Jingle All The Way 8k - Race Recap

THE KWIATKOWSKI-BRANNIGAN DUO CLEAN UP, AGAIN

Race recap:

Chris K and Jeff B shared the lead with several others from the gun.  Their first mile was a casual 5:05. Miles two and three were slightly faster thanks to random surges from local Africans.  Classic Yo-Yo racing.  At the 3 mile mark, Chris K had enough of their games and surged to the lead.  Teammate Jeff Brannigan came along for the ride, but Chris would eventually gap Jeff by about 20 seconds. Chris K had a finishing time of 24:01 and Jeff Brannigan finished 2nd in 24:23. The top 5 finishers all broke the 25 minute barrier.

Local elite road-racers are becoming all too familiar with Chris' racing technique, but there's not much they can do about it.  Chris is extremely fit right now.

Edmund Burke had another great race, running 26:36.  Good for 13th place.

Another great Pacers Event.

GALLAGHER ADDS ANOTHER WIN TO 2012

Kerri's race recap:

Lining up behind Santa, I knew it was going to be a good day!

It had rained pretty heavily that morning, but lightened up by race start.  Although there was some windy stretches, I thought the weather was pretty solid for December 9th.  The race went out quickly from the gun, but I was able to keep a pretty even 5:30 until the 4th mile.  The course had a lot of turns which wasn't ideal for time but ended up being helpful in other ways.  The crowd was electric and bursting with holiday spirit!  It was a lot of fun to run with elves, reindeer, the Holy Family and (my favorite) the Christmas Story bunny pajama group!  Despite the cheery atmosphere I managed to slow down by about 15 seconds in the fourth mile, but pulled it together for an 8k personal best!

Other members of the Pacers New Balance squad finish 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 12th.

Erin Koch and Barbara Fallon Wallace worked together most of the race running times of  28:30 and 28:35 respectively. Erin was instructed by Coach Centrowitz to treat this race like a workout.

Lauren Centrowitz averaged 5:57's for the 8 kilometers, running 29:34.

And Kristi Markowicz was the first Female Master's runner in a time of 31:05.

A great all around day for the Ladies on Pacers New Balance Racing Team.

Results Here
Photos Courtesy of SWIM BIKE RUN PHOTO

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

Runner Profile - Matthew Barresi

Meet Matt Barresi

Born: Washington, DC February 8, 1983
HS: Atholton High School, Columbia, MD
College: American University, Washington, DC 2005 & 2011

PRs:
5K - 14:32
10K - 30:59
Half Marathon -  1:08:38
Marathon - 2:25:11

Favorite Local Race Course - Parkway Classic 10-Miler
Favorite Local Trail: W&OD

Matt's Story:
I started running as a freshman in high school and left my life as a competitive gymnast to become "just a runner" when I was 16.  After completing my high school career as a distance runner and pole vaulter, I walked on to the American University team.  I ended my college experience as a member of AU's Patriot League Champion, NCAA qualifying XC team and with a 3rd place finish in the Patriot League Championship 10,000m race. I continued training under AU's Matt Centrowitz after graduation with eyes on qualifying for the Marathon Olympic Trials.

I originally studied visual communication, but after 3 years in the workforce came back to AU for graduate school and a full-time position coordinating the University's faculty and staff wellness program. My wife, Joy, who I met running on the W&OD trail, and my one year old daughter, Vienna, are my biggest supporters.

My goals for this year are to get fully healthy so that I can get back on the line representing Pacers and to run a fast spring marathon.

Veterans Day 10k - Race Preview

FLAT, FAST, & BORING

Details:

Date: Sunday, November 11, 2012

Location: West Potomac Park (Aka Hains Point) - Washington, DC
Start Time: 8AM
Distance: 10K Race

Register Here.

More Important Details:

Who's running it from Pacers? 

Men:

• Frank DeVar - Defending Champ, Coached by Dustin Sweeney
• Chris Kwiatkowski - Fresh off a 49:06 Ten Miler, Coached by Matthew Centrowitz Sr.
• Tripp Southerland - PR'ing left n right, Coached by Dustin Sweeney
• Jeff Brannigan - Always in shape, Coached by Matthew Centrowitz Sr.
• Charles Bowles - Ponytail and all, self coached.

Women:

• Kerri Gallagher - Hasn't lost a race since Vietnam, Coached by Matthew Centrowitz Sr.
• Erin Koch - Gets faster with every race, Coached by Matthew Centrowitz Sr.
• Kelly Devine - Only two weeks removed from MCM, Coached by Dustin Sweeney
• Erin Swain Taylor - Sub 60 Ten Miler and 2:52 'thoner is coming back from having a baby, currently self-coached.
• Barbara Fallon Wallace - The 38 year old has at least 3 wins in 2012, currently self-coached.
• Kristi Markowicz - 42 and mother of 4, on the comeback trail from a long injury but has some solid times under her belt over the past 2 years, currently self-coached. 

Others, that are on the fence:

• Derik Thomas
• Lisa Thomas
• Kelly Swain - Sister of Erin Swain.
• Shannon Miller - DNS at INGNYC12, if she can't get into Richmond she'll be out there Sunday. Coached by Dustin Sweeney.

Here's what you'll think is happening on November 11th:
On the men's side, we have four young guns that all race for Pacers New Balance and are looking to sweep the field.  They will all work together hoping to secure the top four spots.

On the women's side, Kerri and Erin are looking to go 1, 2 and set personal bests along the way. Erin Swain and Barbara Fallon Wallace will definitely be up front as well. The two marathoners, Kelly and Shannon, will likely take it out a bit slower and hope to close the gap over the last 5 kilometers.

