My 11th Twin Cities Marathon

When the Twin Cities Marathon opened for entries last March I was still recovering from my foot surgery. I had no intention of entering.

Fast forward 6 months and I was feeling good!  I hadn’t run anything longer than 10 miles, but, oh well.

I couldn’t believe it when I heard on the local news channel that TCM was STILL open and that I could purchase an entry at the expo on Friday before the Sunday race. Incredible!! 

Sure enough, I paid for an entry and bought a CHICKED down skirt from the expo. I had no idea how the race would go; I just knew that I really yearned to run my 11^th TCM. I really enjoy the race.

Sunday morning I drove into Minneapolis. I always park at the Jerry Haaf ramp because it  is close to the start which used to be the Metrodome- which was torn down and is now being replaced with the IceCube, the US Bank Stadium. It’s looking fabulous!

It was amazing to me that 10,000 people were milling around the start area and I was able to run into personal friends whom I had no idea were going to be there!  I saw Dan and John. Incredible! 

The race is divided into chutes with start times staggered every three minutes so that the congestion is at a minimum- which works very well. I mosied over to the bag drop off to leave my after run clothes and headed over to the start. I was so excited to be right where I was! I felt blessed. I am blessed.

The course is really pretty .. for a road marathon. Of course I prefer trail but TCM has a place in my heart. My plan was to run easy, take in the changing color of the trees, enjoy the run, give thanks that I was able to run.

I felt great the whole way. At mile 20 I  noticed that I was running behind the 415 group and hadn’t yet noticed the 430 group pass. This was a comfortable easy pace for me. I stopped to hug a few friends that I noticed among the 300,000 spectators-again, crazy!  When I saw Bonnie and Marie at mile 21 we hugged and I cried. I started running with these two in 2002. They don’t run very much any more, but there they were, cheering and looking out for me. What a treat. My heart felt full and blessed. Those hugs carried me into the finish line. 

I finished my 11^th Twin Cities Marathon. I would have never believed  it,  way back when it was only my 2^nd marathon. I would have never believed that I could love to run, so much.  I never would have believed that I would have hit 17 years of sobriety, either. Time. A person can change. Thank God.

Twin Cities Marathon 2014: My 40th Marathon!

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Twin Cities Marathon 2014: My 40^th Marathon! 

I can’t even believe that I’ve run 40 marathons. I remember when I first decided that I was going to become a runner. I wrote out my plan. I was going to quit drinking, quit smoking, begin to drink water, to walk, to change my diet, to lose weight and become a runner. In that order. It was the day I became a goal setter.  I wanted the lifestyle that I believed a marathoner would live.

I created that life. I am living that life. I love every day.

This recovery from Superior 100 has been a bit longer than not only my other hundred mile finishes but longer than the other two Superior 100 mile finishes as well.

I didn’t have any of the body fatigue or soreness that sometimes follows a 100 but I did / still do have very sore feet. My poor feet-both were painfully blistered and swollen. After the inflammation subsided and the blisters had dried I was still having foot pain. I described the symptoms to Karl  and he was pretty sure I was suffering from Morton’s Neuroma –as he suffers from the same.  Sure enough, it is the diagnosis I received. I then had a shot of cortisone which I don’t believe did  anything to better than pain.  I posted my dilemma to FaceBook and learned of others suffering from the same problems and the ‘work arounds ‘ they are implementing.

I went into Twin Cities Marathon  not knowing if I could finish due to the foot.  I decided I’d start and then stop if the pain became unbearable. I should have remembered I’m not really sure what unbearable is!

The ride down to Minneapolis was a treat. I rode down with my group of friends that I did RAGNAR as well as Get Lucky and Grizzle Grind together. We’ve had a lot of fun running together this year!  We had a perfect parking spot a few blocks from the start.

The marathon implemented a wave start this year. It really worked well. There was NO congestion, no walking for the first mile. Very slick.

It’s really cool to run down Hennepin Avenue-normally a high traffic area.  Marathon morning it is closed to just the runners. Fabulous!  About a mile from the start I had to stop to go pee.  Instead of waiting in line for a port a pottie near the Walker Art Center I opted to pee with the guys and just stood near the fence, thrusting my hips forward and pulling my shorts to the side. Genius!

The volunteers were amazing! I carried a handheld so each time I needed a refill I stopped at the aid table and the volunteer was very happy to fill my bottle with either water or Gatorade. When asked what I’d like I said whatever is in your jug.

I hadn’t run Twin Cities Marathon since 2012. Many memories came back to me of the past 9 TCM’s I’ve run. People along the route, aches and pains, joys of Boston Qualifiers, tripping over a rake..running Ann’s first TCM where she noticed her tumor in the bathroom stall next to me..…I miss her so. RIP sweet friend, 9 years this February. I was going through the snippets of memories as they were flashing before my eyes.

After Hennepin we ran up the hill through Kenwood and onto the Lakes. Lake of the Isles, Calhoun and Harriet. As I was running Calhoun I looked over and saw Bonnie’s apartment of years gone by towering above the tree line.  I remembered the morning we met at her place  and ran 10 hours around the lakes in prep for McNaughton 100.  The trails were too icy so we ran the roads. Good times. Great memories. Man, we’ve shared a lot. I miss it.

Running around Harriet I thought about all of the fat ass 50Ks I ran with so many friends who no longer run. I never thought those days would end. We are now only a few. Wonder who will be there this December?

I looked to see if Jeffrey would be standing in the spot that I’ve come to see him so many years running TCM.  Nope..I didn’t see him there. No Cowbell.

My foot began to bark at me. Not badly, but it was getting there.

Minnehaha Parkway. A nice long stretch before we hit the River.  Lake Nokomis-too many memories to list!  Forefront in my mind was my FANS 116 mile run. What a day! I thought of the people I shared that day with. I love them so.

By the time I hit  West River Road I was a hurting unit.  I tried to stretch out my toes, give them a bit of space. I had just purchased a brand new pair of my favorite road shoe in a wide this time for more space. Ascis Kayano. I had plenty of support and cushion. I popped an Advil. It took the edge off.

