Tonight’s race felt different than the past two years – I think I’ve finally learned that the distance isn’t really meant to be a full-out sprint (at least for my desired times). I still felt tired halfway through (which I passed right at 3:00), but I didn’t get hurt and I actually had a small kick at the end. The wind helped, although it was too cold for my shorts and T-shirt.

My official chip time was 6:10.6, which was a ten second PR. I also achieved my other goals of beating Megan (6:58.7), not re-injuring my knee and having a beer afterwards at The News Room. Lots of fast runners this year, as I was 441 out of 2528 finishers.

Megan had a rough night and sounded like she was going to cough up a lung afterwards. She also had the added weight of my phone in her pack, which was really my secret plan to slow her down and retain a perfect 3-0 record. I’m convinced my days are numbered, though, and a 100-mile gauntlet was thrown down too. Hmm…

It was really nice meeting new people tonight. We visited with a bunch of people from Allina and Medtronic and I finally got to meet Kat (@kljwm) in real life before the race. Minnesota Twitter runners are the greatest – sorry I didn’t get to meet more of them before or after.

I think my goal for 2014 will be a sub-6. It was so great to see fives on the timer when I turned the corner and I was a little disappointed I wasn’t closer this year. But as Megan said, don’t be “that guy” who just got a PR and is still upset. Very, very happy with things overall.

Next registered race is the State Fair Milk Run 5K, although it looks like our Ragnar team is coming together. TCM and Disney after that, but I’m sure something else will pop up before then too.

What a sub-4 looks like, lead pro men’s wave, TC 1 Mile, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Megan and I at the start, Minneapolis, Minnesota

TC 1 Mile, Minneapolis

On the road to the TC 1 Mile

Adidas Boston Stands As One T-Shirt fundraiser

http://www.bloomsdayrun.org/

I think we all felt owed one after some hit and miss weather lately in Minnesota and today did not disappoint. This was my twelfth Get in Gear 10K in a row and it was a great one – sunny skies, temps near 50F at the start and a big turnout of smiling, happy runners.

After not using my Garmin all winter, I actually forgot how it worked and almost missed getting accurate info. My watch time was two seconds off the official time and reported rough splits of 6:30, 6:59, 7:13, 7:30, 7:25 and 7:24. I really couldn’t believe that first one and was afraid I blew any chance of a PR. After getting to the midway point around 20:00, I started dreaming of a sub-44 (or better).

Alas, that was not to be, but I did hang on for a seven second PR. Very happy to set the new mark, as I’m not getting any younger. Felt a bit of regret, though, as I really thought I could do better. Next time, perhaps…

Some other stats from the results page:

• Official time of 44:40 (7:12 pace)
• Overall: 255 out of 3141
• Men: 191 out of 1374 Males
• Age Group: 23 out of 184 Males in the M40-44 Age Group

Up next: TC 1 Mile on May 9

Get in Gear, Minnehaha Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Running with Megan and Chili Dog, Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis, Minnesota

http://www.zumbro100.com/2013/04/16/2013-zumbro-recap/

I’ve wanted to be there, but I’m not fast enough. I live vicariously on Patriots’ Day each year through people I’ve never met in real life (such as @susanruns and @mattlegal). Their wonderful blog entries are full of excitement and commitment to excellence. The world-class athletes that are featured on the live stream I watch every year make it look so effortless. Pure inspiration to get faster so I too can travel to Hopkinton some day.

I had turned off the live stream after Jeptoo and Desisa finished, just keeping a tab open to see if Nurse on the Run could maintain her 3:10 pace for the second half of her race. Then a few tweets starting trickling in my feed about an explosion. Then another. Links to unimaginable photos and video. I was in shock.

Runners are a close-knit group. Every time I see a runner out somewhere, I tell my family “there goes one of my people.” Today hit straight at my heart. Not just for the runners, but also the spectators, the first responders that line the entire course, the volunteers. It could have been my kids waiting there for me to finish. Such a senseless tragedy.

So very thankful everyone I know is OK. Google has set up a page if you are looking for someone here. The official BAA site also allows you to search for people here. The American Red Cross has a page here for people to donate blood in Massachusetts (although you can always donate blood wherever you are). The official BAA Facebook page is posting frequent updates here.

Peace and healing to everyone in Boston tonight…

http://watchlive.baa.org/

Zumbro Midnight 50 Trail Run, Minnesota

http://www.greatlakesmarathonseries.com/takethetour/

The whole family came over to the clubhouse tonight – yay!

Kid two trying the elliptical for the first time, Clubhouse exercise room, Eagan, Minnesota

Stay Fit at Hyatt, Phoenix, Arizona

http://allarizonarunningevents.com/2012_Results/Chasing%20the%20Sun%202013.htm

Out for repair…

My site has become heavily weighted towards photos, quotes and links lately – sorry to all of you who prefer actual words and stories. I’ve been inspired, though, by people like Charlie Parr and projects like Scintilla and Reverb, where people like Kat and Meredith (whom I’ve never met in real life) write fascinating stories that I love to read. I’m also inspired by other runner/writers like Susan, Jean and Courtenay (one of whom I have actually met), who write posts that help me set new running goals, find new places to eat and visit and provide perspective on life in general.

