Full or Half Marathon?

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Molly

There’s a big difference. After a couple of half marathons back in the early 90s, I went for my first marathon – Grandma’s Marathon. Once you move up, it’s hard to go back. Or is it?

There’s no denying that being a marathon runner carries a certain prestige. It’s a badge of honor we runners love to wear, and after running 15 of them, I feel I’ve earned that right. It’s such a thrill to walk into the Expo before the race, surrounded by other marathoners, going up to collect my bib. The energy exuded by the crowd of runners is palpable, and it’s easy to get pumped up about the race. At that moment, everything seems possible. I just know I can do it, and it’s going to be a good race. Bring it on!

Arriving for a half marathon, surrounded by marathoners, it’s hard not to feel like a second class citizen. I can’t help but experience a tug of envy, wishing I were one of them. It’s not as if running 13.1 miles is something to sneeze at. It’s just not a marathon.

But it does have its advantages. Tomorrow I’m running the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, not Grandma’s Marathon. Were I running the full marathon, I know I’d have had a case of nerves all week. I’m not conscious of worrying, but more often than not I haven’t felt well leading up to the race. This week? No problem. I barely knew the race was coming up. If I were running the full marathon, I wouldn’t be blogging right now, I’d be obsessing about what clothes to wear, what the weather will be, and how early to get to the starting line. Tonight I’m not too concerned – after all, I will only be out there for a couple of hours at most. I think I’ll bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies instead of fussing. To run the full marathon, I would have had to devote hours and hours to training, and would have followed my own tried and true training plan to the letter. My half marathon training was rather haphazard. How could it be otherwise, when I took a 500 mile bike trip in the middle of it? No matter. I know I’ll finish. It’s just a matter of how fast. Or how slow I will be.

I expect to just go out and enjoy myself tomorrow. It will be fun, and I’ll catch the enthusiasm of the runners and spectators. Going back is a lot easier. But I won’t kid myself. I’ll be thinking about returning to the full marathon as soon as I cross the finish line.

A Dandy Summer Day

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Molly

Nothing says summer like dandelions. Normally I’m not such a fan. But after waiting so long for summer this year, seeing anything in bloom is rather a thrill. So even though the fish house on Stony Point is a highly popular subject of local photographs, including mine, as I was cycling by I couldn’t resist capturing it surrounded by the brilliant yellow blooms.

I’d been taught to look for new and unique angles in my photography class, so I decided to get up close and personal with the dandelions. Lying flat on the grass, nestled into their yellowness I clicked away. Perhaps the resulting image is not all that unique, but the process of capturing it was distinctly satisfying. Stretching out in the sun and peering through the low flowers was the epitome of a summer day. No reason to hurry, no pressing need to move on, I felt as peaceful as the calm water on the other side of the building.

It was that sort of day. Taking advantage of the lack of wind I’d decided to cycle up the Scenic Highway and back again, clinging to the shore, savoring the views and basking in the sunshine. It’s not often that the water is so calm, and the seagulls, birds and mysterious swimming animals seemed to be enjoying it as well. For once I was able to shed my obsession for exercise and cycle for the sheer joy of being out on a beautiful summer day in such idyllic surroundings.

Even without a “wind off the lake” there were still pockets of Superior-chilled air along the shore. I cycled through a patchwork of warm and cool temperatures. Lake Superior was gently exerting her influence, with reminders of the just how recently the ice retreated from her shorelines.

The spring green color of the newly leafed out trees belied the advanced date in June. The lilacs, apple trees and tulips had suddenly burst into bloom. And for the first time this year it felt like summer. Dandelions and all.

In search of the photo

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Molly

A while back, my son gently suggested that I change the header picture for my blog. Apparently, he felt that the outdated scene didn’t really speak to readers as well as a more current seasonal photo would. I could see his logic, so I’ve since made it a point to update the header with the seasons. And just to be consistent, I’ve tried to periodically refresh my profile picture as well.

Spring was slow in coming this year, and so was my photo update. The trees hadn’t leafed out yet, and the scenery around the lake continued to be bleak for so long that I finally dug into some old photos so I could at least retire the one with snow capped rocks. But that selection didn’t really do much for me, and my to-do list included finding a replacement.

