Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 (6:00PM)
Meet Location: Hartley Nature Center Parking Lot
Activity: Road Running
Weather: upper 40's and hopefully no snow!
Road Conditions: sidewalks and roads should be dry
Anticipated Distance: 11+ miles
The polls have officially closed and it's looking like we'll throw some hills in the mix this week.
We'll begin at Hartley Nature Center and run through the Woodland neighborhood. As always, we'll do our best to accommodate various paces and levels of fitness. We will loop back to the parking lot area at around 5.5 miles, and again at around 7 miles. There will also be several "short-cuts" available for those inclined to use them.
The mapped route is just over 11 miles, but if the legs are willing we may try to hit the 13 mile mark.
Please show up a few minutes early as we plan to begin promptly at 6:00.
Hope to see you there!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Kenwood Loops (recap)
Distance: 9.25 miles
Max reported HR: 170
Average reported HR: 140
Calories Burned: 1167
First, a plug for something outside of the Tuesday Night Good Clean Fun Run. This weekend, the Duluth Running Company is having a Tri Camp. I spoke with Clint today and there is still room for anyone that is interested in participating. For those of you who have done any triathlons and want to make some significant improvements, this is a great opportunity. You will get plenty of personal analysis, training, and instruction. Two reasons any level triathlete should go: transition tips & practice and in-pool video analysis. The DRC website link is in my list to the right or you can look up their phone number in the phonebook.
Alright, so I dubbed the run an interval workout. As it turns out, it was a interval, hill, long run, but not as long as had originally slated, which was 12 to 14 miles. Intervals are a bit difficult to work out for runners of different paces. If someone is faster, they get a longer recovery or further ahead. Smaller loops or stairs work well to that end, so we'll try to do something more consistent next week.
After two or three intervals, we decided to go a stable pace because there were a number of hills. Make sure to check out the interactive map at the bottom of the blog. If you click on the map, I believe it will take you to the mapmyrun route, which also has an option for viewing route elevations. I realize the online program probably does some equalizing so a moderately hilly route can look as significant as a immensely hilly one, but check out the numbers because the graphic is very representative. There was a 400ft swing overall between the highest and lowest elevations and many large jumps along the way.
Four of us out on this gorgeous night: me, Greg, Bill, and Kurt. Greg played photographer this go around. He must be camera shy since becoming the poster boy for Thrill on the Hill. For anyone who was not able to spend some time outside that evening or the following Wednesday, you really missed out. Temps were probably in the high 50's or low 60's and the roads and sidewalks were freshly cleaned. Also, though my preference is nearly always to run trails, it was fascinating to go through many neighborhoods I'd never traversed previously.
Greg is assembling next week's route, so don't worry or skip out just because this recap sounds above average on the challenge meter. He will undoubtedly pick a flatter path so we can meet our mileage goal next time and still incorporate loops for those that aren't interested in picking up the entire distance.
Activity Highlights:
Max reported HR: 170
Average reported HR: 140
Calories Burned: 1167
First, a plug for something outside of the Tuesday Night Good Clean Fun Run. This weekend, the Duluth Running Company is having a Tri Camp. I spoke with Clint today and there is still room for anyone that is interested in participating. For those of you who have done any triathlons and want to make some significant improvements, this is a great opportunity. You will get plenty of personal analysis, training, and instruction. Two reasons any level triathlete should go: transition tips & practice and in-pool video analysis. The DRC website link is in my list to the right or you can look up their phone number in the phonebook.
Alright, so I dubbed the run an interval workout. As it turns out, it was a interval, hill, long run, but not as long as had originally slated, which was 12 to 14 miles. Intervals are a bit difficult to work out for runners of different paces. If someone is faster, they get a longer recovery or further ahead. Smaller loops or stairs work well to that end, so we'll try to do something more consistent next week.
