Running
I am also an elite distance runner. I run with the Howard County Striders and am part of the Tracksmith OTQ program. I find that intense exercise early in the morning, before the kids wake up, helps me have productive days in Astronomy and generate new novel ideas! I compete in local and international races from 5k to marathon, with the 26.2 mile distance being my strongest. In February 2016, I participated in the US Olympic Team Trials for the marathon and finished in the first quarter (50th/206). I also ran the 2016 Chicago Marathon and the 2017 Boston Marathon in the elite field. It was quite a high! In 2018, I finally achieved the Olympic A standard with a 2:36:31 at the California International marathon. Below are some fun photos from these events.
Some highlights from 2018: From top left to bottom right California International Marathon (December 2018); Annapolis 10 miler (August 2018); Phildelphia Rock'n Roll Half-Marathon (September 2018); Lawyers have heart 10k (June 2018); Broad Street Run (May 2018)
California International Marathon, December 2015, where I ran 2:40:55 to qualify for the Olympic Trials
2016 US Marathon Olympic Team Trials, Los Angeles, CA. It was hot!
Start of the 2017 Boston Marathon. I did not know I had mononucleosis and ended up stopping after 23 hot and sunny miles