Distance Run

This weekend I’m in Boston to attend the wedding of my finance’s sister-in-law.

Saturday we spent the morning in Salem, enjoying the history there.

In the evening we checked in to the Bulfinch Hotel.

I remember asking Jocelyn, “I wonder what a Bulfinch is… Is it a type of bird, do you think?”

As we wandered around the North End, I noticed some weird markings on the side-walk… “Oh!” Jocelyn said, “This is the Freedom Trail!”.

She told me about the trail as we searched for a dinner venue. Our walk took us past Paul Revere’s house.

Man, how awesome! I love the history of the US, and particularly of the revolutionary period, though I admit an unacceptably low level of education on the period.

But everyone knows Paul Revere, and his famous ride to the North Church to light lanterns to warn of the British march on Concord and Lexington to arrest Sam Adams and John Hancock!

Joce and I found a cute Italian restaurant across the street from Revere’s house.

Sunday morning I was going to run the trail. What a better way to see the city.

This morning the sun was up bright-and-early. I was in my shoes and out the door at about 6:10 am. Before I knew it I was on the trail.

Past Revere’s house, on to the Old North Church, past the Copp Hill Burying Ground, past the USS Constitution, and on to Bunker Hill.

Bunker Hill struck me the most. The first military engagement against the British regular army. A stake in the ground, asserting the dissent of the colonies to the imperialist British rule of the time.

I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to reflect on the significance of Memorial day. Here is where it all began, and I was breathing free air as I plodded along the route past milestones in our country’s struggle for freedom.

Oh, and on the way, I learned of Bulfinch. Charles Bulfinch, to be precise,. Bulfinch was an architect who played a role in designing several of the buildings I saw while traveling the Freedom Trail, including Faneuil Hall, the “home of free speech.”

In our travels last night, Joce and I also came upon the New England Holocaust Memorial.

Photo from: nehm.org

The opaque coloring on the columns is not frosting.  Etched in the glass are millions of numbers.  Numbers that were assigned to victims of the Holocaust in Europe in the 40’s.  Over 11 million died, 6 million were Jews.

Being memorial day weekend, it is important for me to remember that great freedom is often preceded by incomprehensible sacrifice.

I cannot forget those that sacrificed their lives to secure the freedom I enjoy, but I must also not forget those innocent civilians that died to show the need for that sacrifice.

Bill

Ok, the first thing I want to say is that the Potomac River Run Marathon and Half is my new favorite race.

First, it’s obscenely close.

Second, it runs along the Potomac River between Alexandria and Mount Vernon (an ara of particularly strong sentimental value).

Third, it’s tiny, but exceedingly well organized by the race director, Jay Wind.

The course was excellent, not many people, awesome weather.

I rocked it as well, but didn’t beat my time from 3 weeks earlier :)


Fin No. Name          Age S  City            NetTime  Finish   Adjusted  Adj.Pace
18 288 William Gross 38  M  Chevy Chase MD  1:34:18  1:34:22  1:34:03   7:10.4

There were a total of 376 timed finnishers, putting me in the top 6.25% :)

Bill

Much of the winter I spent training for a spring half-Ironman distance triathlon.

Due to a confluence of events (death of fiance’s father, buying a home and moving, etc) I missed too many weeks during my peak training period.  So, I bagged the race.

At the same time, my boss, John McIntire had coordinated a “train for a half-marathon” program at our work.  We identified two spring races, and recruited over 10% of our staff to participate!

So, that was an awesome fit.  The half-Ironman included a 13.1 mile run, so I figured if I can’t do the tri, I might as well see how well I could do at the half.

The first of the two races with the National Marathon.

Other than the annoyance of this race’s name having changed at least 30 times during the winter, the course, the weather, and the run was outstanding.

There is a marathon option, and I may definitely consider this home-town run next year unless Charlottesville is an option!

Here’s the results, I’m pretty happy!

Plc Group Group Gun Chip Pace
157  25/226  M3539 1:34:24  1:33:36  7:09 William Gross  38 M  3853 Chevy Chase MD

There were a total of 2,637 runners, putting my finnish in the top 6%.

I guess cross-training all winter with biking has helped :)

I think biking increases my foot turn-over, and definitely increased overall muscle fitness in the legs.

Bill