The Pacers New Balance Team is Growing in Bounds and Leaps

Due to great word-of-mouth, the Pacers-New Balance team has expanded their roster greatly over the summer with a great number of talented runners with the potential to make PNB the best elite running team in the greater D.C. area. 

We're pleased to announce new additions Sue Jin Ahn (Duke University), James Kostelnik (Duke University), Matt Kroetch (Oakton/Virginia Tech), Eddie Judge (Virginia Tech), Kieran Lee (Virginia Tech), Chris Wailzer (Virginia Tech), Daniel Day (La Salle), Rich Harris (UMass), Jarrett Van Tine, and John Schroeder (Dartmouth). Due to the summer rush, we (the nickname bestowing committee) haven't had time to come up with any nicknames but stay tuned because we're coming up with some doozies to premiere on this site. 

With the team's added depth, Pacers New Balance is thrilled to have two teams competing in the Army 10-Miler October 20th in Arlington. Both teams will be coed and they will be divided into an A and B team. the team will also have an extra bout of confidence as PNB boasts defending champion Kerri Gallagher won the women's race last year in a time of 56:09.. 

 

Women's USATF 1500m Championship

Race Recap from Kerri Gallagher

The whole USATF Championships was an unbelievable experience.  I was considerably more nervous for the first round than the second round, interestingly enough.  Coming into the USA Championships, I knew if I could make the final I would be very happy with myself and satisfied with the progress I made this year.  I think I was more nervous for the first round than the final! 

Characteristically, my heat went out slow.  We were pretty packed through the 800 mark. After that, the race really started moving.  I stayed in the back until about 600 meters to go.  I knew if I wasn't in position to move at the bell, it wasn't likely I was going make it to the final.  Through 1200 meters I was able to move up and I found myself in 5th coming into the last straightaway.  I thought my time alone could earn me a qualifying spot in the final, but I wasn't about to take any chances.  I put my head down, dug deep and picked off two women in the last 100m to grab the last automatic qualifying spot in my heat!

The final was a completely different race. Knowing that absolutely anything could happen, my plan was to just stay as relaxed as possible through the last 600 meters. It wasn't too hard to stay relaxed as the race went out in 84 seconds for the first lap and came through 800 meters in 2:40.  It honestly felt like we were jogging.  I knew it was going to be a heck of a last lap.  With 600 meters to go people started shuffling and I ended up in the back on the inside (not a good spot) and I heard Coach Centrowitz yelling at me to get to the outside NOW.  I knew he meant it.  

Just before the bell lap, I dropped back and swung VERY wide.  At that point, the real race started and I went with them.  It was all or nothing!  I passed a number of women on the back straight away and came into the final stretch in 5th.  It was incredible!  (Editor’s Note: Kerri closed her last lap 59 seconds)

I am so thankful to Pacers and New Balance for this opportunity and proud to be a Pacer!!  Looking forward to the next one!

Photos Courtesy of - Michael Scott Running Photos

Veterans Day 10k - Race Recap

PACERS-NB RACING TEAM

(From right to left, men: Matthew Barresi, Jeff Brannigan, Chris Kwiatkowski, Edmund Burke, Tripp Southerland, Frank DeVar, Derik Thomas... Women: Erin Taylor, Barbara Fallon Wallace, Kristi Markowicz, Kelly Devine, Kerri Gallagher)

November 11th, 2012

Weather - Ideal

Competition - There

Excuses - Unavailable

The Men's Race:

Chris Kwiatkowski took the race out hard.  He strung along fellow teammates Jeff Brannigan and Frank DeVar as well as two Africans, two Georgetown Running Company guys, and recent UNC-Greensboro graduate Joey Thompson. Close behind Tripp Southerland led a tight chase pack of 6 or 7 guys through the mile in 4:53. The two packs stay fairly intact for the first 5k out along Hains Point. The real race was run in the final 5 kilometers....

Chris K is the first to make a move just after the turn around. He maintained his lead all the way to the line. Winning in 29:47.

Not ten seconds behind Chris, Joey Thompson and Frank DeVar were battling it out for the second spot. While the two both broke 30 minutes, 29:56 and 29:58, Thompson was rewarded the runner-up spot.

Jeff Brannigan had fallen another 30 seconds back and finished 4th, in 30:26.  A well-deserved personal best.

Matt Barresi and Tripp Southerland, worked together for the majority of the race, taking the 6th and 7th spots in 31:36 and 31:41, respectively.

Quick PacersNB Recap:
Chris K - 1st, 29:47  (Road PR, 5-6 seconds off track PB)
Frank D - 3rd, 29:59 (PB, first time under 30)
Jeff B - 4th, 30:26 (Big PB)
Matt B - 6th, 31:36 (Solid first race of the season, #comeback)
Tripp S - 7th, 31:41 (Big PB)
Edmund Burke - 20th, 33:00 (1st Male Masters Runner)
Derik Thomas - 32nd, 34:25 (Big PB)


The other local elite team, Georgetown Running Club, was in attendance and took second place in the team standings. PacersNB was able to put 5 men in front of GRC's first.

