2025

 

Ooof!  2025. That just seems crazy. Time is zooming by and here I am, 60 years old!  Yes, 60! For 20 years I've been writing this blog. 

I've set a few goals as this brand new 60 year old.  I am running FANS 24 hour run in June. When I looked at my past results at FANS I realized I was a beginner runner while I was racing there. I ran each year from 2004-2009. My first FANS I would have been running only a few years and I was 38 years old. Wow. Well, as a 60 year old I'm doing some things that I have been putting off. One of them is going back to FANS. A goal I placed in 2004 was to run 1000 miles at FANS-I have 648 miles now and am going to pick that goal back up and finish it off over the next few years.

Another goal is to book a running trip with Andy and Kim's Adventure Running. I had booked a trip to run the Wonderland Trail with them in 2014 but had to back out. I booked with them this June for a Yosemite running trip. I'm sure looking forward to it. I'd like to go to Europe with them next year.

I'm going to try to qualify for Boston again. When I last qualified I had to run a 345 which I did at Grandma's but I decided to run McNaughton 100 instead of Boston. Now I believe I have to run about 7 minutes faster than my qualifying time as there are so many people trying to get there. My qualifying time is 420. I'm running Wobegon in May to see if it will happen.

Race wise for 2025:

January-ran Northwoods Marathon

April-Zumbro 34

May-Wobegon Marathon

June-FANS 24 Hour Run

June-Adventure Running Yosemite

July-Afton 50K

August-Badger Run 100

October-Hennepin Hundred - maybe -this is a Western Qualifier - I am so shocked

Many many more 'turned 60' goals to come. 

I bought a new puppy since I've last posted, he's now 1.5 years old. Another Border Collie, of course. A blue merle, a little boy I've named him Tempo. Rising Sun Run Tempo Run. He's a cutie, a smart little guy, loves to run and train. Just what I needed. 

FANS

One thing that is so nice about FANS is that it is so close to home. Minneapolis is only an hour drive away from home so I am able to sleep in, eat an early breakfast, drink some coffee, pack up the car and be on my way.

In the 8 years that I have been running FANS I don't believe that I have run one where it has rained. All. Day. Long.

Well, actually we began before the rain started. It began to rain a few hours in and it would not let up. It was so wet that my fingernail polish began to bubble off and my nails are opaque.

As I pulled into a spot on the street I knew it was going to rain so decided to just leave all of my gear in the car. I didn't bring a tent and didn't want my bag of items getting soaked on the grass. I laid everything out in an orderly fashion and then left to pick up my packet and number.

Lots of familiar faces. I remember the first few years I ran FANS I didn't know anyone at the race. Over the years I now associate certain runners with FANS. Lots of meeting and greeting. Great fun.

I decided to begin running in a long sleeve and shorts. It was cool, 45F and windy. I figured I'd add a jacket when the rain began. As it turned out, I probably waited too long to add a jacket. I was freezing, soaking wet when I finally decided to go to my car and change shirts, bra and add my dry jacket. Ah, it felt so good.

I brought along plenty of gear; gloves, jackets, long sleeves, pants, shorts..you name it I had it. I had HEED, Hammergel, Red Bull, Sandwiches. Everything I needed.

After about 2 hours I knew I wasn't in the race mentally. You know, you can have the physical training in but if you aren't in it mentally, you just aren't in. I wasn't in. It has been almost a year since I've been in an ultra mentally. I guess the flame began to flicker around the time of the Voyageur 50 last July. I've tried to get it to burn bright again, but it just isn't there. I'm OK with that now. I wasn't feeling my groove. I wasn't in the race when I mailed in my entry. Probably why I waited until last minute to sign up.

I was tired. Topaz has been sick and I've been sick with worry. I haven't been sleeping well. I decided I'd run anyway, thought I might have a last hurrah at FANS. I had a hurrah, a 12 hour hurrah.

At 730 Steve called. I became worried. In the two seconds it took me to answer my cell I had a zillion thoughts that went through my head. Topaz is worse. Troy was injured at baseball. My Mom's results came in. Tyler had an accident at work. It was the former.

Last week I applied Frontline onto Topaz. I had used Frontline 4 years ago and Topaz became ill. He would vomit, became very mucousy and just off. I knew it was the Frontline. I didn't give him anymore after that first application. Last year Topaz ended up with Lyme's. I decided to again try Frontline this year so that he wouldn't have Lyme's.

