at the track meet (heavy rain and wind resulting in barely breaking 6), Shawn and I trained again for the mile. For about 5 weeks, we hit the track and attempted to get our speed down to have a shot at a low 5 minute mile. We didn't think we could break 5, but a good showing would be acceptable. Since the meet was the day after my birthday, I was able to successfully ask that Laura attend with Miles, that Miles run the kids race, and that they stay for my race. It was a hot day (90 degrees!) so I really appreciate the two of them dealing with the heat.

Finishing the kids race with Miles

Receiving instruction on the start line

The day of the race, we swam in the pool in the morning. After Miles’ nap, we went to Giant on O to pick up a couple of items and then onto the DCRRC Track Championship which started just after 5PM. Miles entered the kids mile and was the youngest entrant but he looked so cute on the start line with the other kids. He ran one lap before I told him “he won.” Then, he wanted to race me on the infield. I definitely made the right call only letting him run one lap because he was excited to keep running. Pushing him in that heat might have lead to him getting whiny. However, officially, he is listed as DNF. Maybe next year he can finish or at least get two laps.

The start of the kids race

After his race and our mini races, I handed him to Laura and warmed up with three laps around the school. The first two were slow, and Shawn and I ran striders the last lap. After some dynamic stretching, we checked in and got ready for our race. It was a pretty stacked race. Last year's winner was there, and Michael Wardian showed up too. We were slated to start at 6:15 PM. There were 3 heats of elite 800s before us (I thought there were supposed to be 4), and the race walkers, kids run, slow mile over 7:00 men, and slow mile of 7:00 women.

Miles on the starting line

Miles is ready for the kids race

The kids race begins

Miles chases the pack at the start of the kids race

On the start line, I looked back to wave one more time to Miles and Laura. I heard him whine and play tug of war with Laura as he pulled on his backpack. I shook my head and focused on the start of the race, moments away.

At the start of the race, I took off fast to get into the first lane. I was in the first lane at 100 meters and in third place, by mistake. I slowed to a reasonable pace and heard Wardian notify me he was trying to pass on the inside. I stepped to my right, barely into the second lane, to let him go. I settled into fifth place; the fast four took off, and I led the second pack for another 200 meters. Shawn and Bill passed me after the first lap, and I tried to keep them close. I was surprised they didn't take off on me. I remember hitting about 600 meters into the race and the clock showing 2:00. I felt strong and in control, but still a little worried about the heat and what I had in me. When I hit 800 meters to go, the clock was about to hit 2:40. I was about to catch Shawn and Bill. It felt too early to make a move, but my legs surged and I listened to my body. I caught him around 700 meters to go and passed him, perhaps a little too tightly because he kick the underneath of my left foot. I stumbled but didn't fall. I had my excuse if I didn't do well. Every race I collect an excuse just in case. But I wouldn't need it this race.

Shawn on the outside as I held lane 1

With 500 to go, I was asserting my place in the race and trying to put some distance. A good surge could discourage any chasers, I thought, and if someone was to make a move, I would be in position to try to hold them off. The roar of the crowd calling my name gave me the boost I needed to get around once more the lap. With 200 to go, I started my finishing kick. I loudly heard Big Guy cheer me the rest of the way. With 100 to go, I saw Laura and Miles standing at the entrance to the track that was just beyond the finish line.

Leading the second pack

I sprinted for the finish and beat Shawn, good enough to come in 5th overall and the first runner who didn't break 5. I didn't use my running watch, so when I looked at the clock I thought I won in a solid time of 5:17. It wasn't my PR, but I was pleased with my effort. A few days last, I was so surprised and excited to see that I officially ran a 5:07:44 in the mile - a PR by 6 seconds. It was good for 5th place in a stacked lineup where the first four ran sub 5. We can say that we participated in the same track meet where the 4 minute mile was broken for the first time in D.C.


