running
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Running Off the Week: A to Z
“All My Friends,” by LCD Soundsystem sounds through my headphones, and I think about how this song has become one of the favorites on my running playlist. Bright afternoon sun shines this post-work Friday, and makes shadows grow long. Cranking up the volume on my tunes, I take tired steps toward the National Mall and… Continue reading
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Endurance: What the Research Doesn’t Tell You
When mainstream media picks up a thread about the effects of endurance pursuits on health, I usually hear about it. The most recent one I know of was covered in the Wall Street Journal. The article’s focus was “extreme exercisers,” and how they may experience some health benefits from their activities, but likely put their… Continue reading
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Joining the Ranks of the D.C. Runners
When I lived in the Midwest I drove most places, worked out erratically, and weighed 25 pounds more than I do now. I was focused on other things; fitness was not one of them. After moving to Washington, D.C., life changed. My job had more of a regular schedule. Driving a car in the city… Continue reading
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Sweet Excess and the Post-Event Blues
Being a creature of habit, I did not take a day off after running last Sunday’s marathon. I stoicly made my way to the gym for a core class. It would be a perfect post-marathon workout, I thought, as it would not involve the legs too much and I could continue steadily on my path… Continue reading
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Comparing a Marathon to Randonneuring
Every once in a while, someone asks me how a marathon compares to randonneuring. Running versus randonneuring was also a recent topic on the “randon” list, one of the main randonneuring listservs. Having just completed a marathon as well as a flèche and a 300K within a month’s timeframe, I thought I’d share my own… Continue reading
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Back on My Two Feet: The Potomac River Run Marathon
After doing the Rock and Roll Half-Marathon in mid-March, which I had originally planned to run as a full, I was eager to see if there might be another opportunity for me to try 26.2 miles in one go. Lucky for me, the Potomac River Run Marathon was scheduled for May 5, a weekend of no… Continue reading
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Shake It Off, Let It Go: Running Free
Today I went running for the first time since I finished the fleche. I wanted to give my knees a couple of days to stop feeling wonky. You’re welcome, knees. My weekday route is a fun three-mile stretch that takes me from the foot of the U.S. Capitol to the World War II Memorial and… Continue reading
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D.C. Rock & Roll 1/2 Marathon: Sometimes Halfway is Far Enough
This past weekend D.C. hosted the Rock & Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. This event occurs right around St. Patrick’s Day as well as my birthday, and it has an incredibly festive feel. Runners dress in green, wear costumes, put on kilts, and sport an abnormal amount of plaid for a running event. The day… Continue reading
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Pitter Patter: Cold Winter Days in D.C.
A midday run on the Mall. A bitingly cold commute to work. The city looks different, feels distinct over a light powdering of snow. Tourists head indoors, to museums and gift shops. Runners dwindle, leaving only those undeterred by the chill. Continue reading
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I’m Not Training; I’m Having Fun
Earlier this week I read a brief but informative article in the New York Times called “Training Insights from Star Athletes.” The Times interviewed three elite athletes who discussed various facets of their training, including the importance of making it focused and structured. When Felkerino and I agreed to ride Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) in 2011, I… Continue reading
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A Run in Rock Creek with Ultrarunnergirl
A couple of weeks ago I received an email from my friend Kirstin, aka Ultrarunnergirl, inviting me to go trail running with her in Rock Creek Park. Her timing could not have been better, as I had just been lamenting my “story of sameness” and the need to mix it up with other activities this… Continue reading
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Running Away from Sandy: 2012 Marine Corps Marathon
Yesterday I lined up with more than 23,500 people to participate in my last big event for 2012: the Marine Corps Marathon. Continue reading
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Benefits of Tracking the Miles
I grew up watching my dad, a runner, track his miles. He always took the time to note how far he ran, the day’s temperature, wind direction, and a few other details about his run. It seemed only natural, then, when I started running (and later riding) to keep a mileage log. I recently read… Continue reading
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The Appeal of the Run Commute
Because I have a fall running event coming up, I’ve inserted a couple of run commutes into my weekly commute diet. While cycling is my primary mode of commuting, mixing it up with run commuting has proven quite pleasant. Not surprisingly, my running route to and from the office varies from my bike routine. First,… Continue reading
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Time for a Road ID
This past week I bought a Road ID. Initially, I blamed my purchase on all the Road ID ads run during the Tour de France coverage for filling my mind with how much I needed one. Marketing, I tell you! Really, though, I can’t blame the Tour ads for my recent purchase. I decided to… Continue reading
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Run Like You Stole a Pot of Gold: the D.C. Rock and Roll Marathon
This past Saturday I left the bike in the Dining Room Bike Shop, laced up my Montrails, and headed out to participate in the D.C. Rock and Roll Marathon. I like this 26.2-mile course because it stays within the District boundaries and traverses all of its four quadrants. In addition, it is a rolling course… Continue reading
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The Army Ten Miler
One of Washington, D.C.’s premier running events took place today, the Army 10 Miler. Felkerino, Lane, and I were leaving town on our bikes just as the race was getting going, and converged with some of the participants as they crossed the Memorial Bridge. It was a beautiful morning to be outside. Continue reading
Chasing MailBoxes 