Runner Profile - Paul Thistle

Meet Paul Thistle

Born: Abington, PA July 2, 1987

High School: Wissahickon High School, Ambler PA

College: Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove PA

PBs:

1500m - 3:53

Mile - 4:13

3000m - 8:30

5000m - 14:25

3000m Steeplechase- 9:02

Favorite Local Trails: Rock Creek

Paul's Story

Growing up I played many sports and didn't consider running until I got to  junior high school. I started with track and field and eventually got involved with cross country once I attended high school.  I experienced success and positive reinforcement so I decided to pursue both sports throughout my college years. I attended a small liberal arts institution in central PA and started to improve my times and developed a stronger desire to get faster. 

After graduation I moved to Pittsburgh but continued to train under my college coach Marty Owens. After my first year out of college  I got married and moved to Tanzania with my wife where I had a year of just easy running and no race or competition expectations.  Upon returning from Tanzania I reconnected with Marty and started training with the intention to improve times but long-term goals set on qualifying for USATF Championships in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. 

I relocated to D.C. in April and found an opportunity to work for Pacers and train with a team. I decided to join and Marty was very supportive and encouraged me to pursue the chance to work with American University coach Matt Centrowitz. 

I am excited about  the chance to work with coach Centrowitz and improve my times on the track and venture into some road races here in D.C. as a member of the NB Pacers racing team.

All Gold Everything

Penn Relays 5000m - A Race Recap From Frank DeVar

"I want what every man wants, more."

Going into racing season this year, it would be honest to say that Penn Relays was the main race I was looking forward too. The past two years I was injured well before I could even give the race a chance, so it became somewhat of a desperate mission to make it to the starting line. For all intents and purposes, my body is obsolete. Injuries plague me constantly. Every week I tell myself and my coach, “if I make it through today, I’ll make it.”

We left for the race at 4pm on a Thursday. Tripp drove, with Dustin in the backseat. It was our first road trip together. Tripp followed his instincts, and we made it the stadium around 8:00pm.

On the way up, coach Sweeney wanted to talk strategy and said if the pace was slow to take over. He went on to say that I might be passed in the last few laps but I could still kick and win. There was something about this progression that seemed ill advised, foolish, but he rarely leads me astray so I politely listened and said it was an option. For music, Tripp put on 80’s pop and Trinidad James. He knows how to ease the nerves.

"Gold all in my chain

Gold all in my ring

Gold all in my watch

Don’t believe jus’ watch"

-Trinidad James

At the starting line, I stood next to my teammate Chris Kwiatkowski, and Ryan Witters from Georgetown Running Company. The number one seed had flown in from Flagstaff so I figured he must be in good shape.  Some daffy kid led the first few laps and kept asking for help. I wanted to talk to him afterwards and tell him that it is not a team sport, and no one will ever help him.

After five laps or so, Dustin starts yelling at me with true contempt. He says it’s too slow, and I need to do something about it. Never have I had a coach sound like this, nor have I ever followed directions from a coach in a race. This time was different, I scooted around the pack and dropped the pace down a few tics.  This went on for the next 5 or so laps. Leading is not great, the pace soon slowed down again. With around a K to go, Chris K ran along side me and then passes me. The flagstaff runner follows suit. With a lap to go, Dustin yells at me that I would win the race. He was right.

My last lap was in 58 seconds. I’ve never closed that fast. An official brought me over to present the Penn Relays watch and take pictures. My father was in the crowd. I talked to him. It was a wonderful experience. 

A few days later, this achievement has worn off, and I oddly feel little satisfaction.

Results:

http://pennrelaysonline.com/Results/results.aspx?en=212

PL	ID	ATHLETE	SCHOOL/AFFILIATION	MARK
1	5	Frank Devar	Pacers New Balance	14:03.36
2	1	Adam Vess	Run Flagstaff	14:04.85
3	2	Chris Kwiatkowski	Pacers New Balance	14:13.57
4	14	Brent Johnson	Trooper's Track Club	14:34.94
5	17	Scotty Albaugh	Michigan	14:34.94

Runner Profile - Edmund Burke

Meet Edmund Burke

Born: July 17, 1969

HS: Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, CA, 1987

College: College of Notre Dame, Belmont, CA, 1991; San Francisco State University,
1995

PRs:
5 miles: 24:19 (2003)
10 miles: 49:18 (1998)
½ Marathon: 1:06:23 (2003)
Marathon: 2:21:47 (2003)

Favorite Local Races: GW Parkway 10-Miler; Alexandria Turkey Trot 5-Miler.

Favorite Local Trail: Capitol Crescent Trail

Edmund’s Story:
30 years ago, all 70 of my classmates and I (at an all-boys school in Ireland) had to run a 3-mile cross country race. Amazingly, I won. I wasn't a very good student or athlete, so when I discovered I was a halfway decent runner…I kept running! (I had never trained until a few days before the race, but after the race I ran for 120 days in a row!) That race changed my life.

