From the Back of the Pack
I might always be in the back of the running pack, but I'm addicted to it! When I miss more than a day it affects my energy, attitude, and the rest of life in general! I have had a lot of "character" building runs in the deep snow, extreme nose hair freezing cold, ankle high rain, and gale force winds over the past twenty five years and find some of those days to be the most peaceful rewarding outings of all! I'm one of those runners who is slow and steady, but goes forever and ever without ever getting tired.
September 23, 2009: Walker Pics
September 19, 2009: Walker
My first half in a long time ...was today at Walker...running with a hamstring tear restricted my pace to 11-13's after starting out too fast...my time is nothing special...however two of our Duluthian's did awesome!
In the men's full Jonas was moving quickly and finished in 2nd place overall with a time of 3:07, almost 7 minutes behind the first place man who claims he has not run much lately, yet he was flying! Jonas had a great lead on the 3rd place male too of 7 or 8 minutes! On the women's side, Leslie finished in 3:24, putting her in first place for the female marathon, she also came flying by me and I believe the next female was 3:41! Way to represent Duluth!!
It was a very hot, humid day up there, 75', sunny, and 80% humidity, something us Duluthians have experienced very little of so that was a challenge! I had heard about all the hills and how this was a trail run and compared to what we run on around here, there were very little of either! The half started on the paved bike trail and was basically in the sun for most of the first 4 miles, then we got to go into the heavenly woods for about 4 or 5 miles, during which time an aide station was missing...that kinda messed Jonas's hydration plan up but Leslie was carrying her own beverage. After the woods, we went onto a dirt road which was sun and shade for awhile, then we were on the road for like the last mile or two and it ended on an uphill into the track area. The people in the full who went over 5 hours were hot!
A new runner in Duluth, Tyler B. placed 5th overall in the half with a time of 1:34...he won his age group too! Rick B. did the full, Paul, Steve H. and a few more did the full and half from the area.
August 30, 2009: New race concept ideas sought by Chris Fuller...The Sporting Life
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=39911428415&topic=9958.
Click on this link...give your ideas...and let your race fantasies begin!
August 25, 2009: Want to see if you can run 100 miles in 24 hours?
Jim Pospisil does! Jim was by far the cheeriest runner at the Voyager 50 too! He will be running a 4.5 Mile loop in Hartley starting at 6 am on Friday the 28th and will continue running until Saturday the 29th at 6am in preparation for some upcoming ultra's.
Jim is looking for company for any or all of the run! He plans to take about 55 minutes per loop and will be tracking the time of each lap on a sign in sheet at his house, which just happens to be a couple of blocks from the trail! So if you want to join him, all you have to do is wait at his house until he comes by again or run backwards on the trail unti you find him! His plan is to start each loop on the hour, however, we all know how plans and running sometimes go...so if you are able to wait for him that's great!
During the night, he may have light up braceletts around the branches illuminating the trail for you! During the day if enough people plan to join him, he will mark the route he plans to use with survey tape. You'll want a headlamp for the night running and he plans to have a few extra flashlights for those in need.
Just a wee bit of background info on Jim...he's run some marathons, the Voyager 1/2 and then the full...this will be his longest run ever...beyond running he is the music director at Peace Church and plays in the DSSO...has a great wife who is also in the DSSO and adorable toddler son...!
He would like to have people who plan to join him email him...I plan to join him late morning for hopefully two or three laps...anyone and everyone is welcome for as long or as short as you'd like to go! He plans to run a 12-13 minute pace so if that works for you please do it!
Jim lives at 1425 North Road.(North Road is off of Howard Gniesen, the western official Hartley entranc...this will be the "aide station/check in point". You can email him to let him know you will be there ahead of time at:
Jjpospisil@aol.com
Happy running!!
August 9, 2009: Brule Race
Huge thanks to Shari Olson ROTM and her amazing crew for again putting on a great race! For those of you who have yet to experience this event, here are some of the things I think make it have that "special touch":
* Water at least 4 times on the course during a 5 mile run!
* Mile marker signs that are big and easy to read, even a 4 1/2 mile marker sign!
* Low key friendly race volunteers!
* Great door prizes, even though I didn't win this year: (
* Results are immediately posted.
* Awards begin promptly after the last finisher!
* Door prizes before the awards!
* Good door prizes first so everyone gets a chance!
* Parking is easy!
* Winners get a jacket which is great!
* Other prizes were useful, like socks!
* Course was in great shape even though we had rain! Pretty flat and it even starts at the top of the hill instead of us running up it!
* Very well marked course with plenty of people out there to direct and make us feel safe!
* Inexpensive entry fee!!
* Brule has a chicken feed and a huge garage sale same day!
It was a great event! Shirts were not as impressive this year due to the economy...that's ok...the last one I got there was super neat and a women's cut!
Despite having a torn hamstring from a "bowling" accident and being restricted on pace so as to avoid further injury, I had a fun run!
If you are looking for a race for next year, heck even if you aren't...this is worth a try!!