December weather: 2 | Pagoda Pacer December races: 0
As you know, last week’s Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run was postponed due to icy conditions.
We’re still working out a new date and will share the details as soon as everything is settled. Stay tuned!
Even though we couldn’t hit the course (literally, Blue Marsh closed their trails), we weren’t about to let our runners miss out completely. We invited everyone to swing by, grab their much-anticipated hoodies, and enjoy coffee and donuts with us. A little race-day spirit goes a long way, and we think it helped show that our club is dedicated to our runners and that canceling was a tough call, one we didn’t take lightly.
All in all, it turned out to be a successful day anyway. Donuts were eaten, plenty of hoodies found their happy homes, and we’re hopeful that most runners will stick with us for the rescheduled race. Because let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want two Kris Kringles in 2026?
A huge thank you to all who were set to volunteer; we appreciate you! And a special shout-out to the small crew who still showed up to help hand out hoodies and donuts. (P.S.–you’re not totally off the hook. I’ll be reaching out again once we have the new date to line up volunteers for the rescheduled race.)
Join Fleet Feet West Reading for the 8th annual Teddy Bear Trot!
The Teddy Bear Trot is the perfect blend of running and giving back to our community. All participants are asked to bring a brand NEW Teddy Bear to the event.
New this year: At Eight-Twenty at the Mills, we will have a teddy bear tag-making station for you to write something special to the kids who will receive your bear. We will also have a photo shoot area to take some pictures with your donations.
Participants then join us as we run the bears to the Opportunity House in Reading, for them to use in their Learning Center. This year we will be welcomed into the Opportunity House Early Learning Center to say “Hello” to some of the kids who attend the Center. The kids who come to welcome us will not only be benefitting from our donations, but will get to take a bear home after the event. After making our donations, we will continue en route to finish our 3-mile fun run. This is not a race, but rather a social group run to give back to our community. Once back at Eight-Twenty at the Mills, we will have a Deluxe Hot Cocoa station for you to get warmed up after your run.
The proceeds for this event will be donated to Opportunity House as they continue to serve our homeless community. Additional monetary donations will be accepted at the event and will be given to Opportunity House to support their endeavors. We will also be collecting non-perishable foods and blankets at the start of the run at Sly Fox to donate as well.
Everyone will have a chance to wear/test Karhu shoes, an exclusive Fleet Feet product. Karhu is Finnish for the word “Bear,” making their brand a perfect partner for this event!
Runners will be sent to Opportunity House to make our donations in 3 groups. Groups will depart at 10:00, 10:10 and 10:15 to donate the teddy bears. Please take a look at the pace ranges for each group and sign up for the time that best suits your abilities. Our goal is to get to the Opportunity House at the same time to give them the bears and for a group photo. We will then continue on our 4-mile loop. There will be group leaders to help direct the runners/walkers.
An ideal spot to train when visiting the San Fransico Bay area
by Tom Chobot
One of the many benefits of the club (and more specifically, the newsletter and Facebook group), is that we get to share the running experiences we encounter as we visit distant lands and places, with the idea that others might one day enjoy what we discovered as well.
While visiting family in the San Fransico Bay area over the holidays, we discovered what we think is a runner’s paradise with regards to a great place to train and enjoy the outdoors. Angel Island is conveniently located in the Bay–just north of (and in sight of) the city, and it’s just a short ride from the ferry terminal.
There is much history to the island. Aside from a small Coast Guard and ranger station and a few buildings, it is currently almost entirely an uninhabited state park with plenty of hiking and biking trails which range from very easy and flat to fairly technical and challenging. The most popular trail is paved and follows the roughly six miles of coastline. The interior has a high point of 733 ft. of elevation with plenty of trails and options to customize a workout with distance, hill work, difficulty, and challenge.
On the day that we visited, it was cold (around 50 degrees), with light rain. Kinda like Pennsylvania weather on a good day, but miserable by local folks’ standards, as they are used to pristine conditions about 10 months a year. As a result, we had the entire island to ourselves, except for the rangers and one other couple. For us, it was perfect, with breathtaking scenery, a satisfying workout, and just a great day to be in the woods. This is a must-visit for any runner visiting the Bay area.
A word of caution: they tell us it can get crowded on weekends and nice weather days. Oh, and the websites say that lockers are available near the ferry docks. This is incorrect. There aren’t any, so prepare accordingly.