The Women's Race:

Kerri Gallagher - 2nd, 35:16
Barbara Fallon Wallace - 5th, 36:21
Erin Taylor - 13th, 38:14
Kristi Markowicz - 16th, 39:02 (1st Female Masters Runner)
Kelly Devine - 23rd, 41:22

Carmen Hussar from Birmingham, AL, ran a very impressive 33:45 for first overall female. Kerri Gallagher, from PacersNB, led our women's team to a second place finish, running just off her personal best. Carmen extinguished Kerri's "on fire" status, but at the same time lit a fire under Kerri.

Barbara Fallon Wallace ran a very impressive race, averaging 5:51 pace.

Erin Taylor ran a great personal best.

Kristi Markowicz continues a successful comeback taking the first masters position in 39:02.

Kelly Devine knows one gear; 6:40 pace.  Marathon or a 10k two weeks later, she's running 6:40s. 

A very successful day all around for the Pacers-New Balance racing team.

"If you can't run fast on a day like today, you'll never run fast."

- Frank DeVar minutes before learning he had broke 30 minutes in the 10K

Results Here
Team Results Here
Photos by SwimBikeRun

Erin Koch's Army 10 Race Recap

Going into the race I was not sure what to expect.  I had an easy summer, taking some time off to deal with a hip and plantar issue.  I knew I was rounding into shape, but had not raced much or very far for that matter.  The Clarendon 5k was all I had done in last few months.  I wanted to start conservative, but had an end goal of besting my previous year’s time (57.48).  I decided that even though I may not currently be as fit, I would have experience on my side this time around having done a ten miler before.   I wanted to find a rhythm and let my muscle memory and body take over from there.

Heading towards the starting line was a little hectic to say the least.  Kerri Gallagher and I jogged over from Pentagon Row Pacer’s Store and found that the starting waves were already backed up.  We had to hop a median and run up the outside.  We squeezed in about 15-20 rows back from the start, and so we really had no idea where the other female runners were when the gun went off.  

The first mile Kerri and I found ourselves dodging in and out of people.  We hit the first mile at 5.40 and I felt really good.  All of the dodging kept my mind occupied. 

The next two miles were all about looking for female runners ahead of me and picking off as many as I could while maintaining my rhythm.  It was a weird feeling not to know how many female runners were ahead of me or where they were. Mile 2 was another 5.40 and Mile 3 was a 5.33.

During Mile 4- 5, I see two female runners ahead of me and slowly try to cut down the distance between them and I.  I can see myself getting closer and closer, and have to remind myself to be patient.  Part of me wants to sprint up to them, but I know that a burst would come back to bite me.  I clock  a 5.39 and a 5.42.  At the start of Mile 6 I pass both females.  One tries to stick on, but I seems as though I have finally dropped her.  I refuse to turn around and check.  Mile 6 I clock another 5.42.  Mile 7 I find myself in “no man’s land”.  I have no idea how in such a large race I am without a pack to chase down or run with, so I begin focusing on random individuals.  Mile 7 I clock another 5.42.

Mile 8-9:  I let myself relax. Too much!  I know I am at a point where I am not going to catch the lead women and I believe I have lost the two females I passed in Mile 6.   Mentally I checked out.   I clock a much slower Mile 8 around 5.50.  I let this aggravate me and run another slow 9^th mile (around 5.55), not feeling very good.  Coach always says “mind leads the body”.  I mentally checked out which caused me to physically shut down.

I remember that I am a miler, 

and that I have closing speed on my side.

Mile 10:  Right before we reach the final mile, the two females that I had passed in Mile 6 pass me and start to gap me.  I was shocked.  I had no idea they were still there.  I almost let them go, but then my competitive drive kicks in.  I remember that I am a miler, and that I have closing speed on my side.  I pull up behind them.  One of the women starts to go early only for us to reel her back in.  With a half a mile to go, I start opening up and make a hard move.   I pass both women and knowI have to carry this to the line.  

Coming down the final stretch I can hear the top three women being announced.  I take note that my training partner Kerri Gallagher has won!  I use that excitement to dig even deeper as the finish line comes into view.  I close in 5.30 mile, finishing 5^th. 

It is a good starting point, but I have a lot of work to do!  I hope to improve upon this performance in upcoming road races this Fall.  

