Tidal Basin 3k

A Runner's Ramblings: Volume 2; 30th Edition
491.39 miles raced in 2007
Race: Tidal Basin 3k
Place: Washington, DC
Miles from home: 5
Course Difficulty: 2 out of 10
Course Enjoyability: 4 out of 10
Weather: Mid 70s, bright sunshine
Finisher's Medal: N/A


As I mentioned last month I have always heard about the Tidal Basin 3ks given once a month by the DC Road Runners club. I wasn't sure if I would be around next month to give them another go so I could not miss making another run at a sub-10 minute 3k here.

Again I was shocked at that number of people who ran this month's edition of the race. There had to be nearly 80 people there.

Once again I saw my friendly rival Charlie Mercer, who was not wearing his signature too-damn-big-for-him blue shorts but rather a long-sleeved black mock turtle neck shirt. He received immediate ribbing and said if he lost to me he was blaming the shirt. I said it would be a valid point.

I saw Ted Poulos, Dan Murphy and Steve Kartalia again who took the top 3 spots last time. But I was feeling frisky. Thought perhaps I would have a shot at cracking those three.

A softly spoken "go" and away we went. Like last time, Steve was off like a shot. I was able to hold off Dan Murphy a little longer this time before he passed me as we crossed a bridge over a river which fed the Tidal Basin.

I heard footsteps and assumed it was Ted. Nope, Someone else. I hung with him for a while and THEN Ted passed me. Well, damn it.

Knowing to duck under the cherry tree blossom branches this time I didn't have to almost e decapitated. We next passed the Lincoln Memorial and ran behind it. Here finally, Ted passed both me and the unknown guy. Then Ted went onto the road when the rest of us stayed on the sidewalk. I noticed he did this last month and wondered if it was a better tangent for the S-curve ahead.

After the curve, I could see both Steve and Dan motoring away over the only bump in the course. Soon I was cresting this hill and looking forward to the homestretch. I felt I had a kick in me but also felt I was already under 10 minutes.

Knowing the straight-away was shorter than I thought I prepared for the final kick. Wait. Why could I still see Steve running? Shouldn't be done now? Damn. Where is the clock!?

It finally came into view and read 9:30. No way I can cover that distance under 30 seconds. I was right. It took me 38 seconds.

I finished 6th in 10:08 which was slower than what I hoped but not too bad. Still an 8 second PR only 9 days after a marathon PR. Guess you can do well in both at the same time, huh?

Charlie did not do as well as last month finishing in 10:30 but this was still better than his previous high. After the race, Charlie said something akin to: "I saw Dane take off like a shot and figured I would toast him in the finish. He did just run a marathon." Nevertheless, Charlie leads the battle 3-2.

Another notable was Tim Ramsey who said the weather and his training are helping him hit some really good times. You may recall Tim from running both Downhill Miles earlier this summer.

So kudos to everyone. Top 10 results below

1 Steve Kartalia 9:23
2 Dan Murphy 9:44
3 Ted Poulos 10:04
4 Tim Smith 10:07
5 Kevin Moore 10:07
6 Dane Rauschenberg 10:09
7 Tom Matzke 10:21
8 Brad Rippey 10:27
9 Charlie Mercer 10:31
10 Jeff Herrick 10:34