Running is a generous sport. I've had the pleasure of running for Coach Centrowitz for the past 18 years (and running for Pacers for half of those years), and calling hundreds of teammates “friends.” Some highlights have been winning a Conference 10,000m in college, running a PR at the 1998 Cherry Blossom 10-Miler, and racing in the 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

I’m looking forward to competing in local races this winter and tackling a marathon in the spring. The first 30 years have been fantastic – so I’m going to keep running!

Runner Profile - Kristi Markowicz

Meet Kristi Markowicz

Born:  April 23, 1970

HS:  University of San Diego High School, 1988

College:  UCLA, 1992

PRs:
800m--2:13 1988
1500m--4:31 1988
5K (road)--17:25  2003
10K (road)--36:08 2003
10mile--60:50  2010
1/2 marathon--1:20.42  2010
Marathon--3:07.16  2003

Favorite Local Race Course:  Veteran's Day 10K
Favorite Local Trail:  Capital Crescent

Kristi's Story:
I have been a runner ever since I can remember.  I come from a running family--my dad was a member of World Cross Country teams and qualified for the Olympic Trials in events from the 5K to marathon.  I spent a lot of my childhood at road races and tracks in Southern California and Northern Virginia and ran my first 10K when I was 6 years old (62 minutes!)

My real passion for running was as a track runner.  When I was 12, I ran a 2:23 800m and 4:48 1500m.  In high school, I was nationally ranked in the 800 and 1500 (5th--1988) and placed 6th in the CA Track and Field State Meet in the 800m (1988).  I also ran cross country but didn't like it as much as the track!  I attended UCLA where I ran for 2 years.  My first year went well.  I ran in the NCAA Cross Country Meet and made the PAC-10 final in the 1500.  But after a second year that wasn't as successful, I stopped competing for UCLA.

My love of running never really stopped though.  I continued to run for fitness for several years but focused on having a career (elementary school teacher), getting married and starting a family.  After my first son was born in 1999, I started road racing.  Since I had never really focused on road races, it was like a new sport for me!  And I found that I hadn't lost my speed nor competitive spirit.  So I started running longer races that in my youth I never thought I would do.  I now have four children--three boys and a girl--ranging in ages from 13 to 4.  I am fortunate to be able to stay home with them, which gives me a little more freedom and time to run than if I had to work.  My husband is a 20 year US Naval Officer, so I have been able to run on teams in Honolulu, San Diego, and now Pacers.

After spending the last year injured, I am finally getting back into racing shape.  I hope to keep racing and running as long as my body will tolerate it!  I still have the long term goal of a sub 3 hour marathon in mind, but only if my body will take it!

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.

Runner Profile - Jeff Brannigan

Meet Jeff Brannigan

Born and raised in Staten Island, NY. Date of birth: may 1st, 1989.
High school: Curtis high school
College: American University

Pb's:
1500- 3:49
3000- 8:13
5000- 14:14

Favorite local trails: rock creek/ capital crescent trail

Jeff's Story:
I played soccer and baseball for most of my childhood and knew I wanted to try out for some kind of team when I got to high school. A friend suggested I give the cross country team a try ....and I've been running ever since.

I was fortunate enough to meet Coach Matt Centrowitz my senior year in high school and decided that I wanted to come to DC and attended American University while to train and compete under Coach Centrowitz.

Throughout my college career Centrowitz helped me to make great improvements as a runner and as a person, which is why I have decided to stay put in DC and continue my running career in hopes to reach my true potential.

The ultimate goal for this year is to qualify for USA national outdoor track and field championships in the 5000 meters.

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

Runner Profile - Steve Hallinan

Meet Steve Hallinan

Born: Philadelphia, PA March 16, 1986
High School: Cardinal O'Hara High School,
Springfield, PA
College: American University

PBs:
1500m - 3:44
Mile - 4:02
3000m - 8:09
5000m - 14:01
10 Miles - 49:12
Half Marathon - 64:35

Favorite Local Trails: Rock Creek/C&O Canal

Steve's Story:
I started running at a young age.  My grade school offered Cross Country for 4th graders, so at age 9 I followed my older sisters foot steps and began running.  I also played basketball and baseball, but my tall skinny figure steered me away from the contact sports and to running exclusively.  I had good success in track and cross country in high school, and that, with a scholarship, brought me to DC and American University.  Under the tutelage of my coach, 2-time Olympian Matt Centrowitz, I qualified for four NCAA Championships in cross country, won numerous conference championships (individual and team), and was a 3-time Academic All-American.

After graduation, I thought my running career was going to be over.  However, when the fall cross country season came around, the itch to compete was still there.  I moved back to DC and started competing for Pacers.  I kept contact with the shorter track races, but also went up in distance and started dabbling in the 10 mile and half marathon distances. This past year I qualified for the Olympic Trials in the Marathon, but in my first attempt at this distance at the Trials had to step off at mile 18 because of a knee issue.

My short term goal is to allow my body to rest up after 12 years of intense racing.  But I could see myself tackling the marathon in the future.