CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TCM RUNNERS!
In the 10 mile...
Amy held back and met her goal of running SLOWER than 8:00 pace
Donna looked great in her TU pink jersey finishing at 1:18 (great job!)
In the marathon...
Mary Keilen blew by us so quickly that we hardly saw her...great finish at 3:30
Ann looked stunning in her TU pink. While she didn't hit her goal time, she toughed it out and finished at a great 4:01!
Congratulations to our TU runners!
Also of note...
Chris Grossinger, who at mile 25 looked like he had just jumped into the race
Nathan, who finished with a 5:30 minute PR and tears in his eyes
Jared, who finished first in his age group at 3:20
Steve English who passed us with a huge smile on his face (as always)
Nick Cross who did his best to block us out, but couldn't resist the cowbell.
Spectating...
Kirk, Mike and Marty who shamed at least 10 runners into abandoning their walk for a run,
Carolyn, who caught the eye of the Star Tribune reporter (look for her in tomorrow's paper)
Deb and I who worked the cowbells to exhaustion...my arm still hurts :)
A great day all around.
Great job to everyone!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Pre-race planning (for the rest of us)
There's a lot of planning necessary before running a marathon, but sometimes it's more difficult to plan how to WATCH a marathon.
We have two TU runners running TCM this year. Ann Choi-Roloff and Mary Keilen
Ann is planning on running a 3:40 starting with 8:20 miles, then dropping down to 8:10 miles. She'll be wearing the official TU pink sports bra.
I'm not sure what Mary's race plan is, but she said she will be wearing a light blue visor and sun glasses and probably light blue top with black shorts.
Other "runners of interest" running TCM events
Amy Smith - 10 mile, targeting 8:00 miles
Steve English - marathon
Nathan Campeau - marathon
One week after TCM a bunch of us are heading to Chicago...
The Chicago Marathon has a method to track runners, but to make it easy you should register ahead of time to keep track of everyone...
From the Chicago Marathon website:
Runner Tracking
If your family and friends would like to follow your progress as you cover the Chicago Marathon course, be sure to have them sign up for Online Runner Tracking. Spectators can electronically track multiple runners along the race course by receiving real-time updates via e-mail or text message throughout the race. Updates will be received as runners cross the 10K, halfway (13.1 miles) and 30K checkpoints, as well as the finish line. To register, visit chicagomarathon.com.
The TU runners (and some of their race numbers) are:
Amy
Anne 2427
Carolyn 5145
Carly
Deb 2819
Meg
And don't forget
Kirk 1030
Marty
Mark Johnson
and
Cory Smith
I'll try to get more race numbers for anyone who is interested.
We have two TU runners running TCM this year. Ann Choi-Roloff and Mary Keilen
Ann is planning on running a 3:40 starting with 8:20 miles, then dropping down to 8:10 miles. She'll be wearing the official TU pink sports bra.
I'm not sure what Mary's race plan is, but she said she will be wearing a light blue visor and sun glasses and probably light blue top with black shorts.
Other "runners of interest" running TCM events
Amy Smith - 10 mile, targeting 8:00 miles
Steve English - marathon
Nathan Campeau - marathon
One week after TCM a bunch of us are heading to Chicago...
The Chicago Marathon has a method to track runners, but to make it easy you should register ahead of time to keep track of everyone...
From the Chicago Marathon website:
Runner Tracking
If your family and friends would like to follow your progress as you cover the Chicago Marathon course, be sure to have them sign up for Online Runner Tracking. Spectators can electronically track multiple runners along the race course by receiving real-time updates via e-mail or text message throughout the race. Updates will be received as runners cross the 10K, halfway (13.1 miles) and 30K checkpoints, as well as the finish line. To register, visit chicagomarathon.com.
The TU runners (and some of their race numbers) are:
Amy
Anne 2427
Carolyn 5145
Carly
Deb 2819
Meg
And don't forget
Kirk 1030
Marty
Mark Johnson
and
Cory Smith
I'll try to get more race numbers for anyone who is interested.
