Run for The Lighthouse

As part of my training for the upcoming Savannah Marathon in November I was signed up for three races to test me along the way.  The first was early on and it was a 15K at AT&T BoMF Baltimore Sneaks Come Out at Night 15K, 3x5K Relay & Corp Challenge sponsored by Thomas.  

 

Today was my second event the Run for the Lighthouse ½ Marathon in Annapolis, Md.  I did not research either of these races and somehow they both were charitable races that deal with helping those who are homeless to get back on their feet.  

The Light House, a homeless prevention and support center is located at 10 Hudson Street in Annapolis. Their mission is to help rebuild lives with compassion by providing shelter and services to prevent homelessness and empower people as they transition toward self-sufficiency. They strive to break the cycle of homelessness by providing a place of belonging, life changing programs and a broad continuum of support to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

With your support, and that of others like you, the Friends of the Light House Shelter will continue to be able to provide support to the Light House and enable its staff to provide much-needed services to the citizens of Anne Arundel County. Because the Friends of the Light House consists of volunteer board members and only one staff person, a full 90% of what we raise goes directly to support the operating expenses of the Light House.

The race director and the staff on hand were very hospitable.  I wrote to her a week before the race with some questions and she immediately answered me.  I knew this would be something special at that point.  I had the option of driving down on Saturday for packet pick-up, then driving again on Sunday to race or just do it all on Sunday.  I chose to go with all Sunday.  I arrived at the venue Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis.

When I arrived at packet pick-up I was surprised to be greeted by the very race director I was writing to.  She was very happy and excited for the race.  This made me even more pumped for the race than I needed to be.  My goal was just to run as a training event.  

After pinning my number on (horribly) I went to the starting area.  The MC was on the mike and talking about the Lighthouse and their mission.  He thanked everyone for being there.  He told all the runners that their time does not start until you pass the mat.  He said this a couple times to ensure that people did not trample through the starting shoot.  There were only about 160 runners in the half and about 240 in the Jogging Joe Shafran Memorial Run, a 5K fun run in Joe's honor.  This is the sad state of races where if you are not giving some sort of bling, those who chase it will not run in your event.  

The course was rolling to say the least.  You took off and did a loop around Quiet Waters Park which was about 4 plus miles.  Then you headed out in to the Subdivision of Hillsmere.  This took you out along the water and through a peaceful neighborhood.  Volunteers were all through here and strangely through the 4.7 miles (guess) out there I only had two vehicles come by me.  You then re-enter the park and make another complete loop passing by the trail to the start finish line (psychological knock-out for some).  Since there were not many runners traffic on the trail and roads was never bad.  I even saw my first dog beach.  

At the finish there were cheering crowds and smoothies.  They also had bagels and Dunkin Donuts coffee.  I was at a limp though.  I pushed too hard early and something in my hammy popped.  Hopefully it heals in a couple weeks.  

Most of the runners on the course and in the race were friendly as were the spectators.  I recommend this race to those in the area or passing through next year. 

Honestly would you sign up for a race over 10K without a Medal at the end?
 

7 Weeks To Go

     We all take challenges in our lives.  Some are work related some are family goals.  In seven weeks the Wounded Warrior project is coaching, mentoring a group of warriors heading to their first Marathon since being wounded.  

     I am training with my wife for this ride.  It will be her first ever Marathon and my first since my injury last year.  We started our joint although apart training about 9 weeks ago.  Our training right now is sort of virtual, since we are living in two areas (yet again).  This week and next we get to train together since I got some time off.  

     We are both following Hal Higdon’s Marathon plan and chat, text and Skype often to keep each other motivated.  When we decided to take this journey together we were on a whirlwind trip during June up in the mountains of North Carolina.  Sometimes we make decisions in the spur of the moment, and other times they are well planned out in advance.  

    No matter how the planning goes, whatever road you travel, it is not the decision to do it, but the journey that gets you to the finish.  In seven weeks we will toe the line together in Savannah and cross the line together, time is irrelevant for that day. 

What decisions have you made that have taken you on a journey? 

