And it's because I've been totally slacking. I enjoyed my last post about the Lyndale Ave. doe - in fact, it reminded me that I haven't been jogging for a while. That's because on June 21, I completed my first half-marathon (Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon) in conjunction with Grandma's Marathond in Duluth, MN. Great time - I met my goal of finishing in under 2 hours.
Official stats:
8:35 minute/mile pace
1 hour, 50 minutes and 4 seconds, start-to-finish
328th - my placing by sex (out of 3,016 ladies)
1,137 placing overall
Showing posts with label Marathon training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marathon training. Show all posts
Monday, August 4, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
That deer in the headlight look
I think I know the full meaning of "that deer in the headlight look." Oh sure, I've traveled enough to ambush many unsuspecting wildlife attempting to cross man's civilization, but last night's event tops them all.
It was raining in the Metro area. Enough so that softball was cancelled (boo-hiss!) and everyone made plans to stay snuggly and dry inside. Not me. I made sure to get my 5-mile run in for the day. Donning a neon green shirt, blue shorts and cap, I hit the door. It was only raining softly.
A few weeks back (see my last post), I had encountered a deer grazing near an apartment complex along South Lyndale. Well, as I neared the end of Lyndale, heading down a great big hill that separate's Missisippi's flood plain from development, out popped this beautiful doe. She was easy to see among the brilliant green leaves and slightly damp, heavy air - plus she was reddish-brown, more like Red Angus than doe-skin. It look my breath away.
The doe was crossing from one side of the road to the other (closer to I-35W, the poor beast!). It bounded out of the wood with a mission, but came to an abrupt stop as it saw me panting my way down the hill. She turned to retreat, but stood long enough to try and figure out what I was. We got within 10 feet of each other, each locked in a calming staredown. She leapt back into the wood, took two or three steps, and paused to look at me once more.
By the time I reached my turnaround (when I hit the river), I was silently thanking God for the beautiful and unexpected gifts he gives me. Just outside my window as I type this, a small bird came and sat on the ledge, twittering and peering in on me. It's so good to be alive and to be sensitive to the smallest of details.
It was raining in the Metro area. Enough so that softball was cancelled (boo-hiss!) and everyone made plans to stay snuggly and dry inside. Not me. I made sure to get my 5-mile run in for the day. Donning a neon green shirt, blue shorts and cap, I hit the door. It was only raining softly.
A few weeks back (see my last post), I had encountered a deer grazing near an apartment complex along South Lyndale. Well, as I neared the end of Lyndale, heading down a great big hill that separate's Missisippi's flood plain from development, out popped this beautiful doe. She was easy to see among the brilliant green leaves and slightly damp, heavy air - plus she was reddish-brown, more like Red Angus than doe-skin. It look my breath away.
The doe was crossing from one side of the road to the other (closer to I-35W, the poor beast!). It bounded out of the wood with a mission, but came to an abrupt stop as it saw me panting my way down the hill. She turned to retreat, but stood long enough to try and figure out what I was. We got within 10 feet of each other, each locked in a calming staredown. She leapt back into the wood, took two or three steps, and paused to look at me once more.
By the time I reached my turnaround (when I hit the river), I was silently thanking God for the beautiful and unexpected gifts he gives me. Just outside my window as I type this, a small bird came and sat on the ledge, twittering and peering in on me. It's so good to be alive and to be sensitive to the smallest of details.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Wow - wildlife!
Marathon training - correction, half marathon training continues. It's Tuesday, and I've already logged 21 miles (10 Sunday, 5 Monday, 6 this morning...)! And let me tell you, this week, even the wildlife are supporting me.
It began in Brookings, SD, where I tackled a new trail for the 10-mile effort. Basically, I got on the bike path and followed faded chalk markers from the Brookings Marathon (held May 10). Along my way, you wouldn't believe how many cottontail rabbits I saw - at least a dozen - and one that even wanted to race me. I knew about the cotton-tail plague in Brookings (hence South Dakota State University's mascot, the jackrabbit), so this didn't phase me. Later during my run, two ducks were getting "friendly" in a pond, if you know what I mean. It didn't matter what the wildlife were doing - the weather was fabulous, and no wind.
