Run Schedule Week of 5-20-13

Meet at the YMCA

Monday May 20             5:45 am

Tuesday May 21            5:45 am

Wednesday May 22        5:45 am (new)

Thursday May 23           5:45 am

Friday May 24                5:45 am

Saturday May 25            7:00 am and 7:45 am

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Monday Morning Drizzle

Getting Ready For Fargo

The passing of the finger.

Sufferfest

Next time you complain about running up Heidorn Hill in downtown Fergus, think of this...

Mick Bakker, formerly of Fergus Falls, just competed in the Turnagain Arm Trail Run (otherwise known by the trail runners as Sufferfest) near Anchorage on Tuesday.
According to Mick, last year the leaders were delayed a mile into the race because a brown bear would not get off the trail. There were no delays this year.

Mick is seen wearing white in the first photo preparing for one of the big climbs. The course climbs 2000 feet over 8 miles, and was muddy at times.

Mick may make an appearance on an FFAR run this summer.



NURG

FFAR at Caernarfon Castle Wales

After some speedwork, running 800s around Stonehenge, Steve stopped by Caernarforn Castle for a photo op. 

Welcome back Steve!

The Gustafsons Take On Boston

Jake Gustafson, wearing an FFAR shirt, at the finish line of the Boston Marathon!  

Jake and Karolyn touring Beantown.

An Unseasonably Cold Weekend Run

It was a blustery Saturday morning...with sustained winds of 25 mph and temperatures hovering in the mid thirties, the weather was ideal for staying in bed.  The suboptimal conditions did not discourage ten runners from pounding the pavement for 5 to 12 miles.

Wes drove by with an encouraging word before participating in the Central Lakes Cycle Duathlon.  It was the second annual running of the event.

Dave Jenson finished first overall.
Nick Mariotti finished fourth overall.
Wes Borowski placed third in his age group.

Congratulations Duathletes!

NEW Shoes!

Lynn's new shoes, just arrived on Thursday.

A Senseless Tragedy

For the last month, FFAR runners were frequently greeted by a friendly pheasant in the early morning hours.  The hen would often run frantically along the sidewalk, as runners passed by.  (She had great bursts of speed, but poor endurance.)  Runners encountered the hen between Grace United Church and the high school.

This morning, we were saddened to see that our small running partner had run her last group run.

Mike Breen reflected about the morning he witnessed the pheasant trying to jump on top of a snow pile.  The hen jumped up, but never quite made it to the top of the pile, and repeatedly slid down the snow to the sidewalk.

FFAR Founding Member, Josh Tysver, Is Leaving

FFAR is losing a founding member.  Josh Tysver will begin a job in New Ulm, Minnesota in June.  There is consensus that the group won't be the same after Josh leaves.

Erin Tysver is the director of the Maplewood State Park RUNNING WILD Trail Run.  She will oversee the event this June again this year, before moving to New Ulm.

Good luck Josh and Erin on your new adventure.  

Bon Voyage Steve!

GOOD LUCK Ryan

Good luck to Ryan Cheshire on his first full marathon coming up this weekend in Tacoma, WA! Ryan has been training hard throughout this very long winter and spring and is well prepared for 26.2 miles. 

Best WISHES to Ryan, you will do great!

Link to the Tacoma City Marathon

http://www.tacomacitymarathon.com/index.html

Proud parents - revised

Three  FOUR FFAR parents have children graduating from high school this year.  Congratulations to Mike (sunglasses guy) Lee, Lynn and Wes and their children Cody, Clay, Madison and Emily on a great year. We are proud of them!

 

Shorts!

April 27th and SHORTS have finally arrived!  Super nice warm spring run with temps reaching into the mid 50's.  Runners ran between 6 and 13 miles with a quick pace.

FFAR in Miami

Wes escaped the mid-April Minnesota snow for the beaches of Miami

Ivy's First Run

On April 3, 2013 Baby Ivy went on her first "run" with her mom Jill and, car look out partner, Lynn.  Ivy completed a great 5 mile run with flat tires and a little nap. They all look forward to many more runs but in nicer non-sloppy summer weather!

Best Fergus Medal Ever?

 

Run the half marathon and get yours on June 1st!

AthleticRepublicRun.com

NEW Shoes!