I shouldn't have. The reaction from Lyme's would have been better than the reactions from the Frontline poisoning.

I noticed last weekend that while running in back of Topaz his left ear was down lower than the right. When deer flies are biting, his left side is cocked downward a bit. There were no deer flies and his head wasn't cocked. His head was level but the ear was sunk down. Odd. I noticed that he looked back at me, as if questioning me. Questioning about what?

When we arrived home I checked him over closely. His left eye had been tearing since the day before. I realized that the left eyelid wasn't blinking. The right would blink, the left eye would roll back, but not blink. The left side of his mouth was becoming slack. His tongue was drooping, and looked longer than ever.

I continued to watch him closely and gave him a vigorous bath, trying to wash the Frontline from his skin, although I imagine it had already been absorbed into his skin.

On Thursday I brought Topaz to the vet. She told me he did indeed have partial paralysis of the face. It could stem from the brain or something else..she didn't think it was the Frontline. I am not so sure. I have since researched Frontline and have found that 44000 dogs became ill, suffered seizures or death last year. The EPA is going to place a warning on Frontline 'in the near future'.

After speaking with Steve I finished the lap that I was on, bawling, and came to the timing tent looking for Maria. I told her what had been happening with Topaz and that I was done. I was meeting Topaz and Steve at the ER vet.

Maria walked me off the course, thankfully my car as all packed with my gear. I quickly changed shirt, bra and jacket out on the street and drove off from FANS.

11.5 hours 55.5 miles. Good enough for me!

We found that Topaz also has a tooth infection of some sort. The vet put him on an antibiotic and confirmed these seizures could be neurological or maybe this infection is causing nerve damage to the face. This vet confirmed problems and reactions from Frontline.

He will have surgery this next week.

Physically I am fine. No soreness, tightness, blisters, etc. Mentally I feel like I've been hit by a Mack truck. This morning Topaz seems a bit more himself. It is so strange. His neurosis's are magnified by whatever is going on with him. He is running circles constantly around the kitchen, herding Toffee nonstop, all of his issues are magnified. The vet told me to go ahead and exercise him, not in the heat and not to exhaustion. This morning we went for a 5 mile cool walk. It's 43F and drizzling. STILL! He did fine.

Back to FANS. John Storkamp: congrats on your run! My god, a machine. It was fun to watch you lap me over and over. A huge thank you to all of the volunteers that stayed outside in that horrific weather. Ugh. You are angels! The crew, pacers and family members of the runners! I can't believe how many people were sitting, running, cheering on their runners in that crappy weather. How wonderful you all are.

Thanks FANS, I've had a blast over the years.

FANS 24 Hour Fun Run

Ah yes, FANS. I mailed in my entry. I kept going back and forth..to run the race or not to run the race. I originally wanted to try to PR at FANS this year. My current PR is 116 miles. After tearing my quad at McNaughton I wasn't able to put in the road work or the speed work that I would have liked to. I've been running nice and easily upon soft trail.

Oh well. I'll spend a nice day at the lake, getting in the miles that I am able to. No goal. Just fun.

When I told Steve and the boys that I was thinking of letting FANS go on without me this year, they gave me a look of horror...or fear? It was the same look I received from my Mom and sister when I told them I was thinking of becoming pregnant (I was vehemently opposed to having children most of my life). I hadn't seen that look in a while. The look that is afraid of change.

We received Troy's tournament schedule; 2 games Saturday and 2 games Sunday. Sunday games are 3:00 and 5:00. I can make them. The race is done at 8 AM and only an hour from home. I'll only be away Saturday night. Good deal.

Last year I said it would be my last FANS. 500 miles and I was going to retire FANS. Well, I have 591 miles..guess I'll go for 600. Then I'll hang up my FANS shoes.

Fan Fair

Julie and Karen

FANS Funnies

Thank you for the congratulations and all of the comments; they are fun to read.

I'm doing great. I was a bit stiff yesterday, I had a vacation day so I slept in until 8, or tried to. Toffee, my Ragdoll cat is used to being fed at 430 AM every morning when I usually wake. He was kneading on my chest, (I later trimmed his claws!) purring in my ear and making a nuisance of himself. Eventually he curled up on my head and caused me to dream that I was running with a fur hat! Crazy.