On a bike ride along the shore this week, I decided to take a detour around Stony Point in search of that photo. After the interminable wind and heavy clouds of late, it was a pleasure to find calm waters and some sunshine among wispy clouds. The air still held a chill, but it was peaceful to hear the soft lapping of the water against the rocks and feel some warmth from the sun. I stopped in several spots for photographs, and ended up with several shots in contention for the header position. Overachieving is good. I may need to use some of these runner-up photos in the future.

Two Techie Cyclists

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Molly

We admit it. We love our technology. My husband, Rich, and I are avid cyclists and have taken to doing long distance cycling trips. We love the slower pace and more engaged style of travel that it encourages. We have mastered the art of traveling light, even when camping. And that includes our techie toys.

First on the list are our Garmin GPS watches. We haven’t updated them in years, but perhaps that’s not such a bad thing. Although the older models are much bulkier, they have bigger displays for our aging eyes. We wouldn’t dream of going for a ride without them. They not only display our mileage, pace and time as we go, but when we get home we download them to SportTracks where we can view our route on a map, and analyze other data ad nauseam.

That brings us to the next item – our tablets. Absolutely essential. In addition to blogging (of course!), we download all our photos each night, to edit and organize them. And of course we use email, maps and other apps. They are the most economical use of space for any device we bring – particularly as they allow us to read an unlimited number of books along the way.

Smartphones are our lifeline while we’re gone. We don’t use them much during the day, but they are there if we need them, and keep us connected to family back home. And then there are the maps. Rich can download Google Maps locally on his Android phone ahead of time, and even without a cell connection he can use GPS to pinpoint us on a map and clarify where we really are. Or where we need to go. It has saved us many a wrong turn.

Not bad, just three devices each. But now that we’ve taken to doing longer trips and camping, we face new challenges. Our Garmins only store a limited amount of data – four full days is about the max mine will hold before the detail gets written over. Even if we trade off using them on alternate days, it’s still not enough. Enter Sportablet. It’s an Android app that Rich has loaded on his Nexus 10 tablet, and now we can both download all our GPS data nightly and save it for the duration of the trip. It works like a dream! So we have our data licked. (And to give Android its due, clearly there are some things it does much better than Apple – handling external data is one of them.)

Power is not an issue when staying in motels, but what about when camping? We turned to solar power on our last trip, using the SolarMonkey Adventurer. I strapped it onto my sleeping bag to charge during our ride in the daytime, and at night we were able to recharge two Garmin GPS watches, two cell phones, and it still had additional power capacity. At 15 oz, we deemed it worth carrying. Power solved, at least if the sun shines…

Our next trip will be 2,000 miles long, and will keep us on our bicycles up to two months. Sunshine and satellites willing, and the occasional internet connection, we will be happy techies.

Dallying through Southern Minnesota

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Molly

Day 7 - Mantorville to Northfield 47 miles

We emerged from our tent out into a clear crisp morning. The sun was already warming the chilly air, but not before we noticed the frost on the picnic tables! We stuck to the sunshine as we packed up our sleeping bags and tent, drying them out from the heavy dew as best we could. It felt good to be outside and moving, and we deemed the camping experience a complete success.

We knew we had a shorter ride than usual today, due to having altered our route yesterday. And with the change in wind direction, we had a tailwind for a change to help us make good time. So we allowed ourselves a leisurely breakfast at the coffeehouse, which had the added benefit of wireless Internet. That set the pace for our day. With brilliant sunshine, reasonably warm temperatures and quiet local roads, it was easy to enjoy our surroundings and stop for frequent photo sessions. We passed through a number of nice little towns, and the farmland became picturesque once more. I decided to focus on capturing images of Middle America, or America's Breadbasket as Rich likes to call it in honor of his family's farming heritage.

We took a short detour to visit Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park. There the main attraction is the woods, which is the largest remaining portion of the hardwood forest that once covered Central Minnesota. A short hike took us to Hidden Falls, which was both pretty and peaceful. We were sure we could see a secondary falls under the main flow, probably from water seeping through the limestone. Spring was in full force and the woods were filled with new blooming wildflowers. It was a nice respite from our cycling.

