In the spring of 2007 Kendra and I moved to Baltimore, MD. We didn't know anybody there - so I went online to find out if there were any running groups in the area. My search led me to Falls Road Running Store - where I met owner Jim Adams. He pointed me to a group that had been formed by a University of Maryland runner, Ryan McGrath. Little did I know what was in store for me.
Ryan is a unique individual. He is a man of contrasts - it's difficult to pin down exactly how to describe him. But one thing that's for sure is that he is very committed to his role as Baltimore running impresario. To understand what I mean you need to go to the team's blogsite.
There are a lot of things going on. First, is a review of results from the previous weekend - including an award called the "Purple Drink Athlete of the Week." On the right column there is a box that shows races, names, and times for the previous week. I counted 22 people listed from the previous week - which is probably about average.
You might have noticed the poll at the top right of the blog. This is usually something silly (this week is who is your favorite British Harry - Harry Styles from One Direction, Prince Harry, or Harry Potter).
Then there is a list of birthdays for the current month, upcoming running events, a tool to help you find a group run (based on the day of the week and your location), list of other blogs, quotes, running links, top 10 lists for the group, etc. And all of these are updated fairly regularly.
Other than to show you how one man has used his obsessive compulsive disorder to bring good into the world - I wanted to show you why I started this blog. In 2007 runner blogs in the Baltimore/D.C. area were popping up like worms after the rain. I would say there were close to a dozen of us who have written blogs at one point or another. An example of another runner who has kept it up all these years is Jake Klim and his "Red Fox" blog. Jake lives in DC and runs for Georgetown Running Company - and is an outstanding runner.
My point is that, although I'm now far away, I still feel like this blog is part of that community. The running group and the people I met in Baltimore really energized my love of running. There are many things that I wouldn't have even tried if I hadn't been part of Team That's What She Said - including triathlons.
Runners are special people. There's no place I've lived where I haven't been close friends with at least a few of them - but the group in Baltimore is even unique among running groups. So, thank you Ryan and thank you friends in Baltimore/DC. For better or worse - you guys are a big reason why I keep writing this blog and keep competing.
Here is what I did last week:
5/5-5/11
Monday - 3000y swim (1 hour)
Tuesday - 56 mile bike (3 hours)
Wednesday - Morning: 3000y swim (1 hour) Afternoon: 6 mile run (45 min)
Thursday - 36 mile bike (2 hours)
Friday - 3000y swim (1 hour) 6 mile run (45 min)
Saturday - 56 mile bike (3 hours)
Sunday - 17 mile run (2 hours)
Total - Swim: 3 hours Bike: 8 hours Run: 3.5 hours (14.5 hours)
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