A few days later, I ran the Tidal Basil race. I ran 5:20 in 1500 meters out-kicked my Lokesh Meena. I had led the whole race until the end. It was also hot, and I came out slow and got faster, setting the pace. But he sat on me and picked it up at the end. When he passed me with 20 meters to go, I slowed up, conceding the race and leaving something for the 3K. But, the race was delayed and I had to get back to work.

One last Boston note: I also learned that 705 people had a negative split in Boston, and I was one of them.

Pictures and results:

Another recap Boston

Boston Marathon - photo recap

The joy of my brother's first Boston

I learned I was one of 705 finishers to run a negative split!

Canceled for "Flooding:" The Cellcom Green Bay (Half) Marathon

In my marathon career, I have registered for 49 marathons, finished 46, have 0 DNF (did not finish), and 3 were canceled. The 2012 New York City Marathon was canceled due to Hurricane Sandy. It was the correct call, but they waited to decide and announce it the Friday before the race when people had already arrived. I was in the car with my now-wife driving up the BW Parkway when we heard the news. My second canceled marathon was the 2017 Mississippi Blues Marathon. I caught an early morning flight to Chicago to transfer. There was a freak ice storm and the pilot told us (we hadn't boarded) that he couldn't land. When the flight was canceled, I caught a flight back to DC. Later that night, I heard the marathon was eventually canceled due to ice on the course. They made the right call.

Packet Pick Up at Lambeau Field

In each of these instances, I was fortunate to be able to pick up a replacement race. The week after New York City, I ran the Marshall University Marathon in Huntington, WV. They offered registered New York City Marathon runners a discount. The day that Mississippi Blues was supposed to be, I ran the Al Lewis 10 Miler in Maryland, hosted by my running club, DC Road Runners - a free race since I am a member. I try to understand how difficult it is to put on a race and the deliberations that must go into deciding whether to cancel a race. For New York City and Mississippi Blues, they were both obviously correct calls.

Ready for the Kids' Run

For the Green Bay Marathon, I was really disappointed with the decision to cancel the full, and I believe it was the wrong call. When I woke up to begin race preparation, I read this text:

The Cellcom Green Bay Marathon together with our public safety and medical partner has made the decision to cancel its marathon Sunday, May 19 due to flooding on the course.

Ready to race around the football field

I reread the text several times before getting to the second part:

Marathoners will have the option to run the half. Further details here.

I was bloated from my carb load. I tried to get ready and leave my room so my son and wife could sleep. I was so mad. I read Facebook comments and even texted to ask if we could run the half twice.

A selfie during the race inside Lambeau Field

I went down to the hotel lobby, but it was so early (5AM) that no one was there. I decided to head back to my room, where Miles was awake. I put on the iPad and climbed back into bed. Around 6AM, I got up and Laura wondered why I was back in bed. I told her and she was so sad for me. She was really supportive as I was devastated. I was ready for a marathon, not a half. I eventually left the room to begin a warm up run to the start.

Packet Pick Up with the Family

The "flooding" was near my hotel, so I got a good look at it. That only made me upset since there wasn't that much water, runners could have been diverted or just run through it. No one was going to get swept into the River. And, the water on the course was in the 25th mile, which was near the end of the race. There was maybe 50 meters of water on the trail by the river. In my opinion, runners could have been directed around the water.

Frozen custard near Green Bay at Zesty's

I ran down to the start and got ready. A photographer wanted to take my picture, and I declined. I didn't want to remember this race. I thought since it was "just a half" I should try to PR. That's not how it went. My mind was ready for the full, and my body didn't respond. The first few miles were okay, but then I lost my pace and just held on. The half was run through neighborhoods and a part went around Lambeau Field. Running through the stadium was neat, but the rest of the course wasn't particularly scenic or memorable. It wasn't a memorable race or a particularly fast time. I barely broke 1:27. A stranger raced me to the finish, and I am thankful he did otherwise I wouldn't have cracked 1:27. Here is the proof that I finished.

