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SRRC Race Reports

Washington's Birthday Marathon: Greenbelt, MD—February 19, 2006
by Phil Holt

Jay Frankenfield verifies the temperature at around 10 degrees. Brrrrrrrrrrrr.

Greenbelt, MD was only three highway taps away on the morning of Sunday, Feb. 19—one tap of the brake for each of the toll plazas, and one to start the drift down Beltway exit 23 in MD to the start of the Washington's Birthday Marathon at the Community Center in Greenbelt. As we stepped out into the bright morning, the icy air nipped at every bit of our exposed skin. This was going to be a cold one. The sky was so clear that the normally obscure outline of a jet leaving its contrail was as sharp as a tiny silver toy drifting miles out of reach. We were relieved to get inside, pick up and pin on our race numbers, make a few decisions about how many layers to wear for the race, and, of course, wait in the appropriate line. The din of excited chatter in the community center began to die down as runners headed out to congregate several hundred yards away at the start. When we were crowded together, it didn't seem as cold as it really was—about 12 degrees. A race official called the start with a voice already hoarse from talking too much to too many people too early on too cold a morning.

We trotted through neighborhood streets laughing and joking. At the lead was a runner who ran with two herding dogs who kept their bright eyes fixed on him for every second. He'd whistle periodically to keep them close by. They were in their element, helping herd us up the hill to the Agricultural Center where we would begin running the three major loops that made up the bulk of the marathon course. As the whistles faded into the distance ahead, the pack began to spread out according to varying paces. At a short turnaround near mile 2, I saw Sarah Morrissey coming back toward me moving in a fluid and relaxed way—and very, very fast. It was clear from that moment that she was having a good day. That was the last I saw of her till the finish.

I settled in to savor the joys of cold-weather running, where frozen gusts of wind whipping across the occasional field made my eyes water, cut through my clothing, and numbed my face. When approaching water stops, I normally just take a couple of cups and keep running, slopping as much water toward my mouth as I can in the hope that I can swallow enough to stay hydrated. If the rest spills all over me, I don't worry—the middle of a marathon is not the time to sip graciously. Today was an exception. I was determined not to create any more icicles on my body than the ones that would inevitably be forming over the next several hours. I slowed and drank cautiously. The water was nice and cold, too, though I think warm tea would have felt a little better.

I was concerned about the potential for monotony over the course of three loops. Surprisingly, even with the loops the course was enjoyable, with some nice rolling hills, serene woods, and open fields. Relay runners entered the course at the beginning of each loop. It was nice to slow down and socialize a little with the Loudoun Road Runners relay team. The entire route followed paved roads, so we did occasionally have to watch for cars. Wherever traffic might cross or turn onto the course, police and race officials were out in force keeping everything safe for the runners. Mile markers were staggered along the way so that you got to read the 22-mile marker three times before it really mattered—the last time. The temperature gradually crept up to a balmy 30 degrees, but I resisted the temptation to start shedding clothing.

A good part of the last two miles of the course was uphill. As I looked up the long stretch, my head told me to start walking, but my body insisted on running, not because I was feeling particularly strong but because it would be over sooner. The last couple of hundred yards follow a nondescript jogging path with no indication that it's the right way or that the finish is nearby. As the finish finally came into view, I began to think about warmth and food. Actually, I'd been thinking about warmth and food for the last several hours, but now I was only a few footsteps away. . . . I crossed the line, my face frozen in a blank rosy-cheeked stare like a smiling a ventriloquist dummy waiting for the reaction to a punch line. The first words were predictable--"I'm hungry." We made our way up to the community center for hot beverages and healthy post marathon snacks—chili, cookies, bananas, and peanut-butter sandwiches. Delicious.

We were all excited to hear about Sarah Morrissey and Harland Peelle of the Loudoun Road Runners. Sarah was the women's winner, and Harland won in the 30-35 age group. In addition to the wonderful crowd, the race really offered a good, well supported course along with superior relay options for runners who didn't want to go quite as far. Highly recommended.

February 2006

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