Well, I wasn’t going to stop at 18 miles. No thanks. I’d finish this.  Put the pain away. Disconnect. Ignore. I’m good at this.

I was realizing about this time that I wasn’t really having that much fun. I really wasn’t digging the asphalt and I remember thinking hmmm…this might be my last marathon. I realized I much rather spend my time on trail. I was tired of buildings and concrete and crowds of people whom I didn’t know.

As I neared Summit Avenue I looked for John. I normally see him here. Sure enough, I managed to yell out to him!  It was really nice to see a friendly face.

I continued down Summit, taking in all of the people and their signs, tiring of the large crowds. I knew I was approaching Mile 24 where the TCRC (Twin Cities Running Co)crew would be.

My eye caught Nancy and Alicia in the crowd!  I couldn’t believe it. I ran over for big hugs. So nice to see them along the course! More memories!! So many, too many to list!

I could see the TCRC RV up ahead.  I waved to Kurt, shouted out and moved on.  Two more miles!

The final push is so much fun at TCM. The bells were ringing in the St Paul Cathedral, the flags were flying out about the finish line, the State Capital in view.  I looked at my watch: 4:38. 

We all met at the “O” Sign for our finish photos and our ride home. It was so much fun to hear the adventures each had. What a splendid finish!  I was so spoiled, I had a ride home, too! 

My foot is still not right. It isn’t too bad with a shoe on, but barefoot it feels like I am walking on an acorn.

I’ve had a great come back year for 2014 and the goal was Superior 100.  I did it! A year ago I was walking around with a boot upon my broken ankle.  I feel so blessed. I may just take some time off and heal my running body, lift heavy stuff, recoup and recharge for my next training cycle

After Wild Duluth on Saturday? Not sure, yet.

Twin Cities Marathon 2012

No pain, all gain!  That's the race in a nutshell for me.   It is everything. It is positive. It is splendid.

Last year I entered the 2011 Twin Cities Marathon but unfortunately with my herniated discs there was no way I was going to be able to run, much less volunteer or cheer anyone on. I could barely get through the day without Advil, traction and PT.

What a difference a year can make!

I've run races since I've recovered from my hysterectomy and herniated discs. I've run races longer than marathon distance but running Twin Cities Marathon really brought back the feelings I had last year at this time. 

As I ran along the course, taking in the beautiful sunshine, the awesome crowds of cheering spectators, the vibrant colored leaves, sparkling blue lakes...yes, it was that beautiful, I felt myself choking up. I was only a few miles into the race and I had this hyperventilating feeling, sobs caught in my throat. 

I was thinking about last year, about this year, about all that has happened to me. I thought about how I really felt during that dark time. I really believed that not running was ok. I truly felt that all I wanted was to be able to get through a day without pain. I had to believe that, to keep my mind. What other choice did I have? I remember telling the ER doctor at the Princeton Hospital that I didn't need to run, I just wanted to be pain free as he told me to take Aleve  and Oxycodone so that I could run, oh, and here is a Percocet to get through the hour. No thanks.

Last November I began to string days together without pain, I even began to run a bit. I realized how running had become a part of me. How 14 years of running had somehow created a runner out of me.

While running Twin Cities Marathon yesterday I realized how not being able to run broke my heart and tormented my soul. My heart and soul is now healed. My discs are healed. It's been a long haul, but I'm on the other side of it now. 

The race was fabulous.

I lined up in Corral 2 with two incredible women from my beginning running class. I"ve been coaching them since June.

Their goal was to 

1) finished the marathon 

2) finish in sub 5 hours

3) finish in 430

I always suggest a few goals, you just don't know how the day is going to turn out and a finish is always a good thing!

We began by lining up with the 430 pacer. There was a group of 20 or so of us. Our leader told us that as long as we could see her balloons at the finish we would be over the line prior to 430. She told us she would cross the finish line at 426 and everyone in her vicinity would finish sub 430.  She spoke the truth!

The course didn't seem crowded to me at any point. Maybe I'm just in a different place, holding a different perspective. I wasn't irritated by the spectators, by the 10000 runners and I normally am! I was just so damn thankful to be out there.

The sun was shining brightly, there was   a stiff wind, it was cold. I decided to wear, after much thought, my skirt sports pants with skirt. The extra layer of skirt would keep my butt warm. I had on gloves they were giving away at the expo and an ear band that was in our packet bag. I wore my Patagonia wind jacket and a long sleeved Psycho Wyco 50K finish shirt.  I hoped I wouldn't get too warm. That would really suck, but I didn't want to be cold either.

I knew that Bonnie would be at mile 10, Maria at mile 24 and Tom and Nancy at Summit and Victoria. I wanted to make sure to see my friends at these points. 

The day! It was so beautiful. The leaves in full color, the grand homes around Lake Calhoun, Harriet and Lake of the Isles. Fabulous!  The families out in their yards, cheering us on. The zillions of people lining the road with signs and encouragement. It really is amazing and I just soaked it all in.

I saw Bonnie at Cedar and 51st and gave her a huge hug and jumped up and down!  I love her so. We began this crazy running endeavor in 2002 when we first met and are still going strong. She was Course Marshall.  Filled with renewed happiness I continued along the route, about to hit Lake Nokomis. Sweet. FANS 24 Hour Home. I thought about my 116 mile race here, the couple 104s, a few 80s. Sweetness. 

I trotted along and soaked in the humanity. The positive vibes. What a great day. So thankful to be out running Twin Cities Marathon. My 10th TCM, my 45th marathon.

I didn't speak with anyone but Todd Rowe along the course. He noticed my Psycho Wyco shirt and gained my attention. He hadn't been looking forward to the race until the day before. He talked of his Superior 100 finish and I think he was just tired from all of the summer running. I know that feeling-Superior 100 in early September and TCM the following month. I remember.  I told him my perspective had changed. I was so grateful to be out on the course, running. I probably preached too much about my happiness but it was how I was feeling. He told me later that my positiveness reached him. That's awesome!

