President's Blog

DCRR

January Board Meeting and Races; GWB Marathon

Written by Edward Grant

Saturday, 13 January 2007 12:02

Club Members and Guests:

1. January Board Meeting: The bi-monthly meeting of the DCRRC Board will take place on monday January 15, 2007, at 7:00 pm. Location is the Silver Diner in Clarendon. Board agenda items will include our "supporting club" status with the National Marathon, planning for the annual Banquet/Snowball Awards/Election. club communications, and the 10K training program.

2. January Races: We have had a busy first 13 days of 2007 with three highly successful race events. First, on January 1, Joe Racine and Kwerry O'Brien did a fine job hosting the annual New Years Day 5K. Despite adverse weather, we had well over 100 participants to get the year started right.

On Saturday, January 6, Aaron and Sharone Cheskis did another fine job directing the Al Lewis 10-Miler in Kensington. Spring-like weather contributed to a large field as well. Cooperation from the Montgomery County police kept us moving through the busy intersections on the course.

On Saturday January 13, Daryl Knuth directed our annual MLK/JFK 5K/20K event. This was help for the first time on the Capital Crescent Trail, and while there are always a few glitches to work out, it is obvious that this will be a fine new venue for these long-established Club races. 150 ruuners participated in the 5K, and over 100 in the 20K Snowball Series event. Given the short time frame he had to work with, Daryl did a great job pulling this event together, with fine assists from our permit guru James Scarborough and the wizard of course measurements, Bob Thurston.

3. "No Headphones" Policy: A reminder that in conformity with a long-standing policy of the Road Runners Club of America, no headphones are allowed in DCRRC-sponsored races. For those with questions on this policy, see the rather lengthy discussion in the "Forum" section of this website that took place last summer/fall. If you show up to race with headphones, you will be asked to remove them on pain of disqualification from the event. Thanks for your cooperation.

4. Next Race: The Custis Trail 12K, benefitting Capital Hospice in Arlington, is set for Saturday, February 3rd. James Scarborough will be directing, and can use some volunteer help. James is looking for someone to bring the Club van to the race, or at least pick up the needed equipment from the van and bring it to the race. Let us know if you can help.

5. George Washington Birthday Marathon: Sunday, February 18, 2007, in Greenbelt, MD. Registration and other information is now available under the Race Calendar tab to your left. (We are in the process of getting an upgrade on that particular page; look for this to take place 2-3 weeks from now). Runners for the marathon, teams for the relay, and VOLUNTEERS are urgently needed! Given the length of this race, we can always use you for a few hours, even if you cannot stay for the entire duration of the race. Newer Members to the Club may not realize that this is one of the nation's oldest continuously-held marathons, and in the day and age of mega-corporate-sponsored 26.2 mile events, truly retains its character as a true "runners' marathon." If you have never participated in this race as a competitor or volunteer, you are missing out on something special. Please join us on February 18 for this, one of our signature events. And watch this space for the special incentives that volunteers will receive!

6. National Marathon/Half-Marathon: DCRRC is now affiliated with the National Marathon and Half-Marathon (March 24, 2007), as a sponsoring club, along with the other major running clubs in the area. Please, when you enter the Marathon or the Half, indicate your DCRRC Membership so that we are credited with "referring" you to the race. Race director Keith Dowling has asked me to pass on that the Half-Marathon is not merely an "add-on" to this event; rather, this is truly a "double feature" with the Half-Marathon providing an excellent tune-up for those running in Boston on April 16th. I'll have a lot more to say about these races in future postings, but now is the time to plan to participate or volunteer, and to sign up for doing so.

7. 10K Training Program: No, we have not forgotten this! The program will begin in February, with some changes in format and the "destination" event. We also hope to incorporate a 5K Training Program for those attempting their first race at that distance. The new directors of the program will be meeting soon, and we will roll out information shortly.

So, far 2007 is beginning as 2006 ended -- with a very impressive showing of support by Club Members for all of our programs. Please keep in mind that when you volunteer, you make possible the participation of more and more people in our races and training programs. Continue to give back to the sport that has given us all so much.

Run well!

Ed

 

