Fits Do Race Reviews: French 5k- Endless Summer Trail Run Series

This past Tuesday night I participated in my first trail run of the season as part of the Endless Summer Trail Run Series (and I checked a trail race off my Minneapolis Summer Bucket List!) This series consists of four Tuesday evening races throughout the summer at different parks in the Twin Cities area. The distances vary from a 5k up to 7 miles. (Please note though- even though they are marketed as 10k, 5k, etc. those are only "estimated" distances.)

Schedule of Races:

French 5KM | Tues, May 27 2014
Lebanon-Jensen 10KM | Tues, June 17 2014
Lebanon-Schulze 7MI | Tues, July 15 2014
Hyland 7MI | Tues, August 12 2014

The French 5k was the first race of the series. Dustin and I joined a few friends from the Calhoun Beach Running Club for the run.

"The Start Line"

There was water, plenty of bathrooms, and music while we waited by the start line. There were only a few same-day registration spots left, and I think the race ended up being sold out with around 300 runners. 

The race started promptly at 6:30 pm. There were some brief instructions about the course, course safety, etc, and then we were off!

Trail running is a whole different beast than what I'm used to on paved trails. We went through mud puddles and jumped over roots and branches. We climbed over several challenging hills. I had to walk up some of the hills, but apparently, that's pretty common in trail races- well, at least for me!

The course was clearly marked with arrows and chalk. There was a support stop around the half way point, even though it was only a 5k. Safety first on a hot summer night!

Gear? I don't have specific trail running shoes yet, but I have been looking into purchasing some. Any suggestions? For now, I just wear an older pair of my Brooks Ravennas that I don't mind getting wet and muddy.

After the race, there was beer and pizza for all participants. 

Best part of the night! It is such a cool laid-back vibe at these events, I really enjoy it.

After the race, there was a drawing for plenty of good prizes from the Endless Summer Trail Run Series' sponsors. Unfortuantely, I didn't win anything...maybe next time!

We hung around for awhile after the race chatting with other runners, but surprisingly it started to get a little chilly. Around 8:30 pm, we headed home for the night.

I highly recommend that you check out one of the next three races in this series. Hope to see you there!

Its kind of interesting that within three days, I ran three very different 5k's. It started with the just-for-fun pub run on Sunday (recap HERE). Monday, I participated in a very fast and competitive 5k at the Brian Kraft 5k (recap HERE). And then on Tuesday, I ran this fun, but challenging trail race. What a start to the week!

Read last year's recap of this race HERE

FIts Do Race Reviews: Brian Kraft Memorial Day 5k

On Memorial Day, Dustin and I participated in the 17th annual Brian Kraft Memorial Day 5k

This is a flat and fast 5k run around Lake Nokomis in South Minneapolis. It was held on Memorial Day Monday at 8:30 am.

Who is Brian Kraft?
From the website:
"Brian Kraft was an enthusiastic and talented runner from Bemidji, Minnesota. His running career was cut short at the age of 19 with the discovery of Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in his back. Brian lived with cancer for 15 years, undergoing chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and countless surgical procedures.

Throughout the years, Brian continued to run. He ran the lakes and parkways and raced with the local running crowd. In spite of all that life threw his way, he kept a positive attitude. Brian attributed his strength in his fight against cancer to his love of running and to the work of his long-time friend, Dr. Arny Leonard.

Dr. Arnold S. Leonard and his colleagues at the University of Minnesota and the National Cancer Institute have made significant advances in cancer research in the last five years. They are working on a series of projects that reduces cancers of all kinds by boosting the central immune system by genetic engineering. This exciting new field of cancer therapy has great promise."

This 5k is part of the USATF team circuit, of which the Calhoun Beach Running Club is now a part of. At each race on the running schedule circuit, we have to have 5 men and 5 women to officially "score" at the race.

Even though I had participated in the Memorial Day Pub Run the day before, I still did the 5k so that we had a full women's team...basically, I was just a warm body to make our team legit!

This 5k is extremely competitive. It attracts a very fast crowd, with the winning time of 14:46! So impressive.

I didn't run very well, but Dustin had a PR! He felt great (even though he also participated in the Memorial Day Pub Run the day before...) I was very proud of him, and excited that he had such a great race!

Not every local 5k is chip-timed, but this one definitely is. As advertised, it is flat and fast.

