In the loopy world of blogs, this is the first post you'll see. For us, it's the last.

From the time this blog launched with several contributors, it has always been in a bit of a gerrymandered space between the sports and health worlds, with some transportation and food thrown in.

We've lost some voices in the year since then, so it's with some relief that those of us still active move to Picture of Health this month. We hope you'll come with us so we won't have to miss you.

It's been fun. Thanks for all the comments!

Photo credit: Getty Images

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 6:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
         Tweet

We received some pretty nice shots from readers of the Baltimore Marathon / Baltimore Running Festival, and I'm happy to say that our social media team has another gallery started for this weekend's Komen Race for the Cure.

If you're going to Hunt Valley on Sunday, please consider adding yours via the instructions here. We'd love to see what you're up to, whether that's a shot from this week or a past Komen event.

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 2:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore Running Festival, City of Baltimore, Outdoors, Running, Walking, Weekend
         Tweet

UPDATED: Sorry for the confusion, but the date for Mobtown Madness is actually Nov. 5th

From the page for this year's adventure race:

An exciting puzzle-solving race around Baltimore, to benefit Unchained Talent - an after-school performing arts and mentoring program that uses arts as the hook to keep students engaged in their education and their lives.

Pre-register now and start fundraising! We are asking all participants to raise a minimum of $100, including your entrance fee. Teams who raise more than the minimum per participant will be eligible for a special prize. Registration begins at 2 PM; Race starts at 3 PM. Location to be announced soon!

More here:

http://www.firstgiving.com/unchainedtalent/mobtown-madness-v

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 6:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: City of Baltimore
         Tweet

Here’s a totally nonathletic, short, free walk for newbies, people up for a morning stroll at the Inner Harbor and anyone interested in a few tidbits about little-known services promoted by the state’s court system.

The District Court of Maryland Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and the Mediation and Conflict Resolution offices are holding a 3K walk around the Baltimore Inner Harbor on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 9 a.m.- noon.

Info tables will spotlight groups that offer conflict resolution services for families, schools, neighborhoods and more – think mediation, community conferences, conflict coaching.

Chief Judge Robert M. Bell of the Court of Appeals will make opening remarks. The walk goes to the Pier 5 Lighthouse and back to Rash Field, and includes a scavenger hunt with prizes.

Register today and you'll get a free t-shirt and a tote bag that says: Walk for peace in our communities. They’ll also be available, first-come basis, on Walk Day. To register: click here.

Posted by Andrea Siegel at 4:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
         Tweet

After getting a $50 ticket for not riding his bike in a bike lane, Casey Neistat made this painful video showing that bike lanes are not always the safest place to ride.

Posted by Jerry Jackson at 8:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Bicycling, City of Baltimore
         Tweet

For those who missed it this morning, here's some of Rebekah Brown's piece on a rather exclusive footrace -- of sorts -- with a special purpose:

"Gentlemen, we may not live through today."

Jay Jonas, a deputy chief in the New York Fire Department, heard those words on Sept. 11, right before his unit entered the north tower of the World Trade Center.

"We wished each other good luck, shook each other's hands and headed inside," Jonas said.

There were 13 other firefighters with Jonas on that morning. They were on the 27th floor when they heard the south tower fall. Jonas said he knew that they needed to retreat. Along the way, they stopped to rescue an injured woman.

"Even though we were essentially running for our lives, we put ourselves in harm's way," the 32-year veteran said at Thursday's opening ceremony for the Baltimore Fire Expo, which runs through Saturday at the convention center.

After the speeches, firefighters and others made their way to the adjacent Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel, where more than 320 people in 41 teams climbed 20 floors. When they reached the top, they took a freight elevator down.

Then they climbed back up again. They did this five times to symbolize the 110 floors of the trade center.

Before each ascent, each group rang a bell and announced the name of a New York firefighter who died in the attack 10 years ago. Each wore a picture of one of 343 firefighters who were killed.

Read the full story here.

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 2:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: City of Baltimore
         Tweet

Here's a good - and free - opportunity to try yoga:

The free outdoor yoga classes that started in May at West Shore Park on the Inner Harbor Promenade are now set to continue through Aug. 20. Weather-permitting, they’re every Saturday, 9 - 10 a.m.

The pre-tourist hour is early enough to be before you think it’s too hot to move a muscle. No yoga experience necessary.

The park is between the Visitor's Center and Maryland Science Center.

They are led by Charm City Yoga’s Camille Moses Allen and Jessica Rodgers. Sponsors are CCY and the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore.

If you've stopped over there this summer for free sessions, tell us about it!

Photo courtesy Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore

Posted by Andrea Siegel at 5:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
         Tweet

If you’ve been thinking of combining exercise with getting to work by bicycle, an "A Smarter Way to Get There" workshop this month may be for you.

A free primer on bicycle commuting, Smarter Way part of an initiative to promote transportation options for Harbor East and other waterfront locales in Baltimore.

The 2-hour workshop will start at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 30 at 650 S. Exeter St., Seventh floor courtyard.

