There are only THREE long runs left before our marathon...16, 18 and 20 miles!!! The big event is getting so close and everyone is doing an outstanding job!!

For those of us that ran on Saturday I think we would all agree it was at least 100 times better than last Saturday. It was almost 20 degrees cooler and no humidity to be found. My muscles actually feel the best today they've felt in quite some time...who knew that was even possible?!?! (Well, PJ would say that he knew...in fact he already did say that to me today - lol!!) I hope that everyone that wasn't running with the group had a great weekend run too.

Wednesday is coming quickly and unfortuntely I realized that I will be the one that will make it so we're not all together again:-( It's the Target national meeting on Wednesday and I will be spending quality time with about 10,000 other red and khaki wearing Target team members. I will be thinking of you though:-)

This Saturday we'll be running 16 miles!!! Most of it is a familiar route, but several miles are along the Greenway which I'm not sure how many of your are familiar with. I've posted the route...be sure to review the course and ask PJ on Wednesday if you have any questions about directions.

Only 41 Days until the Twin Cities Marathon!!!

Have a great week!!

So last Saturday's long run wasn't all that much fun for most of us...it was hot and humid and muggy from the very beginning! I was THRILLED when I finally made it back home...I just laid on my living room floor for awhile because all I wanted was to be NOT moving!! :-) BUT...this Saturday the high is supposed to be the same as what we were running in at 7 a.m. last week - and no storms in the air - so it's for sure going to be better for all of us!!

Misc. Notes:
~~Meredith completed her first official half-marathon!!! She even had a guy that was using her as his pacer...WAY TO GO, Meredith!!!

~~We were ALL at Run Club at the SAME time for the FIRST time EVER on Wednesday!!!

~~14 miles last Saturday!!! The first time at that distance for most of us...Whoo hoo!!

~~We only have 4 long run left before the marathon - 15 miles, 16 miles, 18 miles and 20 miles....and the 20 mile run will have the added motivation and excitement of being a race!! (Don't forget to sign up for the Bear Water Run if you have done so already!)

~~ Have a great weekend everyone!! Hopefully we'll see EVERYONE again next Wednesday!

This is going to be my new favorite quote for the next 7 weeks!!! 

Doing things like getting up early on Saturday morning to run for 2 or 3 or 4 hours in a row or running with one injury or another or running intervals and hills in 90 degree weather sometimes has me questioning my sanity ...and I'm pretty sure we've all questioned this process at times and struggled with how difficult it is to actually complete.

We all have different reasons for running in the upcoming marathon...and whatever the reason it's been enough to get you this far through the process. The next seven weeks are really only going to get tougher...and it may feel at times like you're not going to make it...but I have no doubt whatsoever that this is NOT going to kill any of us...and as a result we will all most definitley be stronger in the end!!

So hang in there...it's a huge time committment...it takes a lot of energy...and there are days when running may be the last thing that you want to do...but I thnk we all believe it will all be worth it when we cross that finish line in St. Paul on Oct. 4. Only have 51 days left!! Whoo hoo!!!

Have a great weekend!

Hey Everyone,

PJ has updated the calendar for August and September and I have attached it below.  The long routes will be determined throughout the month, as we're waiting to see if the construction on the West River Parkway finishes up.

We will be doing intervals on Wednesdays for the month of August...not the most fun things ever, but very good in helping us building our speed and endurance!

We've also got a couple of great speakers this month...Michael Egan will be coming to speak from Performance Acupuncture and Kim the nutritionist will come and share some practical tips on nutrition and marathon training.

See you all later!

Well...we all made it!!! 

Five of us ran the Urban Wildland Half Marathon on Saturday and we all had a great experience. I think that every one of us had something to be excited about...

***Sue reached her goal of finishing in less then two hours...she did 13.1 miles in 1:59:33 - WAY TO GO, SUE!!!! 
***Kelly finished her first half marathon - and her first time running further than 7 miles - in 2:31:33 - AWESOME WORK, KELLY!!!
***I (Becca) finished my second half marathon in 2:11:50 - 10 minutes faster than my first half marathon just 8 weeks ago.
***Adam finished in 1:51:47 and was able to run the entire race with his brother! They had exactly the same gun time, but somehow his brother was one second faster with Chip time!!
*** PJ finished in 1:32:12 and ran with almost his entire family - Luke, Matt, Katie, and Meredith (2 brothers, sister and cousin). Luke beat PJ, but PJ beat Matt!

We had perfect running weather and the course was very flat...especially compared to any of those hills by the River!! I was able to get a few pictures (see below)...unfortunately  Sue had left by the time I was able to grab my camera, but she was there...I promise:-)

I hope everyone has a great week - and I think there's a chance we will ALL be at Run Club on Wednesday...I hope so!! See you then!