Chester Woods 10 Mile 2011

Finally got off my back side and jumped into a fun little 10 mile race down near Rochester that I've done a couple of times before: the Chester Woods 10 Mile. My training has been very haphazard for the last year and a half for a variety of reasons, and being out of shape and feeling like I'm starting at the very beginning has been frustrating. But, there's only one way to fix that - get back in the game!

This year, the race was held on the second day of summer. Meaning, we've had a cooler than usual spring, and the day before the race was our first day of 90+ degree weather with high humidity. Woke up on race day to cooler temps, but still sticky dew points (not my forte, even when well trained). Got to the race with plenty of time to spare and met up with a few running buddies that I haven't seen since last year (another good reason to get back out on the trails).

There were some minor course changes to the 10 mile race this year - mostly backing up the start line and having a different route to the finish. There seemed to be a little more asphalt than I remembered in previous years - glad I chose to wear shoes instead of going barefoot, which I was seriously considering. The prairie sections were brutally hot even early in the day, especially considering nobody has had a chance to get acclimated to heat and humidity yet. Pretty course, I was able to catch a glimpse of Lynn and Sara out on the trail as they were running the inaugural 50K (just added a few weeks ago). Kept leap frogging with Chris, who was running her first trail race! I would pass her on the downs and she would pass me on the ups. Eventually, she pulled away at the Big Dam Hill and finished about a minute ahead of me. Always fun to meet new friends out in the woods - the people are one of the best things about trail races. I ended up finishing with my slowest ever 10 mile trail time, which is to be expected when SOME one takes an 18 month vacation from regular training ;) Still had plenty of fun none the less!

Hung out afterwards and waited to see how some of my buddies running the 50K were faring with a new course in hot and humid conditions. There were some logistical problems with volunteers giving incorrect instructions out in the field, but the first time running a new race is bound to have a few bugs that will need to be worked out in the future. Congrats to Bill P. for pulling out a 50K PR!

Thanks to RD Jim and the Rochester Track Club crew for putting on another fun event! The dirty magazines, burma shave mile marker signs, and dill pickles at the finish line are unique to this race and make it a fun atmosphere. It's also getting to be a not so little race - I recommend putting it on your calendar and coming to the party next year!

Hyland Lake Barefoot Run

Since I'd sent out invitations to dozens of people a few days ago asking them to join me for a trail run and raptor release at Hyland Lake this weekend, I decided I'd better head out there for a beta run to see what the trail conditions were like. Hyland is probably my favorite spot to run barefoot because the trails are soft, non-technical, and I still have sissy feet.

Ended up doing a leisurely 6.5 miles with my feet feeling wonderful! For the most part, the trails are dry and in excellent condition! Well, except when they're not:

Personally, I love running barefoot (or in this case, in VFF's) in the mud! Makes me feel like a kid again! I'll be out there doing it again this Saturday with some of my buddies in tow :)

Care to join us?

International Barefoot Running Day

Kel, Justin, David, Katie, Christian, Chris, Donnie, Lyle, (missing Tomkin)

Headed out to Hyland today to meet up with members of the Minnesota Chapter of the Barefoot Runners Society to celebrate International Barefoot Running Day. The original plan was to kick off the day with a potluck picnic at noon followed by a short barefoot run on the trails in the park. I'd never met anyone in this particular group, but it sounded fun and Hyland Lake is nearby.

Woke up to temps just above freezing and howling winds. Happy flippin' May Day. Got out to the park to find Christian and Lyle huddled together in the parking lot waiting for the rest of the crew (we were expecting 15). It was windy enough that flags were sticking straight out from the flag poles and there were whitecaps on the puddles in the grass. They'd decided to cancel the picnic that morning because of the crappy weather, so some folks were confused about the new start time for the run. Slowly, a few more people trickled in and 9 of us finally hit the asphalt (yes, asphalt) close to an hour later.

