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Randy
Hi, I am Randy from the flatlands of Superior, WI. Back in the day just might be an appropriate title for this. For my 30+ seasons of running I hope to share some regional running history, trail running information, and observations about our sport / activity / pastime.
Happy trails or roads,
Randy
Hi, I am Randy from the flatlands of Superior, WI. Back in the day just might be an appropriate title for this. For my 30+ seasons of running I hope to share some regional running history, trail running information, and observations about our sport / activity / pastime.
Happy trails or roads,
Randy
June 22, 2009: Grandma's... 09 or 90...degrees
All I can say from the "back in the day" perspective is that Grandma’s was much cooler in the past and Minnesotans usually did really well. We managed to get about half of the equation correct this year. By the luck of the draw from the MN Mile last year I ended up in the Bjorklund 1/2 for the second time... really lucky for me...I feel like I should go buy some lotto tickets after the weather we had.
The heat in the half marathon for some odd reason didn't bother me. At the Western Waterfront race it wasn't an issue either. Normally I really feel the heat and just suffer. I don't have a clue what's changed or why. My run went pretty much according to my plans. Stay behind most folk that I find myself around at most 5K races and wait until Lemon Drop to pick it up. The plan didn't work exactly as planned...but satisfactorily. That I had a plan is an accomplishment for me.
I did water the entire race up to the aid station just before Lemon Drop and then took some energy drink because I missed a water table. I had a good push up the hill and kept a solid tempo for a push to the finish. Then a little while after clearing the hill I suddenly had visions of being the next Bob Kempanen… not for running speed, but for blowing chunks on the course. The Ultima didn't sit too well and brought breakfast plus a little pizza from the night before up to join the fun. It's odd that you can't seem to find an ultra runner in the half when you really need one. In the marathon you can spot them all over the place with the bottles, packs and a full pharmacy...Ibuprofen , gels, Tums, salt, E-caps, to help you out. So I dropped the pace and did a major re-group for a bit and got back up to about 80% of my prior speed about halfway down Superior Street for a reasonable finish.
Getting older (50) has another downside too...vision... I swear I saw 1:33 on my watch at the Irving only to be suppressed by the finishing clock reading 1:38...39 as I rounded the corner to the finish. My goal of a 1:30 anything with six minutes to leisurely make my way to the finish evaporated/vaporized at the turn of a corner. Next year it's Tums and bifocals.
Congratulations to those that made the best of a difficult day. If you came up short of your goal put a footnote in you training log for the race. If you exceeded your expectations and set a PR give yourself a gold star ...perhaps two.
A quick Voyager trail report...I ran from Beck's to Grand Portage to Peterson's on Sunday via Zap's loop. The trail isn't overgrown and it's hard packed and dry. The streams are bone dry...so you don't get your feet wet.
The heat in the half marathon for some odd reason didn't bother me. At the Western Waterfront race it wasn't an issue either. Normally I really feel the heat and just suffer. I don't have a clue what's changed or why. My run went pretty much according to my plans. Stay behind most folk that I find myself around at most 5K races and wait until Lemon Drop to pick it up. The plan didn't work exactly as planned...but satisfactorily. That I had a plan is an accomplishment for me.
I did water the entire race up to the aid station just before Lemon Drop and then took some energy drink because I missed a water table. I had a good push up the hill and kept a solid tempo for a push to the finish. Then a little while after clearing the hill I suddenly had visions of being the next Bob Kempanen… not for running speed, but for blowing chunks on the course. The Ultima didn't sit too well and brought breakfast plus a little pizza from the night before up to join the fun. It's odd that you can't seem to find an ultra runner in the half when you really need one. In the marathon you can spot them all over the place with the bottles, packs and a full pharmacy...Ibuprofen , gels, Tums, salt, E-caps, to help you out. So I dropped the pace and did a major re-group for a bit and got back up to about 80% of my prior speed about halfway down Superior Street for a reasonable finish.
Getting older (50) has another downside too...vision... I swear I saw 1:33 on my watch at the Irving only to be suppressed by the finishing clock reading 1:38...39 as I rounded the corner to the finish. My goal of a 1:30 anything with six minutes to leisurely make my way to the finish evaporated/vaporized at the turn of a corner. Next year it's Tums and bifocals.
Congratulations to those that made the best of a difficult day. If you came up short of your goal put a footnote in you training log for the race. If you exceeded your expectations and set a PR give yourself a gold star ...perhaps two.
A quick Voyager trail report...I ran from Beck's to Grand Portage to Peterson's on Sunday via Zap's loop. The trail isn't overgrown and it's hard packed and dry. The streams are bone dry...so you don't get your feet wet.
June 15, 2009: Randy's Blog
Back in the day .... can have multiple meanings. Welcome, for my 30th season of running I hope to share some regional running history, trail running information and an observation about our sport. My running history as a used car advertisement: More than 34,000 miles. Raced hard and often, 800+ events ranging from 1500 meters to 100 miles. 90 events have been marathons and beyond...good for long trips. A few dings and dents, no major breakdowns …normal wear for the years and mileage. The engine has lost some horsepower over time, but has been well maintained by a wonderful wife. The styling has been kept up-to-date by three vigilant teenaged daughters. The chassis is able to handle most types of terrain and weather conditions. Starts easily in sub-zero weather too.
Odds and ends…
My very 1st running event was 1980 Grandma’s Marathon. I was very pleased to discover after the marathon that there were shorter running events. I really didn’t have a clue.
I am a longtime NMTC participant, Northshore Strider and former UW-Superior CC & track Yellowjacket alumni.
About the Dachshund (Roxy) ...When you start to slow down you find a dog with short legs to run with.
Favorite event: MN Voyager 50 mile (please volunteer this year)
Running has served as a foundation for other things too: bicycle racing, nordic skiing, triathlon, and a balanced life. I believe that with running, speed is relative; it's the effort we all share as that connects us.
Happy trails...or roads,
Randy B.