The January chill hasn’t kept MCVETs from hitting the road for lots of great runs and accomplishments. We kicked off 2010 with the Resolution Run 5K in Patterson Park on the first of the year. We were happy to warm up after the race with wonderful chili and corn bread courtesy of Earl’s Place transitional housing program and to support the many BOMF runners who were recognized, including our very own residential member David who finished third in his age group!

The team resolved to focus on self-sufficiency during our monthly team meeting on the 13th, and had a wonderful HUGE group run with The Baltimore Pacemakers, The BBYO Jewish Youth Organization, and all of the other three Back on My Feet Baltimore teams on Saturday the 16th. Another great group run was hosted by Christopher’s Place, a nearby Back on My Feet team on the 23rd, and runners from the Helping Up Mission joined in for the fun. The team capped off a great month with a fun Baltimorean social event with Duck Pin Bowling on the 30th. Runners enjoyed and are continuing to enjoy their training runs to prepare for a half marathon (13.1 miles) at the end of February, and plan on a 5K/8K in March. Some even set their sights on the Delaware full marathon in May.

We celebrated LOTS of birthdays in January, including Greg S., Amy, Darryl B., Darryl M., Audrey, and Charlie. While we were sad to see some non-residential members, like Maya G., have to depart for school, we look forward to having them back in the summer.

Meanwhile, we welcomed many, like Charlotte and Laurin, back from winter break! Amy, Lauren and Jill returned to their courses, as Cheyanne, Meg, Audrey, and Theresa prepared to teach classes and training coach Peter set to putting the finishing touches on his thesis. Residential members Adam and Tate crammed lots of learning into their winter semester at college, while Charlie finished up his welding re-certification classes. Darryl B. continued his balancing act between HVAC classes, a long commute to work, and running with the team. Arnold dove back into a heavy-duty spring semester that includes a physics class, while Adam was able to use some grant money from the Back on My Feet Next Steps program to buy some textbooks for his spring semester studies in social work. Wayne was able to develop computer literacy skills with the laptop computer that he acquired with his Next Steps grant money to continue his studies to become a medical technician, while Scott M. continued his part-time job and full-time school schedule to become a dental technician. The entire team continued to support Richard as he completes his own medical treatment. We’re looking forward to having him back out running sometime this spring!