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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13 & 14 Feb 2010

By Jenny Trojan

Saturday

So it was Stephen Stills who said, “If you can’t be with the one you love, then love the one you’re with.”  Sometimes we also have to remind ourselves to love the RUN we’re with also.  And it can be difficult to do that when we are surrounded by blinding mounds of snow and frigid temperatures, along with the prospect of extra miles on Sunday.  Still, misery loves company in these winter running months, and there were lots of smiling faces after experiencing the cabin fever of a 30-inch plus snowstorm.

Our Saturday run commenced at the Reston Community Center.  One new runner, Brad S., of Herndon, was in  attendance. Dennis presided over the club’s 37th Annual Prediction Run: yes, 37th!! Wow! Trivia question: Is there a club member who has attended all 37 prediction runs?  Even more startling than the fact that 37 prediction runs have been held was the fact that Dennis was wearing pants today!!  Dennis was also responsible for unveiling a new course for this run to take place, and directed runners in the intersection of several Reston roads.  The course was 4.3 miles, or 5 miles, if you ran an intersection or two twice.  Since it is Valentine’s weekend after all, I would say I LOVED the course.  

With great fanfare, prizes were presented to those who were most accurate in predicting their times.  Predicting the correct time can be like an art in itself.  Like the Valentine’s Day holiday itself, I prefer to aim low (slow time) and then I perform better than I think. It is very good for my self-esteem.  Same with Valentine’s gifts: low expectations can yield better gifts.  Anyhow, on the ladies’ side, Leslie S. emerged victorious, and on the men’s side, Steve C. took top billing.  Steve further impressed onlookers by making his prediction based upon the original 4.3 mile course, deciding to run 5 miles, then speeding up like cupid to make up for the remaining distance.  Dennis further noted at breakfast an observation: the “fast” runners in attendance extended the run to 5 miles, while the “slower” runners completed the standard 4.3.  Don’t hurt the messenger: I am only reporting what Dennis said, and we did not divulge who the fast or slow runners may be.  

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