The Stats Runners/Walkers: 100 Temperature: 58°

One new runner visiting from Frankfurt Germany

Location: Issac Newton Square, Off the West side of Wiehle Ave, a block North of Sunset Hills Road

Breakfast: Hosted reception at the Sport and Health Club of Reston at Issac Newton Square. A special thank you to the Club for providing breakfast goodies and offering their much appreciated hospitality.

The Chat

Think about this Saturday’s run/walk. If you were there and experienced the absolutely glorious day, then you saw first hand the eager faces of the regular and not-so-regular Reston Runners and walkers. Typically, the runner to walker mix was about equal. Today was no different. If you were not there, but wished you were, too bad. It was spectacular. Jerry L. tells me he spoke with our Germany visitor about various running topics to include “hash house harriers” or “hashing” for short. Our Germany friend says he was not aware of any running activity like that in Frankfurt. Finding this hard to believe, Jerry did what most people do these days when they don’t “know” the answer to something. He “Googled” it!. Sure enough, there was a huge Frankfurt “hashing” website. Aren’t web search engines as great as sliced bread?

Let’s take this “knowing” thing one step further. Suppose you were a Reston Runner, but had volunteered to help the club manage the finish line and time a race in Manassas for the Manassas Police 5K run to benefit the policemen’s children scholarship fund. If you were there, you would “know” you are helping out the Reston Runners and contributing your time and skill to making the Manassas race a well run and profitable event for the local police department. Right? I “know” that along with other Reston Runners, Will F, Katharine H, Jarrett M, Kevin H, John and Maria N & Mom, Brian, Harold J, and Ellen M we preformed a good deed and had a great time.

History also tells us something about “knowing”. You didn’t have to be there when the Declaration of Independence was signed to understand its importance. You and I were not there when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. Most of us “know” that as a special event. I understand that there are a few Reston Runners that give credence to the moon landing as a Hollywood studio production, but what do the “know”. With this background I really think it shows that “knowing” something by actually have been there is somewhat over rated. It is very possible that someone could report on the spirit and meaning of an event like the Saturday run without physically being there. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it.

The Stats Runners/Walkers: 80 Temperature: 58°

Announcements: 1. Moshe F, our Gungadin leader, thanked last month’s volunteers and welcomed the May water and Gatorade sherpas. Don’t forget. You too can help your fellow Reston Runners by sending your name to water@restonrunners.org and sign up for H2O detail. What a great way to earn a special t-shirt. 2. Two new walkers joined today’s event from Australia and Ireland. They are new to Reston and we invite them back. We hope you had a great walk. 3. One new runner accompanied the group today. She and her family are new to the area and she is getting an early start on training for the Marine Corps Marathon. 4. Lea G did the snapshot honors and had all 80 of us pose for a group picture. That picture would make a nice gift. Any suggestions?

Location: Lake Anne Elementary School

The Chat

Today’s course, like many of the Reston Runners courses, included all the running challenges. There were hills, long straight-aways, wondering paths, and hills (did I mention hills), and opportunities to dodge traffic. However, there was one feature that made today’s run exceptional�"The Weather. Reston Runners have a tradition that we run rain or shine. There are times when weather has limited the crowd, but today was not one of them. Weather was our friend.

Leslie S and Pat B both won age group awards in Greensboro on Sunday.  Leslie's mom did pretty OK too! She is 80 years old and got 1st in her age group in the 5K. To complete the family affair Leslie’s sister got a 2nd age group award in the 5K. Leslie describes the race as “…HOT, hilly and windy”.

Some Reston Runners got a 5:00 AM early start as they headed to Frederick Maryland for what has become well known event. The Frederick Running Festival draws 5000 runners to include Reston Runners: Tim C, Ellen M, Anna and Jim B. Jim B took second in his age group. Bravo Zulu Jim.

Reston Runner and competent artist, Jerry L, traveling companion, Ann B, are off this Thursday to Prague, Czech Republic. Jerry and Ann are meeting up with 30 other friends to run the marathon. Jerry is running; Ann has a press pass and is reporting for Washington Running Report. The group is made up of international friends from Jerry’s Cairo days. Know as the Mighty Maddi Runners they pick one or two races per year to meet, to party and to run. Nice idea, don’t you think?