When I was a younger adult with more energy and less money, I made the splash to get a bicycle.
It was an expensive purchase, but one that was well worth it to reconnect to a childhood where I spent a majority of my time riding. For months I took that bike all around town. I visited parks and friends, and saved plenty of gas by riding to work in the mornings.
I embraced the challenging rides, and felt like an aviator when I flew down the hills at break-neck speeds. There’s just something that’s so liberating about the freedom and wanderlust I feel when I ride a bike. It’s similar to how I feel about running, except I can dream up even longer routes with two wheels at my disposal.
It was a fun ride while it lasted, but I lost it all in a day.
I had been in the habit of locking up my bike after use, but on the one day I forgot, it was stolen, and I couldn’t afford to replace it. Even if I had the money, I wouldn’t have allowed myself to buy a new one, because I was taught that we shouldn’t have nice things if we can’t take care of them.
I’ve held on to this self-punishment for well over a decade now, and have missed out on plenty of life-enriching experiences, I’m sure. I’ve filled the bike-less void with other activities — and discovered running — but I still get sad and nostalgic when I see someone riding.
This holiday season, I find myself missing having a bike more than ever.
I miss riding back and forth with my brothers on the long country driveway at my parent’s house. I long for the old days of zipping through the campground with Sharpie and John and speeding out of sight before our neighbors could even muster a complaint. I wish I could go back to the time when I’d ride to the gas station with my buddies and spend my hard-earned K-Mart paycheck on snacks and sodas.
Those days are long gone, but if I had a bike now, perhaps I’d be able to create some new memories with my own children, or at least be able to keep up with them when they ride their scooters. Of course I would take care of this bike better than any I’ve previously owned, and you’d better believe that upon ownership one of my first purchases would be for a lock.
I know I’ve been a sub-par runner this year, but I’ve tried to be a decent person, so Santa, if you’re reading this, give me one more chance. I’ve been waiting for years to go on this ride.
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
Holiday-themed races have taken center stage in recent weeks, and standout runners from the Local.News1 coverage area relished in playing the leading roles.
The YMCA Santa Run 5K in Frederick drew 366 runners, none faster Jonah Smith. The Smithsburg runner exploded for victory in 16:50 to lead a group of locals that included Hagerstown’s Gary Rupert (32:18) and Waynesboro’s Samantha Dulany (32:24). Allie Isaacs, of Hagerstown, nailed down a 44:08 in the 10K to finish as third female.
Kevin Magno successfully defended his home turf at the Gingerbread Dash 5K in Hagerstown. Magno defeated the field of 278 runners in 18:52, leading a group of area competitors that included Hagerstown’s Mike Martin (4th in 20:37) and Todd Moser (23:32), Smithsburg’s Aaron Schwarzenegger (24:15), and Greencastle’s Jennifer Dickinson (28:12).
In Frederick, the Candy Cane Dash 5K pulled in more than 700 runners, with top area times being posted by Hagerstown’s Mary Plank (30:43) and Estevan Castro (31:31), and Chambersburg’s Zach Johle (30:52).
Two Chambersburg runners, Chris Diaz and Chase Goshorn, posted Top 10 finishes at the Christmas Cash Dash 5K in Chambersburg. Diaz claimed fifth in 18:29, while Goshorn took eighth in 18:48. The two runners were chased by Chambersburg’s Sarah Boward (20:21) and Peter Gotwald (23:07), Hagerstown’s Randy Lohman (20:39) and Sharon Allen (23:25), and Fort Loudon’s Dennis Reamer II (22:28).
A number of others were active in races across the region and beyond, including Waynesboro’s Dodie Moats (2:10:37 at Kiawah Island Half Marathon), Greencastle’s Phil Michael (21:00 at South Berkeley Christmas 5K), Fairfield’s Reganne Engstler (30:28 at Santa Shuffle 5K) and Ronald Black (38:54 at Jingle Bell Jog 8K), Hagerstown’s Mike Stutts (36:45 at Medal Madness 5K), Danitza Benavides (40:20 at Jingle 5K), Scott Frederick (5:14:21 at Pine Mountain Trail Run 19 Miler), Christopher Hohl (3:19:20 at Naked Nick 25K), and Patricia Brockway (6:07:11 at Kiawah Island Marathon), and Smithsburg’s Sean Allen (33:02 at Celtic Solstice 5-Miler) and Ryan Bywaters (2:57:47 at Wilmington Historic Half Marathon).
And finally a shoutout to two area runners who landed Top 10 finishes at destination races. Waynesboro’s Luke Manning posted a time of 1:12:16 to finish sixth in the field of 1,101 runners at the Jacksonville Half Marathon in Florida, while Fayetteville’s Carson Mello was the fifth-place finisher in 1:17:45 at the Nittany Valley Half Marathon in State College, a race that drew 560 runners.
And now, a look ahead:
Quentin Ingram Egg Nog Jog 2 Mile: Saturday, 9 a.m., in Frederick, Md. Compete in this race and remember the life of Quentin Ingram, with proceeds benefitting the Johns Hopkins Pediatrics unit and a local chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Find the race on runsignup.com.
John Rudy 5 Miler: Saturday, Dec. 27, 9 a.m., in York. The York Road Runners Club Winter Series has reached its fourth stop of the season. Check out the event on yorkroadrunners.com.
New Year 5K/10K/Half Marathon: Thursday, Jan. 1, 11 a.m., in Harrisburg. Start your New Year off on the right foot with this race. Register for the race on runsignup.com.
Also: Naptown Half Marathon (Saturday, in Annapolis, Md.); Delaware River Loops Series 11.1 Miler (Saturday, in Yardley); Holiday 5K/10K (Saturday, in Akron); HumBug Hustle 5K (Saturday, in Reading); Pagoda Holiday Run 8 Miler (Saturday, West Reading); Holiday 5K/10K (Saturday, Dec. 27, Manheim); Holiday 5K/10K/Half Marathon (Saturday, Dec. 27, in Hughesville); The Last Mile (Saturday, Dec. 27, in Duncannon); Kris Kringle 5 Miler (Sunday, Dec. 28, in Leesport); First Night Resolution Run 5K (Wednesday, Dec. 31, in State College); Lehigh Valley New Year’s Chaser Half Marathon (Thursday, Jan. 1, in Coplay); New Year Run Challenge (Thursday, Jan. 1, in Mechanicsburg).
