Last Saturday was my first race of 2016 and one that I’ve wanted to try for a few years now: Goldy’s Run 10 Mile. Part of the Minnesota Running Series, Goldy’s Run is produced by Podium Sports Marketing, which was kind enough to provide me with a complimentary entry to this race (and also one to their Lake Minnetonka Half Marathon next month).

The course starts outside TCF Bank Stadium and finishes inside the stadium on the 50 yard line, which was quite fun (similar to the Fargo Marathon finish). There is a reported 825 feet of gain, as you cross the Mississippi River four times and climb up and down the river valley. The course also included the Stone Arch Bridge, St. Anthony Main, Nicollet Island, the Broadway Avenue bridge, Mill City Museum and the Guthrie – very scenic overall.

Wasn’t really sure what kind of time I’d have for this one, since my most recent training runs have been on the slow side. When I lined up for the start (in the sunny 18F weather), there was a pacer in front of me with an 8:30/mile sign. I decided I’d try to keep up with her and ran with their group for the first two miles or so. Feeling pretty good, I decided to jump ahead of them and see if I could maintain that to the end. They almost caught me at mile nine, but I had just enough left in the tank to stay in front, finishing in 1:25:27 (searchable results). Congrats to my friend Jenn, who also ran this race for the first time and finished in 1:32:56.

Watch splits: 8:32, 8:07, 8:27, 8:31, 8:23, 8:24, 8:27, 8:34, 8:53, 8:30

The packet pick-up at Sports Authority in Roseville was a disaster (waited in line for more than an hour), but overall I thought this was a very nice event. Race day was great – they started on time, the course was beautiful (and challenging), the on-field finish line was thrilling and they had great refreshments waiting at the end. The Goldy medal was well-designed and the tech shirts seemed fine (haven’t worn mine yet).

Go Gophers!

Up next: Get in Gear 10K