On July 12, Silver Spring’s Shlomo Fishman will be running 40 miles around Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and Washington D.C. to raise money for the Kids In Action programs at the HSC Pediatric Center, providing inclusive recreation services for kids with developmental and physical disability. Find out more and donate here.
Name: Shlomo Fishman
Self-described age group: Competitive Open Male Division
Residence: Silver Spring
Occupation: Wellness Fitness Specialist
Volunteer roles in the running world: My volunteering ranges from being course marshal, to assisting with the City of Rockville youth track meets, and any other roles as needed within the Montgomery County and D.C. area.
Why you run: Running allows me to be the best person I can be. When I push myself during a workout or a run, it allows me to apply it to any challenges or stressors I may face in day-to-day living.
Name: Ryan Bos
Self-described age group: 45-50
Residence: Washington, D.C.
Occupation: Executive Director, Capital Pride Alliance
Volunteer roles in the running world: Organized a challenging 8K trail and road race off of Lake Michigan, called the Tower Run.
Why you run: To stay fit, mentally healthy, and be able to indulge my sweet tooth for dark chocolate.
When did you get started running: Playing night time team tag growing up in my neighborhood, as early as third and fourth grade.
Have you taken a break from running: Yes. I had some knee issues after high school, come to find out I needed a heel lift in my right shoe because my leg was shorter. More recently I took about 2.5 months off because of COVID-19 and a follow-up condition that had me in the hospital for about 10 days.
Name: Jackie Ogden
Self-described age group: whatever 30 falls into
Residence: Logan Circle
Occupation: Capital markets strategist
How has your running changed in the last few weeks: Learning to manage breathing with a mask is adding some solid lung capacity. Definitely avoiding some of the more crowded paths along the Potomac, where possible! It has been fun to explore some alternative, less crowded running routes through the city!
Why you run: I do it for mental wellness, for friendship and community (shoutout to my beautiful running crew, Knife Hands, @goknifehands) and because I need balance for all of the sweets I eat.
Name: Ciara (Donohue) Adam
Self-described age group: I am 23 so in races, I guess the age group 20-30?
Residence: I live with my husband in Winchester, Virginia
Occupation: I am a registered nurse at Winchester Medical Center
Volunteer roles in the running world: I can’t think of a volunteer role I have had with the running world recently, but I am hoping to look more into assistant coaching/volunteer coaching at local schools when the pandemic clears up.
How has your running changed in the last few weeks: Running the last few weeks has been a blessing. I work 12-hour night shifts in the hospital and when I fit in a run, I am always way less anxious about work. Fresh air has never felt better when you run after being in the hospital all day. New-nurse anxiety is a real thing topped off with being a new nurse during a crazy pandemic. Running is that something I am familiar with and keeps me grounded. In times of uncertainty, it feels wonderful to fall back to the sport I love most.
Why you run: Although I am not running near as much as I used to during high school and college, I find that when I do find the time to fit in good run, I am so much more relaxed and clear-minded. I find (as most people do) running as a de-stressor and I always feel 100% better when I get my feet out the door. It feels so good to challenge your body, feel your heart beating, and just be in your thoughts.
Name: Randall Myers
Self-described age group: Masters > 40
Residence: Arlington
Occupation: Emergency Medicine Physician
Why you run: I enjoy training for, preparing for and competing in races
Name: Trevor Myers
Self-described age group: Grandmaster, not quite older than dirt
Residence: Bethesda
Occupation: Anesthesiologist-Dominion Anesthesia, Chief of Anesthesia Virginia Hospital Center-Arlington
Volunteer roles in the running world: Usually and obviously, I’m typically running the medical tent for larger races, but chip in anywhere I can.
How has your running changed in the last few weeks: My mental and physical exhaustion of the past six weeks has made it very difficult to find the energy to get time in, so I’ve returned to my favorite spot on the Potomac River over and over again
Why you run: Running has always been an escape for me, a respite in the storm of life. This has never been truer now, as we fight the scourge of Covid19.
Name: Katie McHugh. Or Dinterbeast. I’ll answer to both.
Self-described age group: I’m timeless.
Residence: The Hill is Home.
Occupation: Pediatric oncology research nurse
Volunteer roles in the running world: I am an expert cowbell ringer and very proficient in vuvuzela blowing. I am also an exceptional relay van driver, and I will get the team to the next exchange on time no matter what ill directions I have been given.
How has your running changed in the last few weeks: I’ve whittled down to only one running partner: my one-year-old daughter, Molly.
Why you run: Because it’s fun, duh!
Name: Laurence J Clark MD FACP
Self-described age group: Masters Senior
Residence: Mount Vernon, Va.
Occupation: Physician, Medicare Medical Director, Noridian Healthcare Solutions (13 states including West Coast), Volunteer Medical Director, Carpenters Shelter Clinic
Volunteer roles in the running world: Organizer for the Run for Shelter to support local homelessness initiatives
How has your running changed in the last few weeks: I have been running by myself around the Chinquapin Park oval to maintain social distancing at the usual time I would be running with NOVA
Name: Rebecca Middleton
Self-described age group: 40-49
Residence: Arlington
Occupation: Anti-hunger leader – executive director of Alliance to End Hunger
How has your running changed in the last four weeks: I was signed up for a number of spring races that were cancelled/postponed so it’s been a big mindshift. I’m most disciplined when I have a race on the calendar, so not knowing when the next in-person race will be is a challenge. A friend in Boulder sent me information about the Un-Cancelled Project virtual race series by Run the Edge – it has been a fun way to stay motivated. Another big change has been planning routes to maximize social distancing. For me this means avoiding trails and hitting quieter streets. The upside has been having a bit more flexibility with my schedule overall so easier to stick to a running routine. I’m grateful to still be able to run and try to be mindful of what a gift it is.
Volunteer roles in the running world: I’d signed up to volunteer for the first time at this year’s Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile. I was really looking forward to it, but clearly it wasn’t meant to be. I look forward to volunteering just as soon as races start back up.
Name: Taylor Williamson
Self-described age group: 35-39
Residence: Silver Spring
Occupation: Global Health Systems Manager at RTI International
Volunteer roles in the running world: I have been a pacer for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile for years, and I volunteer for MCRRC races as I am able. Pikes Peek is one of my favorites!
Why you run: I‘ve run for so long that my motivations change about every couple of years. I run now because it keeps me sane by burning off excess energy and letting my mind shut down. I also really appreciate the running community in Montgomery County. It’s a dedicated and engaged group of people.
How has your running changed in the last four weeks: I was training for Pikes Peek in April; aiming to better a very slow 10K PR. Since that race and all the others have been shut down, I’m taking time off to heal from a bad hamstring strain.
