Author: Phil Epstein

Hey Trail Dogs, Mud Slappers and Winter Trail Peeps

Welcome to the first Tuesday evening trail run of December 2023! Also, Welcome to any Winter Trail peeps who might be joining us for the first time (remember your headlamp!).

It looks like some fine weather out there this evening, mild temps, no precip and no wind. Why not take advantage of it and take a little night trot through the forests of Derwood with your best trail buds! For any newbies, yes, we run in the woods at night in the dark. Sounds crazy but it’s actually a blast. Much safer than running in the daylight when you have a million and one visual distractions to take your eyes off the trail. You just slow down a bit and follow your cone of light. Don’t knock it ‘til ya tried it! Just make sure to bring a headlamp or equivalent. Plus, you get to spend more time on dirt rather than pavement. Hope to C U all out there!

OK, announcements, then details:

Tis the Season! Merch! Merch! Merch! – get it while it lasts! We got Muddy Shoes Baseball Hats ($15), Buffs ($10) and Reusable, collapsible cups ($5). Do your holiday shopping early…or just treat yourself! See Coach Phil or Coach Mike C.

Donations! –Thanks to recent donations we were able to purchase a brush cutting attachment for the Muddy Shoes weed-wacker and Coach Phil bought a Ferrari. Keep the donations coming. Muchly appreciated! Paypal – pepstein1@verizon.net

Details, details:

Location: Redland Middle School (Around back on right side of school)

Address: 6505 Muncaster Mill Rd, Derwood, MD 20855

Date: 05 December 2023

Time: Warm Up 6 p.m. Main event 6:15

Course: Counter-Clockwise (Lower Trail first) For newbies, the trailhead is to the right of the backstop (Go to back parking lot on right side of school.) Take this connector trail ~.15 miles to intersection with main trail and go right.

Distance: 5 miles with warm up, 4.3 without.

Pace: You pick. We have all paces including walkers.

Vibe: M-e-l-l-o-w. This is not a race.

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

Cheers,

Muddy Shoes

So, last week it was torrential rain, but we still ran. Back in mid-July it was extreme heat and humidity, but we still ran. This week, it’s going to be cold. Not only cold but ‘Frightened Turtle’ cold! All you Seinfeld fans know what I’m talkin’ bout! Google it if you are clueless but either way – dress warm! Guys, maybe wear three socks. Either way, it will be exhilarating, character-building and we will run! As I always say “The more shit you run through, blah, blah, blah…” You’ve heard it before. As you all know the worst part of it all is standing around waiting for the run to start. Once you get going and you are down in the stream valley exerting yourself, you warm up pretty darn fast.

That being said, I hope to C U out there!

OK, announcements, then details:

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR WINTER TRAILS! It starts this Saturday! https://mcrrc.org/training-program/winter-trail-program/What the heck are ya waiting for?!? It’s filling up!

Tis the Season! Merch! Merch! Merch! – get it while it lasts! We got Muddy Shoes Baseball Hats ($15), Buffs ($10) and Reusable, collapsible cups ($5). Do your holiday shopping early…or just treat yourself! See Coach Phil or Coach Mike C.

Donations! –Thanks to recent donations we were able to purchase a brush cutting attachment for the Muddy Shoes weed-wacker and Coach Phil bought a Ferrari. Keep the donations coming. Muchly appreciated! Paypal – pepstein1@verizon.net

Details, details:

Location: Redland Middle School (Around back on right side of school)

Address: 6505 Muncaster Mill Rd, Derwood, MD 20855

Date: 28 November 2023

Time: Warm Up 6 p.m. Main event 6:15

Course: Clockwise (Upper Trail first) For newbies, the trailhead is to the right of the backstop (Go to back parking lot on right side of school.) Take this connector trail ~.15 miles to intersection with main trail and go left.

Distance: 5 miles with warm up, 4.3 without.

Pace: You pick. We have all paces, including walkers.

Vibe: M-e-l-l-o-w. This is not a race.