After two or three intervals, we decided to go a stable pace because there were a number of hills. Make sure to check out the interactive map at the bottom of the blog. If you click on the map, I believe it will take you to the mapmyrun route, which also has an option for viewing route elevations. I realize the online program probably does some equalizing so a moderately hilly route can look as significant as a immensely hilly one, but check out the numbers because the graphic is very representative. There was a 400ft swing overall between the highest and lowest elevations and many large jumps along the way.
Four of us out on this gorgeous night: me, Greg, Bill, and Kurt. Greg played photographer this go around. He must be camera shy since becoming the poster boy for Thrill on the Hill. For anyone who was not able to spend some time outside that evening or the following Wednesday, you really missed out. Temps were probably in the high 50's or low 60's and the roads and sidewalks were freshly cleaned. Also, though my preference is nearly always to run trails, it was fascinating to go through many neighborhoods I'd never traversed previously.
Greg is assembling next week's route, so don't worry or skip out just because this recap sounds above average on the challenge meter. He will undoubtedly pick a flatter path so we can meet our mileage goal next time and still incorporate loops for those that aren't interested in picking up the entire distance.
Activity Highlights:
- Big climbs of Cliff and Buffalo
- The short trail through the Featherstone development
Monday, April 21, 2008
Kenwood Loops
Date: Tuesday, April 225, 2008 (6:00PM)
Meet Location: Kenwood Shopping Center Parking Lot
Activity: Road Running with modification
Weather: mid 40's with a chance of rain (updated forecast)
Road Conditions: sidewalks and roads may be wet
Anticipated Distance: 12 - 14 miles
Modification: We will hold off on the hills until next week when I'm certain things will be dry. Instead, we will be working on intervals. Again, we'll do our best to accommodate various paces and levels of fitness.
Leg 1 will be a 5 mile up Arrowhead and across Rice Lake Rd and returning along Kenwood Ave. Leg 2 will be a 5 mile loop down Arrowhead, through some residential, and then around UMD and cutting back to the shopping area. The last leg will be determined on the fly.
Be at the parking area at 6PM or a few minutes early as we will start promptly.
Meet Location: Kenwood Shopping Center Parking Lot
Activity: Road Running with modification
Weather: mid 40's with a chance of rain (updated forecast)
Road Conditions: sidewalks and roads may be wet
Anticipated Distance: 12 - 14 miles
Modification: We will hold off on the hills until next week when I'm certain things will be dry. Instead, we will be working on intervals. Again, we'll do our best to accommodate various paces and levels of fitness.
Leg 1 will be a 5 mile up Arrowhead and across Rice Lake Rd and returning along Kenwood Ave. Leg 2 will be a 5 mile loop down Arrowhead, through some residential, and then around UMD and cutting back to the shopping area. The last leg will be determined on the fly.
Be at the parking area at 6PM or a few minutes early as we will start promptly.
Friday, April 18, 2008
B to B - Remix! (recap)
Distance: 11.6 miles
Sorry for the delayed recap!
There were 5 of us tonight: me, Greg, Bill, Eddie, and Clint. I am proud of Eddie's tenacious attitude, not having any running base and continuing to come out and hit the hills with the best of us. We were glad to have Bill back from his trip and hope Chris will be with us again soon. Last, but not least, was Clint, the energizer bunny of running if I ever met one! It has been several weeks since he was with us, so it was good to catch up.
To try to accomodate multiple levels, we decided to try (3) 4-mile loops, always circling back to the Lakewalk parking area. This provided some variety and also gave people opportunities to drop out. This seemed to work well, so we'll try to another variant of this in the weeks to come.
Speaking of route variants, you'll note a survey to the right. I don't expect a huge polling response, but this will be a means of expressing your preference for this next Tuesday run. Make sure to respond by 5PM on Monday. I'll then post the route later that evening. The options are:
Sorry for the delayed recap!
There were 5 of us tonight: me, Greg, Bill, Eddie, and Clint. I am proud of Eddie's tenacious attitude, not having any running base and continuing to come out and hit the hills with the best of us. We were glad to have Bill back from his trip and hope Chris will be with us again soon. Last, but not least, was Clint, the energizer bunny of running if I ever met one! It has been several weeks since he was with us, so it was good to catch up.
