Greetings! Just back from a fun weekend of visiting my friends from college (Salisbury University) in Salisbury (Wicomico County), Maryland. We had a great time of playing two-hand-touch football, ultimate frisbee, eating, and chillin'. On my way over there, I managed to make it to that Jingle Bell 5K Run around the Kent Narrows area of Queen Anne's County, Maryland yesterday morning (Saturday, December 8, 2007). It was a fun event. I was grateful they still held it, since it was a bit cool and it was sprinkling. However, that did not stop me from running in shorts, a white a-shirt, and gloves, since the temperature was fairly warm.
The race started and ended at the Island Athletic Club in Kent Narrows. For as cloudy as it was, it was nice to run by the Chesapeake Bay. The course started and ended on flat roads, but then most of it was on the flat Cross-Island Trail. I really like that running venues, since I tend to turn out some solid running times on it. I would have gotten a faster start, but I did not quite know where I was going. Fortunately, some of the other runners were able to direct me and after I found the Cross-Island Trail, I really picked up the pace. I was determined to try and break twenty minutes for the five-kilometer (3.1-mile) distance. When I got close to the turn-around point, let's just say I relaized that would probably not be too hard to do at all, because I looked down at my watch and it read something like 6:38, and I'm thinkin' "there's no way I'm even goin' under a six-minute-per-mile pace here I don't think, yet probably within another minute or so I'm going to reach the turnaround point, which would mean turning around at 7 or 8-something, a pace which if I kept up, during the second half of the race, would result in a 5K finish time between 14-17 minutes.
No way I was going that fast.
I knew then that the course was probably short. But that was okay, because I was feeling strong, achieving my objective of having a solid run, and I was enjoying it too.
I reached the turnaround point at about 8:37, and I kept on going. I started to feel a bit tired towards the end, but since I started out really conservatively, I still felt like I had enough in the tank.
When I approached the finish line area and the race director told me to stop, I looked down at my watch and it read about 16:33 (yea, right, no way I am in shape to run a 5K that fast, but God-willing sometime in the future perhaps)! The race director told me that I had run through the finish line a good few yards back and judging from where he said it was, I can only guess that I ran about 16:29 across the intended finish. While I am pretty confident that it was certainly shorter than a 5K, I was happy with it and being a top finisher.
Know this course now, I would like to try and run it again in the future and get a faster time. The race is rather low-key (although it has some nice t-shirts, premiums, a few awards, random drawings). This is the fifth year they had it and I heard it had more participants last year since the weather was nicer. The race director told me he plans on putting this race to benefit the North Caroline High School's Girl's Tennis Team in Caroline County, Maryland, next year. I would recommend it if you like to do a race mainly on bike paths with a little bit of road near the beginning and end. It's an out-and-back course and you get to run under the higher span of the Kent Narrows Bridge twice (once near the beginning and once near the end of the race). Plus, it's by the Chesapeake Bay and you can get a nice view of it throughout a good portion of the race. The only thing that startled me was how icy the bridge was just before the turaround point, but I guess I should have expected that since it snowed a few days earlier. While this is mainly on the Cross-Island Trail, it's not really on the shaded part of it, so we did not really have to worry about ice/snow that idd not melt because it was in the shade. I actually stopped real briefly twice. The first time, I moved a small fallen bush/tree that was sorta in the path by the Kent Narrows Bridge (I guess the winds must have uprooted it or something). I wanted to do that so it would clear the course for the other runners and walkers (there was a two-mile walk too, how cool is that)! Then, the second time, my right shoe came untied and I tied it soon after at the turnaround point. Considering that, I was blessed with negative splits (the first half was about 8:37, and the second half was probably about 7:52). In fact, I would not be surprised if at least one of my miles was just a little ways under six minutes (if not close to it). I don't really recall cramping up much either or losing feeling in my legs (a problem I had earlier this year when I was trying to run races and running events in all of Maryland's counties this year). I was happy about this race.
