Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Favorite Races

For this week's Monday Brain Exchange, Jill over at Finishing is Winning wants to know about our favorite races. My favorites aren't necessarily races where I've PR'd, but rather races that are so awesome I just want to keep going back year after year.

#1: The Anoka Gray Ghost 5k. I don't miss this race. Running along the parade route through my hometown is one of the highlights of my fall. My times over the years have ranged from 24:57 (2009) to 35ish (2007 - three weeks postpartum). No matter how fast or slow, this definitely is fave.

#2: Grandma's. When I was thinking about my favorite races, I surprised myself by including Grandma's. I ran the full in '08 and the half in '09. Both days were very rough for me. But there is something about the atmosphere at Grandma's that just keeps me coming back for more. And nothing beats the feeling of running through all the spectators in Canal Park at the finish. Oh, and cooling off in Lake Superior is pretty neat too. And cold.

#3: Run for the Apples 5 Miler. Another great October race. This 5 miler is an "off road" race at an apple orchard in White Bear Lake. The course is fun (and super challenging), the people are great, and the post-race treats are the best.

So there are three of my favorites. I have lots of races I love, so it was hard to choose just three. Thanks Jill for hosting!




21 comments:

Sarah said...

You ran a race 3 weeks after having a baby?....you are crazy girl!! One tough chick! :)

Joe said...

Grandmas 2005. Fantastic experience.

I did Run the Apples one year. I definitely want to go back. Fun course.

Aron said...

love this topic!! great races too and great pics to go along with them!

DRog said...

Love the fav's! Grandma's in 08 & 09 were both hot! I've been manually tracking swimming laps in my head...still getting used to that! - D

Anonymous said...

I found that my hardest race, was also one of my favorites- I think the challenge is what makes it my favorite!

Julie said...

Good to know:) That is right, the Gray Ghost is in Anoka...your old stomping grounds!! I love the pictures!

Carly said...

Impressive running 3 weeks postpartum!
I may have to try the Gray Ghost sometime.

I love Grandma's too. It is so funny because Duluth is NEVER warm (my hometown) except for the day of the race.

did you decide if you are running the full up there this year?

Marlene said...

I completely agree, sometimes the best races have nothing to do with time!

Anne said...

I'm totally impressed with a run 3 weeks postpartum!! Wow!! Go you :)

B.o.B. said...

You do look cold in that lake! LOL! I like your three. I think I may have to add Grandmas to my to do marathon list.

Katie A. said...

That picture of you in Lake Superior is just awesome! It really shows just how big it is! The Lake Tahoe Marathon has you cool off in the lake afterwards, too! So cold, yet so nice :)
Great races, and I love this topic, too!

Jeri said...

love the first race pic! I've heard a lot of good things about grandma's. Might have to be added to "my list".

I Run for Fun said...

Isn't it funny how most of our memorable races are the ones where we didn't PR? All 3 races look like a lot of fun. The natural icebath at Lake Superior sounds great!

Alee said...

Those races look so fun! Thanks for sharing!

joyRuN said...

Sounds like your experience w/ Grandma's is what made me sign up for Richmond again. I had a hard time during the full in November, but I can't pass up the spectators nor the phenomenal finish.

Ali said...

3 weeks after having a baby!!!! You amaze me.

I've heard great things about Grandmas.

Jill said...

Very fun on your 3 races! I had a hard time picking my favies as I've run SO many but it's great to see what other's have down!

Jess said...

I've always wanted to do Grandma's but I hate that it's a lottery.

Joe said...

Jess: Grandma's isn't a lottery. The Gary Bjorkland Half is.

Beth said...

I love the picture of you in the water. I may have to think about trying Grandma's someday. Now that I've determined I can only handle one marathon every 18 months or so, it gets so hard to choose!

Teamarcia said...

I love you in that hot skirt!
And yes I can't imagine running 3-weeks post partum...ouch.