To try to accomodate multiple levels, we decided to try (3) 4-mile loops, always circling back to the Lakewalk parking area. This provided some variety and also gave people opportunities to drop out. This seemed to work well, so we'll try to another variant of this in the weeks to come.
Speaking of route variants, you'll note a survey to the right. I don't expect a huge polling response, but this will be a means of expressing your preference for this next Tuesday run. Make sure to respond by 5PM on Monday. I'll then post the route later that evening. The options are:
- Hillwork: I hate them, but they are essential in a comprehensive base building routine
- Intervals: Mix of hills and flats, but with some intential pushes along the route
- More of the same
Friday, April 11, 2008
B to B - Remix!
Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 (6:00PM) - YES, We're On!
Meet Location: 26th Ave E Lakewalk Parking Lot
Activity: Road Running
Weather: mid 40's (updated forecast)
Road Conditions: sidewalks and roads should be clear of snow, but may be wet.
Essential Gear: none
Anticipated Distance: 11 miles +/-. We will be splitting this into 2 to 3 loops to accommodate individual goals and paces, as possible. Again, please be present on time or a few minutes early so we can gauge the group and discuss the route options.
Here is a picture from out our front door last Friday. It is sad when you catch yourself whistling "It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas" in April, isn't it?
Meet Location: 26th Ave E Lakewalk Parking Lot
Activity: Road Running
Weather: mid 40's (updated forecast)
Road Conditions: sidewalks and roads should be clear of snow, but may be wet.
Essential Gear: none
Anticipated Distance: 11 miles +/-. We will be splitting this into 2 to 3 loops to accommodate individual goals and paces, as possible. Again, please be present on time or a few minutes early so we can gauge the group and discuss the route options.
Here is a picture from out our front door last Friday. It is sad when you catch yourself whistling "It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas" in April, isn't it?
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Blackwoods to Brighton and Back (recap)
Distance: 9.75 miles
Three of us out tonight. The route was pretty decent. After the recent snow, most of it had cleared away and there wasn't even much in the way of puddles on the sidewalks. I have to admit, we were pretty spoiled a week earlier with the weather, which wasn't nearly as nice tonight. The temperature was probably in the low 30's, but the wind was fierce on the outbound leg of the loop.
A new attender, my friend Kurt, was able to join us tonight. Two of our regulars, including the other organizer, were out sick. Another regular was on a vacation. There are advantages to large groups (ex. multiple paces, new acquaintances, etc.), but there is also something to be said for a smaller group.
Anyone who knows me will corroborate that I'm not a big talker. Hey, it isn't that I avoid talking, it just seems that I'm much better at asking questions and listening. I hope this didn't come across as a running strategy to Kurt and Eddie (I have been known to employ open ended questions to slow down the lead runner, just ask Clint about our Seven Bridges run).
We'll be running the same route on our next outing, or something similar. It isn't overly hilly, the routes clear off quickly after inclement weather, and there are multiple options for the various paces the group may represent.
One last note, if you have considered coming out up until this point, but didn't want to be the odd man out, know that newbies are always welcome. I hope to see you next outing!
Three of us out tonight. The route was pretty decent. After the recent snow, most of it had cleared away and there wasn't even much in the way of puddles on the sidewalks. I have to admit, we were pretty spoiled a week earlier with the weather, which wasn't nearly as nice tonight. The temperature was probably in the low 30's, but the wind was fierce on the outbound leg of the loop.A new attender, my friend Kurt, was able to join us tonight. Two of our regulars, including the other organizer, were out sick. Another regular was on a vacation. There are advantages to large groups (ex. multiple paces, new acquaintances, etc.), but there is also something to be said for a smaller group.