Hello TU Runners!
Yesterday was the St. Kate’s 4k CC event. As I was driving to St. Kate’s, I was thinking about how happy I was that we had a full team to run this meet. I was planning to sit this one out since I felt I needed a break from racing.
It was a cloudy, cool morning, with a light mist, the kind of weather that truly signifies that the cross country season has arrived. Just the day before, Marty and I went to watch the Griak Invite and I could not help think about my college days running cross country. There is only one thing that comes to my mind about CC and that is PAIN! This was confirmed as I watched the Women’s Gold division cross the finish line. There was one woman that really stood out. Her face looked as though she just sliced her finger with a knife! One by one they came flying down the hill with expressions of sheer agony. I was in pain watching them! To make matters worse, as Marty and I were walking back to our car, the finish line appeared like a war zone. Bodies were everywhere. Some were flat on their backs in pure exhaustion. Some were still bent over and it appeared like they were not going to move anytime soon. Some appeared as if they were going to puke. In fact, I think I had the dry heaves more in cross country than any other event I can think of! Yes, cross country is painful!
I guess we all have our reasons as to why we put ourselves through such agony, but there is one thing that makes cross country stand out as a runner and that is the emphasis of team. It’s the main reason I ran the sport in college. There is a bond that is created in cross country that is very special. There is something magical about it. As I watched the college women warm up for the race, I noticed that each “team” warmed up together, stretched together, and cheered together and so on. When the race started, one could not ignore the sheer dominance of the U of MN women’s team. I was told they have 55 runners and I believe it! They ran in packs! It had to be very intimidating to the other teams! However, whether your are a team of 55 or a team of 5, the one thing that remains the same is the bond you create with each other. We are all in this painful event together.
As I was warming up with the TU team for St. Kate’s (Pam, Anne, Amy, Donna and Julia), I also knew cross country season had arrived since the ground was wet! I think it only took five strides before my shoes and socks were completely soaked! However, what I noticed the most was that the bond was starting. The TU women pulled together as a team. Everyone warmed up together, they went to the bathroom at the same time, they changed into their spikes together, and they all walked to the start together. As I was watching the team run the race, I have to believe that it made it just a little bit easier to be out there for each of them knowing their teammates were also out there suffering! It was great watching each one finish with such will and determination. Then everyone came together to share their experiences. It was awesome to hear the stories.
I then realized how much I missed not being a part of it and it reminded me of why I like to run cross country. So to Pam, Anne, Amy, Donna and Julia: You are warriors! I applaud you for your sheer guts and determination to run an event that to me is very painful. You pulled together as a team! I am so proud of you all! Team results are at the following link: http://www.usatfmn.org/usatf-mn-st-kates-2008
The next CC race will be a 5k run in Eagan on October 11th. The race starts at 10:00 am. Please find information at the following link: http://www.raceberryjam.com/wildcat.html
It will be a bit more challenging pulling a team together since many of us will be running Chicago. So please consider running this event if you are able. Also, recruit anyone that you feel would be interested in joining the team. So far, I believe Pam, Julia and Donna expressed interested in running.
I want to close with a statement made by Julia after her race, which was “I feel like I’m going to puke”. I could not help but smile when I heard that statement. Yes, cross country has arrived.
Take care,
Deb
Yesterday was the St. Kate’s 4k CC event. As I was driving to St. Kate’s, I was thinking about how happy I was that we had a full team to run this meet. I was planning to sit this one out since I felt I needed a break from racing.
It was a cloudy, cool morning, with a light mist, the kind of weather that truly signifies that the cross country season has arrived. Just the day before, Marty and I went to watch the Griak Invite and I could not help think about my college days running cross country. There is only one thing that comes to my mind about CC and that is PAIN! This was confirmed as I watched the Women’s Gold division cross the finish line. There was one woman that really stood out. Her face looked as though she just sliced her finger with a knife! One by one they came flying down the hill with expressions of sheer agony. I was in pain watching them! To make matters worse, as Marty and I were walking back to our car, the finish line appeared like a war zone. Bodies were everywhere. Some were flat on their backs in pure exhaustion. Some were still bent over and it appeared like they were not going to move anytime soon. Some appeared as if they were going to puke. In fact, I think I had the dry heaves more in cross country than any other event I can think of! Yes, cross country is painful!
