National Half Marathon nearly sold out!

The National Half Marathon is expected to sell out by this Friday, December 31st. If you plan on running it but haven't registered yet...register!

For those of you who still don't know about the race, it's on March 26th here in DC. In addition to the marathon and half-marathon, there's also a team relay option.

Happy Hour Tonight!

Happy Hour tonight at Lia's! 8PM-ish until ?

Hope to see you there!

p.s. Just an FYI, we are in communication with another local establishment about hosting our happy hours elsewhere after this week. We hope to have a new location (still right in the Friendship Heights neighborhood) within the next week or so. Will keep you posted. For tonight, we'll be at Lia's.

Last Call for Charleston Marathon (or half-marathon or 10K)

Last call for road-tripping to the Charleston Marathon (or half-marathon or 10K)! A bunch of us are headed down to Charleston, SC for their Riverfront Race Festival on MLK weekend 2011 (we'll be heading down after work Jan. 13th & returning to DC Jan. 16th). So far there are 7 of us on board-- if you'd like to join us, please let me know by the end of the day today! Feel free to email me with any questions regarding logistics and such.

Congratulations Marine Corps Marathon Runners!

Congratulations to all of the Marine Corps Marathoners and 10K runners! You did us proud!!! Bryan, Cezar, Degas, Winnie, Paula and Liz... Great job guys! The weather was perfect for racing, and all of us spectating had a lot of fun cheering everyone on. A special shout-out to Cezar and Degas for their first marathon finishes, and Liz for her BQ time!

Also, I don't know how many of you had the privilege of meeting Ian when he was working at the Chevy Chase Running Company Store over the summer, but he ran an outstanding debut marathon time of 2:49.

If anyone has any photos of our runners, please send them to either Chris or me~ Thanks! And congrats again to our runners!

Feronia Funrunium

Last year several of us ran the Feronia Funrunium and had a blast! This is a 7k, 13k or 24k trail run through the woods in northern MD, near the PA and DE borders. Some folks wear regular running gear, others wear togas and the
really serious runners wear footed penguin pajamas! This year's race is on Sat. Nov 6 and there will be a bunch of us carpooling up for the run. Who's in for togas, trails and fun?!? Email Paula or leave a comment here.

For more info, the race website is here

Haile Gebrselassie to Speak at GGRF Fundraiser

Haile Gebrselassie, arguably the greatest living distance runner in history, has graciously agreed to be our featured speaker at a fundraiser for the Girls Gotta Run Foundation on Monday, November 8, 2010. The event, which is co-sponsored and hosted by the Chevy Chase Running Company, will take place at the Chevy Chase Running Company store at 4461 Willard Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Mr. Gebrselassie, who will be competing in the New York Marathon on Sunday, November 7, won the Berlin Marathon in September 2008 at the age of 35, with a world record time of 2:03:59, breaking his own world record by 27 seconds. On Monday night, he will speak about his life and career and answer questions from the audience.

Tickets will be $25.00 and sold only at the door, starting at 6 p.m. All proceeds will benefit GGRF. A portion of the funds will be set aside by GGRF to subsidize scholarships for promising but impoverished Ethiopian running girls to attend training at the Yaya Africa Athletics Village, an athletic center in Sululta, Ethiopia, which is presently under construction and in which Mr.Gebrselassie is a partner. Proceeds from the sale of autographed copies of a limited number of posters of Mr. Gebrselassie will also be donated to GGRF. Light refreshments will be served. We look forward to seeing you there! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Registration for Boston Opens Today

Just a reminder for the Boston Qualifiers that registration for the 2011 Boston Marathon opens today! Go to www.bostonmarathon.org to register.

From the 2009-10 racing seasons I know we have a few newly qualified marathoners: Amber, Bryan, Rowena, Beccca, (let me know if I'm missing anyone) and I'm sure we'll have some more to add to the list after MCM.

Create Your Own Marathon Pace Bracelet

If you are like me and don't have a spiffy Garmin to keep track of your pace, nor do you want to have to do all the math during the race in order to figure out if you're on pace to run your goal time, you can create your own pace bracelet! And it's free. Just go here.

