MSU Open - - Mankato

Spent the most part of this day helping coach and enjoying the indoor track meet at Minnesota State- Mankato.  There were some very exciting races and good performances but no new, national meet qualifying times for NIACC at this one...perhaps next week!

They did change the look of the track area since last year by installing a climbing wall as seen in the background of this photo..

Friday's Results          Saturday's Results

Didn't attempt a workout today but got plenty of time on my feet such that the legs are truly dead!  Got in 5 on Thursday and 6 yesterday, though.

Deja Vu

I retraced my route from yesterday and brought my camera to take my own frosted vent photos.

9 more miles.

Frozen Breath

I've come across photos of runners during the winter that shows off the ice that forms on their beards or balaclavas.  In fact, the past couple days, I've had ice forming on my eyelashes and neck gaiter!  But today, I was impressed by the frost that formed on the ground surface where warmer, moist air from beneath the surface was venting and making for a very interesting ice pattern at several locations around the rock quarry....and I had not bothered to bring the camera.  I did, however, find some similar photos through the wonder of the internet.

9 miles today despite the cold.

ISU Open

Quite a busy weekend.  My fall on the ice the other day really affected my ability to get out for any comfortable running but the indoor track meet in Ames also took some time.

The NIACC team was able to get some more qualifying times for indoor Nationals.  Trent Smith dipped below 15 minutes in the 5K for a personal record! And we hit the mark in the Distance Medley Relay, OJ in the 800, and Matt Bowman in the 1000.  The women's team has yet to get a qualifying performance but are getting close.

Men's Results        Women's Results

During some breaks in the action, I took time to hike around some of ISU's campus and reminisce about my days there as a student (40 years ago!)

I put in 5 miles before we left on Friday.  I chose Sunday as a recovery day because my right arm and hip continue to hurt from the fall on ice.  Ended up with 36 for the week.

Falling On Ice

Definitely a hazard in the climate I live in, is the marginal weather conditions that cause ice to be present in nuisance amounts.  I've been careful but still came close in recent days.  Today my luck ran out and I landed on some solid ice this afternoon.  Tonight, I'm feeling some hip and elbow pain.

Put in 8 miles yesterday and 6 today.

Change of Plans

Due to some problems with airline connections, I ended up driving down to Des Moines today to pick up the latest addition to the NIACC track team from Papua New Guinea.  Sapolai Yao arrived in August and ran a successful cross-country season with us. The connection to New Guinea has now expanded to include Paul Pokana.  Coach Vais had driven down last night only to learn that the LA flight had arrived in Denver  too late to meet the flight to Des Moines. As a result, I retraced the trip this morning and had a very interesting visit with Paul during lunch and the drive back to Mason City.

Sapolai Yao running in Iowa winter,

Paul Pokana racing in Australia.

As a result of the trip, I didn't get a chance to run until dusk.  Since the trails have been so icy, I decided to try the roads and also test out my new Hokas...what a difference...I'm very pleased with how much easier it seemed to run.  And on pavement to boot!

5 miles

Motivation

This time of year always presents a dilemma when the snow conditions are poor.  In recent years, I've always looked forward to being able to run snowshoes.  But last winter and, so far, this winter, snow conditions in Iowa have not been very agreeable for snowshoeing.  So by removing any snowshoe races from my schedule and struggling with running on pavement, it becomes very easy to lose motivation for the daily workout.

The trails are very icy because of the thaw followed by a freeze.  Navigation beside the path is difficult if not impossible at times.  Today's temperature was comfortable enough but I just couldn't get going.  Even with a bit more time out on the trail, I'm having trouble getting caught up with all the podcasts I've downloaded.

7 miles.