Bottom line, would we go back on our next visit? In a heartbeat.
Applications are still being accepted for two different cross-country scholarships being offered by the Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club (PPAC). High school seniors are encouraged to apply for a scholarship as a cross-country runner or as the child of a PPAC member who is in good standing with the club. Two of each scholarship type will be awarded. Please refer to the PPAC Scholarship page for details which can be found at: https://www.pagodapacers.com/Scholarships/About.aspx
This month we have 2 Shiver races. The December Shiver had to be postponed and is now Jan 4th. The January Shiver is scheduled for Jan 11th.
We apologize for the last minute cancellation of the December race, but we had about 5” of snow, not the predicted 1-2”. We knew Jim Dietrich Park would not be plowed, and just think of that hill!!!!! We did send an email to all pre-registered runners who had given us an email address, along with posting a message on the Pacer website and the Pretzel City Sports website and Facebook messages. We hope we reached everyone.
So this month we have back-to-back races!
Dates: Sunday Jan 4th and Sunday Jan 11th
Place: Jim Dietrich Park
Registration: 8:30
Race start: 10:00
Swag: Running Waist Belt
By the time you read this, pre-registration is closed; however, race-day registration is available for the series and individual races.
If you choose not to run the race, please consider volunteering. We need volunteers before the race – for parking; during the race – on the road, at the finish line, and in the farmhouse; and after the race – for cleanup. We also need a sweep. Since we have a 40-minute cut-off for a runner to start the 2nd loop, the sweep will start running at 40 minutes and follow the last 10K runner; therefore, the sweep can still run the 5k. To help us with volunteer assignments, we prefer that volunteers contact us prior to race day. If you have not already talked to one of us, please reach out to Georgine at Facebook or Instagram or gmmccool56@comcast.net.
If you can help prior to the race, please plan to arrive between 8:00 – 8:15. If you can help with the race itself, please arrive no later than 9:30. Look for one of the race directors somewhere around the farmhouse. Thank you in advance for your support!
Thank you to everyone who attended the Pacer Christmas Party!
There were familiar faces and some newcomers, and a great time was had by all.
If you missed it this time, mark your calendars for Friday, December 4, 2026!
If you have any suggestions for the 2026 party, please let me know. This party is for you, the members, and I want you all to have a memorable night.
This party happens because of the help I receive from club volunteers. Whether it’s helping me set up and clean up, or checking in guests and selling raffle tickets during the party, every bit is helpful and appreciated! So thank you to the following folks for helping out this year:
Jen Pierdomenico
Donna Hey
Keith Mooney
Katie Beane
Blair Hogg
Shaun Luther
Jerry Ashway
Sue Jindra
Matt Brophy
Yuriko Berman
Steve Vida
Sue Jackson
Georgine DiPaolo McCool
Michelle Henry
Beth Kohl
Lisa Domeshek (an extra round of applause to Lisa and Fabric Mart who saved me behind the scenes in addition to helping out at the party)
There are a few others who helped clean up at the end of the night, and I apologize for not remembering who all helped out, but thank you so much for all of your time and efforts!
We had a number of businesses donate goods and/or services for raffle prizes, and I’d like to give them with a shout-out:
Our mid-week group runs have at least two different distance options (3-4 miles and 5-6 miles) with an appointed leader for at least one of the two routes. Each run will have its own Facebook “event,” and the routes will be posted a couple days before the run. After each run, those who can will stick around for food, drink, and good conversation, either at a nearby restaurant or a club member’s residence. Come for the run; stay (if you can) for the fellowship. (If you don’t have time to stick around, no worries–just come run with us!)
Remember to bring a head lamp and to wear reflective gear!
My road to the Philadelphia Marathon actually began in the fall of 2023. At that point, I had run a handful of 50Ks on the trails, but never a road marathon, and I was curious how different the two would feel. I was turning 40 the following year and thought tackling a marathon would be the perfect bucket-list challenge. I was initially interested in Steamtown or Philadelphia, but I also knew I’d be spending two weeks in Italy that fall, which was not ideal for marathon training.
I was talking to Matt Brophy at Wine & Cheese that year, and he mentioned the Coastal Delaware Marathon. He’d run it before and planned to go back in April of 2024 to run the half. I signed up for the 2024 Coastal Delaware Marathon the following week.
