Team A'Hearn

Victory! After several months of training, I ran the Army Ten Miler yesterday. It was cold, rainy, and early, but what a great experience! The course was pretty flat and quick, and took us throughout downtown DC past all the best landmarks. I’m not sure what the ultimate headcount was, but over 20,000 runners were registered; it took me nine minutes just to cross the starting line! The first mile was nuts because of the congestion of runners. Miles two through nine were excellent, though, and I settled in to my goal pace and held it surprisingly comfortably. Beginning with the last mile, however, I started to experience pain unlike anything I had previously known – it was like somebody flipped the hurt switch: my hips were aching and my leg muscles felt like they would simply give out at any moment. But then as we crested the hill of I-395 southbound, I saw the finish line and started the hear the cheering crowds. There’s no remedy for such incredible body pain quite like the encouraging roar of friends and family. Anyway, 1:30:37, right at my 9-minute-mile goal! I was so thrilled! Congrats to Jules and Jen, who encouraged me to run the Ten Miler back in February – thanks for getting me off the couch! Sincerest thanks, also, to Kristin for great guidance and support throughout the months of training – I hope I made you proud!

Regardless of how you will approach the upcoming Presidential election, articles like this remind me to get the facts before walking into the voting booth. And while I’m at it, don’t forget factcheck.org.

Yesterday, as planned, I ran a nine miler to get my body more used to the distance and the duration. It went surprisingly well, and was a great confidence boost. I ran at a local park, twice around a 4.5 mile loop: the first loop in 42 minutes, the second in 41 minutes (a total of three minutes over my goal race pace). I felt very comfortable, almost at a perceived conversational pace, but my ankles and knees are pretty sore this morning. With just under two weeks to go, I’m going to concentrate on some more strength cross-training (including crunches, situps, and stationary bike) and slightly shorter distance runs. I also need to check in with my “coach” for some final training and race day guidance.

Inspired by a quote from the movie “Fight Club,” I am Jack’s complete lack of surprise.

In the world of astrophysics, there are these things called Lagrange Points. I’m not even going to pretend to know what they are, but I do know that I’ve had an L1 point satellite orbitting for about an hour now. Try yourself by clicking (and dragging for increased momentum) to “launch” a satellite.