While Rich stopped for a snack in Nerstrand, I ventured down the street to take a few photos. Imagine my surprise when a motorcycle stopped alongside me, and its rider asked where to find Rich! Who the heck could that be? It turned out to be Randy, our host for the evening. We were staying in another Warm Showers home, and knowing our route, Randy decided to swing by and see how we were getting along. We shared a good laugh over that, got advice on the best roads to take, and Rich happily handed over a sleeping bag and tent for Randy to transport. Being a purist – for whatever silly reasons – I held out and continued to schlep my gear.

It was an easy peddle up to Northfield, where we quickly settled into comfortable accommodations with Randy and his wife, Lois. Admittedly, after camping the shower was especially welcome. Although Northfield is a nice town with plenty to explore, the idea of having time to relax proved to be a greater draw. We enjoyed a good meal and sharing stories with our hosts, and were happy to continue dallying right on into the evening.

Have Tent Will Travel

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Molly

Day 5 - Chatfield to Mantorville 56 miles

Day 6 – Chatfield to Mantorville 56 miles

We finally did it. We are camping tonight. Just not where we thought we’d be. Instead of returning to the Mississippi River Road and staying in Lake City tonight, our route took a sudden turn to the West. We continued in that direction to Mantorville. Not even on my map.

The day started innocently enough, and with a wonderful diversion before we even began cycling. We stayed at the Oakenwald Terrace B&B last night, and came downstairs this morning to feast on a sumptuous 4-course breakfast. We hadn’t had time to explore the house yesterday, so our hostess took us on a thorough tour after breakfast. First, it is the largest house we’ve ever stayed in – the rooms are innumerable. Second, what we found so fascinating is that it is the family home of the innkeepers. So not only are the furnishings and collections of china, silver and figurines family heirlooms, but they have continued to be used throughout the years. We loved hearing the history of the rooms and seeing the beautifully preserved and well-maintained craftsmanship of the home. It is truly a treasure.

We headed off in the bright sunshine with the promise of good weather throughout the day. It was a later start than normal, but we had no deadlines to meet and a long day of daylight. We left town in good spirits, and aimed for Lake City. Our route took us Northeast, and as soon as we hit the open farm fields we ran smack into NE winds. This time our battle was compounded by the fact that we were in rolling farmland, so we had continual hills as well as the wind to contend with. And it appeared to be a losing battle. By the time we reached St. Charles just 14 miles away, we knew we were not going to make Lake City. Rather than continue to fight the headwinds, Rich decided the most prudent thing to do was to change plans, work with the wind instead of against it, and head West then North to Northfield.

Now I don’t give up easily, even when presented with good logic. So I have to admit to being an unhappy camper (pun intended!) at turning away from the river and ditching the scenic route we’d chosen. It didn’t help that our view was reduced to endless miles of mostly flat freshly tilled farmland with fewer trees and towns to break up the monotony. The road continued straight west for mile after mile, and we had to weave our way through Rochester and it’s traffic. It’s not a route I would recommend.

Our turning point came during a late lunch stop. Searching the map for a park for camping, we stumbled on the town of Mantorville. Not only did it have camping sites right in town, but it boasted a 12-square-block downtown that was all on the National Historic Registry. Suddenly we were re-energized! We had a destination and something to look forward to exploring. Life got a lot better again after that.

We found the campground to be a lovely area right on the Zumbro River. Like all other rivers right now, it is swollen and flowing rapidly – a wonderful sound to lull us to sleep. Our new tent set up easily, and we were soon off to explore the town on foot. We had dinner at an old restaurant in town, and finished in time to take some pictures in the glowing late light of the day.

Having our own tent and sleeping bags definitely lends itself to a high degree of flexibility, as today illustrates. In fact, I learned a new term on this trip – apparently touring cyclists take great pride in being “self-contained.” We don’t quite meet the criteria as we do not carry food and cook kits. We choose to limit our weight to just sleeping gear. But that’s good enough for me. I expect to be warm and cozy tonight in our tent. And I’m already looking forward to my latte in the morning at the coffeehouse down the street.

