Cheryl Pendleton ran the Alamo Donut Dash 5k, finishing this distance in the time of 21:20.
Tried to go out a bit faster on this one compared to last weeks’ race, but unfortunately there were some issues with the course – super narrow starting line (hard to get around other runners even starting at the front), several sharp turns (some 180 degrees going around ramps), course was some pavement, grass and gravel, and quite hilly in places. These things made it difficult to maintain a faster pace. Also, the 5K route joined the end of a 10K route with a lot of slower runners and walkers, so I had to maneuver around them too. Overall, I felt strong and fast-ish. Pleased with my run. And I was 6th across the line (800+ runners) and first place overall female!
Brandilyn Carpenter ran the Woodlands Half Marathon and finished with a time of 3:01:08. This was a massive personal record by 20 minutes!
Started out cool and cloudy. Ended hot and sunny. Went out fast, as per usual but pulled it back after the first water stop. Walked through the water stops and up the 4 hills. Had a few more walk breaks on the back half once the sun had come out, but made sure my run intervals were faster during this section. Started a running Meditation with about 6-7km left in order to get my mind out of the trap of paying attention to numbers, then switched back to music for the end of the run. There was a hill with about 4km left and then it was downhill and flat to the finish. Able to pick up my pace after that last hill and finished at a good clip. I am really happy with this run. I would love to have had fewer walk breaks, but that will come with training. PR by 20 minutes. I will take it!
Christine Lee ran the Tokyo Marathon with a finishing time of 3:40.41. This was a huge personal record by 24 minutes!
My first marathon where I ran a marathon in less than 4 hours. Also, my first marathon internationally. Also, first time running a marathon without water vest. Running without the water vest helps with running faster.
Pros: Able to maintain pacing during hot weather. Used a lot of Smiling technique.
Improvements: Practice eating nutrition and drinking water at fast pace to help with minimizing delays. Also, continue to practice strengthening hips and increasing pace over time.
Tim Norris ran the Newport News One City Marathon and finished in a time of 3:57:19. This was a personal record by one minute!
It was a small PR, but as they say, PR is a PR. I had conservative goals after a tough training cycle, and I stuck with my race plan best I could to get to the PR. I also got 2d place in my age group M60-64, and unlike my last AG podium, there were actually other people my age in the race. (Ok 8, but still). I also got to battle test a new fueling strategy and was happy with how I worked through some adversity at the end. As I limped out of finishers corral with my wife walking on the outside of the bicycle fence she asked me if I had fun. I just had to laugh. And she said “well this is what you do for fun.” Yeah, I guess she is right.
El Jones ran a 5k race and completed this distance in the time of 22:41.
Beautiful day for our first race of the year! A late start and I did not meet my goal of 22:30 but came a lot closer than I expected given my spotty training. Took first in my age group and saw friends I haven’t seen in a while. A good day!
Nicole Cornish ran the Fresh 15 (15k) and finished this race in the time of 1:45:25, which was a PR!
I really struggled with my health in January so I’m just happy that I finished!!
Andy Rosandick ran the Point Bock Run 5 mile and finished with a time of 35:43.
This is a race I run every year that is kind of the kick off to the running season. Finished 2nd out of 60 runners in my age group at a pace I was happy with and came away injury-free so it was a success!
Kirsten Kalkhurst ran the Hyannis Marathon and finished this race event in the time of 3:49:33.
This was a TOUGH day to race. It was very cold and the winds were gusty. The water was frozen at many of the water stops! I started feeling very tight from about the halfway point. I have to think it was due to the cold and wind. Miles 19-26 were in the pain cave, but the training was there because my legs kept turning over despite the pain and tightness. Given all this, I’m pleased with my time.
Oh, and I got the 2026 BQ by more than 10 mins, so there’s that : -)
Robin Whitley ran the Tokyo Marathon (7 Miles) with a finishing time of 1:41:31.
After addressing blood chemistry issues in 2024, I was looking forward to Tokyo again. Then I fell on black ice at work January 7th. I went into this with open eyes and knowing it could be ugly. My glute was angry the first few miles and then the sun came out with temps around 70F. I have not run at those temps since September or so. To complicate things further, the first aid station had no cups. I had a small amount of Pocari Sweat out of one of their bigger bottles. I didn’t make the even harder 2nd cut off by a minute or so…but that was okay. Now I know it was probably serendipitous as there were no cups after mile 10. I also probably saved a friend’s life – they were running for their 6th star and by the time they got to 19.5 were extremely dehydrated – two bottles of gatorade and salty snacks got her to the finish. I’m disappointed but now to focus on strengthening that glute again….and NYC Half and London in the coming weeks/months.
