Running in Bridgeport CT!!

Thought it'd be nice to see some pictures from my run in Long Island Sound at low tide! This run was on Wednesday, December 16 at about 4:00 p.m.

What is "On Tap for 2010!"

Since I really need to Blog more often, this presented a great opportunity to list out what is on tap for 2010 in my running world. Hopefully this coming year will be more injury free than 2009. In the past year, I missed out on several races due to nagging injuries, particularly to my calf (strains).

January 2010

Phunt 50K

What better than to kick the new year off with a race on day 2! January 2nd will showcase the Phunt 50K in Havre 'de Grace Maryland. Here is a description of the race (2009):

The forth running of the PHUNT events including a 50k, Marathon, 20k and 11 k courses was completed on a brisk Jan 3, 2009 day at Fair Hill Natural Management Area near Elkton Maryland. With over 200 registrants the participation in this free semi FAT ASS event has literally mushroomed from its early beginnings in 2002 when 10- 12 showed up on the Sat closest to Jan 1 to run the PHUP precursor 50k loop course in horrid cold rain drenched conditions. Two hardy ladies and 2 experienced guys were the only true finishers of that run.

In sharp contrast as the run has grown, 2007 saw over 100 arrive for a balmy days run and in 2008 a similar number attempted the event with similar crisp conditions to 2009.

The 50k course which is the main event is tweaked some every year by co–director Phil Nissen and has evolved to be slightly less circuitous but still in keeping with offering an amazing variety of single track trail, cart paths and open field and a very minor less then 5% road component. The other distance options utilize the 50k full loop course offering cut –offs for lesser distance.

The event is free and relies on participants for some food and liquid supplies to have at aid stations which vary in number and provisioning each year based on the donations and available volunteers to handle setting up a station. 2009 was also the first year of a Food Panty Challenge. It was amazingly successful with canned goods and non- perishables over filling a large SUV to be distributed at area shelters and food pantries.

Volunteer $ donations this year were also sufficient to cover a lot parking fee, the run directors costs and still present park management with a $100 check.

The event has also drawn entrants from a broad geographic area, with 2009 being no exception with a sizable contingent from New York City ( including 50k 1^st place female, Stephanie Case ), as well as several from Illinois, Michigan and Florida.

Walt Disney Marathon

This race "fell" into my lap, so to speak. Already planning to be in Orlando Florida the weekend of January 9, I was informed that the Walt Disney Marathon, one I've wanted to run for a good long time, was taking place on Sunday January 10 - a 5:50 a.m. start! I ran a "tune up" run this past week (December 3) and it was W-A-R-M! Coming from northern temps in the 30's, it should prove to be a challenge with:

a.) a 50K run being completed eight days prior and;

b.) a temperature that will most likely be 40 to 50 degrees warmer!

Description of the course:

Walt Disney World® Marathon

Sunday, January 10, 2010

The final race of the weekend, you will complete the most magical 26.2 miles on Earth. The course takes you through all four Walt Disney World® Theme Parks starting at Epcot®, continuing on to the Magic Kingdom® Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ and then back to Epcot®. for an exhilarating finish.

February 2010

Some much needed rest after the WDM, with about six or seven weeks between that run and the Hashawha Hills Trail Run in Westminster MD. This is a small doozy of a well run event, and from speaking with others who've run this, it is quite captivating. I'll experience this and report back! :-)

Course Description:

The start/finish is at a covered pavilion just a two minute walk from the Nature Center The course has about two miles of asphalt, three miles of gravel road and 26 miles of trail. The course is mostly single track trails along with some old woods roads and open fields. The entire course is runnable. There are no mountains, no rocks, and no roots, but there are a few stream crossings (you WILL get your feet wet) and never ending small hills to wear you down with a few bigger hills thrown in just for fun. The scenery changes from mostly woods to meadows and open fields with beautiful views of rolling farmland. The course will be well marked for the entire distance; however runners will have to pay attention to remain on course.

March 2010

A few weeks after the Hashawha Trail run is the Hat Run. I've not run this event before, but have been encouraged to do so for a few years now by my good running buddy Stephen Dobson. This run will replace the Washington National Marathon, which I've run the past three years. As you probably can tell, I'm trying to get off the road and onto the trails!

The Hat Run is a 50K race that takes place in beautiful Susquehannna State Park (PA). This should prove to be a bit challenging, but fun and a nice switch from the roads.

Course Description:

The course is mostly single track trail with a mix of open fields, dirt road and some paved road. The course features nearly 9,800 feet of climbing. There is a starting loop of 3.6 miles followed by two identical loops of 13.7 miles. There are 4 stream crossings that can be challenging depending on the water level - there is alway the chance of getting wet feet.

URL: http://www.hatrun.com/course.htm

Another view from space:

Baltimore Marathon 2009

Results of Baltimore

JOHN STEINER #3370

THURMONT, MD

Age: 43 Gender: M

Distance	MAR
Clock Time	3:45:00
Chip Time	3:43:19
Overall Place	465 / 3152
Gender Place	366 / 2033
Division Place	68 / 294
Age Grade	58.8%
5 7M	48:34
10M
12 7M	1:46:45
Half
19M
20M
Ctz	USA
Pace	8:32