Category: Sports

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Sports

Wissahickon 10K Trail Classic

Ran in the Wissahickon 10K Trail Classic yesterday. I really haven’t be running that much lately nor that far, so I had no idea how it would go. Did the now usual routine of driving over to NGM’s then going to a race from there.

The were a lot of people running, I believe a little over 600 or so. The trail was perhaps one of the most scenic runs I’ve been on. Hills, rocks, little creeks or maybe rivers, lots of good stuff. It’d be a great spot to take photos. I even noticed a massive native american statue hidden in the woods at one point (though I think I’m the only one who noticed him).

The race seemed very long to me unprepared self, but was able to finish it out running almost the entire time. Some of the really steep hills and especially the declines on the loose rocks had me walking at times. Also there was some congestion early on where nobody could run, but that didn’t last for the majority of the race.

The food afterwards was amazing. I’d run it again just to enjoy that post race feast again. The sponsors were great, offering some delicious healthy stuff. I ate chicken salad sandwiches, cookies, oranges, bananas, drank water, and ate more cookies. They even had a vegan pizza that supposedly was very good.

All in all this was perhaps the most well organized race I’ve run in. I’d highly recommend it and hope to do it next year.

 

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Sports

Disqualified from the Rat Race 10K

I ran in the Rat Race 10K trail run with NGM. It was in Wells Mills Park in Waretown, NJ. Getting there was a breeze, just hopped on the Parkway to exit 69. It was nice not having to spend as much time in a car as the last few races I’ve run in.

The weather wasn’t as kind as the car ride over. It was freezing out. I know that March can be quite a fickle month weather wise, but I wasn’t expecting such a cold day when we signed up. Oh well, I was a bit more bundled up and ready to go.

There were probably about 300 or so people there and we all gathered around the start line. The organizer’s son treated us to a Japanese song that he sang for all the recent earthquake and tsunami victims. He was very much into and excited about his performance and it was most amusing and a great start to our race.

The race itself was a really nice trail. I was thrilled to be running in the soft sandy soil of the pine barrens. The past couple of races have been on some mean rocks and have been taking their toll on my old man knees and lower back. The trails were great, with some very cool planks covering some water parts.

I finished with a time of 38:29. This would have been a personal best by a half hour at least and meant that I was an incredibly fast human being. However, 60 or so of us runners had apparently taken a wrong turn on one of the trails and ran more of a 6K than the actual 10K. We were disqualified from the race and the looks of the first group of legit racers when they saw all of us already at the finish line was great.

There was a free lunch afterwards that we drove to. I ate an entire basket of cheesy poofs just because they were there and we left before eating there. We drove to the Ocean Breeze Diner which was nearby and got a yummy lunch.

Even though I ran the wrong way and was disqualified from the race, it was still a really good time. I think I’ll have to go back and run there again, it seemed like a really nice park.

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Sports

Ugly Mudder 7.25 Mile Trail Run

I took part in the Ugly Mudder 7.25 mile trail run yesterday. It was all the way in the very hilly Reading, PA. I drove to NGM’s house and he drove the rest of the way.

It was a very sloppy course. A very slick track, with too many steep hills and loose rocks all over the place. I did slip and fall flat on my butt at one point, but bounced right back up and kept running.

Despite being over 7 miles, the running wasn’t too bad for me. Much of it had to be walked due to bottlenecks on the trails and very slick conditions, so I really didn’t feel like a guy who had ran 7.25 miles at the end.

We ran with friends of NGM’s and they were very fast. They probably finished a half and hour ahead of me. The terrain in Reading is pretty tough, a lot rougher than what I’m used to down here.

Afterwards we stopped at the Haute Chocolate Cafe again, and got some amazing post race chocolate. Then stopped at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets on the drive back. Their Toys R Us was kinda weak.

Today I don’t feel too sore overall. But I did do something pretty bad to my left elbow. It’s really swollen and isn’t a big fan of movement at the moment. Seems like a decent sprain, though I have no idea how I may’ve sprained it during the race.

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Sports

Thanksgiving Football Game – 2010

In what is probably my favorite tradition I have, we played another Thanksgiving flag football game this year. We had a great bunch of guys playing this year, with some new comers added to the mix as well.

The team I was on:

  • Me
  • Josh
  • Mark
  • Dave

Other team:

  • Wes
  • Chris
  • Joe M.
  • Joe L.

On paper I really thought that the opposing team had the advantage, but I was lucky to be on the winning side this year. Everyone had at least one signature play it seemed, so that was great. The ball got spread around, with more short passes and trick plays than in years past.

I didn’t really do much offensively, but I always try to make sure to at least create working space for my teammates even if I’m not the one making the plays. Josh, Mark and Dave were making plenty of plays for us. Amazing job, especially for a bunch of “old” guys.

My personal highlight was my tackle on Joe M. and leveling block on Chris. Coincidentally the 2 gentlemen who trash talked me this week. LOL, honestly both instances were pure coincidence and no malice involved.