Topics include good-to-know-info: choosing equipment, routes and safety. Another good reason to go is that everyone who does will be entered to win a TREK 700 hybrid bike.

Registration is required. Email beth@waterfrontpartnership.org or call (443) 743-3308.

Sponsors: Waterfront Partnership and Bike Maryland.

Posted by Andrea Siegel at 6:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Bicycling, City of Baltimore, Events, Newbies, Traffic
         Tweet

If you need a reason to get up and out on a weekend morning, consider this: Free outdoors yoga classes in Baltimore are being extended through July 30.

Charm City Yoga and the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore are offering free yoga classes at West Shore Park on the Inner Harbor Promenade through the end of July. They are 9 - 10 am, every Saturday, as long as the weather cooperates.

Leading the classes: Charm City Yoga’s Camille Moses Allen and Jessica Rodgers.

You don't need to be experienced in yoga to participate.

The location is between the Visitor's Center and Maryland Science Center on the Inner Harbor Promenade.

Info: (410) 528-1523.

Posted by Andrea Siegel at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
         Tweet

Baltimore lagged a bit behind its neighbors in the Zipcar department -- we finally got them last summer, long after Washington and Philadelphia -- but it looks like we might not be so poky when it comes to an organized system of public bikes for pay.

Continue reading "Coming soon: Bike sharing in Baltimore" »

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Bicycling, City of Baltimore, Newbies, Outdoors, Traffic, Washington
         Tweet

While working a summer job years ago at the New York Burrito shop in Lansing, MI, I often would see a group of shirtless, middle-aged men run by during the lunch hour.

Asking who they were got me a quick reply from our overworked manager: "The Turtles."

I'm hoping to start a similar group, sans the shirtless part. I need your help. Tell me when you would be able to participate in a lunch run like this. Pace would likely start at 8 or 9 minutes per mile, with faster groups potentially forming if we got a big turnout. (I would also be interested in suggestions for walking: Just leave a comment if you're interested in that side of things.)

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: City of Baltimore, Outdoors, Running
         Tweet

What I’m doing: The Olney Country Road Race looks viable, if I'm up for a Sunday event.

Why: Last weekend's race started a bit late for my taste, at just after 10 a.m.. While I'm normally a big fan of the HCS afternoon runs, I like the Olney race's 8 a.m. start time.

What else I recommend: The GW marathon is a bit out-of-the-way for me, but it looks exciting: It's in its 50th year, so they must be doing something right.

Other options:

Continue reading "Weekly walking/running roundup" »

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
         Tweet

Mountain biking in the Loch Raven watershed has become a hot button issue again with reports that rangers have begun enforcing a 1998 plan restricting access to the single track trails.

MORE (Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts) will hold an informational meeting Thursday night at 7 P.M. at the Timonium Fairgrounds in the Fasig-Tipton building.

All trail users, bikers, hikers, runners, bird watchers, and fishermen are invited to attend.

Posted by Jerry Jackson at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
         Tweet

Before the goblins come out on Halloween, bikers, hikers and skaters will get a treat of their own in Roland Park. This Sunday morning the Roland Park Civic League will host their second Ciclovía. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. the southbound lanes of Roland Avenue between Roland Park Country School and Cold Spring Avenue will be a paved park.

There will be a bicycle costume parade for children and coffee and snacks for everyone provided by area merchants. Parking is available at Roland Park Elementary/Middle School and Roland Park Country School.

For the more adventurous, Baltimore city bike planner Nate Evans is hosting the B'More Spooky Halloween Bike Ride on Saturday evening at 6:30 P.M. Bikers in costume will meet at War Memorial Plaza then proceed to visit some of the city's spookier spots including Poe's Grave and Greenmount Cemetery. RSVP on Socializer.

On Sunday night, Bmore Fixed will stage a Halloween Alley Cat race starting at 6:30 P.M. from Baltimore Bicycle Works at 1813 Falls Road.

photos by Karen Jackson/Special to The Sun

Posted by Jerry Jackson at 1:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Bicycling, City of Baltimore, Events
         Tweet

A friend just passed on this tidbit, happening this weekend:

Members of Baltimore Bicycle Works -- "Baltimore’s only worker owned and democratically operated bicycle shop" according to their website -- will be at the Baltimore DIY fest this weekend to teach you how to fix your bike's flat tire.

The DIY fest will be at 2640 St. Paul Street and the Roadside Repair workshop by Bicycle Works will be held from 4:15 to 5:15 in the venue's Sunday Room.

I am sure this, and similar workshops, are aimed at others like me: I just bought a new bike last summer, but I haven't changed a flat since I was a kid, so I know I'm tempting fate. It's just a matter of time before I get stranded somewhere, I'm sure.

Posted by Anica Butler at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
         Tweet

Yesterday morning I woke up in a panic. I'd dreamed that it was race day, but I'd failed to get my clothes & shoes & other stuff together the night before, so a frenzied rush ensued, which included a lot of running up and down the stairs of my house.

Once I finally arrived at the race in my dream, I couldn't find the starting line. I woke up at the point I was looking at my watch and realizing the race was just about to start. Without me.

