Only 2 weeks until Valentine's Day. You know what that means.
Business time.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
spiffy idea
Here's something cool Adidas put together for the Aukland, NZ marathon:
That's a custom built hurricane fan sitting at 17K. It pushes runners along with a 50 knot wind to give them more motivation or something.
Personally, I'd rather have the fan at about 40K.
That's a custom built hurricane fan sitting at 17K. It pushes runners along with a 50 knot wind to give them more motivation or something.
Personally, I'd rather have the fan at about 40K.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
MDRA - purveyors of wholesome family fun
That's right, we're rated G. This site allows you to plug in a URL, and it rates the content of the page.
I'm a little disappointed. I've been keeping it clean for too long. However, this is an election year. I'll have plenty to swear about in the coming months.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
ouch
Here's a headline you hate to see: "Wisconsin race winner suffers frostbite, scheduled for amputation". 27 year old Andrew Wells will be giving up two toes after winning the Frozen Otter Ultra Trek in Wisconsin. Wells completed 49 miles of the 64 mile event, which was a lot farther than most others went.
Two weeks to go until the Minnesota Arrowhead Ultra - an absolutely insane 135 mile trek through northern Minnesota. To my knowledge, only one runner has ever finished. The podium is usually guys riding Pugsleys.
In other MN transportation news, part of Minnehaha Parkway will be closed for 8 weeks due to bridge construction. They say a pedestrian will remain open when possibile, but this still could impact your run.
In non-Minnesota news, Lance Armstrong will be running the Boston Marathon this year. I think some of the local guys should hang in Lance's pack for a while...get those MDRA singlets some national coverage!!
Two weeks to go until the Minnesota Arrowhead Ultra - an absolutely insane 135 mile trek through northern Minnesota. To my knowledge, only one runner has ever finished. The podium is usually guys riding Pugsleys.
In other MN transportation news, part of Minnehaha Parkway will be closed for 8 weeks due to bridge construction. They say a pedestrian will remain open when possibile, but this still could impact your run.
In non-Minnesota news, Lance Armstrong will be running the Boston Marathon this year. I think some of the local guys should hang in Lance's pack for a while...get those MDRA singlets some national coverage!!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Grandma's champion dies
Sad news out of Kenya-
Wesly Ngetich, who won Grandma's Marathon in 2005 and 2007, died in the ongoing violence in Kenya. He was killed in his hometown Trans Mara.
More news here.
Wesly Ngetich, who won Grandma's Marathon in 2005 and 2007, died in the ongoing violence in Kenya. He was killed in his hometown Trans Mara.
More news here.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
MDRA Annual Party Recap
Lots 'o folks braved abso-friggin-lutely cold temps to make the annual party on saturday. I felt like a pimp for running 8 miles with Kevin B. before the shindig went down, while most others opted for the treadmill. Incidentally, it takes 5 layers - top & bottom - to keep warm in that stuff.
Some annual party observations:
Everyone was (as usual) impressed with the photos Wayne Kryduba put together for the slideshow. It's amazing what one man with a Canon DSLR can capture.
Gentleman runners of MN, prepare to have your hearts broken. Team USA-MN's Emily Brown was at the meeting to pick up a MEADP award. More than one guy fell victim to muscle strain while rubberneckin' to get a view of her. Oh, she also has a 10 mile PR of 56:40... and she concentrates on shorter distances!
I'll give you a moment to compose yourselves...
Now then... Runners prefer Diet Coke to Sprite. Not Sure why.
We need more women to participate in the MDRA Grand Prix series. Not all age groups had enough participants, so some women were rolled into the next group up. Get out there & compete, ladies!!
Veggie pizza is not as popular as the stuff loaded with meat. Who knew? Runners are a carnivores lot.
Lots of awards were won by lots of people. We'll try to get a list up soon.
For those of you who missed the annual runner throwdown, do try to make it next year. We'll save you a slice of veggie 'za.
Some annual party observations:
Everyone was (as usual) impressed with the photos Wayne Kryduba put together for the slideshow. It's amazing what one man with a Canon DSLR can capture.
Gentleman runners of MN, prepare to have your hearts broken. Team USA-MN's Emily Brown was at the meeting to pick up a MEADP award. More than one guy fell victim to muscle strain while rubberneckin' to get a view of her. Oh, she also has a 10 mile PR of 56:40... and she concentrates on shorter distances!
I'll give you a moment to compose yourselves...
Now then... Runners prefer Diet Coke to Sprite. Not Sure why.
We need more women to participate in the MDRA Grand Prix series. Not all age groups had enough participants, so some women were rolled into the next group up. Get out there & compete, ladies!!
