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Hey Muddy Shoozers,

Well, election day is here along with all the stress and anxiety. For me to say ‘Just don’t think about it’ would be disingenuous and off point. You would have to have your head in the sand not to have some level of uncomfortable emotions right now. That’s ok. We tend to cope with this in different ways. Personally, one thing that always works for me is hitting the trails for a nice run. I find that whenever I have a lot on my mind, whether good or bad, I’m able to leave it out on the trail. It’s therapeutic, it’s comforting and even, at some level, spiritual. I think that’s why we do it.

So, we’re running tonight like we do almost every other Tuesday of the year. Hopefully, for at least that hour and a half, we can forget everything and let our stress fall off our shoulders.

One last reminder, it’s always been a Muddy Shoes policy that when we’re gathered around in a group before or after our run that folks abstain from any sensitive discussions regarding things such as politics and religion, etc. One of the purposes of Muddy Shoes is to give ourselves a break from all that. One on one discussions out of ear shot are ok but please, not in a group setting. Discussing things like which style of pizza is better: New York vs. Chicago vs. Detroit  (we all know it’s New York), the best type of pet: dog vs. cat vs. ferret (Dogs rule) or whether you should pull straight into a parking space vs. backing in (straight in!) should be the most controversial topics on the trails. Violators will have the laces on their trail shoes tied together! 😊

Details for tonight:

Location: Redland M.S. (around back to the right side of school)

Address: 6505 Muncaster Mill Rd, Derwood, MD 20855

Date: 5 November 2024

Time: Warm up at 6 p.m. Run starts at 6:15

Course: The Redland Trails consist of an Upper and Lower trail with a .3 mile extension out to Muncaster Road. Each week we will alternate directions around the loop. Great trails! This week we will go clockwise (Upper Trail first)

Head Lamp: Most definitely!

Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/ABPQC (includes warm up loop)

Distance: 5 miles with warm-up (feel free to do shorter or longer)

Pace: Fast, slow and in-between

Vibe: Chill…very chill

Hope to C U there cuz THESE TRAILS AIN’T GONNA RUN THEMSELVES!

Namaste,

Muddy Shoes

Hey Trail (Hallo)Weenies,

Well, we are almost through October. Seems like we were just at Needwood dealing with the heat and humidity and, all of a sudden, here we are. Right up against Halloween with Turkey Day looming right behind. I was thinking of dressing up as a DNF Ultra Runner this year. Whadya think? If a grown man dressed like that with caked-on mud and grass and sticks in his hair and skinned and bloody knees (fake blood, of course) came to your door mumbling “Trick-or-treat”, would that be worthy of candy or a call to the local police? That’d be scary!

Oops, I digress (as usual). Tonight, we’re in for some nice dry, pleasant Fall weather so I expect to see you out there. Stone Millers can just come out and take it easy as you are starting to taper. Mingle with your trail buds for inspiration. It can be quite invigorating!

OK, enjoy the meme I pulled out from years past!

Announcements:

• The Muddy Shoes Phantastic Phall Phat Ass is coming up this Saturday November 2nd. Take your pick – Half Marathon or 10k. All are welcome. It’s a potluck so go here to sign up Great taper run for Stone Millers! https://www.signupgenius.com/…/20F0C4DABAB2DA64…
• Still have 10-year Muddy Shoes commemorative t-shirts (long and short sleeve) ready to order. Sizes run a little big. Buy ‘em here: https://mymuddyshoes.printify.me/products

Now, for the run details:

Location: Redland M.S. (around back to the right side of school)

Address: 6505 Muncaster Mill Rd, Derwood, MD 20855

Date: 29 October 2024

Time: Warm up at 6 p.m. Run starts at 6:15

Course: The Redland Trails consist of an Upper and Lowwer trail with a .3 mile extension out to Muncaster Road. Each week we will alternate directions around the loop. Great trails! This week we will go counter-clockwise (Lower Trail first)

Head Lamp: Most definitely!

Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/ABPQC (includes warm up loop)

Distance: 5 miles with warm-up (feel free to do shorter or longer)

Pace: Fast, slow and in-between

Vibe: Chill…very chill

Hope to C U there cuz THESE TRAILS AIN’T GONNA RUN THEMSELVES!

Namaste,

Muddy Shoes

Hey there, Trail Peeps!

Just another Tuesday in October with beautiful running weather. Should be a great evening to be out in the woods exercising. Ah, but you come not only for the running itself, but you also come for the comradery and mingling with your trail buds. That’s why Coach Phil often has to resort to blowing his whistle (annoying) to get everyone’s attention because everyone is lost in conversation. That’s cool. That’s what it’s all about! Hanging with your buds! Besides, no one listens to him anyway! Right?

