MRRR fan on the west coast

Hello ladies,
I just put on my MRRR jersey so I can go on a (solo) run. I really miss you!! Hope everyone is enjoying the fall weather and each others' company.
Anyone want to run the Nike Womens Marathon in SF? Ask Amy to convince you :-)

It's been awhile.

Remember that cool, overcast day in Duluth? Since then, the heat index in Minneapolis has skyrocketed to over 110 at least twice (postponing Torchlight until August 25th). Luckily, MRRR teammates have been running in other far-off places. Europe. Taos and Chicago. San Francisco. One teammate is now married. One roommate has moved to California, with a very important detour to Iceland.

We were 3rd place at Grandma's! The USATF team results for Grandma's Marathon are posted here. 

San Francisco Marathon: Worth the Hurt

Steve, me, Steve, Drew post-race!

Last Sunday, my brother, his friend, and I all ran 26.2 miles in San Francisco. My husband ran the half marathon. We all started off together at 5:42 a.m. in the third wave. It was a cool morning in the 50s, and amazingly, not that foggy!

Steves, me, Drew, at the start!

The Bay Bridge, beautifully lit behind us at the start

Overall, San Francisco is a good marathon. I particularly enjoyed the first 13 miles. We began along the Embarcadero, and ran along the coast to the Golden Gate bridge, across it and back, then went into the Presidio, through Golden Gate park, and ended through the Mission.

Drew and I started with even 9 minute miles, right on the agreed upon pace (I crowed every mile about how exactly evenly I was pacing us!). Those first 13 miles were great. It was beautiful to run as the sun was coming up and watch the Golden Gate bridge come closer into view as  we ran past Chrissy field and Fort Mason. There were a few hills before the bridge, and then a doozy of a hill just after the bridge. They weren't bad, and for me, it was great to have a local guide in my brother to warn me and tell me what was coming up. As with any race, it's so important to know the course and be psychologically prepared. He had run the race before, and had done training runs on the course. In addition to the course info, it was great just to have him tell me what he knew about various landmarks and neighborhoods as we ran past/through them. I had really been looking forward to running across the Golden Gate bridge, but it turned out to be underwhelming. It was too crowded up there! Runners have two lanes, and the bridge was still open to traffic. That made it pretty crowded and pretty loud. I was really glad we were in an early wave, because passing required both technique and etiquette.

The worst for me were the "rolling hills" in the Presidio, just after the bridge and before Golden Gate park. Between miles 10 and 13, I was done with hills. I said to Drew, "You said there wouldn't be hills! I'm from Iowa!" That comment elicited a chuckle from a woman near us. When we entered Golden Gate park, around mile 14, we decided that each of us was ready to run our own race. I needed to go internal to get strong again. The part in Golden Gate park is mentally challenging. It seems a lot longer than it should be. There are a lot of twists and turns between miles 13 and 19, all in the park. Meanwhile, the first half-marathoners finish in the park (and the marathoners have to continue on past that enticing finish line), and the second half half-marathoners start. On the upside, there were a lot of people cheering over those miles. Still, the miles in Golden Gate park were the toughest and slowest for me. I wasn't hurting as bad as the guy in the S/M black patent boy shorts and chains (but he probably liked it...) My mantra in those miles was "you trained for this." A positive mantra really does help! I also break down the goals. I pushed for mile 20 because then it would be "only an hour left."

Indeed, after mile 20 I could smell the barn and I was feeling okay. At that point I knew I could do it and the worst was behind me. There were a lot of downhills after the park as well, and despite the half marathoners blowing past us, they and the increased number of people cheering helped. The last two miles I was able to significantly pick up the pace. Mile 25 was fun because of the "tempters" dressed in devils costumes, offering bourbon and candy and saying "haven't you run far enough? Just stop! Join us!" I didn't stop, I ran faster.

Exiting Golden Gate park, refreshed by seeing my husband and bro-in-law cheering

Psyched to be done and have run well!