It was a more friendly local race, so I don't think there will be results of it (although I supsect the local newspaper around the Kent Island area of Queen Anne's County may give it some coverage). I don't recall seing any course marks or mile markers, and like I said, I am strongly convinced it was shorter than a 5K. Yet, I really enjoyed it for the friendly atmosphere, the venue and scenery. Like I've mentioned before in my blogs, Queen Anne's County is one of the counties in Maryland that does not have very many year-around running events and races, so I'm grateful that I have had the opportunity to get my third race in this county in this year. Afterwards, we got to hang out in the Island Athletic Club gym and celebrate some participants' accomplishments, as well as have random drawings. I know it was probably shorter than the advertised 5K, but who cares, it was still fun, whatever the distance! Again, the course was scenic and conducive to have a great run!
I am sure in future years, there will be more participants again so long as the weather is all right. I am grateful for the opportunity to have run this race and I hope to return to it in the future!
Thank you all for reading, I hope to have a couple of photos from my camera up on here in the near future. I hope you all have been enjoying the weekend. Have a good night and God bless you all!
Running Events I have done this year as of Sunday, December 9, 2007
Maryland
Allegany County
- Queen City Striders Junior Striders Cross Country meet (1 mile and 2 mile) – Tuesday evening, June 19, 2007 – Paris N. Glendenning Park/Frostburg
- One mile race – 2nd overall – 5:51
- Two mile race – 7th overall – 12:37
Anne Arundel County
– Governor’s “Non-Bay Bridge” Run (2.93 miles) – Sunday, May 6, 2007 - Sandy Point State Park/Annapolis – 8th overall (1st in 20-24-year-old age group) – 18:09 (clock), 18:07 (my watch)
– Metro Harriers’ fourth summer track and field all-comers meet – Thursday, July 19, 2007 – North County High School, Ferndale/Glen Burnie, MD
– 1,500 meters – 1st overall – 4:42
– 800 meters – 2nd overall – 2:21
– 3,000 meters – 2nd overall – 10:41
– John Wall Memorial Track Run (One mile) – Saturday, July 21, 2007 – Broadneck Senior High School track, Annapolis – 6th overall (1st in 20-29 year-old age group) – 4:53
– Dog Days 8K Cross Country Run – Sunday, August 5, 2007 – Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold – 13th overall (3rd in 20-29 year age group) – 32:18 (clock), 32:17 (watch)
– National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Coalition Run for Her 5K – Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis – 7th overall - 22:26
Baltimore City
- Survivor Harbor 7-mile/3-mile – Sunday, June 10, 2007 – Baltimore City – 2nd overall (3-mile run) – 17:56 (clock), 17:53 (watch)
Baltimore County
– Patapsco State Park Avalon area trail race (a little over 6 miles) – Sunday, May 13th, 2007 – Near University of Maryland-Baltimore County/Arbutus area – 18th overall – 58:03
– PopPop and Pinhead Trail Scramble (about 5-6 miles) – Saturday, June 9, 2007 - Perry Hall/Gunpowder Falls State Park area – 5th overall - 52:14
– Bull Run Invitational Reunion Run (3 miles) – Saturday, September 29, 2007 – Hereford High School, Parkton – 24th overall – 19:45 (clock), 19:41 (watch)
Calvert County
- 12th Annual North Beach 5K – Saturday, September 15, 2007 – North Beach, MD – 3rd overall – 18:48 – The event that marked my completion of a race in all my goal areas of Maryland!!!! :
Caroline County