Announcements:

– Only one more Stone Mill Course Preview run. More details to come but these will be open to all. Run #1, #2 and #3 were huge successes! Maybe some special breakfast treats at the end to fill your belly!

– The Muddy Shoes Phantastic Phall Phat Ass is coming up on Saturday November 2nd. Take your pick – Half Marathon or 10k. All are welcome. It’s a potluck so go here to sign up Great taper run for Stone Millers! https://www.signupgenius.com/…/20F0C4DABAB2DA64…

– Still have 10 year Muddy Shoes commemorative t-shirts (long and short sleeve) ready to order. Sizes run a little big. Buy ‘em here: https://mymuddyshoes.printify.me/products

Now, for the run details:

Location: Redland M.S. (around back to the right side of school)

Address: 6505 Muncaster Mill Rd, Derwood, MD 20855

Date: 22 October 2024

Time: Warm up at 6 p.m. Run starts at 6:15

Course: The Redland Trails consist of an Upper and Lowwer trail with a .3 mile extension out to Muncaster Road. Each week we will alternate directions around the loop. Great trails! This week we will go clockwise (Upper Trail first)

Head Lamp: Most definitely!

Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/ABPQC (includes warm up loop)

Distance: 5 miles with warm-up (feel free to do shorter or longer)

Pace: Fast, slow and in-between

Vibe: Chill…very chill

Hope to C U there cuz THESE TRAILS AIN’T GONNA RUN THEMSELVES!

Namaste,

Muddy Shoes

Hey Stone Mill Hopefuls – kidding – you GOT this!

We are up to Course Preview Run #3. This covers the Southwest quadrant of the course from Mile 24 to Mile 34. A shout out to all those that have ventured out with us the previous two Saturdays. Good time was had by all. At least no one complained to my face!

Anyway, by now, if you’ve been to the first two preview runs your feet have been on the racecourse for about 29 miles. Plus, since these are out-and-backs you’ve piled on some extra training miles for good measure. So, between this Saturday and the next we’ll cover the remaining 21 miles. Betcha can’t wait!

So, in a nutshell, we’ll re-convene at Pennyfield Lock – site of the world-famous Muddy Shoes Stone Mill Aid Station (Mile 24). Then from there we will continue in the direction of the race, up the C&O Canal for a few miles to Riley’s Lock -about 3.5 miles. At this point you will turn off the canal and run up Tschiffley Road. This is the point where the Seneca Greenway Trail technically begins. Almost immediately you will see and run through, the remains of the actual Stone Mill. Check out the link for historical facts https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seneca_Quarry . Note: this will also be the site of your next aid station during the race. Rumor has it that you might encounter adult beverages to warm your running soul at this point! Continue up Tschiffley Rd. to River Rd.  Careful crossing. Once you cross head to your right over the creek on River Rd and make a quick left up Seneca Rd. for about a third of a mile before seeing the trailhead on your left. Duck in the woods on the Greenway trail and take it all the way up to Rt. 28. Now turn around and run back! Easy-peazy twenty miler for ya!

We’ll put water out on the course just not sure where, yet. I’ll let ya know at the pre-run blah-blah.

Donations! So far folks have been more than generous! From the bottom of my heart and my gruddy ol’ trail shoes – Thank You!!! Please feel free to stuff your hard-earned cash into our lovely-decorated donation box. Aside from paying for food and fluids we use at our weekly runs throughout the year we have used this money to buy a Muddy Shoes weed-wacker and a brush-cutting attachment to keep the trails clear. Thanks again!

Caltopo – if you have any doubts about staying on course even with the most excellent trail flagging around, then download caltopo to your phone. I included the link to this weekend’s run in the details below. You can bring it up on Caltopo and it will show your current location as well as the course. It really works well.

***These runs are open to all. You don’t have to be running Stone Mill to join us. You can be training for a different event or just want to come out and do a few miles. C’mon out!

Well, enough chit-chat. Here are the details for Saturday:

Location: Pennyfield Lock, C & O Canal

Address: 12100-12226 Pennyfield Lock Rd, Potomac, MD 20854 (When you get to the canal go left and all the way down to where we will park)

Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/QBAKP

Date: Saturday 19 October

Time: 0730

Donation: Yes, please! See above.

Pets: Dogs or small children on a leash OK. No ferrets!

Vibe: Usually pretty chill.

Cheers,

Muddy Shoes

Time for Tuesday Trails again. I will still be out of town but I trust someone knows the way. Pick a leader and GO!!!!!!! Counter-clockwise. Lower trail first. Look out for each other and have fun!