There isn't a lot of swag at this race, but you do get a cozy cotton t-shirt....(yes, this one is a little wrinkly.) It's a serious 5k, but still lots of fun.

For a 5k, I give this race a 10/10. It's a great way to start out the holiday, and its cool to be around such fast runners.

Hopefully I'll be back next year!

Fits Do Race Reviews: The 2014 Memorial Day Pub Run

"The Most Beautiful Urban Pub Run Held in Uptown on the Day Before Memorial Day!"

Sunday was the 5th Annual Memorial Day Pub Run!

This event is not a sanctioned run, nor is it open to the public (Calhoun Beach Running Club members only) but it does have a very sophisticated website: http://memorialdaypubrun.com. Basically, you run from bar to bar, having one beer at each bar. The entire course is just under four miles, ending with a BBQ at a run club member's house. The course was new this year, since our coach Paul doesn't live in Minneapolis anymore. However, even with some changes,  the race went very smoothly, and was a big success! 

It was definitely one of the best pub runs I have run this year. And, as you can read all about HERE, I was an "elite" at this event, ha! My one and only opportunity to be an elite...

You can find lots of additional information on the website, so I'll do this recap primarily via pictures!

 The Start Line!

 The emcee of the Pub Run, Paul

 First stop- Williams Pub!

 Second stop- Liquor Lyle's

 Enjoying a beverage...

 3rd Stop: CC Club

 4th Stop: the VFW

 Memorial Day at the VFW Uptown...I just love this picture!

 5th Stop- Stella's Fish Cafe!

What a fun Sunday!

....and a final bonus support stop on the way back to the host's house for the BBQ.

It was perfect weather for a pub run, and I think everyone had a good time. No race injuries!

I have to admit, I'm probably getting a little old for a pub run. I thought about how hard the whole event probably was on my liver, kidneys, my whole body! I could definitely feel it yesterday morning when we ran the Brian Kraft Memorial Day 5k. I ran a PW - personal worst- time at this 5k (I think!) So the pub run is definitely a once a year event for this old lady, but it was still a good time. 

The Memorial Day Pub Run is a unique event- definitely a 10/10 in the pub run category!

Fulfilling my Summer Bucket List: Taylors Falls and More!

I spent last Saturday fulfilling a few items on my Minneapolis Summer Bucket List. I checked three items off my list in one day- not too shabby!

After a morning run with Matilda and my friend Kelly, Dustin and I packed up the Volvo to head to Taylors Falls. It was over an hour drive, but it went by quickly, as we passed through a couple of cute little towns.

We arrived at Taylors Falls, i.e. Interstate State Park around 12:30, and spent about two hours hiking around the park with Matilda.

There are glacial potholes to view and plenty of trails for hiking. The park is a also very popular place for rock climbing and bouldering.

I think we ALMOST wore Matilda out...I mean, she did start the day with a 7 mile run, and then 2 hours of hiking!

But we weren't done yet...

We made a quick stop at the Taylors Falls drive-in for a late lunch (Tilda did get a few small bites of my hamburger!) The old-school drive-in was quite charming really, but be prepared for a bit of a wait, as the burgers and sandwiches are made to order. However, the food was worth the wait. After a full day, an old-fashioned burger hit the spot.

Before heading back to Minneapolis, we stopped at the Franconia Sculpture Park, 

which definitely exceeded my expectations!

This park was so much fun! I could not believe how big the park is...there is so much to see.

It's dog-friendly (on a leash) and would also be a lot of fun for kids, as most of the art pieces are interactive or "climbable."

Matilda is quite cultured, right? Spending her Saturday enjoying the arts, ha! Honestly, she was much more interested in all the field mice she was sniffing out.

Dustin definitely enjoyed climbing on the artwork.

I highly recommend the Franconia Sculpture Park for adults, kids, dogs, whomever!

Have you been to Taylors Falls, the drive-in, or Franconia Sculpture Park? What did you think? Let me know!

Stay tuned for a recap of the 2014 Memorial Day Pub RUN, the Brian Kraft Memorial Day 5k, and the Endless Summer Trail Series French Park 5k!

Weekly Recap: The Start of a Lovely Long Weekend...

Happy Saturday! I usually do my weekly recap on Sunday, but I had a little time today to check in with you guys. It's an absolutely beautiful day here, so we're heading to Taylors Falls in an hour to check a few items off of my Summer Bucket List - hiking at the park there, the Franconia Sculpture Garden, and maybe a drive-in! 

