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

I’m not sure I’ll get to run it this year, but either way, I’m incredibly excited about the expansion of the Hot Chocolate 15K/5K, which is coming up a week from today in Washington. (There are also editions of the race in several other cities, including Chicago and San Diego – here’s hoping for a Baltimore event next year.)

In celebration, here’s my favorite cocoa recipe.

My wife swears I showed her how to make this. I swear the opposite. I’m the one with the computer, so I win for now. Either way, it’s really good.

Renee Maynard’s hot cocoa

In medium saucepan, heat 3 Tbspn of water to boiling, then reduce so water is merely steaming.
Stir in 6-7 Tbspn of baking cocoa, forming a pudding-like mix.
Stir in 2-3 Tbspn of sugar.
Stir in 1 tspn cinnamon.
Stir in 1 tspn vanilla.
Keep stirring slowly and constantly. After mix becomes smooth, reduce heat further to avoid burning.
Add 4 cups of milk, with the first two cups being added a quarter-cup at a time, stirring thoroughly after each addition to keep consistency even.

If it’s not verboten in your house, I’d recommend serving this with marshmallows: The cocoa is wonderfully bitter – note that I don’t call it “hot chocolate” since it’s almost sugarless – and while I love it that way, I imagine some people would welcome the extra sweetness marshmallows can add. I'm not a fan of crushed candy canes, but if that's your fancy, feel free to add those as well.

What other potential cocoa condiments am I forgetting? I know I’ve tried whipped cream before, with varying results.

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 7:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Events, Outdoors, Running, Washington, Weekend
         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

A healthy outdoors option for Sunday, which just happens to be National Trails Day:

Walk the Heart Smart Trail at Gunpowder Falls State Park.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Franklin Square Hospital Center are scheduled to reopen it with festvities from 1 to 3 pm Sunday, according to a news release we received.

The walking path is one mille long.

Events include a ribbon cutting ceremony, health awareness activities, and raffles, prizes and outdoorsy fun. Pets are welcome.

And of course there are health benefits to taking a walk.

The action will be at the park's Sweathouse Branch Area, Belair Road / Route 1 in Kingsville.

Posted by Andrea Siegel at 2:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
         Tweet

A new triathlon is in the offing for May 14 in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. It’s the inaugural TriRock Annapolis Sprint Triathlon.

The event will start with a swim in the Annapolis Harbor, followed by a 12.4-mile bike ride that will end at the foot of City Dock.

A 5K run, the last leg, will loop through city streets. Organizers expect the event to attract about 1,500 to 1,800 participants and as many as 2,000 spectators. Start time is expected to be at 7 a.m. and city officials say the breakdown of portable facilities should be done by around 5 p.m.

For event information and more, click here.

Posted by Andrea Siegel at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
         Tweet

You're seeing all these 5Ks and up in listings everywhere, and you scroll past them because that's just too far to walk, much less run. But being a newbie or non-marathoner isn't a sign that you should plop back on the couch with a bag of chips.

Don't skip over the notices so fast. Plenty of these, especially the fund-raisers, have walks. Walks, jogs, strolls -- whatever you want to call them -- get you outdoors and moving. You're going at your own pace and at a distance that suits you better, typically up to a mile, and you'll have lots of company on your walk.

For example, on Saturday morning, the Baltimore State's Attorney's Office has a 5K run to raise money for an emergency fund for crime victims. But it also has a 1-mile walk. The event is in Patterson Park. Registration, $25, for the 9 a.m. event, opens at 7:30 at the Virginia S. Baker rec center.

In Annapolis, on May 21, the police department presents a one-miler to benefit Special Olympics Maryland. Registration is $25, but less for kids. Some entrants will do a 6-minute mile, but the program is geared to include walkers. You can take home an award even if you aren't the first to cross the finish line. They're promising to include awards for such non-athletic categories as best costume.

Posted by Andrea Siegel at 5:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Events, Newbies, Outdoors, Walking, Weekend
         Tweet

What I’m doing: I'll be going down to watch the National Marathon on Saturday, then probably doing some makeup mileage on Sunday.

Why: I've never seen this relatively new race -- this will be its sixth year -- and while it's not as big as autumn's Marine Corps Marathon, I respect the ambition that it takes to call yourself the National Anything right out of the gate.