Type in your goal time, and it will spit out a nifty PDF file with your marathon pace bracelet-- print itout & laminate using clear packing tape, and you have your own customized, waterproof (for the most part) pace bracelet. Old-school, but it gets the job done.

(Screen shot of the one I just made for this weekend is at the left)

Ryan Hall won't be running Chicago

So I'm a bit slow on getting this news (it broke about a week ago), but Ryan Hall has withdrawn from the Chicago Marathon. Apparently he'll still be in Chicago for the weekend though, supporting his charities. News Article here

Last Track Workout of the Season

As people are beginning to taper for fall marathons and the sun is setting earlier, tomorrow (Monday, 10/4) will be the last group track workout of the season. We'll be out there at 7pm. Track workouts will start up again in the spring!

Pre-Race Marine Corps Dinner

For everyone running the Marine Corps Marathon or 10k (and anyone who wants to support those who are!), if you're interested in joining the group for a pre-race dinner on the evening of the 30th, email Chris!

Event: Evening of Free Running Stories to Inspire

Photo from Runner's World 'Rave Run'

Came across this event and thought it might interest many in GRC:

"An invitation is being extended to runners of all abilities and interest for an evening of inspiring stories which will inspire you to achieve your running fitness goals. The callenges of running may not be obvious until you lace up your shoes. What are the influences in your life that shape your running schedule and other priorities? Do you have to set a "Personal Record" in every race? Is it important to listen to your body when you run?

The evening of conversation will be held at The North Face Store, 3333 M Street, NW (202-298-5510) The session will be on Wednesday, September 8th, 6:30-8:30 p.m." Speakers will include: Michael Wardian, Elyse Braner, Alisa Harvey, and George Banker. You can find the speaker bios and more information on the event HERE. (Washington Running Report)

And since it's this coming Wednesday from 6:30-8:30, you can still make it to the GRC Happy Hour after the event!

From pro to beginner...

I thought some people might be interested in this article about Justin Gimelstob's efforts to run his first marathon. Interesting to see how a world-class athlete in one sport can struggle in another.

Happy Hour Tonight

Lia's

8 PM

Be there!

Army 10 Miler

Hi guys,

One of my friends from Houston has a bib for the Army 10 miler and isn't going to be able to come up and run the race. I wanted to check and see if anyone wants the bib. The race is on October 24th so if you think you'd be interested in running it let me know.

Happy running!

Melissa

Let's Do the Ten-Miler Again!

For those interested in extra mileage for the Tuesday and Thursday runs. I will be trekking out for 10 instead of the classic 6. The only other difference is an earlier start time 6:25-6:40 is a must. Leave a post or text me if you are going for the 10. I expect to be at the store by 6:20. See you there!

Run At Own Risk

Running today (outside) Not recommended, but if you do; be safe and forget about being dry, that's not in the cards no matter how fast you are.

9 Miles for Thursday anyone?

Hi All, Once again my training plan is calling for a 9 miler tomorrow (Thursday), so I'm hoping that there are others that would like to join me...already had a few takers at the happy hour tonight, but leave a comment if you'd like to join in so we know to expect you! We'll leave the store a bit early~ at 6:40 from the store. See you tomorrow!

Not quite as creative as Degas here with the cartoons, especially seeing as how it's after the happy hour and I'm looking forward to sleep. Will try harder next time.

Battle Sites in the UK & US

Hi all, apologies if this all goes terribly wrong but it's my first post. I just thought I'd post this link because the Spartan Race comprises of a set of races that take place over here in jolly ol' England as well as the Big US of A (Boston in August and LA in December). I intend to participate in the Cambridge (UK) race next month and, from the looks of it, the course is pretty hardcore! The first three men and women that make it through each race get free entry to the Spartan Race World Championships "THE DEATH RACE" http://www.youmaydie.com/ in Pittsfield, Vermont! Surely thats a big enough incentive?!?!

10-Miler Tuesday Run...

Just as a reminder, for those trying to keep their mileage up or are otherwise interested in a longer run, I will be running 10 instead of the normal 6 tonight, traffic permitting. Expect to leave the store @ 6:30-6:40pm. See you there!

Looking for a new apartment/house in the NW

Hi All,

Just wanted to see if anyone knows of anyone that is in need of a roommate in the NW area. If you do, please let me know. I am house hunting!