Results 1 - 10 of 21956	Results Per Page:   10  25  50  100
2012 Army Ten-Miler

Bib	First Name	Last Name	Age	Gender	10k Split	Clock Time	Net Time	City	State	Country	Place	Div Place	Gender Place	Division
129	KERRI	GALLAGHER	23	F	0:34:59	0:56:09	0:56:09	WASHINGTON	DC		80	1	1	****WOMEN -- OPEN****	certificate
20	AZIZA	ALIYA-ABATE	27	F	0:35:02	0:56:10	0:56:10	ELLICOTT CITY	MD	ETHIOPIA	83	2	2	****WOMEN -- OPEN****	certificate
25	TEZATA	DENGERSA	32	F		0:56:26	0:56:26	ELLICOTT CITY	MD	ETHIOPIA	88	3	3	****WOMEN -- OPEN****	certificate
14	KELLY	CALWAY	28	F	0:35:09	0:56:39	0:56:39	MANITOU SPRINGS	CO		93	1	4	WOMEN -- 25 THROUGH 29	certificate
139	ERIN	KOCH	24	F	0:35:20	0:57:18	0:57:12	CHEVY CHASE	MD		115	1	5	WOMEN -- 20 THROUGH 24	certificate
36	MEAGAN	NEDLO	29	F	0:35:23	0:57:24	0:57:21	SALEM	MA		119	2	6	WOMEN -- 25 THROUGH 29	certificate
522	CHELSEA	PRAHL	22	F	0:35:28	0:57:26	0:57:25	GREENVILLE	MI		126	2	7	WOMEN -- 20 THROUGH 24	certificate
867	ANGIE	ZEIDAN	31	F		0:58:05	0:57:41	FALLS CHURCH	VA		134	1	8	WOMEN -- 30 THROUGH 34	certificate
30815	GINA	SLABY	31	F	0:35:59	0:58:09	0:58:05	TUCSON	AZ		143	2	9	WOMEN -- 30 THROUGH 34	certificate
23	GABRIELA	TRANA	32	F	0:35:59	0:58:27	0:58:25	ELLICOTT CITY	MD	COSTA RICA	154	3	10	WOMEN -- 30 THROUGH 34	certificate

Kerri Gallagher's Army 10 Miler Race Recap

Courtesy of Kerri Gallagher, 

here's what it's like to win the world's largest 10 miler.

Going into the race I was hoping to start at or around 5:45 mile pace and work my way down, if possible, otherwise maintain that pace.  The race starts and the first mile is about trying to find a good pack and pace to settle into. I hit the first mile in 5:40. Not too far off.   After the first mile I find Erin Koch, my Pacers New Balance team mate and we make our way through the crowd, keeping our eyes open for the women ahead of us. We came through Mile 2 in 5:35.    

Miles 3 and 4 go by, the pace quickening.  We've passed the 5th and 6th women.  One of these miles is just under 5:30. Passing the 4 mile mark I see the lead pack of three women.  I work my way up to them and pass them before the 5 mile mark.  I’m in the lead, but know the others are close behind.  

Mile 6 rolls by and my pace is slowing a bit.  I knew I’d pay for that 5:30 mile, but hope to keep within the 5:40 range.  The second place woman passes me at mile 7. I respond and retake the lead shortly after.  Miles 8 and 9 pass relatively event free. In the final mile, someone runs up by my side to let me know I have barely 10 meters on second place.  I hit the 9 mile mark and try to start moving knowing this is my last shot.  As we approach the last 300 meters or so something tells me I need to go! 

I opened up and finished maybe a stride ahead of second. 

It was an exciting finish and overall a great race, but the real story that day was the wounded warriors.  To run with them and see how much they’ve overcome to be out there that day is truly an inspiration. Through all they’ve sacrificed they continue to give back in ways they may not even realize.  God bless our troops!

By Kerri Gallagher

Photo's courtesy of Andrew Rader - See more here.

Results - Here.

Runner Profile - Kerri Gallagher

Meet Kerri Gallagher

Born: Brooklyn, NY May 31, 1989

High School: Bishop Kearney, Brooklyn NY

College: Fordham University, Bronx NY

PRs: 800m - 2:06.7
1000m - 2:47
1500m - 4:16
5k (road) - 17:28
10k (road) - 34:24


Favorite Local Race: Clarendon Day 10k
Favorite Local Run: Georgetown Trails

Kerri's Story:
Although I started high school as a basketball player, I quickly
learned my place was on the Cross Country/Track team.  I started
running my Sophomore year and fell in love with the sport.  I was
lucky enough to be recruited by the track coach at Fordham University
and spent four years competing as a ram in the A10 Conference.

At Fordham I set one individual school record in the indoor 800m and
was a member of four school record relay teams.  I was A10 champion in
the 1000m and Mile indoors and 800m outdoors.  As a junior and senior
I qualified for the regionals in the 800m and 1500 respectively.

After graduating with a B.S. in Mathematics in 2011, I moved to D.C.
to work at Pacers Pentagon Row and train under American University
Cross Country coach Matt Centrowitz.  As part of his program and with
the Pacers New Balance team, I have seen great improvement and met a
number of amazing people.  I hope to qualify for the USA National
Championship this summer and look forward to the opportunity to
represent Pacers New Balance this coming year.