It was a fantastic first marathon experience: midsized race, easy logistics, and a super flat course. A bunch of Pacer friends came down, and we had so much fun. My training had gone well, and I was excited to see what I could do. I had the best 18-mile run of my life–I didn’t stop or walk once–but then the wheels started to come off. The back half of the course is completely exposed to the sun, and temperatures climbed into the mid-80s. This was early April; I was not heat-acclimated at all. My calves tightened, I started cramping, and the last three miles became a jog-walk-hobble situation.
Despite the suffering at the end of the race, I was happy with my time. I also just assumed that is how I was supposed to feel at the end of a marathon. However, I was absolutely not doing that again! The last hour of the race was so hard. (Spoiler: by the time we got home from Rehoboth, a few days later, I absolutely wanted to do it again.) I had thrived with the structured training and knew I could run a better marathon. The only caveat was that I wanted a cooler race day. Philadelphia in late November? Ding, ding, ding.
Coastal Delaware, April 2024
Because of my travel plans, I didn’t want to run the full Philly Marathon that fall. But I did sign up for the half with Sandie Kincaid and had an awesome experience. I knew I wasn’t in PR shape because of travel and a nasty cold, which actually took the pressure off and let me enjoy the day. I’d never run a race that big, and the crowd energy blew me away. I signed up for the 2025 full marathon as soon as registration opened.
Upping the Ante
Knowing I had a big fall goal, I wanted to get to work early. I signed up for the Scranton Half Marathon with Blair Hogg, scheduled for April 2025. Around this time I also realized that if I was going to be running so much anyway, I might as well commit to Blues Cruise 50K, and if I was doing that, why not complete the entire Triple Trail Challenge?
I wanted Scranton to be a PR race. I trained hard from January through April and believed I could finally get that sub-2. It didn’t happen. That race felt hard very early, and although I had a great weekend with Blair, Karen, and Jerry, I was disappointed and started wondering if I was simply slowing down with age. I’m proud of myself for kicking that thought to the curb. Now it was time for two months of fun running before marathon training started in earnest in July.
In May I ran Broad Street just for fun, then the Charlie Horse Half at the end of the month. No pressure, just keeping my base mileage up. After that, I started hitting trails and hills to prep for Run for the Ages in June.
July 1st arrived and it was time to start building for Blues Cruise. I was in Cape May that week, and, lucky for me, Jules (Julia Hager) was there too! Our long run was 10.5 miles in 92% humidity and high-80s temperatures. Even at an easy pace, it was brutal, a character-building run I carried with me for the rest of the training block. Cheers to summer training in the Mid-Atlantic!
With Jules in Cape May, first long run of the training block
I decided to reuse my previous marathon plan since it had worked well. For this cycle, Blues Cruise would serve as my “marathon.” I had a few peak weeks close to 50 miles, which is a lot for me. Aside from the humidity, training was going great. I ran Double Trouble 30k in July and then the Curran Brewing Trail 5K in mid-August where I placed second in my age group: small win, big smile. Then came Labor Pains, which I planned to use as a training run, and I completed 50K.
Then it was time for Blues Cruise. I thought a 50K PR was possible even with the hot forecast. I ran really well through mile 28 and was still on track for a small PR…until my calf cramped so hard that I fell and literally couldn’t get up for a few minutes. Lying there waiting (hoping!) someone would run by to help me up was surreal. I went from cruising to wondering if I could even finish. Humbling, to say the least. And in retrospect, it was a great learning experience. It’s not over until it’s over. Eventually I inch-wormed myself up (no one came by) and prayed I wouldn’t re-cramp. Running was out of the question, so it became a three-mile death march I’ll never forget.
The following week, I went to Vermont and took a planned, glorious week-long break from running. I came back refreshed and ready for one more four-week build, which I planned myself, followed by a two-week taper. I raced the Oley 10-Miler in that block, felt fantastic, and earned a PR, another little confidence spark going into Philly.
All In
The morning before the marathon I went for a shakeout run. Strava helpfully pointed out this was my highest average heart rate in three weeks, and it felt like I’d never run three continuous miles in my life. Nerves.
After packing up, Jerry and I headed to Philly. We walked around Center City, grabbed my bib at the expo, and checked into the Sheraton Downtown. Later we met Steve Vida, who was also running the marathon, for an amazing dinner at Giuseppe & Sons—highly recommend if you want a nice spot downtown. Then it was back to the hotel to try to get some sleep.
