Functional Fit: Goodbye to Dome Running....

By Jess in Minneapolis

Goodbye, Metrodome running. You've been good to us. You've been keeping runners warm for thirty years- long before I moved to Minneapolis and long before I ever would have dreamed of running on a Metrodome concourse in the winter.

But the time has come to say goodbye. Tonight was the LAST night of dome running. The dome will soon be torn down to make room for a new Viking stadium.

You may remember previous posts about dome running (HERE and HERE). Dome running is (was?) organized by MDRA (Minnesota Distance Running Association), and this biweekly event was open to the public. Admission was just $1, for up to three hours of balmy 75 degree running. Yes, you could run in shorts in the dead of winter!

Throughout my four years with the CBRC, I have done my fair share of speed workouts in the dome. We usually head there when its too icy or too cold to run outside (or at least, too icy and cold for workouts). For me, I went to the dome a few times in the past when training for a spring marathon. Its about 2.5 laps to a mile, so its really not so bad. You can listen to your headphones if you want, and there are plenty of bathrooms and water fountains available.

I know that some runners prefer the treadmill to the dry air and hard concrete of the Metrodome concourse. Sure, the Metrodome is a little monotonous, but to me, it has always offered a fun alternative to the biting cold and slippery ice or the awfulness of the "dreadmill."  It also allowed for more of a "running community" vibe with all of the club members together. The support of our running club can be maintained at the dome, which isn't really possible on the treadmill.

The weather wasn't actually that bad today, but the CBRC wanted to hold the workout at the dome so everyone had a chance to say their goodbyes.

About twelve members of the club showed up for the dome workout tonight.

Eric, one of the newer coaches for the CBRC, explained the workout. We would do about four laps as a warmup, then tempo intervals (three laps hard, one lap recovery) a couple of times before doing three to four laps for a cool down.

Eric explains the workout

I am still easing back into harder running after my stress "reaction" so I didn't push it too hard. I did about seven miles total (eighteen laps) and I was certain to do plenty of stretching and foam rolling when I returned home afterwards.

Another thing I always loved about dome running was that you got to see some of our local "elites" (such as Jenna Boren, when she still lived here. Read my interview with her HERE) You also would see a lot of familiar faces from other local running clubs and people you recognized from races.

In fact, one of the other running clubs was doing a full "marathon" there today- 70 laps!

Don't worry, they were doing it as a relay. They even had a baton to pass as each runner ran a lap. I believe there were between 15-20 people there, and their goal was to run it under three hours (as the dome running is only from 5-8 pm) Apparently, they were on pace to finish around 2:30. Pretty impressive!

The above chart has probably been around for many, many years. Its pretty helpful in figuring out your goal pace, as your Garmin doesn't work inside the Dome.

Wow! I must have been running fast, camera couldn't catch me, hehe...not quite. However, I did say my goodbyes to the dome the best way I knew how, pounding out some miles on that hard concrete and sweating off all that Christmas "joy" from yesterday.

Thanks to MDRA for organizing the dome running for so many years! I hope the new stadium will offer something similar to keep runners warm during the long Minnesota winter.

Functional Fit: Supporting Your Runner.

By Cool J in Minneapolis

This week more than ever, there's been such an outpouring of support and love in the running community, it's astounding.

Check out Pavement Runner for information on the #BostonStrong runs planned in multiple cities for tomorrow.

I haven't organized any major events, but I showed my support for my special runner in my own small way today. Dustin was in Washington, D.C. for a conference Friday and Saturday, and he didn't return until late last night. Therefore, he missed the long run with the Calhoun Beach Run Club.  He had to make up the long run this morning. With 18-20 miles on the training schedule, he wasn't too eager to do it on his own. Though I didn't join him for the running, I did spend my morning driving around the city to provide him support along his way.

He followed the same route as the run club did, with a few moderations to start from our house. I met him around mile 8, mile 11, and again at mile 15 with Powerade, water, GU's, and bananas.