Running into St. Paul feels good. I was tired, but not in any pain, I knew that mile 20 was here and the next 6 are always tiring. Just knowing that I am near the end makes the feeling of being tired compound itself. Running along Summit is a blast. 

I caught Maria out of the corner of my eye as I was passing, but couldn't get her attention. I looked for Tom and Nancy at Victoria but didn't find them. Past the colleges, the Governor's Mansion, the beautiful trees, the awesome church and the incredible finish line. There it was!  I made it to the end..pain free. No Advil, no blisters, no chafing. Just right.

Blessed. Joyful. Gratitude. 

4:26:56.

My clients came it at 4:45! Woop woop!

I believe Wild Duluth Ultramarathon is up next...October 20th.

Dome Sweet Home

The Marathon begins at the Metrodome; home of the Minnesota Twins AND the Minnesota Vikings. Yesterday the Twins played, today they will change the grounds to the Vikings, tomorrow back to the Twins. The last Twins game in the Dome? Maybe not..

Twin Cities Marathon 2009

On Saturday evening I wasn't so sure that I was going to be lining up at the start for this year's version of the 2009 Twin Cities Marathon.

Saturday morning, as planned, I headed to Powder Ridge to run the ski hills. All went well physically but mentally I felt a bit crabby. I'm not sure why. It may have had to do with the fact that at the end of the day on Saturday I would already have 81 miles in for the week. I suppose I was tired.

Later in the morning a working dog club came out to Powder Ridge, hiking the trails around the perimeter of the course. I saw Border Collies (Yay), Australian Shepherds Bernese Mountain Dogs and Great Pyrenes Mountain Dog, the dog that was a close second when purchasing Topaz. I visited with the dogs and their owners for quite some time. The dogs were much more interesting than the owners..

I packed up my things at PR and headed for home. With nobody home I decided to take Topaz out for a quick 5 miles. He smelled the pups on me and made me feel even more guilty for not yet taking him running. Off we went, in the rain, to the trail.

Running along I noticed many downed trees over the trail. We've had a few really windy days and the DNR hasn't yet cleaned up all of the debris. Topaz was catupulting himself over the trees and I eventually did the same. I leaped over and then landed in a hole. I twisted my ankle, landing on the outer side of my foot. You know that feeling..that sharp stab of pain from the ankle that goes directly to the head and all you can see is blackness..yeah, that one. I must have let out a shriek because before I knew it my eyes were open and Topaz was barreling toward me as fast as he could. I was standing, on one foot, when his paws were up on my thighs and I was down upon my back..with Topaz on top of me licking my face for all he was worth. I just laid there and laughed! It was hilarious. I peeled Topaz from me, picked myself up and walked off the pain for about 25 feet. The pain went away and I finished running, never thinking about it again during the day.

My foot never hurt again until about 5 PM. All of a sudden my foot became hot, swollen and painful. Painful just sitting there, with no weight upon it. I couldn't believe it and it took me a while to realize it hurt from the earlier fall upon the trail. I tried to stand up and could not put any weight on the foot at all. I had to drive home, stopping to fill up with gas. Oh my gosh, I could not put any weight on it at all while pumping gas. It hurt just to drive. Crazy.

I arrived home and had to drag the foot behind me into the house. I searched on my iPhone and much to my horror thought it may be a stress fracture of the fifth metatursal. Holy crap. The more I read about it the more I thought this could be the case.

Now, I have a very high tolerance for pain and I don't jump to injury conclusions. Actually I would probably deny it before admitting to an injury but this had me worried. I read that I should RICE, so did so, and hobbled off to bed, setting my alarm for the race but really thinking that I would not be running since I could not put an ounce of weight upon my foot.

The alarm went off in the morning and I moved my ankle around while still under the covers. Hmmm..no pain. I rubbed the fifth metatursal upon the mattress..hmmm..no pain. I rolled out of bed and gingerly placed my foot upon the floor, placing weight on it. NO PAIN. WHF? How can that be? I walked into my bathroom..no pain. Wow. I'm going to run Twin Cities Marathon after all. I was talking aloud to myself "well, it doesn't hurt, so I should try it. If it hurts during the race, I'll stop..it's only a training run anyway..no pressure. Yeah but you read that stress fracture pain comes and goes. Maybe it is in go mode now but will be back. Yeah but what do I do..sit here and not run the marathon because the pain might come back. No. I'll run and see what happens.

So I did. Nothing happened!

I ran the full 26.2 miles and felt absolutely no pain in my foot whatsoever. I thought I'd feel pain in the evening, as I did on Saturday but no..no pain at all. How odd is that?

As planned I ran the marathon as a long supported training run. With a strenuous week of high mileage and a hill day prior I just wanted to get in the mileage. It was great being able to run without a pack or hand held.

I forgot to send in my Boston Qualifier time result so that I could start in Wave 1. Small details. I lined up in Wave 2. Man, the crowds. I forget each year how crowed the marathons are. After running trail all year long it is certainly an eye opener!

It was a cool morning, about 45F with a high of 50F forecast. A skirt and long sleeved shirt was fine. My hands were cold the whole race, however. They never did warm up. Maybe because I was holding a few gels.

The course is so beautiful. Lot of hills, lakes, river, parkways and many many spectators. I am just amazed at all of the spectators that come out each year!

At mile 2 I found I was running with the 345 pace team, I knew I wasn't rested enough to run a 345 so after a while I slowed down. It was difficult, mentally, as I though about last year hanging with them and running a PR and BQ. I stayed with my plan.

The parkway around Isles, Calhoun and near Harriet were so crowded with runners and spectators that it was difficult to get through. The views were wonderful, I took it all in and just enjoyed myself. I was so thankful to be running the race after really thinking that I wouldn't be able to with my mysterious foot pain.

At around mile 13 I looked at the clock and saw I was at 201. That was just right, it was a pace I knew I could keep up for the remainder of the race; a nice long, supported run.

At mile 20 the 415 pace crew came upon me. I ran just in back of them the remainder of the race, finishing in 414. What a great day, I am so thankful that I was able to run it pain free! Thankfully the Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness from the hill workout didn't hit me until this morning or I would have really struggled during the race. Today I have black compression socks on under my dress and high boots. They feel SO much better!