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

Cheers,

Muddy Shoes

Hey Trail Ducks and Amphibian-wannabees,

If you crave the wetter weather, then today is your day. The forecast is calling for a bit of precip, especially in the evening time. So far this year we have been dealing with mostly dry conditions on the trail. Tonight, not so much. Well, like you’ve heard me say before “The more shit you run through, the less shit will affect you.” There’s quite a bit of truth to that mantra, especially if you are training for an upcoming event (BTW, waddling around your neighborhood with your fam/friends after that second piece of pie on Thanksgiving is NOT considered an event)! I believe as a community (trail community, that is) we trail dogs take pride in facing adversity whether it be mud, heat, frigid cold, or, yes, wetness coming from the sky above. When we deal with adversity on the trail it makes us stronger. And just to add, these types of runs are usually epic. So, that being said…I’ll c U out there.

BTW, temp outside my house in Derwood is currently 42. Weather guy said temps will rise throughout the day and we will be at 51 at run time.

OK, announcements, then details:

WINTER TRAIL PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Sign up here https://mcrrc.org/training-program/winter-trail-program/Its filling up!

Merch! Merch! Merch! – get it while it lasts! We got Muddy Shoes Baseball Hats ($15), Buffs ($10) and Reusable, collapsible cups ($5). Do your holiday shopping early…or just treat yourself! See Coach Phil or Coach Mike C.

Donations! –Thanks to recent donations we were able to purchase a brush cutting attachment for the Muddy Shoes weed-wacker and Coach Phil bought a Ferrari. Keep the donations coming. Muchly appreciated! Paypal – pepstein1@verizon.net

Details, details:

Location: Redland Middle School (Around back on right side of school)

Address: 6505 Muncaster Mill Rd, Derwood, MD 20855

Date: 21 November 2023

Time: Warm Up 6 p.m. Main event 6:15

Course: Counter-Clockwise (Lower Trail first) For newbies, the trailhead is to the right of the backstop (Go to back parking lot on right side of school.) Take this connector trail ~.15 miles to intersection with main trail and go right.

Distance: 5 miles with warm up, 4.3 without.

Pace: You pick. We have all paces, including walkers.

Vibe: M-e-l-l-o-w. This is not a race.

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

Cheers,

Muddy Shoes

OK, Tree Slappers, Root Kickers and other assorted Trail Riff-Raff,

Time for one last Muddy Shoes Saturday trail run in 2023! That’s right, we’ll be off on Thanksgiving weekend and then the Winter Trail Program begins under the watchful eye of Coach Audrey and her illustrious (if somewhat irreverent) coaching crew the first Saturday in December. So, that being said let’s convene one more time as Muddy Shoes and slap our feet on some MoCo single-track. We’ll still be meeting every Tuesday and Thursday.

This week we’ll head over to the friendly confines of Patuxent River State Park to see how the trails are doing since our last visit in early Summer (remember that rainy run?). These trails are a treat. A 3.8 mile loopty-loop through primal forest and meadows also takes you past the historic Howard Chapel Cemetery. Weather looks like it will be near perfect – 48 degrees, partly sunny with a little bit of wind. Nothing you trail dogs can’t handle.

So, let’s do the announcements so you can get to the details (no scrolling ahead; read everything; there will be a quiz)

WINTER TRAIL PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Sign up here https://mcrrc.org/training-program/winter-trail-program/Its filling up!

Merch! Merch! Merch! – get it while it lasts! We got Muddy Shoes Baseball Hats ($15), Buffs ($10) and Reusable, collapsible cups ($5). Do your holiday shopping early…or just treat yourself! See Coach Phil or Coach Mike C.

Donations! –Thanks to recent donations we were able to purchase a brush cutting attachment for the Muddy Shoes weed-wacker and Coach Phil bought a Ferrari. Keep the donations coming. Muchly appreciated! Paypal – pepstein1@verizon.net

OK, thanks for reading through. Now for this Saturday’s details:

Location: Patuxent River State Park

Address: 23222 Georgia Ave, Brookeville, MD, 20833​

Date: 18 November 2023

Time: 0730

Course: Loop 3.75 miles x 3 = 11.25 miles (feel free to do shorter or longer)

Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/T007L

Pace: Slow, Fast and In-between; all are welcome!

