Trail Racing and other running thoughts.

Some days I am really apt to make this into a "runner" blog. Yet, this inkling tends to get stifled when I think I might become obsessed. That said, blogging provides a really solid opportunity to log progress. I make a quick note of my mileage and sometimes my splits on google calendar, but I don't really analyze my daily running adventures.

To be honest, after the trail half at wirth parkway a few weeks ago, I have been feeling in a bit of a running rut. I am exhausted after work. I always feel better after running; it's a good transition time, but it is so tempting to just go home and lay around after a long day! But, like I said, as soon as I get my legs stretching on the roads, I feel so much better.

I am thinking about switching to an early morning running routine. I need to change it up! I am going to try to get up early tomorrow and see how that feels. 5:30am seems early, but it is worth a shot. Perhaps I will be able to feel more awake during the day and more upbeat at night if I add a morning run in. I'll report back tomorrow!

Here's a photo from the trail loppet a few weeks ago:


If I really wanted to be a true running blogger, I would need to submit a race report. I do need to write one of these up, but I am just waiting until I am in the zone...

Running Report With Joan.

Just trying out my new "small wonder" video cam. The weather has been stinky hot these past few weeks in Minneapolis. I don't mind too much anymore...now that I have my poison oak under control. Eek! Small price to pay for an amazing honeymoon. :)

night before the crowds fly in!

After an early morning 14 miler with some friends who are training for the Twin Cities Marathon, I gave myself a little pep talk and headed off to do ERRANDS! Woot. The best kind - paper shopping and grocery shopping ala trader joes. One of the best thing about Trader Joe's is the line up of enticing flowers at the entrance. I am typically pulled to the bright colored blooms, but today, I eyed a smart lady pick up a bushel of eucalyptus and a bundle of lavender. Brilliant! I grabbed a few packs and filled several vases around the apartment. I haven't left the apartment yet, but I am hoping that when I reenter, the wild branches will bring me back to running Owl Trail along the Pacific coastline.


Later in the afternoon, Mike and I rearranged furniture and CLEANED! Our wedding entourage (ie. friends and family) begin arriving tomorrow! We actually had a pretty nice time of it. And, the apartment looks just lovely if you ask me. We spent our last night as an unmarried couple (without an entourage) drinking rum and cokes and eating grilled salmon, summer squash, and green salad. The veggies all came from our CSA! Seriously, we have a "mini-share," and we cannot make it through all the vegetables. Way to go ploughshare farm.




So, really, all's well here. We are going to take Rachel the Dog Vasich for an evening stroll and then work on some projects.

A running update

Earlier this week, I attended my first trail running club practice! I was tentative at first; I wasn't sure about the concept since I have never joined a professional running group. However, after the first practice, I really think I'm going to like it. First off, it's awesome to run trails when someone else (ie. coach) is keeping track of where we are running! Secondly, it's motivating to run with other people (the club is open to all ages and pace groups). I tend to run a little harder and accept tough workouts as challenges instead of hurdles to finish as fast as I can.

Our first run was an easy 4 miler on the Theodore Wirth trail system. Most of the practices will meet there. There isn't much to say about the run itself...but I must voice how much I adore the trails! Not the bike trails, not the running paved trails, the REAL THING. I CRAVE the sensation of leaping over a fallen tree and turning fast corners. I like the terrain, the hills. All of it. I am looking forward to some longer runs...

Anyway, this running club thing is pretty darn cool. As for the women's running collective, I have to get back on the organizational bandwagon. We do need to make some changes for next year if we want to keep it going...maybe I should call a meeting/run? I think it would be awesome if we met more regularly, chose some key races together to train for, and broke into different pace/distance groups. This might help keep folks accountable. It's a great idea...just needs more commitment (from me as much as anyone else!). But we are an "award winning" group (ha, neighborhood award...) so that must mean something!

Falling into place...

Well, things are certainly on the up-swing wedding-wise! The checklist is starting to focus on details instead of the central drivers. Just this week, we met and contracted the most natural fit photographer, Scott Streble. His studio is in Northeast Minneapolis in this great old warehouse. Mike and I had quite an adventure figuring out the freight elevator. From his massive PEZ wall to his candid, photo-journalist style, it was immediately clear that Scott fit the bill.

