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

Fitting Remarks: I Can't Wait for Summer Because...

Linking up with Helene in Between via Real World Minneapolis:

1) ...the cabin! i.e. "Up North." Paddleboarding. Fishing. The "Relaxation Station."

2)...trail runs!

Actually, the schedule was just posted for the Endless Summer Trail series. Here it is!

3)....parking on both sides of the street. Yep. Ready for Minneapolis's snow emergency to be OVER!

4)...bright colors! Okay, I'll be honest, I wear bright colors all year long, but I'm excited for it to be a little more seasonally appropriate! 

5) the end of salt on my suede shoes!

6) fun summer races, like the Torchlight Run!

7) leisurely walks at the dog park with Matilda

Seriously, the list goes on and on...

8) some color on this pasty skin!

9) sun bleached blond hair

10) not having to pack a huge bag of winter clothes every time I go to the gym

11) no more shoveling snow

12) no more wearing a different pair of shoes (i.e. BOOTS) to work and carrying my dress shoes

13) sunsets at 9 pm!

14) dinners on the back deck!
15) a nice glass of white wine...

Tell me how you would finish this sentence! I can't wait for summer because....

Friday's Favorite Fit: Trail Running!

By Cool J in Minneapolis

Friday's Favorite Fit is coming to you a little late, but it's still Friday, right? Today's favorite is a bit of a combo Fits Do Race Reviews as well!

Today's favorite fit is....trail running!

This Wednesday night I participated in my first trail run as part of the Endless Summer Trail Series. This series consists of four Wednesday 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. It's all very casual.)

Schedule of Races:
Hyland 10KM | Wed. May 29th - Starts 6:30 PM
French 5KM | Wed. June 19th - Starts 6:30 PM
Murphy 10KM | Wed. July 17th - Starts 6:30 PM
Lebanon 7MI | Wed. August 14th - Starts 6:30 PM

The first race of the series was right before the Newport Marathon, so we couldn't participate. But this past Wednesday, we were able to join in on the fun for the French 5k!

There was a great energy at the start. 

The race was supposed to start at 6:30, but there were a lot of last minute registrants, so it was delayed just a bit. Around 6:45, the 300 or so of us trail runners were off!

This was seriously trail running. There was no pavement- just dirt, grass, rocks, and lots of hills! My legs were not in shape for the hills, and I was definitely huffing and puffing. It was my slowest 5k ever! But even the winners' times were much slower than a normal winning 5k time, so I didn't feel quite so bad. Fortunately for my tired legs, it was only a 5k. It was over before you knew it!

Then, the finish line party was the best part! There was plenty of beer and pizza for the participants.

The laid back, no frills race was really a blast. For just $25, we could run the race, enjoy the beer and pizza, and take home a cute commemorative mug. Not a bad way to spend a summer evening!

I give this race a 10/10. It was fun to do something different, in terms of location and the trails. 

The price was right, and the overall experience was great!

It was a really warm night, so we stuck around with our friends for awhile, 

enjoying the endless summer evening, so to speak.

The Calhoun Beach Running Club had a good turnout at the race.

Come for the run, stay for the fun, right?

If any of the remaining races in this series fit into your schedule, I highly suggest that you try one out!

A few other local trail races in the Minneapolis area:

The Surly Trail Loppet- Half marathon, 13.1k, and 5k

http://www.loppet.org/trailloppet/

The St. Paul Urban Trail Marathon (new this year!)- Marathon, Half marathon, and 10k

http://www.runbattlecreek.org/trail-marathon/

Question of the Day: Have you ever done a trail run? What did you think? Was it harder than pavement running?