What else I recommend: The Keep Your Colon Rollin 5K gets 10 points just for its name. I know nothing else about this race. I'm also curious about the Great Escape 5K in Cumberland (both links after the jump).

Other options:

Continue reading "Weekly walking/running roundup" »

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Events, National Marathon, Running, Triathlon, Walking, Washington, Weekly roundups
         Tweet

What I’m doing: It's likely that my wife and I will go hiking on our own on one of the weekend days.

What else I recommend: The Kelly race is a big Baltimore tradition. There are also other St. Patrick's Day events around the state, along with the pub run (which is being set up by a group that I run with sometimes -- all links are after the jump).

Other options:

Continue reading "Weekly walking/running roundup" »

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 9:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
         Tweet

Registration for the Marine Corps Marathon begins tomorrow, Feb. 23, at noon.

The race site's registration page currently links to sister events. While it doesn't have the prize purse of Boston, New York or Chicago -- nor even Baltimore -- the MCM is one of the largest races in the country, and with that in mind, I would plan to sign up quickly if you want a spot.

Continue reading "MCM registration opens tomorrow" »

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
         Tweet

What I’m doing: Probably just distance training this week -- no races likely.

What I recommend: If you're able to somehow squeeze yourself into the club challenge in Howard County -- see the link after the jump -- it seems to be the big event for the coming weekend. It's officially full. Good luck.

Continue reading "Walking/running roundup" »

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
         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

An area along the river-facing side of Philadelphia's Kelly Drive is known as Boathouse Row, and right on cue, a crew of men glided by as I did a belated warmup this morning for the Cupid's Chase 5K.

I was warming up at the last minute because, like the majority of my preregistered race-mates, I stood in line for a good 25 minutes before getting my race number. That's somewhat forgivable, since this was the event's first year, and the turnout was significantly higher than the slightly green organizers had expected.

Continue reading "Participant's perspective: Cupid's Chase 5K, Philadelphia" »

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
         Tweet

What I’m doing: Heading up to Philadephia to run a 5K race up that way.

Why: Held at 10:00, the race is late enough in the day that it won't be too tough to get there on time. (It's also right across the river from the country's oldest zoo.)

What else I recommend: If I were around, I would probably crash one of the breakfast runs on Saturday or maybe head up to Carroll County for the McDaniel group run on Sunday. The Howard County Striders' Sunday race also a appears to be a nice, low-key, non-heart-and-flower event, if past iterations are any indication, and with most of the Striders races charging less than five bucks for registration, it's probably the best deal in the area -- probably cheaper than some training runs, when you factor in gas or food.

Other options:

Continue reading "Weekly walking/running roundup" »

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 7:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
         Tweet

I've had e-mails for a few new events pop up in my e-mail box recently. 

First, Falls Road Running Store will be hosting a 5k at Cylburn Arboretum in April. Spring will be beautiful at the arboretum, and even though I'd sworn off 5ks, the setting might make this one worth it.

Here's what the store's e-mail had to say about it:

We have a new event in Baltimore City -- The Paths of Cylburn 5K on April 10th.   This is one of Baltimore's  best kept secrets, garden paths and wooded trails in Baltimore City.  

Registration is now open at the links above.

Another event that I wish I'd known about before I, in a moment of insanity, signed up for a triathlon is the DUthe2, a duathlon in Howard County. 

The DUthe2 is on August 7, and consists of a two mile run, a 26-mile bike, followed by a four mile run. I believe this is a new event, but can't tell from the website.

Also, in my inbox, was the list of Falls Road-sponsored races for this year. Here it is:

Posted by Anica Butler at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
         Tweet

A new fitness center a short drive from Thurgood Marshall BWI Airport and Arundel Mills will hold opening festivities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, with games and prizes and, of course, enrollment deals.

"We are a small boutique luxury club," Danny Tyler, general manager for Merritt's two-week-old Buckingham location near Route 170 and 100, told me. Buckingham is a new community in Hanover.

The plan is to go 24-hours a day soon.

The setup is based on what's called a life fitness journey concept, the company says. It focuses on individual goals with three "neighborhoods" of equipment - cardio, resistance machines and free weights. Within each "neighborhood," machines are grouped by level of fitness.

The idea is that beginners, for example, can start at their level, where most of the equipment is easier, and then as they progress on their "journey," they can move to more challenging resistance machines and free weights in intermediate and advanced levels.