Vibe: Chill…very chill…

Hope to C U there cuz these trails ain’t gonna run themselves!

Cheers,

Muddy Shoes

Hey Forest Joggers,

Guess what today is! Yup, it’s a Muddy Shoes Daily Double. Today, not only do you get to hit the trails in the dark, but you also get to sit and mingle with your fellow trailies at the Outta the Way Café afterwards. Two, for the price of one! Actually, there is no ‘price’ cuz it’s free! Except, of course, the food and beer. That you must pay for. It’s a great opportunity to hear Stone Mill runners chat about their race experience this past weekend. Gotta love those stories about poopin’ in the woods and chafing ‘down there’. Real exciting stuff!

No reason to sit at home when you can be out pounded dirt with us!

OK, first announcements, then details for tonight:

A special thanks to all who volunteered for Stone Mill. Once again your contributions and efforts made the race come off without a hitch. Well done!

WINTER TRAIL PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Sign up here https://mcrrc.org/training-program/winter-trail-program/ Its filling up!

Merch! Merch! Merch! – get it while it lasts! We got Muddy Shoes Baseball Hats ($15), Buffs ($10) and Reusable, collapsible cups ($5). Do your holiday shopping early…or just treat yourself! See Coach Phil or Coach Mike C.

Donations! –Thanks to recent donations we were able to purchase a brush cutting attachment for the Muddy Shoes weed-wacker and Coach Phil bought a Ferrari. Keep the donations coming. Muchly appreciated! Paypal – pepstein1@verizon.net

OK, thanks for reading through. Now for this Tuesday’s details:

Location: Redland Middle School (Around back on right side of school)

Address: 6505 Muncaster Mill Rd, Derwood, MD 20855

Date: 14 November 2023

Time: Warm Up 6 p.m. Main event 6:15

Course: Clockwise (Upper Trail first) For newbies, the trailhead is to the right of the backstop (Go to back parking lot on right side of school.) Take this connector trail ~.15 miles to intersection with main trail and go left.

Distance: 5 miles with warm up, 4.3 without.

Pace: You pick. We have all paces, including walkers.

Vibe: M-e-l-l-o-w. This is not a race.

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

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

Cheers,

Muddy Shoes

Hey Tree Kickers,

So, last Tuesday, exactly one week ago today, the sun set in Derwood at 6:05 p.m. (I looked it up!). Today the sun will set at 5:01 p.m. WTPH! (Oh, BTW that acronym stands for ‘What The Phu#*k’). Yes, we have been plunged into darkness for our Tuesday Trail runs until sometime in late March or so cuz of this Daylight Savings Time thingy. I mean, seriously, how much daylight are we saving? Where is it being kept? Can we take out a daylight savings time loan and keep it lighter longer? I want to know!  Why do we, as a society do this to (yaaawwn!) ourselves? Don’t answer that. It’s a rhetorical question. Nonetheless, here we are. Headlamps a’blazin, trailies tied up tight and Garmins on sync!  Lets run!

Not so fast. Announcements first!

First off, I want to thank all the volunteers and participants in this years Phantastic Phall Phat Ass. Ninth year in a row we have held this event. Great course, great eats and great comraderie!

WINTER TRAIL PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Sign up here https://mcrrc.org/training-program/winter-trail-program/

Merch! Merch! Merch! – get it while it lasts! We got Muddy Shoes Baseball Hats ($15), Buffs ($10) and Reusable, collapsible cups ($5). Do your holiday shopping early…or just treat yourself! See Coach Phil or Coach Mike C. BTW, our cups will be featured at the Stone Mill 50 Race which is going semi-cupless. Pick yours up at packet pick up!

Donations! –Thanks to recent donations we were able to purchase a brush cutting attachment for the Muddy Shoes weed-wacker. Keep the donations coming.

Muchly appreciated! Paypal – pepstein1@verizon.net

OK, thanks for reading through. Now for this Tuesday’s details:

Location: Redland Middle School (Around back on right side of school)

Address: 6505 Muncaster Mill Rd, Derwood, MD 20855

Date: 07 November 2023

Time: Warm Up 6 p.m. Main event 6:15

Course: Counter-Clockwise (Lower Trail first) For newbies, the trailhead is to the right of the backstop (Go to back parking lot on right side of school.) Take this connector trail ~.15 miles to intersection with main trail and go right.