Probably the worst part of the race was the inconsistently-plotted water/electrolyte stops. I can only suppose that the constraints of San Francisco street traffic made race planners unable to have them every two miles. Instead, they seemed *about* every two or two-and-a-half miles...but it was kind of frustrating to be obsessing over thirst and unsure whether water would (and when) actually appear. Moreover, the mixing of electrolyte with water was very inconsistent. Steve choked on the 3/4 powder he got in one cup. All in all though, those are minor complaints. I was totally happy with the 4:00:27 I ran. This was a fun destination marathon. On Monday, Steve and I continued to Yosemite National Park and recovered by doing awesome hikes in the Sierras.

And finally---I'd like to use this platform to solicit each of you as members of MRRR:

I will be running the 30th annual Twin Cities marathon October 2, 2011. It will be my 3rd Twin Cities. I will be running for Bolder Options as part of their charity team. That means I need to raise $1000 in order to run! This Twin Cities is a big deal marathon for me. My Personal Page at Bolder Options explains why this race in particular is meaningful for me. Bolder Options is a great organization that promotes healthy bodies and minds by pairing community athletes with youth in Minneapolis. I have a sentimental reason behind why I am running. My dad ran the first Twin Cities marathon 30 years ago, and many after that. It will be neat for me to follow in both my parents' footsteps thirty years later. I am asking for your support now. Please visit my donation page and give what you can. As athletes, I'm sure you can empathize with the importance sport had in defining your identity and helping you learn how to work towards goals in all areas of life. Thanks in advance!

In Absentia: Elizabeth Sutton

Just a quick introduction before blogging post- San Francisco Marathon! I've had the pleasure to meet just a few of you at the track and running hills, and I look forward to meeting others at the City of Lakes and TC 10 Mile!

I have been running since my freshman year of high school at good ole Minneapolis South High. That was waaaay back in 1995. I actually didn't join the cross country team until sophomore year, and didn't join track until I was a senior. I played softball and volleyball instead. I began running the blocks around my neighborhood the summer before school started because I was determined to transform myself from bookish nerd to cool chick. Needless to say, since I am now a professor at the University of Northern Iowa, I clearly couldn't totally relinquish my bookish proclivities. In any case, those same two interests also brought me to Carleton, where I met Jessica and many other fun, fast, and smart people. I might only be fun and smart, but amazingly, in my 31st year, I am actually getting faster (although it's all relative!).

I've never been a speed demon. At Carleton I ran cross country and indoor and outdoor track, where I focused on the 1000 and 1500. I chose those because they were short, but not so short--or so long--that I'd get lapped!

PRs:

5K: 21:43 7/4/2008 Firecracker race, Williamsburg, IA tied with 2009 Park2Park 5K, Cedar Falls, IA

10K: 47:40 Run For The Schools, 10/15/2006 Iowa City, IA

7 mile: 54:20 Run The Flood, 6/11/2011, Cedar Rapids, IA

10 Mile: 1:19:57 MDRA 10 Mile, 5/29/2011, St. Paul, MN

1/2 Marathon: 1:43:33 Sturgis Falls 6/26/2011, Cedar Falls IA

Marathon: 3:53:27 Twin Cities, 10/3/2010, Mpls-St.Paul, MN

My favorite places to run are: Minneapolis Chain of Lakes and anywhere that I'm traveling. I love exploring cities and countryside to get a feel for a place! I travel a lot for research and conferences.
My favorite thing to do is: read and pet animals
My favorite post-run snack: fruit and peanut butter!
On my ipod: ummmm...Enrique Iglesias, Madonna, Ne-Yo, A Perfect Circle, VNV Nation and Covenant. Any suggestions for the upcoming SF marathon are very welcome!!

My goals are: to keep running marathons and feeling good while doing so! I'd love to get under 3:50--doubtful for San Francisco considering the terrain. Mostly, I just want to have fun and feel good and push myself intelligently. It's taken me 10 years to start listening to my body, and I am running happier, healthier, and faster because of smarter training.

After I get back from SF and Yosemite August 8, I'll post about that race! I also have my own blog about running: http://heartlandsharrier.blogspot.com/

Amy Elson

I'm Amy Elson, and I'm a 2010 Carleton grad. At Carleton I ran track
and field--my favorite event was triple jump. Otherwise I did the
pentathlon/heptathlon. My favorite events in the multis were high jump
and 800m.