Veggie pizza is not as popular as the stuff loaded with meat. Who knew? Runners are a carnivores lot.
Lots of awards were won by lots of people. We'll try to get a list up soon.
For those of you who missed the annual runner throwdown, do try to make it next year. We'll save you a slice of veggie 'za.
Friday, January 18, 2008
insanity is relative
I ran over lunch yesterday. It was very cold (4 degrees) & windy in the metro, I only saw one other person on my 8 mile loop.
Anyhoo, I got back to the office & did some quick stretching in the parking lot. As I shivered & stretched my quads, I observed a woman shivering whilst smoking a cigarette.
And I wondered which one of us was crazier.
I was out in the cold for an hour because I wanted to run outside. She was out in the cold for 5 minutes (or however long it takes to polish off a Marlboro) because she had to be. Nicotine addiction is powerful stuff, from what I understand.
So, who's crazier; the person who had to be outdoors for a short time, or the person who wanted to be outdoors for a long time?
I'm sure the general population would be split about 50/50 on this one. Since this is the Minnesota Distance Running Association blog & not the Minnesota Smoking Association blog...I'm going to say the smoking woman was barking-mad lunatic, and I am the most sane dude ever.
Anyhoo, I got back to the office & did some quick stretching in the parking lot. As I shivered & stretched my quads, I observed a woman shivering whilst smoking a cigarette.
And I wondered which one of us was crazier.
I was out in the cold for an hour because I wanted to run outside. She was out in the cold for 5 minutes (or however long it takes to polish off a Marlboro) because she had to be. Nicotine addiction is powerful stuff, from what I understand.
So, who's crazier; the person who had to be outdoors for a short time, or the person who wanted to be outdoors for a long time?
I'm sure the general population would be split about 50/50 on this one. Since this is the Minnesota Distance Running Association blog & not the Minnesota Smoking Association blog...I'm going to say the smoking woman was barking-mad lunatic, and I am the most sane dude ever.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
i tell ya, some people scare me
What's wrong with this picture...
...aside from the fact that this dude is running in the freakin' snow barefoot!
I understand the whole barefoot running attraction, but let's not get carried away folks. Toes help us balance ourselves. They have a hard time doing their job after they've frozen & fallen off.
I found a nice pic of a mountaineer who lost his toes to frostbite on Everest. I was going to post it, but it's pretty gross. I think it's best I just leave you be.
...aside from the fact that this dude is running in the freakin' snow barefoot!
I understand the whole barefoot running attraction, but let's not get carried away folks. Toes help us balance ourselves. They have a hard time doing their job after they've frozen & fallen off.
I found a nice pic of a mountaineer who lost his toes to frostbite on Everest. I was going to post it, but it's pretty gross. I think it's best I just leave you be.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
team up for beantown
Here's the deal, we're trying to have some MDRA teams run at the Boston Marathon. We can have up to 15 people on a roster, top three score, top five are listed in the results. If we have at least three we can form a team. There are currently open teams in the works, and a masters team would be sweet as well.
So, if'n you're running Boston & you're an MDRA member, contact Heidi so we can get you on the roster.
There will be dozens of Minnesotans out there watching the women's marathon trials, so we'll work out a location for a Minnesota cheering section. Bring lefse and a hotdish to pass. Notice I said 'hotdish' instead of 'hot dish'. That's how we roll on the North coast, suckas.
So, if'n you're running Boston & you're an MDRA member, contact Heidi so we can get you on the roster.
There will be dozens of Minnesotans out there watching the women's marathon trials, so we'll work out a location for a Minnesota cheering section. Bring lefse and a hotdish to pass. Notice I said 'hotdish' instead of 'hot dish'. That's how we roll on the North coast, suckas.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
calling all coaches
Listen up coaches, MDRA wants you. We've had our eye on you for a while now, and we think you're pretty cool. We don't just like you, we LIKE-like you.
Seriously, we need coaches for the spring marathon training class and our Beginning Running program. We're trying to do a couple of beginner classes this spring, so we need lots o' coaches. Contact Heidi if you're interested in coaching an MDRA class.
Seriously, we need coaches for the spring marathon training class and our Beginning Running program. We're trying to do a couple of beginner classes this spring, so we need lots o' coaches. Contact Heidi if you're interested in coaching an MDRA class.
Monday, January 14, 2008
annual party this weekend!
The MDRA Annual Party is going down this saturday, Jan 19 at the Edina Community Center. Pizza & pop will be served at 11:30, program & awards will follow.
Be there. Don't make us come looking for you.
Be there. Don't make us come looking for you.
Grandma, meet the internet. Internet, this is Grandma.
At long last, registration for Grandma's Marathon is going online!