Distance: 5 miles with warm up, 4.3 without.

Pace: You pick. We have all paces, including walkers.

Vibe: M-e-l-l-o-w. This is not a race.

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

Cheers,

Muddy Shoes

OK All You Trail Jogger and Root-Kicker-Wannabees,

Time to sign your ass up, fat or not, for the 9^th Annual Phantastic Phall Phat Ass brought to you by Coach Robin and Muddy Shoes (right there, you know its going to be a wholesome, memorable, and slightly odiferous event)! Your excuses are irrelevant! Be there or be somewhat shunned by your fellow forest joggers – eh, we’ll get over it.

The course is beautiful, and the post-run mingle crowd is exceptional. You’ll hit the trails of Lake Needwood, Forests of Redland (where we do our Tuesday night runs) and the awesome Ag Farm including the rugged and rural no-name backwoods trail diligently and painfully cleared out by Coach Phil with minimal blood loss (damn thorns!).

This event is always timed as a great taper run for Stone Mill or just a great way to spend some time on some great single-track and get some miles in.

It is a pot-luck so feel free to sign up to bring a dish to share. Here is the link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4DABAB2DA64-44900132-phantastic?fbclid=IwAR1Xmxwu3IXpGNppBh10h7HniMsi-WSVbFzd0czTjEVEn1a-HfDa7RZKZ88#/

Muddy Shoes will provide some snacks and beverages (gotta love those mini-Cokes, Frescas and V-8s). Donation ($) box will be out so feel free to stuff your hard-earned cash ($) in there so we can keep Muddy Shoes going all year!

OK some details:

Location: Lake Needwood

Address: 15700 Needwood Lake Circle (parking lot by the Hiker-Biker Trail head) Pavilion A

Coords: 39.114925, -77.127917

Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/H5U4V

Date: 04 November 2023

Time: 0730

Donation: Your call but don’t be a cheapskate cuz we’ll talk about you!

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

Cheers,

Muddy Shoes

BOO , Ya’ll!

So, I know that trail running at night can be a scary experience but we’re all adults and we don’t scare easy. Right? Personally, I am terrified of ticks and catching my trail shoe on a root on a steep downhill gives me nightmares but generally ghosts and monsters do not. I mean, they could be real but I’m not going to sweat it. So, I run! With a headlamp of course. That’s what keeps the goblins and witches away! No tricks on the trail, just treats. Avoid the neighborhood chaos and come to the not-so-haunted forests of Redland. You’ll still be home in time to rifle through your offsprings candy bag to confiscate the good stuff (Almond Joys, Good-n-Plenty and Double-Bubble to name a few)

OK scary announcements before the terrifying details for tonight:

PHANTASTIC PHALL PHAT ASS THIS SATURDAY!!! Coach Robin is returning after a one year hiatus for the 9th year of this event! It’s a pot-luck event so feel free to bring something yummy to share. Just lets not all bring donuts! Muddy Shoes will provide some usual snacks and bevs. Sign up today! https://www.signupgenius.com/…/20F0C4DABAB2DA64…

WINTER TRAIL PROGRAM 2023-2024 – REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Sign up here https://mcrrc.org/training-program/winter-trail-program/

Merch! Merch! Merch! – get it while it lasts! We got Muddy Shoes Baseball Hats ($15), Buffs ($10) and Reusable, collapsible cups ($5). Do your holiday shopping early…or just treat yourself! See Coach Phil or Coach Mike C. BTW, our cups will be featured at the Stone Mill 50 Race which is going semi-cupless. Pick yours up at packet pick up!

Donations! –Thanks to recent donations we were able to purchase a brush cutting attachment for the Muddy Shoes weed-wacker. Keep the donations coming. Muchly appreciated! Paypal – pepstein1@verizon.net

OK, thanks for reading through. Now for this Tuesday’s details:

Location: Redland Middle School

Address: 6505 Muncaster Mill Rd, Derwood, MD 20855

Date: 31 October 2023

Time: Warm Up 6 p.m. Main event 6:15

Course: Clockwise (Upper Trail first) For newbies, the trailhead is to the right of the backstop (Go to back parking lot on right side of school.) Take this connector trail ~.15 miles to intersection with main trail and go left.