Mike's new shoes, waiting for the snow to melt........

One Day Til Boston

Picture texts from Boston and Fergus the day before the Boston Marathon demonstrate two very different weather experiences. Good luck tomorrow Scot.

Wes On A Milk Carton

During the run this morning, Steve suggested that someone put Wes' face on a milk carton.  Several runners said they haven't seen him in weeks.

Time to Register for Running Wild Trail Run!

Don't miss out on the Second Annual Running Wild Trail Run to be held on June 15, 2013 at Maplewood State Park. It is the only trail run in the lakes area.  Registration is now open so follow the link below for more information and pictures from last years event. 
All proceeds go to Health Resources Center.

http://www.runningwildtrailrun.com/

 

 

The Awkward Runner

This clip may or may not have been filmed in Washington D.C.  ENJOY and know FFARunners do NOT look like this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGojEyYBmwc




 



Saturday Run

The snow is melting!  

Ryan Cheshire ran a fast 20 miles (personal long run) in preparation for his spring marathon.  

Bob Ronning joined us outside for a run.

Some of the 16 runners, gathering for another five-mile lap.

The most important part of running: refueling.

Scot Rownd Boston Bound

On April 15, 2013 our very own Scot Rownd will be running in the 117^th Boston Marathon.  It has been a difficult winter to train and prepare for an early season marathon due to the cold and snowy winter we have had this year.  Scot has followed (with alterations) the Hanson Marathon Method which focuses not so much on the “long” run but on mid level but intense runs.  Scot’s goal is “to have a great run and enjoy the event”. 

CONGRATULATIONS Scot and we all wish you the best.

Scot's Boston Qualifying Race



Race Materials
 

 

 

First Spring Saturday Run

Yes, it is spring although the massive piles of snow don't represent the season. Great Saturday run with pretty good road and running conditions.

 

The minglers, talking run route....

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day

An early St. Patrick's Day run was held on Saturday with a small crew decked out in GREEN! Outside temps this year were 6 below -real feel, last year temps were in the 60's and we were wearing shorts. 
Note how well reflective gear works in picture below.  Jill was Super St. Patrick's Day Women!

50 laps for 50 years

Happy Birthday Ken

FFAR Shirt in San Diego

FFAR Shirt seen in San Diego..... Navy Pier in the background, seen through the fog.

The "Age" of Running

The oldest marathoner finished his last race at 101 years of age so when you wake up with a few aches and pains in the morning try to keep it in perspective.  Fauja Singh ran a 10K this past weekend at the age of 101, finishing in 1 hour 32 minutes and 28 seconds.

The "Turbaned Torpedo" born in India didn't start running until he was 89 as a way to overcome depression after the death of his wife and son. In 2000 he ran the London Marathon which was his first marathon and in 2003 he ran his best marathon with a time of 5 hours and 40 minutes at the Toronto Marathon.

Because Singh does not have an official birth certificate he is not listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest marathoner. 

So when we say or when we hear "I am too old to run a marathon" we need to keep things in perspective.  There are many people who take up running later in life and go on to have great success both physically and mentally. 

http://www.wtop.com/1226/3232650/Oldest-marathon-runner-finishes-last-race-at-101

Happy running!

SUPER Saturday Scamper...

It was a super morning for an early morning run with temps in the teens, no wind and a wee bit of slip to the roads but all in all a nice day for a run.

Saturday Morning Group

Perfect "before the storm" weather brought out a nice group of Saturday runners.  Their smiling faces reflect temps in the 20's compared to last Saturday which was 16 below!

Monday Inspiration

Remember, summer is just around the corner and beautiful sunrises like this prove it. 

 Happy Monday!

 

 

Frozen 5K 2013

It was a "brisk" 16 below at the start of the 2nd Annual Frozen 5K race at the YMCA. Approximately 20 brave participants attacked the run.  Jake Krohn and Jill Iverson were the first to cross the finish line for the men's and women's division. 

 

Pre-Run Warmup on the Track

 

Mitch and Ceaser 

 

Brave Group 

 

The Start..... 

 

Thanks to the YMCA and Volunteers 

 

This way.......

 

Brrrrrr.....

 

Men's Division Champ -Jake

 

Women's Division Champ - Jill

 

Josh

 

Steve