I was able to see John T two times upon the course, the first time he was eating his breakfast! What were you eating, there, John? I saw Bonnie and Maynard on the Franklin Avenue Bridge and Debbie at the finish line.

I've posted race reports for TCM here 5 different times, I really don't have too much to add! This year the Twins were playing at 110 so it was a mad dash from the finish to the bus so that I could it back to the Dome. I quickly changed out of my wet shirt into my finishers shirt on the bus and was at the Dome by 1220. Plenty of time!

Twins win! Amazing. Another game on Tuesday..let there be more!

Congratulations to all that ran the Twin Cities Marathon yesterday, way to go! My spell check isn't working again. I apologize.

October = Racing

It is hard for me to believe that it is already October first tomorrow, but by the temperature this morning it is quite apparent. Today was the first fleece hat run day for me. Topaz and I left our driveway at 430 AM this morning to a beautiful sparkling sky full of stars. Before I turned on my headlamp I gazed at all of the different formations that I could recall. What an awesome morning.

It was brisk! The digital thermometer I have in my kitchen showed my a cold 33F. I switched out my inov8 hat for my fleece and I was glad that I did. Long sleeves and pants for the first time as well.

October brings a full race calendar for me. This Sunday is Twin Cities Marathon. I am looking forward to it very much. It is the only marathon I usually enter each year, other than the Northwoods Snowshoe Marathon in January. I like to support the local marathon by entering it each year. I don't really have a time goal. I've changed my thoughts since the last time I posted. I have been having such great track workouts that I thought I should go for a 330 or 335 but TCM really isn't a goal race for me, it is more of a support the local running community race and a fun run. I'm going to run hills on Saturday, as Javelina Jundred is only a few weeks out. I can use some more hill training. I imagine I'll have tired legs on Sunday due to the hills, which will be good training for the 100 mile race on the 31st!

October 17 brings the Wild Duluth 50K and 100K. This race is on the Superior Hiking Trail, a section that runs through Duluth. I haven't run this part in its entirety so I am really looking forward to the race. Because the race begins/ends in Duluth I don't need to spend a night, take vacation time or anything else. A nice drive up north in the early morning, a nice run and a drive back home before evening. No problem. No time goal for this either..just a nice long run in preparation for Javelina.

October 31 brings Javelina Jundred 100 Mile Halloween Party! I love this race. Held in beautiful Scottsdale Arizona, I can't wait to go back. 80 degrees, sun, fabulous! At this point I'm going to try PRing at 100 mile distance. I may change my mind, but I'm thinking a 22:35 would do nicely.

I'll be coming home November 1...then I suppose winter begins. I may plan a trip to TX in February for Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile Trail Run. I think I may need something to look forward to in the dead of the winter.

BOSTON BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't even believe that it is true. Yeah. Boston. I qualified for Boston. Not only did I run a PR but I qualified for Boston.

I guess you know that I qualified for Boston...

I've never been fast. My first marathon was 8 years ago at Grandmas where I ran a 457. Since then I've run 20 some marathons; my fastest at Grandmas was 358, my fastest at Twin Cities was 419.

Today I figured I'd run a 415-430 as per my marathon history. I have tried to qualifiy, oh boy, have I tried. It hurts too much, I get tired, I walk a bit, I hurt some more, the breathing turns to gasping and I throw in the towel and think "well, I don't have to run Boston" .

When I first went to a 'beginning ultra meeting' that some veteran ultra runners were hosting, Tom Andrews was speaking with us about our goals. We went around the table, everyone wanted to run a 50K, a 50 Miler, a 100 Miler. I wanted to qualify for Boston. It was such a lofty goal, I didn't know if I could. I had run a dozen plus marathons at the time and was no where near my goal. Tom suggested I first qualify for Boston, then work on the ultra, as running ultras would probably make me slower, he thought. Well, I didn't believe I could get any slower.

Each expo that I attend I grab a 350 Clif Pace Team band..for just in case. Yesterday I did the same. I really didn't believe that I could run a full minute plus some faster per mile than last year, but maybe I'd try it. Why not?

This morning was miserable. It was cold and rainy. It poured. Heavily. It was windy. It wasn't my type of race weather at all. I didn't use my iPod. I didn't have my rock to roll to. I forgot to hit my lap button to time myself.

I ran along, taking in the views, thinking that the rain wasn't so bad. Thinking that I was glad I wore a short sleeved top because I was warming up quickly.

I heard Kevin yell out Julie Berg! early in the race..mile 2 or so. I saw Allan Page playing the tuba..just like every other year..on his corner. The spectators were thinner this year, due to the rain, but there were still many out there cheering.

I enjoyed myself. I wasn't feeling stressed, I was just thumping along, enjoying the City. Calhoun and Harriet were beautiful..leaves changing, beautiful homes, lots of loud cheering spectators. I noticed I was running in white steam. Steam from the bodies of all of the runners! I've never experienced that before. Steam was oozing from our bodies, it was a white cloud of body odor to run through. Crazy.

Ah, Nokomis. Home of FANS 24 Hour Run. I ran fast as I could up and over the cement bridge and around the parkway. I love FANS. I laughed.

I looked down at my watch and then at the mile marker. Hmm..did I start at 800 my watch time? Probably a bit later..I looked at my pace chart..really? Could I really be under a 350 pace? Hm. Don't want to get too excited.

I was drinking one powerade and two waters at each station. I carried two Hammergel Espresso gels in each hand and had one every 4 miles. I picked up two Cliff shots at mile 17 and ate those as well.

Pretty soon I came up on the 350 pacing team. Wow. Wow again. I could feel the excitement and hope build. What if? What if, here, at 43 years of age I ran a PR and qualified for Boston? It's early..don't have those thoughts. But I feel so good. I have no aches or pains. I have no stomach trouble. I am power running up these hills like they are nothing.

I think I'll hang here with this group for a while.

It was awesome! I was running with the 350s and not dieing. We were a group of 15 or so at this point.

