Recently, I spent a relaxing night outdoors at Baker park in Orono, about half hour west of Minneapolis. A few friends and I decided that we wanted to have a night outdoors, now that the weather has warmed up a bit.
Baker park is a popular park to camp in or to have a picnic, as it isn't a far drive for people in the twin cities to enjoy a night (or day) outside. There are many trails that go through the park, and a lake, lake independence, is also part of the park. My friends and I didn't take part in many of the recreational opportunities available at the park, but still enjoyed the night outdoors.
May in Minnesota can be absolutely wonderful, though we didn't have that luck on the night we camped. Unfortunately, our campsite was a bit wet, which wasn't good for our shoes and the tarp we put our tent on. They were both quite muddy.The temps were in the low 40s overnight, which felt fine.
The cold and the rain didn't keep us from having a good time, though. We cooked up some brats and s'mores, and had some great campfire stories. Nights like that are some of the best, and I hope to have many more in the near future.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis
One of my favorite trails in Minneapolis is the trail around the Lake of the Isles. The trail is about 2.5 miles, so not too far, but is a great place to run, bike, or go on a walk. It is a year-round destination, and I've been there many times.
Yesterday it was 70 and sunny, which made for a great run around the lake. Of course, I wasn't the only one with this bright idea, and the trail was very busy with walkers and runners. I could tell, though, that it wasn't as busy as nearby lake Calhoun, a favorite place to see and be seen here in Minneapolis.
When the weather isn't so warm, the trail is a nice walk, as it isn't too far, and when the lake is frozen over, there are ski and snowshoe trails on the lake.
One of the best things about the area is that the trail around lake of the isles connects you to other great great trails, including Lake Calhoun and the greenway. All in all, its a great place to hang out!
Yesterday it was 70 and sunny, which made for a great run around the lake. Of course, I wasn't the only one with this bright idea, and the trail was very busy with walkers and runners. I could tell, though, that it wasn't as busy as nearby lake Calhoun, a favorite place to see and be seen here in Minneapolis.
When the weather isn't so warm, the trail is a nice walk, as it isn't too far, and when the lake is frozen over, there are ski and snowshoe trails on the lake.
One of the best things about the area is that the trail around lake of the isles connects you to other great great trails, including Lake Calhoun and the greenway. All in all, its a great place to hang out!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Bouldering at the gym
At the climbing gym, there are a few options to get your fill. An option that I didn't originally care for is bouldering. I didn't like it because my fingers would hurt during every move I would make. I've grown to like it much more, though.
Bouldering doesn't require any special equipment, but some mental and physical strength will definitely help. Simply, you try to get up a short wall (around 10 feet) using only certain hand and feet holds. Oftentimes the problems are quite tough, and they take patience to solve. The best way I have found for solving difficult problems is to break up the route piece by piece, as if you know you can do each move in the route seperately, eventually you should be able to do them together.
While at the gym, I have been spending more and more time doing this type of climbing. It is a fun workout.
Bouldering doesn't require any special equipment, but some mental and physical strength will definitely help. Simply, you try to get up a short wall (around 10 feet) using only certain hand and feet holds. Oftentimes the problems are quite tough, and they take patience to solve. The best way I have found for solving difficult problems is to break up the route piece by piece, as if you know you can do each move in the route seperately, eventually you should be able to do them together.
While at the gym, I have been spending more and more time doing this type of climbing. It is a fun workout.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Ten Miler in St. Paul
Today wasn't a perfect day in St. Paul, the temperature in the mid 40s and strong wind, but I felt the need to go on a run after three or so days of eating lots of sweets. I didn't start my run with the plan to go 10 miles, but that's how it ended up.
I began my run near the cathedral, at the eastern end of summit ave. I felt pretty good, wearing a hat and gloves along with my running shorts. Not a combo I usually go with, but I needed some warmth.
After running 2 miles down Summit, I arrived at Lexington avenue. Its a great place to turn around, as it is a pretty major intersection. I felt strong and pushed on, full well knowing that any step I took, I would have to take again on the way back. I made the same decision at the 3 mile mark, Snelling avenue. Even at that point I thought, well, I'll just go a few more blocks, but it felt good, so I continued on, making it to the Mississippi river rod trail, 4.5 miles from where I started. I ran to St. Clair avenue along the trail, and made sure to run by one of the lookouts over the river along the way.
The trip back was tough, as I knew it would be. I hadn't run more than 9 miles since 2008! I had a few slow moments, but tried to throw in some short tempo challenges. I would run half a bock moderately fast, or run fast between two obstacles, such as tree and a lamp pos.
It felt good for my furthest run of the year. I did it in a decent time, too, though nowhere near my old race pr. This wasn't a race, though. This was a fun run down beautiful Summit ave!
I began my run near the cathedral, at the eastern end of summit ave. I felt pretty good, wearing a hat and gloves along with my running shorts. Not a combo I usually go with, but I needed some warmth.
After running 2 miles down Summit, I arrived at Lexington avenue. Its a great place to turn around, as it is a pretty major intersection. I felt strong and pushed on, full well knowing that any step I took, I would have to take again on the way back. I made the same decision at the 3 mile mark, Snelling avenue. Even at that point I thought, well, I'll just go a few more blocks, but it felt good, so I continued on, making it to the Mississippi river rod trail, 4.5 miles from where I started. I ran to St. Clair avenue along the trail, and made sure to run by one of the lookouts over the river along the way.
The trip back was tough, as I knew it would be. I hadn't run more than 9 miles since 2008! I had a few slow moments, but tried to throw in some short tempo challenges. I would run half a bock moderately fast, or run fast between two obstacles, such as tree and a lamp pos.