Have you read my list? Let me know what I missed- I already know that I missed heading to one of the pizza farms discussed HERE. Dustin and I really want to go to one!

Anyways, here's what's happening in fitness this week!

Monday: 4 mile run with Matilda 

Tuesday: 4 mile run with Matilda (lots of running with Matilda this week to get her ready for the Fast and Furry 8k next Saturday!)

Wednesday: 1 hour kettlebell/strength class at Balance Fitness

Thursday: 4 mile run with Matilda

Friday: 1 hour barre class at Balanced Barre

Saturday: A little over 7 miles with Kelly and Matilda. This is the longest I have run since the Flying Pig marathon! Its going to be a warm day today, and we were definitely sweaty this morning.

Sunday: Tomorrow, I'm signed up for a barre class at Balanced Barre. Then in the afternoon, it is the Calhoun Beach Running Club 's Memorial Day Pub Run. I think this is the 4th year of the pub run. We missed it one year for Theresa's wedding in Mexico, but I did blog about this fun event last year. You can catch up HERE. The pub run is exactly what it sounds like- we run a little over a 5k in Uptown, stopping at multiple bars along the way for a beer, finishing with a big BBQ party. 

I'm not sure I can really count the pub run towards my weekly mileage, but if I do, I suppose I'll be around 20 miles for the week. My legs still aren't feeling all that great, but I suppose its time to "buck up" and start running again seriously, as I have a lot of upcoming races this summer.

What's happening in Fashion?

We went out to Bar La Grassa for Kelly's birthday. I swear, that restaurant is always packed, no matter what night of the week you go! The food is delicious, so I suppose it makes sense that is has remained so popular. 

For the dinner, I copied an outfit I saw on seersucker + saddles. I realized that I had the exact same sleeveless top from JCrew that she was wearing here. I loved her look below, so I tried my best to re-create it.

I paired the top with a hand-me-down pink maxi skirt from my younger sister. It's an old skirt from Forever 21, but I think I was able to update it with the belt and top.

 Is it called a hand-me-up, if she's my younger sister?

Great dinner with great friends!

What's happening in Fitness Fashion?

Have you checked out Lululemon's beach gear? There's some really cute stuff! Their swimsuits have an athletic look while still cute and feminine. I love the shanti surf cross back top!

I haven't tried any of the beach gear on yet, but I did see that they are carrying it at the Lululemon store at the Galleria by my office. The shanti surf top seems like it would be a perfect top for some stand up paddle boarding this summer! 

Well, enjoy the rest of your long weekend.  I'll be checking in periodically and hope to see more suggestions for my summer bucket list!

Fitting Remarks: My Minneapolis Summer Bucket List!

I have seen a few "Summer Bucket Lists" floating around the internet lately, so I thought I would share one of my own. My list includes a few things I have already done in summers past, but they are things that I want to repeat every summer. The list also has a few things I have never done. It is specific to the Minneapolis area, but hopefully any non-local readers will enjoy it too!  

**Non-local readers- if you ever plan a visit to Minneapolis, let me know! I love to play tour guide in my fair city.

1. Leave  a note for the elf on Lake Harriet. Come back a week later and search for a personalized response from the elf.
I hope you know about this awesome elf tree! It's on the west side of Lake Harriet, right off the walking path, built into the bottom of a big tree. You can usually find all kinds of paper, gifts, etc. that kids have left for the elf. If you open the door you will find a whole pile of responses from the elf to people who have written him letters. He writes back to EVERYONE. I have no clue who is behind this whole thing, but I love it. The best word to describe it is charming. Or, maybe magical...   

The elf tree on Lake Harriet

I visited the elf with my nieces a few summers ago. They asked him questions like, “Are you from Norway?”,  and “Do you have pets?” I went back a week later, and there were two tiny typed responses on sparkly silver pieces of paper, addressed to each of my nieces. I had to mail the responses to my nieces who were only here visiting, but they loved it! You’re never too old for that kind of fun, so I think that this summer, I will send him a letter of my own...ask him the real tough questions, you know? What's the meaning of life? How can I run faster, Mr. Elf?

