I Tried the Tri!!

Sunday morning brought my inaugural dip into the world of multi-sport events. And on very tired legs, I might add as yesterday's run total was 18.57 miles including a 5K race.

The Rochester Family Y held an indoor triathlon with long and short courses. I elected to do the long course as it was pretty much the same distance as the sprint course for the Rochesterfest Triathlon on June 28 which will be my first "real" triathlon. Today we had a 1/4 mile swim, 10 miles on the bike and 3.2 mile run. My times: 10:53 swim, 30:21 bike (19.7 avg speed), 24:32 3.2K run (7:39 pace). I was pretty pooped on the treadmill, let me tell you. After yesterday, these legs did not have much in reserve. But I did my best. And it was good enough for 2nd place overall (guys included--no gender specific awards). So today I came away with a voucher for a 30-minute massage with Deb Canon, massage therapist at the Y, and the silver medal. After church, I promptly took a nap!! KAAL TV was there doing a spot and the reporter said it should be on the 10PM broadcast this evening. Also look for it to be uploaded to their website in the next few days. They usually post the local interest stories.

After my nap, I went for a brisk 3.6 mile walk. There were things needing to be done indoors, but it was just too nice a day to stay inside so a walk was definitely in order. While walking, my brain on autopilot was trying to tell me to run instead, but my legs were saying "No way! Don't even think about it!" so walk it was. :-)

Well, I've had enough posting for today. It's time for a break. I'll save the miscellany for tomorrow. :-)

Sleep well.

Can You Feel It In The Air?

SPRING, that is! What a wonderful change in the weather in just a couple days' time. With the snow nearly melted away, and a few robins sighted here and there, I am definitely coming down with a slight case of spring fever. And I'm lovin' it.

Yesterday, four of us (Lionel Cheng, Jim Mason, Matt Schrader and myself) ventured up to Minneapolis to catch a preview of a new running movie Beyond the Epic Run about a runner and his wife who dedicated 5 years of their life to pursue a dream ... that of running around the world (25,000 miles). Lionel Cheng ...

did a far better job of capturing his thoughts about the movie than I could, so please check out his post for a great recap of the movie. It was a fun little outing and a chance for us to chat (pretty much non-stop) about all things running.

Cookies were, of course, part of the plan and were well-received. Same recipe that I posted over the weekend (Chewy Chocolate Cookies) and the recipe was once again declared a keeper.

We met up with some runners from the St. Cloud River Runners some of whom were down to Rochester for the Lace-Up Against Breast Cancer event in February. Pictured are Lionel Cheng (RTC), Jim Mason (RTC), Arvid Fristad (SCRR), Matt Schrader (RTC), Denise Baxter (RTC), me (RTC), Linda Christen (SCRR), and Sharon Hobbs (SCRR).

Today was a "milestone" day in the life of one local runner, namely Ron Giles. He turned the big 4-0. And I thought he needed a little early morning celebration in honor of the momentous occasion.

So I got up early and baked some treats (French Toast scones and lemon blueberry muffins--the peanut butter chocolate chip cookies at the right I made yesterday--they were Ron's take-home treat and are a long-standing favorite of his) and brought them down to the DAHLC. On hand to partake were ...

Jerry Pruett, Ron, Jeff Gamez, Dave Hillman, and John Shonyo and Dan Pulford (not pictured). It was good to see them all again. We used to all run (and eat!) together on a regular basis. Happy 40th birthday, Ron and welcome to age group 40-49. :-)

Tomorrow morning is another marathon training run at the RAC. I believe Lin's schedule calls for 15. I'm sure I can come up with some post-run treats of some kind. :-) Wally Arnold said he'd give me a comp entry for his Lucky 5K which begins at 10:00 AM at Running Room. I'm tempted ... !! It'd be slow, for sure. Then from 2-5 Trevor and Helen Distad are coming over to show Lionel Cheng and I how to make homemade chocolates. Yum-O!!

Well, I looked at the calendar yesterday and noticed that Sunday morning is the indoor triathlon at the Y. Took me by surprise, actually. I was thinking that I had another week. All I can say is that I'll give it my best shot ...


Pictured above are the trophies (very cute!) and give aways for the Bear Creek Prediction Run November 7. Race director Chris O'Brien certainly is on the ball and puts the rest of us race directors to shame by being so ultra-organized and ahead of the game!

Saw this pasta sauce at Rochester Produce. Marathon Marinara from Grandma's Saloon & Grill in Duluth. :-)

Well, I'm really tired and I'm ready to wrap up this post. Enjoy the beautiful weather that's forecast for tomorrow. 50's sound great after what we endured the middle of this week.

Thought for the day: "Learn to say kind things. Nobody ever resents them."

