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.

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.

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.