Thanks,
Liz
cresswelle09@gmail.com

Ultimate Frisbee

Hey gang!

A week or two back at a glorious HH, discussion came up about putting together a GRC ultimate frisbee team to play at the lowest rings of experience for another excuse to run around on a Saturday. This email is to tell ya’ll this is still happening and that we’re starting to mobilize. Since the League website is still a bit slow to update, I’m putting together a list of emails to add to a Google group to starting organizing interested people for a roster / email distro.

This is totally open to anyone in the running club or your friends – so please forward this email at will. If you’re interested just send me an email and I’ll add ya.

Also, this weekend we’re getting together to throw and meet the other teammates at the Washington Monument around 11:00am. If you’ve never played ultimate in a “competitive” setting (reminder: this team is for fun, not for competition so we don’t care at all about our record) this might be good so we can start telling you some basic rules and throwing tips. And if you already know the game, then come anyways so we can hang and throw.

Location: Washington Monument

Time: 11:00am

Look for: Clay and a frisbee

Cheers for now,

Clay.

Bi-weekly GRC Happy Hour at Lia's

Hello All!

The Georgetown Running Company will be having it's bi-weekly happy hour at Lia's Restaurant on Wednesday, August 11th. With a fantastic happy hour menu including gigantic beers and mouth-watering hamburgers and salads, we hope you join us at 8:00 to catch up and hang out in something other than running clothes!

Please see the Lia's website or contact me with any questions.

See you there!

Chris

Parks Half-Marathon, September 12th

For those of you running Chicago or Marine Corps, the Parks Half Marathon falls at the perfect time to get your race legs ready (and still have time to taper of course), and for those of you looking for a half-marathon this fall, this one's right in our backyard! What's better- it's the cheapest half around this season at only $45.

The course is point-to-point, starting near the Rockville Metro Stop, through Rock Creek Park, and finishing in downtown Bethesda. For more information, take a look at the website:
http://www.parkshalfmarathon.com/

Let me know if you plan on running it so we can all meet up as a group before/after the race :)

And if you're looking for a half over labor day weekend (week before Parks), complete with beach and weekend vacay~ Tara & Meghan are running Virginia Beach, with Mike looking to get a group together for a beach house that weekend. Take a look at Mike's post about their plans at his post here

10 miles, maybe more for Thursday's Run

Excuse the tardiness of this post. For those willing souls to pound out the extra miles during this evening's run I will be heading out to do 10 maybe more miles. Pace is predicated on when we leave as a group...the later you show the faster we have to go… 6:30 is an ideal time to start but I’ll wait for anyone wanting to do the full gamut, just let me know if you are interested. Either way I'll be hitting the Whole Foods for a cold treat afterwards. See you there.

Nine miles tomorrow (Tuesday) anyone?

So my training plan for Chicago tells me I need to get a 9 mile mid-week run in this week. I'd much rather run this with friends than alone... So who's up for running 9 tomorrow rather than the usual 6?

Let's plan on meeting at 6:40 to finish around the same time as everyone else. Leave a comment below if you plan on joining me! Thanks :)

Our House in Virginia Beach

Two of us from the store - Tara and Megan - are running the Virginia Beach Half on Labor Day weekend. I have nothing else to do then, so I'll be cheering them on in between partying on the beach. Which led me to thinking...

Would anyone else be interested in caravaning down to VA Beach over Labor Day and renting a house? Last chance to hit the beach before fall arrives!

I'll be booking by this time next week, so let me know by then.

GRC Happy Hour

Today is Wednesday which means we are already half-way to Friday!

Let's celebrate by grabbing some drinks and food at Lia's Restaurant by the GRC Store in Friendship Heights. After sampling alternative cuisine in the area, it was determined that Lia's remains our best and favorite option at the moment.

Happy Hour generally starts around 8:00 and members hang out for several hours.

Address:

4445 Willard Avenue
Chevy Chase‎, MD

I hope to see you all there!

Run the Marine Corps Marathon or 10K (or any other fall marathon) for Girls Gotta Run Foundation

The Marine Corps Marathon may be sold out, but Girls Gotta Run Foundation (GGRF) has spots available for charity runners for both the marathon and the 10k.