Announcements:

– Upcoming on Saturdays in October – Stone Mill Course Preview runs. More details to come but these will be open to all. Run #1 and #2 were huge successes!

– The Muddy Shoes Phantastic Phall Phat Ass is coming up on Saturday November 2nd. Take your pick – Half Marathon or 10k. All are welcome. It’s a potluck so go here to sign up Great taper run for Stone Millers! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4DABAB2DA64-49510433-phall?fbclid=IwY2xjawF6YepleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTk0qf-arSd2dHxzVUhTUwj3Y71UWKfPC2GxAV3m7ii6OzNTPwrl5KvI9Q_aem_VEbaCuEGbvmtcidumK26Zg#/

– Still have 10 year Muddy Shoes commemorative t-shirts (long and short sleeve) ready to order. Sizes run a little big. Buy ‘em here: https://mymuddyshoes.printify.me/products

Now, for the run details:

Location: Redland M.S. (around back to the right side of school)

Address: 6505 Muncaster Mill Rd, Derwood, MD 20855

Date: 15 October 2024

Time: Warm up at 6 p.m. Run starts at 6:15

Course: The Redland Trails consist of an Upper and Lowwer trail with a .3 mile extension out to Muncaster Road. Each week we will alternate directions around the loop. Great trails! This week we will go counter-clockwise (Lower Trail first)

Head Lamp: Most definitely!

Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/ABPQC (includes warm up loop)

Distance: 5 miles with warm-up (feel free to do shorter or longer)

Pace: Fast, slow and in-between

Vibe: Chill…very chill

Hope to C U there cuz THESE TRAILS AIN’T GONNA RUN THEMSELVES!

Namaste,

Muddy Shoes

Hey Stone Millers and other assorted Trailies!

Race day is getting closer, as if you didn’t know! Humidity has vamoosed the area, days are getting shorter, and the temps are a lot more reasonable than in late July. Five weeks from Saturday – unless you chicken out (Bawk! Bawk!) – you will be crossing the Stone Mill Start line and heading down the course. We’re getting into the self-doubt portion of your training. ‘Did I do enough miles?’ ‘Will I be strong enough on race day?’ ‘Should I have done more hill repeats?’ ‘Will I have to poop in the woods?’…etcetera, etcetera, etcetera! Well, I guess ya’ll will find out! Either way, one thing you can do to prepare yourself is get familiar with the course. Basically, get a look at what you’ll be facing race day.

So, let’s talk about the course preview runs. Just to re-hash, we have taken the Stone Mill course, which is basically shaped like an upside-down lollipop, and divided it up into four segments. Each weekend we run a different section. If you run with us all four weekends, your feet will have touched the course in its entirety. Muddy Shoes supplies on-course water, and post-run beverages, snacks and chit-chat back at the parking lot.

Last week we did Run #1. That covered the first and last 10 miles of Stone Mill (the lollipop stick). This week we’ll be convening at Pennyfield Lock to take a stroll on the Muddy Branch section of the course – basically Mile 15 to Mile 24, give or take a few feet.

BTW, Pennyfield Lock, the halfway point of Stone Mill, is the site of the world-famous Muddy Shoes Aid Station during the race. We’ll take care of your sorry-ass when you need it most with Hot Soup, Quesadillas, Tater Tots, Pickle Juice, Port-a-Pottys and some motivational commentary on how we think you are doing!

Whoops, I digress. Back to Run #2. This run will be an out-and-back totaling approximately 18-ish miles entirely on single track excepting a small stretch of pavement along Esworthy Road and another very short stretch on Query Mill Road. The actual race direction will be duplicated when you head back from the turn around point up at Rt. 28. This will be the stretch from about Mile 15 to Mile 24+ on race day. The Rt. 28 location will also be the site of the 3^rd Aid station on the course. Muddy Branch is a beautiful trail that consists of wooded single track the entire way with many rolling hills but nothing too severe.

So, coupla things:

• Donations! We (Muddy Shoes) depend on your hard-earned moolah to bring you these events as well as all our other running activities through out the year. We accept cash and paypal (pepstein1@verizon.net) but no crypto. The more generous you are, the less likely it is that we will make nasty comments about you as a runner. At least not to your face!
•  
• Caltopo – if you have any doubts about staying on course even with the most excellent trail flagging around, then download caltopo to your phone. I included the link to this weekend’s run in the details below. You can bring it up on Caltopo and it will show your current location as well as the course. It really works well.
•  
• These runs are open to all. You don’t have to be running Stone Mill to join us. You can be training for a different event or just want to come out and do a few miles. C’mon out!
• We provide water on the course and beverages and snacks back at the trailhead to enjoy while you mingle after the run.