Anyhow, Topaz and I headed for the trail for a slow walk. I was quite amazed to find that my shoes fit. This has never happened before post 100. Usually I am too swollen to fit into any footwear but Tyler's size 16 boots or shoes. Walking was difficult at first but after a half mile or so I was really clipping along. Right. 3 miles in 1:05! Felt good to move though.

The boys asked me if I was going to spend the day nesting again. Sunday I nested on the couch most of the day. Nope, I did some weeding in my gardens, read my bread books and watched the boys play ball. I didn't participate.

Today I went back to work..I only have three days left now! Woohoo. Topaz and I took another 3 mile walk, this time with a bit of jogging and we finished in :40. Feeling better.

I was remembering some fun things about FANS:

The Billion Dollar Bribe: Maynard (he did run a lap with me, I failed to mention that in my report), Ed and Gene were in a group crewing. As I ran by I said "there are the best three looking guys around today". They laughed and had comments. Maynard asked me to say that every time I ran past. I began too, every lap, I said something about how handsome they were. Maynard said he'd pay me $5 if I continued. Eventually Maynard came up to me with a Billion Dollar Bill. It was pretty hysterical.

Royal Dogs: As I was at about 60 miles I came across a woman and man, each holding a leash with the most beautiful, elegant yet masculine, long haired, dog. They had two of them. These dogs had backs that were up to my waist. They were majestic. I stopped dead in my tracks. I walked over to the people and fell over my words, telling them how beautiful and wonderful and exquisite their dogs were. The woman thanked me profusely. As I looked into the dogs eyes I felt like they could see into my soul. I'm not kidding. I could see intelligence and that the dogs had a keen understanding of what was going on with me. It was incredible. And freaky. Did you see these dogs? Anyone? Have I been reading too many Terry Goodkind novels? Maybe I didn't see them at all. They were magic dogs.

Crazy Cheers: The group of people in the grassy area before the start. They were amazing. Each time I ran past them they would spot me coming and would start screaming and yelling. I would smile and laugh and wave and thank them for being so kind to me. One time that I passed they asked me my name, another time they asked me if I was running the 12 or 24, they were such a lift, I found myself looking forward to seeing them each lap. Eventually as I came around I only saw one lone man left. He told me his runner ran the 12 hour, he was finished and he was leaving. He told me he felt like he was bailing on me and felt badly about it. He waited for me to come around to let me know! I told him no, no, no! Feel happy, you brought me joy every time I passed and I thank you. Yesterday Adam Harmer left the comment for me that this group was his, and I was their favorite runner.

Tattoo Tom: Tom Andrews wanted me to flash him my tattoo each time I passed. I don't know who told him I had a tattoo. He told me I should wear a backless shirt. I told him I may just take my shirt off with all of the heat and humidity. I never did.

Kissing and Tell Ed: Every time I passed Ed K. he had something smart to say to me with a smooch smooch sound. Finally, at the end of the race, when I was all dirty and grimy and sweaty and gross..he kissed my arm. Ewww!

Bob Who? I didn't recognize Bob Metzger! He was standing right next to me at the check in. I looked at him, said hello, but didn't know who he was. When he spoke in that smooth voice I was stunned! Short hair, dark glasses; it was very nice to see Bob and Chris again.

The Wave: Each time I passed the group of spectators past the start/finish, near the first beach, they gave me the wave. "Here comes the pink girl, let's wave her!" It was awesome.

Swag: I received the 100 Miles in 24 Hours sweatshirt, a 500 Miles Vest, the 3rd Place Woman plaque, the FANS Mt. Nokomis T shirt. Lots of goodies!

FANS really is a fun race. Everything is well organized from the packet pickup, the weigh ins, the post race breakfast, timing, the spectators are a riot, so many friends are out there running..give it a try!

FANS 2008; A Tough One

Earlier last week I was thinking about goals for FANS 2008. Goal 1: Run 100 miles no matter what. Goal 2: PR at 117 miles. Goal 3: 120 miles, why not?

I really believed I could run 120 miles. I'm in the best shape I have ever been in. I purchased a Garmin 50-the low end model as a pacing tool,without all the GPS that I probably wouldn't be able to figure out anyway, AND it has a 200 hour battery, I still can't believe the GPS's have a 14 hour battery. When I called my friend, Kevin, to ask him to help manually calibrate it for me, I told his as much, without thinking. He told me he had a Garmin I could use. I stated "it only has a 14 hour battery life, what good is it, who the hell runs only 14 hours?" Oops. He chuckled and let me off the hook. You know, when you are running with, hanging out with 100 mile runners, you forget that 14 hours is enough for most.

