Blessings from above please!

  Today I went for a solo 5 miler, Wenzyl was getting groomed from Zack (at the Pet Wash in Hibbing), on the way to one of his appointments.  I decided to change up my pace a little bit and try out a different trail.  I guess you could say, I was still a little freaked out about the clapping incident, and being I didn't have Wenzyl by my side; I thought taking a new route would be a good thing.  I hit up the Forest History Center & Sylvan Point.  What a nice change of pace!  This trail winds through the south west parts of Grand Rapids, in and out of town and into a wooded area behind Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital. It has little side trails that are available for exploration as well.  I saw two woodpeckers, an older gentlemen sitting on a bench (enjoying the 60 degree weather), two women walking goldens, a child riding a bike (who looked way too young to be doing so on his own), little buds sprouting on the trees , and a chipmunk.  The sun was shining, I wore my sunglasses, loaded on sunscreen, wore shorts and tank, and was still hot.  This is amazing, considering the 3 inches of snow we received yesterday!  Only in MN can you have snow one day and 60 degree weather the next.  I guess I should be thankful, the south has it much worse then we do right now.  I'm praying for the families; how devastating.  I can't even imagine.  It amazes me that there are people out there that have the guts to video tape twisters?  If I hear a warning on the radio, I am in the basement.  Maybe the reason for this is the fact that I was in a tornado at the young age of 5.  We were in a grocery store in Minong, WI. and roof of the store was ripped off by a twister.  This has made me fear high winds, to the point of hysteria.

 Last year Zack and I rolled into Grand Rapids from a weekend away in Duluth.  Above is what we rolled into.  Let me tell you... I freaked out!  Zack on the other hand, wanted to chase the darn thing down!  I drug him inside our home and pushed him in the basement when the sirens went off.  I was completely out of my mind.  Luckily we were blessed that day, the tornado didn't touch down. 

Yesterday I found myself being slightly irritated at the fact that it was snowing, when the day prior I was laying on the beach in warm sand.  I know that I need to be thankful for what I'm given.  I know this... but often times, I forget.  I guess sometimes it takes a reminder; one of tragedy to make you realize how truly blessed you are.  Each day is a gift, even if it is snowing, or raining, or freezing cold.  We need to embrace what we're given, because in a second it can be ripped away from us. 

Dear Lord, I'd like to lift up the families that are dealing with the tragedies of the southern weather.  I pray that you protect them Lord, that you surround them with your Angels and keep them safe in your arms.  I pray that these wicked storms are pushed into an area that have none of your children in its path, that these storms are blown away into oblivion.  Lord, I pray that you put your loving heart over the families that have lost loved ones, I pray that you give them strength during this hard time, and hold their hearts with your forgiving hands.  Please Lord, surround our world, our lives with your love and protect us.  I pray this in the name of your beautiful Son, Jesus Christ, Amen. 

18 Mile Munger Trail Run

Sunday morning Abe and I ran 18 miles on the Munger Trail in Duluth, MN.  We started our journey near the Munger Inn.  This trail actually follows the same route of the railroad that saved many lives in the historic Hinckley and Cloquet fires in the nineteenth century.  The trail is paved and weaves in and out of rock, trees and creeks; a nice change of pace from the Iron Range terrain.

It was a cool morning to start, which I guess should have been expected; considering the blizzard like conditions that were present when my alarm went off at 0700.  We postponed our run until 1000 in hopes that the thin layer of ice and snow would melt by the time we hit the trail.  Luckily, our wish came true.  The trail was clear for the most part, there were a few different areas that were still covered with snow, but overall at least 99.8 percent of the trail was clear.

We saw some hawks flying overhead; scouting for their next meal, we spooked two deer, and enjoyed the fresh air.  With a temperature of about 38-40 degrees, our water consumption was minimal.  I drank about 20 mL of water and ate a few energy beans, but for the most part, I felt amazing during the whole run.  I don't even think I hit the infamous "wall"!  This is a very exciting thing for me! 

