Weekly Recap: National Running Day, the Twins Game, and More!

Hi everyone! As I mentioned in my last post, I'm trying to catch up now that I have a normal working computer again. I think I overloaded the last one with too many pictures! Anyways, I wanted to check in to share last week's recap in Fitness, Fashion, and Fitness Fashion!

What’s happening in fashion?

In fashion, I actually received another Stitch Fix! You can read about previous Stitch Fixes HERE and HERE. I will definitely share pictures later this week of my latest fix, as I ended up keeping quite a few items this time around.

By the way, my cat definitely loves Stitch Fix!

What's happening in fitness fashion?

Not too much happened last week in Fitness Fashion, but a few of you asked me about the top I was wearing for the pub run over Memorial Day:

I got it at the new lululemon at the Galleria. It's the Wamo Camo tank, which is unfortunately already sold out, but you can find it HERE on ebay.

And last but certainly not least, here’s what’s happening in fitness last week:

Monday: 7 miles in the morning in the rain with a great group of girls that made the rain less miserable

Tuesday: 6 am C2 class at Corepower

Wednesday: Morning 10k for National Running Day. Did you do anything to celebrate??

Then 1 hour kettlebell/strength at Balance Fitness with the following workout:

• Jump rope/squat/swing 40-30-20: do that circuit 5 times
• Full sit-ups and kettle bell snatches 20 each, do that circuit 3 times
• TRX pull-ups, triceps push-ups, and shoulder press 20 times: do that circuit 5 times
• Final round was more jump rope and full lunges (I think 50 jumps, 10 lunges, 2 rounds)

Thursday: Morning 6 mile run with Kelly, and then Twins game with my work team. Going to a Twins game this summer was definitely on my bucket list, and it was a lot of fun going with my work group.

Friday: Complete Rest! I was a tired old lady after being out late for the Twins game and then having a long day at work.

Saturday: 11 miles with the CBRC. This was my first double digit run since Flying Pig! It was pouring most of the run but otherwise I felt pretty good. Saturday afternoon, Dustin and I took a static trapeze class (read all about it HERE)

Sunday: Complete rest again! Well, I suppose there’s always walks with the dog, but I don’t usually count those…though it is active recovery. 

Saturday night, my friend Susie hosted a little slumber party at her house. We started out with dinner at Pig Ate My Pizza in Robbinsdale, (which, by the way, was amazing).  We did one tasting menu, which included a few appetizers, 2 pizzas, and dessert, and then we added one additional pizza for 5 of us. Plenty of food and so tasty! 

After dinner, we went back to her house nearby for some games and gossip…maybe a little hair braiding. I still don't know how to do the fishtail braid though!

On Sunday, I went to St. Paul to play photographer for the make-up TC 1 mile race. The original TC 1 mile was cancelled due to the weather, so the USATF race circuit hosted a make-up race on Sunday at the Hamline University track.

I probably should have participated, but I just took pictures instead. I was slightly misinformed that we had our requisite 5 women for a full competitive team for our USATF team circuit, so I figured they didn’t need me (and I was a little relieved). But when we arrived, it turned out we only had 4 women. Fortunately, there was another member of our running club who was willing to throw together a hodge-podge running outfit and share running shoes with a girl in a different “heat” to run the mile. That girl ended up doing really well too! In fact, most everyone had a PR day for the mile, which was awesome. I suppose it makes sense that it was faster running a mile on a track than down Nicollet Mall as the usual TC 1 Mile would have been.

In summary, I ran about 30 miles last week, with 1 yoga, 1 strength, and two complete rest days. Not too shabby!

I hope you had a great week in Fitness, Fashion, and Fitness Fashion....Are you keeping up with the push-up challenge? Today is a rest day, but 25 push-ups tomorrow!

Fits Do Race (Pre)views: Upcoming Races

 One of my 14 Motivation Tips to Keep You Running in the Winter of 2014 was to sign up for a spring race!