What drives you to sign up for a Race? The Finish

     Well after a little over a month of listening to fellow runners and weekend warriors I can finish this post.  I know as I get to looking at the calendar for running I have to put an overlay on it to match my work schedule.  My work schedule and the fitness training there most times compliments my running training however, there are times where the Army has me doing crazy things the week of my big events.  This has happened to me on five occasions now.  I wait to see work’s calendar now before scheduling my big events.  

     Most runners who I spoke to or replied on this thread were on the same sheet with prices.  $30 seems to be about the cap for a price for a 5K while some were willing to pay as much as $45 for a 10K.  Other factors that drive runners to the 5K scene are swag.  What do I get for running in your race?  T-shirts are a draw for many 5Ks.  Although sizes need to be spread a little further.  Race directors should know that most starting fitness programs are a bit bigger and hit the 5Ks to get going.  Do you run in 5Ks only because you know you will place in them and shy away from those you won’t?  What is the biggest 5K you have run in that is not commercialized? (color run, zombie run, etc.)

    I scan the running chatter on Facebook and Twitter and always see people talking about the big name races for Marathons and 1/2s.  I know many people have said they love the medals of the Rock and roll series.  I have run in many big Half-Marathons.  I have also hit the small quaint ones as well.  My first Half-Marathon was the Chief Ladiga Half-Marathon.  There were no medals for finishing; I got a pair of good running gloves.  Each year the race switches directions between Piedmont and Jacksonville, Al.  I then found out what bling was a couple months later when I ran the Mercedes ½ in Birmingham.  What is the best bling you have earned finishing a race?  

     Do you have any other factors you want to add? 

Thanks for the feedback :)  

Back On My Feet (BoMF) Baltimore

Back On My Feet (BoMF)

     In May 2007 Anne Mahlum was doing what she did all the time as a disciplined runner.  She put on her kicks laced them up and went running early in the morning.  It was on these early morning runs, passing by the Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission at 13th & Vine Streets in Philadelphia, that Anne first met the original Back on My Feet Members.  After waves, greetings and jokes, she developed a friendly rapport with the men from the mission. Anne realized that if running could help her through her own personal challenges, there was no reason it couldn’t help these men through their struggles.  This vision she had to help has grown .  By Jan 2008 it had become an official 501(c)3 nonprofit.  (http://www.backonmyfeet.org/)

    

 

      This is a great organization and I got to run in their Baltimore event on August 2^nd.  It was the AT&T BoMF Baltimore Sneaks Come out at Night 15K, 3X5K Relay and Corporate Challenge.  It is held in Druid Park just off of 83 south in Baltimore.  

 

 

 

     I did not realize the event I signed up for had such an impact on the community.  When I first got into Baltimore I felt like I was riding through an episode of the HBO series The Wire.  

 

     The last time I had been in Baltimore was many years ago and things have changed a lot.  I hung out in Druid Park for about three hours just checking it out.  It is an awesome park with the Maryland Zoo nestled in it.  

 

     When I got to the packet pick up it was the usual hustle and bustle of pre-race activity.  This was at the lakeside pavilion.  Charm City Run was setting up the course and the start finish area.  Volunteers were busy handing out packets and answering all the runners’ questions.  This is when I started to realize the enormity of this event.   I read a sign that said BoMF.  So I started asking questions which when answered I flashed back a year or two to the Runners World article on this organization.  

 

     As the start grew near the DJ was mixing music well.  The sound was muted and the organizers told the runners it was circle time.  What is this I said?  All the runners headed to the backside of the pavilion and got in a big circle.  In the center the organizer had a bull horn telling everyone about the event.  Then a warm up leader got out there and we all followed him in clapping it up first 1 then 2 then 3.  Over and over pumping everyone up.  We did some stretches clapped again.  Then the organizer came back out and everyone held hands high and recited the serenity prayer.  I was amazed to see this and be a part of it.  

 

     The race consisted of three laps through the park with a few switch backs.  There were 89 relay teams in this event so the pace stayed pretty constant throughout.  128 runners did the entire 15k along with the relay teams .  When I first got down there I did not think I would ever do this race again.  After running it and meeting some good runners, I most likely will be back next august to try my luck again