The best part of the day, we met Zack and my uncle Jerry at the Anchor Bar in Superior, WI. to enjoy a burger and fries (something that I haven't had in almost a year!)  What a treat!  That along with a Two Hearted Ale, a hot tub and a cat nap in the car on the way home, made for a perfect day!  I'm looking forward to taking it easy this week, with some 5,6,7 mile runs.  I'm taking today off from running and am getting ready to head out for a nice hike with Wenzyl and Zack.   

Happy Running! 

Some people should just stay home

My uncle Jerry has a simple quote that I find to be so true, "If you're not having fun, go home!"  If I had the guts, I would've LOVED to tell this to a particular women who was walking on the trail this afternoon. 

So here is what happened.  I'm running along with Wenzyl, (who I don't leash).  I have nothing to worry about;she's friendly and people love her... unfortunatly this women did not LOVE Wenzyl, or the day (so it seemed).  She was just down right nasty to me, she said, "Your dog better not F-in jump on me" LEASH IT!!  She kind of got in my face when she said this.  It was quite sad to be honest, her eyes were all blood shot, she was wearing black from head to toe, she just wasn't happy at all!  The only come back that I could think of was, "God Bless You"!  As I continued on my way, Wenzyl followed, not knowing that someone had so much hatred towards her.  I feel bad that she was so angry about the situation, I guess my choice would've been a more tactful way to go about things, but that's just me. Who knows, she could've been having an awful day.  It makes me think that maybe I should start to leash Wenzyl?  I love the fact that she can just run around free, and that most people embrace her happy go lucky grasp she has on life. Well for now, I guess I will just keep my eye out for those with a dark ora.  

On the bright side of my run, I heard the frogs chirping away in the pond, watched Wenzyl chase two mallards (I think they were mallards) and shoed a beetle out of my car.  Things are blooming, growing, and people are coming out of their homes after a long winter!  It's spring!

The heat is on

One of the many mine pits on the Mesabi Trail

 Shorts, a tank top, sunglasses and sweat, this is what I've been waiting for, or is it?  The heat was surrounding us today, and I could feel it sucking all the energy out of my muscles.  I guess this will take some getting used to.  I'm not a fan of hot weather to begin with,  I guess that's why I'm a MN girl!  Fall is my favorite time of the year, I appreciate cool days when the sun is shining, and can handle hot dry days when I'm not exercising.   A perfect running day for me, is about 56 degrees, partly cloudy, a cool breeze and an occasional mist in the air.  Is that too much to ask?  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about today's balmy temperature of 66 degrees, I'm just not accustomed to it; that's all.  In looking back on some of my past blog entries, I found myself running in 13 degree weather,  66 degrees, is a nice change of pace.  I guess when it comes down to it, the heat just gets to me.  Maybe it's the feeling of being "swampy" as I like to call it.  Or perhaps it's the feeling like I can't cool down, which may tragically result in my face actually exploding.  Either way, I know that the heat definitely takes a toll on my performance, (if you want to call it that).  Mr. Will Richter on the other hand, embraces the heat, and can't wait for the hot and muggy days ahead.  I'm still confused by this need? 

Today, Will and I pumped out a 6 mile run on the trail.  All of the snow is gone, which is great, however the remnants of a logging expedition from last fall is still littering the trail.  It will be nice once it's swept up and taken care of.  Miss Wenzyl enjoyed immersing herself in every possible mud puddle, running up to strangers (being sure to show off her new "muddy coat"),finding logs, a dead squirrel, and matted piece of hair.  She keeps us laughing, and reminds me that it's just not okay to "give kisses" after something like that.  

I took a hike earlier today with a friend, we spooked 3 deer and I almost stepped on a snake!  Yes, a snake!  Luckily, my girly high pitched scream and tap dancing get away spooked it back into wherever it was heading. Spring is officially here!  

