Author: Vanessa Junkin (She Runs by the Seashore)

The Philadelphia Marathon was a great return to big-city marathons

November 25, 2021

As I ran through the streets of Philadelphia on Sunday, Nov. 21, there were people cheering for me by name and plenty of fun signs to look at. It had been more than a year and a half since my last road marathon, which took place March 1, 2020, only a couple weeks before everything started shutting down because of the pandemic, and I missed the amazing crowds that come out to support runners in big cities. … More The Philadelphia Marathon was a great return to big-city marathons

Runner Reads: “A Beautiful Work in Progress” by Mirna Valerio

November 13, 2021

I finished listening to “A Beautiful Work in Progress,” by Mirna Valerio several months ago, but I’ve been meaning to write about it for a long time because I had not yet written about it but really enjoyed it. It only took me a few days to listen to it. I think I first learned … More Runner Reads: “A Beautiful Work in Progress” by Mirna Valerio

October Running Wrap-Up: Another high-mileage month and a birthday run

November 11, 2021

I had a successful month of running in October as I get closer to the Philadelphia Marathon, which is now only 10 days away. I ran 150 miles. My 150-mile month was my highest-mileage month since September 2019. I ran my fast 1600 in 8:45. This was my second-slowest 1600-meter run for speed of the … More October Running Wrap-Up: Another high-mileage month and a birthday run

Oct. 31 was a beautiful day to run across the Bay Bridge

November 8, 2021

The opportunity to run across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge returned last month after a three-year hiatus. This year, the race had a new name, the Bay Bridge Run — which was basically its unofficial name anyway — and new management, Corrigan Sports. I had a fun weekend, and although it was the largest event I’d … More Oct. 31 was a beautiful day to run across the Bay Bridge

Loch Raven Reservoir trails offer “choose your own adventure” paths

November 7, 2021

I had heard there were running trails by Loch Raven Reservoir in Baltimore County, but I finally got a chance to run there three weeks ago. While in the area, I decided to do a run there that would finish the 26.2 cumulative miles of the Run Happy Fest and get me to 30 miles … More Loch Raven Reservoir trails offer “choose your own adventure” paths

The Baltimore Road Runners Club GPS Half Marathon was a fun run, test of fitness

October 18, 2021

A little less than two weeks before the Baltimore Road Runners Club’s Grand Prix Series Half Marathon, I saw a post on Facebook about it. I’m in the BRRC Facebook group, but I’m not a member, since I live in Salisbury. The GPS Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 3, was just $10 for nonmembers, and … More The Baltimore Road Runners Club GPS Half Marathon was a fun run, test of fitness

I tried a new strategy for this year’s Pemberton 24 — and it worked

October 10, 2021

I’ve participated in the Pemberton 24 each of the three years it’s been held, and for the first two years, I ended up with painful blisters and chafing that were worse than other runs. I tried a new strategy — and it worked. I also ran my highest number of 5Ks at the event. … More I tried a new strategy for this year’s Pemberton 24 — and it worked

Skipjack Run 10K: A fun small-town race and my fourth in eight days

September 30, 2021

September is always a busy race month, and this year, I decided to do four races in eight days — not because I wanted to do that many races so close together, but because I wanted to do these four races and they were all held around the same time. First up was the Mike … More Skipjack Run 10K: A fun small-town race and my fourth in eight days