Alumni run strong over the weekend

Great alumni texts came buzzing into my phone this weekend. In the order they were received ...

1. Sean Prinz placed 14th overall at the National Half Marathon on Saturday in his new home (DC) in 1:12:07, a 5:31 pace according to the official results. Aside from being a great time and a great effort, this was strong because Prinz has been dealing with a nagging Achilles that curtailed his mileage the past few weeks. The forced rest must have done some good.

Also, in a departure from his very meticulous ways, this was the first race post-college in which Prinz did not wear a watch. As a result, the only splits from the usually numbers-conscious Prinz came from the big splits at the race. Here's what he provided for me in the splits department:

1M: 5:29; 5M: 26:49; 10M: 54:39

Good stuff!

2. Joe Tarantello, in the midst of his high mileage buildup for Boston in a few weeks, ran a personal-best time of 1:14:52 at the NYC Half Marathon in what was a deceptively hilly Central Park. Here are Joe's excellent splits.

5M: 28:20; 10M: 56:57; 20km: 1:11:20.

Based on this, I would say Joey Tat's in PR shape as he gets ready to count down to Bean Town. Great job, Coach!

3. Mike Rolek, despite suffering from a severe sinus infection, had the most lucrative run of the weekend. Running in a 20km race in beautiful Newark, NJ, Rolek placed sixth overall and third among Garden State runners, in 1:05:34 (5:16 pace). For finishing third among NJ entrants, Rolek cashed a cool $1,000 prize. All righty then!

A great weekend for one and all. Keep running strong, men!