I guess we all have our reasons as to why we put ourselves through such agony, but there is one thing that makes cross country stand out as a runner and that is the emphasis of team. It’s the main reason I ran the sport in college. There is a bond that is created in cross country that is very special. There is something magical about it. As I watched the college women warm up for the race, I noticed that each “team” warmed up together, stretched together, and cheered together and so on. When the race started, one could not ignore the sheer dominance of the U of MN women’s team. I was told they have 55 runners and I believe it! They ran in packs! It had to be very intimidating to the other teams! However, whether your are a team of 55 or a team of 5, the one thing that remains the same is the bond you create with each other. We are all in this painful event together.
As I was warming up with the TU team for St. Kate’s (Pam, Anne, Amy, Donna and Julia), I also knew cross country season had arrived since the ground was wet! I think it only took five strides before my shoes and socks were completely soaked! However, what I noticed the most was that the bond was starting. The TU women pulled together as a team. Everyone warmed up together, they went to the bathroom at the same time, they changed into their spikes together, and they all walked to the start together. As I was watching the team run the race, I have to believe that it made it just a little bit easier to be out there for each of them knowing their teammates were also out there suffering! It was great watching each one finish with such will and determination. Then everyone came together to share their experiences. It was awesome to hear the stories.
I then realized how much I missed not being a part of it and it reminded me of why I like to run cross country. So to Pam, Anne, Amy, Donna and Julia: You are warriors! I applaud you for your sheer guts and determination to run an event that to me is very painful. You pulled together as a team! I am so proud of you all! Team results are at the following link: http://www.usatfmn.org/usatf-mn-st-kates-2008
The next CC race will be a 5k run in Eagan on October 11th. The race starts at 10:00 am. Please find information at the following link: http://www.raceberryjam.com/wildcat.html
It will be a bit more challenging pulling a team together since many of us will be running Chicago. So please consider running this event if you are able. Also, recruit anyone that you feel would be interested in joining the team. So far, I believe Pam, Julia and Donna expressed interested in running.
I want to close with a statement made by Julia after her race, which was “I feel like I’m going to puke”. I could not help but smile when I heard that statement. Yes, cross country has arrived.
Take care,
Deb
Monday, September 22, 2008
A Return to Cross Country
 |
| From Team Unattached Running |
TU opened up its first race for the Cross Country Circuit with the Fort Sneling 5 x 5k. Everyone performed outstanding considering the humid conditions we all had to endure. A special thanks to Pam and Anne for running a double 5k. One was hard enough to run in that humidity, so I commend you both for stepping up and tacking the double! The team scored third in the open and second in the master’s divisions. We brought home some very interesting “Karate Man trophies”. Maybe Anne and/or Amy can give a better description of the trophies. I believe the feet and arms are moveable! CONGRATS to all and thank you for making the first CC run fun and eventful! Here is the link for the official results: http://www.raceberryjam.com/indexrr.html.
Our trophy, Pike Island Pete, will make the perfect companion to Golden Shoe Barbie.
 |
| From Team Unattached Running |
Congratulations to everyone for a race well run!
As a result of her tough running at both City of Lakes and the Ft. Snelling 5x5 Pam is the recipient of Golden Shoe Barbie! Congratulations Pam!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Get in Gear Recap and TC 1 Mile Planning
Yesterday was a beautiful day for a race...if you normally run in Sibera! Runners of the Twin Cities annual right of spring were peppered with snow flakes and ice pellets AND got the chance to run into grueling winds on Ford bridge.
