7 Minute Miles Header

Five Years of Bonus Time

Posted October 8, 2023

Hurray! Today marks bonus birthday number FIVE after the big brain experience on the U.S. Bank Stadium train platform in 2018 (here are links to the previous bonus time posts: year one, year two, year three and year four). The whole episode now seems so distant – very happy to have this history here (and still so, so thankful to everyone involved).

Everything health-wise continues to be good – don’t need to go back for any follow-up for another two years and my eyesight has evolved to the point where I can even play golf again without glasses. I do still tend to wear them while driving at night, but that’s about it. My old TBI eye specialist has moved on, so I started seeing the regular family eye doctor this year. He said my prescription has changed slightly, but gave me the option to hold off on a new order.

Feeling more fit since I started a real training plan for the recently cancelled TC 10 Mile and the activity logs for the past year have all been active. Didn’t bike as much this year, but played more golf and logged more real running miles. Bought some actual hiking shoes this year and spent a lot of time at nearby Afton State Park (and almost signed up for the Afton 25K – hope to do that next year, along with Get in Gear and the Milk Run). Still throw my name in the annual London Marathon drawing, but have never been picked. Disney 2025?

Speaking of Florida, we attended our first ever spring training games in Fort Myers this year and had a great time. My brother and his wife drove over from Orlando for some of the games, which was wonderful. Not a lot of other travel this year, but we continued to cross new restaurants off the list, went to a lot of Twins and Saints games and had a good year of concerts (Smashing Pumpkins, Jerry Harrison, Muse, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Cure, Duran Duran, Pearl Jam and Peter Gabriel, among others).

And speaking of concerts, I’ve recently returned to the sports and entertainment world in a newly created technology role at Target Center. I’m excited to learn a new league and learn how arenas operate compared to stadiums. While there are a lot more events, the technology infrastructure is smaller and it will be a fun challenge to optimize the operation. Also excited about the Life Time Fitness facilities in the basement of the building – what a great thing to have for Minnesota winter workouts.

Go Wolves! šŸ€


flourish icon

šŸ«” TC 10 Mile training update

Posted September 2, 2023

Finished my third eight mile long run this morning and kept the average pace under 11 for the second time in this training cycle (10:44). Slow and steady with no walk breaks is fine with me right now. On my bike ride two days ago, I made it up the giant hill (200+ ft) with no stop breaks, so seem to be making overall fitness progress. Only 29 days to race day!


flourish icon

Beautiful morning along the river

Pic posted August 31, 2023

Twenty mile ride up and down the Mississippi


flourish icon

Cool, beautiful morning for a bike ride

Pic posted August 26, 2023

Only had time for a quick ten miles around Woodbury


flourish icon

New trail @ Carver Lake?

Pic posted July 31, 2023

This is not it, but it looks like someone is building a new trail off of the upper parking lot loop


flourish icon

33 miles to Fort Snelling (and back)

Pic posted July 20, 2023

Fun ride, but ready to sit on the couch and watch The Open now


flourish icon

Saint Paul High Bridge

Pic posted July 20, 2023

Lileks was crazy not to include this one in his story


flourish icon

Simpsons clouds over Colby Lake

Pic posted July 18, 2023

These summer weather days are special


flourish icon

Single track for the soul

Pic posted July 18, 2023

Quick loop today around Carver Lake


flourish icon

Early morning 20 miles šŸš“ā€ā™‚ļø

Pic posted July 12, 2023

Stuck by a train, eagles, vultures & a turkey, new Saint Paul branding and the return of Bob Pimpin


flourish icon

20 mile ride around St. Paw and Meowpolis šŸš“šŸ»ā€ā™‚ļø

Pic posted July 10, 2023

Never change, Woodbury, never change


flourish icon

20 miles along the big river šŸš“šŸ»ā€ā™‚ļø

Pic posted July 6, 2023

Boats, trains, vultures and lots of color


flourish icon

Carver Lake before the storm

Pic posted July 4, 2023

Glad I went to the single track first, as I got caught in the last mile riding home in the downpour. The park is surprisingly green and lush, given the lack of recent rain…


flourish icon

Don’t forget to stop and enjoy šŸŒø

Pic posted June 29, 2023

It’s always worth the time to capture nature’s beauty (shot during my morning bike ride through Woodbury)


flourish icon

A little single track before the šŸ”„

Pic posted June 14, 2023

Still kinda warm, but super fun (and no one else out there)


flourish icon

Highlights from the long bike ride šŸš“ā€ā™‚ļø

Pic posted June 8, 2023

The watch said it was my longest ride recorded to date: 32.8 miles up and down the Mississippi


flourish icon

Dames-violet? How accurate is Photos?

Pic posted May 26, 2023

Iā€™d never know on some of these – bike ride photo from along the Mississippi


flourish icon

Carver Lake Park back in action šŸš“ā€ā™‚ļø

Pic posted May 4, 2023

All of the tree damage has been cleared, the snow has melted and all of the trails are now open (with great riding conditions)


flourish icon

Nice day for a ride on the MRT šŸš“ā€ā™‚ļø

Pic posted April 25, 2023

Mississippi River Trail in Newport, Inver Grove Heights and South St. Paul – water levels manageable and Bob is back


flourish icon

40 Below @ MSPIFF 42

Pic posted April 23, 2023

Great documentary on the Arrowhead 135 by director Marius Anderson at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, St. Anthony Main. Also fun to have the director and 2019 women’s champion Leah Gruhn afterwards


flourish icon

Spring has sprung @ Carver Lake

Pic posted April 14, 2023

The mountain bike trails won’t be open for a while due to downed trees and mud/ice, but the buds were popping. The bottom center pic that we think is emerald ash borer damage was at Bailey School Forest Park in Newport.


flourish icon

Scenes from the long ride today

Pic posted April 11, 2023

Twenty miles along the mighty Mississippi šŸš“ā€ā™‚ļø


flourish icon

First ride of 2023 āœ…

Pic posted April 10, 2023

It felt good to be out again (although my aerobic capacity needs to get better). Colby Lake still with a lot of ice, but melting fast


flourish icon

šŸ«” TIL all about bike valves

Posted April 10, 2023

Schrader valves are the old “traditional” style, while Presta valves are the newer, thinner ones. Thought I needed these $6 adapters, but turns out my fancy bike pump works with both, as long as you loosen the Presta valve core first. Looking forward to riding in the warm weather this week…


flourish icon

Link: The Robert Piram Trail Story

Linked January 4, 2023


flourish icon