I mentioned the many options that you have in the Twin Cities area: Goldy's 10 Mile, the Get Lucky 7k or Half Marathon, the 100% Irish for a Day 10 mile, the Get in Gear 10k & half marathon, Grandma's Marathon or half marathon, the Minneapolis marathon, and the Lake Minnetonka half marathon

Unfortunately for me, none of these races fit into my training schedule for the Flying Pig Marathon (or if they do fit, we are out of town)

So, I still recommend that you check out one of those races. I have run nearly all of them, and they all are great (see a few race reviews HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE), but unfortunately, I won’t see you there this year.

But I do have some races on my spring calendar that I’d like to share!

The Irish Run in St. Paul:

The Calhoun Beach Running Club has a USATF racing team now. For each race in the circuit, only our team's top 5 fastest times for men and for women will count, so my time will never actually count towards the team. However, signing up for a USATF membership does have some other perks- discounts on races, guaranteed entry to the TC 10 mile, etc. So I joined the CBRC USATF racing team anyways, and the first race of the season is the Irish Run in St. Paul on Sunday, March 23^rd. This race has been going on since 1973. There is a 5k, 8k, and youth run.

This race is a little unique as it doesn’t start until the middle of the day (the 8k starts at 1:20 PM). Apparently, this late start is to allow the 50 churches on or near Summit Avenue to complete their services without traffic disruption. The late start also allows the temperature to rise to the high for the day, which could be significantly warmer than an early morning race!

The race starts and finished at Ramsey Jr High School.

This race attracts a lot of local elite runners, and nearly every Minnesota 8k record has been set here.  

An 8k is kind of a random distance…automatic PR!

Ron Dawes 25k

Next on my schedule is the Ron Dawes 25k. I did the Ron Dawes 25k last year (read the review HERE), and it was kind of a bust for me (a very slow race- even a slow training run!) So I want to get back and do it again…faster! Plus, its only $5, you can’t beat that! The field is only 200 runners though, so register early if you’re interested.

2013 Ron Daws 25k

Where: Hopkins, MN The course is two laps of one particular loop, to get to about six miles, and then you did two laps of another loop to get you to the 15.5 mile distance. It was actually not too bad, because you knew what to expect after experiencing the hills the first time around, (though it was a little disheartening to get lapped by the winners around mile eight!) Running the same loop multiple times meant that you passed the solo support stop four times- perfect!

Flying Pig Marathon: 
My spring marathon- the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, OH. A hilly course, but apparently a fun one, and we haven't run in Ohio yet, so this is our chance!

The TC 1 Mile:

Registration Website: https://www.tcmevents.org/events/medtronic_tc_1_mile_-_may_8_2014/

You can read two past reviews of the TC 1 Mile HERE and HERE. I love the challenge of going all out for a mile, even though it HURTS. However, this year, the TC 1 mile will be less than a week after Flying Pig, so I might just have to take it a little easier this time around. Racing that soon after a marathon could be the recipe for injury.

TC 1 Mile 2013

Brian Kraft Memorial 5k

The final race of the "spring" (after Memorial Day, it's summer, right?) will be the Brian Kraft Memorial 5k.  This race is the second one of the USATF race schedule. It's held at 8:30 am around Lake Nokomis, and its chip timed and very competitive. I have only run it once, and that was many, many years ago (2005, maybe?) I'm excited to race a 5k!

Well, that's it for my spring 2014 schedule. I have a little bit of everything on my radar- from 1 mile to 26.2 miles! I am excited for each one for different reasons.

Tell me what your spring running schedule entails! Any of the same races? Let me know, I'd love to see you!

Fits Do Race Reviews: TC 1 Mile

By Cool J in Minneapolis

2013 marked my third year participating in the TC 1 mile, and this is my second year reviewing it for the blog! You can read last year's review HERE.

The Medtronic TC 1 Mile is marketed as "one mile (12 city blocks) of fun," and fun it was! Well, at least it was fun after I was done with my mile- maybe not while it was happening. Painful! It is so rare that a marathoner like me participates in a race like a one mile, and it was certainly a challenge. But even though my legs were burning, and my lungs were on fire during the 6 minutes 40 seconds of running, the overall event was quite a lot of fun, and I will definitely be back next year.