Until next time.

Just a quick little post as it's already almost 10:00 PM ...

Lots of triathletes at the Y tonight! I met Trevor Distad and Noah Retka and we worked with Shaun Palmer for an hour or so. (Believe it or not, I didn't bring my camera.) I also chatted with judge Kevin Lund, who's training for the Rochesterfest Spring Tri, and then I saw Kyle Kircher, who was also working with Shaun on his swim stroke in preparation for the Rochesterfest Tri. Triathletes all over the place! It was a fun evening.

There's still room in my car for the Beyond the Epic Run movie tomorrow night in the cities. Let me know if you'd like to go along. We're leaving about 4:45. Movie starts at 7:15. Road trip!

Well, there's yet another new marathon in the midwest on May 2. The Wisconsin Marathon in Kenosha. Website is Wisconsin Marathon. Marathon mania abounds...

Thank you to Henry Walker, Noah Retka and Tasia Shelly, my newest Fetzer volunteers. Still need more help on the course and at water stops. Please email me if you can help. Thanks in advance.


It's going to be a baking frenzy around here for the next couple of days. Today I made about 8 dozen cookies for Wally Arnold for the Lucky 5K on Saturday. Green was the theme.

I ran 5K at lunch time today. What a miserable day for a run. The wind chill was brutal. I had absolutely no desire to round it up to the next even mile. Well, not much any way. :-)

Time to sign off. Have a good one.

RKS

This, That and The Other Thing

Please read the post below this one regarding a possible road trip up to the cities Thursday evening to view (for free!) the movie Beyond the Epic Run. If you're interested in going and would like to carpool, please email me. A bunch of us went up to watch Spirit of the Marathon and had a great time.

I ran with Jim Martinson and Don Gabrielson yesterday noon. They were at the Y to pick up their cookies. We ran 5K. I decided to ... you guessed it--run it twice for 10K. Jim guessed as much ... He also knows my compulsive tendencies. ;-)

These are the 'hot off the presses' shirts for the Lucky Green 5K Lucky Green 5K on Saturday. Wally said today that he's got about 70 registered, which is great! There's always room for more!

Thank you to the following who have volunteered to help at Fetzer in the last 2 days: Laura Lenz, John Trolander, Carolyn Lam, Marathon Don (Myers), Lisa Pelowski, Steve Strickler, Susan Burriss, Ross Hamernik, Teresa Walter, Ellen Hamernik and sons, Trevor Distad's boys and friends, Jessica and Benjamin Schmitt. Thank you, thank you!

Fetzer shirts have been ordered. I've changed the color (see the sidebar at right). The shirt is heather grey and the sleeves are navy. The artwork colors have been changed appropriately. If you register by 3/23, your name will appear in the background on the shirt!

Chocolate alert: Read this in Midwest Living this morning at the Y. Chocolate March March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Minnesota and Wisconsin innkeepers in the St. Croix Valley invite you to tour their inns and sample their chocolate mousse, truffles and other delicacies. Admission charged (651/998-0185; innsofthevallehy.com).

Last night's meal with my Cooking Light group was another winner. My favorite dish was probably ... the Banana Bars but everything was delicious. We had some German Eiswein with the Banana Bars. Delightful. There are no persimmons to be had so I used nectarines instead. The dressing was pretty thick but everyone thought it tasted just fine. :-) (Click on the view images link if this isn't displaying. I don't know why it does this at times. Fickle software ...)

I worked at Running Room from 1-4 today. New: New flavor of Power Gel is available in the store ... caramel. New women's Nike ...

and asics ...

and Mizuno ...

Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Shaun Palmer is willing to give swim stroke advice at the Y. Trevor Distad and I will be there. If you'd like to join us, let me know and I'll meet you at the front desk with a guest pass.

I might add Fool's Five to my race schedule. It's a fun one, a big one, and is a good measure of fitness. The weather is totally unpredictable, however! And it's a good cause ... raising money for cancer research. They've raised a boatload of money over the years. And it's cheap ... only $8 if you don't want a shirt.

Well, I'll leave the rest of my list for tomorrow. I'm going to chill out with the newspaper now.

Thought for the day: "Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance." --Samuel Johnson

Ciao.

Road Trip: Beyond the Epic Run

I plan to go to this. If anyone else would like to go, please email me and we can carpool.

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I am currently in the twin cities area promoting the private screening of, "Beyond the Epic Run," a film, which is of great interest to runners everywhere. We just screened it in San Antonio and Washington DC and got great reviews.

Our Minneapolis screening is Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 7:15pm at Oak Street Cinema at 309 Oak St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.