Blah, blah, blah. I’ve talked enough. Hope to C U there cuz THESE TRAILS AIN’T GONNA RUN THEMSELVES!!!

Alright! Here are the details –

Location: Pennyfield Lock, C & O Canal

Address: 12100-12226 Pennyfield Lock Rd, Potomac, MD 20854 (When you get to the canal go left and all the way down to where we will park)

Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/G5N5

Date: Saturday 12 October

Time: 0730

Donation: Yes, please!

Pets: Dogs or hamsters on a leash OK. No ferrets!

Vibe: Usually pretty chill.

Cheers,

Muddy Shoes

Listen Up, Trail Joggers!

It’s Tuesday! You know what that means, dontcha? It means that, not only do you get to run through the woods in the pitch dark (don’t worry, you’ll have your headlamps) but you get to slam down some delicious chow at the Outta the Way Café after the run while kibbitzing with your fellow trail buds! What could be better?

Weather will be picture perfect and the trails will be in fine shape. Its hard to think of a reason not to come and join us!

OK, Announcements then details…

Announcements:

– Upcoming on Saturdays in October – Stone Mill Course Preview runs. More details to come but these will be open to all. Run #1 this past Saturday was a huge success!

– The Muddy Shoes Phantastic Phall Phat Ass is coming up on Saturday November 2nd. Take your pick – Half Marathon or 10k. All are welcome. It’s a potluck so look for a sign-up sheet soon. Great taper run for Stone Millers!

– Still have 10 year Muddy Shoes commemorative t-shirts (long and short sleeve) ready to order. Sizes run a little big. Buy ‘em here: https://mymuddyshoes.printify.me/products

Now, for the run details:

Location: Redland M.S. (around back to the right side of school)

Address: 6505 Muncaster Mill Rd, Derwood, MD 20855

Date: 08 October 2024

Time: Warm up at 6 p.m. Run starts at 6:15

Course: The Redland Trails consist of an Upper and Lowwer trail with a .3 mile extension out to Muncaster Road. Each week we will alternate directions around the loop. Great trails! This week we will go clockwise (Upper Trail first)

Head Lamp: Most definitely!

Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/ABPQC (includes warm up loop)

Distance: 5 miles with warm-up (feel free to do shorter or longer)

Pace: Fast, slow and in-between

Vibe: Chill…very chill

Outta the Way Café Address: 17503 Redland Rd, Derwood, MD 20855

Hope to C U there cuz THESE TRAILS AIN’T GONNA RUN THEMSELVES!

Namaste,

Muddy Shoes

Brought to you by MY MUDDY SHOES – We ARE trail running in MOCO!

Well, Hey there, Stone Millers,

Time to strap on yer stinkin’ trail shoes, lube up those chafing spots (where the sun don’t shine) and join the Muddy Shoes gang on the Stone Mill course for a look-see at where you’ll be slapping your feet on race day! Yee-ha! Betcha’can’t wait!

For starters, think of the course in its entirety as an upside-down lollipop. You have ‘the stick’ (out-n-back portion) and ‘the candy’ part (a biiiiiig loop). We’ve divided that lollipop into four segments and will preview one section each week through the month of October. If you do all four preview runs you will have stepped on every inch of the course.

This week – we’ll preview ‘The Stick’! We’ll begin at the official Stone Mill race start-finish line and do the entire out and back of the stick which are the first and last sections of the race itself. This will include running around Clopper Lake on the outbound leg. On the way back the course skips the lake and heads right on back to the finish line at the school. The total mileage is in the 20-ish range, but I might be off by a mile or too…so be it. That’s trail running.

For starters let’s see the logistical details:

Location: Stedwick Elementary School

Address: 10631 Stedwick Rd, Montgomery Village, MD 20886

Date: Saturday 5 October

Time: 0730 after I finish the blah-blah-blah instructions that no one listens to!

Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/UG1V9

Course: First and last sections of the Stone Mill Course. Start/Finish line at Stedwick to Riffleford Rd. and back.

Distance: 20 or 21-ish miles. See what your Garmin says!

Course Aid: Yes, water at Clopper Rd. Refreshments back at the start too.

Cost: Donations accepted (coupla bucks, maybe something with a picture of Alexander Hamilton on it or at least some spare change and Dorito crumbs from your car console). 😊 Help support Muddy Shoes Trail Runners!!!

