Running DC and Making Friends While I’m at it
I started to run several years ago because I appreciated how it was just me and the road, and no one to bother me. But as I began training for my latest marathon, I realized that it was going to take a lot more than the promise of the open to road to motivate me away from bed in the wee hours on weekend mornings.
I quickly discovered I needed moral support. Support from like-minded individuals who understood the payoff from getting up at the crack of dawn to run 18 miles on a given Sunday in the heat of summer.
And that’s when I found the Distance Training Program, lead by Coach Taneen Carvell, with Potomac River Runners. I – along with 130 runners in the DC metro area – am whipped into shape every week with long distance runs and speed training sessions at Washington & Lee High School.
In addition to these twice-weekly sessions, Coach provides detailed emails with running and stretching tips, nutrition advice, as well as safety recommendations. On top of all that, I can also email Coach as much as I’d like with any and all questions regarding training.
One of the best aspects of the group has been the introduction to some of DC’s most challenging and scenic paths. But by far the most encouraging part has been the opportunity to meet other local runners – training for anything from 10Ks to ultra marathons – who are willing to wake up before 6am on a Sunday morning to log in mileage with me.
But the group’s not all business; we often get together after long runs for picnics in Georgetown and happy hours after track sessions. The topics on hand are usually about grueling routes or the best healing ointment, but we tend to mix in your every day hot topics like the goings-on on the hill and celebrity gossip, too.
A slew of training programs are offered for beginners and advanced runners alike. If you’re interested in other endurance sports like triathlon or cycling, sessions are offered for those events, as well.
Fall training programs are starting mid-September. You can check out the schedule here.
Editor’s Note: Do you have a fun group in DC that gets you out socializing for work, health or play? If you’d like to share details about it as a guest blogger shoot me an email to editor@dceventjunkie.com.
Category: FITNESS, FITNESS EVENTS