Girls Gotta Run (www.girlsgottarun.org) is an all volunteer charitable organization founded in 2006 to raise money to provide support for impoverished Ethiopian girls who are training to be professional runners. Running is more than a sport for girls and women in Ethiopia. It empowers them to stay in school, avoid early marriage and childbirth, and gain economic self-sufficiency. Besides providing funds for running shoes, GGRF also provides money for training clothes, extra food ("calorie money"), coach subsidies, and other training-related expenses.

The registration fee is $90 for the marathon and $45 for the 10K. We will happily reimburse your registration fee once you reach the goals that we have set for the marathon ($1,000) or 10K ($350). Once you sign up to run the marathon or 10K, we will provide you with lots of fundraising advice and ideas. For starters, we are encouraging our runners to use First Giving, which is a simple and effective online fundraising tool.

If you are interested in obtaining a bib for the Marine Corps Marathon or 10K and raising money for the Girls Gotta Run Foundation, please email Ashley at asgriffith@gmail.com by this Friday, July 30th, as all registration forms are due on July 31st.

If you already have your bib or are running a different fall marathon and would like to run for Girls Gotta Run and raise money for the foundation, please email Greta at grstults@gmail.com

To view an incredible video about one of the teams Girls Gotta Run funds, the Simien Runners (named for their location in the gorgeous Simien Mountains), click here.

Twilighter Results

Can be found here

Props to those who pulled off the double PR. It wasn't easy on Saturday.

Twilighter Pre-Race Plans

Just texted everyone I know who is running this. For those who have signed up very recently, we will be meeting outside the Starbucks in Rockville Town Square around 8:15.

Silver!

Say hello to your second-place overall team at this morning's Press Club 5k. Congrats, everyone!

More on Press Club 5k

Just a reminder that if you are planning to run in the Press Club 5k tomorrow, remember to enter "GRC" as your team. There is a prize for fastest team, and I think we will be strong contenders! The rules for teams were confusing, so I talked to one of the organizers this afternoon. The bottom line is that if you register at the race tomorrow morning, you can still join the team. For anyone who has already registered: if I emailed you separately, you should be all set (but double-check when you get your packet). Otherwise, just ask to be added to team GRC when you pick up your bib. See you tomorrow!

Happy Hour at Bambule tomorrow

We're once again trying out a new location for the biweekly GRC Happy Hour tomorrow. Paula suggested we all check out Bambule. It's still in Friendship Heights, just a couple blocks from the store. Click here for the location, restaurant link, and more info. We'll be there starting around 8ish. Hope to see you there!

Pancakes

As Greta mentioned, the National Press Club 5k is also on Saturday, at 8 a.m. This is a mostly flat course along Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown DC, followed by a sumptuous pancake breakfast in the press club ballroom. I plan on running both the 5k and the Rockville Twilighter 8k that evening.

(Note that you can buy a ticket for the breakfast separately, if you only want to eat and don't want to run. It's $11.24 for breakfast, which is competitive with Morty's. The proceeds presumably go to benefit literacy, or puppies, or something along those lines.)

Online registration ends Wednesday night at midnight, but if you miss that you can still sign up on the spot. If you do enter the race, put "GRC" as your team name. If you've already signed up, it should still be possible to run as part of the team if you email the organizers -- but if not we can sort it out with them on race day morning. Sorry for the late notice on the team, I have to admit I only signed up tonight myself. Hope to see you there!

Rockville Twilighter

Rockville Twilighter
8K
THIS Saturday, July 17th
Rockville Town Center
8:45 PM

Pardon my slackerness in formally announcing this race. Those of you who have done it in the past know how truly awesome it is. It is THE summer race in the DC area. The finish line turns into a giant block party that inevitably goes all night. And the prize at the end... the above photo says it all.

It is possible to sign up throughout the week, or even day-of. Those of you looking to save a few dollars should sign up TODAY (Tuesday).

It's Metro accessible, a fun time, and affordable. I will be there.

Will you?

Mentor a Young Runner

Hope everyone had a fun Independence Day!

Teens Run DC dropped off some info at the store about opportunities to mentor at-risk youth in a training program to run the National Marathon. There are several ways to help with varying levels of time commitment, from leading weekly runs to simply manning a water station.