Meritt's Canton center is remodeling using the same concept, and plans are being made for the rest of the company's Baltimore-area locations to get that makeover too.

Posted by Andrea Siegel at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
         Tweet

If joining a gym or fitness organization isn't your thing but a structured setting would get you to exercise, don't overlook classes offered by hospitals near you.

Many hospitals have gone beyond providing illness support groups and disease information sessions to offering exercise classes. And there's a pretty good mix -- self-defense, yoga, strength training, massage and more.

Many classes run weekly for a few months, so you aren't making a long-term financial commitment, which has a lot of appeal. Most hospitals charge for classes, but some classes are free. For example, Anne Arundel Medical Center charges for T'ai Chi, and Good Samaritan is home to a free chair exercise program for older people. And a number of fitness classes are either ongoing or have a session that will start soon.

Classes are listed on a hospital web site, but may take some poking around. Look under classes, events, calendar and wellnes. An occasional one-session nutrition program may be in the mix.

This is by no means every area hospital, but it will get you started:
For Anne Arundel Medical Center, click here.
For Baltimore Washington Medical Center, click here.
For Howard County General Hospital, click here.
For Good Samaritan Hospital, click here.

Posted by Andrea Siegel at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Events, Newbies, Yoga
         Tweet

Mark your 2011 calendar:

The Severna Park Community Center, a not-for-profit, no-membership center, is having a free fitness fair Jan. 8. The center is still lining up vendors from around the region, Anne Arundel Medical Center is working with the center on this, and a schedule of classes, demonstrations and seminars is being finalized. The program includes fitness and exercise, health and wellness.

This is the second year of the Fitness in the Park Expo. Last year, more than 250 people came. This is a good way to sample different exercises without making a commitment and to check out new things on the market. Classes and programs at the expo include not only the ones that operate at the center, but those offered elsewhere in the area. Events for kids, adults, seniors -- they are all part of this. That might give you some good ideas and motivation for the new year. More info will be on the center's website as the 8th approaches.

The center also is home to a free exercise class on Monday nights. The idea is to get you started, whatever your level. Show up with your towel and bottle of water.

For the center's website, click here.

And if your organization has upcoming fitness events, tell us.

Posted by Andrea Siegel at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
         Tweet

What race gives you a Fuzzy warrior helmet AND free beer?

Why, it's the Warrior Dash! 

I'd never heard of this insane sounding event until a co-worker told us she'd signed up. The race, which is just more than 3 miles long, is made up of several obstacles including the "tipsy tight rope," the "petrifying plunge" and the "warrior roast."

Registration is open for next year's event, which will be held May 21 and 22 in Mechanicsville, about an hour and 45 minutes south of Baltimore.

And I thought that running the Celtic Solstice was wild (potentially, had it snowed)! I had no idea. Anybody planning to do this event? Anyone done one previously? 

Continue reading "Warrior Dash: The craziest race with the coolest stuff" »

Posted by Anica Butler at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Events, Outdoors, Running
         Tweet

What I’m doing: Not sure yet. I might head down to the Figgy Pudding race if time and budget allow.

Why: It's been months since I took part in a Baltimore race.

What else I recommend: The Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk for Arthritis also looks like a fun city event. A couple friends have also mentioned interest in the Anniversary Run.

Other options:
Daily Glen Burnie walking program, Annapolis walking ghost tour

Frederick Reindeer Rescue Run, 4th Annual Fells Point Figgy Pudding Race, NCR Trail Snails group run, Berlin Reindeer Run 5K & 1 Mile, HCI Santa Shuffle 5k Run/1 Mile Fun Walk

Westminster Sunday group run, Rockville Jingle Bell Jog 8K, Anniversary Run 15K, Baltimore Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk for Arthritis, Glen Echo Bread Run 10K, RASAC "Rocky" 5-miler, Legends of the Fall series (final event)

Monday run in Federal Hill

What did you do last weekend? Upload race photos here.

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Events, Running, Walking, Weekend, Weekly roundups
         Tweet

What I’m doing: After a week of on-again-off-again cross training, I'll probably start running a bit on Saturday, most likely joining friends in Anne Arundel County for a short piece of their longer route.

Why: It's generally a good idea to recover slowly from a marathon -- Philadelphia, in this case. Additionally, I have to return some Thanksgiving Tupperware down in that direction.

