For anyone looking for a super way to get a fully supported training run in for the Whistle Stop, Twin Cities, the Hayward 1/2, Walker, or anything in the fall...I have just the thing for you! 

I'm helping to organize the first event the Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs is putting on September 13th which is your choice of a 3 mile, 13 mile, or 26 mile fun run or walk on the Munger trail.  

The event will have sag wagons, bike support, many goodies along the way, and you can run on the trail side or the tar portion!  What a nice way to get a non timed training run in!  You can start anytime between 7:30-9:30am, will be able to drop clothing and actually pick it up again if you get cold, we will have bike support at your service to get you what you need or just carry it for you along with aide stations and sag wagons if you just change your mind and want to just do 18 or 22 or something!  

For only $25 (by September 1 $35 after) you get a goody bag, a really neat long sleeved tshirt, door prizes and so much more!  

The event is listed on the website  and I can provide you with any other information your heart desires!  Pledges can be collected if desired and the top pledge getters will receive some awesome prizes for their efforts!  

If you are interested in volunteering rather than being a participant, you can work an aide station, be a bike support person, work the start/finish area, or whatever you like to do! 

I thought it was such a good cause and an event with such potential that I decided to take the ball and help them get it off the ground correctly!

Hope to hear from you! 

I have had this long time burning "desire" to run home from the general area I work in, which is kinda near the start of the 1/2 marathon. Thursday I finally had the chance to pursue my "desire" and I'd like to share this unique experience with you.

A couple of coworkers kindly allowed me to carpool with them to work last Thursday and another helpful coworker willingly dropped me off at Scenic 61 and Ryan Road so I could begin my running journey home.

The weather was absolutely dreamy with temperatures in the high 50's or low 60's, a nice tailwind, beautiful waves crashing against the rocky shoreline, light traffic...wonderful conditions for a 12 mile or so run!

As I reached mile 3 or so, certain urges in the lower bowel area began to take place...as I searched and searched for a big enough clump of trees to feel better I began to wonder if someone's front yard or polluting the big lake would be the better choice...at about mile 4.5 or so, the houses stopped and my worries were relieved.

As I continued what is a long run for me to the area of Brighton Beach I had the tough decision to make of whether to take London Road or Superior Street towards my final destination. Superior Street was chosen to avoid the potential uphill running of a few extra blocks at some point.

I took a right before Brighton Beach and went towards the railroad tracks to the dirt road that would take me to Superior Street. For the first few blocks after my turn I took my life in my own hands by running across the expressway, there was no sidewalk and the street is a concrete like substance which makes the legs long for the soft surfaces of the trail. I figured I could navigate a zig zag path that would get me up the hill in the least painful way. Unfortunately it dawned on me a bit too late that I would be forced to delay my zig zags up the hill until after 33rd or so unless I wanted to add a few extra miles and uphills...and my character did not need quite that much extra!

When biking or driving Superior street, it seems fairly level...what a deceptive perception that is! ITS NOT FLAT! The majority of my Superior Street jaunt felt much like it was going up a hill. Chi running or not, a hill is a hill especially after a long day of work, and IEP meeting, and a run the day before! I'm kinda wimpy so this is a lot for me.

I finally got to the portion where I could begin my zig zagging up the hill and discovered that the streets are just as hilly as the avenues in this town! Each time I attempted to go up an avenue to find a flat or downhill street I was greeted by yet another up uphill!

Being a bit directionally challenged, I somehow ended up on Kent during my attempts to find that perfect route. I decided to take the scenic route past Chester and over to my house where I knew that despite adding a couple more uphills, I would evenutally be treated to a couple of downhills.

After finally making it home, I was completely sleep tired exhausted...needing to lay down on the floor and just rest. My body composition includes an enormous amount of energy that continues even after races and long runs...this one just built so much character that it hurt!

One 12 mile flat run previous to this one and the couple of 15k's should have adequately prepared me for this 12.6 mile task...I am attributing the extra uncomfortableness to the majority of the final 7 miles or so being uphill...!

Did I learn a lesson...heck no! I'm planning to carpool and run home again this week! The more "character" a person can build...the better! Anyone want to join me???

I got to attend the Chi Running clinic yesterday at Snowflake and was a bit skeptical prior to trying it.  After my run today, I'm convinced it is THE way to go.  Why didn't I learn this earlier?  This should be the way all kids are taught to run in school, track, and more! 

Here's proof! 

Last week I ran the 15k Spirit course just for fun and was in a lot of pain during and after.  It was very hard to breath on the uphills, hard to finish, and I had to stop a lot.  I did stop my watch last week each time I stopped since it was just a run and my time was 1:40 with the stopping, so I figure my "real time" was more like 1:50.  I hurt the next two days too!

Today when I ran the same course for the "race" using the Chi principals I learned yesterday, it was a completely painless run, with  easy breathing, easy uphills, fast downhills and a much faster time...well not compared to most people, just faster than last week for me....1:29...with not much effort.  I could have gone faster but since I was trying this out and not sure how I would feel towards the end if I pushed it, I chose a slower cadence and also kept it slower.  I finished and felt fine, no pain and completely pain free afterwards too!

I will be bringing the clinic up to Duluth again and strongly suggest either reading the book, watching the DVD, or attending one of his clinics here or in the Twin Cities.  I think this will change running for me and man...why isn't this common knowledge for everyone?  It makes sense and is amazing!