Monday, October 6, 2014

Twin Cities Loony Challenge Day 2

Day 2 of the Loony Challenge brought a beautiful 10 mile run from Minneapolis to St. Paul. Twin Cities In Motion provided yet another well organized race experience. The only downfall of the morning was the lack of a warming tent/building for the thousands of runners waiting for their race to start. A cool 34 degree morning had many people packed into parking garages to seek shelter from the cold and wind. Others, including my friend Jason, rode around on the light rail to stay warm. 


I was in the last corral to start the 10 mile race and we were off around 7:20 AM. The first three miles were very congested, with little room to pass those around you.  The course was very beautiful leaving downtown Minneapolis along the river and heading by the University of Minnesota. Just past mile 4, the route crossed into St. Paul and continued along Summit Avenue to the capital.


My legs and hip flexors were sore but I persevered through the 10 miles and completed the Loony Challenge (5K, 10K, and 10 mile)  My official 10 mile time was 1:45:08!


There was lots of swag to accompany the Loony Challenge. Three shirts, four medals, and two pairs of FitSoks!


The race expo was also a blast and I did find a couple items to purchase. 

1.  Sure Sport Compression Foot Sleeve (www.sure-sport.com) to help support my foot and ankle. 

2.  RooSport Fitness Pouch (www.theroosport.com) with a super powerful magnet to hold money, credit cards, phone, nutrition, etc on the inside of my running pants when I don't have pockets in my running clothes. 


Wow!  What a great weekend and first class race experience!





Saturday, October 4, 2014

Twin Cities Loony Challenge Day 1

Today I completed the first two races of the Twin Cities Loony Challenge race series--the 10K and the 5K.  The 10K started at 7:30 this morning followed by the 5K at 9:00. Both races were out and back courses along Summit Avenue in St. Paul, making for great scenery and fall colors. The morning was mostly overcast with the temperatures in the 40's.


I was satisfied to have completed the 10K sub one hour, with an official time of 59:54.  After the 10K I had about a half hour to refuel and stretch, until I was back out running the 5K.


Mom and I ran the 5K together, this is actually the first race we have done together. Our finish time for the 5K was 37:35, only four seconds slower than mom's PR.  Not to shabby with the hills on Summit Avenue.


Tomorrow morning I will be up bright and early to run the 10 mile from Minneapolis to St. Paul (the shortcut to the capital)!