This will be a fun event for all. The screening is FREE for everyone. We are just trying to get exposure before it is released nationwide later this year. The producer, Thomas Sammon, will be in the theatre answering questions and getting feedback immediately following the private screening. After the q and a, we will give away a variety of fun prizes. It's a win-win.

“Beyond the Epic Run,” is a feature film documentary about a husband and wife who sold all their belongings to literally run around the world. Over a five-year period, Serge Roetheli ran over 25,400 miles with his dedicated wife by his side, following on a Yamaha motorcycle. The movie is an inspiring tale told through the diary entries of his wife, Nicole Roetheli. Countless hours of actual footage from Nicole’s camera have been cut and edited into a spellbinding and captivating film. The couple experienced, firsthand, things that few other people have ever even seen on television.

Serge and Nicole challenged their minds, bodies and commitment to each other. They looked death in the face and have lived to tell an amazing tale. Their drive and motivation to achieve the unimaginable plays out before your very eyes, even after they both suffered from potentially deadly attacks of Malaria and a variety of unforeseeable obstacles. Their journey took them through vast deserts, war zones, hurricanes and some of the toughest conditions man can face.

I don’t personally know anyone in the local running community, which is why I seek your help in filling the theater for the screening. It is totally free to attend for all guests. It will cost you nothing. I just need your help spreading the word. In exchange, I would happily give you table space for any promotional material you may have at the screening. We are hoping for a crowd of 350 people.

This is going to be more than just a private movie screening. It’s a great networking event and a rare opportunity to attend a private movie screening before it goes nationwide. This truly is a one night event in your area. I hope you will be a part of it.

The reason Serge ran was to make an impact on the world. He was running for the children and then later for a humanitarian effort that gives sight to the blind. Everything he did was selfless. Please take this opportunity to share this film with your friends, family and community. Your support is appreciated and needed to make this a successful screening.

I really appreciate your time and consideration. I would encourage you to watch the movie trailer at: www.BeyondtheEpicRun.com

I'm All Busy-ness

I had a very productive day today, and it feels great. Finally got the house back into shape after returning from Florida on Tuesday. A long time in coming, I know! Cleaning, de-cluttering, baking a boatload of cookies (more on that below), swapping out snowmen for bunnies, ... :-)

Tomorrow (Monday) evening our Cooking Light cooking group meets for dinner. On the menu:

Spicy Black Bean Hummus: Margo
Wine: Barbara
Moroccan Country Bread: Pam
Frisee Salad with Persimmons,Dates and Almonds: Renee
Mixed Vegetable and Rice Pilaf: Diane
Chicken with Dark Beer (Coq a la Biere): Mary
Roasted Banana Bars with Browned Butter-Pecan Frosting: Laura
Swag Bars: Barb (to take home)

Unfortunately, persimmons aren't available at this time of year, so I'll have to substitute some other type fruit. Photos and raves tomorrow.

More foodie stuff: Lionel Cheng and I will be learning how to make homemade chocolates (including tempering the chocolate) next Saturday afternoon with Helen Distad, wife of Trevor. I can't wait. Bloggable for sure.

Got a few more Fetzer volunteers since yesterday: Sue Arnold (she's in it for the cookies she said!), Mike Holmes (lead biker), Sue Christian, Chris Kujath. Thank you one and all!

From AF: Coming soon, Beyond the Epic Run, a film about a couple from Switzerland who ran around the world. 25,000 miles. Five continents. All on film. Check it out. Thanks for the tip!

I have to give kudos to Pam King (and probably Peggy and Julie as well) for running her very first 14-miler in preparation for the Med-City Marathon. You go, girls! I'm very proud of them. I'll get the low-down from P.K. tomorrow at Cooking Light. : )

Today I baked a boatload of cookies for the Cookie Monsters, the winning bidders in the cookie-of-the-month-for-a-year auction last December. The $ raised is the prize money for the Fetzer 20K on April 11. This year the prize money is divided equally between open and masters runners: $150 to the first open runner, $150 to the first masters runner. The first runner of the opposite sex from the winner receives $100 for a total of $500 in prize money. Thanks, cookie monsters, for your support! And enjoy your monster cookies.

There's a pound of butter, 1 1/2 pounds of peanut butter, 6 eggs, 1 pound of brown sugar, 2 c. white sugar, 9 c. oatmeal, ... in that bowl. It weighs a ton!

Following are the photos from my long run in Sarasota a week ago Saturday morning. Just over 15 wonderful, sunny miles. There were lots of people out running and walking. The road/bridge from Sarasota to Longboat Key was a very popular destination for exercise.

Rochesterfest Triathlon training: Tomorrow morning, early 5:30'ish, I'm back in the pool then will hop on the bike. For anyone that's interested, Shaun Palmer will be available for (triathlon) swim stroke guidance at the pool at the Y on Wednesday at 6:30 PM. Contact me or the Y if you're interested.

