Lake Calhoun Run Routes

 

Please take a look at these optional loops.  They are not perfect as I am an inpatient mapper!  It is an estimation which is better than nothing to form a plan.  One easy loop is to stick to Lake Calhoun which is 3 miles around.  You can do multiple loops or if you want more adventure, try one of these 3 loops.  If you are inbetween the mileage, say you want to run 8 miles, I would chose the Calhoun/Isles loop at 6.2 miles and add on a 1 mile out and back from our start point (Executive Center parking lot)  around Calhoun.  If you want to run 5 miles I would do the Isles Loop and then add on a little once you get back to your start point at the parking area to make up your 5 miles. 

This first loop is about 10 or so miles.  It circles all three lakes.

Calhoun/Harriet/Isles Loop
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This second loop is around 6.2 miles and circles Calhoun and Isles.

Calhoun & Isles Loop
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This third loop is around Isles only and is about 4.5 miles.

Isles Loop from Executive Center Parking
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Still Ill!

Not much to say today, still sick darn it!  I can not believe my luck.  Never have I been like this.  I do believe the sinus infection is slowly moving out of my body but it sure is not moving fast!

I do want to congratulate Linda Jahnke, Linda Tally, Monica from the Stillwater group, Sue Greenway, and Jane Kline for a great Valentine’s Day run this past Saturday.  I was supposed to run but chose not to being sick.  It was a nice morning and the race did not start until 10am which gives it time to warm up a bit more.  Way to go ladies and thank you to John at Marathon for the discount. 

The rest of the group met at Marathon at 9am and it was a small showing this week.  Rachel and Caitlin ran together and reported a great 4 mile run on the parkway!  Bonnie, Anneke, and Miranda were also there and they ran on the parkway as well.  Carrie, Stella, and Robin all clocked 11 miles on the parkway!  Just a great day for running and I am so happy you were able to make it!  Bruegger’s was again full of laughter and great conversation!  Thanks for making time to stay after!

I would like to send out a prayer for safety and wish for relaxation and fun to the following who are traveling to wonderful destinations this week:  Ruth who is in Mexico, Jane K. who is in Jamaica, and Linda Tally who is in South Africa on a missions trip, the same one she does every year.  Enjoy ladies! 

Enjoy your week!  I will get the voting going on the T-shirt contest sometime this week!  I can not wait to see what slogan is the most popular with you all!

Keep on keeping on!

Kim

MDRA Spring Races 2009

For those of you who are MDRA (Minnesota Distance Running Association) members, remember that they hold a number of club races each year that are priced rather low for members. Here is a list of the spring races that are FREE to us:

Lake Johanna 4 Mile, Saturday March 21, 2009. 11:00 a.m. Schmidt Park, Arden Hills. Schmidt Park is located at the North end of Lake Johanna. FREE for members!

The MDRA 7 Mile is on Saturday, March 28, 2009. The 7 Mile starts at 9:00 a.m. at the Cross of Glory Baptist Church in Hopkins. New course this year due to construction on Shady Oak Road, still hilly!

The Mudball Classic! Sunday, April 20, 2008
Theo Wirth Park, Minneapolis, MN
Quaking Bod Trail (park for free at Wirth Beach, NE corner of Glenwood Ave & Wirth Parkway)
4 mile run and 1/2 mile kid’s fun run
Kids run at 10:00 a.m.
4 Mile run at 10:15 a.m.
Free to MDRA members. Non-members can join MDRA at the race.

Monday Happenings!

I am loving the warmer temps. Living in Stillwater was quite interesting this morning as the salt trucks were trying to take care of the icy hills and they were having trouble making it up and down the hills to salt them. Scary for a while there! I heard many sirens this morning. Hopefully no major injuries.

Well, not much to say today. I have been miserable since Saturday afternoon, simply down and out with this cold/sinus/tension headache/body ache/you name it. The fatigue has been insane. I think I could sleep walking around. My mom developed sinus problems in her later 30s and I think I am taking after her. The cold medicines have not helped at all so I am trying the sinus stuff today. My fingers are crossed. I could not run a step even if I really tried, absolutely nothing there. I have gotten out of the house with Erin just to feel alive which has helped my mood some. This too will pass (well, it better)!