Mother Nature threw all she had at Team Unattached and we fought back! Running the Get In Gear 10k for Team Unattached were Abby Albright, Amy Smith, Carly, Carolyn, Deb, Donna, and Meg (Did I miss anyone?). From where I was standing everyone ran a great race. Women's Results. Congratulations to Team Unattached for another great race. Standings for the Race Series aren't posted yet, I'll update the blog once they are.
I was merely spectating yesterday but I was amazed once again by how great our pink singlets and NEW TU race t-shirts look! They look so good, in fact, that both got picked up in photos and posted on the photo pages at the USATFMN website. Notice Carly and Deb modeling their TU wear.
We can only bask in our successes for so long before planning for the next ones...
The next race in the series is the TC 1 Mile on Thursday, May 8th at 6:50 PM (although there are multiple waves...more on this later). This is really a great race. The opportunity to run through the streets of downtown Minneapolis doesn't come around very often and it's a great chance to get a good estimate of your fitness level. Plus they normally have really cool t-shirts.
Hopefully you've already registered, if not it's not too late! Click here for registration information.
There is a question I don't have an answer to. Which wave should we run? I don't know, but I'm going to find out and I'll let everyone know when I do.
If you plan on running, let Deb or I know. I'm hoping we can field a team for the race...
See you all soon,
Anne
by the way, I posted a Boston summary blog over at my personal blog... tvsnacks.blogspot.com for anyone interested...
Mother Nature threw all she had at Team Unattached and we fought back! Running the Get In Gear 10k for Team Unattached were Abby Albright, Amy Smith, Carly, Carolyn, Deb, Donna, and Meg (Did I miss anyone?). From where I was standing everyone ran a great race. Women's Results. Congratulations to Team Unattached for another great race. Standings for the Race Series aren't posted yet, I'll update the blog once they are.
I was merely spectating yesterday but I was amazed once again by how great our pink singlets and NEW TU race t-shirts look! They look so good, in fact, that both got picked up in photos and posted on the photo pages at the USATFMN website. Notice Carly and Deb modeling their TU wear.
We can only bask in our successes for so long before planning for the next ones...
The next race in the series is the TC 1 Mile on Thursday, May 8th at 6:50 PM (although there are multiple waves...more on this later). This is really a great race. The opportunity to run through the streets of downtown Minneapolis doesn't come around very often and it's a great chance to get a good estimate of your fitness level. Plus they normally have really cool t-shirts.
Hopefully you've already registered, if not it's not too late! Click here for registration information.
There is a question I don't have an answer to. Which wave should we run? I don't know, but I'm going to find out and I'll let everyone know when I do.
If you plan on running, let Deb or I know. I'm hoping we can field a team for the race...
See you all soon,
Anne
by the way, I posted a Boston summary blog over at my personal blog... tvsnacks.blogspot.com for anyone interested...
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Tough Run
Today I joined a few of the guys for a morning run at Fort Snelling. It was actually warmer out than I thought so I was looking to place my gloves in the pockets of my running pants. However, I came to a realization that I had my running pants on backwards since I could not find my pockets! I announced to a few of the guys that I had my pants on backwards as if I was just wanted to get it out there before any snickering began. However, I should not have said anything, because they probably would not have even noticed. I attribute this lapse in judgment and putting my pants on backwards to losing a few brain cells at my Saturday morning run.
Yesterday I went for a run in the Eagan/Apple Valley area with a few other TU runners: Anne, Pam, Carly, Janelle and Amy. We were all there to help Anne with her last 20 mile run in prep for Boston. Most of us met at Jensen Lake since we were going to run 15 of the 20 mile course Anne had planned for the run. I was excited because since I live in Apple Valley, it was a short drive; however, I also knew that the run was not going to be an easy one. This wasn’t going to be the nice, leisurely run you find on the parkways in Minneapolis/St. Paul. This run was going to be one loaded with hills. Not just little bumps like the hill between Calhoun and Harriet. We had a few that were almost a mile long. I wish I would have counted the number of times we were running either up or down hill.