- 2nd annual Adkins Arboretum Arbor Day Fun Run (10K) – Saturday, April 21st, 2007 – Ridgley – 1st overall – 37:59 PR (Personal Record/best time in that distance!!!!! :)
- Caroline Hospice Remembrances Five-Miler – Saturday, September 22, 2007 – Federalsburg – 3rd overall (1st in 20-29 age group) – 33:59
- 22nd Annual Turkey Trot Two-Mile Fun Run – Saturday, November 17, 2007 – Denton Elementary School, Denton – 5th overall (1st in 20-29 age group) – 12:36
Carroll County
- Westminster Road Runners Club (W.R.R.C.) Predicted Time Four-Miler – Saturday, March 10, 2007 – Westminster/Bachman Valley area – 2nd person in, 14th closest to predicted time – 25:34 (my predicted time was 27:00, I was 1:26 fast, whoops J-)
- Andy Hayes Memorial 5K Run – Saturday, April 7, 2007 – Westminster/near Farm Museum – 2nd overall – 18:47
- Inaugural River Valley Run 5K – Saturday, August 25, 2007 – River Valley Ranch, Manchester – 5th overall (2nd in 20-29 age group) – 19:15 (clock), 19:13 (watch)
- 4th Annual Eldersburg Labor Day 5K Rogue Race – Monday, September 3, 2007 – Eldersburg – 7th overall (1st in 20-29 age group division) – 19:35.0 (best time at the event :)
Cecil County
- Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area (N.M.R.A.) Fools Frolic 22K (I ran the much shorter 5-6 mile route) – Sunday, April 1, 2007 – Fair Hill/Elkton – First person in, but it was not much of a race, just pretty much me and another gentleman chillin’ and chattin’ our way through – 1 hour, 21 minutes, 55 seconds
- Run4Fun 5K Run/Walk – Sunday, June 3, 2007 – Elkton – 5th overall (1st in 20-29 year-old age group) – 19:29
Charles County
- Civista Health Services Run for Wellness 5K – Sunday, May 20, 2007 – LaPlata – 5th overall (1st in male 20-29 age group) – 19:14 (clock), 19:08 (chip)
Dorchester County
- Dorchester Family YMCA Healthy Kid’s Day Fun Run (1.9 miles, mainly flat cross country) – Saturday, April 14, 2007 - Cambridge – 1st overall – 10:54 (ran negative splits too :)
Frederick County
- 11th Annual Frederick Steeplechasers Run for the Pie 10K – Saturday, July 14, 2007 – Frederick 4th overall (1st in the 20-24 age group) – 42:39
Garrett County
- 1st Annual Grantsville Days 5K – Saturday, June 23, 2007 – Grantsville – 8th overall (3rd in male 20-29 age group division) – 18:37 (clock), 18:36 (watch)
Harford County
- 2nd annual Eden Mill 5-Miler (4.8 miles approximately) – Sunday, July 1, 2007 – Eden Mill Park, Pylesville – 2nd overall – 30:37 (clock), 30:35 (watch)
Howard County
- Howard County Striders (H.C.S.) Weekly Winter Series (a.k.a. “Operation Iceberg”) # 3: Atholton High School 5 Kilometer – Sunday, January 21, 2007 – Columbia – 15th overall – 19:43
- H.C.S. “Operation Iceberg” #4: Thunder Hill Elementary School 2miles – Sunday, January 28, 2007 - Columbia - 30th overall - 20:17
- Penguin Pace 5K – Sunday, February 4, 2007 – Columbia – 8th overall (1st in 20-29 age group) – 18:43.86
- H.C.S. “Operation Iceberg” #6: Thunder Hill Elementary School 2 miles – Sunday, February 18, 2007 – Columbia – 2nd overall – 11:52 (my best time on that course :)
- Outback’s 5K for the YMCA – Sunday, March 11, 2007 – Ellicott City – 9th overall – 18:01.05 (clock), 17:59/18:00 (my watch – my best time on that course :)
- H.C.S. Spring Series Race (“Vernal Velocity) #1: Burleigh Manor Middle School 2 miles – Sunday, April 1, 2007 - Ellicott City/Columbia area – 2nd overall – 10:51 (best time on the course :)
- Inaugural Musical Madness 5K – Saturday, May 12, 2007 – Maple Lawn/Fulton/Scaggsville – 7th overall (1st in 20-29 age group category) – 18:48.71
