Think of Montgomery County, Maryland, and the first thing that comes to mind may be suburbia. But inside the county that’s right outside our nation’s capital is a trail runner’s paradise. I’m training for the Baltimore Marathon, and I had 14 miles on my schedule for Sunday, Sept. 20. I stayed at my grandparents’ house in Montgomery … More Seneca Creek Greenway Trail a trail-running gem
With the one-month mark till the Baltimore Marathon having just passed Thursday, Sept. 17, it seems like a perfect time to do a check-in with training. I’m not following a super-specific plan, but I am following a long run plan, and I’m making an effort to run a good amount otherwise and do hill work. … More Less than a month to go till the Baltimore Marathon
Follow @VanessaJunkin// Not too far into the Skipjack Run 10K today — Sept. 12 — I had some slight shin pain. Nothing too bad, but I stopped very briefly to roll my ankles out. But I started to feel great as I went on, and I finished the race feeling really strong. I finished just seconds ahead … More Skipjack Run brings fun race with friends, scenic course
Follow @vanessajunkin// The Mike Sterling/Crab Derby 10K, held each Labor Day weekend in conjunction with the National Hard Crab Derby in Crisfield, is a race that means a lot to me. In 2012 — my first time running the race — I did not hydrate or listen to my body, got heatstroke and was hospitalized. The community was … More A third successful finish at the Mike Sterling/Crab Derby 10K
With August running now behind me, I’m really getting into my Baltimore Marathon training. I had a good month of running in August — and I ran my second-highest monthly mileage this year. With 784.62 miles under my belt for 2015, I’m nearly caught up to where I need to be to meet my 1,200-mile goal … More Six facts about my August running
Follow @VanessaJunkin// My legs weren’t really feeling it during my long run on Saturday — I hadn’t gotten a good amount of sleep during the week, and I had just done my first Pilates class the day before — but it was still a great way to start the morning. Running with my friend Veronica for the … More Tough run made better with company, scenery in Ocean City
I had been wanting to try beach Pilates ever since I won a $50 gift certificate to the Beach Pilates & Wellness Studio at a silent auction during a fundraiser earlier this year. I realized that the end of the summer is soon approaching, along with the end of the sessions. I altered my work schedule with a colleague so I … More Pilates and a run offer a fun morning of exercise in Bethany Beach
Follow @VanessaJunkin// I haven’t been running in a bunch of different locations recently, so I was happy to run at Cape Henlopen State Park with my friend Veronica on Saturday. Since we’ve been talking about heading out to Rehoboth Beach for a run for a long time, it was awesome that both of our schedules worked out so … More A fun, scenic run at Cape Henlopen State Park
I decided to try my hand at some recipes in July for the “A Running Book Per Month” series, and I’d say it was a success. I had fun making new things, and I enjoyed tasting them. So far, I’ve made five recipes from Katie Higgins’ “Chocolate-Covered Katie:” the Ironman Muffins, The Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake (which I … More A Running Book Per Month: Five recipes I tried from “Chocolate-Covered Katie”
Follow @VanessaJunkin// When my alarm went off shortly before 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, I considered not getting up and heading out to the group run at McDaniel College. I had woken up at about 4:30 a.m. the previous day to make it to the Casey Cares 5K from Salisbury, and I don’t think I … More Group run with the Westminster Road Runners Club is fun, hilly
She Runs by the Seashore 