Grand Rapids entrance to the Trail

Sometimes it's Hard to be a Runner

Sometimes it's hard to be a runner, giving all your love to just one sport.  Even though Tammy Wynette understood the difficulties of being a women, I often wonder if feel the same about running.  Yesterday Will and I pumped out an 8 miler on the trail.  Starting out, we were slow, and... CRABBY!  I felt heavy and not in the mood to be running.  Having a headache and being tired didn't help matters any, although about 4 miles in the tables turned.  We finished out our run with smiles on our face and energy.  When I think about it, this is the case most of the time.  I can't ever remember heading out for a run, finishing; and not feeling good about it.  It's that "natural high" I guess that keeps me coming back for more. 

I'm so thankful to have a running partner (Will) by my side.  It's such a nice change of pace to have someone to talk to!  Plus, he's pushing me with my pace, and oddly enough I'm enjoying that as well!  I'm gearing up for a 14 miler next weekend with Abe.  I'm traveling to the Duluth area, and I believe we're going to hit up the Munger Trail.  Does anybody know if the snow is cleared off of it yet? I'm really excited to enjoy our first run together!  We have a lot of catching up to do!

In the mean time, I'm going to focus on some short runs, 4,5,6 milers this weekend and next week.  It's refreshing to see so many people out and about enjoying the nice weather we've been blessed with.  Yesterday, we saw two different groups of people walking on the trail, which is a lot for the trail.  Wenzyl and her wet muddy self enjoyed running up to them to show her love.  This morning as I sip my hot strong coffee, I've watched 5 people either walk by, run by, or being pulled by (from their dog).  It's just nice to see people moving their bodies!  That along with the tips of tulips popping up in the yard are the things that I adore about spring.     

Happy Running everyone!

Collateral Circulation

CAD- Coronary artery disease, is one of the leading causes of death in our country.  When the coronary vessels become blocked with plaque, our body formulates "collateral circulation", a kind of detour around the blockage in order to maintain function.  Unfortunately, these vessels are small and often times don't open, therefore this "detour" will close over time.

With physical exercise, (Strenuous physical exercise) such as running, our bodies formulate collateral circulation that is open all the time, due to the increase in oxygen demands.  I find it amazing that I have a back-up system of vessels that are simply being utilized for performance, not to save me from having a heart attack!  This, along with my ban of fast food for the past 5 years, I believe I am heading in the right direction!

 Today, I ran a nice and easy 4 mile run with Wenzyl.  We went on the trail and enjoyed being surrounded with the smells of the earth waking up. I would guess that 85% of the trail is open, with small patches of snow here and there.   The temperature reading in my car was a perfect 52 degrees.  I sprayed on some sport sunscreen on my way out the door, grabbed my sunglasses and enjoyed clearing my mind.  It's fascinating how running takes a different turn when you're surrounded with nothing but woods, the sky, the smells of the earth, the occasional bird flying overhead, your dog, God, and your breathing.  This is what I've been waiting for!

Happy Running and circulation building everyone! 

The Bears are out of hibernation!

Will and I headed out for a 12 mile run this afternoon, and an hour and 45 minutes later we were home, enjoying a Nordeast in celebration!  We trucked along, keeping a conversation, which always makes the miles fly by!  According to Will, I run faster when I ask questions!  Ha, who knew?   Maybe this is why my "pace" has gotten faster, being Will and I are just getting to know each other!

Wenzyl was sadly left behind during this run, I've decided that her longest run will not exceed 10 miles (I want to preserve her hips, if you know what I mean).  I know she doesn't agree with me, but I guess at this point, she has no choice in the matter!  Sad eyes and all, I walked out the back door without her (Feeling quite guilty, I might add)

With regard to the title, "The Bears are out of hibernation", we are the bears!  Yes, the hypoglycemic rage has attacked us, therefore we shall eliminate our craving of carbs with a celebratory beer after every long run from here on out;  this, I am looking forward to!  

Happy Running!