It makes me feel like a fraud of a runner to say this, but it’s been weeks since I’ve been able to squeeze in a proper workout.
This might sound like an excuse, and maybe it is, but this spring I’ve barely been able to keep up with the pace of life, let alone maintain a regular running schedule.
There’s always a landscaping job on the docket, always a new story to write. My calendar is dotted with doctor appointments, soccer games and birthday parties. And when I do seem to find a rare free minute, my wife and kids are banging down the door challenging me to games of Mario Party or Uno.
Who knew that having multiple jobs and children would chew up so much of my running time?
While I haven’t been able to run, my spirits remain high, and that’s because I’ve been otherwise staying active. Fueled by the mantra “just keep moving” I try to squeeze out every bit of exercise I can from my regular daily life. It’s small things like standing up straight and extending my arms to push the mower, or doing laps around the yard when I take our pet tortoise out for a “walk.” It’s big things like playing soccer with the kids, or taking my daughter out for short practice runs: She’s already smoked me in the quarter- and half-mile, and will get another crack when we race once again at the Carlisle Downtown Mile.
If my Apple Watch is to be trusted, I’ve been meeting all of my step and exercise goals, and if that’s all I can get at this moment in time, I’ll take it.
It’s a grind, but there are just a few more weeks of spring sports, and I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. By the time we get to the Memorial Day break, I’ll be swimming laps at the community pool and resuming my regular monthly trip to the local racing circuit with Sharpie and Bryon. Not long after that, I’ll be at Myrtle Beach running barefoot in the sand. I can envision it now.
Everything is moving fast now, but all I can do is “just keep moving” until things slow down.
And when that happens, I can finally work on running fast.
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
Long distance racing season is in full swing, and several area runners are already in midseason form.
No local marathoner has been faster in recent weeks than Hagerstown’s Harol Samir Baca Ponce, who clocked a 2:58:30 to take third in the field of 209 runners at the North-South Marathon in Gettysburg. He was chased by Chambersburg’s Zachary Hunsberger (4:03:15) and Hagerstown’s Alexis Dell (4:07:43).
Also in Gettysburg, the Blue-Gray 1/2 Marathon featured strong finishes from Fayetteville’s Nicholas Signorella (1:35:42), Smithsburg’s David Lehr (1:38:36), Chambersburg’s Chase Wenger (1:47:48), Matt Baker (1:58:19), and Marc Rodriguez (2:00:24), and Fairfield’s Sarah Krueger (2:00:49).
There was no shortage of fast times at the Frederick Half Marathon, as evidenced by the performances of Hagerstown’s John Brown (1:26:02), Bryan Durboraw (1:28:23), Andrew Bowers (1:28:51), and Allie Isaacs (1:36:36), Smithsburg’s Jonathan Kisas (1:30:25), Chambersburg’s Mark Janson (1:42:37), and Greencastle’s Maggie Turner (1:46:03). The companion race to the Frederick Half, the Twilight 5K, saw Durboraw take fifth overall in 18:49.
The aforementioned Dell, from Hagerstown, showcased her talents at the Ohiopyle Half Marathon, finishing as second female in 1:48:52. She was joined at the finish line by Hagerstown’s Gillan Dell, who clocked a 1:53:33 to take third in the 20-29 AG.
The York Marathon saw three area runners register sub-4 times: Hagerstown’s Bryan Seifarth (3:22:18) and Shelby Moleskie (3:34:09), and Fairfield’s Abigail LeGare (3:56:51). Mia Libby, of Greencastle, finished the York Half Marathon in 2:09:43.
Greencastle’s Joel Amstutz ran away for victory in 18:48 at the Shalom Christian Academy 5K in Chambersburg. Joining Amstutz in the Top 10 was Chambersburg’s Logan Cordell (2nd in 21:11), Derek Book (4th in 21:44), Landon Michalak (8th in 22:30), and Owen Book (9th in 22:31), Greencastle’s William Davis (5th in 21:45), and Marion’s Darrin Knoll (6th in 21:55).
Two Smithsburg runners, Rob Hovermale and Walter Naberhaus, dueled it for the win at the Pirates vs. Princesses 5K in Hagerstown. Hovermale crossed the finish line in 19:41 to defeat Naberhaus, who posted a 20:03. They were joined in the Top 10 by Smithsburg’s Philip Naberhaus (6th in 22:18), Hagerstown’s Zach Tussing (4th in 20:25), Chris Smith (9th in 25:09), and Matthew Vich (10th in 25:29), Waynesboro’s Josiah Owens (5th in 22:09), and Greencastle’s Ethan Izer (7th in 24:53).