What else I recommend: There are jingle bell runs throughout the country, but very few of them are in places as well-suited as Ellicott City, which looks like it could easily host Santa's workshop. If you go to their Jingle Bell 5K, be careful: Part of what makes the downtown picturesque is its location in a valley, and that means lots of hills are almost a certainty.

Other options:

Glen Burnie daily walking program, Annapolis ghost walk, PRR all-comers group runs

Family nature walk, Frozen Slopes Cross Country, BYRON 15k Mountain Run, BYRON 15k Mountain Run, Ellicott Jingle Bell 5K, Reindeer Run, Santa Shuffle 5K, http://athlinks.com/CalendarItem.aspx?centryid=147810">Gar Williams Half Marathon, Wright Stuff 5K Fun Run & Walk, RASAC Long Distance Run, Southern High School Bulldog 5K Run and 1 mi Walk, Frozen Foot 50K, Share the Holiday Spirit 5K Run/Walk In Memory of Laura Gondeck, NCR Trail Snails Saturday Group Run, Solomons Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis 5K

Master's 6-miler and Holiday Social, Legends of the Fall #6, Sunday Morning Group Runs, Dancer Dash 10K, RASAC Charity 5K, Iron Fitness 140.6 min indoor triathlon

What did you do last weekend? Upload race photos here.

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Events, Running, Walking, Weekend, Weekly roundups
         Tweet

The expo for the Philadelphia Marathon was pretty packed this morning, but I'm happy to say my packet pickup went smoothly.

Ironically, the presence of a not-so-smooth commuting obstacle for Philadelphia drivers may contribute to an equally fluid experience for those of us racing tomorrow, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The paper quotes the race's executive director, who says that construction work has eliminated Lemon Hill from the route. That theoretically should make the race easier for me and the other 11,000 runners expected on the marathon course.

I've never run this race before, so while I can safely say that the route is a bit flatter this year, I don't really know the details of what that means -- and to be frank, I'm not going to dwell on it, since I signed up for the purpose of running this race rather than covering it.

Update: Searchable results for this year's events are available here.

Continue reading "Hoping my Philly Marathon time benefits from construction" »

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Events, Media, Philadelphia, Running, Weekend, Working
         Tweet

What I’m doing: I'll be picking up my Philadelphia Marathon packet on Saturday, then running the race on Sunday.

Why: Thanks to the Philly's proximity -- along with my wife's willingness to drive for a day trip on Sunday and a $3.50 round-trip ticket on megabus for Saturday -- I won't have to get a hotel room. That makes this race a pretty good deal, if you're considering it for next year. (This year's event is sold out.)

What else I recommend: My coworkers have been raving about the JFK 50 for weeks now. The Battle of the Potomac also caught my eye.

Other options:

Tidal Basin 3K & 1500m

2nd Annual Heather L. Hurd 5K Walk/Run, St. Jude's Give Thanks. Walk., Fells Point PubWalk, Run Under the Lights 5K, Lights on the Bay 5k Fun Run, Stone Mill 50-mile, Mount Vernon GhostWalk, Howard County General Hospital Dazzle Dash (run), Bita's Run 5K, Rampace 5K, Bobbi Jo Memorial Turkey Chase 5K, RASAC Gunpowder 50K, One World Run a 5K to benefit Project AIDS Orphan, Toys for Tots Turkey Trot, Battle of the Potomac XC Championship

Legends of the Fall 2M/10K/15K, Cold Turkey 10K, JFK 50 Mile, Flying Feet Burk Memorial 5K, Stone Mill 50 Mile Run, Howard County General Hospital Dazzle Dash (walk), King of the Road 5K, Wounded Warrior 5K Run/Walk,

Daily walking program, Annapolis Ghost Tour

What did you do last weekend? Upload race photos here.

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 2:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Events, Running, Walking, Weekend, Weekly roundups
         Tweet

I can't remember exactly how it came up, but some time ago, Jerry, our resident cyclist, Leeann, my swimming mentor, and I started talking about doing a triathlon. Wouldn't it be fun to stretch ourselves and try to get better in sports that we don't think of as our "main" sport? 

Well, the day of reckoning is upon us. Today, Jerry, Leeann, Patrick and I are planning to sign up for Columbia's Celebration sprint triathlon. 