At the last support stop, I brought Matilda, thinking the three of us could run 3-4 miles together. We started off around 8:30's, but Dustin quickly informed me that he needed to continue on with his 7:45's...Too fast for this girl on a recovery run! I went on my own way, and just did an easy 4 by myself, and Dustin and Matilda headed home to finish his run.

Dustin and me post-Get Lucky half

Dustin had a great run, on a windy, cold (April???) day. None of the public water fountains have been turned on yet for the season, so he wouldn't have had any water any other way. I'd like to think my support made it a little easier for him. He's not one to wear a fuel belt, so having Powerade and fuel along the way hopefully helped him feel good for all those miles.

So, I guess this is my public thanks to me post :-) Helping Dustin this morning was my way to show my support for the running community (via my husband) in my own small way.

How did you support your favorite runner recently? Or, did you participate in something grander? Please share!

Functional Fit: A Creative Solution for Your Key on a Run

By Cool J in Minneapolis

One of my favorite running companions is this pretty lady, Ms. Matilda Sloan!
(Read a few previous posts about running with your pup HERE and HERE)

More recently, I have posted about the puzzle of what to do with your key when out for a run.
(Read those posts HERE and HERE)

My hairstylist/facebook friend/occasional blog commenter (thanks Kol!) saw my post, and sent me the BEST solution. Her solution for my key conundrum just happened to also include running with my favorite running pal.

And the solution is...a fanny pack for your pup!

  Doesn't her dog look pleased?

Your pup won't even notice the fanny pack, but you know who will notice?

All the neighbors.

They'll be jealous of how fly your doggy looks.

You think your dog is too stylish for a fanny pack?

Even Rihanna wears a fanny pack.

This neon dog fanny pack was found at a vintage sale in Minneapolis, but I found similar ones HERE and HERE and might have to order one for Ms. Matilda. I was told they most definitely carry old school fanny packs at Rewind if you're shopping locally.

Have you been to Rewind, Minneapolis people? Two convenient locations:
Northeast Minneapolis: 2829 Johnson Street NE Mpls
Uptown: 2207 Lyndale Ave S Mpls
Monday- Saturday 11-7, Sunday 11-5

Thanks for the awesome suggestion Kol!

Side note: 

Looking for a new stylist? Go visit Kol (who is also the owner of the adorable pup with the fanny pack) at Salon Stella in northeast Minneapolis. I have been going to her for seven years. Yes, seven years! She was doing my hair even before my wedding.

In fact, let's reminisce with a few pictures from my wedding. 

She did my hair (and makeup) for that special day:

But I digress.

The purpose of this post was to inform you of a possible solution for your key on a run. Utilize your dog! Functional Fit folks.

Give Your Heart Some Lovin'

By LL

It's Valentine's Day. Whether that statement makes you cringe, roll your eyes, feel depressed, feel happy or flat out feel nothing, well that doesn't matter. Today is a day to give your heart some tender lovin' care, not just because it is Valentine's Day, but also because February is American Heart Month.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 17 MILLION people die of cardiovascular disease each year. And, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women, with 1 in every 4 deaths caused by heart disease in 2009! Those are some scary statistics, especially when you have multiple risk factors - high cholesterol, poor diet, genetics....with the number one risk factor being a sedentary lifestyle.

So, why not give your heart a little lovin' on Valentine's Day? Get up and do a little extra physical activity today. Tack on an extra mile to your run. Add some strength training at the end of your usual cardio routine. Run up the stairs at work (after this post I would hope none of you are still taking the elevator). Add ankle rolls and leg lifts while sitting at your desk. Better yet, make a conscious effort to stand most of the day instead of sitting. Already got your workout in this morning? Add a shorter workout in after work.

Simply getting 20-30 minutes of moderate (we're not talking distance running or killer cardio routines here, more like walking or bike riding) physical activity each day has been shown to improve your HDL cholesterol, increase insulin sensitivity (which decreases your risk of diabetes), reduces your risk of heart disease (heart lovin') and some forms of cancer, and (the real kicker for Valentine's Day), it can boost your sex drive!

