"Winning has nothing to do with racing. Most days don't have races anyway. Winning is about struggle and effort and optimism, and never, ever, ever giving up."
















Thursday, June 17, 2010

I Haven't Much to Say as of Late........

To my faithful blog readers, if there are any out there (other than my charming husband), I apologize for my absence in blogging. To be quite honest, I haven't had much to report. It is tough to beat the bird story, and I haven't had a race lately. I do however, have the Gary Bjorkland (aka Grandma's) Half Marathon coming up this weekend! I am very much looking forward to this half, as my husband, and friends Trey and Dave will be running as well. One of my co-workers, Shannon, will be running as well, and this will be her first half marathon. I'm convinced she'll be hooked after this.

My training bud, Trey, and I, scoped out the Red White and Boom Course on Sunday. WOWZERS. I'm going to be honest and say that is the most difficult looking course I have seen. There are multiple ginormous hills on that half marathon course. There is one hill in particular, in a neighborhood called Demming Heights. Demming Heights?! Doesn't that just sound like someone's about to get slaughtered (or at least someone's legs)? It will be fine, and we will all finish. However, I am anticipating my slowest half marathon time. I'm simply chalking it up as a tough training run--only further preparing me for Chicago, come October.

My mileage has looked good this week. Since the bird attack on Saturday, I pushed my long run back to Sunday. I hammered out a 13 miler that felt good. Monday I ran a comfortable 5 miler; however, it was evident that my legs were dead tired from Sunday still. Tuesday I ran a little over 5 miles on the indoor track at Lifetime, because it was raining like crazy. After the lovely track run (please note the lack of enthusiasm towards an indoor run), I suited up and did five down and back laps in the pool. I thought I was doing pretty good, until I realized that it's not an olympic size pool! I'll celebrate my mini-victories I guess. After the swim, I changed back into my sweaty running clothes and pounded out 15 minutes on the bike. I guess you could say I did my own triathlon on Tuesday--only very out of order! Then to top off my fabulous Tuesday, that evening Jeremy and I went and did some rock climbing and bouldering at the Lifetime Fitness in Plymouth! That was a great upper body challenge. I didn't stay on the wall long, but it was a nice change of pace in regards to strength training. Looking forward to going again! Wednesday I was back on the road, doing a quick 5 miler. Today (Thursday), you would have thought the pavement was on fire! I ran 6 miles, and held an average 7:27 pace. It's been a while since I've done that. Maple Grove doesn't allow for fast times given there is virtually no flat terrain. What doesn't kill me will make me stronger I guess.

We hit the road tomorrow at 8AM for Duluth. The race starts at 6:30AM on Saturday morning. Should be a great day for a run along the shore :)

2 comments:

  1. I can't believe you have to run up the Demming Heights hill. I grew up two blocks from there and it is a steep one. Actually the top of that hill is the highest elevation in the city of mpls.

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  2. I'm so glad you know the pain that is that hill! Its going to be the end of my legs! I've never seen a hill that big.

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