It seems to me that Runners World is kind of a badge of honor for most runners. Can you call yourself a runner and not subscribe to Runners World? I’m actually not sure. The ironic part of the whole thing is that I don’t know anyone who actually reads the thing cover to cover. 1/3 of the articles are total fluff, 1/3 of the articles are a re-written version of the same article from last month’s issue, and only about 1/3 are truly interesting articles I enjoy reading.
That being said, I was excited to see that this month would bring a Trail Edition, which was bound to offer a variety of new types of articles, interesting stories, mind blowing trail pictures, and shoe reviews I’ve been looking forward to. The edition didn’t really disappoint, offering all of those things, and making me very jealous I don’t live in a place that offers better singletracks.
The issue also offer up some highlights form the greater Washington, DC area that I thought I should share:
Area Trails:
- Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park:
- Location: Georgetown
- Description: Follows the canal along the Potomac River for 185 miles to Cumberland, MD
- My Writeup: http://www.thehaysay.com/?p=1919
- Potomac Heritage Trail:
- Location: Rosslyn, VA
- Description: Travels along southwest side of Potomac
- Rock Creek Park:
- Location: Northwest, DC
- My Writeup: http://www.thehaysay.com/?p=1919 and http://www.thehaysay.com/?p=2013
- Bull Run-Occoquan National Recreation Trail:
- Location: Travels between Centerville and Fairfax Station, VA
- National Mall and Memorial Parks:
- Seneco Creek Greenway Trail:
- Location: 25 Miles northwest of DC, runs 25 miles north
Area Races:
- JFK 50 Mile
- Location: Boonsborough, MD
- Date: November, 19
- Website: jfk50mile.org
- North Face Endurance Challenge
- Location: Algonkian Regional Park, Great Falls Park and the Potomac Heritage Trail
- Date: June, 4-5
- Website: http://www2.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge/races/2011/dc/index.html
- XTERRA Fugitive Trail Run 10K
- Location: Richmond, VA
- Date: June, 11
- Website: xterraplanet.com/xduro/richmond.html
Other:
- Backyard Burn Trail Running Series
- Michael Wardian – Superstar trail runner
- Personal Website: http://mikewardian.com/
- Virginia Happy Trails Running Club
- Website: http://www.vhtrc.org/
I don’t subscribe to Runner’s World. Am I not a runner?
haha, no. I think it makes you a smarter runner.
I was complaining to my dad that in every damn issue of Runner’s World, it seems like half the magazine is a section demonstrating dynamic stretching or yoga pose core workouts, and he’s like “yeah, that’s my favorite part”…..I thought it was universally loathed. Different strokes for different folks i guess. I also desperately miss Rock Creek. Running’s good in Madison, but for city running, I’ll take the DC paths and terrain (though not the summer weather).