And! After waiting four months, my wedding dress arrived! And yes, it is as gorgeous, more gorgeous, than I remember. The ladies at l'atelier couture are just lovely. This is the precious e-postcard I received last week:


Also, new bridesmaid dresses...
Pansy for my beautiful bridesmaids:


And, wisteria for my lovely sister:


Okay, and just so you are convinced that I haven't fallen headfirst into the over-the-top world of wedding planning, I am sharing with you a quite hard-core (well, about as hardcore as I get...okay, except maybe my cliff jumping/abseiling days) image from my last half-marathon at the end of April. I PR'd, but I almost lost my soggy shorts due to massive rainfall.

Running buddies!

I mentioned in my boyfriend-away event run-down that I finished a half marathon with the help of some of the women from Women's Running Collective.


It's too bad the number on my friend on the left isn't showing in this picture. Somehow, this crazy girl got "69." I mean, really, how did she manage that??? We asked her if she requested it, but she claimed that she hadn't. Incredible.


To update ya'll, the WRC is going strong! We've been doing great at monthly run/brunch, but our weekly night runs have yet to truly blossom. For example, last Thursday, I was the only one on time. Returning my solo run, I realized that my cell had a missed call from a couple stragglers...Soooo, we enjoyed a refreshing post-run DQ. Hey, if you can't run with em', you might as well enjoy the benefits of some major calories someone burned, right?!

Still, the WRC has encouraged some small group running on a spontaneous basis. In fact, that brings me to describe run I did yesterday with my hardcore/hilarious friend. You might not be surprised that this is the same friend whose number was 69 on half marathon day. Anyway, we decided to go for a 7-9 miler. Next to the river, through the city, past the Gutherie, over the stone arch bridge, through U of MN campus, back over the river to home, the run was beautiful but challenging due to the hills. Thanks to my friend, we also pushed the pace pretty hard (though she'd probably say that I was the pace-pusher). Anyway, it was the kind of tough run that leaves one feeling damn good. Thank god for resilient, talented friends that'll stick with you to the finish line.

On My Lonesome! But not too lonely

For the last 20ish days, Mike has been traveling the west with Orange Mighty Trio. As professional musicians, touring is incredibly important because, as I understand it, there is no better way to get your name out there, grow a fan base, and make a few dollars while you're at it.

Touring goodbyes have always been tough for me. A committed adventurer of sorts, the lifestyle of the touring musician has generous appeal: new places, new people, fresh perspectives. Yet, at this point in my life, I've needed to stay home. Over the last couple years, I've realized that, if we are going to last, I would need to make peace with the idea that Mike will continue to tour and travel for as long as he can! I can deal with that reality if I discover and create passion in my own work, projects, and daily toodling.

As Mike returns home with a list of wild stories and inspiration, I can also look back on the last weeks and offer some of my own:

-Canoeing seventeen miles down the St. Croix with three girlfriends, two dogs, and an amazing array of fresh food.

-2 music and movies picnics at Loring Park

-Completing the Urban Wildland Half Marathon in 2:02:18 with a good friend and solid running buddy by my side.

-Treating myself so 4ish DQ ice cream cones (medium, vanilla) and 1 amazing Sebastian Joe's cone (oh man...what was that flavor??)

-2 hardcore runs with the most fun, tough, and hilarious runner out there. More on this in future post...

-1 short (!) haircut

-Dinner with my lovely downstairs neighbor at Midori's Floating World Cafe. A not very adventurous sushi eater, I ordered my ol' standby, the California Roll...needless to say, I was perfectly satisfied.

-A successful shopping trip. Of course, I bought fancy dresses instead of work clothes...more on this in future post...

-An unreasonable number of walks and runs with Rachel. In fact, it seemed that each time my mother called, I was (surprise) out walking with Rachel. Rachel was the BEST company ever these last weeks (except for the night of the awful thunderstorm...)

-planning and beaming over the exciting lessons I'll be teaching this fall!

So, as my hardcore/hilarious runner friend put it, "You've learned that you can live without Mike." Actually, that's not my point at all. The point here is: I have learned my passion(s) in life extend beyond my relationship, as they should! Further, I can take care of myself and bring joy to my own days. And, to be honest,this wasn't always true.

I believe someone wise once wrote/said, you cannot truly love someone else, until you love and accept yourself. The best love is one that is not possessive or needy, but comfortable and sure. Judging from my own journey, I'd say that's about right.