Here's the skinny on November 11th:
What we have here is four teammates running under two different coaches with very different coaching styles. While the Pacers boys are all friendly to each other and fine, they actually like each other, they're also extremely competitive. Chris K wants the "W" just as bad as Frank D wants to defend last year's victory.  Jeff B wants to close the gap on the two talented front runners just as bad as Tripp S wants revenge from his second place finish at Clarendon Day 5k (JB dropped TS over the last mile).


"Oh, it's a grudge match.  There's no doubt about it."
- Coach Dustin Sweeney

"No comment."
- Coach Matthew Centrowitz


As far as the ladies go, Kerri will be tough to beat.  She's currently ON FIRE with three back to back to back wins.  But you can't write off Erin. With a few fall races under her belt, Erin keeps improving and she's tough as nails. No doubt she'll make things interesting.  Look for the women to hug and kiss each other at the starting line and then come swinging when the gun goes off.

The NYC cancellation is probably the best thing that could have happened to Shannon Miller as she's still on the comeback trail from a recent injury.  If she doesn't get into the Richmond half marathon, she'll be out there.  She's in good marathon shape. So how will that translate to a flat 10k for her?

Speaking of marathons and 10k's, also coached by D Sweeney, Kelly Devine is going to be out there. Her nickname is "slow twitch" so we expected a fast recovery from MCM.  She claims she's not racing Sunday, but we all know how that goes...




As with any Washington DC race, you never know who might show up on race day. Local red-shirt collegiate runners, money-hungry Africans, or the always competitive George Town Running Company. We welcome them, because we all know: Better competition = faster times. And isn't that what we are all trying to do here?  RUN FAST.

The Course

As the title of this blog indicates, this course is flat, fast, and boring. While flat and boring are certain, fast is often dependent on weather. (reader thinking:  How does this differ from any other race?  I'm always worried about the weather)

Well reader, have you ever run Hains Point before?  Kelly Devine has, in the 2012 Marine Corp Marathon, during Hurricane Sandy. (Read her blog here)   Hains Point runs along the Potomac River.  If it's even the slightest bit windy on November 11th, you'll be exposed, just like you were in that dream where you showed up to school in your underwear.

However, man-made Hains Point is as flat as a pancake. So, if the wind keeps calm both you and your grandmother will run a personal best. It's an out and back course from the polo fields near Lincoln Memorial.  At the turn around you'll see who is in front of you and who is behind you and you'll know what to expect over the last 5k... More of the same.  Stay focused and (personal) victory is yours.

Weather

0% Chance of rain. Low Wind. No Excuses.

Dinero


Overall M/F
First Place: $100
Second Place: $90
Third Place: $80
Fourth Place: $70
Fifth Place: $60


Pride and money are on the line. Come watch this nail bitter.  
We promise to make the race less boring than the course.

Kelly Devine's MCM Race Recap

Pre-Race Training Thoughts:
Training for Marine Corps went very well. I had not completed a marathon since January of 2008. A stress fracture in the fall of 2008 then took me away from running for 6 months, and defeated a bit of my mental racing state. I knew in the spring that I wanted to again race my favorite distance. While training, much of my workouts consisted of long runs at marathon pace (6:40) which had me feeling confident and comfortable as the race approached.

Forecast, Oh the Forecast:
The forecast for Sunday was less than ideal. With Hurricane Sandy approaching, the forecast predicted a change of rain and wind up to 20 mph. Certainly not ideal weather in which to race a marathon but I knew I would put my best out there and take it on one mile at a time.

The Race:
The Marine Corps Marathon offers its rolling hills in the first 8 miles of the course. I was able to approach this well, keeping pace when the course was flat, adding a bit of time on the hills, and taking off a bit on the down hills. I was exactly where I needed to be coming into Georgetown and approaching mile 9. The crowd support was amazing, offering so many familiar faces cheering. I ran through mile 10 in 66:40 and headed into Haines Point.

On our way to Haines Point, the wind gusts became noticeable and I knew the battle with the wind had begun, one I was willing to fight with everything I had. Still strong and pushing on, I crossed the half in 1:27:10. Normally Marine Corps is a good marathon for negative splitting, however the increasing winds as the morning went on made this goal a challenge. The backside of Haines Point brought stronger wind gusts and I found my struggle increasing. I continued to work hard, trying to work with other runners when I
could and maximize moments of more calm air.

Miles 15-22 brought on a greater challenge yet as the course took us around the capital and back towards the 14th Street Bridge. The winds in this section were so strong and the race seemed surreal. Again, I was determined to continue the battle and fought to keep my pace, still on target, beginning to notice the fatigue that came with the miles and the battle against the conditions.

Between miles 22 and 23 was when I started to feel my body exhaust. It had fought a long and hard battle and with 3.5 miles to go I could tell it was running out of steam and strength to continue the journey. My quads began to ache and my overall body began to feel worn. The extra energy exerted to battle the wind took more than I had to give. My pace slowed from 6:30-6:45 and I began to see some 7:30-8:00 minute mile splits. Thankfully, I still had support cheering in Crystal City and the last stretch of route 110. After struggling through the last chunk of the marathon, I crossed the line in 3:01, a few minutes shy of my 2:55 goal, finishing in 12th place.

Post-Race Thoughts:
Though my time was not what I had hoped it would be, the race was everything I could have asked for. I was reminded of why I love this distance, the marathon, which brings such an unpredictable experience as it challenges us to extremes.



Results Here

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.