OK, some other stuff:

• Just for the record, all are welcome to join us on these runs. You don’t have to be signed up for Stone Mill. If you want to come out and just do a couple of miles with your trail buds, go for it! We just love to see people out in the woods, hittin’ the single track!
• I highly recommend you download Caltopo on your phone and use the map link above. It helps with navigation if you get in a pickle out in the woods. Shows your location live and where the trail is.
• Our lawyer wanted me to let you know the following – *Please note, the course may not be marked beyond the normal trail markings (tree blazes), and neither Stone Mill nor MyMuddyShoes are responsible or liable for any incidents or injuries that may occur during these runs. Each runner undertakes these events on their own volition. This includes fronting bail money!

Well, I think I’ve talked enough for now.

C U there cuz THESE TRAILS AIN’T GONNA RUN THEMSELVES!!!

Cheers,

Muddy Shoes

OK, Trail Junkies,

Time to test your mettle. Looks like we won’t have a chance to dry out from Saturday. Might be a tad moist out there in the Forests of Derwood but that’s what makes trail running so exhilarating…running in the dark, in the rain! Personally, I love it. After the hot, dry, dusty Summer we had, a cool drizzly night almost sounds appealing. This is where the tough get going!

OK, Announcements then details…

Announcements:

– Upcoming on Saturdays in October – Stone Mill Course Preview runs. More details to come but these will be open to all.

– The Muddy Shoes Phantastic Phall Phat Ass is coming up on Saturday November 2nd. Take your pick – Half Marathon or 10k. All are welcome. It’s a potluck so look for a sign-up sheet soon. Great taper run for Stone Millers!

– Still have 10 year Muddy Shoes commemorative t-shirts (long and short sleeve) ready to order. Sizes run a little big. Buy ‘em here: https://mymuddyshoes.printify.me/products

Now, for the details:

Location: Redland M.S. (around back to the right side of school)

Address: 6505 Muncaster Mill Rd, Derwood, MD 20855

Date: 01 October 2024

Time: Warm up at 6 p.m. Run starts at 6:15

Course: The Redland Trails consist of an Upper and Lowwer trail with a .3 mile extension out to Muncaster Road. Each week we will alternate directions around the loop. Great trails! This week we will go counter-clockwise (Lower Trail first)

Head Lamp: Most definitely! Maybe an umbrella too!

Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/ABPQC (includes warm up loop)

Distance: 5 miles with warm-up (feel free to do shorter or longer)

Pace: Fast, slow and in-between

Vibe: Chill…very chill

Hope to C U there cuz THESE TRAILS AIN’T GONNA RUN THEMSELVES!

Namaste,

Muddy Shoes

Wassup, Stone Mill Trail Dogs!

It’s that time of year when those of you who eagerly – or maybe reluctantly – or even accidentally – hit the ‘Submit’ button on your Stone Mill 50 Miler registration form are now starting to focus on the task that awaits you on the morning of  November 9^th 2024! And mark my words, unless your last name is Walmsley or Jornet, running 50 miles is no small task. It requires a lot of preparation. By now, you’ve put in the miles, the hill repeats, and done the core work. You’ve adjusted your diet and done equipment checks. Figured out where you will or will not chafe. But one important ingredient to success that is often overlooked is course knowledge. Basically, what is coming your way on race day.

So, to fill that void far ya’ll once again – 7^th year in a row – MyMuddyShoes – the premier trail running club in Montgomery County – is sponsoring and hosting the official Stone Mill 50 Miler Course Preview Runs over the next four Saturdays in October. In a nutshell, we divide the course into 4 segments with each run being an out-n-back totaling 20-ish miles. We’ll provide some on course aid (water and maybe some calories) as well as fluids and snackeroos for the post-run mingle back at the parking lot. We do ask that ya’ll open your wallets and slide us a few bucks or at least some sticky loose change from your cars cupholder to help defer our costs. Remember, we are less likely to say negative things about you or make comments on your running style or family if you donate. At least we won’t say these things to your face!

For your viewing pleasure here is the list of runs and their starting point. More specific details about upcoming course and logistics will be sent out each week prior to the run – Thursday afternoon or Friday A.M.

Run #1                       Saturday 5 October           Stedwick E. S. Mont. Village, MD.

Run #2                       Saturday 12 October         Pennyfield Lock, Potomac MD.

Run #3                       Saturday 19 October         Pennyfield Lock (Again) Potomac MD

Run #4                       Saturday 26 October         Riffle Ford Rd, Gaithersburg MD

All runs start at 0730.

BTW, these runs are open to all trail runners. You don’t have to be doing Stone Mill. Just come out, get your miles in however short or long and hang around for the post-run mingle. Maybe it will inspire you to sign up next year!

C’MON OUT! THESE TRAILS AIN’T GONNA RUN THEMSELVES!

Cheers,

Muddy Shoes