I’m two years into this whole run-streaking thing and I’m still not sure if I’m an “elite” runner or one who is just too stubborn to quit.
In mid-October of 2020, I laced ‘em up and went for a run. And in the 729 days that have followed, I’ve repeated the process. Never in my wildest running dreams did I think I could make it this far on a run streak.
Why? Because it can be a risky proposition. There are plenty of doctors that will tell you that running a mile or more every single day can cause breakdown and exacerbate existing injury.
There’s no arguing the risks. I’ve had streaks of 101 days and 90 days both go up in flames because of severe plantar fasciitis, with the latter bout shelving me for months.
But several years after denouncing this semi-insane world of run streaking, I somehow wound up back on the boat. My current streak started accidentally, and once I became aware of it, I preserved it with it a “well, let’s see what happens” attitude, despite everything I’ve gone through.
Decisions like these usually don’t end well, but I’m thrilled to report that, so far, anyway, this latest running endeavor has been a happy and healthy one. Sure, some runs are harder than others, like my workouts that followed landscaping jobs this past summer, but it’s a price I’ve been willing to pay to keep the streak alive.
My wife, a nurse, hasn’t always approved, but my doctor, a marathoner himself, says full steam ahead. This is mostly because I’m overweight with high cholesterol and can use as much exercise as I can get. As he pointed out, with my health, there are much worse habits I could get into other than daily running.
Run streaking is more than just a “health” thing for me. It helps establish routine in my life. It implores me to plan ahead. It teaches me how to succeed in less than ideal conditions. It shows me how deep I’m willing to dig to protect something meaningful.
Of course, I’d be lying if I said that streaking isn’t also a method of propping up my fragility as a slow runner. It’s no secret that most of you sitting on your couches, and your grandmothers, can run circles around me. I’m not necessarily insecure about my pace, but there’s a certain boost I get when I can feel like one of the “important” runners. It’s a feeling I want to hold on to for as long as I can.
I know that all good things come to an end, eventually, and for that reason, I’ve pledged to end the streak if I become injured, or if it becomes a detriment to my health. But if it’s an inconvenience standing in my way — like having to wake up at 4 a.m., or running through a rain storm, or being confined to my own back yard — don’t expect me to be taking a day off any time soon.
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
Laurie Dymond has done it again. She’s won another big race. And the scary part is Chambersburg’s 56-year-old rock star runner is only getting faster as she continues her tear through the 2022 running season.
Just over a month after becoming the oldest runner to win the Harrisburg Half in September, Dymond crushed the women’s field by 30 minutes at the Western Maryland Rail Trail Marathon with a race record time of 3:09:33. Dymond, who is only three minutes off her PR of 3:06:20 from the 2013 Boston Marathon, believes she can go faster.
“I told myself this past spring that if there was the tiniest crack in my window I was going to find my way through it,” Dymond said on Facebook. “I just like to push myself and see what I can do.”
The Western Maryland Rail Trail Half Marathon saw Greencastle’s Matthew Smith place fourth in the field of 87 with a time of 1:30:23. He was chased by Fayetteville’s Amanda Kaiser-Jones (2:27:31), as well as Waynesboro’s Crystal Moats (3:09:56) and Eric Moats (3:09:56).
Perhaps some of Dymond’s “Girl Power” rubbed off on the young ladies taking on the Go Girls Go Fall 5K in Chambersburg. The event, meant to promote girls’ running and empowerment, saw 213 runners cross the finish line. Jen Timmons, of Chambersburg, led the way as top female in 20:56. Other notable finishers include Chambersburg Cole Lehman (19:35), Micah Gish (22:43), Jonah Delgado (22:56), Gideon Clapper (22:59), Maya Lehman (23:06), Olivia Keller (24:14), Mallory Neus (24:28), Anna Sullivan (25:03), and Ryder Boward (25:06). Waynesboro was well-represented by Erika Besecker (27:05), Will Kershner (28:19), and Julie Shacreaw (30:11), while Greencastle’s top finishers were Grace Banf (31:31) and Tara White (37:12).
Waynesboro runner Joshua McAlister conquered the TrailFest Half Marathon in Shippensburg, defeating the field of 36 with a time of 1:37:02. Brad Evans finished 10th in 1:54:56 and he was chased by fellow Chambersburg runners Steve Vanscyoc (1:55:19), Craig Leisher (2:01:38), and Ginny Owen (2:05:43).