Then I graduated and signed up for the Nike Women's Marathon in SF.
Quite the leap from sprinting 90 feet and jumping into the sand to
26.2. (To be fair, I ran cross country in high school, but even so
before I started training I'd never run longer than maybe 8 miles at
one time in my life). And now here I am, a year after graduation, and
I've run two marathons!

What I'm doing with my life: I work with K-3rd graders at Four Seasons
Elementary in St. Paul, and hope to be an elementary school teacher
one day! Kids are the best. I also do some volunteer coaching at St.
Kate's--it's fun to still be a part of the MIAC even if my meet gear
has changed from maize and blue to purple.

Favorite Running Locations: Lake Calhoun in the summer, so I can end
my run with a jump in the lake and walk home. And you just can't beat
the Carleton Arboretum.

Favorite Post-Run Snack: Chocolate-Peanut Butter-Banana Smoothie

My i-Pod Playlist is: Ridiculously random. Right now I'm loving Girl
Talk but you can always find a bunch of 80s music on there.

Favorite Workout(s): Repeat 200s, like the sprinter that I am (was?)

Goals: Right now I want to get used to racing again/learn how to
actually race longer distances so that next year I can focus on
getting faster. So I don't have any expectations right now for times.
And if, and whenever my next marathon is, it'll be to break 4 hours.

Grandma's Marathon 2011

The Scene

Fog City the day before the race.
We stayed on the lake, less than 2 miles from the start line.

The Not-So-Secret Secret Weapon

They promised PRs for everyone if we got the rhubarb raspberry with whipped creme. Thanks, New Scenic Cafe. You do not disappoint.

The Results

Keren Gudeman: 3:18.51 chip; 3:19.28 gun.
Jessica Deutsch: 3:17.24 chip; 3:18.01 gun.
Kelsey Barale: 3:17.38 chip; 3:18.16 gun.
Amy Elson (the awesome sign for Amy): 4:01.23; 4:05.15 gun.

USATF Team results to come.

Half-Marathon
Shauna Overgaard: 1:38.45; 1:42.07

Jessica Deutsch

I began running 100 and 200 m dashes in the 7th grade and then became a mid-distance track & field athlete and cross-country runner in college. Now I race everything from the mile to the marathon.

In 2007, after three years of running on my own, I missed having a team and competing but wasn't quite elite runner material, so I started the Mississippi River Road Runners with Sarah Margoles. The 2011 season is our fifth year competing on the USATF MN Team Circuit. I love this team! I am impressed by the talented, smart, and interesting group of women who are my teammates.

My favorite places to run are on the Mississippi River, on the quiet gravel roads of Finlayson, and in the Arb in Northfield. Recently, I have enjoyed running on the public tracks of New York City and a rustic gravel trail cutting through the pastures between Ripon and Berlin, Wisconsin.

Personal bests include: ING New York City Marathon, 3:25:07 (7:49 pace); New Prague Half Marathon, 1:31:xx (watch time, 6:56 pace); City of Lakes 25K in 1:48:08 (6:58 pace). New goals: sub-1:30 in the half marathon, sub-1:08 in the Twin Cities 10 Mile.

East River Park in May

If you're like me, then you're squeezing in your run after those last precious moments of sleep and the mad dash to the bus stop, between official work hours and unofficial drinking hours, before meals with friends and family.

It's especially difficult to find time for a run when one is traveling for work. I've been lucky enough to have had many glorious days in New York this May. I took these photos on my first trip at the beginning of the month. Originally I had planned to buy a one-month gym membership to get me through my two stays in New York, but then I discovered the East River Park, a short but scenic route along the river that looks out at Brooklyn.






New York continues to impress me with its parks and public spaces. And what you don't see here is the public track on East 6th Street & FDR Drive. That's right: New York City Department of Parks and Recreation maintains this track for anyone to use. (But be warned, early birds: the bathrooms don't open until 7 or 8 am.) And it's not the only one. I stayed in Williamsburg with a friend and discovered another one in McCarren Park.

(I know, I know: we basically have access to the university and college and high school tracks around town. But I love love love the idea of a public track, and immediately began to wonder if Minneapolis or St. Paul has ever considered building a public track.)

Over the last four years, thanks to work trips and friends, I've been able to run quite a bit in New York. I did the Brooklyn Half Marathon and the NYC Marathon in 2007, and I've done quite a few runs in Central Park and Prospect Park. I also hear that there is also a route along the perimeter of Manhattan.

