Philadelphia Marathon

Last year, I finished my 7th Philadelphia Marathon since 2008 and succeeded at my 12th attempt to qualify for the Boston Marathon (BQ) since 2013. I am grateful that my Philly Marathon streak ended with a good time for a good cause. Fighting childhood cancer one mile at a time with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation's Team Lemon.

2011 - 4:40:59

2012 - 4:00:57

2013 - 4:04:04

2014 - 3:47:42

2015 - 4:01:22

2016 - 3:46:13 (BQ & PR)




Will you run, cheer, or volunteer on Sunday?

May the miles ahead be good to all running!

Thanks to all the volunteers and spectators!

ICYMI... Lists of race recaps:

2016 Philadelphia Marathon, Half Marathon & Rothman 8K Race Recaps
twinsruninourfamily.com/2016/11/2016-philadelphia-marathon.html

2015 Philadelphia Marathon, Half Marathon & Rothman 8K Race Recaps
twinsruninourfamily.com/2015/11/2015-gore-tex-philadelphia-marathon-and.html

2014 Philadelphia Marathon, Half Marathon & Rothman 8K Race Recaps
twinsruninourfamily.com/2014/11/philly-marathon-race-recaps.html

2013 Philadelphia Marathon, Half Marathon & Rothman 8K Race Recaps
twinsruninourfamily.com/2013/11/philadelphia-marathon.html

Inaugural Rivanna Greenbelt Marathon

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SEPTEMBER 6 - RACE DAY WEATHER ADVISORY It is projected to be warm and humid (70 degrees at 5:45am and 78 degrees at 10am). While we realize that you have made a tremendous commitment to training, our primary goal is to ensure a safe race for you. If you are not highly fit or if you have any underlying medical conditions, please consider adjusting your time goal or withdrawing from the race. PACING CHART with CLOCK & ACTUAL TIMES The Rivanna Greenbelt Marathon is officially certified by the USATF (VA14004TR) and therefore can be used as a Boston Qualifier. The course is 6.5 "loops" of the 4-mile trail beginning at Riverview Park and following along the river on the Rivanna Greenbelt Trail. The first race of the series will be Saturday, September 6, starting at 5:45 a.m.* The second race will be Saturday, October 4 at 6:30 a.m.* Currently, this is a MARATHON ONLY, with a limited number of registrants (minimum 10, maximum 20) and a time-limit (see below). The marathon is FREE to MHMTP participants. There will be a nominal fee of $30 for this no-frills race for other runners. LOGISTICS *Please note: Because of the early start time and for safety reasons you will need a headlamp or flashlight for the first 2-3 miles, expecially if it's overcast. There will be two water/gatorade stops along the course that runners will have access to every two miles. They will be located near the start/finish area and the 2 mile turn-around point. Please be prepared by bringing your own gu/gels. We will only have Clif bars at the finish (the 2-mile water stop will NOT have any food). If you'd like to bring your own labeled bottles of sports drinks or nutritional supplements, you can leave them on the water tables to grab during the race. There are two porta-potties available near the start/finish of the course. The course is NOT closed to the public during the race, but luckily since it's a trail, we don't have to worry about cars! MHMTP participants will also be running on the course between approximately 6:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. This is a low-key, no-frills, bare-bones race, therefore no shirts or medals will be provided as part of registration. However you may purchase your own shirt with the race logo on SpreadShirt.com. We will email you a certificate of completion to print after the race. REGISTER ONLINE Due to the limited size of each race, runners will only be able to register for the Rivanna Marathon one time per year. Saturday, September 6 - Registration is FULL! 4 hour time limit Sign up for waitlist. Saturday, October 4 4.5 hour time limit VOLUNTEERS Volunteers are essential to the success of this race! We need volunteers to help document splits at each of the three turnarounds. We also would like volunteers to help with setting up and managing the water stops. All volunteers receive a FREE CTC technical shirt (long or short sleeved). SIGN UP ONLINE TO VOLUNTEER MORE INFORMATION Photos of the Course | Trail Information | Visit Charlottesville Questions? Sign up to be on the mailing list for future dates for the Rivanna Greenbelt Marathon series. This event is directed by an RRCA Certified Race Director. http://www.charlottesvilletrackclub.org/marathon/riverview.html

The Afghan Whigs at Ottobar: Malinda Ann Hill Meets Greg Dulli on Her 43rd Birthday

This happened. On my 43rd birthday. Greg Dulli smiled at me while I was talking to him!

I don't usually celebrate my birthday - or rather our birthday since I'm an identical twin.

And, I've never done anything special on New Year's Eve. 

Luckily, thanks to Melissa, Anne and the rest of The Congregation, I celebrated New Year's Eve in 2012 and my birthday tonight.

It has been an incredible journey (music, running, races and concerts) since Melissa, Anne and I first met at The Afghan Whigs reunion concert at The Bowery Ballroom on May 23, 2012.

I am grateful for social media for connecting me with Melissa and Anne as well as re-connecting me with The Congregation (FYI - The Congregation is a group of individuals who love The Afghan Whigs and all things related to Greg Dulli). Eons ago (otherwise know as the 90s), I was on The Congregation email listserv when I had AOL dial-up. Ouch! I am old. Today, The Congregation is on Facebook which makes it easier for us to connect with each other in spite of the evils of the platform.

While I have been known to live tweet or Instagram a concert or a race, tonight was not the time or place. I refrained from all iPhone use except for one photo with Melissa and Anne before the show and a photo with Greg after the show.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that most of the audience respected the band's request. Greg politely asked one guy not to use a flash and that was it from my perspective. Of course, I was fortunate to be directly in front of the stage so it was easy to be fully present in the moment.



During most of the shows I attended in 2012, I took at least a few photos or videos to share since amateur photography was encouraged. Tonight, I was grateful for the no photo policy so I had no temptation to take photos. I enjoyed being fully present at this show with no distractions from digital devices.

Similarly, I used to love to tweet and run. Tweeting while running was a way for me to connect with other runners. It served its purpose at the time but now I prefer to tweet before and after my run so I can focus on running in the moment and feeling the music while I run.

While I find the most meaning in music and running while I'm alone, I still race and go to concerts for the camaraderie. For me, concerts and races are all about the stories and the connections.

I do hope to write more about my moments and stories. But, it's easier for me to write in 140 characters or less.

In the meantime, please read this post by MamaDeak: Brooklyn, Boston, Baltimore - Maybe I Should be a Roadie. I am always inspired by Anne and her willingness to share her thoughts.

Thanks again to Greg Dulli, John Curley, Melissa, Anne and The Congregation for a night filled with music, joy, laughter, inspiration and gratitude.

The Afghan Whigs - Tonight, Tonight, Tonight...

Me, Melissa & Anne on May 17, 2014

  

Tonight, tonight, tonight... I'll be at the The Afghan Whigs' show at the Ottobar in Baltimore with my 2 best mother runner friends - I like to refer to us as the "Congregation to Conquer Cancer" since we're part of the Whigs' Congregation of fans and we all run to fight cancer.

After running 5 personal records to The Afghan Whigs' new record, Do to the Beast, I may start running during the concert. ;-)

What's on your running playlist?

Do you have a favorite power song?