I can't speak for the whole crew, but for me, this will be my first triathlon, and I realize I may be in over my head. (I just started taking swim lessons two weeks ago!) But it's fun to have a goal to work toward.

Often, during the winter, I feel myself losing much of the fitness gains I've made during the summer and fall. It's easy to hibernate, eat too much, and cut back on working out. Even though the triathlon isn't until June 2011, I'm hoping that just knowing I have such a daunting event coming up will keep me motivated during the colder months. It'll keep me in the pool, that's for sure!

So, at some point early next spring, expect us to blog about our training, and of course, about the event itself. We're kicking around some ideas to include readers in our training. If you have any ideas let us know!

Posted by Anica Butler at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
         Tweet

What I’m doing: I'll be spending Saturday morning churning out the longest of my pre-Philadelphia runs. This will likely be followed by a painful Sunday with as little movement as possible.

Why: With Philadelphia coming up on the 21st, it's time to start tapering down.

What I recommend for others: I really enjoyed last year's Down's Park 5 Miler, as it's a perfect way to view the changing leaves near Gibson Island. I was a big Joe Shafran fan when I worked in Annapolis, so if I feel inclined to get up on Sunday, I'll probably go talk to people at the Joggin' Joe Memorial 5K.

Other options:
Tuerk House Annual 5K/1 Mile Walk, Down's Park 5 Miler , Frizzellburg 3-mi XC @9AM, Feronia Funrunium, 5-Mile Trail Run for Healthier Babies, Cardinal 5K, MCCA-Colombo 5K, Jug Bay 5K/10K for Wildlife and 3K Fun Walk, Be True to Your School 5K, RASAC distance training run, 10th Annual Step-by-Step 5K, One Step Closer Autism Walk

Continue reading "Weekly walking/running roundup" »

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 1:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Events, Running, Walking, Weekend, Weekly roundups
         Tweet

Karla Bruning, the Washington Times' running blogger, wrote a nice piece today about maintaining perspective when goals get delayed. Specifically interesting was how she compared her own problems to those of Ryan Hall, who's in the area right now for the Marine Corps Marathon expo. From Bruning's post:

My doctor postulated that I had a meniscus tear, tendonitis or a pinched fat pad. First, all I could think was, “What? My knees are fat?” Sheesh! And then, “Oh no! Am I going to be able to run the marathon?”

If a pro like Ryan Hall could pull the plug on the big goal in the big race that he’d been training for his entire career, perhaps I could conceive of missing the marathon.

To find out whether Bruning is still planning to run in New York, read her whole post >>

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 5:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Events, Injuries, Marine Corps Marathon, Running
         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

While finishing the weekly event update a few hours ago, I noticed that one of these things was not like the others.

Doze with Miss Darby is one of a few "non-races" I've seen in the last decade, and while I don't generally like non-event events, I'm a sucker for alliteration: The name ultimately caused me to move the event into the "evil genius" category of my personal taxonomy. (It doesn't take much to please me.)

My preferences aside, do you think the organizers will get much of a not-really-responding response, as it were? In your opinion, is this just lazy fundraising all around, or is it a respectable way to gain a bigger audience? I'm curious about how people feel on this.

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Events, Walking, Weekend, Weekly roundups
         Tweet

What I’m doing: Probably catching up with some buddies in Anne Arundel County. Maybe interviewing people at a race on Sunday.

Why: Last weekend was the running festival, and next weekend will be the Marine Corps Marathon, so this weekend is the best week to take things easy and meet for a relaxed Saturday run/brunch.

What else I recommend: If you just ran the marathon or half-marathon, I recommend not racing at all. Assuming that's not the case, I like the student-public-hybrid nature of the Raven Classic Cross Country 5K (in list below). I would also be interested in how the Goddard Running and Orienteering Club Fall 10K turns out, especially for anyone using it as an offbeat tune-up for the Marine Corps 10K. For a Friday option, there's the MPRC 5K Walk/Run.

Continue reading "Weekly walking/running roundup" »

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 2:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Events, Marine Corps Marathon, Running, Triathlon, Walking, Weekend, Weekly roundups
         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

Elite marathoner Deena Kastor, who recently decided to drop plans for an attempt at a New York City Marathon win, is still hoping to be back in shape in time to run at London's 2012 Olympics, NBC has reported. Kastor's pregnancy will reduce her training window significantly, but she states that she expects the pressure to help her. In the interview, Kastor confirms that the baby is expected to be a girl.