Words have this nasty habit of getting me in trouble, but I need to write to organize my thoughts, share with others and stay sane. While I have no trouble speaking face to face now (not always the case), writing is something that I can massage, edit and tweak until I feel it’s just right. So let’s see where this goes…

I almost feel a bit like Garrison Keillor talking about last week in Lake Wobegon – it’s been a long winter on Lake Vermilion and I get the impression that even the snowmobilers are ready for it to end. Yesterday’s low was -26F, however, and my commute today from the Twin Cities was foiled by 6-10 inches of new, (nearly) Spring snow. I would positively be insane by now if not for the business trip I have booked for next week in Phoenix (conference here, hotel here and golf here).

Work has been terribly stressful the past few weeks – lots of drama, political intrique and a big system upgrade scheduled for later this week that I’m hoping doesn’t go sideways. The trade show next week looks to have a number of good presentations scheduled and I’ll be playing in a golf tournament with our tribal chairman and CEO on Sunday at one of the best courses in Arizona. All that, plus free drinks – what could possibly go wrong?

I’ve not done a great job managing email or personal projects lately – the work inbox sits at 351 messages and my personal email is at 32. Add in the move to the new townhouse and a looming tax deadline and you have the recipe for stress overload. Unpacking, web projects for friends (TM, BSP, BK, DS – haven’t forgot about you all, promise!) and trying to keep up with a haphazard training schedule while not getting sick has been a challenge.

Speaking of training, I now have three official races lined up: Get in Gear 10K, TC 1 Mile and the Twin Cities Marathon. With New York likely out of the picture, I’d still like to add another long race, but I’ll have to see how the money goes. Deadwood and the Goofy Challenge are high on the list, but both come with large price tags.

On the advice of Jake, I registered for my first MinneBar today. It’s free and I was informed Mr. Edge will be there, so it must be good. I have an idea for a new project, so maybe if I listen to people way smarter than me, it will give me a little push in the right direction.

Until next time…

Update: looks like I will be golfing here instead of We-Ko-Pa.

Here is the disappointing news from New York:

The policy states that a runner must be denied 3 entry consecutive years, without entering these marathons through another means such as a charity. You were denied entry in 2010 and 2011, but you were accepted in 2012, so you are no longer eligible for guaranteed entry through the denied 3 times program. I am sorry.

As was stated on the website, this program is being phased out. The last year to enter the program was 2011.

So it looks like I’ll pick some different options for 2013…

Custom marathon medal rack

Trying out the clubhouse exercise room, Eagan, Minnesota

The best gym on earth is outside, and it’s totally free.

Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Best Western Dakota Ridge, Eagan, Minnesota

Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

The New York Road Runners continue to hold sway over my future running plans. Yes, they refunded my $255 entry fee this week from the 2012 (non)marathon. The trouble is, they also posted a note that said they haven’t decided yet if there will be an open lottery for 2013, nor what they will do for people who didn’t get in for three years in a row (2012 would have been my third year). So I really don’t want to sign up for any long races until I know for sure whether NYC is an option this November or not. This is a bit of a problem, as there are several alternative options for this year that may or may not fill up before I find out about New York:

• Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon, June 2 – my next 50 states option (plus I’d get to check out the Deadwood casino scene)
• Grandma’s, June 22 – really missed running it last year
• Med City Marathon, May 26 – continue to hear good things about this southern Minnesota race (and the price is right)
• Twin Cities, October 6 – I’d love to have Ms. Medtronic 1) get the TCM monkey off her back and 2) break that 4 hour mark
• Goofy Challenge, January 12, 2014 – not really 2013, but the cost would probably mean not running any other marathons in 2013

I’m currently registered for two shorter races: the Get in Gear 10K (April 27) and the TC 1 Mile (May 9). There are a few other ones I was thinking about too:

• Get Lucky Half Marathon, March 16 – not my favorite route, but nice swag
• Goldy’s Run 10 Miler, April 13 – looks like a nice course with a fun finish
• Lake Minnetonka Half Marathon, May 5 – it’s been on my list for years

I also plan to cheer on Megan and her dad at the Zumbro 50 Miler on April 13, which I think is completely crazy. Of course I say that after looking at bikes today that could be used in the Arrowhead 135 next year, so I guess it’s all relative, right?

Mileage so far this year has been a little on the light side, but I’m mostly OK with the current state of things. I’m planning to focus on treadmill speed work until I can get outside more, which should help prevent another knee issue at the 1 Mile. The 17 miler this weekend was a total surprise, as I was only planning to run 9 or 12 when I left the house. I love the calorie benefits from longer runs, though, so warmer weather can’t come fast enough.