Once I finally fell asleep, I got a few solid hours and woke up five minutes before my 4:45 a.m. alarm. I got ready quietly and had my usual race-day breakfast: a plain bagel with a tiny bit of peanut butter and a Red Bull. I walked alone to the start near the Art Museum, about a mile from the hotel. It was 34° but I knew the forecast (low 50s and partly sunny) was perfect.
I breezed through security, filled my pack, hit the porta-potty line, and got into my corral. I snapped a selfie and ate my first gel and then it wasn’t long before the National Anthem played and the first wave began at 7 a.m. I started running around 7:25. To my surprise, I felt happy and calm; the nerves were completely gone. I knew Jerry, Alyssa, and Jon would be at mile one, and focusing on spotting them helped keep me from going out too fast.
Ready to go!
After seeing them, I locked into pace. My goal was 4:15–4:20, which would be a PR, but still conservative. My rule: not a single mile under 9:30 for the entire first half, no matter how good I felt. And I felt great, almost floating. But experience told me the same pace would feel very different hours later.
I wasn’t expecting to see anyone again until mile nine at the zoo. I held steady between 9:30–10:00 minute miles, enjoyed winding through Center City, sipped Skratch from my pack, and got down the gummies and gels I’d planned for the first hour. I was targeting a minimum of 60g of carbs and 600mg sodium per hour, given my history of calf cramping.
Mile nine came quickly. The zoo area was packed with spectators–one of the denser parts of the course. I slowed slightly to look for Jerry, but I didn’t see him, so I pushed on. I did spot Dave, which made me happy. I found Jerry and the crew around mile 12.5 and stopped for a quick hug and selfie.
Selfie stop
Right after I crossed the half-marathon point, I had the completely unhelpful thought: If this were a half, I’d be done right now. And then, as if on cue, I saw Matt cheering. Perfect timing. I got my mental game back on track.
Next I focused on reaching Manayunk, miles 19–21, which I knew would feel like a party. I got there before I knew it, and past mile 18, where I’d fallen apart in Delaware. I saw my friend Beth with the Philly Hashers, drank a small beer (planned!), then looked for Sorita and the other Fleet Feeters in their banana costumes. Found them! Beth handed me another small beer around mile 21 and gave me a giant hug. A little aside about Manayunk: it was the most crowded part of the race with runners going in both directions and bacchanalian spectators. It was very hard to hold a steady pace with runners slowing down around me. I also almost got taken out when I bent over to pet a dog wearing a sign that said “Pet to Power Up” and a very large man barreled into me scaring everyone involved and did not apologize either.
Steve had told me he loved the stretch after Manayunk because you’re headed straight back to the finish and can just count down the miles. That was exactly my experience. I couldn’t believe how good I still felt. I saw Ron and Helene Horn, and Dave one more time.
At mile 25, I couldn’t stop smiling. The crowds were unbelievable, constant high-fives, nonstop cheering, and the last half-mile was just a roar. I crossed the finish, got my medal, and realized I’d forgotten to look at the clock. My watch said 4:19 with a 9:45 average pace, so I assumed that was close. I didn’t check the official chip time until later: 4:22. Technically slower than my goal, but still a five-minute PR. My splits were pretty even; when they slowed it was because of the crowd or because I was looking for my people and I picked it right back up. My last two miles were 9:35 and 9:25.
And honestly? The hugs, selfies, mini beers, and one porta-potty stop were worth every minute they cost so that I was relatively comfortable and still had fun.
With my friend Alyssa at the finish
Afterward, we met up with Matt, Steve, and a few other friends for a celebratory lunch at Victory Brewing. It was just a unicorn of a day: perfect weather, amazing friends, incredible spectators and volunteers. I wore my medal the rest of the day. (However, we will not discuss the Eagles / Cowboys game.)
We stayed in the city one more night. As we drove down the reopened Benjamin Franklin Parkway Monday morning, I saw crews taking down the banners and tents and couldn’t help feeling a little melancholy. I know there will be plenty more races, big running highs, miles with friends, and hopefully more PRs, but the 2025 Philadelphia Marathon truly felt like a little bit of magic.
Big-city races and/or road marathons aren’t for everyone, but I hope everyone who made it to the end of this gets to experience their own truly perfect running day in one form or another.
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