I must be getting old as my lower back is quite sore and a sprained finger is swelling up nicely as I type this. Nothing too bad however, but I’m really not used to feeling sore after our game.

Again this was a lot of fun, and a great bunch of guys. Competitive and fun, but not too competitive where people are acting like idiots. Can’t wait til next year.

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Adventure Sports

Media Mud Stain

Media Mud Stain 5 Mile FinishI participated in the Media Mud Stain 5 mile run yesterday. It was a pretty cool run. NGM picked this one out, and I drove up with him. It was at the Ridley Creek State Park in Pennsylvania.

The park and run were very scenic. I felt like I was in the Revolutionary War. There were some very old but awesome houses around there.

The race was a little over 5 miles. There were a couple of tough hills mixed in there, one very tough one around the midpoint actually. Towards the end of the race there was an 8 year old looking girl and her father closing in on me. They made sure that I kept on running towards the end, I really didn’t want to finish behind and 8 year old.

Afterwards we stopped and got a bite to eat at the Court Diner in Media, PA. Even though I had just eaten a ton of the excellently catered food from after the race, I still ate a full breakfast at the diner too. Food was very good there.

Another excellent run with NGM.

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Sports

Ghouls & Fools Trail Run

Ran in the Ghouls & Fools nighttime trail run last night. This was the first time I had ever run a 10K and also the first time I had ever done a nighttime trail run. Running in the dark, even with a flashlight was pretty treacherous, but a lot of fun.

I met up at NGM’s house in the afternoon, and even managed to get there without getting lost! I was so very proud of myself. We then set out for the trek to Reading, PA where the race was taking place. It was a fairly long ride, but me driving to his house then he driving to the race made it not seem as far driving wise to me.

We stopped at the West Reading Diner for our pre race meal. It was a good diner and I cannot remember the name to save me. I did order a massive slice of cake which I would immediately begin to regret doing with only a few hours before race time.

I found a toy/comic store on my phone which was literally in walking distance of the diner, so we went there. I was a little disappointed when I got there, but then again I’m probably a bit too old for the whole toys and comics still, or so I’ve been told.

We then drove a few blokes to some outlet stores. That was really weird, they weren’t setup like typical stores. They were scattered and lumped in really strange ways, but it made for a good way to pass the remaining time before the race began. NGM bought a different shirt to run in and really wanted to buy a $5 baseball shirt. The rest of the night he would regret passing up this amazing deal.

There was a Toys R Us in the outlet and I did find a Skrull Soldier which I did purchase. I’ve been snatching up Marvel Universe action figures recently. So finding one I didn’t already have was a treat.

We then made our way to the race. Everything was really well organized, I was impressed. We registered and got a very cool t-shirt and 3 glow sticks. The shirt is a running tech shirt, not some cheap t-shirt. And I wrapped my right wrist with the 3 glow sticks so others would be able to see me on the trail (yes it was that dark in most parts).

The place was some beer garden/castle setup. It seemed to be a club of sorts, perhaps German based in it’s roots. A very interesting place.

Majority of people had headlamps which seemed to really work great. I just carried a little flashlight with me on the run. It wasn’t nearly as bright as most of the headlamps, but it did give me enough light to make it through the 10K.

300-400 people gathered around the start gates then we all took off on the run. With every one close together all the lights really helped out. After a quarter mile or so the packs would begin to separate. Oh I also rolled my left ankle around this point and hoped on one leg for probably a minute or 2. Ever since I seriously hurt it a few years back it’s still a weakness for me. I was eventually able to bear weight on it again and was back to running on 2 legs in little time. It did hurt a good amount and knew that I would awaken to some fine swelling which is the case as I type this.

I finally caught with with NGM since we waited for me at the first water stop. He was running really well, so I told him to not wait up for me and to finish as fast as he could. Of course I did roll my same left ankle just a little bit after this water stop. Haha, truly not a good night for my left ankle.

The 2nd water stop was at some pagoda that overlooked the city of Reading. It really was an amazing view, up high with the city all lit up. The King from Burger King handed me a cup of water which I graciously accepted. Actually I almost punched the King as he kinda got me off guard with the mask and crown.

The remaining portion of the race I found myself running completely alone. I could see no lights in front of me, nor behind me. So running in complete darkness without being sure of whether I had steered off the path or not was a pretty interesting feeling. I managed to not get lost and when a volunteer announced to me that there was only a quarter mile left up the hill, I felt pretty good and sped up into an almost sprint.

After finishing up I caught up with NGM and devoured all the food that they had graciously made available. Apples, cookies, Fig Newtons, Twizzlers, and much water just to name some. Though battered and sore, this was a really great run. Furthest I’ve ever run.

Also, on the way home we stopped at Hauté Chocolate Café. Everything was so amazingly yummy, I wish it weren’t so far away. Pretty sure we will be entering this again next year too, lot’s of fun.