A few in the group were trying barefoot or minimalist running for the first time - everyone seemed to be loving it in spite of the weather! Kept the run pretty short - only about 2.3 miles, but there were plenty of smiles all around! We hung out in the warm visitor center munching on fruit (thanks Lyle) for a bit afterwards before everyone headed off to do their own thing. I had a great time and met some cool new people - now I just have to convince them to get their feet off the pavement and into the dirt ;)

Hyland Lake Run & Raptor Release

Come on out to Hyland Lake park on Saturday, May 7 and join me for a fun day of trail running, picnicking, and enjoying the company of eagles, owls, hawks, and falcons!

Meet at Jan's Place (near Edgewood Picnic area) at 10:00 am and run or hike whatever distance/pace you like. See summer trails map.

The Minnesota Raptor Center will be having their spring bird release at 1:00 pm, with education birds and exhibits open from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. I've been to several of these releases and they never disappoint, but get there before noon if you skip the run to make sure there is parking space (earlier is even better). The event is free and kid friendly, so bring the whole family. Dogs are not allowed at this event, but cameras are highly encouraged! More info.

If anyone wants to picnic or join us after the run, bring your own lunch and we can meet near the Eagle exhibit at noon.

Hope to see you there!

Zumbro 2011

View of the Zumbro 100 start/finish from the West Scenic Trail.

Sorry for the lack of blog action - Facebook is easier.

Headed down to the Zumbro River Bottoms to help out and cheer for my buddies running the Zumbro 100 Mile trail race last weekend. In it's third year, there were about 23 runners and 50 volunteers. Weather turned out to be excellent and the trail was in near perfect condition - just a few spots of snow and mud.

Located in the Richard Dorer State Forest, this is a gem of a trail in the bluff country of south eastern Minnesota. The course consists of 5 laps of a 20 mile loop through some beautiful country. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll just shut up and post a few.

View of start/finish area from the top of the West Scenic trail early in the loop.



A little further down the West Scenic trail.



Running through a tunnel of trees shortly after leaving the West Scenic Trail.



On the gravel road between aid stations 1 & 2.



Second place finisher Matt at the tail end of the Ant Hill trail on lap 2.



Along the gravel road between aid stations 3 & 4.



Pine Trail Overlook, shortly after leaving aid station 4 and less than 3 miles from the end of the loop.



Rail Road Bed Trail - almost home!



New course record holder, Adam early in his third loop.



Women's course record holder, Susan running strong after 40 miles.

Congratulations to all of the runners who toed the line - you are an inspiration! Thanks to retiring RD's Larry & Colleen and new RD's John and Cherie for putting on a world class event!

Running Plans for 2011

...are still very much up in the air. Had some BIG TIME changes at work back in January which basically turned my schedule upside down. Things are still falling in to place, but my training has been haphazard and as a result, there is no way I will be running Chippewa 50K next month, even though I'm registered. The only race I've currently committed to is Afton (and I noticed - to my horror - that I am now in the "Senior Master" division).

Having a "big birthday" has created some other havoc as well. Being self employed, I have to purchase my own health insurance. So, imagine getting a "Happy Birthday" letter from Blue Cross letting me know that since I'm now 50 years old, my monthly premium will be going up more than $100/month, and....get this... it will now cost more than my mortgage (this is with a high deductible plan, by the way)! I wish I were kidding. And I have a clean health history. I tried to explain to them that it wasn't really my 50'th birthday, but the 21'st anniversary of my 29'th birthday. They didn't see it that way (those people have no sense of humor at all).

Anyhoo, between work changes and health insurance premiums, I need to cinch down the check book and stick close to home. I'm considering the MDRA Mudball 4 mile (I actually won my age group the only other time I ran it - when I was simply a master rather than a grand master). Fun race at Wirth Park and free to MDRA members. I may even try it barefoot since that's the only type of running I've been doing the last few months anyway :)

Hope to get my old and wrinkly ass back out on the trails for some respectable mileage soon!

Snowshoes and Bare Foot

OK, not at the same time ;)

But that's pretty much all the running related activity that I've been doing lately; either getting outside on the trails in snowshoes, or hitting the indoor track for a few barefoot miles.

The recent heat wave has me anxious for spring, mud, and longer trail runs.

'til soon