From Erin

By Erin Masterson
NOVA Social Media Director

My apologies for neglecting you, NOVA blog. My efforts in this forum have been distracted as of late, with my attention on other articles and writing pursuits, though of course none is more important than what I do for NOVA. The blog is special to me because it represents my start in writing and an opportunity to engage our running community more broadly outside the time we spend at the track each week. I am grateful for the opportunity to reach as many people as possible in this way, and hope to continue the upward momentum we have seen the past few months through our enhanced online presence, greater variety of activities, and a more engaged NOVA community overall. 

Since taking over as NOVA Social Media Director in January (a position graciously and creatively imagined for me by NOVA Prez Justin Buenaflor), I've been surprised and happy to discover the enormous depth of community that resides within our club. Though we all have busy, full, complex lives, by choosing to spend time on the track each week, every NOVA member demonstrates a commitment to their personal fitness and to the club itself. Though we do see ebbs and flows in turnout each week, in the long run we are seeing a new wave of runners, combined with the ever consistent presence of some long-time members, that is forming the new face of NOVA. For that, we thank you all for your welcoming attitude, recruitment efforts, and hard work out there on the track. 

By choosing to become a member of NOVA, I personally feel a sense of obligation to show up to practice every week, or as often as possible. Though work and other commitments sometime intervene, I know that I ALWAYS feel better after having completed a workout, and I think the others feel the same. What's changed for me in the past few months is not only do I now feel better physically, for having completed a tough workout, but also totally invigorated by the emotional energy and camaraderie created by our club. We care about each other, and it's obvious from the cheering, teamwork, and encouragement of our fellow runners out there. 

Justin and I both observed over the past few weeks that we are now truly looking like a track club that provides something for everyone - to include our newer crop of more elite runners that pace each other hard each week, our solid Group 2 pace group, and a consistent influx of new runners looking to train for their first race. This is what NOVA strives to be - a group where everyone can train for their specific running goals and find great coaching and support along the way. 

Anyways, today is a milestone for me personally. I'm two-thirds finished with my 30 races planned for 2013, hitting my 20th today with the Annapolis 10 Mile, and I'm on track to meet my goal by early December. August has been quite the month - five races in total, one each for the past four Friday nights at Bluemont Park for the Pacers Lost Dog 5k series and the A10 today. Some of my other experiences so far in this quest have included:

• Winning the Fort Belvoir Couples Run 5k on Feb 16 (a Valentine's Day race) with my friend Robert Winschel; getting featured in the Fort Belvoir Eagle newspaper
• Racing the Boston Marathon in April 2013, finishing in 3:20 and witnessing the bombing and its aftermath 
• Taking 3rd place in the Semper Fi 5k in DC on May 18 (and writing a feature article for RunWashington for that race)
• Winning the Marine Corps Historic 10k in Fredericksburg the next day on May 19, (breaking the tape!) and getting interviewed for the Fredericksburg Post
• Taking three 2nd place and one 1st place finish in the Pacers Lost Dog 5k series, every Friday in August
• Winning my age group in the Pacers 4 Courts 4 Miler; Georgetown Running Club's Father's Day 8k, Run for the Achievable Dream 8k, and Pacers Let Freedom Run 5k 

My remaining races include the Clarendon Day 10k, Army 10 Mile, Marine Corps Marathon, and Annapolis Half Marathon. My 30 in 2013 race quest has been an amazing but challenging experience; involving a lot of lonely early morning races, running through various hip and foot injuries after Boston, and racing back to back with no rest and often on dead legs. I am enjoying the experience though because it's proven to me what kind of long term endurance I have (physical and mental). I also like that it's a year-long goal that has gotten me consistently out the door to race, allowed me to meet some amazing people, and have some really fun experiences. The support of NOVA and Coach Jerry has surely contributed to this being a successful experience, and I thank you all for it. 

That's all from me for now. See you out there!

- Erin