Name: Adam Lesser
Self-described age group: 35-39
Residence: Fairfax
Occupation: IT Consultant
Volunteer roles in the running world: 5k Fun Run Committee member for my son’s annual elementary school 5k fundraiser event
Why you run: This has changed over the years, but anything from: pushing myself toward big goals, stress relief, to solve the world’s problems, for health and to motivate others to be active (especially my kids).
Arlington’s Ted Hobart talks about his journey to one hundred marathons, which he plans to complete next June. Read more about his marathoning here: Ted Last, from RunWashington July/August 2014.
Name: Lisa Romanzo
Self-described age group: my mornings fueled off coffee, my evenings off wine and ice cream, my current bosses can’t even complete full sentences, and I’m in bed by 930… i must be in the 30-35 range. waiting to move on up to the next age group!
Residence: Ashburn
Occupation: Physical therapist, but currently on hiatus to be home with my kids.
Why you run: Running makes me a better person. It’s my “quiet” time. With a traveling husband and family states away, running serves as my hobby but also my self care time. It allows me mental clarity, to work through things in my head or to just be in that meditative, steady state where I am free of thought. I love the endorphin release. How strong it makes me feel. And for the invaluable lessons it continues to teach me about self acceptance, resilience and hard work.
When did you get started running: Once college soccer came to an end, I needed an outlet to maintain some sanity and release some energy to get through graduate school so I picked up running. When I was deployed to Afghanistan, about three years later, my love for running grew deeper. Not only was it one of the only things for me to do, it filled the void and served as my therapy at a pretty low point in life. I carried it with me during the transition home and ran my first marathon, Marine Corps, that same year. I haven’t turned back since and running has never given up on me!
When designing the 2018 Marine Corps Marathon’s participant t-shirt, graphic designer Corbin Stewart was excited to try a new technique, one that would illustrate the enormity of the race known as the People’s Marathon.
Using full-dye sublimation, a design style where the artwork covers the entire piece of clothing, Stewart created a shirt with images of previous marathon participants all over the front and back. An image of the start line is on the front of the shirt, which is a long-sleeved mock turtleneck. The American flag and the Marine Corps flag are on the back. It’s a colorful shirt, to say the least.
“It turned out a little brighter than expected,” Stewart said. “And then it took off on social media.”
Laura Mazur describes the view from inside a viral photo after a shot of her running the Pittsburgh Marathon with Jessica Robertson caught the attention of running and mainstream media.
- Fairfax resident and George Mason alumna and assistant coach Bethany Sachtleben will race the marathon July 27 at the Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru this July and August. Sam Roecker, who attended graduate school at Georgetown but did not compete there, will also race the marathon. 2012 Marine Corps Marathon and 2016 Army Ten-Miler champion Augustus Maiyo will also run the marathon. Lee High School alumnus Josef Tessema was initially on the 5,000 meter team.
- Tuscarora alumnus and Virginia Tech student Ben Nibbelink will compete in the U20 Pan American Championships in the 3,000 meter steeplechase in San Jose, Costa Rica this July.
- Georgetown freshman Sandy Corman won the USATF U20 championships in the 1,500 meters, running 4:29.81, gapping Rachel Huckey of Illinois State by more than a second.
- Georgetown alumna Rachel Schneider was a guest on the Morning Shakeout podcast.
Name: Norman B. Reich
Self-described age group: M 50-54
Residence: Arlington
Occupation: Owner of an IT Consulting Company
Volunteer roles in the running world: (as applies) I have been an active member of the DC Front Runners for 3.5 years, and serve on the board as co-race director finishing up my second term.
Why you run: I started running for health reasons. I continue running because I love it and because I’m addicted. During my March 2015 physical I was given some news about some serious health issues. I immediately changed my lifestyle including healthier eating and walking. At some point I decided to try running. I thought it was just for my health, but a few weeks later I fell in love with it. It has completely reversed the health issues that I was concerned about and lost over 50 lbs. Running is not only good for me, but it’s a good way to clear my head, challenge myself, and also to enjoy the social aspects of doing many of my runs with the DC Front Runners and with friends.
Road racing is a different world from cross country and track.
It’s harder on knees, ankles and feet than other surfaces. But the crowds are bigger, the runners potentially faster and the atmosphere at many races is a wild diversion from dual meets and invitationals.
For high school runners, the road is a place to experiment, learn and challenge themselves. It is also where many will continue their running careers later in life. For coaches, many of whom raced at one time, the road is fraught with risks and dangers. There is a conflict between athletes’ enthusiasm and coaches’ wisdom.
Georgetown’s Josette Norris talks about her All-American finish in the 5k at the NCAA Championships and how long she plans to hold onto her uniform.
- The Montgomery County Planning Commission voted 4-1 to move the Capital Crescent Trail crossing at Little Falls Parkway roughly 160 feet to the west to Arlington Road, which has a traffic light. The WashCycle reported that was not among the three options presented in 2018. The intersection had been narrowed to one driving lane since a recumbent cyclist was killed in the intersection in 2016.
Local resident and runner Paul Karlsen was disappointed in the decision and remarked that the chosen solution will almost certainly result in longer delays for the motorist, as the Little Falls to Arlington junction must become a ‘no turn on red.’ He felt safe, as a runner, with the current layout.
The new layout will restore four driving lanes, which he felt would be more dangerous. And, for running, the new layout will be a loser.
“It will restrict my use of that section of the trail,” he said. “I have often used this section of the CCT for tempo and marathon-paced runs but that will not really work out any more due to the crossing delay. Also, I will feel less safe having my kids cycle on the trail. We chose to live in the adjacent Sumner neighborhood for access to a trail where motor vehicles do not take precedence over pedestrians. That, sadly, will be gone.”
- Georgetown alumna Katrina Coogan ran 15:14.13, which is a cool time but more importantly a world qualifier, at the Adrian Martinez Classic. (Thank you to Fast Women for pointing that out.)
- The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail is now a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization.
