DCRRC Virtual George Washington Birthday Half Marathons

 With this never-ending pandemic in its second year, in-person running is non-existent. I haven't raced since Thanksgiving of 2019, and that was a 5K. My club, DC Road Runners Club, hosted a virtual half and full marathon this week. Normally, the George Washington Birthday Marathon and Relay takes place in Greenbelt, but it was canceled due to the health crisis. Two years ago, I raced this course without a taper and put up a 3:01 that impressed me, good for 10th overall. I had thought the race was going to be canceled due to an ice or snow storm, so ran 14 miles while in Pittsburgh the Thursday before the race. The weather changed, the race went on, and I ran one of my top five marathons by time over a hilly course.




Earlier this week, DC Road Runners Club hosted a virtual marathon and half marathon. On Wednesday, I "raced" the half in 1:33:20, holding about a 7:06 minute per mile pace over a relatively hilly course. It took a bit out of me as I haven't been great about doing long tempo workouts in the pandemic.




Then, on Monday, the last day it was open, I went for a run pushing Aden. I had a lot of time to burn, so I kept running until I realized I could get 13.1 miles and consider it a half marathon in the stroller division. Aden napped most of the time. I just ran up and down the closed Sligo Parkway over four times (2.9 from Forest Glen to University Boulevard and back again).


I am ready to return to racing in person. Heck, I am ready to see people again and not worry about this pandemic!


1:47 pushing Aden in the stroller.


1:33:20 racing on my own through Brookside Garden and Sligo Creek Trail.

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