Anne picked up Janelle and met the rest of us at Jensen Lake and we proceeded on our journey for the next 15 miles. Right from the start, all I could think about was how I just did not feel right and that this was going be one of those runs I just couldn’t wait to get over with. I was trying really hard not to focus on how I felt and the hills that were ahead of us. What helped me through it was the fact that I was running with some great friends who like to tell stories!
As we continued on our up and down journey, I was still feeling like crap and was doing everything I could to not think about it, but I found myself fixating on getting to the to that first water stop. Anne told us it would be at 6 miles so I kind of knew about where it would be, but it wasn’t getting to us fast enough. I was starting to get a little cranky. I finally saw a little blue cooler ahead that Kirk put out earlier for us (Thanks Kirk!) and it was like I won the lottery! I was so happy to just be able to stop for a few minutes and slam down some refreshing Gatorade!
I was content to just stay there a bit longer, but we were soon on our way. Once again, my first thought was the next water stop at Anne’s house, which would be at about 10 miles for most of us, about 15 for Anne. However, to get to that point, I also had to think about the monstrous hills ahead! The mile long hill on Diffley was daunting! I tried not to look up, but I did and immedailry became crankier. All I could think about was getting up that darn hill! Of course, you get to the top, you have a short rest and then you had another hill to deal with. This was the course we ran! There was never a reprieve from the hills! Crankiness settled in and consumed me.
We arrived at Anne’s house and I found myself smiling! The crankiness subsided as I was gulping down my nice, cool glass of water from the coolest pink glass that Anne handed me! However, it was very short lived since we were immediately out the door for our final 5 miles.
The “crankies” were back and at this point, I just wanted to get done with the run. I was feeling weak and tired and I knew that we had to finish going up about another ¾ mile long hill. As much as I wanted to finish, I also wanted to avoid that hill at the end! I was hoping Anne would steer us a different direction, but then it dawned on me, there was no other way, unless we went through the trails and that wasn’t going to happen since the trails are not quite ready yet. I just found myself consumed with thinking about the hill at the end.
I felt the pace quickening since I believe we could all smell the finish, but that also meant that flippin’ hill was quickly approaching ahead. Once we turned on Pilot Knob, you could see the enormity of it! I could sense that it was going to be a dash at the end and I did everything I could to stay with the gazelles I was running with, but my worn out body could not keep up. I just resorted to getting to the top at a pace I knew would get me there still standing. Once I got to the top, I knew it was downhill to the finish so I just fired up everything I could and started running like a mad woman down the hill. I got up to Carly and then we both dashed downward in perfect rhythm! We finally reached Anne and Amy right at the finish and I was never happier to be done with a run. WE FINISHED!!! As we all gave each other the “high five” and were telling each other what a great run it was, as I turned towards Carly, she had that look of a baby who was about to burst out into a hysterical cry! Then all of a sudden Carly blurted out “I hated that run! I mean I know it’s good for me, but I still hated that run”! I could not help but burst out in laughter since I knew at that moment exactly what she meant. That will be a moment in time I do not believe I will ever forget. I’m still laughing about it now! Thanks Carly for being so brutally honest! It was a tough run for me too!
What I have learned through my years of running is that sometimes you have those runs you absolutely hate and wish you would have stayed home and read a good book instead. However, it is the friends you run with that help you through these tough runs. I could not have made that distance on that course alone. So I say with all sincerely to my friends: THANK YOU for helping me through a very tough run. I will end by saying that we started the day supporting Anne on her 20 and to me it appeared Anne could run the entire course again. So Anne – You are ready to face the hills at Boston. We all wish you the best!