CBRC Ladies

 The TC 1 Mile was held on Thursday, May 9th in downtown Minneapolis. The first wave, which was the "friends and family wave" started at 6:50 pm. Next up was the corporate wave that I ran in...

corporate wave team

...then the USATF Minnesota Team Circuit Championship wave, then the Masters Wave (competitive runners 40 and over), then the Open Wave (which Dustin ran in), followed by the Women's Professional Wave, and finally the Men's Professional Wave.

The Men's Professional Wave set a course record of 3:56! The impressive record setter's name was Nick Willis. In my post from last year, I stated that the winning time was 4:04, so quite a significant difference this year. The weather was much more cooperative this time around, with nice chilly temps in the low 50's. Nick is quite an accomplished runner as well. In fact, he was a silver medal winner in the Olympics!

The race starts at Marquette Plaza/Cancer Survivor's Park and finishes by Ichibon restaurant. It's a straight shot down Nicollet Avenue, with a clock at the 1/4 mile, the 1/2 mile, and 3/4 mile mark, to help you gauge just how hard you should be pushing!

Start line

Pros:

• Price- only $20
• A wave for everyone! The Friends and Family, Corporate, etc allow all types of runners to participate.
• Location- there are plenty of pubs along the course for a post-run beverage
• Elite runners- Opportunity to cheer for some amazing runners!

Cons:

• Parking- Getting downtown and finding parking can be challenging. I suggest running from Uptown or elsewhere as your warmup if possible.
• Waves- Depending on what wave you're doing, you could be standing around for awhile. I suggest getting a corporate team together with your office so you can run in the second wave!

Go Dustin!

After the race, I grabbed a beer with my coworkers at the Local before heading to Hell's Kitchen for some food with the rest of the Calhoun Beach Running Club. There are lots of options right by the course for food and fuel- definitely a "pro"!

Calhoun Beach Running Club post 1 mile

Overall, I give the TC 1 Mile a 10/10! There is no other race like this that is open to the public. It's a fun event for all different types of runners. I definitely think it's the right fit for you. Check it out next year!

(Future) Fits Do Race Reviews

By Jess

Those of you who know me, know that I'm a planner. I like to have everything sorted out on an agenda.  And this includes planning out my future runs as well!

Here's what I have on the calendar for the remainder of 2012 and 2013. I'm sure plans could change, and maybe additional races will be added, but these are the ones I have marked on my planner.

November:
5th Annual Family Turkey Trot!
LL wrote about it last year (read about it here and here)
Granted, this is not a sanctioned race per say, but it sure is a fun one! LL and I have been directing this race for 5 years now. We have a blast half-pretending/half-serious that this is a real Thanksgiving 5k! Well, I guess it is a real 5k in that we run 3.1 miles, but the only participants are my family.

January:
The Securian Run
When: Saturday, January 26
Where: St. Paul, MN
Website: http://www.securian.com/Securian/Securian+Winter+Run/
This half marathon has a rocky history. The first time I registered, it was so cold that the race directors shortened it to a 1/4 marathon. The second time I ran it, the turn around point was set too early, and the race only ended up being 11 miles! Needless to say, I set quite a PR at that one! However, this is one of few long distance races in the area in the cold months of winter, so it's definitely on my radar.

April:
Goldy's 10 mile
When: Saturday, April 14
Where: University of Minnesota campus
Website: http://www.goldysrun.com
I ran this last year, and thought it was a lot of fun. Read about it here

May:
Borgess Run for the Health of It Half Marathon
Website: http://borgessrun.com
When: Sunday May 5th at 8 am
Where: Kalamazoo, Michigan

I'll be running this race with a few of my sisters, and even my dad! It will be his first half marathon.
This does mean I'll miss the Lake Minnetonka Half Marathon that I ran last year (read about it here) but it will be worth it to share the half marathon experience with my family. Not to mention, I haven't been to Kalamazoo in ages! Fits on the Road- Family Style!