As another NBC piece notes, Kastor is part of a string of elite marathoners taking time for births. On September 25, Kara Goucher had a baby boy, while Paula Radcliffe gave birth to a son on the 29th.

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
         Tweet

As a follow-up to my weekly on-foot event list, here's some more stuff: Merritt has a whole month of activities centered around exercise and fundraising.

Read the press release about their plans here.

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Events
         Tweet

By default, I make an effort to list all advertised, Maryland-based running and walking events that are open to the general public within a given week, usually posting most listings on Mondays.

How to submit an event

If you want to highlight a race outside of Maryland (or just want to make sure your race is included), please use the red "Submit an event" link below AFTER reading the rest of this paragraph. To be included on my lists, the submission must be made at least two weeks before the event, and it must include at least one of the following words/phrases in the title field: "5K," "10K," "mile," "miler," "run," "walk" or "race."

Upload race photos | Submit an event

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
         Tweet

What's officially labeled as the Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival will remain just that: An Under Armour-sponsored event.

Read all about the sponsorship over at  Picture of Health >>.

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore Running Festival, Events, Running, Under Armour
         Tweet

What I'm doing: Going down as a spectator to check out Bita's Run for Wellness.

Why: Everything I've seen leads me to believe it is a well-organized event that's likely to attract a big, interesting crowd.

What else I recommend: Vibrant Life 5K in Hagerstown, Little Bennett's Revenge in Derwood, Berg-Man Triathlon in South Germantown.

Other options: Celebrate Your Style 5K, Bowie Run for a Cause 5K, Marian House 5K run, Walk and Talk, SMHS Run for the Bathroom 8K, Race for the Ribbon 5K, Crop 5K, IMA World Health 5K Run/Walk for Haiti, Autumn Glory 5K Run & 2 Mile Walk, Arundel 5K and fun run/walk, Pink Ribbon 5K, Clemens Crossing Cougarthon 5K fun run, IOCC 5K Run/Walk, Riverfest 5K Run & 2 Mile Walk, Caribbean Sounds 5K Walk/Run 10K Race, Lightning Running Club YOUTH Cross Country 4K/3K/2K/1K, Ellen's Run 5K, 4 mile 5 hill run Legends of the Fall #3, Lower Potomac River Ten-Mile Run, Renie Amoss 5K Memorial Run/Walk, Dimes for Lyme's 5K & 1-mi

(Added later: 10.10.10 run)

What are you thinking about doing this weekend? Leave a comment, or upload last weekend's race photos here.

About this list: By default, I make an effort to list all advertised, publicly accessible Maryland running and walking events within the next week. If you want to highlight a race outside of Maryland (or just want to make sure your race is included), please send me an e-mail with the subject line “Race listings.” The message must include a direct link to your race’s webpage, and it must be submitted at least two weeks before the event.

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 3:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
         Tweet

The Baltimore Running Festival has sent out this message:

Later today we'll announce our final contest for the 2010 Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival. Today's contest will take place of tomorrow's Trivia Tuesday. We will not have any promotions next week (race week). Today's prizes will be 3 free entries to the 2011 Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival....stay tuned.

Posted by Patrick Maynard at 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore Running Festival, Events, Running
         Tweet

Sunday's clouds and a steady breeze kept most of the 2000+ Tour du Port riders in light jackets and arm warmers but nobody seemed to mind too much. It was still a great day to be outside.

This was my first Tour du Port and I chose to ride the 40-mile route with my son, Daniel, on our tandem. I figured this would be a good shake down cruise for next weekend's Seagull Century.

I was somewhat skeptical coming into this ride as I tend to ride city streets only to get to and from work. I head to the smoother, better maintained roads in the county for rides of any distance.

I was pleasantly surprised. While there were some rough streets, there was nothing that our wider tandem tires couldn't handle. The route designers at One Less Car did a great job at keeping us out of heavy traffic and sent us through some pretty interesting areas. The industrial landscapes of Sparrows Point, the marshes of North Point and neighborhoods in Dundalk and Edgemere seemed much more fascinating when traveling at bicycle pace. 

Posted by Jerry Jackson at 5:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Bicycling, Events
         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