One Step Closer...
Hey I'm Kelly, I live in Esko and grew up in Duluth. I have been a runner since the spring of 2004. After a setback with an ankle surgery in the fall of 2006, I am back at it, pounding the pavement. I'm always one step closer to something, whether it be a goal or a finish line. I constantly set new goals for myself, and strive to be the best I can be, in all areas of my life. I prefer to stay on the roads but have been known to do a bit of trail running, if the terrain is not too treacherous. I love running, it is the thing that sets me apart and at the same time makes me one of the gang. Please join me on my quest to grow as a runner!
Current goal:
Run my long runs at a 9:30 pace
February 20, 2009: Inspiring
Last nights movie night, Prefontaine, really inspired me to push hard today on my run. I took Mikko out with me for a 5 mile run which we were able to pound out in 42:37! It felt so great to dig down to that next gear and give just a little bit more. I could have maybe even pushed a bit harder but there was a one mile stretch on Kangas Rd that was poor footing.
I was so sad this afternoon when I opened my Run the Mac envelope expecting to see my 2009 registration form. Instead I see that this year’s race has been cancelled! I'm heading to Europe this spring and will be backpacking for 3 weeks. I am leaving just a few days after what was to be the Mac and coming back 10 days before Grandmas. Because of jet lag and the fact that I'm unsure if I will be able to do much running while I'm abroad has made me decide to forego Grandmas this year. I'm thinking I'd like to do a 5-15k while I’m gone. So does anyone know of any races in Europe around May 20th-June 10th?
Comments
It's been cancelled? Bummer - I was thinking I might finally get around to doing it this year. I'm going to miss Sour Grapes since I have a friend's wedding the same day.
Here are a couple sites, not organized by date but by country: http://www.halfmarathons.net/, also here: http://www.marathonrookie.com/europe-marathon-directory.html.
I'll do a post in the lj runners community since there's some international runners and see what they have to say, too.
Here are the suggestions, so far:
http://www.hardloopevenementen.nl/ (it's all in Dutch but maybe it can be translate with babelfish or something).
http://www.halb-marathon.de/ (again in Dutch but gives dates and websites so you can probably follow those to English)
http://www.halfmarathons.net/race_calendar_may.html (US and International)
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=1773 (UK)
Sam, you are amazing...wow!
I meant to ask you the other night about Sour Grapes.
Grandma's is sooo expensive and overwhelming and REALLY do you want to get up at 3am for a 13 mile run (after lines, bus rides, lines, lines crowds...) I am thinking it may be time to let that one go.
Any idea why so many races are cancelling?
Chadwick
Moose
Mac
Flowers
Boulder
It's sad.
Again, you are amazing, Kandi
The Moose Lake run is back this year! I hope I'll be able to do it since despite my constant complaints about the results, it's an overall well run race. Shane tells me that there are some health complications with the race director of the Mac, so that's why that's down for the year. Boulder just got pushed back to the end of May, so that's still around, which is great. Chadwick I'm not sure about and I don't know that I know what the Flowers run is so I can't help you on those :)
I highly recommend Sour Grapes! This is their old site: http://members.fortunecity.com/larsbob/sg_home/default.htm and their new: http://www.sourgrapesrun.com/. There's a State Park really close so if you like camping, I recommend staying there as it's beautiful and quiet. Anyway - the course is all on beautiful soft trails with rolling hills and one spot of super frustrating soft sand. The Half does two loops. Great people there and lots of free food afterwards.
Chadwick was canceled as there was no one to run it. Takes a lot of energy and time to put on a race and I do not think they were getting enough back in fundraising to make the time invested worth the effort. At least that was the impression I got from one of the race organizers that I know.
Bummer about the Mac...I wonder if a bunch of us helped him out if he could do it? I'm guessing that is Mickey? He's a friend of Gene's...I used a lot of his equipment for the Dr. Nancy English run...I'd love to help put that one on for him! It's a legendary race! I hope Mickey is ok...if anyone knows anything and if it's a for sure no matter what cancelled I'd like to help out...he was wonderful about helping us out! He saved us with all his equipment!
Dr. Nancy English race will be on again next year I believe two weeks before Thanksgiving again!
What is the Boulder race that is cancelled? Is that at Boulder Lake?
I'm also not doing Grandma's anymore...after over a decade of them...I'd love to find a trail run that weekend...15k is my favorite distance!
On the bright side of things... We are quite blessed by the sheer abundance and quality of local races and events.
What is the Flowers run?
Thank you everyone, the Flower Run had a test drive last year and I did that and it was fun. Bella Flora was organizing it.
I am very happy to hear about Moose Run and Boulder, 2 of my favorites!