Well, there's more on my list but it's now 9:30 and I haven't had any "chill" time yet today so I'd best sign off. I'll save the rest of my "to be blogged" list for the next post.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Spring Ahead

Yup. That's right. Spring is ahead. I just know it. Despite the winter weather advisory for tomorrow... Blech!! And don't forget to set your clocks ahead before retiring tonight, lest you be late for something tomorrow. Or Monday. :-)

Monday the cookie monsters (Jim Martinson, Jim Benike, Mark Wernstrom, Jean Murray, Ross Hamernik, Don Gabrielson, KC Reed and Shaun Palmer) get their monthly delivery. This month ... I think I'll do monster cookies. With Easter colored M&Ms.


Speaking of cookies, the chocolate cookies (that looked like dirt) were a hit this morning after the long run. All the guys said the recipe was a keeper. Here it is:

Chewy Chocolate Cookies

1/3 cup granulated sugar, plus 1/2 cup for coating
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1 large egg white
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter , softened
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate , chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

1. Adjust oven racks to upper- and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 large (18- by 12-inch) baking sheets with parchment paper. Place ½ cup granulated sugar in shallow baking dish or pie plate. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in medium bowl. Whisk corn syrup, egg white, and vanilla together in small bowl.

2. In stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter, brown sugar, and remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-low, add corn syrup mixture, and beat until fully incorporated, about 20 seconds, scraping bowl once with rubber spatula. With mixer running at low speed, add flour mixture and chopped chocolate; mix until just incorporated, about 30 seconds, scraping bowl once. Give dough final stir with rubber spatula to ensure that no pockets of flour remain at bottom. Chill dough 30 minutes to firm slightly (do not chill longer than 30 minutes).

3. Divide dough into 16 equal portions; roll between hands into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Working in batches, drop 8 dough balls into baking dish with sugar and toss to coat. Set dough balls on prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart; repeat with second batch of 8. Bake, reversing position of the baking sheets halfway through baking (from top to bottom and front to back), until cookies are puffed and cracked and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft (cookies will look raw between cracks and seem underdone), 10 to 11 minutes. Do not overbake.

4. Cool cookies on baking sheet 5 minutes, then use wide metal spatula to transfer cookies to wire rack; cool cookies to room temperature.

Long run: Great crowd today. I did a cursory count and there were 60, + or - a few. Well, I wasn't sure what my mileage would be today when I left the house. Actually, I wasn't sure what it would be until I was actually done. The weather was better than previous weeks (though definitely not better than it was in Sarasota last week, but I'll save those photos for tomorrow), though it seemed colder and windier when we finished than when we started. Henry Biar thought the same. :-) The scheduled run was 15 miles, though the course was short. I ran 2.59 before the group started and had 16.92 when we finished. I was pretty tired when we all got back to the RAC, but after a drink of water and a cookie, I perked up a bit. I decided I for sure wanted 17.00 and then decided to run out to County 22 and back for another mile. (Water stop thank yous to Tim Geise and Steph Bagniewski. Forgot who else helped out, but you are appreciated!! And thanks for the gummy bears. :-) They got me up Assissi Heights hill.)

Then ... I decided to go swim. I swam 3/4 mile. I decided to time my first quarter. About 12 minutes (with rest breaks!). At least I know have a benchmark to improve upon. There were 3 of us sharing the only open swim lane and I had to try to keep up with, or out of the way of, a gal using fins. By far it was my best swim yet. Not fast, but my endurance is definitely improving.

Thank you to the following who have already volunteered to help at the Fetzer April 11: Chris and Tom O'Brien, Ken Persons, John Resman, Jim Martinson, Peg Arnold, Renee Kottschade, Eric Woodford, Julie Nelson, Laura Lenz, Jean Murray, Julie Murray, Greg Hagen, Kirby Bakken, Lin Gentling, Mike Schmitt, Wally Arnold, Dave Sample, Teresa Byland, Mary Chestolowski, Bill Nevala, Jim Mason, Lionel Cheng, Loren Johnson, Cathy Torgerson. You guys are the best! But ... it's a long race and I still need more!!

(Another childhood photo. Probably about 1962 or 1963.)

Tomorrow I think I'll take down my snowman decorations inside the house. Even if it's snowing outside, I think I'll feel better having them put away and having some more spring-like things out now.

Well, some more promised Florida photos. These are from Thursday, Feb. 26 when we had pancakes at Cafe on the Beach on Anna Maria Island. Beautiful, beautiful day.

Time to read the paper.

Thought for the day: "It isn't the load that weighs us down; it's the way we carry it."

Carry on.