It was a HOT and cloudless day...... as this story opens.

First off I think the forcast for the race was in the mid fifties at the start and the low 70's at the finish. That was the last thing my daughter and I heard from the TV weather guys before heading off to sleep.

Upon awaking and arriving at the start it was already in the 70's and getting warmer. My oldest daughter, Heather, and I had decided to run the first couple of miles together and then I was going to drop back. She wanted to run a faster marathon then I did, but we wanted to run together so it was our comprise.

We started together and at 3 miles I dropped back to my pace and she was gone. Or that is what I thought. I saw a runner walking on the shoulder at 7 miles that looked like her from the back as I got close I knew it was her. She was not a happy camper, hot, dejected and just upset.

We took a break in what shade there was and then we started off. We threw time out the window and made our goal to finish. As we continued she said go ahead I am holding you back. I said I am not leaving my wingman. (Compliments of Topgun)Throughout the course she got stronger and stronger and by Duluth (19) she was hop skiping along and was back to her old self. That is only half the story.

I on the other hand was getting more and more sick do to the sun. By 19 I was starting to get the yucky stomach. We ran - walked for the next couple of miles and by 23 she was carrying me. We would walk and I would say I am not walking that fast. Then we would run and have a goal get there and walk. We found that ice was a precious comodity. At one point near Lemon Drop a gal was handing ice out. She had went and bought it with her own money how sweet. Thank you.

 We rounded the back of the arena to see the sign on F.I. Salter flash 91 degrees. I said it is a good thing I did not know that or I would have quit.

We crossed the 26 mile mark and I said if you sprint I will disown you, she smiled and said I am not leaving my wing man. We have come this far together we will finish together. It was a great finish hand in hand each of us needing the other to get through the race. Our time stunk but our time together was priceless. It was a very memorable race.

Favorite signs on the course. " 3 monthes ago I thought this was a good idea" and

"pass the weak, hurdle the dead"

I am wondering who is running this weekend?

Write your name Race (5k, 1/2 or full) and your number, if you have it.

I think it may be fun for those not running to be able to keep tabs on us that are.

Thanks

Jim Booth    Full  #3227

Do you know if you don't submit a blog BEFORE viewing it you loose everything and then you have to retype it:)

Every have one of the runs that just is plain YUCKY!!!!

That was me today. I started at Endion staion, the 26 mile mark, and planned on running to the bottom of Lemon Drop hill the 22 mile mark and back.

(Tivia) Anyone remember why it is called Lemon Drop Hill. I am old enough to remember:)

Anyway, Syd and I ran Hartley yesterday and flew. It was a blast. Starting off today I felt Slow, my feet felt like lead and I was plain tired. I thought if I took the first mile slow, I could work out the cobwebs, WRONG!!!! It never happened.

The weather was HOT, Humid and the wind was at my back going out. I was lethargic,and Slow!!!! I thought turning at 22 and running in to the wind would help. It did feel better but did not help my run. The only good thing about this run is that it is over:)

One short week before Grandma's I will train a 4, 3, and 2 mile run take Friday completely off. My daughter will be in town friday, I will make pasta at home. We will head up to the start via Voyuguer bus company. Look for her at the 3:50 mark look for me at the 4:10 mark. Say HI.

By the way I know ...It is all down hill from here, I am looking good, and I am doing great. LOL

Enjoy your day

Safe Jouney

No I am not insane and ran both a 30k and a half last weekend. My oldest daughter, Heather and I ran the 30k and my younger Daughter, Kelly, ran the Minneapolis 1/2 marathon. I spectated.

The 30K was in White Bear Lake, the course was not all that senic, but the volunteers were fantastic. Some interesting things happened to me on the run, With in the first mile a man landed wrong on his foot and fell under me. I had to jump over him to avoid him. I stopped and made sure he was ok. He was more embarrassed then anything. Later, I was running by a truck that had some barking dogs in it, one bounced off the window and shattered it all over me. After that I took a wrong turn and ran about six blocks more then I had too. But all in all Heather and I made our time. We felt relieved that the long runs are done.

Kelly, ran the first Minneapolis half marathon. Heather and I planted ourself a the 7 mile mark (It was also the 11 mile mark on the way back). The hill that was there had to be almost the entire mile. There was a TON of runners. It was amazing, for the first annual that they had thousands of runners. Kelly ran well, thought the course was senic but very difficult.

Running with my daughters is always a treat but what is more fun is what we do when we aren't running. I was invited to the brewfest saturday evening, downtown Minneapolis, then to a brunch on Sunday after the 1/2 and ended the day with 9 holes of golf. No I am not good but we have fun.

If you have little ones, enjoy them, but to me the older they get the closer we get. I had the best week end since last month when we got together. I know this isn't exactly a true running blog but I thought I would share.

Enjoy.

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.