"Windy" or "Blustery?" A question for the ages!

GW Birthday Marathon/Relay and Another Great Annual Meeting/Party

 Saturday

 The most dramatic feature of the day, as about 100 of us met at the Hunters Woods Pool, was the WIND! The temperature was a mild 48º but “real-feel” temperature was closer to 35º.

 There were no first-timers with us today, but one fresh face in the crowd was that of Marj L, a long-time Club member who retired to New Hampshire, but who fled the snows of New Hampshire to see her friends in Reston this weekend! Welcome back, Marj (shown below with Maria)!

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            John Fogerty once sang, “Put me in coach, I’m ready to play, today, Look at me, I can be….quarterback (well it’s actually “centerfield,” but c’mon, it’s Super Bowl weekend).  I was called off the bench this week to substitute for Selomon as the S&C writer.  A paltry group of about twenty or so runners arrived at training camp on Saturday morning at North Hills Pool.  Apparently, looking to cut corners, the snow plows seemed to have neglected the parking lot of the North Hills pool, causing cars to park crookedly and runners to walk with dainty agile steps to the meeting spot, so as to avoid being on the Disabled List this season.  The parking lot  looked as bad as Steelers’ safety Troy Polamalu’s hair on a humid day.  It looked as bad as Ben Roethlisberger’s broken nose did when Ravens’ linebacker Terrell Suggs sacked him.  (Can anyone guess which team I am rooting for this year?)  Still, Chris and Deedee earned MVP awards for braving the conditions upon their return from Miami (for the Pro-Bowl?) and graciously marked our course for today.  Dennis H., armed with shovels, led the additional announcements.  He spurred us on with the encouraging words of a head coach, warning us about icy patches, and telling us that due to slippery conditions, we may want to save our energy for the fourth quarter (last few miles).  We were also reminded to sign up for and attend the Reston Runners Annual Dinner, where this year there will be dancing (as if we need more cardio), and where other MVP’s will be recognized.  Plan on showing up if you don’t want to be traded!  I wish I could recall more about the course from the notes I took, but I guess it wasn’t very memorable (sorry Course Committee).  Due to the weather and somewhat hazardous road and trail conditions, many a runner, upon completion of the run, left as abruptly as the Colts left when headed for Indianapolis.  Still, everyone knows the real fun happens at breakfast….(half time show).

            As of late, many of our running friends have escaped the hazardous conditions mentioned above for more sunny locales.  Jim A. reported in last week’s columns regarding the stellar performances of our friends who visited Waco, TX and Miami, FL.  At breakfast, these trips were discussed in great detail. Let’s run through the Game Plan in case you may ever want to visit and run said races.  First up, Waco, TX.  For those wacko enough for Waco. Pro: large medal and finisher’s jacket for marathoners. Con: oppressive humidity.  Pro: 181 finishers.  Con: The website Holly and I peeped at on our snow day dubs this marathon “The Toughest Little Marathon in Texas.” Pro: Half-marathon newbie Paul won his age group in the first half after running in our group for two years.  Con: When he was finished the brutally hilly course, his travel companions dubbed him “The Tiredest Little Half-Marathoner from Reston.” Just kidding. Congrats, Paul and others who fared very well on this tough course.

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