It is a very rainy Monday here. Today is definitely one of those all day rains. As I left the house this morning to meet my running friend, I noticed that a few large drops of rain had landed on the driveway. I could feel that it was going to rain. Somehow the rain held off for our five mile run. During our cool down walk, we heard a loud rumble of thunder and decided to cut the walk short and head for home. By the time I made it to my house, I was wet. My husband met me at the door with a towel. How thoughtful! My next stop was to put my running shoes on my shoe dryer followed by... Untangling my hair. Does anyone else have this happen to their hair in humidity? I actually like to run in the rain. There is something about running in the rain that reminds me how much fun it was to play in the rain or in puddles as a kid. Once the running shoes are fully soaked, you might as well have fun. We are never told old to splash in the puddles and play in the rain. One of the things that I like most about running is the opportunity to spend some time outdoors in Minnesota's four seasons. I enjoy them all! Happy Running! -Stephanie
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On Thursday, we took a family trip to Vallleyfair. It has been at least 25 years since I was there last. Wow, it has really grown! I ran only 30 minutes that morning because I knew that we had a long day ahead of walking and standing. I was glad that I cut my run short. By the end of the day we logged in miles of walking around Valleyfair. My daughter and I rode more of the "family rides" while my husband and son rode the "thrill rides." I attempted one spinning type ride which reminded me that I cannot do spinning rides. The trip was great. We got there by 10 am in an attempt to beat the crowds. We still had to wait in a long line to get into the park. There were many school groups there on field trips who also arrived early. As the day went on, the lines for rides were shorter and shorter. The last couple hours a the park had very short wait times for rides. We brought a picnic lunch that we ate in our car. There is no longer a picnic area outside of the gate. However, I saw many other families eating in their cars as well. Packing a lunch is a good way to save money and get a healthier meal. I got the idea of packing a lunch from my mom. My parents would take the entire family to Paul Bunyanland in Brainerd, MN every summer when our kids were small. Mom would pack a lunch of sandwiches, chips, watermelon, and cookies for everyone and we would sit outside of the gates to dine and rest up for more amusement park fun. If you have never visited the Paul Bunyanland in Brainerd, I highly recommend it. It is definitely geared for the younger children. You are greeted when entering the park by a giant Paul Bunyan who can make small movements and talk. He even greets the visitors by name! There were short (or often NO lines) for rides. Generations of my family have loved Paul Bunyanland. A link to that park is here.
Happy summer! -Stephanie Happy Global Running Day to all our blog readers who run, have run or would like to run! In the spirit of enjoying such an awesome holiday, I'll be out on a long run before work this morning. Hopefully it will be my last day in the office for a while. I'm looking forward to having a little extra time for getting ready for David's grad party and blogging amongst the other pursuits that I put off during school and track season. The weather has been awesome lately, so I try to get a walk with Charlie in each day in addition to my run. I'd love to have this sign on my front door so I could at least pretend that the rest of my responsibilities had to wait for me to finish running. Most of the neighbors probably want to hold up the second sign when I'm arriving back home from running by 6:00am LOL! Take some time to enjoy a run and know that the world runs with you today...maybe faster, slower or just your pace. Happy running--Missee Care to Comment? Do we have any blog readers who are from states other than Minnesota? Do we have any international readers? Will you be celebrating Global Running Day with a run?