I crossed the half way at 152. Not bad I thought. Pretty soon our leader said she had to stop. Oh geeze. She had to go to medical. I would have never guessed, she looked so strong. She handed off her 350 balloons to the rest of us and we just kept on running. Two in our group (or more) had Garmin something or others on and kept yelling out our pace. A few times we had to back off, we were going to fast.

I felt amazing.

At mile 20 I was waiting for the crash. It didn't happen. I didn't even have to stop and pee! Everything was going so well. I saw Steve Quick and yelled hello to him.

Mile 21, getting a bit tired.

Mile 22 another gel and hey! I hear Julie Berg! There is Matt Patten.

Mile 23 .. I am going to make it. I can keep this up and I am going to PR and flipping qualify. OH. MY. GOD.

Mile 24 and I hear Julie Berg! There is Eve, Duke and Wynn! Hey!! Just what I needed :)

Mile 25 and my group is gaining speed, hell, they are flying, I try to keep up. I will keep up. One more mile. You can do it. Suck it up and fly with them.

Mile 26. Jubliant. Joyful. Wow. Is this for real? Maybe I'm dreaming and I'll wake up and set Boston as a goal.

There is the finish and I'm qualified and I PR'd and wow. Just wow.

346. Rockin'!

As I crossed the finish line I saw Helen. Amazing to run into friends with 11000 people running this race. I went a bit farther and saw Dave Just, great. Then Joann Fallis and her daughter at the sweats handoffs. Incredible.

I get on the bus to take back to the Dome. One person is on the bus. It's Pierre! Oh my god! Incredible. Pierre had a great run, too. Next Sunday we are both running the Glacial Trail 50K/50 Mile.

Good stuff, good stuff :)

I am still going to run McNaughton 100 this April, but next April, I think this family is going to Boston!

**I want to give a heartfelt congratulations to two of my online clients, whom also finished the marathon well ahead of their goal of 5 hours!

Twin Cities Marathon

Running the Twin Cities Marathon is always a blast. I think it is even more fun for me now, since I have been running ultra marathons on the trail, than it was in my pre ultra marathon life. The stress of wondering if I can finish it is gone. I know that I won't die. Two positives.

For most of my runs I am without human companionship, and I enjoy it that way. Thankfully I have an ultra dog in Topaz, who is always willing and wanting to run mega miles with me. The trail races are a fun time to see other people; but still, I am usually running alone as the 100s usually have a pretty small entry and we are usually stretched out far apart along the trail. It is always a treat to run along with someone else for a while.

At Twin Cities Marathon there are people all over the place. The first few miles are actually packed in quite tightly with people tripping over one another. Eventually we thin out a bit, but there are always people near. The spectators are thick. Last year was a beautiful warm day and the spectators were thicker than I've ever seen. Many of the runners weren't happy with the heat, I thought it was delightful.

The media is all over TCM. The local news media personnel are running, the forecasters are busy talking about what Sunday will be like, it is crazy. It's crazy how much media the marathon gets. The forecasters are saying cloudy with rain in the afternoon.

I'll be meeting two of my online training clients for the first time. I have been training a husband/wife team for the past three months. TCM will be their first marathon! I'm so excited to meet them in person. They will be flying in from KS tomorrow.

I'll be volunteering for a few hours at the expo. I believe I'll be at packet pickup. Stop in and say hello.

I have no time goal for the marathon on Sunday; just a fun run through the City. I would guess 4-430 will be my finishing time. I'm sure looking forward to it :)

Twin Cities Marathon: A Blast :)

Yes, I had a complete blast! Wait a minute, who was that woman that wasn't looking forward to Twin Cities Marathon yesterday? Who was that woman that wasn't looking forward to the crowds, to the spectators and all of the marathon hullabaloo?

I guess the reason I have run the TCM for the past 7 years is because IT IS FUN!

I knew it was going to be a good day when I looked at the thermometer at 4 AM and it was 72F. Wow, nice. No long sleeves, no jacket, just a singlet and shorts. Rocking. The forecast told me 85 and sunny, maybe some clouds near 12. Wow, rocking again. I mean, I've been running in heat for what..5 months now? Woohoo.

Second good omen: I decided to risk it and see if I could get as close to the Metrodome as the Jerry Huff Parking Ramp. We always park here for the Twins/Vikings game and then I wouldn't have to park and bus. OK, score again. The roads were blocked just past the Ramp. AND parking was free. Woohoo.

I arrived to the Dome at 6 AM, yeah, for an 8 AM start. Oh well. Walked around the circumference of the Dome many times, used the potties, lubed up my feet and hung out on a bench.

It was fun to run into friends; as I first entered the Dome I saw Karen, then as I was waiting outside for a porta pottie here comes Kevin and Jason. Awesome!

I headed for the drop bags at 730 and made my way to the start, walking up to the Wave 2, near the 430 pace group. I figured I'd run about a 430, grabbed a 430 pace chart and really didn't want to run over 430.

Today was my 20th marathon. My first 3 marathons were 457, 445 and 441. All of the others have been less than 430.

A spokesperson told us that today was the HOTTEST TCM marathon start in it's history, 26 years. He told us that it was 74F and the high would be 85 with maybe a bit of cloud cover around noon. People were kind of freaked by this. I wasn't, and was perplexed why so many were. What have you been running in all summer? I suppose most aren't pushing the marathon pace in training, so the exertion is greater in the marathon. I had SCAPS, gels, was going to drink allot, I was ready.

GO! We were off. I loved running downtown, I saw the office building I used to work in, the restaurants I used to lunch in, running down Hennepin is a trip. The spectators were great all throughout the start.

I was digging this. No pressure, just run, enjoy the morning. I peed when I needed to, I hardly looked at my watch at all, I was totally soaking in the views, I didn't run hard. I took it nice and easy.

Eventually, about 10 miles I began to get warm. I noticed my feet, ears and face were warm. I decided I better take my first of 2 Scaps. Many residents along the course had their hoses out for us to run through, very nice. Alan Page was playing a horn on the corner, as always.