Cycling into Hefty Headwinds

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Molly

Day 2 - Wabasha to La Crosse 72 miles

We said that this trip was to be a test for the longer cycling tour we are doing later this summer. We're trying out carrying the gear and clothes we think we will need for two months. So far so good on that account. Today it was the weather that tested us. After waiting out yet another thunderstorm before setting off this morning, we finally hit the road and ran smack dab into 25 mph headwinds! Since we were cycling through largely open countryside, there was no where to hide from the winds. All we could do was put our heads down, shift down to embarrassingly low gears and pedal like mad.

The only thing worse than cycling into the wind was doing it on an empty stomach. Early on we passing up a breakfast cafe that offered views of a lock and dam but had a waiting line. We should have known better… The following towns had nothing to offer, and our reserves began to run low. I found myself pressing into the wind, counting down the miles to the next town, harboring hopes for a cafe and missing the scenery.

When we reached Fountain City we found a wonderful Irish pub with a delightful upstairs patio. Settling down at a shady table for lunch, we soon learned that we were to be well rewarded for the wait. The food was incredibly fresh and well prepared, including the proprietor's grandmother's recipe for potato soup. And boy did it taste good. After that stop, our outlooks improved significantly, the scenery became visible again, and we even tolerated the wind better.

Despite the fact that today's ride was largely over flat terrain, the wind took a huge toll on our forward momentum. The hours passed by and our destination continued to loom far in the distance. The day turned from cloudy to sunny once again, and heated up into the high 80s. But good fortune arrived in the form of a bike trail. After a grueling 50 miles on the road, we headed onto the Great River State Trail. Not only did it shelter us from the wind, but the shade brought welcome relief from the heat. A great combination!

The early section of the trail passed through a National Wildlife Preserve. There we were in the backwaters of the Mississippi, surrounded by wetlands and with tree branches meeting overhead. Birds were in great abundance and the scenery was just beautiful. That gave way to dryer land but continued to protect us all the way to the north edge of La Crosse. What a godsend that was to our weary bodies!

Bolstered by a stop at a handy Dairy Queen for cones, we made our way across the city – once again counting down the final miles. Nothing ever looked so good as the site of our humble motel for the night. Even better, there was a great vintage restaurant right across the street. We couldn't have asked for more!

I think we passed today's windy test. Regardless, we're not interested in a re-take.

Cycling – From Thunder to Brits!

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Molly

Day 1 - Prescott to Wabasha 56 miles

We woke up to the sound rain falling. Thunder boomed and lightning flashed while we packed up the car. We drove to our starting point in a torrential downpour. It was an ominous way to start our week-long cycling trip. But as we neared Prescott, Wisconsin the weather gods smiled down on us, we drove out from under the clouds, and were able to set off without delay. Whew!

Following the Great River Road in Wisconsin, we had beautiful pastoral scenery and ample views of the river. Since leaves have not yet come out in Duluth yet, it was a delight to pass through countryside painted with that bright spring green. Seeing brilliant tulips and daffodils blooming added to our pleasure. It was definitely a day of cycling up and down rolling hills as we travelled through bluff country alongside the Mississippi.

We hadn't gone far when we came upon a number of other cyclists. Only these folks were decked out in classic English garb, and riding all manner of old bicycles. We had stumbled upon the Pepin 3-Speed Tour – a 2-day bike ride fashioned after cycle touring in pre-war England, strictly riding English 3-speed bikes. We happened to share the same route for the day, so we had ample opportunity to stop and chat with many of the 118 adventuresome folks on the tour. Not only were they passionate about their bikes, but they were up for good old fun. Many bicycles sported wicker baskets and the occasional baguette. Tin cups hung from leather trimmed bags, and we spotted a flask or two making the rounds. And I overheard some sore cyclists applying “sticking plasters” to their blisters. It was clearly a highlight of our day!

By mid-day, the weather had improved significantly and we basked in the sunshine on an outdoor patio while eating lunch. By the end of the day, we both sported sunburns. It was the first summery day of the year, and it sure felt good!