On Monday after work, I hit my favorite lake to run, Lake Nokomis (side note, this is where my fiance proposed to me!). It was a gloomy run, meaning the park was almost all but deserted - just the way I like it, except for the absence of dogs - I love running their for all the interesting combinations of canines I spot. But on my jog, I ran into a most likely creature - a painted turtle, just hanging out by a garbage can. I couldn't stop grinning after seeing that rascal. Coincidentally, he popped his head into his home at the sound of my labor breathing!
To top it all off, this morning was another gloomy run. On my way to the Mississippi Landing on S. Lyndale avenue, I surprised not only myself, but a white-tail deer nibbling on tender blades of grass at an apartment complex. Holy cow, of all things to see in Bloomington, MN, I didn't expect to see white tailed deer! Perhaps I should reconsider hunting on the family farm and set up a stand on Lyndale...
It began in Brookings, SD, where I tackled a new trail for the 10-mile effort. Basically, I got on the bike path and followed faded chalk markers from the Brookings Marathon (held May 10). Along my way, you wouldn't believe how many cottontail rabbits I saw - at least a dozen - and one that even wanted to race me. I knew about the cotton-tail plague in Brookings (hence South Dakota State University's mascot, the jackrabbit), so this didn't phase me. Later during my run, two ducks were getting "friendly" in a pond, if you know what I mean. It didn't matter what the wildlife were doing - the weather was fabulous, and no wind.
On Monday after work, I hit my favorite lake to run, Lake Nokomis (side note, this is where my fiance proposed to me!). It was a gloomy run, meaning the park was almost all but deserted - just the way I like it, except for the absence of dogs - I love running their for all the interesting combinations of canines I spot. But on my jog, I ran into a most likely creature - a painted turtle, just hanging out by a garbage can. I couldn't stop grinning after seeing that rascal. Coincidentally, he popped his head into his home at the sound of my labor breathing!To top it all off, this morning was another gloomy run. On my way to the Mississippi Landing on S. Lyndale avenue, I surprised not only myself, but a white-tail deer nibbling on tender blades of grass at an apartment complex. Holy cow, of all things to see in Bloomington, MN, I didn't expect to see white tailed deer! Perhaps I should reconsider hunting on the family farm and set up a stand on Lyndale...
Friday, May 9, 2008
Cries of spring
Hark! Spring has sprung in the Twin Cities area, and it seems to have completely taken me by surprise. I have been looking for signs during my jogging escapades these last few weeks, but now it seems like spring has sprung on me! Here's the rundown of what I saw Thursday, May 8 on my first-ever run along Minnehaha Parkway:
- Daffodils and tulips growing along Minnehaha creek.
- A bleeding heart in full bloom growing amongst the cracks of a stone bridge.
- Ducks, ducks and more ducks! These fellas had deer-hunter orange feet and handsome mallard heads.
- Road construction on the I-35W overpass, which shut down the sidewalk for bikers.
- Fruit trees in early spring blossom - both white and pink.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
10 Hens & A Tom
My brother, bless his heart, is a last-minute kind of a guy. He calls Monday afternoon, "Alaina, can you do me a big favor?" Ok, I respond, somewhat hesitantly. "Can you watch C.J. tomorrow so I can take Mandy out for her birthday?"
Yes - this is not a problem. Mentally I flip through my schedule for Tuesday - run and softball practice. I was secretly hoping he'd say, "I'm making dinner, come on over!" So I cancel out on softball and decide to run my 4.5 mile hill-workout before work. That means getting up at 5:30 a.m., driving to the area with a nice hill to work out on, and getting back home in time to shower and go to work.
Surprisingly, I woke up Tuesday morning and tackled this challenge. It's a bit scary running along the Mississippi River in pre-dawn light. At every creak in the trees and rustle of leaves I thought it was some wayward soul coming after me. I didn't see a soul for 45 minutes - but what I did encounter was truly magical.
My first spectator was a Minnesota loon swiming quietly along the banks of the Mississippi. Then there were the big, fat red-breasted robins, annoying white seagull birds, and a "herd" of ducks. On the second half of my workout I saw a serene blue heron and a swimming otter, or was it a beaver, in the lake? But my biggest group of fans were the 10 hens and a tom.
