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.

You're miles from where anyone will find you . . .

New Prague Half-Marathon FULL RESULTS
Saturday, May 12, 2007

And it went like this . . .

Overall/Female
139/20 Jessica Deutsch (1:31:47, 7:00 pace)
182/25 Elizabeth Flanagan (1:34:56, 7:15 pace)
225/32 Eva Taylor (1:37:38, 7:27 pace)
539/148 Sarah Margoles (1:55:04, 8:47 pace)

Good job, Mississippi River Road Runners! While USATF uses our actual times for results, I am posting chip times here. I started too far back from the starting line, wove my way through the crowd the first mile, and settled in by mile two with the typical 45-year old man who runs with me for the about 2/3 of the race. One annoying young fellow insisted on sprinting about five feet in front of us every time we were about to pass him. On a hill, we dropped him, his blaring iPod, and gratuitious mailbox bashing. Around mile nine, I left my running friend. At mile twelve, I stopped, walked, accepted a LifeSaver that one of the spectators was handing out, and did what I could that last stretch.

A 2-minute personal best for me. In Brooklyn, with the company of the enthusiastic Hector (also a 40-something) and three glasses of Sangria the night before, I ran 1:34:19 on a mostly flat course. No complaints here. I'm taking it easy for awhile now, since I do not have to do that silly half-marathon in Duluth.

Next race: Brian Kraft 5K on Memorial Day.