Lake Como Running Routes

Saturday we are at Lake Como, 8am!  Meet in the pavilion on the basement level in the Michael Glass room at 8am! 

The following are a few routes to check out.  1 lap around Lake Como is 1.6 miles.  If you are running long miles this weekend and are not sure you have someone to run with, please let me know.  I can buddy you up.  I do know some of the ladies in Carrie’s group are running 13 miles and some are running 10 miles at an average pace of 9-9:30 min/mile.  They plan to try out the 13 mile mapped route below and a few of them live in the area so they know the way.  I will be sticking to the lake trail with new members as we have many starting this Saturday.

Here are the routes:

This route below is a big loop, about 4.2 miles.  It is a perfect loop for an 8 miler.  You could also run 1 big loop for 4.2 miles and then run around Lake Como one more time for 6 miles.  Another option is to run the loop without Lake Como 2x for a 7 miles.  Remember all mileage is approximate given I am not a precise mapper! 

03/18/2009 Route
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The 13 mile route takes you from Como over to Lake McCarrons over to Central Park and back to Como.  Do not run this route alone if you do not know the area, you will get lost.

Como 13
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The route below is an 8 miler but again, only plan this route if you run with someone who knows the area or is good with maps.  If you are unsure, plan to run the 4.2 mile loop twice (the map for the 4.2 mile loop is the first one on this blog).

Como Central
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Irish 5K & 10 Miler Recap

Irish 5K & 10 Mile, Lake Harriet, 3/14/09

Finally, warmer weather but that darn wind!  Yesterday was near perfect but the wind was really whipping us good around the lakes so that detracted from the perfect race!  Who is complaining, we were out there and it was sunny and we were moving and enjoying the glimpses of spring time!

Both races started at 9am and with the snow melt it was still a bit slick around Lake Harriet.  Everyone managed to stay upright!  The course took the 5K runners around Lake Harriet and the 10 Milers ran around Harriet, then over to Calhoun, and back around Harriet with 2 water/Powerade stops (good to remember for next year).  With the increase in temperatures I think they (race organizers) had a great race day sign up. 

Today also was Sonya Stylos, a member of MSRC for 2 years or so, 50th birthday!  Happy Birthday Sonya!  We actually started advertising this race because she wanted to run it for her 50th brithday.  Unfortunately, Sonya’s brother passed away about 10 days ago and she went back to her hometown in Northern CA for a few weeks to be with her family.  We missed you Sonya but you were with us in spirit and we carried you with us on our backs!  Check out this photo (Tracy and her daughter Lauren made some signs for us all):

Happy Birthday Sonya!

After the race we went to The Original Pancake House in Edina for breafast, well, brunch really.  It was super crowded but worth the wait!  The bummer was having to split up into 2 tables.  We are just too big of a group anymore!  Good problem to have!  We probably will not go to the Pancake capital of the world again with such a large group but it truly was delicious!  I vote for Cheesecake Factory next time we are in the area!

I heard of some great accomplishments at the race.  Let’s see if I can document those that I heard.  First off, here is a list who ran the 5K:  Caitlin, Laura, Linda T., Rachel, Alissa, Donna, Miranda and Little E (her son Ezra), Jane K. 

10 Mile runners:  Vicki B., Jennifer Arbogast, Ruth, Carrie, Dawn, Stella, Robin, Serena, Kristin, Tracy, Jennifer W., me, and I would like to mention that Jane Hogan could not run due to the stomach flu (hope you are feeling better Jane) and Shelley Novotny did not run due to extraordinary events occuring this weekend and of course, Sonya was in CA with her family.  We missed you all!

I believe Stella PR’ed the 10 mile and I am guessing Caitlin and Rachel both PR’ed the 5K since Caitlin ran her first 5K without walking and Rachel ran all but 2 minutes!  Serena and Jennifer Arbogast ran their first 10 mile race so that is a PR!  I love to hear about the PR’s and breakthroughs so please let me know what I have missed.

While we were running the race about 5 or 6 were are White Rock Coffee meeting for their runs.  I believe Missy, Kathy, Bonnie, Sue, and possibly Jess were there.  I am so glad you all made the effort to meet when so many of the team members were at the race.  way to stick to your training plans!

What a great Saturday all around!  Would love to hear comments about the race or the run at White Rock. 

Did you realize Saturday Spring Training starts this coming Saturday, March 21st at 8AM at Lake Como?  You will get more info. in an email.

Happy Sunday!  Get out and move! 