Yesterday I went for a run in the Eagan/Apple Valley area with a few other TU runners: Anne, Pam, Carly, Janelle and Amy. We were all there to help Anne with her last 20 mile run in prep for Boston. Most of us met at Jensen Lake since we were going to run 15 of the 20 mile course Anne had planned for the run. I was excited because since I live in Apple Valley, it was a short drive; however, I also knew that the run was not going to be an easy one. This wasn’t going to be the nice, leisurely run you find on the parkways in Minneapolis/St. Paul. This run was going to be one loaded with hills. Not just little bumps like the hill between Calhoun and Harriet. We had a few that were almost a mile long. I wish I would have counted the number of times we were running either up or down hill.
Anne picked up Janelle and met the rest of us at Jensen Lake and we proceeded on our journey for the next 15 miles. Right from the start, all I could think about was how I just did not feel right and that this was going be one of those runs I just couldn’t wait to get over with. I was trying really hard not to focus on how I felt and the hills that were ahead of us. What helped me through it was the fact that I was running with some great friends who like to tell stories!
As we continued on our up and down journey, I was still feeling like crap and was doing everything I could to not think about it, but I found myself fixating on getting to the to that first water stop. Anne told us it would be at 6 miles so I kind of knew about where it would be, but it wasn’t getting to us fast enough. I was starting to get a little cranky. I finally saw a little blue cooler ahead that Kirk put out earlier for us (Thanks Kirk!) and it was like I won the lottery! I was so happy to just be able to stop for a few minutes and slam down some refreshing Gatorade!
I was content to just stay there a bit longer, but we were soon on our way. Once again, my first thought was the next water stop at Anne’s house, which would be at about 10 miles for most of us, about 15 for Anne. However, to get to that point, I also had to think about the monstrous hills ahead! The mile long hill on Diffley was daunting! I tried not to look up, but I did and immedailry became crankier. All I could think about was getting up that darn hill! Of course, you get to the top, you have a short rest and then you had another hill to deal with. This was the course we ran! There was never a reprieve from the hills! Crankiness settled in and consumed me.
We arrived at Anne’s house and I found myself smiling! The crankiness subsided as I was gulping down my nice, cool glass of water from the coolest pink glass that Anne handed me! However, it was very short lived since we were immediately out the door for our final 5 miles.
The “crankies” were back and at this point, I just wanted to get done with the run. I was feeling weak and tired and I knew that we had to finish going up about another ¾ mile long hill. As much as I wanted to finish, I also wanted to avoid that hill at the end! I was hoping Anne would steer us a different direction, but then it dawned on me, there was no other way, unless we went through the trails and that wasn’t going to happen since the trails are not quite ready yet. I just found myself consumed with thinking about the hill at the end.
I felt the pace quickening since I believe we could all smell the finish, but that also meant that flippin’ hill was quickly approaching ahead. Once we turned on Pilot Knob, you could see the enormity of it! I could sense that it was going to be a dash at the end and I did everything I could to stay with the gazelles I was running with, but my worn out body could not keep up. I just resorted to getting to the top at a pace I knew would get me there still standing. Once I got to the top, I knew it was downhill to the finish so I just fired up everything I could and started running like a mad woman down the hill. I got up to Carly and then we both dashed downward in perfect rhythm! We finally reached Anne and Amy right at the finish and I was never happier to be done with a run. WE FINISHED!!! As we all gave each other the “high five” and were telling each other what a great run it was, as I turned towards Carly, she had that look of a baby who was about to burst out into a hysterical cry! Then all of a sudden Carly blurted out “I hated that run! I mean I know it’s good for me, but I still hated that run”! I could not help but burst out in laughter since I knew at that moment exactly what she meant. That will be a moment in time I do not believe I will ever forget. I’m still laughing about it now! Thanks Carly for being so brutally honest! It was a tough run for me too!
What I have learned through my years of running is that sometimes you have those runs you absolutely hate and wish you would have stayed home and read a good book instead. However, it is the friends you run with that help you through these tough runs. I could not have made that distance on that course alone. So I say with all sincerely to my friends: THANK YOU for helping me through a very tough run. I will end by saying that we started the day supporting Anne on her 20 and to me it appeared Anne could run the entire course again. So Anne – You are ready to face the hills at Boston. We all wish you the best!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