Our destination was Wabasha MN where we had our first stay in a Warm Showers home. We were told we'd know the place by the teepee in the yard, but that in no way prepared us for the gorgeous home right on the river with a pool and enormous deck next to the water. What a treat! We are accompanied by at least 5 other cyclists on various trips, some on 3-speeds, others on rides longer than ours. Trading cycling stories was a must before all bedding down for the night.

Day 1 of the Upper Mississippi River Cycling Tour – we're off to a great start!

A Mississippi Preview

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Molly

We’re under a week now, until the start of our Upper Mississippi River Cycling Tour. I was in the Twin Cities for the weekend to spend Mothers’ Day with my children and grandchildren, so I decided to head over to the Mississippi River as a warm-up for our trip.

We have a favorite cycling circuit we call our “Sunday Morning Route.” Typically, we do it in the very early morning hours, before the rest of the world wakes up. But with the chilly spring weather (plus a delicious Mothers’ Day breakfast with my son!) I waited until mid-morning to start.

I enjoy taking the Greenway into downtown Minneapolis, and cycling under the Twins’ stadium. From there, it’s not far to the river – the Mighty Mississippi. After following the river through the populated areas downtown, the path became quieter and the river spread out into a more pastoral scene. I could then start to imagine our trip.

We’ll be following the Great River Road for major portions of our trip through Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota, so it was pleasing to see the signs appear on my route. We won’t usually have a bike path like Minneapolis does along the river, and we’ll be schlepping a whole lot more gear than I had. But it will be the same river.

Looking for tips on weather and temperatures for our trip, my sources said that the air was cooler near the river. I definitely found it to be true – just like “cooler by the lake,” the river threw off chilly breezes from the late spring runoff. Note for packing – an extra layer may be needed.

Leaving the river, I returned on the Midway Greenway. It’s the bridges that are the highlight for me on that portion of the route. First, the cycling bridge with its single support and soaring cables. It reminds me of the bridges in Rotterdam. That is followed by the sequence of road bridges overhead as the bike path travels below street level through the city. The parallel structures spanning the distance make a pleasing display. And down below, it must be warmer as I found blossoming tulips to brighten the spring day.

Covering only 4 1/2 miles along the Mississippi River on this jaunt was definitely only a small preview. That leaves a whole lot more to discover next week.

Up with the sun

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Molly

Actually, I was up before the sun. I had to be – I wanted to capture the sunrise.

Yup, you guessed it, I’m practicing my new photography skills. And what better subject than a sunrise over Lake Superior. The forecast was for a mostly clear morning, so I roused myself in the early hours of the day. I could see the first pinkish red hues in the sky as I hustled down to Brighton Beach, wishing I hadn’t lingered for a few extra moments in bed.

I arrived to find a few clouds in the sky – perfect for reflecting the sun’s rays. And thankfully the sun was still far enough below the horizon to allow me to set up my camera. Soon it all began happening so quickly, I had little time to think about all the camera settings and different adjustments I should be testing. It was all I could do to capture the rising sun and its brilliant colors.

Enter sea gulls. They were flying everywhere, in and out of my pictures, and I quickly realized that I wanted them IN! But they weren’t exactly cooperative. And I wasn’t always fast enough on the trigger. So I ended up with a lot of pictures just after they flew out of my viewfinder. Oh well, RAM is cheap as they say, so I just kept snapping away. Thank heavens we are not using film any more. But the one I did get with the gull over the clouds is my personal favorite.

There was something magical about being out there in the crisp morning air, with no one else around. The placid water had a calming effect, and the sun’s growing warmth was very welcome. What a wonderful way to start the day. I was no longer practicing photography. I was enjoying nature and the outdoors. It was well worth getting up before the sun.

Superior Footprints

Life and the Outdoors in the Northland

Tag Archives: Outdoors

Full or Half Marathon?

A Dandy Summer Day

In search of the photo

Two Techie Cyclists

Dallying through Southern Minnesota

Have Tent Will Travel

Cycling into Hefty Headwinds

Cycling – From Thunder to Brits!

A Mississippi Preview

Up with the sun

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