In real life, I am really excited to be running my first half-marathon this weekend in the Baltimore Running Festival. In fact, I kinda wish it was tomorrow instead of Saturday! But I guess that somewhere in my psyche, I'm a little nervous about being prepared. 

In recognition of that, I'll be posting some last-minute tips throughout the rest of the week. So, if you're running this weekend, let me know if there's anything you'd like to know or anything you're feeling nervous about. If you send me your last-minute race questions, I'll do my best to get them answered by experts (not me!).

Check back around noon: We'll have a post from a University of Maryland Medical Center nutritionist on race-day fueling. She also discusses what and how we should be eating in the days leading up to the race. There are even tips for 5-k'ers.

Posted by Anica Butler at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore Running Festival, City of Baltimore, Events, Running
         Tweet

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will sign two bills today that will help make Baltimore even more bike friendly.

One bill mandates that storm drain grates that run parallel to traffic be replaced with bicycle-safe grates that run perpendicular to the roadway and won't catch a bicycle's front wheel.

The other measure imposes a $75 fine for motorists that park in a bicycle lane. The website MyBikeLane.com, in which users document bike lane infractions worldwide, shows that St. Paul Street near Penn Station is Baltimore's trouble spot.

Both bills are strides in the right direction. The next step, it would seem, would be to improve the conditions of some of the existing bike lanes. Baltimore has 58 miles of bike lanes and most are in great shape. But, as anyone who drives in Baltimore knows, some streets are in need of major repair. Too often, the bike lanes mirror the road conditions, yet few commuter bikes have the suspension to absorb the bumps and potholes. Roland Avenue (pictured), between Cold Spring and Northern Parkway is a primary corridor for many cyclists heading into and out of the city. It is also has one of the worst surfaces for biking on anything other than a mountain bike.

There are more out there. What is the worst stretch of your bike lane? And please, if you have a favorite bike lane, let me know about that one also.

Posted by Jerry Jackson at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Bicycling, City of Baltimore
         Tweet

Most days, I set my alarm for 5:23 a.m. (Getting up at 5:23 seems so much better than getting up at 5:20.) In the summer, it's a great time to run. It beats heading out in the afternoon when the temperature is hovering near 95 degrees. As a native Minnesotan, I have a low tolerance for heat. Just when the temps start to dip, so does the amount of sunlight.

Now if I'm out the door at 6 a.m., it's still dark. I run through residential neighborhoods in the city. I hardly ever see anyone at that hour. Even the dog walkers seem to sleep in.

In the past few weeks, I have skipped my morning runs. It makes me uneasy to run in the dark with no one around. Not just because I am more likely to fall into a pothole that I can't see or trip over a fallen tree branch, but because I'm a woman running alone in the dark.

Am I just being paranoid or practical?

Posted by Leeann Adams at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: City of Baltimore, Running
         Tweet

Any time an event involves Druid Hill Park's meandering back roads, there's bound to be some worry about navigation. The organizers of today's Falls Road 15K, in which I ran, took this into account: While the pre-race instructions were a little bit scary, those instructions got us thinking about directions, and the course was full of people pointing us along the way.

Continue reading "Participant's perspective: Falls Road 15K" »

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: City of Baltimore, Events, Running, Walking, Weekend
         Tweet

One Less Car celebrates bicycling in Baltimore this Sunday with the annual Tour du Port. Starting in Canton, five routes ranging from 13 to 65 miles will explore waterfront communities in Baltimore. 

Online registration is still open today and bike-in registration will be available Sunday morning.

A post ride celebration with live music and lunch will be held from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. in Canton's Waterfront Park at the Korean War Memorial. 

top: Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina Perna

Posted by Jerry Jackson at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Bicycling, City of Baltimore
         Tweet

In case you missed it... Baltimore was recently named a Bike Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.

After three years of trying Baltimore received a bronze designation joining the ranks of Washington, Philadelphia and New York among others.

What does this mean and where do we go from here? According to the LAB, "A bronze is a much better community for cycling than one that is turned down for an award, but still has a long way to go before becoming platinum."

Posted by Jerry Jackson at 2:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Bicycling, City of Baltimore, Philadelphia
         Tweet

... but Portland, which is famous specifically for walkability, came in at number nine. That means I treat this compilation with even more skepticism than the healthy dose usually allotted for this type of ranking. (Laura Vozzella writes a bit more about the frequently shaky nature of these lists in this classic post.)

See some perspective from our sister papers in L.A. and Chicago (ranked 13th and 5th, respectively) here. Full results here.

What do you think they got right? What was off-target? Leave a comment.

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 4:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: City of Baltimore, Media, Walking
         Tweet

This morning's print edition of the paper included this piece by Andrea Walker, discussing a city campaign for healthier living. Ray Rice is among those helping with the effort.

For those who are interested, the kickoff event starts in about an hour at hour, with the mayor guiding a walk from City Hall to the Harborplace Amphitheater.

To read more about the event and surrounding Healthy City Days initiative, check out the full article.

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: City of Baltimore, Politics, Walking
         Tweet