Don't wait for someone else to take care of your heart today. Do it yourself.

Functional Fit: Running at the Metrodome

By Cool J in Minneapolis

Tired of the treadmill? Too cold to run outside? I have just the thing for you....
Dome Running!
Dome running? What's dome running?

I honestly did not know what dome running was myself until I joined the Calhoun Beach Running Club. In fact, I made it through my first year training with the club still not experiencing this elusive "dome running."   When I heard people mention that they ran at the dome, I pictured them running hot laps around the football field on the grass, pretending to score touchdowns or first downs.

{where I thought we'd be running}

I was quite surprised to learn that these runners are actually doing laps around the concourse at the dome, i.e. the area where spectactors wander around purchasing foot-long hotdogs and beers…not quite as fun as I had imagined.

{Dusters running in shorts and a tee in January!}

About 2 ½ laps equals one mile…and the laps all look the same. It’s hard to tell where you are or where you started, and sometimes I started to get a little dizzy!

But the bright side is that the dome is a balmy 75 degrees. There are no lines for the treadmill like at the gym. And it only costs $1.

It’s a convenient option for speed training and workouts during the winter. Our run club was headed there last night as there is a group training for the Boston marathon, which means training through these grueling winters. Maybe someday that will be ME training for Boston...hopefully before I'm 50!

The temperature today was -14 when I woke up; much too cold to run outside, so Dusters and I decided to join the group at the Dome instead.

{The D-man outside the dome}

Here are some useful links for all the Dome information:

http://runmdra.org/files/Dome_Handout_11-12.pdf
http://www.runmdra.org/index.php/programs/12-dome-running

Every Tuesday and Thursday through March 21    MDRA (Minnesota Distance Running Association) sponsored Dome running begins on Tuesday, November 20, 2012. Dome running is open every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., cost is $1. Every Tuesday/Thursday through March 21.  The MDRA turns the Metrodome into the place to be twice a week during the dark,cold and icy winter nights!  Running is from 5:00-8:00 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday and it costs $1.  2 1/2 laps around the concourse equals a mile.  Enter gate D. You can park free in the upper Dome lot.  If you have questions contact Rick Recker at 612 375-0805

http://runmdra.org/files/Dome_Handout_11-12.pdf
The above is a very useful link, providing the distances based on whether you run on the inner, middle, or outer "lane." The inner lane is reserved for runners going sub-7 min/miles, and they run in the opposite direction. My garmin didn't work inside the dome, so this link was helpful to determine what each lap time should be for me.

When writing this post, I did have to think about whether running at the Metrodome was a forgettable fit, a fresh, new fit, or a failed fit. But I asked my fellow dome runners, and they said it was a Functional Fit. It allows us to safely do workouts during the winter as a club, while avoiding the "dreadmill." It's true that running at the dome is not the same as running outside. Yet it was a nice change from the monotony of the treadmill. I traded the monotony of the treadmill for the monotony of the Metrodome. But indeed it was a functional fit!

{Calhoun Beach Running Club members feeling the burn at the dome}

Coach Paul (remember him? the guy who won the Mankato marathon?) had us do 5 laps as a warmup, and then 1 lap fast, 1 lap slow, 2 laps fast, 1 lap slow, 3 laps fast, 1 lap slow, 2 laps fast, 1 lap slow, 1 lap fast, and then a cooldown. I usually ran in the outer lane (no sub-7 minute miles here) so per the chart, it was about 8 miles total- a lot more than I would have done on the treadmill!

 {too fast for the camera to catch me...not quite}

Now if you live in Minneapolis, and this whole Metrodome running thing sounds like fun (are you CRAZY?), you better try it out this year. I'm not sure if the dome will exist next winter.

Workout complete. 

Mr. Mason (above) did almost 11 miles of dome running- impressive!

Post in the comments if you have any questions about dome running. 

It's definitely a quirky Minneapolis thing, but it works. 

I recommend this functional fit!