The TrailFest 5K saw two Local.News finishers land in the Top 10: Chambersburg’s Kirk Clever (3rd in 20:37) and Fayetteville’s Adam George (8th in 23:42). Wing Lam Cheung, of Fayetteville, was the third female in 24:00, while Chambersburg’s Kim Bard captured the Masters Division with a 24:21.
In Chambersburg, the Hustle for Health 5K brought in 44 runners, none faster than Greencastle’s Jarrett Gelsinger, who claimed victory in 18:37. Other top times were posted by Chambersburg’s Atlea Pereschuk (28:12) and Chris Pereschuk (28:22), as well as Waynesboro’s Joey Shank (28:25), Hanna Quarry (29:28), and Keith Quarry (29:28).
The popular End of the Road Half Marathon, which runs through the abandoned Pa. turnpike, was such a big event it had to be split into two races. The first race saw Scott Long lead the way with a fifth-place finish in 1:34:51, while fellow Chambersburg runners Tadhg Pooler (1:36:56), Shelby White (1:54:35), and Brandon Sherman (1:56:21) were not far behind. Fayetteville’s Monique Weaver also crossed the finish line in 2:00:09 to win the 50-54 AG.
The second End of the Road Half Marathon saw Chambersburg’s Michael Day take fourth in 1:28:27, while Greencastle’s Rachel Scheitrum finished in 2:20:57.
A number of other locals were involved in races across the region, including Waynesboro’s Linden Showalter (4:34:47 at Freedom’s Run Marathon), Jeffrey Hein (4:56:42 at Columbus Marathon), and Nicholas Snyder (5:38:55 at Rocky Gap 50K), Greencastle’s Mykaela Trees (1:10:17 at Baltimore 10K) and Yvonne Galinanes (2:10:34 at Baltimore Half Marathon), Fayetteville’s Nicholas Signorella (3:16:49 at Call of the Wilds 25K) and Jenny Motway (3:52:06 at Baltimore Marathon), Chambersburg’s Stephen Keim (1:09:10), Brandon Sherman (24:11 at SU Military Science 5K), Shelby White (50:59 at SU Military Science 10K), and Karen Johnstown (36:07 at One Tunnel 4 Miler), and Smithsburg’s Sean Allen (26:56 at Spook Hill Cider & Wine 4 Miler).
And now, a look ahead:
Remedy Park 10 Miler: Saturday, 8 a.m., in Chambersburg. Start and end at Remedy Park in this event, which brings the 10-mile distance to Franklin County. Look up the race on runningintheusa.com.
Swatara Township Police 5K Hero Run: Sunday, Nov. 6, 9 a.m., in Harrisburg. Dress as your favorite superhero or services member for this race, which benefits the Keystone Wounded Warriors. Register for the race on runsignup.com.
Hot Cider Hustle 5K/10K: Sunday, Nov. 6, 8:30 a.m., in Harrisburg. Race on City Island and celebrate with a mug of hot apple cider and a caramel apple. Check out the event on hotciderhustle.com/harrisburg.
Also: A Race to Remember 5K (Saturday, in Lititz); Lancaster Junction Half Marathon (Saturday, in Manheim); Resilient Service Members Classic 50K (Saturday, in Hookstown); Five Forks Church Autumn Harvest 5K (Sunday, in Shippensburg); Trick or Trot 5K (Sunday, in Elizabethville); Mushroom Cap Half Marathon (Saturday, Nov. 5, in Kennett Square); Oley Valley Country Classic (Saturday, Nov. 5, in Oley); Pain in Green Lane Trail Run (Saturday, Nov. 5, in Green Lane); Medal Madness 5K/10K (Saturday, Nov. 5, in New Cumberland); RunPA Karoondinha Endurance Challenge (Saturday, Nov. 5, in Millmont); Tree 4 Hope 5K (Saturday, Nov. 5, in Harrisburg); Trick or Trot 5K (Saturday, Nov. 5, in Camp Hill); Williamsport Community Challenge Half Marathon (Saturday, Nov. 5, in Williamsport); D & L Heritage Half Marathon (Sunday, Nov. 6, in Palmerton); EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler (Sunday, Nov. 6, in Pittsburgh); Gulliver’s Run 5K (Sunday, Nov. 6, in Lewisberry); The View 25K (Sunday, Nov. 6, in Hyner); Veterans Marathon (Sunday, Nov. 6, in Blairsville).
Foot Notes is a self-syndicated column by Central Pa. sportswriter Andy Sandrik that has been “running” since 2016. Andy always follows back on Strava and can be reached by email at big_andy76@yahoo.com.
