We are well into the difficult days of winter when the cold weather, snow, ice and darkness conspire to make training a physical and mental challenge.
However, all seasoned runners know the days are getting longer, if only by a few minutes each day, and winter will soon give way.
Now is the time for runners to maintain their baseline as the late winter/early spring races are just around the corner and the time a runner puts in now will pay dividends soon.
There are many local groups conducting training now for spring races. Runners can choose from the Annapolis Striders Winter Warriors 5K training or half marathon training targeting the B&A Half Marathon on March 24 or the Charm City Annapolis half marathon training program targeting the Virginia Beach Half Marathon on March 17.
These groups are led by experienced coaches and mentors who have “done the miles” and can get you to your goals, from finishing the distance to getting a personal best. Best of all, it is much easier to do training miles with like-minded individuals all working for a common goal.
A common refrain during these training sessions is a variation of: “I wouldn’t have come out if no one else was here,” underlining the power of esprit de corps.
Whatever your goals, there are training groups out there to get you through the winter doldrums and keep you fit for the races that are coming up, whether you want to go all-out or simply get in some quality work over a race course.
RRCA Club Challenge
The Road Runners Clubs of America Club Challenge 10-Miler will be held at 8 a.m. Feb. 25. at Howard County Community College. This is an annual race between all RRCA Maryland and D.C. clubs for bragging rights for the year.
The race is a mix of deceptive hills on a road course that twists and turns in Columbia. Known for its stiff competition, the event pits the best of the local runners against each other hoping to score points on behalf of their clubs.
The course records are impressive with Garrett Corcoran of Falls Road Running holding the male mark after posting a time of 50 minutes, 35.34 seconds in 2020. Meanwhile, Kerry Allen of the Georgetown Running Company set the female record in 2023 with a time of 58:03.31.
One doesn’t have to be the fastest to participate as all comers are welcome and encouraged to take on the hills of Columbia. But a runner must be a member of a local RRCA club to participate. Information can be found here: https://striders.net/rrca-club-challenge/
Barlowe Bolt
The 12th Annual Barlowe Bolt 5K Run and 1-Mile walk will be held at 7 a.m. March 23 in Millersville.
This family race is considerably lower key than the RRCA 10-Miler, and has a good mix of flat and hilly roads lined with early spring foliage.
This is a perfect first race of the season whether you are a beginner or experienced runner to simply see where you are in your conditioning. And the race also offers a non-timed 1-mile walk — always a nice edition for those not wanting to take on the 5K but still enjoy the event.
Information can be found at active.com/millersville-md/running/distance-running-races/barlowe-bolt-2024.
Calendar
Jan. 28 (8 a.m.): Eternal Winter 6-Hour Run, Greenbury Point. Information:
https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Annapolis/EternalWinter6HourRun
Jan. 2024: Annapolis Striders Championship Series Registration. Information:
https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Annapolis/AnnapolisStridersChampionshipSeriesRaces
Feb. 10: Valentine’s Day 5K, Kinder Farm Park, Information: https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Millersville/Valentines5K
Feb. 24: Hashawha Trails 50K, Westminster, MD. Information: https://new.vhtrc.org/races/hh
Feb. 25 (8 a.m.): RRCA 10-Mile Club Challenge, Howard Community College.
Information: https://striders.net/rrca-club-challenge/