Running in the cold & surviving a dip into the red zone

Last Saturday, the weather said “feels like 5 degrees” Fahrenheit, and the weather app mentioned a “wind advisory.” Did that stop me from bundling up and meeting my Run Minnesota Polar Bear run group at 8 am to run 10 miles? Sure didn’t!  Run gear for the cold I followed the run gear chart that … Read more

Open your heart

I’m wearing the ZIO XT heart monitor for the week and yesterday at the Chocoholic Frolic 10K, I left my newly discovered run-walk-run method of 45 seconds running, 15 seconds walking, in the dust. I ran with effort for more than 35 minutes without walking. Mile 1, I did in 11:14. Mile 2, I did … Read more

Run disappointment strikes

I ran my third half marathon race of 2022 last Sunday, September 11th, the Jeff Winters City of Lakes Half Marathon, put on by Run Minnesota.  Time goal not met Much to my chagrin, I did not meet my time goal. In fact, starting at mile 7 all the way through until the end of … Read more

City of Lakes Race Plan

Don’t plan it all. Let life surprise you a little. -Julia Alvarez I am a planner. If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know this. I take great comfort in having a plan and having little goals to keep me moving forward on big goals I’ve created for myself.  Relax the plan … Read more

Underwear for running in humidity

It’s hot in Minnesota in the summer months, no two ways about it. Makes me focus on electrolytes and hydration with extra intention. Plus it makes me think about my underwear. Chafing underwear is NOT FUN.  Worst run of the year I had one of my worst runs this entire year last week, mostly due … Read more

Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Race Report

It’s been a few years since I’d been up to Duluth, Minnesota and going with three friends made it extra fun this year. Originally there were five of us who planned to race the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon on June 18th. One of us got COVID and she hasn’t recovered enough to run 13.1 miles. … Read more

Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Race Plan

I like to practice what I preach. In other words, as you might have noticed, I’m making excellent progress on finishing my book. I’m sending it to my beta readers at the end of June. It will be the first time people, other than the two editors I’ve hired over the years, will read what … Read more

Drawing energy from trees while running Women Run The Cities

The Women Run the Cities 10 mile race was my second of five “A Race” running events that I’m doing in 2022. An “A Race” is a race of top priority. In preparation for doing the race, I sat myself down on Friday, the day before the race, closed my eyes and felt the wind … Read more