Indoors or Outdoors? Runners don’t have to choose

With the temperatures outside taking a dip (and holiday decorations popping up), most Marylanders are realizing that fall is winding down and old man winter will soon be knocking on our doors.  Some local athletes are taking advantage of what little good weather we have left, while some have begun to migrate their activities indoors.  This weekend marks the inaugural Annapolis Half Marathon, taking place in Maryland’s historic capital city.  The Annapolis racers will be braving whatever Mother Nature throws their way while some running enthusiasts in Howard County have moved their event indoors.

MLL Says “Come On, Irene!”

Last week was a crazy one for the state of Maryland. First we were hit with an earthquake, closely followed by a hurricane.  These natural disasters had a major effect on activities around the state, closing venues, cancelling festivities and postponing events.

Most of the sporting events around the state were postponed or cancelled, but some decided that the show must go on. The Orioles postponed their doubleheader against the Yankees on Saturday, and made up one game with a doubleheader on Sunday. But one event braved the storm and continued on as planned.  The Major League Lacrosse Championship Weekend went on as scheduled at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.

Tailgate Heaven

Tailgates are like a favorite player or team. Everyone considers theirs the best. So don’t flame me for my belief that there’s nothing in this world like a football afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Start with the location. You’re in Annapolis, for heavens sake. One of the most beautiful and historic college towns in the country. Even before the game, you’ll want to wander through the colonial seaport that has been home to the Naval Academy since 1845. You’ll definitely want to return for dinner afterwards.

When I worked for the city, we started the practice of dressing downtown on game weekends. You’ll see N* and Brigade of Midshipmen flags flying atop baskets of flowers on the street lamps of the Historic District. The shops and restaurants will be filled, starting Friday afternoons, as the Class of Whatever (there’s always someone having a reunion) or the parents of some underclassman (they’re always around, too) mosey from one event to the next.

They’re easy to spot, because invariably they’re dressed in blue and gold with large pins proclaiming their affiliation. And they always have shopping bags, God bless ‘em. Annapolis retailers love Navy games almost as much as restaurateurs.

A few hours before the game, you’ll see a steady migration from the Historic District towards the stadium. Yes, it’s close enough to walk and a lot of people prefer that to parking on site, particularly if they’re staying at a downtown hotel or B&B. It’s a pleasant stroll, past the State House and Governor’s Mansion, and across College Creek by St. John’s.

One thing you’ll notice is bedsheets with spirit slogans hanging from strange places. Greetings from this company or that squad. They’ve been placed there by recon artists who slip over the wall Friday night to hang their words of encouragement for the Brigade and players to see on their way to the game. Some of them are hilarious. The Mids may be limited in art supplies, but they are ever resourceful with materials at hand. If you’re lucky, you’ll hear a story about how the banners were made and who engineered them in place.

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, celebrating its 50th birthday this month, was renovated a few years ago. The bowl was completely retrofitted, with suites and banquet facilities added to upper decks.

The most amazing upgrades were to the grounds, aka Tailgate Heaven. The entire complex was beautifully landscaped, including acres of grass where there was once only cinders. This turf parking lot offers a prime location for the true tailgaters who serve out of their trunks. You’ll see games of catch and even a little soccer going on over here.

As part of the renovation, NCAA constructed a walking trail around the stadium. This mile+ ellipse bordered with gardens and trees has become a tailgating concourse, with tables and small canopies dotting its perimeter. Very convenient for gladhandling on the tailgate circuit. The proverbial moveable feast.

(Note: Tailgating at Navy-Marine Corps stadium is not confined to football season. You see elaborate spreads at lacrosse matches, the Ten Mile Run, walkathons and other events staged during the year — including USNA Commissioning. I’ve even seen tailgaters before demonstrations at the Maryland General Assembly. It’s a part of our heritage. Yes, George Washington tailgated here.)

The true NavyFest area, where large parties and corporate tents are located, is the prime stretch between the stadium and Taylor Avenue. This is where you watch the parade of Midshipmen as they march from the Academy to the game. It’s always a stirring experience, no matter how many times you’ve seen it.

My boys were thrilled by the parades when they were little. They loved hearing “Anchors Aweigh” as the band marched into view, followed by the Brigade of Midshipmen, Bill the Goat, and a tiny battleship that patrols the field. They cheered wildly when some Mids threw Tootsie Rolls as they passed (sorry, kids – they don’t allow that anymore.) But for them, the best part was getting buzzed by a Navy Tomcat or watching skydivers sail onto the field right before the game. They would talk about it for days.

They always wanted to sit on the hill, above the cannon that blasted whenever Navy scored. That way, they got to watch the Plebes run out for their pushups. (It also made panhandling more candy from the Brigade easier. Navy games infused more sugar in those two than Halloween.)

Even fans who aren’t part of a tailgate crowd can be a part of the culinary experience. There are pregame parties in the NavyFest area you can purchase tickets for. This weekend, it’s an all you can eat crab feast. Can you imagine such fun at that school overlooking the Hudson?

Navy football is all about pageantry, pride, and tradition. It’s also about family –the Fleet that comprises the Navy universe and the generations of naval officers who began service to their country here. It’s also about Annapolis families like mine, who grew up with the Academy as the best friends and neighbors any town could ever have.

So Saturday I’ll be in game gear – blue and gold rugby shirt, navy blue leggings and enormous gold anchors in the ears and around the neck. I may even paint my face or stick on a tattoo.

(Yes, it still embarrasses the boys, even after all these years.)

GO NAVY !!!

Shades of Blue in Annapolis

In a few days, Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium will be filled with family and friends watching the Class of 2009 receive their commissions. But today, the festivities are of a different sort. NCAA men’s Division I Lacrosse semi finals take place in a double header starting around noon. Although face-off is a few hours away, tailgate troops are mustering, an occupation in foreign shades of blue.

The distinctive periwinkle of Johns Hopkins anchors the best site, the stadium’s south side. From the look of their compound, they’ve been here a while. (Not surprising since they have the shortest commute.) Just off Rowe Boulevard a swarm of Prussian blue hoodies, armed with a large cooler, takes the hill by the courthouse. The delegation from Duke has arrived.

Closer to Route 50 is the pale (“God must be a Tarheel because the sky is . . .”) Carolina blue regiment, followed a Duke stray carrying yet another cooler.

Alas, the only glimpse of Navy blue appears on the trim on UVA’s uniform, as the hometown Mids were torpeded in Durham last week. I’m guessing there will probably be more than a few of them in the stands by game time, though. Lacrosse, even when Navy isn’t playing, enjoys great popularity here. So do tailgates.

(Note: UVA’s bastion on the north side is already rocking, but Wahoos are universally regarded as tailgating pros. so they might have arrived last night.)

But enough singing the blues ! This time next year, the NCAA Championship Series will take place Memorial Day weekend in Baltimore and it promises to be the best yet. For the first time, the Women’s championship will be in town the same weekend, taking place at Johnny Unitas stadium in Towson. So enough of singing the blues. After next week, the countdown begins in earnest. If there’s one thing Marylanders do better than anyone, it’s lacrosse.