What are some of your favorite runs away from home?

Brian Kraft

Results are already up! We were 5th. Nice job, everyone!

5. Mississippi River Rr
  21    6 W30  Keren Gudeman, 35, Minneapolis, MN         19:37    6:19
  25    9 W20  Kelsey Barale, 27, Minneapolis, MN         19:51    6:23
  26   10 W20  Candice Schneider, 26, Minneapolis, MN     19:53    6:24
  41   13 W30  Kristin Fiumefreddo, 30, Minneapolis, MN   21:16    6:50
  43   14 W20  Cicely Miltich, 25, Saint Paul, MN         21:26    6:54
Total Time = 1:42:01     Total Places = 156

Before the next race - uniforms??

Just a little inspiration for Grandma's!

Keren Gudeman

Keren Gudeman

Minneapolis, MN

PRs: 5k road race = 19:11, 10k road race: 42:50; 1 mile road race = 5:33; half-marathon: 1:33.33.

A favorite race: A 2002 trail run outside of Chicago, with runners losing shoes in the cold, sloggy stream and everyone just trying to survive and pulling each other through of inches of mud.

A less fun race: Not finishing Grandma's in 2005 (?). I am blanking on the year because it was painful, and I sat in a medical tent for almost an hour. Yuck. Going to give the race another try this year.

Facts about me: I love doing track workouts! I want to try a steeple race some day. I love playing soccer and generally running around. I wish I owned a trampoline. I love the feeling of your slightly creaky legs when you wake up the morning after a hard workout day.

Save the Date: Team Camping Trip

Dates: Friday, July 15-Sunday, July 17

Where: somewhere near Lake Pepin, Wisconsin

What we'll do: Camp for two nights, run, swim, read, relax

Let me know if you're interested in coming and if you have any ideas for the trip (places to run, food, things to do).

Team Circuit Results (3 races)

USATF MN has posted the current team standings and results for the TC 1 Mile. All of our results are posted as "gun" times instead of "chip" times. They have also adjusted the Get in Gear results to reflect errors and gun times.

The team is currently in sixth place overall on the women's circuit. Keep in mind that we didn't race at the Human Race, so our points only reflect 2 races worth of scoring.

1 Run N Fun - 18 points
2 Foley & Mansfield Racing Team - 17 points
3 TC Running Company - 16 points
4 Northwoods - MN/WI - 9 points
5 Collegeville - 7 points
6 Mississippi River Road Runners - 5 points
7 St. Cloud River Runners/Endurance Shop - 3 points
8 MDRA - 2 points
8 Team Unattached - 2 points

To review how USATF tallies points, read the rules here.

Green Bay Recap

The Green Bay Marathon was the 4th marathon I've competed in and the 3rd marathon I finished. I ran Twin Cities in 2008, Columbus in 2009, and Chicago in 2010. Twin Cities was the first running event I had ever participated in and I dropped out at mile 19 which haunts me in every race I've done since then. After the battle that was Green Bay though, I think I'll have a lot more confidence in future races.

Describe your training going into the marathon: I started using the Less is More plan thinking it'd be easier to do 3 runs a week in the middle of winter. Plus, I'd read that this plan can help you really increase your speed and my goal was to break 3:50 at Green Bay. But I kept getting injured so I cut back to a plan that had me running more often, but less aggressively. This worked out well, but my long runs were a constant conundrum. I had Lasik surgery in January and couldn't be outside in the cold for very long or I'd get terrible dry eye. So I did all my long runs on the treadmill until March (unlike many runners, I don't mind treadmills, and in some cases I think they can be really beneficial tools for training). By the time my eyes had fully healed I was itching to get in a good long run outside, but MN weather made most of my runs snowy, icy, or just cold and wet. I also don't usually train carrying water; I've always planned my long runs on routes that have water fountains. But the fountains were all shut off so I had to carry a bottle (dislike) and there were times I did not bring enough. Oh, and then I got really sick (which never happens) and had to take a week off at the end of my training! It was not ideal, and I worried I was undertrained going in, but it was definitely a learning experience and I think I'm a better runner. Spring marathons are a whole different beast than fall marathons, that's for sure.