I spotted Toni and then Tom along the course, it was fun to see them. At about mile 12 I saw Valeria fly by. I saw Jefferey, who I had been looking for, I saw Kevin, in the bright yellow shirt he told me he'd be in! I saw him right before the finish line, too. It's amazing to me that a person can actually spot friends along the course in 300,000 spectators! I saw the whole Crocker family and I didn't even know they'd be out there.

The lakes were beautiful. Isle, Calhoun and Harriet. The trees were spectacular in their full color. Especially the last 6 miles along Summit Ave, wow!

As I ran up to Lake Nakomis I felt the tug of FANS hit me. I ran up the concrete bridge, almost thinking I should walk the bridge as I do at FANS each lap..I didn't. I ran, thinking that I would be done this same day, not running for 24 hours as I do at FANS each June. This felt easy today in comparison to FANS.

The whole marathon seemed pretty easy today, just because I can compare it to my other races this summer, it was a nice little mind game.

I saw Maynard of the Dogs along the course, it was fun to see him, too.

I reached the 13 mark in 205. Damn, that will do just fine, I thought.

The miles clicked by, I was still digging the whole vibe. I danced along, listening to the spectators for a while, listening to my music, listening to the music along the course. It was great.

At mile 22 I heard a band playing IRON MAIDEN. I couldn't believe it. FEAR OF THE DARK. Holy freaking crap, man, one of my favorite songs, that I had just been listening to on my iPod. Tyler even plays it on his guitar and I love it. I turned my iPod off, looked at the guitar player and said FEAR OF THE DARK? He was like yeah! I began doing a dance, he grabbed my arm and I did a little jig right there at mile 22. Woohoo. I was stoked. I danced until the song was done and said I had to finish the job. Off I went. He probably thought I was a crazy old lady, getting off on Rock and Roll.

I was now looking for John and Cheri. I knew there were going to be on Victoria, thought Victoria was near 22 then thought maybe I missed it because I was so excited about the band. Dang. I kept looking.

People were dropping like flies. I mean, a guy was running in front of me, and boom! Down he'd go, the medics were right on him, dragging him off the course. I saw people laying along the grassy ways, with medics over them. I saw numerous ambulances. The volunteers were outstanding. Water, Poweraid, ice, they were really on it.

Pretty soon I saw Victoria. Yeah, I didn't miss John and Cheri! I was looking for them and pretty soon there they were, with Alicia! I ran up to them and hugged them each, I was all gross and sweaty, after I left them I thought I probably shouldn't have slimed them that way. I was just so super excited to see them! So excited that my next mile was a 748. NUTS!

I ran on down the hill, under the huge flag, across the finish line, in 417. It was all awesome fun.

After collecting my drop bag and heading to the changing tent, the talk was all about the heat. It was hot, I drank a ton, but I don't think I suffered any from it. It's been hot all summer, perfect training conditions.

I changed clothes, jumped on the bus heading for the Dome and arrived to my car by 130. Back home and showered, I'll head off to Tyler's 4:00 baseball game soon.

Congratulations Twin Cities Marathon runners!! Oh yeah, I'll be back next year..hey, maybe it will be a training run for a resurrected Ed Fitz 100K. If not, I'll just run it because it's a rocking good time :)

Twin Cities Marathon

Yesterday after Troy's football game I traveled to St. Paul to meet up with Marie and Bonnie, both of whom were running Twin Cities. We headed off to the Expo to do all of the shopping and wandering. All I kept thinking is that there are WAY too many people. Too many people in St. Paul, too many people at the Expo; I realized how much I love living in Rural Minnesota! I'm actually glad that I no longer work downtown, too. The people, the noise, the smell..it all drove me insane. Or am I just PMSing?

After we picked up our packets we headed over to Cosetta's for a lunch lunch. It was fantastic. I had chicken and pasta. Yeah, pasta. Haven't had that since Superior 100! Yummy.

By 1000 last night I was in bed, read for an hour and drifted off. Back up at 4 AM to get ready for the marathon.

Curt, from my Run Club offered to pick me up today so I didn't have to drive and park and bus or anything. At 545 I realized I had given Curt incorrect directions. I told him to take a Left when he should take a Right into my neighborhood. I grabbed my running flashlight and ran out and up the road, carrying my race bag. I saw a van take a turn into the darkness and thought it was probably he. It was. A few more blocks to run and eventually I caught up with them! Thank goodness!

After we picked up Steve we were on our way to the Dome. My knee hurt. It felt stiff, it has been stiff since Superior. I tried not to think about it.

Peg, Curt's wife, dropped us off at the Dome. It was chilly, 50F and windy, but a high of 84 was forecast. Much warmer than we had anticipated.

I had picked up a 350 pace band at the Expo, but really didn't think I could run a 350. I wanted to get in under 430 though. I figured if I could catch the 450 or 4 pace group I'd hang with them and see how I felt. My nagging knee was making me nervous.

10500 of us began the race. Again, I was thinking about too many people, too crowded, too loud, too many bad smells. I was thinking I LOVE TRAILS! I love woods, I love peace and quiet and room to run. My god, it was CROWDED. The guy in back of me kept on running on the back of my shoes. It sucked!

I got over the resentment of 10500 others and tried to navigate myself through the throngs of people. We were backed up and congested. Running the parkways around the lakes was damn near impossible. Miraculously I found the 430 pace group, then the 400 pace group and the 350 group. I hung with the 350's for 16 miles. I had NO knee pain. I couldn't even believe it. The route unclogged and I was able to enjoy myself. So much so, that I decided I hang back a bit. I ran a bit slower and watched the 400 team come along. This was a fun group. I ran with them over the next 10 miles.

Some odd things: I only stopped to pee one time. Usually I make 3-4 stops. I drank at each aid station, I took one E Cap since it was warm, but I didn't begin to swell until AFTER I took the E Cap. Maybe I didn't need it? I didn't take anymore. I consumed 4 Espresso Hammergels and wasn't hungry or headachy or tired or anything.