Distance: 5 miles with warm up, 4.3 without.

Pace: You pick. We have all paces, including walkers.

Vibe: M-e-l-l-o-w. This is not a race.

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

Cheers,

Muddy Shoes

Hey Stone Millers (and any other Trail Dog that wants to c’mon out),

Welcome to the 4^th and final Stone Mill Preview Run!!! This Saturday we wrap up our preview of the course you will be tearing up on race day…or will it tear up you? Hmmm…Anyway, before I digress, lets chat about what we have planned for you.

So, if you visualize the Stone Mill course as being an upside-down lollipop, all we have left to do is the section from miles 12 – 15-ish and then miles 34-ish to 42. Those are the two pieces that come together at the lollipop ‘stick’ if you will. It’s a little confusing but we’ll  map and you’ll see it in Blue. Either way Saturday’s run will consist of two out-and-backs starting and finishing at Riffle Ford Rd. Distance is about 20-ish miles. This is also the site of the Mile 11.5 and Mile 42 aid stations during the race. We’ll be set up here Saturday with fluids, snacks and first aid for your running pleasure.

The first out and back will be starting in reverse of the race direction. You will run on the Seneca Ridge Trail and a small portion of the Greenway from Riffle Ford to the Rt. 28 parking lot– last week’s turn around point. Then head back. This will be the actual direction of the race. Once back at Riffle Ford you will head out through the edge of Seneca Creek State Park and out on an unnamed trail that will take you out to Quince Orchard Rd. Here is on of the pavement stretches of the race (Bleecchh!). Turning right on QO Rd you’ll run up to the corner of Rt. 28, take a left and hit the sidewalk for about 1.25 miles until you see a paved trail on your left through the guardrail that will take you to the tunnel under route 28 to the top of the Muddy Branch Trail, site of the Week #1 turn around. Now retrace your steps  to Riffle Ford for the post-run mingle.

*** One quick announcement – if you weren’t already in the loop – the 8^th Annual Phall Phat Ass Trail Run will take place on Sunday November 6^th starting at Lake Needwood and running up to the Ag Farm for a loop and back for a fun pot-luck after-run get together. This is an excellent taper run for folks doing Stone Mill or any other long, long race. Details on www.mymuddyshoes.org under the Events tab or on our FB page. You can sign up to bring something.

OK, here are the logistical details for ya for Saturday:

Location: Seneca Creek Greenway/ Seneca Ridge Trailhead @ Riffle Ford

Address: 16864 Riffle Ford Road, Darnestown

Coords: 39.132344, -77.267809

Date: Saturday 28 October

Time: 0730

Distance: If you have to ask you probably aren’t ready to run 50 miles!

Pets: On leash – OK but no hamsters

Vibe: Chill

OK, don’t want to waste your time so I’ll C U there!

Remember – THESE TRAILS AIN’T GONNA RUN THEMSELVES!!!

Cheers,

Coach Phil

Wassup, Stone Mill Hopefuls – kidding – you GOT this!

Hey, a quick shout out to all those that have ventured out with us the previous two Saturdays. Good time was had by all. You’ve been rewarded for your hard work with Tater-Tots, Quesadillas and Momma Q’s Scones. Can’t wait to see what’s on the post-run menu this week!

Anyway, by now, if you’ve been to the first two preview runs your feet have been on the racecourse for about 29 or so miles of it. 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!

We are up to Course Preview Run #3 showcasing the Southwest quadrant of the course (Mile 24 – 34). So, in a nutshell, we will 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 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 pretty 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 brush cutter attachment for the weed-wacker to keep the trails clear. It works great! We are hoping to get enough money to purchase a Coleman Stove and a better cooler than my old clunker. Thanks again!

Caltopo – if you have any doubts about staying on course 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 21 October

Time: 0730

Donation: Yes, please! See above.

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

Vibe: Usually pretty chill.

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

Cheers,

Coach Phil