Do we not live in one of the most beautiful places on this planet!! :)  It is literally our back yard. I am talking about the Superior Hiking Trail. It runs 39 miles from Jay Cooke Park to Hawk Ridge. I thank the crew that has made this trail a reality.

Today, Syd and I did the portion from Vermillion Road (near Hartley Nature Center) to the trailhead on Martin Road and then Back to the trailhead on Jean Duluth Road and back to Vermillion. It was so beautiful and relaxing.

A few years ago, I ran parts of that area with a friend from lakeside, so I was able to combine the snowmobile trails with the SHT to make a sort of loop. A lot of it was near Amnity Creek so Syd had a way to drink and cool off. I am considing running it tomorrow, but for today a hike was just what the doctor ordered. Experiancing the Superior Hiking Trail is peaceful, relaxing and best of all it is close by. If you would like to hike the trail and need a hiking partner lets talk at the next race.

Sometimes, we have to take some quiet time to recenter and refresh ourselves. It is hard for me not to do something every day for a work out. I only share this because, I know there are more of you that read this blog that understands this statement, then those that don't get it:) I encourge you to take that day, once in awhile, and do something other then working out. It actually makes you more motivated for what tomorrow has in store.

So lets see if there is not huge up hills, ticks, swamps, or freezing cold rain, let's have ungodly heat. I think that is what the powers to be were saying when they were preparing the conditions for the race.

Hot does not discribe the way I felt on the return. Going out we had the "breeze", 25 MPH wind is more acuate but at least it was somewhat cooling. Coming back there was nothing. Syd, my pup, had to stop 4 times to get wet and cool off. Each time I caught back up to where I was in line, except the last time, I said the heck with it.

Afterwards, at salsa, Nate, Aga and I were discussing the condtions, it was in the 40's at Agas (lakeside) 50's at Nates, (West part of Duluth) and a balmy 90 at my house (Duluth Heights) How does the earth do it with out warping, cracking or something?

And by the way, Eve I think you are correct, I will continue the test but..... We will see

Anyway, I was proud of Syd, she was the first dog to cross the finish line:) As hot as she was, She loved the river after the race. I had a great run, I had great visits, and I invite you all to come Salsa after next weeks run.

Wasn't the weather fantastic today for the 15K ? I had a BLAST! I started out with Eve and Lambardi and visited as we ran. I enjoyed our conversation and then Eve decided it was time for her to turn around. I took Lambardi and my dog Syd for the rest of the run. Yes the helped pull me up the hills:)

I met Jay and Shelly, Visited with a few people I can't recall names, but I will, keep introducing yourselves. Steve was cooking on the down hills and Jason had a great run, as did Doug, (he has always ended up ahead of me). Gene was his normal chipper self. We have such a wonderful bunch of runners I get so much positive energy from being around you guys it is AWSOME.Can't wait til Weds to run with you guys again. Til then take care be safe and enjoy the your day.

As I sit here and think of the bull run, I think a better name would be the goat run as in billy goat. You need the agility the goat has to do that run. Or it could be called ridge runner. But ultimatley tick run would win if it was renamed. That being said...

I ran that course as part of Adventure Duluth and I wondered then as I did now "they got to be kidding they expect me to RUN up that" Aint going to happen.

Random thoughts

How many of you saw the two water towers?

How many ticks did you find? I had 8

How many lost runners did you find? I found 2

How many times did you do the course? again 2

How many new people did you meet? LOTS thats is the best part of the races.

How many actually truly honestly ran up the two hills on the backside of the loop? NOT ME

How many are showing up Sunday? we had about the same for the first two races 95 can we break 100 on Sunday? Bring a friend I am.

Finally, as far as the two runners that were lost. They did everything right. They stayed together, they did not panic and they stayed on a trail. Let's all remember safety first.

Ever have a day when you just are not motivated. You feel like crap. But you know from experiance that if you just get out and run a little you will feel better about yourself and the day becomes good?

That was me today, My stomach has been yucky since Weds night run. Maybe it was the cold and drizzle, I am not sure, I just have not felt good for a couple of days. So I decided to take Syd and go run and walk if neccesary, at Hartley. I was determained to get out there.

Syd and I have not been to Hartley for a month or so, I have been waiting for it to dry up some. Syd has been "confined" on our runs by her lease. What a blast she had in Hartley. It was a chuckle just watching her. She would stop let me get a few strides in front of her then she would blast by me and look back with her little doggy smile. I wish I had that speed and endurance.

I ran around the water and mud as much as I could, she bathed in it. She has a favorite spot on the river where she runs down a hill and wades up to her chest, (she doen not swim). Today she ran down and jumped in and the look of shock on her face as she found out how COLD that water was, made me crack up. She was out in a heart beat.

Sometimes not feeling well and forcing yourself to get off the couch does much more for you attitude then one could imagine.

Enjoy your week end and for those of you running Eau Claire 1/2 or any races good luck. My daughter and I are doing the Lake Minnetonka 1/2. Have a great weekend.