What were your expectations going into the race? Since training hadn't gone as smoothly as I had hoped, I knew I wouldn't make my goal so I decided to focus on keeping my time under 4 hours. And if nothing else, I needed to just finish.

Highlights from the marathon: For the last mile, we got to run through the tunnel the players run through and around Lambeau Field. After all the wind (the wind was so insane!), I was feeling ultra lousy, but this made the whole thing worth it. Only runners were allowed on the field (who feels special?) and my boyfriend (a huge Packers fan) and his friend were in the stands cheering for me. It was just the lift I needed to get across the finish line.

Best thing you ate in Green Bay: Cheese curds obviously! Also, a strawberry milkshake and french fries from McDonald's. I don't mess around after a marathon.

Would you recommend Green Bay to another runner? I would if they are a Packers fan or even just a football fan. I have to say though, it was probably the least scenic marathon I've run. There was a straight 7 mile stretch on a path along the river where the wind was almost constantly pushing you back. Even without the wind though, there are mostly factories along the river so the view wasn't super.

Finishing time: Originally it was 3:58: 56 (a personal worst) but then they discovered that the course was 800 ft. too long so the times were recalculated. My recalculated time ended up being 3:57:34.

Looking for a logo!

View of the MPLS skyline from the Franklin St. Bridge (our home bridge!)

Hi Team and artist fans of the blog!

We are talking about getting t-shirts/jerseys soon, and we need a MRRR logo! Any good ideas? I doubt we can get shirts in time for Brian Kraft, but hopefully we can get something by early/mid June. Send logos to me or Jessica (or bring them to a practice) and we can all vote!

TC 1 Mile: May 12, 2011*

Photo above (front row, l-r): Brenna Anderson, Jessica Deutsch; (back row, l-r): Kristin's dog Finn, Kristin Fiumefreddo, Jenilee Roen, Shauna Overgaard, Keren Gudeman, Kelsey Barale, Regan Blomme. Not pictured: Cicely Miltich. Photo credit: Seth.

A couple notes regarding the TC 1 Mile:

• Welcome to the team, Jenilee!
• Happy 27th, Kelsey
• Congratulations to Cicely who handed in her last final for law school and graduated over the weekend; to Kristin who just started a new job; and to Brenna who just finished her first year at the U for public health.
• Nice race, Keren. I hear that your chip time is a new PR, besting a race you ran in 10th grade.
  
• We established a team cheer at the starting line. It sounds like a roar, and might be a shorter, better way of saying our team name.
• And while the team results have yet to roll in, I know, given the times and the number of team members racing, that this is the best TC 1 Mile the team has ever raced. Wowza! Way to go, MRRR!

TC 1 Mile results

Kelsey Barale, 5:29.6 (chip), 5:33.2 (gun)

187/2152 overall; 9/1055 overall female; 3/277 age group

Keren Gudeman, 5:33.0 (chip), 5:35.5 (gun)

205/2152 overall, 11/1055 female, 3/170 age group

Jessica Deutsch, 5:45.4 (chip), 5:48.7

272/2152 overall, 20/1055 female, 7/277 age group

Brenna Anderson, 6:00.1 (chip), 6:05.1 (gun)

374/2152 overall, 45/1055 female, 17/277 age group

Shauna Overgaard,6:00.2 (chip), 6:05.7

376/2152 overall, 46/1055 female, 18/277 age group

Regan Blomme, 6:03.4, 6:10.2

407/2152 overall, 50/1055 female, 20/277 age group

Cicely Miltich, 6:15.1, 6:21.7

481/2152 overall, 64/1055 female, 24/277 age group

Jenilee Roen, 7:31.4, 7:37.6

946/2152 overall, 228/1055 female, 77/277 age group

Team Results: Forthcoming

Following the race, we cooled down through Loring Park and the Walker Sculpture Garden. We were able to secure a fantastic spot for watching the finish of Women and Men's Championship Mile on the south side of Nicollet. It felt as if they were running at us as they finished. I'm always grateful when I have a chance to see races in the front row, within spitting distance, in my hometown. Way to go, Minneapolis and Medtronic TC 1 Mile for putting together such a great race.