Here is the response for one of my nieces:

2. Take an outdoor yoga class with Yoga Garage
My friend Meggan’s outdoor yoga class has been going on for several summers now. She has been featured in Mpls/St. Paul Magazine as a “must-do” in the summer, so taking one of her donation-based classes is definitely on my list as well. It is so easy to hop on a bike with my yoga mat strapped to my back, and head over to Lake of the Isles for her class. Its the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors while doing something good for the body. Classes will start the first Wednesday in June- read more HERE.

3. Bike to SeaSalt Eatery
Dustin is a big fan of the soft-shell crab sandwich at SeaSalt Eatery, but I usually go for the fish tacos. Nothing says summer more than sipping on a cold Surly brew while enjoying the view over Minnehaha Falls, with a belly full of tasty seafood.

4. Stand-up paddleboard
We purchased our own stand-up paddleboards a few summers ago, and I am so glad that we did. They offer such a fun way to get out on the water on any lake. Of course, we use them the most up at the cabin, but its easy to use them on the Minneapolis chain of lakes as well. If you don't have your own, you can rent one at any of the most popular chain of lakes; I know that Harriet, Calhoun, and Nokomis all have rentals on site. Give it a try, I bet you will have some fun!

5. Spend an afternoon on the Relaxation Station
This activity is only possible at the cabin, but it is a must-do for the summer! Bring a magazine out to the Relaxation Station, maybe a cold beverage, and enjoy the quiet and the sun! (Just be wary of the dragonflies.)

6. See a bear
This activity also probably will only happen at the cabin, if ever...I am not saying I want to see one up close, but I would still like to see one in the wild. Dustin’s mom has seen MANY bears up at the cabin, but somehow, I never get to see them! 

She ever saw this mom with her three babies last summer! She was safe inside the cabin, but how crazy is this picture? (..and how cute are those cubs?) I'm not sure how our vizsla Matilda would react to a bear sighting. She chases the deer that she sees up there, but I don't think I want her chasing a bear!

7. Make it to a Twins Game. 
Bonus Points- take a Nice Ride bike to get there. 
Extra Bonus points: Get on the kiss cam!

I made it to a Cincinnati Reds vs. Brewers game after the Flying Pig marathon, and I remembered how nice it is to sit in the sun and enjoy America’s favorite pastime. Target Field is really an awesome stadium for baseball. If you haven't yet gone, you should try to make it to a game this summer too!

Time to head to Target Field to root for the home team!


8. Go to a church supper in a small town- preferably a lutefisk dinner
Dustin and I both have some Scandinavian heritage, yet neither one of us has eaten lutefisk. I’m not exactly looking forward to this one, as I've heard lutefisk is a bit of an acquired taste...but it could make for a good story! If we can't find a lutefisk feed, I'm thinking any small-town church dinner will do....This might sound like a strange one, but I want to embrace the grand ol' state of Minnesota, and a good old fashioned church supper seems like a good way to do that. Anyone have any suggestions?

9. Catch a pike or another “big” fish. (A muskie would be bonus points!)
I'm the first to admit I'm not much of an "angler" or fisherwoman, but it would be exciting to reel in something sizable one of these days, other than the little sunfish that I usually catch. Dustin often catches some decent sized northerns.  I'm thinking if he coaches me a little bit, maybe I can catch one too!

10. Eat something on a stick at the Minnesota State Fair.
If you have been reading the Right Fits for awhile, you know that Dustin and I love the Minnesota State Fair (check out some past recaps HERE and HERE). However, we often focus on trying out new foods or saving room for our favorites, and then we forget to get something on a stick! We need to make sure we fulfill this activity this year. All good Minnesotans should be eating something on a stick at the fair.

























12. Attend a summer concert at the Lake Harriet bandshell
We live mere blocks from the bandshell, but we don’t always make it to a summer concert here. We need to pick a night to bring a bottle of wine, grab some food at Bread & Pickle, and relax on a blanket on a warm summer night, while enjoying some live music over picturesque Lake Harriet. You can find the schedule for the concerts HERE.

13. Pick a winner of Best Jucy Lucy between the 5-8 Club and Matt’s Bar.
This isn’t necessarily a summer activity, but both places often have a line that winds outside. It seems better to make plans to head here when the weather makes it more bearable to wait outside. If you're not familiar with a Jucy (yes, that's the correct spelling) Lucy, its a hamburger with the cheese cooked inside the meat...supposedly it was invented in Minneapolis (Read more HERE.) The 5-8 Club and Matt’s Bar are two old-school "dive" bars that apparently serve the "best' Jucy Lucy. I have only been to Matt's Bar once, several years ago, so I think I need to try them both out closer together and make my own decision on a winning Jucy Lucy!