It felt good for my furthest run of the year. I did it in a decent time, too, though nowhere near my old race pr. This wasn't a race, though. This was a fun run down beautiful Summit ave!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Back on the Run
As the weather is warming up, I'm getting more excited for a spring and summer that will likely be full of running. I went on a five and a half mile run yesterday, and there were still several patches of ice, snow, and puddles, but I don't expect that stuff to get in my way too much longer.
The last few runs I've gone on have had included several "pick-ups", never too scientific, though. Oftentimes, I will run faster until the next patch of ice, or one block, or until a sign or a tree. I usually try to do this around five times per run, but I'm not really counting. I'm not too serious right now, but I have been there in the past.
In 2007 and 2008 I was much more serious about doing a certain number of miles, at a certain pace, with a specific amount of intervals, etc. I always wore a stop watch, and made many trips to a local track. Naturally, in both of those years I had some of my greatest running achievements, running my first 10k, 10 mile, half-marathon and marathon, and also PR-ing in a 5k. In 2008, while training for the marathon, I became a very efficient runner, and was definitely at my peak. One time I went to the track to see how fast I could run one mile, and broke my old PR.. even though I didn't have competition! It didn't surprise me too much, as I knew I was in good shape, but I didn't think that training for a marathon would also help me in the one mile.
I don't know if I'll get back to that level again, but I'm already more serious about running than I have been since 2008 (October 2008 was the Twin Cities Marathon). Maybe I'll do my first ten mile run since then, or do some new races, there are certainly plenty of options!
The last few runs I've gone on have had included several "pick-ups", never too scientific, though. Oftentimes, I will run faster until the next patch of ice, or one block, or until a sign or a tree. I usually try to do this around five times per run, but I'm not really counting. I'm not too serious right now, but I have been there in the past.
In 2007 and 2008 I was much more serious about doing a certain number of miles, at a certain pace, with a specific amount of intervals, etc. I always wore a stop watch, and made many trips to a local track. Naturally, in both of those years I had some of my greatest running achievements, running my first 10k, 10 mile, half-marathon and marathon, and also PR-ing in a 5k. In 2008, while training for the marathon, I became a very efficient runner, and was definitely at my peak. One time I went to the track to see how fast I could run one mile, and broke my old PR.. even though I didn't have competition! It didn't surprise me too much, as I knew I was in good shape, but I didn't think that training for a marathon would also help me in the one mile.
I don't know if I'll get back to that level again, but I'm already more serious about running than I have been since 2008 (October 2008 was the Twin Cities Marathon). Maybe I'll do my first ten mile run since then, or do some new races, there are certainly plenty of options!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Indoor climbing: new routes
I've continued to go climbing at the local climbing gym in St. Paul. I find that it is often a young, excited crowd. I must admit, I'm usually pretty excited, too. I feel my strength and confidence in my climbing have both improved significantly since I started going a couple months ago.
I usually go with one or two other friends, and we definitely push eachother. Naturally, we also make fun of eachother about as much as we can. Keeping it fun is what we want to do. Just today, we found time to laugh at ourselves after seeing a much more experienced climber make some of the stuff we were trying look easy. Did I mention he was 12? The gym has people of all ages, which is great for the sport.
I know I have improved, if by no other reason, there is a rating system in climbing where the easiest routes are rated 5.6, then it goes up to 5.7, 5.8, and so on. I now find myself mostly trying 5.10 routes, and not struggling much with 5.9 and below. The first few times I went, though, though, that wasn't the case. I was stuck on at 5.9 for a while, and was challenged by 5.8 routes.
I have been going 2-3 times a week for the past few weeks, so I hope to see even more gains in the future.
I usually go with one or two other friends, and we definitely push eachother. Naturally, we also make fun of eachother about as much as we can. Keeping it fun is what we want to do. Just today, we found time to laugh at ourselves after seeing a much more experienced climber make some of the stuff we were trying look easy. Did I mention he was 12? The gym has people of all ages, which is great for the sport.
I know I have improved, if by no other reason, there is a rating system in climbing where the easiest routes are rated 5.6, then it goes up to 5.7, 5.8, and so on. I now find myself mostly trying 5.10 routes, and not struggling much with 5.9 and below. The first few times I went, though, though, that wasn't the case. I was stuck on at 5.9 for a while, and was challenged by 5.8 routes.
I have been going 2-3 times a week for the past few weeks, so I hope to see even more gains in the future.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Torrey Pines State Reserve
The Torrey Pines State Reserve borders a famous golf course, and offers some beautiful scenery. There are several trails that lead to cliffs along the Pacific Ocean. Also, there were plenty of plants that I'm not used to seeing. The most interesting, the Torrey Pine tree, only grows in two places: the state reserve, and on a nearby island. Of course, the weather was wonderful for a hike, the first day I've experienced over 65 since October probably.
It wasn't an easy run, though, as you had to watch your step with the trails being slightly uneven in places. There were also many switchbacks as they go downhill towards the Pacific Ocean. Of course I had to touch the ocean, so I went all the way down, which involved going down stairs as well.
I stopped to take pictures in several places along the trail. The bluffs along the ocean, the trees, the flowers, the outdoor workout, it was just a great feeling. Ah, it's no wonder California is the most populous state. I was almost sold on living there over just 4 days!
I'm really looking forward to making the spring of 2011 as great as the winter has been. I've got plans to make that happen, too: I'll be ramping up my running, climbing, hope to find some cool events in the twin cities, and possibly even go on a road trip or two!
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