Anyway, I took the Garmin for a spin: it worked, I could calculate my pace, mph, etc.etc.etc. I mean, come on, how difficult is running an 11 minute mile for 24 hours? I figured for potty breaks, food, etc. I could get in 120. Or 100. Or 117; the three goals.

The day was beautiful. Remember, I love to run in the heat. The forecast said 80, humid, storms. I could do without the storms.

E Fisher Drew invited me last week to set up near she and John, the crew extraordinaire. I took them up on it immediately. I brought out my duffel and cooler, arranged what I needed. Gels, premixed Hammer Heed (last year it took so damn long mixing up my Heed I wasted huge amounts of time), I had PBJ, Turkey, Julie's Balls, Code Red Mountain Dew, Red Bull, ice, ready to rock and roll.

I pulled into the lot, parking next to Steve Quick, on a mission for his first 100. He realized he forgot a hat; luckily, I had a spare for him. It fit, too :)

Visiting is the best part! I saw lots of friends, I can't list them all because there are a zillion. They are the best. We talked, laughed and mingled. Great fun.

Monica, who I worked with at Berkley Risk, walked up to me as I was sitting in my chair, with her sister. Her sister points to my leg and says "Oh look, its fat". I just kind of looked at her, and again, she said "FATS" I was thinking what the hell? They walked off and I asked John Drew "did she just call me fat" He said "I think so. But she's wrong" The man next to us said " No, she said SPATZ" Apparently spatz are gaitors?? I had on my bright pink gaitors, which received many comments by the way. Most comments were very nice, a few of the older stodgier men thought they were goofy because I wasn't running trail. Guess what? I still took dirt out of my socks!

The sun was warm, the humidity was becoming oppressive. I was sweating early. After a few laps I stopped at camp to reapply sunscreen, get my sunglasses and refuel. I couldn't eat solids. Already. Too early to not have an appetite. My mantra is eat early and often. I was drinking 24 oz of Heed every hour. My turkey sandwiches gave me the queasies. Everything did. What the heck? On 100 mile trail races I eat whole sandwiches, potatoes, soups, what's up with this?

I was never able to stomach any solids the whole 24 hours. Thank goodness I had 30 Espresso Hammergels along with 3 gallons of Heed. I also had Recoverite mixed in another gallon. This is what allowed me to get through the race.

The day was beautiful; there was a nice breeze, a partly sunny, then all sunny sky, I was all smiles and feeling good. I felt strong. I felt like I could hammer. Why run 10-11 minute miles when I feel good at 9-930? Well, for one, because it is a 24 hour race, silly girl.

I ran a few loops with John Taylor, who was doing well, looking strong. The rest of the day I ran by myself. It was fun to watch the families at the public beaches. I was shocked to see so many dog owners DRAGGING their dogs along on leash, tongues dragging, obviously in distress. One little Chihuahua was laying down as this woman pulled him along. I said Oh my gosh, can't you carry him? She says 'oh I suppose' Well, come on woman! I saw exhausted warm dogs all day -not to mention runners!

15 miles in my lap counter began to ring a cowbell and say YOU DID IT! I was like ... me? Yeah, you got it! I thought he lost a marble and was talking to someone else. I asked the gal I was able to get ice from and she told me that someone must have just reached 500 miles. I looked at my bib and it said Julie Berg 485 miles. I said, oh, that was me! Ooops.

As I was running through the public beach lot I saw someone up ahead waving her arms over her head. I couldn't quite figure out who it was yet, she was a ways away. It was Donna Rae! Donna, thank you so much for comming out. I look forward to seeing you at FANS each year. Pat came long too, it was great to see her again. Thank you DR! Love yah :)

Duke, Eve and Wynn came out to cheer us on. Eve did her classic jumping jacks for me! John, Cheri and Emma came to visit; it was great to see friends along the course. A big lift!

We had to weigh in at 4 hours; I was down 4 pounds. Of course I had been hydrating all week and I ate a bowl of oatmeal before the race. I was up higher than normal. By the next weigh in I stayed at 130 and continued to do so for the remainder of the race. You know what? 2 years ago when I ran this race Paul Hasse was on the scale before me, 155, I weighed in, 155. He looked at me and said with a big nice smile "Hey! We weigh the same!" He didn't mean it to say I'm a fattie, he was just pointing out the cool point that we weighed the same. I can't tell you how good it felt to weigh in at 130, fully dressed and carbo loaded-hydrated.

