I was about three years into my marriage when I first met her. We clicked in an instant, and from the beginning, I knew she’d be with me every step of the way.
When I shattered my knee playing tennis, she patiently and soothingly walked me through rehab until I was stronger than ever. She introduced me to running and later took my breath away when she guided me to a PR in the 5K.
For years it was a match made in heaven. We went run-streaking together, broke two hours in the half marathon, and even shared a few beautiful hikes together.
But all good things come to an end. It was tough watching her grow old. No longer running, she stayed active by accompanying me for my after-dinner walks. Even as her health continued to deteriorate, she insisted on helping with the yard work.
And then after thousands of miles together, she just… fell apart.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m talking about a pair of shoes, here. It seems kind of silly to say it out loud, but I’m genuinely sad the time has come to send my pair of Brooks Revels to the great Shoebox in the Sky.
Just looking at this pair of shoes brings a tear to my eye, as memories come flooding back. These shoes helped me accomplish things I never thought possible, like dropping 50 pounds and collecting a handful of age group wins on the race paths. I think back to my weekend runs with “the boys” and the hard-nosed morning workouts I used to share with my former running partner, Melissa. These shoes have undoubtedly seen their fair share of “blood, sweat, and tears.”
As I wear the shoes for one final time and spy multiple toes poking their way out, I’m fully aware that it is well beyond the time to hang ’em up for good. My wife Sarah has been gently reminding me of this for several years now.
While I’d love to give my shoes the Viking funeral they deserve, the borough in which I live would prefer if we made the trash can our final parting place, so this is where we will say goodbye.
Farewell Brook(s), you were my first running love. I will miss your beautiful sole.
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
Nothing can build the confidence of a runner quite as effectively as winning a race. Just ask Chambersburg’s Ari Snyder, a rising senior at CASHS eager to take on his final season of cross country for the Trojans.
Facing off against a course with a fair amount of elevation at the Hauser Hill Wine Run 5K in Biglerville, Snyder conquered the field of 135 runners with a time of 21:27. He was chased by fellow Chambersburg runners Quin Shaffer (42:44) and Kristen McKee (45:53).
A pair of Local.News runners finished in the Top 10 at the Chuck Lesher Shippensburg Fair 5K. Andreas Dunkel, of Chambersburg, finished second in 18:20, while Greencastle’s Jarrett Gelsinger took the ninth spot with a time of 19:14. Other top runners from the race include Chambersburg’s Kieran Dunkel (22:09) and Mallory Neus (23:41), and Fayetteville’s Patrick Gavet (24:53).
The Harrisburg Mile is one of the biggest races of the summer, so big that a pair of area runners made the long drive to test their skills. Smithsburg’s Jonah Smith clocked a 4:37, while Fayetteville’s Wing Lam Cheung crossed the finish line in 6:55.
The Fort Ritchie Sprint and Olympic Triathlons in Cascade, Md. featured highlight-reel performances from a pair of Franklin County women. Fayetteville’s Allison List finished as second female in 1:32:15 in the sprint triathlon, while Chambersburg’s Sarah Boward was the second female in 2:42:22 in the olympic triathlon. Other finishers from the sprint triathlon include Waynesboro’s Wynn Fertig (1:40:22) and Eric Henderson (1:54:31), and Chambersburg’s Suzanne Eyer (2:14:09), while the olympic triathlon featured finishes from Chambersburg’s Michael Day (2:41:42), Greencastle’s Ralph Clark (2:49:56), and Fayetteville’s Audrey List (2:58:39).
In Mount Jewett, Waynesboro’s Jeffrey Hein had a busy weekend competing in a pair of scenic races. Hein finished the Kinzua 5K in 28:02, before running the Kinzua Half Marathon and finishing in 2:14:15. Chambersburg’s Kristin Johnson (2:19:04) also finished the Kinzua Half.
And finally, a shoutout to a pair of Waynesboro runners that made the trip all the way to the West Coast for the San Francisco Marathon. James Clapsaddle (5:49:30) and Scott Smith (5:49:31) each crossed the finish line in the Golden State.
And now, a look ahead:
Fred Kaley Road Race 5K: Saturday, 8 a.m., in Greencastle. This race, in its 39th running, will be held on the Greencastle-Antrim HS track complex. Learn more at greencastleflyers.com.
Run for Reading 5K: Saturday, 8:30 a.m., in Mechanicsburg. This race benefits the Joseph T. Simpson Library in Mechanicsburg. Register for the race on pretzelcitysports.com.
Tom Ausherman Memorial 5 Miler: Saturday, Aug. 12, 8 a.m., in Chambersburg. Aim for your five-mile PR in this pancake-flat race. Register for the event on timberhilltiming.com.
Also: Pirate 5K/10K (Saturday, in New Cumberland); Boiling Springs Triathlon (Saturday, in Boiling Springs); Farm Fresh 5K (Saturday, in York); Harrisburg Family Fun Run (Saturday, in Harrisburg); Penns Valley Triathlon (Saturday, in Millheim); Presque Isle Triathlon (Saturday, in Erie); RunPA Trail Jamboree (Saturday, in Newmanstown); Savage Race Pennsylvania (Saturday, in Albrightsville); Grings Mill Run 5K/10K (Sunday, in Reading); Lititz RecCenter Triathlon (Sunday, in Lititz); Steelman Triathlon (Sunday, in Quakertown); Pirate 5K/10K/Half Marathon (Saturday, Aug. 12, in York); Eastern States 100 (Saturday, Aug. 12, in Waterville); Juniata Valley Wine Run (Saturday, Aug. 12, in Mifflin); Oil Creek Summer Biathlon (Saturday, Aug. 12, in Titusville); Ox Trot 5 Miler (Saturday, Aug. 12, in Bowmansville); Philly Mayor’s Cup Half Marathon (Saturday, Aug. 12, in Philadelphia); Warrior Trail Half Marathon (Saturday, Aug. 12, in Shickshinny); Thirsty Thursday 5K (Thursday, Aug. 17, in Reading).
