The clocks sprung forward last weekend, marking the first bell for the upcoming spring season. Mother Nature, however, wasn’t going to throw in the towel without a fight.
I found that out the hard way in a blustery run through the elements on Sunday. What began as a breezy jaunt under the sun quickly escalated into a pop-up snowstorm. After a few cold miles the skies opened and the winds calmed, allowing the warm sun to melt the snow that had settled onto my face and beard.
That’s Pennsylvania weather for you.
It was a challenging workout to navigate, but I made it to the finish line even with the winter blues daring me to unlace my shoes and quit. A big part of what carried me through was the sense that this was winter’s last stand, and that only warmer days were in store going forward.
Two days later this seems to have been confirmed as I compose this column under the backdrop of clear blue skies and singing birds, feeling way overdressed in jeans and a sweatshirt.
I’ve lived in this state long enough to know better, but I’m calling it right now: Spring is in session. I’ve already packed away the snow shovels and snowblower, and it’s only a matter of time before the storm windows from our Florida room make their yearly voyage back into garage storage.
I’m a big fan of spring and the fresh start that it offers. Whether you’re looking to build a garden bed or get your kid some reps to prepare for the upcoming sports season, there’s always something to keep us busy this time of year. If you’ve been hitting the snooze button on your New Year’s goals, what better time is there to get moving than right now?
Spring is an especially inviting season for running. With mild temperatures and bright skies, runners have a golden chance to grow just as fast as the grass lining the trails they run on. Social and competitive running opportunities are widely available this time of year, with multiple races and group runs being held nearly every weekend.
Spring is a time that I embrace with a pep in my step and assuming my senses — and those of Punxsutawney Phil — are correct, the season is here to stay.
Have a happy spring, my running friends!
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
It’s an experience that Matthew Smith won’t soon forget.
Smith, from Chambersburg, took on the 47-hour Conquer The Wall Endurance Challenge in Williamson, W.Va. and came away with a Top 10 finish. He completed 65 laps on the 2.05-mile loop situated on the West Williamson flood wall and along the campus of Southern W.Va. Community and Technical College. The final numbers, which earned Smith a fifth-place finish, were impressive: 133.25 miles in 47:16:23. Smith noted on Strava that he had an “amazing weekend” with “many lessons learned” and that he can’t wait to go for 150 miles next year.
Greencastle’s Michelle Dawson shipped out for South Carolina to take on the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon, a race she completed in 2:41:38, while Chambersburg’s Carla Christian posted a 38:07 at the Lucky Leprechaun 5K in Milton, Del.
A pair of Local.News runners — Greencastle’s Logan Dougherty (54:23) and Chambersburg’s Samantha Brown (1:05:46) — were finishers at the Annapolis 10K in Maryland.
Finally, Chambersburg’s Annie Metzger was a finisher in 43:04 at the FHCP 5K Sugar Run in La Plume.
And now, a look ahead:
Chambersburg Half Marathon: Saturday, 8:30 a.m., in Chambersburg. Challenge yourself on the hilly back roads of Chambersburg with this race, in its 45th running. Register for the race on timberhilltiming.com.
Lucky Charm 4 Miler: Saturday, noon, in Harrisburg. Every participant in this race receives a medal, t-shirt, gift certificate to Fleet Feet Mechanicsburg. Find the race on runsignup.com.
St. Patrick’s Day 5K: Saturday, March 23, 10:30 a.m., in Shippensburg. This race, in its 10th year, features a scenic, rolling loop course along the base of the South Mountain. Register for the race on timberhilltiming.com.
Also: Big Woods Half Marathon (Saturday, in Elverson); Chilly Dog 5K (Saturday, in New Freedom); Rabid Raccoon 100 (Saturday, in Beaver Falls); Special 13 & 26 Mile Trail Run (Saturday, in Safe Harbor); Viking 5K/10K (Saturday, in Akron); Frozen Foot 5K (Sunday, in Elizabethtown); Two Rivers Marathon Race Festival (Saturday-Sunday, in Lackawaxen); Defeat MSA 5K (Saturday, March 23, in Hanover); Garden Spot Half Marathon (Saturday, March 23, in New Holland); Just a Short Run 30K (Saturday, March 23, in Allison Park); Luau 5K/10K (Saturday, March 23, in Manheim); Phillies Charities 5K (Saturday, March 23, in Philadelphia); Raccoongaine 3H/6H (Saturday, March 23, in Pittsburgh); Roger Snyder Memorial Race (Saturday, March 23, in Richfield); Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon (Saturday, March 23, in Harmony); Half Wit Half Marathon Trail Run (Sunday, March 24, in Reading); Love Run Philadelphia Half Marathon (Sunday, March 24, in Philadelphia).