As I made my loop around the park, I committed myself to doing my last "hill-work out" (running up the hill at full speed, over the top, to build endurance) by the marina - a formidable incline for this novice runner, and about 0.2 miles long. As I started up the hill, I saw a second diverent path that followed along the river. On that path, I thought there were bird-like statues guarding the entrance for motorized vehicles - how clever, I chuckled to myself. But I was wrong. As I got closer, I realized these were real life birds - turkeys!
My fiance tells are great story about turkey hunting and calling in big Toms. So, I gave it a try as I jogged by. *blolololololgh!* The turkeys cocked their head sideways at me. I called again. *BLOLOGLOGLOGH!* They didn't even skitter away, I was just as out of place to them as they were to me. But oh, the giggle I got seeing those unsuspecting visitors.
It was well worth getting up early and working out so I could watch my nephew, Carter Jace. He's able to jump now, and babble some coherent words. But watch out, when you ask for a kiss, he only puckers up and plants one on your lips (not your cheek!).
Sorry for the absence of blogposts... major life changes taking place... expect more details in the next week.
Yes - this is not a problem. Mentally I flip through my schedule for Tuesday - run and softball practice. I was secretly hoping he'd say, "I'm making dinner, come on over!" So I cancel out on softball and decide to run my 4.5 mile hill-workout before work. That means getting up at 5:30 a.m., driving to the area with a nice hill to work out on, and getting back home in time to shower and go to work.
Surprisingly, I woke up Tuesday morning and tackled this challenge. It's a bit scary running along the Mississippi River in pre-dawn light. At every creak in the trees and rustle of leaves I thought it was some wayward soul coming after me. I didn't see a soul for 45 minutes - but what I did encounter was truly magical.
My first spectator was a Minnesota loon swiming quietly along the banks of the Mississippi. Then there were the big, fat red-breasted robins, annoying white seagull birds, and a "herd" of ducks. On the second half of my workout I saw a serene blue heron and a swimming otter, or was it a beaver, in the lake? But my biggest group of fans were the 10 hens and a tom.
As I made my loop around the park, I committed myself to doing my last "hill-work out" (running up the hill at full speed, over the top, to build endurance) by the marina - a formidable incline for this novice runner, and about 0.2 miles long. As I started up the hill, I saw a second diverent path that followed along the river. On that path, I thought there were bird-like statues guarding the entrance for motorized vehicles - how clever, I chuckled to myself. But I was wrong. As I got closer, I realized these were real life birds - turkeys!
My fiance tells are great story about turkey hunting and calling in big Toms. So, I gave it a try as I jogged by. *blolololololgh!* The turkeys cocked their head sideways at me. I called again. *BLOLOGLOGLOGH!* They didn't even skitter away, I was just as out of place to them as they were to me. But oh, the giggle I got seeing those unsuspecting visitors.
It was well worth getting up early and working out so I could watch my nephew, Carter Jace. He's able to jump now, and babble some coherent words. But watch out, when you ask for a kiss, he only puckers up and plants one on your lips (not your cheek!).
Sorry for the absence of blogposts... major life changes taking place... expect more details in the next week.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Welcome world!
As I type, it's nearing 50ยบ F outside. Wonderful. I'm plotting my first outdoor run of the season this afternoon with running mate, Brent. We're training for the Garry Bjorklund's Half Marathon (run in conjunction with Grandma's Marathon, Duluth, MN). The 13.1 mile trek doesn't seem that formiddable, until you learn that I have an aversion to running.
Ok, maybe not aversion. I just don't see the point in running unless there's something to chase. For instance, I have no problem kicking up my heels to skirt in a wayward calf at the farm. Nor do I get winded rounding first base looking for second. But there's a reason and a purpose for running then ... on your own it pits YOU vs. EVERYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO DO. It leaves me wondering which is strong, "My mind, or my will?"
Tonight I hope to continue Day 2 of training... 2 miles!
Ok, maybe not aversion. I just don't see the point in running unless there's something to chase. For instance, I have no problem kicking up my heels to skirt in a wayward calf at the farm. Nor do I get winded rounding first base looking for second. But there's a reason and a purpose for running then ... on your own it pits YOU vs. EVERYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO DO. It leaves me wondering which is strong, "My mind, or my will?"
Tonight I hope to continue Day 2 of training... 2 miles!
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