Happy 4th of July!

There aren't enough superlatives for the weather out there today. Lovely, wonderfuly, spectacular, etc. Being the forecast for tomorrow is similar I'm sure there will be great crowds for the Stewartville Summerfest races. I'll be there for sure!

Great clip on KTTC Tuesday evening of the All Comers' meet. It was really a lovely evening. One more week left for this season. Larry counted purple ribbons this week and there were an estimated 361 kids participating. Fantastic.


Here's my photos:



TriRochester, Rochester's multisport club, is organizing TNT (Thursday Night Triathlons) beginning tomorrow, July 3, at 6:45 pm continuing right on into fall. They will be held at Foster Arends utilizing the roads and bike paths surrounding the park and the lake for the swim. Different formats are set up for each week of the month. You are also welcome to use this opportunity to practice the duathlon format for the TreadMan which is being held on September 27 this year (5K run--32K bike--5K run). You'd just substitute a run for the swim. All are welcome to participate. Free. You will need to sign a waiver before participating. Also needed are volunteers to watch the bikes while the participants are swimming or running. See the TriRochester website for complete information.

A raffle for 3 new bicycles and other bike accessories is being held to benefit the Stagecoach Trail Association (Douglas Trail to Owatonna). Kids raffle tickets are $5 and adults $10. The drawing will be held September 7 at Riverside Park in Mantorville (need not be present to win). Tickets may be purchased by contacting Chris O'Brien or any member of the trail association.

The July issue of the Running Room eMagazine is now available online with product reviews, race stories, tips and techniques, 20% off coupon and my now somewhat infamous Oatmeal Super Chocolate Chunk Cookie recipe.

TC10 registration opens Monday online.

Track and Field trials on television this evening on USA network from 10 p.m. to midnight.

Consumer Reports has a running shoe review in their latest issue. Not the greatest selection of shoes and not all of them are of very good quality. If you want great selection, great service and a personalized gait analysis, stop by Running Room! And bring your 20% off coupon!!

RTC members celebrating birthdays in July: Theresa Backlund, Dawn Boynton, Alina Bridges, Tom Byrne, Chris Chen, Tom Clayman, Charro Coleman, Peggy Menzel, Wendy Distad, Elijah Ellis, Steve Hanke, Gladdie Hebl, Mark Holland, Ellen Joswiak, Don Myers, Larry (ultra) Pederson, Leah Polzine-Campbell, Mike Rahn, Jerry Reynolds, Priscilla Smith, Julie Stanton, John Trolander, Jerry Wille, Mary Wille. Happy Birthday one and all!

Went for my weekly Wednesday morning run yesterday. 14.37 miles. I was toast by the time I crested the last hill before the final .15 miles home. Mark Carey was at the top of the hill. I think I was somewhat delirious from the humidity so didn't even recognize him at first! Tough run for me yesterday, especially after 10 miles. Also spotted on the run: Pete Martin, Scott and Sonja Kranz, Melisa Blaski and Tiffany Christensen just coming off the 19th St NW bridge. Also spotted at home on the north side of Silver Lake was Dave Morrill who was watering with a hose with a sprayer on the end of it. I saw that and said, 'Shoot me ... PLEASE!' which he did. At pretty close range. It felt wonderful for about 5 blocks at which time I was pretty miserable again. ;-) Thank you, Dave!!

Finally got my jam made and peas shelled (two more buckets to shell today). Yum. The strawberry jam is fabulous. (Sure-Jell low sugar recipe.) Great on Great Harvest Bread. Click on the photo collage for a larger view.

Have a wonderful, and safe, holiday weekend! God bless the U.S.A.!!