What I didn't see, though, was how the race unfolded. So I was really glad to find these videos on Down the Backstretch.

Women's Championship 1 Mile (video)

Men's Championship 1 Mile (video)

*I didn't notice this until I read a comment about it on Twitter:

Green Bay Marathon

This weekend Emily Therneau is out running the Green Bay Marathon. Go, Emily! You can check her real-time progress here (bib #1064). The marathon began at 7 a.m. this morning. We'll post a race recap once she's back in Minneapolis.

Lia Beast: Boston 2011

Lia Middlebrook, known in the racing world as Lia Beast, ran in the Boston Marathon on April 18, 2011. Below, she recaps the training, kisses, milk shakes and beers that made up her Boston experience.

Boston was my fourth marathon. I ran Twin Cities in 2006 and 2007 and the Lakefront Marathon in Milwaukee in October of 2010. The Lakefront Marathon was my qualifier for Boston -- I ran a 3:39:34, snuck in with 1:25 to spare!

Training for Boston wasn't as bad as it could have been, considering the kind of winter we had. I decided early on that I would just train to finish and be able to enjoy the race -- non of this training to PR business like I did for Milwaukee. I didn't too much speed work, just focused on getting my miles in and running at least five days a week. I made it through the winter without any major hiccups -- I only fell once, I only got sick once and I managed to keep my mileage in the mid- to high-forties each week, and even had a week over fifty miles. Just getting out and getting the miles in felt like enough of an accomplishment. I'm proud that I never touched a treadmill, and I only took shelter in the Dome four or five times. Looking back, it wasn't so bad, training through such a brutal winter. It was wonderful though, once the snow melted, to finally have traction again and be able to run faster. And to not have my eyelashes, Gu and water freeze on my runs. That was a plus too.

My expectations going into Boston were 1) that it would feel monumental, and 2) that I would have a lot of fun. In the end, the race didn't feel quite as monumental as I thought it would (I think that tends to happen in life when there's so much hype around something), but it was still pretty incredible. Half the time I was thinking, "this just seems like any other marathon" and half the time I was thinking "Damn, this is Boston!" I did have a lot of fun though -- I completed all five of my goals that I set the day before the race: 1) Finish, 2) Finish in under four hours, 3) Kiss a girl at Wellesley, 4) Kiss a boy at Wellesley, and, most importantly, 5) Drink beer along the course.

Highlights from the marathon include: walking into the convention center to pick up my race packet and thinking, "This is it! I'm here. I made it to Boston!"; lining up at the start and sharing knowing smiles with the women around me; running past Wellesley and their crazy cheering; cruising up Heartbreak Hill and feeling surprisingly strong; chugging warm beer from a pitcher at Mile 25 (it tasted really good); rolling into Boston and crossing the finish line.

Best thing I ate in Boston: Is it sad to say the chocolate shake from McDonald's in the airport post-race? Probably. Discounting that, I'd say it's a toss-up between butternut squash soup and buffalo chicken mac and cheese. Yum.

Would you recommend Boston to other runners? I would most definitely recommend Boston. It's not something I'd want to do every year, or even every other year, but it's an incredible experience. It was worth training through this awful Minnesotan winter for (including the 18-miler I had to do in snowy, two-degree weather), which I think says a lot.

My Boston theme song? Hmm. I'd have to say Dynamite by Taio Cruz. It was my song for Milwaukee and it carried over to Boston.

Finishing time: 3:53:35.

Go, Lia Beast!

Get in Gear: Race Recap

Results - 10K

Jessica Deutsch, 42:03 (6:47 pace)
171/3131 overall; 25/1707 Females; 7/331 F25-29 Age Group

Kelsey Barale, 42:50 (6:54 pace)
199/3131 overall; 36/1707 Females; 9/331 F25-29 Age Group

Brenna Anderson, 43:48 (7:03 pace)
246/3134 overall; 52/1714 Females; 15/331 F25-29 Age Group

Cicely Miltich, 44:40 (7:12 pace)
275/3131 overall; 59/1707 Females; 18/331 F25-29 Age Group

Emily Therneau, 46:54 (7:33 pace)
370/3131 overall; 87/1707 Females; 24/331 Females F25-29 Age Group

The Unofficial Team Results*

1. TC Running Company, 3:16:05
2. Foley & Mansfield Racing Team, 3:17:01
3. Run N Fun, 3:24:00
4. Mississippi River Road Runners, 3:27:22*
5. Northwoods - MN/WI, 3:36:05
6 Collegeville, 3:47:26
7. St. Cloud River Runners/Endurance Shop, 3:52:55
8. MDRA, 4:07:21

*If you've taken the time to add up each of our times, you'll notice there is a discrepancy between what USATF MN says is our time and what we think our total time is. I think we were actually fifth, with a total time of 3:40:15.