Kim

Water Stop Volunteer Opportunity, Save $

We have been asked to man a water stop for the first annual MPLS Marathon by Team Ortho on Sunday, May 31st.  They need a minimum of 10 volunteers and our team will have it’s own water station.  Family, kids, and friends are welcome to help us out so we can get 10-20 people associated with Moving Soles.  The best news is this is a great opportunity to save $5 on your summer registration for MSRC.  I do not have any other water stop volunteer opportunities set up for the team so this is your chance (unless of course you volunteer at a race on your own which would be awesome). 

The race starts at The Depot and runs on the MPLS side of the river roads to Fort Snelling and back.  I have not been told what mile our water stop is at.

It is a motivating exeperience to watch a marathon and quite fun/rewarding to be there supporting the runners with water and Gatorade!

Please respond to this blog or email me if you would like to volunteer.  I will teach you all you need to know!

Thanks,

Kim

Nike Quote

I had to share this with you, it hit a nerve with me:

Running Never Takes More Than It Gives Back, Believe in the Run. 

New Nike ad campaign.  Love it!

Saturday Run Routes – Lake St. Dunn Brothers

Route suggestions for Saturday:

4.5-5 milers – out and back to the Washington St. Bridge, MPLS side of the river

7 milers – 2 options: 2 loops around Lake St/Frankllin Bridge OR out and back to Washington St. Bridge (5 miles) then 1 additional mile out heading toward the Ford Bridge and back for the 7 miles

8 milers – out and back to Washington St. Bridge and then out and back not quite to Ford Bridge

9-10 milers – 2 options:  Lake/Ford loop + Lake/Franklin loop (10 milers may have to run a bit extra) OR out and back to Washington St. Bridge and then out and back to Minnehaha Parkway (the roundabout)

March Already!

Can you believe it is March and daylight savings is next weekend already, wow!  I feel like our lives are flashing before our eyes!  We have to take moments to just breathe and enjoy the peace even if it is for just a few seconds.

What a fun weekend with bowling and the run on Saturday!  Friday night was our first club bowling outing (Mady’s Bowl and Lounge in Columbia Heights) and it was full of laughter and hot competition!!!!  We had 12 show up and the teams were as follows:  Team 1:  Missy, Jennifer A., Jess Wolney, and me (Kim);  Team 2:  Laura, Heather M., Serena, and Kristin; Team 3:  Bonnie, Miranda, Linda, and Carrie.  The first game was won by Team 1 and Miranda and Jess tied at 136 for the title of best bowler!  The second game was won by team 3 and Miranda stole the show again!  I have to say we have some great bowlers and some bowlers who really pulled it out when it got down to the wire!  One of the highlights of the night was the pizza.  It was huge!  Take a look at the photos below, the thing was all bread.  We all carbed up for the Saturday run!

The first bowling night out!

 

The pizza from another planet!

Saturday we met at Lake Calhoun Executive Center at 9am!  It was chilly but not too bad once you got going.  There were a ton of runners on the trails which was really motivating!  I love Saturday mornings!  Everyone finished their runs and met at Caribou across Excelsior for a cup of coffee.  It was so crowded many of us were on the floor, fireplace, or standing.  I so wish Calhoun Grill had not closed down.  They moved to a downtown location.  It was apparant to me as we talked (I had also had an earlier conversation with Bonnie) that we all need to do a better job of fueling on these cold days.  I am going to work on some way we can hold a conference call or I may try to do a Podcast on the topic.  This is such an important topic that needs to be addressed because I believe it can make or break your running.  I wish for you all that running is enjoyable (most of the time) and if you are not fueled properly you will be miserable most all of the time!  We need to have serious discussion!

This week marks the week of the Information Meetings for the 2009 season.  I am really excited!  Monday night the Stillwater Info Meeting will be taking place at the Stillwater Library from 7-8pm in the Margaret Rivers Room A on the third floor.  Thursday, March 5th the North Metro group will be meeting at Concordia Academy at 6:30pm.  At this particular meeting we will have a speaker first, an ultrarunner by the name of Julie Berg.  She is quite an inspiration even if you never plan to run more than 3 miles.  She turned her life around as an adult and began running and never really stopped!  I hope you can make it!

Next Saturday we will be meeting at the Dunn Bros. at the Lake St. bridge in MPLS for our run.  I will be sending out the calendar today and posting it on the website Monday.

I am off to the MOA today and then a long run when it is a wee bit warmer!  Erin, our 2 year old, loves to watch the rollercoasters.  It is all she talks about these days so we are treating her today.  I can not wait!  It is a wonderful time right now, this is a fun stage, all her words and she repeats anything we ask her to.  Right now she is practicing “polka dots” and “kawabunga (sp?)”.  It is so sweet to hear her!

Ok, have a great week and hope to see you at one of the info meetings!

Happy Running (better weather this week, yeah)!

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!