I had a very enjoyable time. I took in the crowds of spectators, the beautiful landscape. The trees are turning, there was a nice breeze, it was sunny..just beautiful. Once I got past the crowds, I really enjoyed the race.

The last miles along Summit Avenue are fantastic. It runs downhill, you are almost near the end, there are huge mansions with big oaks and maples, turning brilliant orange and red.

Yeah, I loved it.

I was able to get a PR for this course. I've run TCM 6 times; my fastest was 4:09, my PR for a marathon was at Grandmas last year at 359. I finished today in 4:00 right on! I ran like hell the last mile, trying to get a 359, but didn't. And I'm fine with 4:00! More than fine. Exuberant. No knee pain! I wasn't sure what I would be able to do today. I promised myself I'd walk off the course if my knee hurt. It didn't!

Now I feel ready for Ed Fitz 100K. Definitely :) A few more back to back long ones and I'll be there.

THE TWINS WON TODAY AND DETROIT LOST SO YEAH BABY WE WON THE DIVISION!! WOOHOO WHAT A GREAT DAY!

Minnesota Twins!

Yeah Baby! They won in the 10th inning last night! Troy had football until 8 so I missed the first few innings; but the game went on to 10 innings so I was able to watch plenty! Glad I didn't fall asleep..

We have tickets for tonight's game, we'll be at the Dome..to take on Chicago White Sox..Rock On Twins!! Maybe I'll make a Circle Me sign. Or not.

(Thanks for the nudge anon..thought I better post something on the TWINS :)

I'm reading Chi Running. Have you read it yet? I would have liked to take the seminar last Saturday in St. Paul, but instead I was being made into a Princess. It was my day at Juut Salonspa..hair, waxing, massage, etc. It was wonderful. But, I didn't make the seminar on Chi Running. I'm hoping to make an October date.

Last night while running I was practicing my Chi. I'm not very good at it yet, but it is very interesting. I'm practicing posture, the form, the strengthening execises and such. Now I'm looking for Tai' Chi classes in the area. You know, there isn't a whole lot to choose from out here in Big Lake. Looks like I'll have to go a bit south for classes.

Twin Cities Marathon on Sunday! The weather looks good: 50's at start, clear, 60's at finish. I need a 3:50 for Boston but am thinking a nice long training run may be a better plan. I'll see how a 3:50 feels the first few miles and adjust from there.

GO TWINS!

TCM finishing grounds at the Capitol 

Not Boston Bound :(

Hi there,

Below is a copy of my race report to my ultra running group. I didn't do it today. I did not have what it took to qualify. I'm ok with that (like I have a choice in the matter-well, I suppose I could be pissed, I'm not)as I gave it all that I had today. I could not hold the pace. Man it was hard!!

Thanks for all of your encouragement and support while I was training for this buggar! I appreciate that so much.

Sometimes days just go like this and we have to learn from them :)

I'll post some pics in a bit.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TCM was tough tough tough for me.

Last June I pr'd at Grandmas in 3:59:58 and this surprised me greatly. I had never broken the 4 hour barrier.

I then hatched the great idea of trying to qualify for Boston at TCM by running a 3:50.

I trained hard these past few months. I began to run at the track, running Yasso 800's in 3:40-3:45. I started with 3 and worked my way up to a dozen. I began to run tempo workouts as well, these are two workouts that I've never incorporated into my training before because, well, running faster than what I was used to, hurt. Plain and simple.

The speed workouts and losing some weight helped to quicken my ultra distances. I began to PR at the 50K and 50 mile distances.

I thought I could run a 350 today, maybe even a 345.

Wrong.

I drove over to Ann's this morning. I was so lucky to again be able to ride with Ann, her hubby Fred and son Kyle. Kyle entertained me all the way there .. and back. He's a funny little energetic 7 (I think) year old that reminds me of how my boys were at his age.

After we were dropped off at the Dome we stood around in lines, met up with friends and then I was ready to find my pacing group.

I thought I had plenty of time to find them. Wrong again. 20 minutes prior to start and the chutes were already crammed and full. I pushed my way up to the 445's and stopped dead. Oh well, I figured I'd catch them soon enough. Wrong again.

We were off and running. I crossed the start and tried to find my group. I spoke with Val from Voyageur, whom I and Jeffrey ran with at V for quite some time, it was awesome to see her again.

1 mile down and I still hadn't caught the 350 pace group. 1 mile: 7:34. Not good, way too fast. Mile 2 and I still hadn't caught them! Not good again: 7:56. Mile 3 and finally caught them. Mile 3: 8:00. This was bad. Way too fast for me. In retrospect I SHOULD have just run my miles off of my pace band but at the time I was hell bent on catching the group. (another lesson learned) I was out of breath, hot and dry.

I realized that I should have been carrying my ultra pack with the 2 24 oz bottles. Heck, I always train with this and I always drink 24 oz an hour. That's what my body is used to. Why didn't I have it? (another lesson learned). I was having trouble sustaining on the 3-5oz cups of water, even though I was trying to chug as many as I could.

At mile 10 I was at 3:45 pace. I was pretty excited about that, but not excited about the way my quads were cramping. I've never had cramping in my muscles. Never.

I was doing electrolyte caps, did a gel, more water at the aid station..then guess what. Another first and bad move. I missed an aid station! I thought there was only one table that I passed, I guess I must have passed a few more because all of sudden I realized the water tables were gone and I hadn't had anything to drink. (another lesson learned)

Mile 13 and holding onto the 345 pace but fading fast. I could feel it fading.

Mile 16 and holding to the 350 group..then I had to make a pit stop. Yeah. Of course.

Mile 19 and I fell. Yeah, fell during a marathon on asphalt. No roots, no rocks! I was running along and didn't notice (wasn't looking I guess..duh) the guy with the rake in front of me, raking out the cups and runner debris. My toe hooked the rake and BAM. Face plant. Scratched my sunglasses, the hat flew off but I was OK. I caused a collision in back of me. It was the pits. My iPod shot out of its case on my arm and slid a ways. I probably would have laughed it I wasn't feeling so lousy and hot and dry and crampy in my quads.