Results - Half Marathon

Regan Blomme, 1:37:22 (7:26 pace)
87/1021 overall; 8/531 Females; 2/209 F20-29 Age Group

Kristin Fiumefreddo, 1:41:16 (7:44 pace)
129/1021 overall; 19 out of 531 Females; 10/201 F30-39 Age Group

Shauna Overgaard, 1:42:11 (7:49 pace)
141/1021 overall; 20/531 Females; 6/209 F20-29 Age Group


The Unofficial Race Recap

The team started the racing season with Get in Gear -- self-proclaimed to be "Minnesota's annual rite of spring."

This might engender visions of racers striding past tulip beds and blooming dogwood and magnolia trees and birds singing. Don't be fooled. Just so we're all straight here: What non-Minnesotans might not know and what some Minnesotans forget is that "rite of spring" is a hazing in which Mother Nature whips us back into humble Minnesotan shape with hail, sleet, rain, and snow. Don't take the warm and the sun for granted, she says. This is the end of April, this is Minnesota, and I do as I please.

No, this is not a long rambling complaint about the weather in Minnesota. I only mean to say again what Cicely said as we headed to the line: this race is very aptly named. We're really getting our butts moving for the first time in a long time. And if we're running in the sleet or snow for this particular race, it only serves as a reminder for how tough Minnesotan runners can be. (Coming soon: a post on Lia ("Beast") Middlebrook and her badass Boston training through one of the snowiest winters on record.)

With five women in the 10K and three in the half marathon, the Mississippi River Road Runners had a strong season debut. This included three new team members: Emily Therneau in the 10K and Regan Blomme and Kristin Fiumefreddo in the half marathon, all of whom ran PRs!

Jessica's recap

Overall, I'm pleased with how my race went. I had hoped to run 6:45 pace, and my mile splits were averaged around 6:47: 6:58 (sloooow navigating the crowds at the start), 6:39, 6:49 (Kelsey and I were running together for the first couple of miles), 6:49, 6:41 (found a random guy to run with from here to the finish; thank you, whoever you are!), 6:46. Those 10K pace workouts we did at the track gave me some confidence going into this race, and it felt good to execute a race as planned -- and with teammates for company! I was so proud of our team as we all went to the starting line together . . .

Hey, how was your race? What were your expectations? Any race day diet experiments? Things you will do differently at your next race? Leave your own race recap in the comments.

Kelsey's profile

Hi, I'm Kelsey. I've been running with MRRR for the last few years, and I'm so excited that we have such a great team this year! (really loving the team practices and brunches!).

About me
I went to Carleton, and graduated in 2007. I'm originally from Oakland, CA, but I love living in Minnesota. Currently, I work at a community gardening organization in MPLS. I'm going back to school for international agricultural development in the fall.

Favorite distances: (if I'm in good shape) the steeplechase and the mile.

The highest place I've ever run: Puno, Peru (next to Lake Titicaca), 12500 ft. I went on a 30 minute run then I had to go lay down for a while.

Favorite races: long distance road relays, or anything with mud and stream crossings.

Fun running fact: once I won a chicken at a race!

Biggest race pet peeve: not enough port-a-potties.

Kristin Fiumefreddo

I’m Kristin Fiumefreddo, and I am another new member of the team this year. I live in Minneapolis and just got into running a few years ago after I graduated law school. Since then I’ve done a number of half marathons, one marathon and a few shorter distance races.

Favorite Running Locations: Cedar Lake – it’s so quiet compared to the rest of the city lakes; East & West River Parkway – rolling hills, nice trails and steps away from my house

Favorite Post-Run Snack: Chocolate Hazelnut Milk (served warm if it’s winter)

My i-Pod Playlist is: Mostly hip-hop/rap mixed in with some 80s music and anything you can dance to.