14. See an outdoor movie in the park.
When we lived by Loring Park for a summer, we took advantage of our location, and often grabbed a blanket and a picnic basket, and went to the Monday night movies in the park at Loring Park. We haven't done this in years, but I really want to do it again this year. You can find the schedule HERE. You'll see from the schedule that Loring Park isn't the only park that hosts a movie night- there are movies nights at parks all over the city! Definitely check out the schedule to see if a park near you has a movie in the park night.

15. Lawn bowling at Brit’s Pub Brit's lawn bowling greens are always such a blast. You do have to plan ahead and reserve lanes pretty early, but get a group of friends together and I guarantee you'll have a great time! Reserve lanes HERE. I went once last summer for a work outing, and it was a good time. The picture below is from a birthday celebration with Dustin's friends several years ago. 

Lawn bowling at Brit's is fun for all types of groups of people!

16. Go to the Mill City Farmer’s Market There are all kinds of farmer's markets now in Minneapolis (the Linden Hills one is awesome, and our neighbor's food truck, Hot Indian, is often there!) But the Mill City Farmer's Market is one of the biggest and one of the best, and I definitely want to spend some time there this summer. If you go, be sure to get some donuts from the Chef Shack!

17. Have an ice cream date at Sebastian Joe’s
Sebastian Joe's has two locations: 1) downtown Linden Hills  2) and Franklin & Hennepin on your way downtown.  Dustin definitely has more of the sweet tooth between the two of us, but I still enjoy an ice cream cone in the summer! With flavors like, “Nicollet Avenue Pot Hole” (chocolate ice cream w/ fudge, truffles, heat bar & sea salt) and “Honey Cinnamon Crisp”(honey ice cream with cinnamon and graham crackers), a date night at Sebastian Joe's is a Minneapolis summer must-do. 


18. Go to an old-school drive-in
I have never been to a drive-in! I need to check this off the list this summer. Apparently, St. Paul’s Dari-ette Drive-in or Wagner’sDrive-in in Brooklyin Park are both supposed to be good.  There's also St. Louis Park’s Galaxy Drive-In and the Drive-in in Taylors Falls. Going to a drive-in for a burger and a shake seems like such an all-American tradition that I want to experience on a hot summer's night this year.

Bonus if we go to Taylors Falls, I can check off number 19 below!


19. Go to Taylors Falls and the Franconia Sculpture Park!
I haven't been to Taylors Falls yet. Dustin used to go climbing there quite a bit before we were together, but I have never been. I'd like to go hiking for a day there with Matilda (I believe dogs are allowed, as long as they are on a leash- is that correct?). After a hike, we could visit Franconia Sculpture Park.

20. Run a trail race

I think this will be one of the easiest items to check off the list, as I am already registered to run in the French 5k Trail Run a week from this Tuesday. This race is part of the Endless Summer Trail Series. We did it last year (read about it HERE) and I thought it was so much fun. Its definitely challenging, but no one cares about your pace in a trail run. Do it! You can register HERE.

The Twin Cities area has miles of trails for running, walking, or hiking, so participating in a trail run is definitely a highlight of the summer for me.

Those are 20 things I want to be sure to do this summer, but while putting this together, I came up with a few extra bonus items!

21. See the Lake Creature!
Visit Minne the lake creature,  in whatever lake she's living in this summer! I'm not sure where she will be placed this year, but I think the whole idea is really cute, so I have to pay her a visit at some point.

22. Visit Isles Bun & Coffee
Go to Isles Bun & Coffee on a lazy Sunday morning, and go crazy with the frosting on a cinnamon roll (example provided below by my adorable niece Clara). Then walk it off with a leisurely stroll around Lake of the Isles.

23.  Visit Wild Rumpus bookstore
Take your kids (or your nieces and nephews or neighbors or whoever!) to the Wild Rumpus bookstore in Linden Hills. They will LOVE the chickens, tail-less cats, rats, and adventures at this one-of-a-kind bookstore. There are plenty of books for adults as well!

There you have it. That's my bucket list for Minneapolis Summer 2014. What do you think?

Do you have any other items you think I should add to my list? 
Please share in the comments, I'd love to hear your ideas!