My plan for vacation was to take a nice, relaxing run along the beach and reflect over the summer. Maybe take a peek ahead to the fall.
All was going according to plan as I strolled barefooted to the shoreline to the point where the wet sand provides a solid running surface. I was in some sort of happy place as I popped in my ear buds and began to scroll for a peaceful music playlist.
That’s when it happened.
A force of nature burst past me, charging through the sand like he was Sylvester Stallone in “Rocky III.” I can’t remember if his bright swimming trunks were orange or yellow or bright green; all I knew for sure was that this dude was in my age group.
My heart rate picked up, and I caught myself clenching my fingers into fists and then slowly releasing them. I was soon bouncing up and down and breathing faster with each hop.
The competitive fires had grown too hot. How could I relax while this middle-aged dude “runs” the beach uncontested?
Ignoring the easy listening tunes that were buzzing through my ears, I sprang into action. There was a lot of ground to cover. He was 10, maybe 15, seconds ahead of me.
My legs excitedly picked up pace, and after settling into a rhythm, I began to chip away. Trotting around sand castles and navigating through splashing waves, the gap closed a bit as I reached the half-mile mark but not by as much as I would have liked.
I counted his footsteps and made sure I was putting in time and a half with my own steps. By the time I crossed the mile distance, the sweat beads on my forehead were streaming down. The sun was beating down on my skin, and I could feel the humidity closing in.
But when I looked ahead, I didn’t see any signs of quit from the guy I was chasing. I put the discomfort aside and grinded ever closer to paydirt. I was still feeling determined at the mile and a half mark, but that’s when my newfound-rival flipped the switch: He turned around and began running in my direction.
Staying as cool as I could, I slowed down to a more casual pace, and when we crossed paths, we exchanged waves and a raspy, “How’s it going?”
Not taking a look back, I counted to 10 seconds before turning around myself. It was time for a second race, and my beach chairs were going to be the finish line.
I never came close to catching the guy, unfortunately, but I zipped to my fastest mile of the workout on my way to completing a 5K. I’m not in great racing shape, but I was proud of the time I saw when I finally shut it down and began walking to greet my family.
My relaxing and reflecting time, as it turned out, was spent cooling off from my intense run, bobbing in the ocean and leaping with each wave. It was splendid, satisfying and cathartic.
This year’s Sandrik family beach trip provided all the fun and excitement we could have asked for. The swimming pool, beach, boardwalk, arcade and mini golf were all experiences to remember, but when I think about it, I can’t say I’ll ever forget my encounter with the random dad with brightly-colored trunks, who unexpectedly challenged me to be the best runner I could be.
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
The food at the Shippensburg Fair smelled so good, runners at the Chuck Lesher 5K wanted to waste no time in crossing the finish line.
The race, which drew 143 runners, was a fast one with all of the Top 15 finishers recording sub-20 times. None were faster than 17-year-old Liam Kirkpatrick of Chambersburg, who won the race in 16:15. He defeated a field that included Chambersburg’s Andreas Dunkel (10th in 19:07), Kieran Dunkel (19:17), and Bill Dann (20:13); Fairfield’s Will Wallace (19:14) and Ben Wallace (22:04); and Fayetteville’s Seth Besecker (25:16) and Danielle Portier (25:30).
Staying in Shippensburg, the Great Appalachian Valley 5K/10K/Half Marathon races were highlighted by top finishers from the Local.News area. Michael Sanders, of Hagerstown, Md., took third in the 10K in 43:29, while Chambersburg’s Justin Fegley crossed the finish line in 55:43. The half marathon saw Steve Vanscyoc (2:06:18) and Payton Dziemburski (2:06:41) represent Chambersburg with fast runs, while Samantha Marsh, also of Chambersburg, clocked a 31:32 in the 5K.
Franklin County was well-represented in New Jersey at the Avalon Beach Classic 5K. Julian Clark, of Fayetteville, ran to victory in 18:51 over the field of 170 runners.
The Fort Ritchie Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon races in Cascade, Md., drew some big performances from area competitors. Cheryl Scholl finished as the top female in the duathlon with a time of 1:39:22, while fellow Hagerstown competitor Will Marquiss finished as the runner-up in 1:35:01. Wynn Fertig, of Waynesboro, recorded a 1:37:11 in the triathlon to take third in the 60-64 AG.
Ben Colli, of Chambersburg, was the fourth-place finisher in 4:28 at the Harrisburg Mile, while Fayetteville’s Wing Lam Cheung also crossed the finish line in 7:03.
Fairfield runners showcased their talents at the Run for the Pie 10K in Thurmont, Md., and the Summerfest 5K in East Berlin. Ronald Black (58:00) and Beverly Black (58:43) both nailed down AG awards at the Run for the Pie 10K, while John Schubring finished in 33:18 at the Summerfest 5K to take third in the 60-64 AG.
Rachel Scheitrum, of Greencastle, ran back-to-back races last weekend in Mount Jewett. She finished the Kinzua 5K in 38:23 on Saturday, before completing the Kinzua Half Marathon on Sunday with a time of 2:27:32.
The Tommy Laudani Delone Dash 5K in Hanover saw Fairfield’s Lindsay Field post a time of 25:51 to win the 31-44 AG, while Hagerstown’s Mary Plank took second in the 60-69 AG at the New Jersey Wildwood Crest 5K Beach Run in 33:17.
And finally, a shoutout to Hagerstown ultra-runner David Forsythe, who survived the Burning River 100 Mile in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Forsythe completed the race in 29:12:39.
And now, a look ahead:
Fred Kaley Road Race 5K: Saturday, 8:30 a.m., in Greencastle. Antrim Township Community Park will serve as the backdrop for this race in its 40th running. Look up the race on greencastleflyers.org.
Run for Reading 5K: Saturday, 8:30 a.m., in Mechanicsburg. Walk, jog or run for reading in this race, which benefits the Simpson Public Library. Find the race on pretzelcitysports.com.
Ausherman 5 Miler: Saturday, Aug. 10, 8 a.m., in Chambersburg. This fast-paced race is in its 35th year. Sign up for the race on timberhilltiming.com.
Also: Boiling Springs Triathlon (Saturday, in Boiling Springs); Farm Fresh 5K (Saturday, in York); Glow Run 5K (Saturday, in Manheim); Harrisburg Family Fun Run 5K (Saturday, in Harrisburg); Penns Valley Triathlon (Saturday, in Millheim); PA Brewery Running Series 5K (Saturday, in Clarion); Pirate 1M/5K/10K (Saturday, in New Cumberland); Presque Island Triathlon (Saturday, in Erie); RunPA Trail Jamboree (Saturday, in Newmanstown); Wings of Kindness 5K (Saturday, in Newport); YMCA Canoe Creek Races (Saturday, in Hollidaysburg); Grings Mill Run 5K/10K (Saturday, in Reading); Lititz recCenter Triathlon (Sunday, in Lititz); RunPA Kids Trail Jamboree (Sunday, in Newmanstown); Steelman Triathlon (Sunday, in Lake Nockamixon State Park); Eastern States 100 (Saturday, Aug. 10, in Waterville); James Biever Memorial 5K (Saturday, Aug. 10, in Lebanon); Juniata Valley Wine Run 5K (Saturday, Aug. 10, in Mifflin); Ninja 1M/5K/10K/15K/Half Marathon (Saturday, Aug. 10, in York); Paws for Wellness 5K (Saturday, Aug. 10, in York); Philly Mayor’s Cup (Saturday, Aug. 10, in Philadelphia); Warrior Trail Half Marathon (Saturday, Aug. 10, in Shickshinny).