Mile 20 and I'm falling off of 350 pace. Mile 21 took me 10 minutes. I just want this over with.

Then I changed my attitude. I was going to finish and I was going to have fun. I couldn't qualify for Boston today but I could at least enjoy the marathon, enjoy the spectators and enjoy the other runners. There was no way I could keep the 350 pace. That was real fast and real tough for me to hold. I was going to finish the race in 10 minute miles, around 4 hours and enjoy the surroundings. I could not go any faster.

I enjoyed the spectators. I saw members of my Big Lake run club: Kevin and Ken were loud and encouraging! I saw Jo, Don and Chris and the girls; I kept seeing Marie's Tom over and over again! It was so much fun finding spectators that I recognized.

My legs were heavy and tired. Man they were tired. I was running as FAST as I could and I could not break a 930 mile this last section. I'm sure I didn't.

I was running my best, doing what I could do today and it was not good enough for a Boston qualifier. It was just not good enough. It was the best I could do today. The best I could, that's all I could give and I'm happy with that.

My watch time was 4:02, I think the race clock said 4:08. A TCM pr for me.

At the finish line I was able to watch Ann run in, it was fun to see her finish! A PR for Ann. Woohoo!! We hobbled to the changing tents and who was there but Leslie from Voyaguer! A gal I and Jeffrey ran with for a while. I never did see Val from V again.

Leslie left behind a container full of wet wipes. Ahh, how good it felt to wipe the salt from our face! The little things in life!!

Kyle entertained me all the way back to Ann's. All in all, it was a great day!

There were many of the MN-DRS out there, don't let me be the only one to talk about the day:)

Julie Berg
Big Lake

Expo-ing

This morning I wasn't going to run. I really wasn't. I was going to take a day off. But when I woke up it was 55 degrees out; a beautiful morning, we won't be having many more mornings like this in Minnesota..for a long long time.

What's a gal to do?

I had until 930 before I had to be home to do the football goings-on. I grabbed my running clothes and I and Topaz were out the door and driving to the trail.

It was a fabulous 3 mile run. Short and sweet. I didn't feel like a beached whale; I felt sharp and focused. Just what I needed.

Off to the football game where Troy's team won 25-6. Yippee!

I and Marie were off to the Twin Cities Marathon Expo. Neither I nor Marie are big shoppers. We just kind of mill around, aisle after aisle-looking for the free stuff. Today I came home with many free items, even Fresca pop. 6 cans! Unreal. Plus Listermint strips (do runners have bad breath?), chapsticks, cereal samples and a whole lot of unimportant flyers and papers that I tossed out.

Oh yeah, and a Clif Pace Team 3:45 wrist band..gulp.

I decided not to try immodium since I haven't tried it in training. I'm going to try something else. I and Ann aren't leaving until 6 AM so I have plenty of time to go for a little pre-run, a warmer upper of sorts. I'll hop on my treadmill for a mile or so..then I'll have to go..for sure..it happens every time.

The forecast for tomorrow is 65F start time and 86F for a high. My kind of running temps. I much rather have warm than cool and rainy.

If you are out on the course tomorrow I'll have on black shorts, pink sleeveless top-that may be tied around my waist showing a multi pink/black jog bra, white/purple Montrail "Run Like A Girl" hat. Number 3980. I hope to see you!

Over and out...

Twin Cities Marathon

Twin Cities Marathon is held this Sunday at 8:00. I have been speed training for the first time..ever..this past summer. Running Yasso 800's each week. I began by running 3 of them, then as the weeks passed I was able to run 12 of them @ 3:45 minute average. Supposedly that is going to get me across the finish line in 3:50 so that I qualify for the Boston Marathon.

The Boston Marathon is held in April. My luck it will be the Monday following The McNaughton 100 Mile Trail Race, which I also want to run. I haven't dared look up the dates..yet.

If I run a qualifying time, it will hold for two years, so I could always opt to run Boston the following year. That's a big IF.

Typically, while running marathons (I've now run 19 marathons...26 ultras..) I have to take 4 pee breaks and maybe one poop (yeah, sorry, but this is a natural occurrence..you know..) break. During an ultra, oh, don't get me started...

So I'm concerned about making the time with the potty breaks. I can NOT wait in line at a port a pottie. No way. At Grandmas, and at ultras, I can go in the woods..but in Minneapolis and St. Paul, that is not an option. We run residential/city lakes and rivers. There is not much for the wilderness. Also, the port a potties have lines of people waiting to use them. Lines! I have been known to squat in back of the port a pottie and just go there, you know, I can't wait in line.

What do you do? Really? I'm wondering...

A friend of mine suggested that I take an immodium tablet approximately 30 minutes prior to the race. I don't know, I haven't tried this in training and I don't really think I should try it during the race. We'll see.

I'm going to attend the Expo on Saturday to pick up my packet and check in with the Cliff Pace Team. My plan is to run along with them and their 350 pace team. I ran with Danny Ripka (Team Leader) during Grandmas Marathon. He was leading the 400 marathon group and he crossed the finish line in 357. I had to stop and poop and made it in 359:58. I will ride along with Ann and family to the start on Sunday morning. It is SO cool not to have hotel expenses for this race. I only live 54 miles away..that rocks.

I'm taking it a bit easy this week; maybe 20 miles prior to the marathon. Easy on the weights, no working legs. This doesn't go well with the aggressive exercise program I wanted to set up with Leanness Lifestyle. I'm down an extra 1.5 pounds than my goal setter so I have some room for maintenance this week. Next week I'll go fast and furious...and then of course there is the Ed Fitz 100K on October 15...

Today: 5 mile treadmill/5 mile trail

M1: Oat Pancake( 1 c raw oats, 1 egg, 5 whites, cinn, splenda, ICBINB spray, sf syrup)
M2: 5 oz Tuna, 2 T raisins, 1 apple
M3: McDonalds Ceaser Salad, ff dressing
M4: 6 oz Salmon, cucumber, tomato, ff dressing
M5: 1/2 c Cottage cheese, cinn, splenda, 1/2 apple