Favorite Workout(s): Hill workouts– because I need the practice; Mile repeats followed by 400s - it’s a tough series but you feel like you accomplished something.

Interesting Running Fact about me: Most of my running wardrobe is pink and black.

PRs: 10K – 44:52; Half-marathon- 1:41

Short-term Goals: To break 1:40 in the half marathon.

Long-term Goals: More PBs and stay injury-free.

Sunday Morning Perspective

A favorite part of Sunday mornings, as of late, has been taking the time to enjoy a nice long run with a group of chatty and intelligent women, then coming back for a relaxing brunch. It's a nice opportunity to instill perspective for the week to follow. I find that food and friends, particularly when running is introduced as an interactive variable, are health promoting factors. - Shauna Overgaard

"My feeling is that any day I am too busy to run is a day that I am too busy." - John Bryant

Morning Run in April

You Know They Call Them Killer Whales . . .

I've been biking on snow-less roads, running in shorts, and cracking the windows open at night--all signs of the spring upon us.

And now I'm adding long runs and workouts and maybe even a couple push-ups, with the hope that come the first weeks of summer, my limbs will be able to bear a 3+ hour bout of pounding the pavement.

I don't want to be surprised when I have to run 26.2 miles this June.

I'm looking forward to training with my teammates, but it never hurts to have some reminders of how beautiful those miles will be along the North Shore.

Here is a photo of the North Shore, in all its summer glory. I took this photo last July, somewhere near Croftville Road outside of Grand Marais.

Coming soon: photos and introductions to our 2011 team members.

Grandma's Marathon

June 18th is Grandma's Marathon--and my 30th birthday. If all goes well, I'll put 26.2 miles behind me before sitting down by Lake Superior and eating a slice (or two) of triple berry pie from New Scenic Cafe.

2011 Team Circuit

It's finally beginning to thaw in Minnesota. The snow banks outside my apartment are just two feet high now.

These first signs of spring have me looking forward to CSA boxes, Sea Salt, outdoor concerts, Open Field at the Walker, Pizza Farm, Tour de Farm, biking to work, and, oh yes, the 2011 Team Circuit. Here's the line-up. Very predictable, USATF.

March 20 - The Human Race 8 km - USATF Minnesota Championship

April 30 - Get In Gear 10 km - USATF Minnesota Championship

May 12 - TC 1 Mile - USATF Minnesota Championship

May 30 - Brian Kraft Memorial 5 km

June 18 - Grandma's Marathon - USATF Minnesota Championship

July 20 - Life Time Fitness Torchlight 5 km - USATF Minnesota Championship

August 14 - MDRA 15 km - USATF Minnesota Championship

September 11 - City of Lakes 25 km - USATF Minnesota Championship

October 2 - TC 10 Mile - USATF Minnesota Championship

And yet: predictability has been a good thing this winter. Kelsey Barale and I have been running all winter 3-4 days during the week at 6:15 AM, with a few weekend long runs. During the week, I leave my house around 6:10 and at the crest of the Franklin Bridge, Kelsey and I meet and decide which city we're going to tromp through first.

This does not mean I'm entering the 2011 season particularly fit or fast. The cold and dark of this particularly severe winter has truly required that I undertake a fierce regimen of beer drinking and TV watching. I've discovered a lot of beer that I really like. November - December: Trippel (New Belgium). January: Knot Stock (Furthermore) February: Hopslam (Bell's). March: Furious (Surly) and Margaritas in Mexico. All of this while watching Mad Men ("The Suitcase" episode in Season 4; so good!), Breaking Bad (whatever lack of adrenaline I had in my life without racing, Walt made sure I had something rattling my nerves), and Seinfeld (Tim Whatley, so harmless compared to Walt). But, runners, the fumes of my college fitness have been gone for years, and as I approach my 30th year, this sedentary life/beer habit of mine is not making running any easier.

So, I've made some circuit resolutions: strength training (any amount will do!), long runs on Saturday, one workout per week, yoga on Sundays. I will need someone to push me out of my winter shuffle. And to pick up what is left of me after this first race on Sunday.