You’ve done it.
You braved the frigid race paths on Thanksgiving morning and put your best steps forward, zig-zagging through hundreds of competitors on your way to completing the Turkey Trot.
Congrats! Display that finisher’s medal proudly and share those race pictures to your heart’s delight. You deserve it.
It’s a remarkable high that only gets better as you fuel your body’s recovery with turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes before eventually drifting into a deep sleep under the lullaby of a Detroit Lions football game.
If you’re doing it right, the Turkey Day experience should feel like one of those good dreams that ends long before you want it to.
Of course, we all have to wake up from that dream. That’s when it’s back to work, early nightfalls, and wrapping up the leaf collection, all while daydreaming ahead to the next holiday break.
With that Turkey Trot soon starting to disappear in the rearview mirror, it’s going to be time to ask yourself a very important question: To run or not to run?
There is no right, wrong, or one-size-fits-all answer to this question. We are all built differently, inside and out.
One common path I see taken is the rest route. I know some runners that will take off the entire winter. By not straining your legs, you give them a chance to not only recover, but grow stronger.
It takes a disciplined approach to make this strategy work. A successful rest block is built on the foundation of a good diet, adequate sleep, and often some form of cross-training to keep yourself active.
A long rest period can be an effective tactic if properly harnessed, but my preferred winter game plan involves running and running some more.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to those familiar with my history as a run-streaker. I’m a creature of habit and I find that when I’m in the habit of running, my body and mind usually respond in a positive way. And as silly as it might sound, staying on the move helps me socially, too, knowing that I’m giving myself a chance to “stay in the conversation” with my running peers.
Whether you plan on running or resting, I think we can all agree that right now, in this moment, is a great time to be thankful: For the food, the gift of running, and the invention of the Turkey Trot.
Thank you all for being readers. I hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday break!
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
Linden Showalter has been running in “America’s Oldest Ultramarathon” long before it became the cool thing to do.
In 1975 at just 16 years old, Waynesboro’s Showalter ran the JFK 50 Mile for the first time, and he’s been a frequent flyer in Boonsboro, Md., ever since. Fast-forward to last weekend when Showalter, 64, crossed the finish yet again in the 61st running of the JFK 50 Mile.
With a finish time of 9:35:35, Showalter was the third-fastest runner in the Local.News area to complete the race, trailing only Waynesboro’s Robert Webster (7:47:20) and Chambersburg’s Kirk Clever (9:01:23). Other top local finishers include Chambersburg’s Trentin Overcash (9:34:29), Shelby White (10:26:37), and Elijah Lehman (10:47:31), Greencastle’s Dan Harp (10:41:28), and Waynesboro’s Christina Manning (11:20:03).
Rheeanna Walters, of Waynesboro, is no stranger to the 50-mile distance. She tacked on another finish to her long ultra-running resume when she competed at the Stonemill 50 Mile Run in Montgomery Village, Md. Walters finished the race in 11:37:34.
The fall season has been producing ideal weather perfect for pursuing strong marathon times. The fastest area marathoner in recent weeks has been Chambersburg’s Rachel Stone, who clocked a 3:14:20 at the Philadelphia Marathon last weekend. She paced a group of locals that includes Chambersburg’s Zack Hunsberger (3:55:00) and Fayetteville’s Clarita Vazquez (4:05:33). The Philly Half Marathon saw Chambersburg’s Michael Schumacher lead locals with a 1:50:56.
Another Chambersburg woman, Laurie Dymond, set the bar high for her local peers at the Harrisburg Marathon, posting a 3:18:26 to take second in the Masters Division. Dymond was chased by Chambersburg’s Josh Blankenship (3:37:03) and Alfred Smith (4:00:05), as well as Greencastle’s Rachel Scheitrum (4:42:48). As for the Harrisburg Half Marathon, Paul Sick stole the show, posting a 2:05:53 to run away with the 70-99 AG.
The Richmond Marathon saw Chambersburg’s Lorie Zimmerman cross the finish line in 4:01:53, while Greencastle’s Wanda Baker posted a 2:20:58 at the Richmond Half. Harrison Brink, of Chambersburg, recorded a 34:29 at the Richmond 8K.
A number of others were active in races across the region, including Fayetteville’s Wing Lam Cheung (22:59 at Rocky Run 5K), and Chambersburg’s Eric Guyer (47:10 at Fall Backyard Burn Trail Run 5 Mile), Matthew Walker (1:50:55 at Fall Backyard Burn Trail Run 10 Mile), and Cheryl Oyler (1:52:43 at St. Luke’s Delaware & Lehigh Heritage Half Marathon).
And now, a look ahead:
Spring Valley 4 Miler: Sunday, 1 p.m., in Glen Rock. Take on the second event in the York Road Runners Club Winter Series with this race. Learn more at yorkroadrunners.com.
Christmas Cash Dash 5K/10K: Saturday, Dec. 2, 8 a.m., in Chambersburg. There are up to $5,200 of cash prizes available for this event, with each race bib featuring a special scratch-off area that could reveal an exciting payout. Check out the event on chambersburgroadrunnersclub.org.
South Central PA Fall 5K: Saturday, Dec. 2, 9:15 a.m., in York. Compete on the campus of York College in this event, which celebrates the Girls on the Run initiative. Look up the event on gotrmidstatepa.org.
Also: Gobbler 5K/10K (Saturday, in Manheim); Holiday 5K/10K (Saturday, Dec. 2, in New Cumberland); Lancaster County Ugly Sweater XC 5K (Saturday, Dec. 2, in Lancaster); Manheim Santa Run 5K (Saturday, Dec. 2, in Manheim); The Frosty 5 (Saturday, Dec. 2, in Middletown); Dirty Bird Trail Runs 15K/30K (Sunday, Dec. 3, in Elverson); Nittany Valley Half Marathon (Sunday, Dec. 3, in State College).