TC 1 Mile
Website: https://www.tcmevents.org/events/medtronic_tc_1_mile/
When: Mid-may- the date has not yet been finalized
Where: Downtown Minneapolis
Last year's review here
It's fun to do such a short race, and it's unique to run down Nicollet mall on a Thursday night. And it's over before you know it! After all, it's only a mile...

June
Newport Marathon
In my post Steamtown marathon haze, I did write about the Newport marathon. We have registered for this one for our spring race. Check out that post here
Website: http://www.newportmarathon.org
When: Saturday, June 1

I'm really looking forward to this marathon! It sounds like such a charming location, and I can't wait to spend some time exploring Oregon. The timing of this marathon works out well, as we will be able to piggyback off the Grandma's and Minneapolis marathon training schedule with the Calhoun Beach Running Club.

July:
Firecracker 10k
Website: http://www.active.com/running/excelsior-mn/firecracker-runs-2012-pl222
When: the 4th of July
I backed out last year, because it was crazy hot, and the race was shortened to a 5k. But I did participate the year before, and it was a blast!

Torchlight 5k
Website: http://www.torchlight5k.com
Last year's review here
I love this fun 5k! It runs before the Torchlight Parade downtown on a Wednesday night, with a great post-race party.

September
And the big finale for 2013....the Berlin Marathon!

"Pre-registration" opened today, and it filled up in 3.5 hours. Dusters and I both logged on this morning over breakfast and signed up. This is a huge marathon, with 40,000 runners. I'm guessing it might be similar to Chicago, where you feel crowded the whole way. This type of marathon probably isn't my favorite, and running an international marathon doesn't really fit into our 50 state goal, but we both think this will be a really cool experience. It's the 40th year for the Berlin Marathon, and some of the world's fastest times have been recorded here.

Well, that's it for today. There are few other races that might fit in: the Polar Dash (depending on the weather), the Get Ready to Rock 20 miler again, and maybe the Urban Wildlands half marathon. TBD folks, TBD!

Fits Do Race Reviews: TC 1 Mile

By Jessie

I participated in the TC 1 Mile last week, which was the second time that I ran this unique event.

It was a hot, windy Thursday evening. When I met up with two run club friends for a few miles of warmup beforehand, we could tell the conditions were not ideal.

The race included multiple "waves," the first of which was the "Friends and Family" wave. Since we were at the start line and ready to go at 6:50, we decided to go ahead and run with this heat. Unfortunately, the casualness of this wave (i.e. lots of little kids and parents) left us feeling a little less than our "most competitive" selves, and my mile time reflected that. However, it was nice to run in the first wave so we could cheer for all the others!

I was supposed to run in the Corporate Team Wave, but since the event is chipped-timed, it doesn't really matter which wave you go in (though I could not have participated in the Masters Wave, the Open Wave, or the two championship waves of course). The D-man ran in the Open Wave, our run club coach, Paul, ran in the MN Team Circuit Championship, and my coworkers ran in the Corporate Team Challange wave.

It was amazing to watch the Championship wave. The winning man ran in 4:04. Last year's time was a 3:58, so it was definitely a slower day, but the time was still quite impressive!

I would give this race a 9/10. It's only $20, which includes a dry-fit shirt. It's a nice event, because runners of all levels and abilities can participate. Though I prefer a longer distance event, it's fun to occasionally push myself a little harder for a short amount of time.

Pros:
Price- only $20
A wave for everyone! The Friends and Family, Corporate, etc allow all types of runners to participate.
Location- there are plenty of pubs along the course for a post-run beverage
Opportunity to cheer for some amazing runners

Cons:
Parking- getting downtown and finding parking can be challenging. I suggest running from Uptown or elsewhere as your warmup if possible.
Air Quality- for some reason, we all were coughing like crazy after the race. Some people thought it was the cottonwood in the air or the humidity, but it seemed like maybe the air quality was bad at that time of day downtown. My cough lasted until the next day- ugh!


I would definitely recommend this event to others for next year. Stay tuned to this website for more details!