Now that summer temperatures have definitely arrived, I thought it was a good time to share some of my summer running favorite products with you. 1. Sunblock. I have mentioned several times in this blog that I did not use enough sunblock in my youth and now am dealing with years of sun damage. I am now diligent about the use of sunblock. I apply sunblock before every run, even if the sun isn't out yet. My two favorites are Neutrogena Sport Face SPF 70+ and a sports sunblock stick with a SPF of at least 50 (any store brand). I keep a basket of sunblock and bug spray next to our back door so that it is easy to access before heading outside. 2. Running sunglasses. I tried to find a photo of the sunglasses that I currently use, but I think they are discontinued. My sunglasses were $20 or less. I haven't found the need to purchase expensive sunglasses for running yet. 3. A hat. I have a love/hate relationship with hats. I don't like to wear a hat (hate), but I love to be sunburn free. The hat that I currently love is similar to this one from Lululemon. The hat I have is from a few years ago and is not loner available. 4. A soft, sweat-wicking shirt. The shirt is my favorite. It is from Lululemon and the link is here. This is definitely a splurge, but these really last. I have two shirts that I bought about four years ago and they are still in great shape. In fact, I ran my last two marathons in these shirts and had no chaffing. 5. These running shorts. I really like the fit of these running shorts from Athleta. The fit is comfortable and the length is great for a 40 something mom. The only downside is that there is not a pocket in these shorts. Let's enjoy summer running. It will go by quickly. Happy running! Happy summer! -Stephanie
In preparation for the Fargo Marathon, I downloaded a bunch of new music. It is a treat for me to hear a new playlist and I was so excited to listen to it. However, I forgot the adapter that goes between my headphones and my phone and I was not able to listen to the playlist during the race. I got my first listen today and it was a treat! There is a strong influence of the 80s in this playlist. Below is a screen shot of some of the songs. These tunes got me to thinking about the 80s. If I were running in the 80s, I would be listening to my cassette tapes while carrying a large Walkman radio. Far out! My outfit would probably include something totally rad like Spandex or a "wind suit." I would certainly need a headband or a high ponytail for my 80s hair or maybe even a visor. And my running shoes would be Nikes or maybe KangaROOS. Here is a little blast from the past from your blog writers. Missee and I had some big 80s hair. Aqua Net + a curling iron and look at these amazing results! (I'm pretty sure that this was the first day of school in 1988.) May your day be like totally awesome! -Stephanie
A couple of weeks ago, we were wishing Blake well on finishing his college degree and track career. I am the lucky Mom who gets two graduates this year. David is graduating tomorrow--and has a track meet the same day! David is our youngest, so every time he finishes something, it is our"last." This is our last HS graduation and last meet as a Sabre. However, his cross country coach always tells the seniors that "Once a Sabre, always a Sabre. You know where to find us at 3:30pm and on Saturday mornings." David has had a great experience as a high school runner although very different from his brother. He quickly fell into step with a group of guys who became known as the Wolf Pack. They named themselves that and eventually it caught on. They allowed just one more member to their pack when another runner who was of similar ability and personality joined the team when the original wolves were 8th graders. One of the best track meet memories we have of David and the Wolf Pack was one of the first outdoor meets when they were 8th graders. They, along with Blake, ran the 3200. Blake set a new PR and nearly lapped them, but those little guys hung tough and managed to all earn their first varsity letter in track--at the same time. They needed to finish in under 11:00 and finished between 10:53 and 10:59. This photo screams pure joy when I see it. Here are the same guys with only a couple of additions this fall: David's running has provided him many adventures. A few years ago, he finished right ahead of Carrie Tollefson at a 5K in Duluth. David was about 13 years old and Carrie had a baby just a few weeks before the race. Regardless, David was the envy of all his friends for getting this photo with an Olympian! Yes, she had a newborn, just finished a 5K and still looked fresh. Whatever she was doing for sleep, nutrition and exercise was definitely working for her :-) . The little guy was rocking those braces. The cute factor was definitely working for him :-) When David graduates tomorrow, it will be the cumulation of a lot of hard work, a lot of running shoes and a lot of opportunities to make friends and learn. He is headed to UMD, but will be in the Engineering Building rather than the Business School where Blake spent his time. He'll be transitioning to running for fitness and fun rather than on a team and Duluth will provide him many new roads and trails to explore. David was once given a team award for being the "Street Genius," not merely street smart. He has the ability to figure things out in a common sensical way and is going to make an awesome engineer someday.
Congratulations, David. I love you and happy running--Mom (Missee) |
AuthorMissee and Stephanie are two Minnesota sisters and moms who love to run. We are not experts in running, parenting or anything else, but we do have years of experiences that may be helpful or entertaining to others. Archives
May 2020
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