An Actual In-Person Race!

How refreshing it was to run an actual in-person race today. I salute the organizers of the Lake Region Run in Fergus Falls Minnesota for coming up with a great plan to do this and keep everyone safe.

We started the race in groups of twenty, socially distanced at the start. We wore masks at the start which we were able to discard after running a few steps. 

I was concerned that it was going to be to cold - the forecast had said only about 40 degrees. It turned out to be about 45, which was perfect. I ended up with my best time since July of 2014 and I believe it had a lot to do with not overheating during the race.

The race began in downtown Fergus Falls and quickly arrived at a bike trail which goes all the way around beautiful Lake Alice. At one point I was concerned I might run into a gaggle of geese. In order to get the full 5K, the course also runs through some quiet residential neighborhoods. I was surprised by the hills. I think this was the most up and down of any 5K I've ever run.

At the end of the race I was exhausted, but satisfied.

My Favorite 5K Route

Last week I learned that the Yellow Rose 5K, one of my favorites every August, will be a virtual 5K this year. I had never heard of a 'virtual' 5K so I went to Duck Duck Go (I 'quacked' it.) A virtual 5K is a 5K race that you complete in your own time, wherever you like.

Apparently the organizers want to show people route options and one of the organizers asked me what my favorite 5K route is. She asked the right person. I've been thinking about this question for several years. If I was a 5K organizer in Roseau, there is no doubt the route I'm showing you today is what I would go with. This route begins and ends in the Roseau Park. As you'll see, it's a beautiful route with much of it following bike trails, crossing the Roseau River twice, running alongside a golf course, and through woodsy areas.

Here's a map of the course:

A pdf of this map, at this link, has numbers which reference the photos below.

So, we begin at the Roseau Park, near the park multi-purpose building (1):

We then run through the campground part of the park (2):

We leave the park by crossing over the river for the first time (3):

We begin running alongside the golf course (4):

Then, turning north, the golf course is on our right and the hospital is on our left (5):

Occasionally, we may see a Canadian Goose on the golf course (6):

Is a 5K in northern Minnesota complete without a grain elevator (7)?:

The route twists and turns a bit and we see a splash park on the left (8)...

...and the second bridge on the right (9):

After crossing the bridge we run through a quiet residential neighborhood and then return to the bike path (10):

Looking back over our shoulder, we see the river, which we're never too far from (11):

Appreciate the woodsy sights and sounds as you struggle up this hill (12):

Then we re-enter the park (13):

But before we get to the finish line we need to follow the trail along the north side of the park (14):

This takes us to the main park entrance (15):

Finish Line! (16):

Year Nine - Stay In Your Lane Edition

It sure feels good to get back outside again! After a couple months on the treadmill and then getting an early start with a couple outdoor runs at the end of March, the weather turned cold and they wouldn't let me back in the school due to the COVID virus. Well, spring has sprung and I'm back on the road. (And, no, I'm not actually wearing a mask when I run. I just had to take a picture for the historical significance of the moment.)

Once again, any money raised will go to Living Hope Ministries. I'm sure they can use the money more than ever right now. Please read the details on the right and let me know how you'd like to participate.