Frozen custard near Milwaukee inside Kopps

I went to the results desk to check and see if I placed in my age group. 7th. I did not. I ran back to the room to get my cool down. When I got back to my hotel, the flooding had receded and wouldn't have impacted the race. I was looking forward to racing Green Bay to add it as another state on my 50 state marathon quest. I know that it is a tough decision to cancel any race, but in my opinion, the organizers made the wrong call. As a final kick-in-the-pants, when I finished the half, the announcer mispronounced my name which summed up my race experience.

Tasty!

Results:

71 overall out of 2640; 65th male; 7th age group

31:37 at 5 mile mark; 1:05:42 at 10 mile; and 1:19:19 at 12 mile

6:38 average pace

Email after the race: "Dear Kenny Ames, Thanks for competing in the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon, you finished in a time of 1:26:41. Your detailed results are available here: Detailed Results and you can search all competitors and categories here Results."

In Milwaukee near Lake Michigan

It was a mistake to cancel the full marathon. I saw the "flooding." It could have easily been run through or run around. I am very upset that the full was canceled after traveling from DC with my wife and young son. Plus, as a member of the 50 state marathon club, I will have to come back to Wisconsin at a later date to check off Wisconsin. Do not worry - I will find another city to run as I do not plan to come back to Green Bay.

Return to the ACLI Capital Challenge 3 Miler

And we're off! Shawn is very serious!

It has been seven years since I last ran the ACLI Capital Challenge 3 Miler. I ran a few years with CQ Roll Call in the news division as a reporter can serve as our captain. I organized the teams while I worked there. We won first print media team a couple of times with our stacked team when Amanda, Blake, Shawn, Eugene, and me worked for the company.

Waiting for the start

Now that I am working on the Hill again, I can run for a Congressional team. One problem is that the CAO isn't eligible to captain a team according to the rules. However, a Member can add one runner to their team from an organization such as CAO, AOC, Capitol Police, etc. I had reached out to the race director to ask how I could run, so he kept me in mind in case anyone asked him to fill their fifth slot.

Waiting

The day before the race, I Rep. Conor Lamb's staffer called and asked if I could run with them. A teammate was sick and the race director mentioned my name. They are one of the offices I support in my role as Customer Advocate (Pennsylvania is one of the states in the region assigned to me). I ran up to the office, filled out the paperwork, paid the entry fee, and talked with my teammates. One asked me if I could run 12 minutes. I said that would be close to a world record. She thought I meant I couldn't do a 12 minute per mile pace in which case they would find someone else. I assured them I could do at least 19 minutes for the whole race.

Ready already!

She asked if I had anything with the Steelers colors and said she could provide a Steelers t-shirt. I said if they made me wear a Steelers shirt, I would wear my Patriots hat. We compromised when I decided to wear the old DC Road Runners Club yellow singlet with a black Army hat and black shorts.

Finishing and breaking 18 for the first time!

On May 15, the morning of the race, I walked my wife and son to the Metro, took the Metro to Union Station, then hopped a bike share down to Anacostia Park. I met the Congressman and his staff near packet pickup, dropped my bag in one of the staffer's cars, and then we did a short warm up and I added on striders. I met up with Shawn and ran a little more before getting in the starting corral. Deena Kastor was the celebrity runner and she got the race started then hopped in the back.

First Congressional staffer!

I started out steady and didn't let the fast start pull me faster than my plan, which was to aim for 6:00-6:10. After the first mile, the field sorted itself out and I hit my strider, turning around at the midway point in 9:02. I knew that was a good pace I could hold without overexerting myself. I felt I had a good shot of breaking 18. I didn't pick up the pace too much more and did not even engage a strong finishing kick, saving some for the marathon. There were two runners ahead of me, which I normally would have caught, but they weren't in my division and wouldn't affect my team's score. I crossed in 17:53, good for 15th overall, and first House or Senate staffer. Our team ended up winning first House team by 2 points (cross country scoring where you take the places of all five teammates, add them up, and the lowest total wins). The Congressman said I am welcome back next year.

Motion to Recommit to Running - aka Team Rep. Conor Lamb