This past Saturday was another great turnout, 21! I was so happy to see so many faces at Cafe Latte too! I swear, the deep relationships formed in our club start with the running and continue with the food! Running and food are magical for building relationships!

I believe both Serena and Jennifer A. ran their first ever 8 miler! Way to go ladies! It was an icy morning to run on those sidewalks and I am so glad no one was hurt out there.

I did make it to Marathon Sports and picked up all the Valentine Day shirts and race numbers. They did not have the Irish shirts in yet so we can check this Saturday when we meet at Marathon Sports.

Enjoy the milder temps the beginning of this week. I hope we see more of the 20s for the rest of the winter. Get out and run, safest in the evenings as the mornings are proving to be rather treacherous with the overnight lows going below freezing.

Hope to see a good turnout this Saturday at Marathon Sports and/or the 5K! I am going to meet the group at Marathon at 9am to say hi then run over to the bandshell to run the 5K. I can’t wait to feel like running again!

Summit Ave. Route-Saturday, Feb. 7th

This route supports a 10 mile run.  It is an out and back and yes, I have included the St. Thomas Hill!  There should be mile markers so you have an idea of where to turn around no matter your mileage.  See you Saturday! Simply click on the route below to see the map.

Summit Ave./River Road
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Ramblings for Monday, Feb. 2nd, Groundhog Day!

Happy Groundhog Day!  I find this day so funny but I get caught up in it too as I really want spring to come early this year!  Haven’t heard as I write this blog if the groundhog poked his little head out.

What a weekend of great weather!  Saturday there were 22 ladies at training and I think 21 of them went for coffee, record!!!  I was commenting that we may need to figure out 1 place for coffee that will let us all in and stick to that place.  I could not tell if the guy serving us Saturday was happy about our group or grumpy.  I think he was secretly happy to have all those women at his store!!!  No matter, I had a ball talking to you all and I feel so fired up after a Saturday like that!  We have a very special group!

I hope most of you have forgiven me for the route!  I may have been a bit selfish as I wanted to desperately try the route.  It was not terrible for shorter runs but for a longer run it was a bit more on the brutal side with the snow.  We will not go back to that trail until spring but mark my words, we will go back more than once this year as Fort Snelling is so beautiful and there are so many options for run routes there. 

If you did not hear at coffee, we are planning some fun social club events, a bowling night this February and a camping trip in June at William O’Brien State Park.  There will be more details forthcoming.  I think bowling could be hilarious as I picture us banging the bowling balls on the ground, gutter balls, and totally missing all the pins! 

I have been asked about a pair of running pants that I bought this year by so many people.  They are the Moving Comfort Endeavor Pant.  I and about 6 others bought them at Marathon Sports and I guess we bought the whole store worth.  You can still get them!  There is a small family owned company here in MN that carries women’s fitness clothing.  it is an internet business only and the website is www.tworoadsfitness.com.  They have the Endeavor pants onsale for $64, http://tworoadsfitness.com/mocoenpa.html.  I wear a size medium in these pants if that helps you figure out sizing.  They are a perfect size for me.  They are wonderful pants for running outdoors as well as wearing out for shopping.  They do get hot so I can not sit around my house in them.  Honestly, I would try them out if you need a new pair of pants.  All the ladies that bought them love them.

February calendar should be up later today or early tomorrow.  We are going to be at Summit Ave. this Saturday meeting at Victoria Crossing.  The following week is Marathon Sports along with the Valentine’s Day Run.  I am running the 5K and there are definitely others.  Please get your registration form and check to me by this Saturday so you can get the discount.  Also, YOU NEED TO PUT YOUR SHIRT SIZE ON THE FORM AS THEY DO NOT ASK FOR IT  and I will be picking up the shirts.

And, last bit of news, get your slogans in for the t-shirt competition before Feb. 15th.  Here is a tip, the shorter the slogan the cheaper your shirt will be!  Printing charges are high so just remember that as you are submitting and voting.  You will be eligible for voting if you are a current member and/or you have been a past member who is serious about joining for spring, and if you are a brand new member and have paid for spring. 

Enjoy the week!  I guess it is Feb. so we have to realize the warmer temps are not sticking around. 

Kim