Hopkins Hilly MDRA part I
Last Saturday I ran the hilly Hopkins 7 mile MDRA fun run. I had to walk a few times, lots of hills, but my last mile was sub 8, and I finished just over 1:01.

This Saturday (4-3) is basically the same course, but it's a 25k run, and they add an even bigger hill that we get to run twice. I'm glad I did the 7 miler, so I'll know the correct pace to make it through 15.5 miles. Great training for me, as I've been concentrating on biking in March, so my run numbers are way down.

I'm having fun this week reading Ironman Canada race reports. 5 months to go! I've lost about 10 lbs. so far this month. Basically, from all the biking I've been doing, I'm too tired to eat! And when I do, I'm eating healthy choices, and smaller portions. But I'm not hungry. Funny how you can change your body into an efficient calorie burner!

Still planning my training and racing strategy for 2010

March 24, 2010
The slowtwitch March Madness challenge and the awesome Minnesota Spring weather has allowed me to put in lots of outdoor bike miles. I should hit 1000k for the month of March.
MDRA 7 mile fun run on Saturday, March 27th, then a 25k MDRA event the next Saturday. April brings Minnesota Ironman 100 mile bike ride, and Trail Mix 25k (I might sign up for the 50k). Probably do the May 1/2 marathons again (Wells Fargo, New Prague, Apple Blossom, with the White Bear Lake 30k ending the month).

Twin Cities Marathon

Sunny but cool temps greated the runners on the morning of Oct. 4th. It began for me with a 3 o'clock wake up to eat some breakfast and stretch. Then drive to St. Paul, park at Sears, but I got there so early, there was lots of street parking, so I said what the heck, I'll save 10 bucks.

Hopped the warm bus at the Kelly Inn to the Metrodome, and no turning back now. If I wanted to get back to my car, I had 26.2 miles to run.

Filed into the Dome, and began the long "hurry up and wait". Last year I saw my friend Maureen, who did ran her first marathon with me. She has since qualified for Boston at least 3 times. Finally it was time to head out, stand in line at the portable toilets, then drop the dry clothes bag, and walk to the start. Frantic runners all around me rushing to the starting gate, if they only knew we had lots of time. I started nearly in the back, and slowly walked for several minutes before crossing the start line mats.

The race itself pretty uneventful, I felt pretty good the whole way, tighted up a bit during the hills on the St. Paul side of the parkway, and actually found Summit to be a peaceful jog. Got the big payback rounding Cathedral hill, and viewing the finish line. TCM finish has to be one of the best marathon finishes anyone. Time: 4:27. Not a PR, but 5 weeks after IMC, I'll take it.

March in Minnesota

Nice weather is allowing outdoor biking. First ride outdoors was Feb. 28th. Ridden over 600k so far this month, got to be a record for me. Even when I lived in SoCal I didn't ride that much. I wish I was back there, not only seeing friends, but I'd like to revisit some of my bike routes. The Santa Susanna's, Angeles Crest, Topanga and Santa Monica's, and of course Mulholland and Kannan Rd.
One time I "got lost", and ended up at Point Magu. That was a 100 miler I hadn't planned on riding that day!

Day off

Been going pretty hard and yesterday had a sore throat. Today decided to have a rest day, no workouts. I'll try to put in some big miles this weekend. First race is 25k on April 3rd.