Posted on Jan 24, 2012 under Calendar, Course Comments, races |
The new Explore Minnesota Challenge Race Series begins this coming weekend with the Securian Winter Run (my 2009 race review) festivities. Athletes who participate in 8 qualifying events (including one from each region) will receive a commemorative medal (including commemorative pins for each race). Registration for the Series is $50 and appears to be open until December 1, 2012 according to the registration page. The registration fee doesn’t include event registration for each of the 8 required races, though it does come with some cool perks:
- One Year Membership to Minnesota Distance Running Association ($25 value)
- Commemorative Drawstring Backpack
- Commemorative Lapel Pin (1 per person per region) for each of the 4 regions.
- EM Challenge Winter Hat
- Commemorative Lanyard
- EM Challenge Finisher’s Shirt
- State of Minnesota Medal upon completion of an event in all 4 regions.
- Special discounts at various stores throughout the year.
- Special Drawings for Hotel, Store and Race Entries throughout 2012.
The Challenge has divided up the state into 4 regions: Metro, Northern, Southern, and Central. At least two races from each region are part of the series. It appears all of the races are managed by Anderson Race Management the creator of the Explore Challenge in partnership with Explore Minnesota aka the Minnesota Tourism Board.
The 2012 races are:
What do you think are you up for the challenge?
Posted on Jan 21, 2012 under My Running, Race Review, Triathlon |
Last fall when I was recapping my first triathlon the data wasn’t available because Frontrunner Events hadn’t posted the results even a month later. I looked back as I was setting up my 2012 goal post and finally found the results (though it wasn’t easy).
Here is the breakdown:
150/322 Total Finishers
103/188 Male Finishers
18/27 Division Finishers
Swim: (1/2 mile)
Time: 17:14
Place: 159
Pace: 1:58/100yds
T1: 3:41
Bike: (18 miles)
Time: 54:23
Place: 167
Pace: 19.9 mph
T2: 1:09
Run: (5 miles)
Time: 42:05
Place: 133
Pace: 8:25 min/mile
Total: 1:58:31
Posted on Jan 10, 2012 under Highlights, My Running |
Dailymile created a nice graph for all its members for their 2011 training. Below is my nice bell curve of a training chart!
I’m well on my way to hitting the 40 miles for January!
Posted on Jan 06, 2012 under Highlights |
What is in store for the new year? Isn’t that the million dollar question.
As I noted in my reflection piece, I’ve already signed up for the Buffalo Triathlon and Square Lake Triathlon. Buffalo is a traditional sprint distance race in the spring and I’ll try to improve my performance at Square Lake in the fall. In between I’ll stay in shape and have fun racing if I want. I also want to continue developing my mind and spirit alongside of my body so I’ll continue reading and spending time reading the Bible.
Goal #1: Finish Buffalo Triathlon on June 3. 1/4 mile swim, 12 mile bike, and 3 mile run. (Under 1:15)
Goal #2: Improve on my Square Lake time from last year (1:58) 1/2 Mile Swim 16.5 Mile Bike 5 Mile Run
Goal #3: Use and write about the FIRST Method for my running. 5k for the spring and 10k for the fall.
Goal #4: Complete Project 345 Bible Reading plan – takes you through the New Testament in the year.
Goal #5: Read a variety of books (genre, style, authors).
Goal #6: Document my thoughts on at least 6 of the books I’ve read.
Goal #7: Blog.
- Running
- Midtown Phillips
- Nadia
Goal #8: Project 365
What’s missing?
I’m not setting any mileage goals. I would obviously like to improve over my 500 miles of running last year, but mileage goals are a good way to get hurt. Ragnar – I’m not planning to organize a team this year. It is a lot of work, especially coordinating care for Nadia. If someone invited me on their team, I might join! I’m also not planning on any “A” running only races this year. If the year goes well in training I might do more next year. I would still also like to run around all the named bodies of water in Minneapolis (from 2010), but that doesn’t seem like a smart goal for this year. I’m sure there are other goals or ideas I haven’t thought about nor articulated.
What are you planning for 2012?
Posted on Jan 05, 2012 under Highlights |
Last year at this time, I outlined a few goals that I wanted to complete in 2011. Sadly, I didn’t meet all of them. As I noted during the year the camera goal was a little ambiguous. Looking back the Blog Regularly goal was pretty obvious, but again ambiguous and should have been broken down based on my several blogs. The Reading Books goal was a good goal, but I ended up not keeping good track of the books I read towards the end of the year. I read at least 18 books. You can look at the list and judge for yourself if there was variety or not. I completed my first triathlon and have already signed up for Square Lake again and Buffalo Triathlon.
Read 12 books with a variety of topics, genres, and styles. Done.
Complete a Triathlon Square Lake Short Course, September 10. 0.5 Mile Swim 16.5 Mile Bike 5 Mile Run. Done! I am a Triathlete! I unofficially finished in 1:58. Results still aren’t posted. Check out my full review. But I was happy and am thinking about doing it again next year.
Finish this YouVersion devotional plan (Bible Study). Done.
Make a substantial change to one of my programs at work. Done.
Blog Regularly. Kind of.
Learn how to use my digital camera and experiment with its features. Abandoned.
2011 Mileage:
Run: 449.66 miles
Bike: 1436.65 miles
Swim: 20,350 yards (12.7 miles)
Posted on Nov 16, 2011 under Charity |
Today is Give to the Max Day in Minnesota. It is your chance to support your favorite MN nonprofit organizations. Why is today special? One donation each hour is a Golden Ticket, earning the recipient an extra $1,000. Additionally there are awards of up to $15,000 given in a variety of categories.
This year, in the first hour of giving $100,000 was given! In 2010, over $10 million was raised by 42,000 Minnesotans. Each year (2009, 2010) I’ve provided a list of running related organizations you could support. This year’s list is sadly smaller. I’ve decided only to highlight organizations that have completed the GiveMN portal’s profile.
In no particular order:
Bolder Options – youth mentoring
YWCA of Minneapolis – fitness, youth, women, and so much more
YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis – fitness, youth, and so much more
She Runs – helping young girls complete their first 5k
Twin Cities in Motion – Support TCM’s community work
Team Tesfa – support education in Ethiopia
Midtown Greenway Coalition – support the Midtown Greenway
I’m sure I’ve missed some great running organizations. Let me know which ones and I’ll gladly update the list.
Posted on Nov 04, 2011 under Foto |
Sabo Bridge
November 2011
The Challenge has divided up the state into 4 regions: Metro, Northern, Southern, and Central. At least two races from each region are part of the series. It appears all of the races are managed by Anderson Race Management the creator of the Explore Challenge in partnership with Explore Minnesota aka the Minnesota Tourism Board.