- Damien F. Massella Run for Recovery 5K – Sunday, June 24, 2007 – Columbia – 52nd overall – 19:58.12 (clock), 19:55 (watch)
- Centennial Fun Run (one mile)#3 – Tuesday, July 10, 2007 – Ellicott City area – 1st overall – 5:11 (tied my second-best time on the course :)
- Centennial Fun Run (one mile)#4 – Tuesday, July 17, 2007 – Ellicott City area – 12th overall – 5:44
- H.C.S. Summer Series Race (“Summer Sizzler”) #3: Burleigh Manor Middle School 2 miles – Wednesday, July 18, 2007 – Ellicott City/Columbia area – 1st overall – 11:02
- PRE – Season Cross Country Races – Saturday, August 11, 2007 – Oakland Mills High School, Columbia
- 5K – 11th overall – 18:53 (best time on the course :)
- 3K – 5th overall – 15:12
- Emerson Community Fun Run (one mile) #6 – Tuesday, August 14, 2007 – North Laurel – 1st overall – 5:27 – Hit the fifty-races-per-year mark with this for the Fifty-Plus Club :)
- Emerson Community Fun Run (one mile) # 7 – Tuesday, August 21, 2007 – North Laurel – 1st overall – 5:26 (my best time on the course :)
- H.C.S. Summer Series (“Summer Sizzler”) #7: Burleigh Manor Middle School 5 miles – Wednesday, August 22, 2007 – Ellicott City/Columbia area – 3rd overall – 32:33
- 16th Annual Police Pace 5K – Sunday, September 9, 2007 – Columbia/Ellicott City area – 16th overall – 18:37.69
- H.C.S. Fall Series Race (“Legends of the Fall”) #1: Swansfield Elementary School 5K – Sunday, September 16, 2007 – Columbia – 8th overall – 19:27
- H.C.S. Fall Series Race (“Legends of the Fall”) #2: Longfellow Elementary School 2-miles – Sunday, September 23, 2007 – Columbia – 4th overall – 13:37
- 10 – The Race 5K – Saturday, October 27, 2007 – Columbia – 20:46 (clock), 20:44 (watch)
- 2A South and 3A North Regional Cross Country Championships – Thursday, November 1, 2007 – Centennial High School, Ellicott City, MD – 21:47
- Symphony of Lights Dazzle Dash (two 1.4 laps = approximately 2.8 miles) – Saturday, November 17 – Columbia - 17:38
- Turkey Trot Prediction Run 10K – Thursday, November 22, 2007 – Columbia – 173rd finisher, 60th closest to 11 A.M. – Intended time, 46:00, actual time: 46:37. Left at 10:14:02 A.M., Finished at 11:00:39.37 A.M. (closest finish to 11 A.M. wins, I think I was closer than last year :)
- 31st Annual Columbia Metric Marathon 5K - Sunday, December 2, 2007 - Columbia - 10th overall (1st in 20-29 age group division) - 19:17.77 (my best time in the event :)
Kent County
- 31st Annual Chestertown Tea Party Distance Classic (10 miler) – Saturday, May 26, 2007 – Chestertown – 31st overall (2nd in 20-24 age group) – 1:15:01 (clock), 1:14:57 (watch)
- Inaugural Oyster Run 5K Race – Saturday, October 13, 2007 – Rock Hall – 2nd overall (1st in 20-35 “open men” age group) – 20:10
Montgomery County
- Gaithersburg Firebirds Track one mile race – Thursday, April 12, 2007 – Gaithersburg – 3rd overall – 5:04.88
- Comus Cross Country 5K – Sunday, August 12, 2007 – Comus/Dickerson – 10th overall (1st in age group division) – 20:29
Prince George’s (P.G.) County
- 49th Annual Larry Noel Greenbelt 15K and 3K (15K) – Sunday, September 2, 2007 – Greenbelt - 13th overall (2nd in 20-29 age group division) – 1:06:50
- Tom’s 6th Annual 5K Reindeer Run – Saturday, November 24, 2007 – Laurel – 7th overall (1st in 21-35 age group division) – 20:08
Queen Anne’s County
- Shore Christian Fellowship Church’s inaugural Race to Impact (10K) – Saturday, March 24th, 2007 – Chester/Kent Narrows/Kent Island (it was all on the shaded Cross Island Trail) – 1st overall – 38:51