Same goes for news from New York…

Twelfth floor exercise room, Saint Paul Hotel

Winter run along Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis, Minnesota

http://www.rundisney.com/tower-of-terror-10-miler/

http://www.runkarlarun.com/2013/01/18/race-report-walt-disney-world-marathon-201/

The support crew has arrived, Arrowhead 135 Ultra, Fortune Bay, Tower, Minnesota

As we prepare to move from a house to a townhouse, I need to get rid of things that won’t fit in the new place. Unfortunately, my trusty training treadmill is one of those things.

We purchased this new from 2nd Wind shortly after moving to the current house (don’t have the exact date, but the owner’s manual is copyright 2001). I’m the only one that’s used it and I’m not sure how many total miles it has, but I really only ran in the winter (and never more than 10K at a time).

All parts are still original (motor, tread) and I never needed to have it serviced. It works great – ran 5 miles on it last night – and I’d be keeping it if I had room in the new place.

I think I paid around $2200 new and saw a similar one on Craigslist for $1100, but that seems high to me. I’d love to get enough to pay for some races this year, so anyone interested at $500? You’ll need a truck and some helpers to transport it from Eagan, Minnesota.

If you are interested (or have questions), please email me at dk@7minutemiles.com.

UPDATE: length – 76.5”, width – 32.5”, height – 55.5”, weight – 255 lbs

UPDATE 2: we have found a new home for it…

Exercise room at the potential new townhouse, Eagan, Minnesota

Marathon number 21 wasn’t my fastest and the weather was way too hot (82F and sunny at the finish), but it might have been the funnest one yet. My friend and running partner Megan ran with me dressed as Minnie Mouse, so I just had to be Mickey, right? It was so fun running through all four parks in costume – my only regret was wearing hot mouse hands for 26.2 miles. Much respect for the cast members that wear full costumes all summer long.

We really didn’t have any time expectations for this race – I had only run long twice since New York, with November and December monthly totals of only 41.9 and 59.3 miles, respectively. Megan hadn’t done any formal marathon training since her 50 miler in September and kept saying she would have to do a lot of walking after mile 17.

Turns out I was the one who wanted to do the walking late in the race. Just like my previous two Disney races, it was sunny and hotter than normal, with high humidity. I was glad to be in a forward corral, which gave us more time to run in the dark. I was hoping to get to the halfway mark before the sun hit us, but that happened just before Animal Kingdom (around mile 11). I wore the gloves for as long as I could stand it, but ended up carrying them for about four miles (and put them back on for the finish).

We saw the family near mile 15 and in Epcot near Spaceship Earth. We looked for my sister near the Contemporary Hotel, but must have run right past her in the dark (sorry Lynn!). My brother ran with his co-worker friend Bob, who we didn’t see until after the race (they started a few corrals back and were trying to break five hours).

The course was new this year, starting in the same spot, but running straight to the Magic Kingdom. Most of the course was similar from there on out, with the addition of a loop around the Richard Petty Driving Experience track and three miles looping around the ESPN Wide World of Sports area. I liked the changes for the most part – give me the same course next time with cooler weather and I’d probably love it.

We saw lots of characters during the race and stopped for a photo with Wreck-It Ralph. I really liked the grave diggers from the Haunted Mansion – that was really clever. The special surprise at mile 20 was cool too – giant puppets on both sides of the road, followed by a big arch with medals from all 20 races (and Mickey, Minnie and Pluto on stage).

Run Disney does such a great job organizing large races like this. The expo was big and crowded, although closing at 7 p.m. with a jam-packed hall was silly and made me feel bad for the smaller vendors. Race day setup with bag drop-off was very smooth and I still think the fireworks are one of the coolest things in the running world. LOVED the misting cooling fans in the finish area, but thought the food in the little box lunches was a little weird.

Now I’ve got Goofy on the mind!

Final results:

Megan and David

• 5M – 49:14
• 10M – 1:38:16
• Half – 2:09:34
• 20M – 3:25:45
• Chip – 4:43:11 (10:48 pace)

Brian and Bob

• 5M – 53:49
• 10M – 1:49:34
• Half – 2:22:05
• 20M – 3:38:22
• Chip – 4:57:03 (11:20 pace)

7MM Photo Gallery

2013 Walt Disney World Marathon, Orlando, Florida

2013 Walt Disney World Marathon with Megan, Orlando, Florida

2013 Walt Disney World Marathon, Orlando, Florida

Huge expo! Wide World of Sports, Orlando, Florida

http://thefitandfooddiaries.tumblr.com/

http://runninfromthelaw.com/

http://jeansrunningcafe.blogspot.com/

http://autopilotlegs.com/

http://tenaciouslyyours.com/

http://dailyangst.com

Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis, Minnesota