You may have noticed that getting River basically signaled the end of our writing. This is pretty representative of what our summer was like. Essentially, we have been spending all of our free time with the dog and when we do get some time to ourselves it is primarily spent not moving and being thankful for a break.
CONTINUE READINGAuthor: mountainstomidwest
Securian Winter Run 2020: Post Surgery Back to the Basics
Last year my big plans for the running season were dashed by a hernia repair surgery and the drop in motivation I had once that was scheduled. About six weeks after my surgery I started doing some short run/walks with Britt and transitioned those into longer runs of a few miles. I also started a new job around this time, which is conveniently located close to my running store. Right before the holidays I went and bought myself some new running shoes and committed to getting back into enough form to race the Securian Financial Winter Run 10k. (“Race” is here used extremely loosely… I am mostly content as a ‘middle-of-the-pack’ runner.)
Like a Virgin: Camping for the Very First Time
I am an ‘indoor’ girl. As much as I like to imagine myself as being one with nature, I have definitely been conditioned (or conditioned myself) to be more in tune with modern comforts and amenities like food delivery, air conditioning, and flushing toilets. So, when our good friends, Dan and Ruthann, broached the subject of a group camping trip last year, I was hesitant to say the least; though, Logan had been slowly priming that pump for years. “Maybe you would like camping…”
CONTINUE READINGKayaking Adventures: The Maiden Voyage
While it is currently 10 degrees outside, and the snow is knee-high, Logan and I can’t help but reflect on warmer times and our amazing summer. Here’s a look back at last spring, when the snow was gone, and we took our newly purchased kayaks on their maiden voyage…
It was late April, the ice was out, we had our gear, and it was 70+ degrees outside.
Let’s do this!
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Fitger’s 5k 2019
Fitger’s 5k is an annual race in Duluth, MN. In 2018, it was on the list of races (USATF MN Team Circuit) in which my team competes. I assumed nothing would change in 2019 so I reserved us a room at Fitgers Inn over 6 months in advance thinking I’d hit two birds with one stone: I could participate in one of the team races for the year whilst Britt and I would get a little weekend trip to Duluth.
continue readingDuluth ‘Mini-moon’
Truthfully, it could be a while before our official honeymoon becomes a reality, so Logan and I planned an April, three-day “Mini-moon” to Duluth, Minnesota to coincide with Logan’s running in the annual Fitger’s 5K race. Here some highlights from our weekend getaway!
Continue readingKayaking Adventures: Getting Started… in Winter?
Logan is a mountain boy. He loves the challenge of scaling a steep trail to the inevitable payoff of a spectacular panoramic view at the top. We knew when we agreed to leave Colorado that trading the mountains for flat land would present more than just a change of scenery. In Colorado Springs the mountains were literally at our doorstep. By leaving the endless miles of readily accessible hiking trails, we lost our most prevalent physical activity. And while there are parks and walking trails galore in the Twin Cities and beyond, Logan does not consider ‘walking’ and ‘hiking’ to be the same thing, and thus began the search for a new hobby.
O’Gara’s 2019: One Year of Twin Cities Running
In March, when the snow is just starting to think about melting, the road running race season officially kicks off. USA Track and Field (USATF) Minnesota race teams compete in a series of races starting in Spring with O’Gara’s 8k and ending with the Twin Cities Marathon’s shorter option, the Twin Cities 10 Mile.
Continue readingGirlfriends Getaway – Door County, WI
Bachelorette Weekend? Count me in!
Logan and I were about to get married, so a weekend getaway with my closest friend (and Maid of Honor) seemed like the perfect way to celebrate the end of single life. Erika, my dearest friend since the age of five, has been my long time travel companion and currently lives in Chicago. We haven’t lived within driving distance of one another for many years, so my moving to St. Paul has opened up a whole host of opportunities for us to meet up more often. Our goal for this particular three day weekend was to find a budget-friendly, relaxing destination that was a mostly equidistant drive for both of us. That leaves the great state of Wisconsin. I was told that Door County was a favorite Midwestern destination and Erika had been there before for business and gave a great endorsement.
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Mountains to Midwest 