- Inaugural Eastern Shore Butterball Belly Buster 5K Run – Friday, November 23, 2007 – Grasonville – 2nd overall (1st in 19-24 age group) – 20:44
- 5th Annual Jingle Bell 5K Run – Saturday, December 8, 2007 – Kent Narrows – 1st overall – 16:29ish (definitely shorter than 5K)
Saint Mary’s County
- National Trails Day 5K (it was a little more than that, probably closer to 3.5 miles) – Saturday, June 2, 2007. – Saint Mary’s City area – 1st overall – 21:38
Somerset County
- 2nd Annual McCready Health Services Foundation’s Founder’s Day 8K Run & 2-mile walk – Saturday, May 5, 2007 (El Cinco de Mayo) – Crisfield – 1st overall(8K) – 31:58 (ran faster there this year than last year :)
- 60th Annual National Hard Crab Derby, 28th Annual Mike Sterling 10K – Saturday, September 1, 2007 – Crisfield – 4th overall (2nd in 20-29 age group) – 41:48
Talbot County
- Oxford Day 10K – Saturday, April 28, 2007 – Oxford – 1st overall – 38:35 (big improvement over last year’s 42:04 here, and a well-paced race on a relatively short amount of sleep :)
Washington County
- Tom Ausherman Memorial Series #1 (2-mile/1-mile) – Tuesday, June 5, 2007 – Hagerstown – 6th overall(2-mile race) – 11:36
Wicomico County
- Salisbury University Track & Field’s Seagull Home Opener Meet – Saturday, March 3, 2007 – Salisbury
- 1,500 meter run – 7th overall – 4:48.7
- 800 meter run - 2nd overall – 2:12.5
- 4X400 meter relay (alumni team) – 4th overall (1st alumni team) – 4:01.5
- 4th Annual Tim Kennard 5 mile River Run and 3 mile walk – Sunday, March 4, 2007 – Salisbury – 14th overall (3rd in the 20-24 age group division) – 31:25 (clock), 31:14 (chip – Nice performance for me that surpassed my expectations, especially after running three track races less than twenty-four hours ago :)
- Sneakers and Creepers 5K – Sunday, October 21, 2007 – Salisbury – approximately 4th overall – clock (20:15ish), watch (20:10)
Worcester County
- Francis Scott Key Family Resort “Dash and Splash” Run/Walk Series 5K Race#3 at Stephen Decatur High School (on the track) – Saturday, June 30, 2007 – Berlin – 1st overall/only finisher – 18:52 (clock), 18:50 (watch) – Finished out the Maryland Eastern Shore portion of my endeavor with this event :)
Events outside of Maryland
California
San Diego County
- 30th Annual Scripp’s Ranch Old Pros Run and Bike 10K and 2-mile Fun Run (10K) – Wednesday, July 4, 2007 – Scripp’s Ranch neighborhood, San Diego – 73rd overall-39:08 (clock), 39:05/39:06 (chip)
Delaware
Kent County
- March Moonlight Madness 5K – Thursday, March 1, 2007 – Wyoming – 2nd overall (1st in male 20-29 age group division) – 18:28
New Castle County
- 2nd Annual Wilmington Games 5K – Wednesday, July 25, 2007 – Wilmington – 5th overall (2nd in 19-29 age group division) – 19:35 (clock), 18:35 (watch-probably would have been low-to-mid 19’s since I accidentally missed a turn and cut the course a bit short near the end)
Sussex County
- 25th Annual Y.M.C.A. 5-Mile Run/Walk – Sunday, July 29, 2007 – Deauville/Rehoboth Beach area – 13th overall (1st in 20-29 age group division) – 31:59 (clock), 31:57 (watch) – Completing this race, I have run in all three Delaware counties this year!!!!!!!!! :)
- Seven Sisters, Four Brothers 6th Annual Venus on the Half Shell 5K – Saturday, August 4, 2007 – Dewey Beach – 9th overall (2nd in 20-24 age group division) – 18:36 (clock), 18:35 (watch)
District of Columbia – Washington
- Hugh Jascourt Memorial Four Miler – Thursday evening, June 21, 2007 – Northwest Washington D.C./C&O Towpath area – 17th overall – 26:04 (clock), 26:01 (watch)
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