Visit their website for more information: http://www.teensrundc.org/

We also have the direct contact information here for the director of the program.

See you soon,
Amber

Happy Hour Location Change: Clyde's!

Due to two very special requests, the bi-weekly GRC happy hour (today, Wednesday) will be at Clyde's in Friendship Heights. The exact address and further information can be found here but if there's any confusion or you need more information please email me (Greta) or leave a comment and I'll be sure to respond. Clyde's is easily accessible by metro (red line) and is less than half a block north of the Friendship Heights stop on the north-east corner of the Wisconsin/Western intersection, next to Tiffany's.

Sorry for the last-minute change, but hope to see you there.

Local Ultrarunner Champ at the Store - This Saturday, June 19

Meet legendary local ultrarunner Michael Wardian this Saturday at CCRC!

We will begin the day by meeting Mike and his family at the store at 830am. From there we will go on a nice and easy 45 minute run with Mike and the kids. Upon the conclusion of the run, Mike will entertain questions about his life and running.

The run is free and open to all. There will be post run refreshments served.

Among Mike's recent accomplishments:

4- time National Marathon winner (Washington, DC)

1st at 2010 USATF 50K National Championship

2nd at 2010 The North Face 50 Mile Endurance Challenge-Washington, DC

3rd at 2010 Marathon Des Sables-250K (150 Miles) Stage Race, Sahara Desert-Morocco (Highest finish ever by USA Male at event)

26th at 2010 Comrades Marathon (89K, 56 Miles)-Durban, South Africa (1st USA Runner)

Accolades:
USATF Ultra Runner of the Year-2008 & 2009New York Road Runners Ultra Runner of the Year: 2009

Why You Should Come to the Thursday Run

Special Guests for the Thursday Night Run

This Thursday Chevy chase Running Company will be hosting a local certified trainer and a technical representative from Garmin.

On Thursday, June 17, certified trainer Gillian Mounsey will be on hand to lead a pre-run warm-up exercise and stretch routine. Mounsey has been a personal trainer for 13 years, and her physical accomplishments include holding the world record for push-ups, and being the United States Marine Corps National Physical Fitness Champion in 1995.

Visit her website for pictures and more information about her: http://www.gillianmounsey.com/index.html


Gary Rosenberg from Garmin will be here and available to answer any and all of your technical questions regarding Garmin products as well as the use of GPS enabled watches as a valuable training tool.

Happy Hour Wednesday!

Just a reminder that we'll be having our usual bi-weekly GRC Happy Hour at Lia's this week. Should be a good night for the patio! Come out any time from 8 pm on~ we'll be there.

Swimming Sunday

Back by popular demand, some of us are going swimming Sunday afternoon at Hains Point. The pool is located at 972 Ohio Dr. SW, opens at noon, and is free for DC residents. The sooner we get there, the more likely we are to get deck chairs, so I'm going to shoot to be there right at noon. Hope you can make it!

Run Like a Mother

RUN LIKE A MOTHER~ WHY MOTHERS RUN

Thursday at 7 pm!

Come run with co-author of Run Like a Mother, then hear her read on Wednesday, June 3rd at 7pm. Marathoner and magazine writer Sarah Bowen Shea is the co-author of Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity. Following the run, Sarah will read some excerpts from the book and talk with folks about her motivation behind the writing and answer any questions from the attendees. The post run talk will be from 8-9pm. Light refreshments will be served. The event will be held at the Chevy Chase store.
(from the GRC newsletter)

Today's Track Workout Cancelled

Happy Memorial Day! Due to the holiday, our usual Monday night track workout has been cancelled, as neither Winnie nor I will be there to lead the workout. Anyone is of course welcome to head over to the AU track and do their own thing though. Be careful in this heat though & stay hydrated if you plan to run outside today (better yet if you already ran this morning). See you all tomorrow out at the run at the Chevy Chase GRC! Enjoy the rest of the 3-day weekend :)

Swimming Sunday

For anyone interested in some cross-training, on Sunday a few of us will be at the city pool at Hains Point. It just opened for the season Saturday. We'll be there later than usual, starting at around 1 pm, but come and go whenever. If you're walking, it's about 25 minutes from the Smithsonian Metro station. If you're driving a car, add extra time to navigate around the Rolling Thunder rally. And if you're driving a non-American motorcycle... don't.