Registration opens at 12:01 A.M. January 17 - this thursday. Looks like a lot of us will be staying up late Wednesday night.
The good news is that now you'll know right away if you're in the marathon or the Bjorklund Half. No more checking your bank balance for weeks, waiting to see if your registration check was cashed.
Thank you, internet.
Registration opens at 12:01 A.M. January 17 - this thursday. Looks like a lot of us will be staying up late Wednesday night.
The good news is that now you'll know right away if you're in the marathon or the Bjorklund Half. No more checking your bank balance for weeks, waiting to see if your registration check was cashed.
Thank you, internet.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Sesquicentennial-tacular
Minnesota is 150 years young in 2008.
Who's up for a Sesquicentennial 150 mile (or kilometer) run/relay thing? I'm just throwing that out there. Run with it.
Who's up for a Sesquicentennial 150 mile (or kilometer) run/relay thing? I'm just throwing that out there. Run with it.
Monday, January 7, 2008
marathon moving picture show
At last, a movie about running a marathon is upon us. And it's funny to boot!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
2007 recap
My personal Minnesota top 5 running (or running related) events of 2007.
5. Running over lunch at least once a week
I started a new job in December of '06, at an office with a locker room & shower in the basement. I was able to run at least once a week, every week, over lunch. And it rocked!!
4. Cross Country
I've never run Cross Country before, so I didn't know what I was in for. Turns out I was in for a hell of a lot of fun. You get to run through mud, wear shoes with spikes, see Kirk & Mike run sub 17:00 5Ks and listen to Mixer talk all kind of smack. Can't beat that!
3. My age group win at the Lifetime Fitness Tri
This was the last decent swim I had before monomelic amyotrophy totally killed my stroke. More importantly, it was the first time I got my 10K under 40 minutes in a tri. I ran down several faster bikers for the win.
2. The fact that people finished the Twin Cities Marathon.
I was only a spectator this year, watching just after mile 2. I can honestly say there is no way in hell I would have finished. Not a chance. I wouldn't have even made it half way. I'd have shuffled down the parkway to 18th Ave, realized I was 5 blocks from home, and bailed. How 7,147 of you finished is beyond me. Totally freakin' amazing. Well done.
1. Volunteering at the finish line of the City of Lakes 25K with Norm Champ.
There's an older post out there about this. The short version; there's nothing cooler than watching Jack Moran do results. He's like a race results-rain man or something. And, there's nothing funnier than listening to Norm comment on various goings-on. Especially when some entitled loud mouth "went nuclear right out of the gate" as Norm put it.
Bonus! Jason Lemkuhle finishing 5th at the men's Olympic marathon trials in 2:12:54.
So, I wasn't there to see it, and it didn't take place in Minnesota, but I don't care. He ran one of the smartest races of the day. A bonus shout-out goes to teammate Chris Lundstrom who finished 37th in 2:19:21. Bow down, lowly mortals.
5. Running over lunch at least once a week
I started a new job in December of '06, at an office with a locker room & shower in the basement. I was able to run at least once a week, every week, over lunch. And it rocked!!
4. Cross Country
I've never run Cross Country before, so I didn't know what I was in for. Turns out I was in for a hell of a lot of fun. You get to run through mud, wear shoes with spikes, see Kirk & Mike run sub 17:00 5Ks and listen to Mixer talk all kind of smack. Can't beat that!
3. My age group win at the Lifetime Fitness Tri
This was the last decent swim I had before monomelic amyotrophy totally killed my stroke. More importantly, it was the first time I got my 10K under 40 minutes in a tri. I ran down several faster bikers for the win.
2. The fact that people finished the Twin Cities Marathon.
I was only a spectator this year, watching just after mile 2. I can honestly say there is no way in hell I would have finished. Not a chance. I wouldn't have even made it half way. I'd have shuffled down the parkway to 18th Ave, realized I was 5 blocks from home, and bailed. How 7,147 of you finished is beyond me. Totally freakin' amazing. Well done.
1. Volunteering at the finish line of the City of Lakes 25K with Norm Champ.
There's an older post out there about this. The short version; there's nothing cooler than watching Jack Moran do results. He's like a race results-rain man or something. And, there's nothing funnier than listening to Norm comment on various goings-on. Especially when some entitled loud mouth "went nuclear right out of the gate" as Norm put it.
Bonus! Jason Lemkuhle finishing 5th at the men's Olympic marathon trials in 2:12:54.
So, I wasn't there to see it, and it didn't take place in Minnesota, but I don't care. He ran one of the smartest races of the day. A bonus shout-out goes to teammate Chris Lundstrom who finished 37th in 2:19:21. Bow down, lowly mortals.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
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