Where has JD been???

Well, lets start where the issue began - on April 20th, 2014....coming back from knee aches after running the Reston Marathon on 3/31/2014.  I was showing zach something with his swing and tweaked my hamstring/back.  What I did not realize that this was the beginning of a long and frustrating summer.  I bailed on the Pittsburgh marathon, then the Cayuga 50, then just about every other race I thought I could run.  I tried to run through it which set me back some time until I finally succumbed to PT.  I am finally back after months of PT for both my back/hamstring and finally up to 25 miles a week.  However, my achilles (left) still have some getting used to when running trails.  That said, I am signed up for the YUTC 50k however will be planning a DNF and only running the 25k portion becuase, lets face it, I am not about to get hurt again.  Heather has been solid and is training for the Oil Creek 100k and I will be pacing her on the back 50k.

I paced zach during his first 10k attempt in June and he did great.  I also paced him during a small 5k a few weeks back.  Things are going slow but I am coming back.  I just have to make sure and control the AT that pops up during the beginning cycles of my training. 

If all goes well, I may do the Marine Corps Marathon.  I deferred last year and am signed up for it this year.  That said, I have no time expectations and would be happy to finish

If that goes well, I am thinking about the Seashore 50k this year - however, we will see.

Herndon Festival 10K - Zach's first 10k ever!

On Sunday, June 1, 2014, Zach (age 9) ran his first 10k at the Herndon Festival.  The race course looked to be a tad challenging for a first timer like Zach, but we were out to have fun.  He was a tad nervous, and I was dealing with hamstring/back issue that had prevented me from running the Pittsburgh Marathon a month earlier.  Not to mention Achilles issues which most likely were caused by the change in gait when running with the injury.  Anyhey,  after multiple stops to the bathroom and a couple of national anthems, we line up for the 10k.  I told Zach that this was double the 5k so take it out slower than usual...of course the first mile is a 9:04 which is faster than I thought he would take it but looking back, it was just about right.  The first couple of miles looped us through the Herndon Festival area that was actually not open at the time.  Either way, mile two was about 50 seconds slower, a 9:52....Mile three, he started to have issues with his right foot and felt the top of his foot start hurting so we slowed it down more to the point where we actually stopped.  Mile 3 was a 10:03...The overall goal here was a sub 60 minute 10k...it was ambitious but not out of reach.  Mile 4 we really started to slow down, and I knew these would be his toughest miles (4 and 5)...Mile 4 was a 10:45 and Mile 5 was a 10:54 plus they had some nice rollers...He was talking the whole way and I knew this was not as hard as he could run but didn't really push him since he had not run this distance before..Miles 5 to 6 was a 9:27,  but it was a little to late as he finished with a 1:02:46.  Great job but I think he really wanted to a sub 60 minute run...The first thing he said when we finished was, can we do another one?  Of course, I said yeah!  Looking at the final results - he got 183-271 overall, and 3rd out of 5 in the 1-10 group...Tough first 10k for big Zach and he was happy with his finish....here is a quick pic of me and the boys before the race.

  Meanwhile Nic and Heather ran the 5K portion of the race which started after the 10K.  It was hillier than expected, but Nic was a beast.  He powered up all of the hills and started really passing lots of people in the last mile.  He ended up with a huge PR at 28:44.  I think it was all of the soccer.  He was super happy, and then we waited for Zach to come in.

Nic holding the sign and waiting to cheer Zach in.

1st 10K and 5K PR

Awesome finish for Zach!!!

 We are so proud of Zach for training hard through some crazy weather for the 10K.  He was supposed to debut at the 10K at the Manassas Runway 10K, and his training had peaked perfectly for that.   Unfortunately, he got a concussion the day before the race while playing baseball so we had to find a new race. 

Zach and mom getting some miles in during a March snowstorm!

Zach doing his first Battlefield loop...5.5 mile training run!

Bodies in Motion 5K-A Great Local Race!

Last Sunday the boys and I decided to do the Bodies in Motion 5K.  It was a fundraiser for the Blue Ridge Orthopedic Foundation to raise money for local charities.  They also collected used athletic shoes.

Pre race selfie

  It started at the WARF.  Zach needed another training run for his upcoming 10K, and Nic and I were going to enjoy a nice little run in an area where we hadn't run before.

Obligatory shoe shot

  I was able to pick up the packet on Friday with no problems at all.  The race t-shirt was nice, and we also got  a cute plastic mug.

Cool swag!

 Race morning was very organized.  We were able to use the bathrooms at the WARF. The 5K and 10K started right on time directly after the fun run.  Sarah Bowman Brown was there to start us off. Elliptigo was also there demonstrating so there were Elliptigo riders from The Running Store along the course as well.  Zach started closer to the front.  I ran with Nic and one of my running friends.  The course was a little hilly for the kids, but they did fine.  It was like a double loop around a neighborhood.  There were two water stops on the 5K course, and Sarah Brown ran by at least once encouraging the runners.  Zach said that he was afraid of not making the correct turns for the 5K and getting on the 10K course so he stopped at a few turns to ask the course marshalls if he was on the right course. 

Overall the signage was good, and the course marshalls did a good job of directing everyone to the appropriate spots.  A lot of the neighbors had also come out to cheer on the runners so that was fun to see families out on the lawn.  Zach finished in 29:23  11/22 for the 13 and under age group.

Zach finishing up!

Race director had a high five for everyone!

  Nic finished at 32:00  16/22.  My friend and I finished right after Nic because he gave a little finishing kick at the end and raced some other little guy in. 

Nic and another little guy racing to the finish!

The race director was at the finish line announcing and high fiving all of the runners. It was a nice way to spend a Sunday morning.  It was a great little local race.  I would definitely do it again.

My friend and I just chit chatting like there is no race in progress.

Post race photo for Moms Run This Town

My little guy even made the slide show in the local newspaper.