Blog Update December 12, 2006

Written by Edward Grant

Tuesday, 12 December 2006 17:58

Club Members and Guests:
Track Workout for Wednesday December 13
Should be a pleasant evening, assuming the rain passes through. The workout will be 600M repeats at Tempo Pace with a 200M recovery jog. Number of repeats will vary, anywhere from 6 to 10. Don't strain this week -- last week was a bit tough, and next week, we will do our annual Christmas Relays, at which all bets are off as far as pace is concerned!
Bread Run 2007
As for other Club News, thanks to Bob Thurston and his volunteer crew (listed below) for another successful Bread Run 10K last Sunday at Glen Echo. Thanks to all!
Martha Beltran
Sharon Good
Jim Hall
Mary Alice Cahir
John Churchman
Bob Johuston
Lauren Stoloff
Anne Francis
Lee Glassco
Norman Brand
Jeanne Brown
Emily Grossman
Chuck Evans
Laura Bullis
Lauren Brinkac
Jennifer Richmond
New York Times Article
There was a bit of "traffic" today regarding the NY times article reporting on a small (60 runner) study of marathoners showing an elevated level of material associated with cardiac trauma -- a situation that, thankfully, resolved itself within days of completion of the marathon.
No aerobic exercise, running included, is an absolute insurance policy against heart disease. This is particularly true of so-called "electrical" as opposed to "plumbing" issues. Regarding the latter, running, like its vigorous cousins swimming, biking, cross-country skiing, and rowing, spurs the creation of entire new networks of capillaries that provide the collateral circulation necessary to handle the increased blood flow such exercise brings on. This is truly life-saving and life-prolonging. But other, often congenital, conditions, such as that which caused the death running guru Jim Fixx, are another quantity. Likewise, a congenital tendency to high chloresterol cannot be managed by exercise alone. And "electrical" problems, such as that which require pacemakers to control, need close monitoring in creating an appropriate exercise regimen.
It should come as no news to anyone that running a marathon is a traumatic event to the body, and that would include the heart. Keep in mind that the fittest athletes on the planet usually run only two per year, and most of these take as much as a month off from serious training at some point every year.
The study in question was small, far too small to control for the myriad factors of age, genetic history and propensities, training volume, onset of training (it's better to start early in life, but better late than never), etc. But it's a caution to all of us. Know yourself, your medical history, and how your body responds to the racing and training you do over the course of time. Yes, marathoning can, for some, be too much of a good thing. But in the right hands, and with the right training, it is just that -- a good thing.
2006 Racing Season Draws to a Close
The Bread Run was our last race for 2006, and a new year of racing begings on Monday, January 1, in Rosslyn Gateway Park with our annual 5K. I'll have more to say on the subject next week, but this has been a great year for the Club. Enjoy each other's company on these last few Wednesday night workouts and SLRs of 2006, and see you in the New Year!
Run well!
Ed
 

December Track Workout and Upcoming Events

Written by Edward Grant

Wednesday, 06 December 2006 09:55

Club Members and Guests:
1. Apologies for not posting sooner about tonight's track workout. The workout is to be 6 x 800M with a 400M jog interval. Pace will vary -- those recovered from Fall Marathons (or who did not run one) can run at 5K pace, or even a bit faster. Those still recovering should run at 10K or Tempo pace.
Due to a bad back, I cannot be there toight -- doctor's orders. So, if a couple people could step forward to lend a hand, I would appreciate it Thanks.
2. The Snowball Series got off to a great start on Saturday morning with the running of the Gar Williams Half-Marathon at Belle Haven. Twins John Colavicenzo and Matias Colavincenzo took off early and never looked back to win the race, while Toni Marie Diegoli passed Beth Miller late in the race to win the women's division. Nice to see Beth back in good racing form after a number of injuries. Thanks to race director Gene Fox, and thanks to all the volunteers! They included
Brita, Susan
Darr, Jim
Dean, Richard
Dickerman, Linda
Elliott, Rolland
Evans, Charles
Glasco, Lee
Larrison, Jeanne
Noone, Jim
Phillips, Paul
Pinhod, Leslie
Racine, Joe
Rhodes, Richard
Robertson, George
Shenkenberg, David
Townshend, Janet
Wolfe, Rob
Jay Wind, as always, did a fine job with the results. All these folks have earned their "volunteer to score" eligibility for the Snowball Series. Have you chosen your volunteer opportunity yet?
3. Our next race is the Bread Run 10K on Sunday, December 10. Please bring, if you can, a loaf of home-baked bread. The race starts from Glen Echo Park on McArthur Boulevard and runs largely along the C&O Canal Towpath.
4. RD Daryl Knuth and permit maestro James Scarborough are working hard to find a replacement venue for the JFK/MLK 5K and 20K, now scheduled for Sunday January 14. This may entail a shift in the race date to January 13, so please check the website before the race for the exact date. We will, of course, publicize this in weekly emails and on the President's Blog.
5. Finally, the Washington's Birthday weekend is only a little over 2 months away, and that means time for the Greenbelt Marathon. As always, this race will require a lot of volunteer support. Please contact the club president or race director Pat Brown if you can help. Among the skills needed are culinary -- we needs cokks to help heart and serve the beef stew given to finishers after the race. We also oculd use some special help in circulating through the course by car and delivering food and hot drinks to the volunteers. Obviously, course marshalls and water stop managers also are needed. Finally, if you want to run but do not want to cover the full distance, consider forming a team for the 3-person Marathon Relay.
Run well!
Ed
 

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The DC Road Runners Club is a member of the Road Runners Club of America and is also affiliated with USA Track & Field. We provide a year-round schedule of running events that offer everyone a chance to participate regardless of age, gender, or athletic ability.