Anyone who knows me will corroborate that I'm not a big talker. Hey, it isn't that I avoid talking, it just seems that I'm much better at asking questions and listening. I hope this didn't come across as a running strategy to Kurt and Eddie (I have been known to employ open ended questions to slow down the lead runner, just ask Clint about our Seven Bridges run).
We'll be running the same route on our next outing, or something similar. It isn't overly hilly, the routes clear off quickly after inclement weather, and there are multiple options for the various paces the group may represent.
One last note, if you have considered coming out up until this point, but didn't want to be the odd man out, know that newbies are always welcome. I hope to see you next outing!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Blackwoods to Brighton and Back
Date: Tuesday, April 8,2008 (6:00PM)
Meet Location: 26th Ave E Lakewalk Parking Lot
Activity: Road Running
Weather: mid to low 30's (updated forecast)
Road Conditions: To Be Determined
Essential Gear: none
Anticipated Distance: 9 miles +/- (see anticipated route below). This course was suggested by one of our regular participants. We will assess individual goals at the start. One of the two options will be selected at that time. Option 1: We all follow the same route at the same pace with those who are in it for the shorter distance peeling off early. Option 2: We all follow the same route going at individual paces with lead runners completing horseshoes using avenues periodically so everyone is within a reasonable proximity.
PLEASE be at the parking lot on time or a few minutes early so we can get back at a decent time.
Meet Location: 26th Ave E Lakewalk Parking Lot
Activity: Road Running
Weather: mid to low 30's (updated forecast)
Road Conditions: To Be Determined
Essential Gear: none
Anticipated Distance: 9 miles +/- (see anticipated route below). This course was suggested by one of our regular participants. We will assess individual goals at the start. One of the two options will be selected at that time. Option 1: We all follow the same route at the same pace with those who are in it for the shorter distance peeling off early. Option 2: We all follow the same route going at individual paces with lead runners completing horseshoes using avenues periodically so everyone is within a reasonable proximity.
PLEASE be at the parking lot on time or a few minutes early so we can get back at a decent time.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Lakewalk/run (recap)
Distance: 8.9 miles
Effort Level: Average
In a few words: Warmer by the Lake
Six of us started off at the Duluth Running Co. It is great to see all the summer running gear in the shop. If you are a triathlete, make sure to check out their upcoming tri camp later this month. It should be a very valuable weekend for those who are looking to make some serious improvements. Enough about the DRC.
The weather was amazing. It was easily 10 degrees warmer at the lakewalk (high 40's) from the temperature up in Piedmont. All the snow from last night and early this morning was completely melted off the roads, sidewalks, and lakewalk.
We loosely stuck to our run plan of making sure to hit every stair and ramp that came across our path. We couldn't quite convince the majority to follow our tradition of running the biggest hill the same number of times as the number of participants. There is always next week, right? Well, we still hit each stair and ramp at least once, with many of them run several times. For some reason, my GPS odometer didn't reconcile with the distance marked off by MapMyRun, so we went with the GPS since it likely accounted for the multiple stair runs.
Make sure to come out next week. The weather is great, the company is great! Enjoy!
Effort Level: Average
In a few words: Warmer by the Lake
Six of us started off at the Duluth Running Co. It is great to see all the summer running gear in the shop. If you are a triathlete, make sure to check out their upcoming tri camp later this month. It should be a very valuable weekend for those who are looking to make some serious improvements. Enough about the DRC.
The weather was amazing. It was easily 10 degrees warmer at the lakewalk (high 40's) from the temperature up in Piedmont. All the snow from last night and early this morning was completely melted off the roads, sidewalks, and lakewalk.
We loosely stuck to our run plan of making sure to hit every stair and ramp that came across our path. We couldn't quite convince the majority to follow our tradition of running the biggest hill the same number of times as the number of participants. There is always next week, right? Well, we still hit each stair and ramp at least once, with many of them run several times. For some reason, my GPS odometer didn't reconcile with the distance marked off by MapMyRun, so we went with the GPS since it likely accounted for the multiple stair runs.
Make sure to come out next week. The weather is great, the company is great! Enjoy!
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