Maria took over my lap counting duties; it was so wonderful to have a good friends cheery face each lap. I reached 50 miles in less than 10 hours and 100K in less than 12. I've never run so quickly at this race before. I was feeling excellent, strong, on top of the world. I was concerned that I wasn't able to take in solids, and I was concerned about the runners who were calling it a day at 50 miles, but I continued to hydrate and gel up. It was the best I could do.

Sara and Pam were running their first FANS. They looked great! Sara was having difficulty with blisters but once she had them taped up she was able to get back to running. The had lots of smiles.

After Maria was done with duty, Jan took over. Jan had filled me in on Leadville and I just saw her at the Superior 25/50K. It was fun to see her each lap.

My knight in shining armour comes to run with me each night during FANS from 10:00 to 1:00 or so. Jefferey says he comes in the evening so that I am already worn out and he can keep up with me. I was getting worn out. My legs were cramping, my stomach was upset, I kept passing gas, it was embarrassing, I was running 1130 minute miles. He told me Sue Olsen was 7 minutes ahead of me, on the same lap. I didn't have it in me to catch her. I was just running my own race, lap by lap.

We ran 3 laps together, then I told him I had to walk one. I hadn't walked at all yet during the race. We made it to 83 or so, then Jefferey was off for home. I sure appreciate him coming out each year! Thank you :)

It began to rain, a bit, then harder. I changed out of my tank into a short sleeved shirt. I was soaked, cold and sore. I just wanted 100 frickin' miles. Funny how you re-adjust. I ran 100 miles at 21 hours and then walked two loops. My quads were fried. I couldn't figure it out, there are NO hills, it is flat flat flat other than one concrete bridge. It had to be the heat..this is the first time I had run at anything over 68F. The two warm weekends here I was up north. It had to be the humidity. It had to be the constant pounding of the pavement, which I haven't run on at all. I was hoping for 80! I love to run in the heat. Yikes. I need to add: after I am acclimated I like to run a 100 in the heat. My quads hurt, my skin hurt, my waist hurt and I wasn't wearing a belt around it! I was using a hand held. I was a hurting until.

I finished my final lap with Les. He joked to Cindy that he was with me so that he could beat me. He said he was +only+ 26 miles behind me.

At the finish Tom and Nancy arrived. They are just the sweetest. They carried my things to the shower house, led me into the shower and Nancy promised to check on me in 10 minutes. A shower has never felt so good. All the salt, dirty, sun screen, bug spray, dirt and whatnot..I was a mess.

Don and Bonnie and Marie were at the finish line. I ate breakfast with Don and Bonnie, Angie and crew and Don D. I had my appetite back! Usually I am not hungry after a 100, but boy I was famished this morning. After I stopped running and showered, my stomach came around. I ate scrambled eggs, bagels, fruit and sausage. Bonnie even went up to get me seconds on the sausage! It was fabulous.

I only live an hour away from Minneapolis. I had to stop in Minnetonka at a gas station to snooze for 30 minutes before continuing home! I am beat.

I'm very happy with 105 miles. Very very happy. I ended up with 3rd woman; Debra Horn was first at 114.xx and Sue Olson was second with 114.xx A very close race for first and second!

Sue received her 2000 mile award AND a cake with candles. Super cool. She rocks, man.

Last year 26 runners ran 100 miles; this year..I believe 6. The weather had a lot to do with it.

The boys unloaded all of my gear and were very happy to find my salted nut rolls, Red Bull, Julie's Balls, Code Red and Coke untouched.

I filled a cold bath and soaked as they snacked.

This year I didn't forget to take pictures of the course! I brought along my camera for loop two. Good thing I did it early, as the rain came later.

Crazy Dogs Having Fun! Maynard, Ed, Don

There are two public beaches on the course. Lots of walkers, bikers and dogs

Much of the pathway looks just like this. Lots of green.

Cedar Avenue Concrete Bridge. It hurts after a while!

The unavoidable stretch of concrete on the course

It really does grow during the night!

John Taylor coming up the 15' hill. Pretty much the ONLY hill on the course!

Start/Finish Lap

Tent City

My Home Sweet Home

Me and Valeria! We've run Superior 50, Voyaguer and now FANS. This was Val's first ever 100 mile! WOOHOO!

Karen with her 3rd place 12 hour plaque :)