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. 

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

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.

"Begin at the beginning and go on until you come to the end: then stop."

It's been far too long since my last post. For now, here are the stats from June through September:

Grandma's Marathon
June 16, 2007

981/176. Betsy Flanagan, 3:37:42 (8:23)
3675/1079. Sarah Margoles, 4:28:27 (10:25)

USATF Women's Team Results
1. Run 'N Fun, 8:40:15
2. Gear, 8:59:37
3. Northwoods, 9:09:39
4. Prairie Striders, 10:08:28
5. Team Ortho, 10:09:30
6. Club Run, 13:25:01
7. MDRA, 14:26:37

Sarah and Alison reunite.


After every good race, a shot of Knob Creek.



Rice Street Mile
July 28, 2007

101/7. Kelsey Barale, 5:32
118/10. Jessica Deutsch, 5:50
147/20. Kate Taylor, 6:28
148/21. Sarah Margoles, 6:32

USATF Women's Team Results
1. Gear, 29:27

MDRA 15K
August 11, 2007

14. Melissa Grunst, 1:04:52 (6:58)
15. Andrea Grunst, 1:04:52 (6:58)
18. Eva Taylor, 1:06:07 (7:06)
20. Jessica Deutsch, 1:06:54 (7:11)
41. Sarah Margoles, 1:21:44 (8:46)

USATF Women's Team Results
1. Gear, 4:56:01
2. Run 'N Fun, 5:05:28
3. Mississippi River Road Runners, 5:44:29

City of Lakes
September 9, 2007

17. Jessica Deutsch, 1:48:08 (6:58)
26. Andrea Grunst, 1:52:24 (7:14)
27. Melissa Grunst, 1:52:25 (7:14)

USATF Women's Team results
1. Run 'N Fun, 4:58:17
2. Gear, 5:00:27
3. Mississippi River Road Runners, 5:32:57
4. Prairie Striders, 5:52:32