Two area races — the Charge for Change 3K in Hagerstown and the Johnston Run 5 Mile in Mercersburg — featured local winners. Allen Anderson, of Hagerstown, posted a time of 11:13 to conquer the field of 70 runners at the Charge for Change, while Greencastle’s Jarrett Gelsinger crushed the Johnston field with a time of 31:19.
A number of others were active in races across the region and beyond, including Waynesboro’s Stephen Bui (2:09:52 at Superhero Half Marathon) and Kayla Schwab (2:12:35 at Garden Spot Half Marathon), Greencastle’s Andrea Marchiano (25:44 at Manheim Pirate 5K), Fayetteville’s Darren Tolbert (25:40 at Fast & Furriest 5K), Chambersburg’s Eshan Qazi (3:34:56 at General Smallwood Olympic Triathlon) and Anjela Owens (53:26 at Halfity-Half 1/8 Marathon), Hagerstown’s Michael Sanders (51:30 at Apple Blossom 10K), Hannah King (2:10:49 at Seashore Classic Half Marathon), and Luke Wright (2:29:57 at Lost River Trail Run Half Marathon), and Smithsburg’s Hailey Leishaar (31:16 at Stomp Out Heroin 5K).
And now, a look ahead:
Go Girls Go 5K: Saturday, 9 a.m., in Chambersburg. Compete in this race to support Go Girls Go, an after-school girls’ empowerment and running program. Register for the race on timberhilltiming.com.
Race to Share the Gospel Around the World 5K: Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m., in Shippensburg. Enjoy fun, food, and fellowship in this race, whose proceeds benefit outreach efforts in Cameroon. Look up the race on runsignup.com.
Water Wheel 5K: Saturday, May 17, 9:30 a.m., in Newville. The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail will serve as the backdrop for this race, which benefits the Cumberland Valley Rails-to-Trails Council. Check out the event on timberhilltiming.com.
Also: Camp Hebron Trail Run 5K/10K (Saturday, in Halifax); Crystal Lake Ski and Outdoor Center Trail Race 5K/25K (Saturday, in Hughesville); Dawn to Dusk to Dawn Ultras 50K/12H/24H (Saturday, in Sharon Hill); Dirty German Endurance Fest 25K/50K/50M (Saturday, in Philadelphia); Girls on the Run 5K (Saturday, in Harrisburg); Glacier Ridge Trail Ultra 30K/50K/50M (Saturday, in Portersville); Hollidaysburg Diamond Dash 6K/10K (Saturday, in Hollidaysburg); Hummelstown Hunger Run 5K/5M (Saturday, in Hummelstown); Kat’s 5K (Saturday, in Strasburg); Luau 5K/10K (Saturday, in York); Miller Mountain Trail Challenge 5M/25K (Saturday, in Tunkhannock); Mountain Railroad Half Marathon (Saturday, in Everett); Move for Life 5K (Saturday, in Manheim); Philly Mayor’s Cup 5K (Saturday, in Philadelphia); Randi’s Race 5K (Saturday, in Enola); Run the Vineyards 5K Waltz (Saturday, in Manheim); Run to Restoration 5K (Saturday, in Harrisburg); Sheep Shuffle 5K (Saturday, in Liverpool); Rotary Mother’s Day 5K (Sunday, in Elizabethtown); Carlisle Downtown Mile (Thursday, May 15, in Carlisle); Thirsty Thursday 5K (Thursday, May 15, in Reading); ABB Around the World 5K (Saturday, May 17, in Mechanicsburg); Aevidum Strides Against Stigma 5K (Saturday, May 17, in Lancaster); Chip’s Champions 5K (Saturday, May 17, in Denver); Conestoga Crusher 10K and Cruiser 5K (Saturday, May 17, in Holtwood); Eagles Autism Challenge 5K (Saturday, May 17, in Philadelphia); French Creek TriFest (Saturday, May 17, in Elverson); Girls on the Run 5K (Saturday, May 17, in Lancaster); Joggin’ 4 the Noggin 5K (Saturday, May 17, in Newport); Luau 5K/10K (Saturday, May 17, in Akron); Not One More Run for Recovery 5K (Saturday, May 17, in York); Oil Creek 5M/13M (Saturday, May 17, in Titusville); Patriot Power 5K (Saturday, May 17, in Reading); St. Margaret Mary School 5K (Saturday, May 17, in Harrisburg); Tough Mudder Philly (Saturday, May 17, in Kennett Square); Wheels & Wings Festival 5K (Saturday, May 17, in Lititz); Womelsdorf Mennonite Youth 5K (Saturday, May 17, in Lebanon); Half Wit Half Marathon Trail Run (Sunday, May 18, in Reading); Independence Triathlon (Sunday, May 18, in Quakertown); Rothrock Challenge 25K (Sunday, May 18, in State College).