The "dictator" of Rolling Thunder at last year's rally.

Signups Due

VA Beach - Cheap rate ends 5/31

Philly Distance Run - Cheap rate ends 5/31

National Running Day Event (2 June)

The Chevy Chase store is sponsoring a National Running Day event: a run at 7pm, followed by a talk on the benefits of running. Details are available on the National Running Day website, runningday.org

Three Year (Running) Anniversary

Three years ago on May 20, I signed up for my first marathon after just 12 weeks of training. I figured I'd finish, cross it off the life goals list, and move on to something else. Little did I know it'd change my life.

Thanks, guys.

Cheers from the North Carolinan CanAmerican

I just got invited to add to this blog by Mike. I left Washington DC and unfortunately the Georgetown running group about 6 months ago and I miss you guys soooo much. The runners around here are mostly men and not nearly as cool as you guys (and gals).

After moving to High Point, I spent the first few months getting settled and learned that the local running store is 30 minutes from my place and runs start at 5:40 on tuesdays and 6:00 PM on thursdays. I get out from the company at 5:30 PM and so I could not attend. I went from weighing 185 lbs from the marine corps marathon to 215 lbs in notime. At that point I had to make a decision and that decision was to immediately sign up for the North Carolina Half Marathon without any training. This is a sane decision for a longtime runner, anyone reading this blog who has not run full marathon distance or is not part of the Georgetown running group should not attempt this.

Anyways... that decision saved my running life. I started to run on my own and then with the Off'n'Running group on Thursdays. One Saturday, I randomly drove up to Washington DC and ran 14 miles with Winnie. I just don't like the the running community here and Winnie is much more interesting to talk to.

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks, I found my passion for running again. Following a random 5k race hosted by the Triad Triathlon Team, I was invited to a swim clinic where I tried a full body suit and swam 200 meter laps around a bouey. I signed up for the Sprint Triathlon that was to be held at that site the next week and loved it! I never thought a 5k could be that fun again and it was after swimming 800m, biking 13 miles and then running the 5k.

I am now an addicted Triathlete. I have joined the USAT, Triad Triathlon Team, a masters swim group at the Y, a spin class at the Rush, a bike group, still train with Off'n'running and now lift weights at the rush for upper body. I just completed my first Olympic Distance Triathlon called "Over the Mountain" and this is my third Tri to date. I am now 205 having lost 11 pounds of fat and gained 1 pound of muscle and so I compete as a Clydesdale at these events. I will surely do a half Ironman (Swim:1.2 Bike:56 Run:13.1) in a few months time and probably a Sprint or Olympic in between. My social life has improved now that I am in the Triathlon crowd and life in North Carolina is starting to make sense.

Again I really miss you guys and if you have an event that you will cause you to travel South at all I am sooo there. I'm up for a good Half Marathon anytime or a Full with some advance notice.

Cheers,

Marc Bourbeau

Alternative Routes & Expansion

First of all, thanks to Mike for getting the blog set up!

A few people have expressed (myself included) a desire to run different routes to spice up the Tuesday and Thursday runs. If there's a sizable contingent that agrees, let's start doing a different run on Thursdays.

I'm happy to map out some runs and post the maps here on the blog before the run so people can see where they are. We'd still meet at the store and run in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Additionally, CCRC is looking to expand the membership of the club - how do all of you think we can attract more people to the runs? And, once they come, to make sure they keep coming back?

A few of the ideas that have been bandied about:

-getting a coach to help with programs for a group that's training for the same race (like the Chicago Marathon)
-organizing some stuff other than running like pasta dinners (a la MCM 09) or happy hours at different venues
-setting up pacing groups for Saturday long runs (like DC Road Runners)

Please voice your opinions!

-Amber

Despite the Clouds and Showers

I will be at the run on Tuesday night!

Will YOU?

Hello!

Welcome to the Georgetown Running Company at Chevy Chase blog. We are the sister blog of the Georgetown Running Company in DC. While not quite as addicted to running as our Georgetown brethren, the support level is the same, whether you are just starting out with running, improving your time, wanting to qualify for Boston, or more!

Oh, and every so often race day takes a turn...