I am running the Gary Bjorkland 1/2 marathon in Duluth, MN this weekend. The race is part of Grandma's marathon weekend. It is also the host of the 2012 USA National Championship 1/2 marathon. The USA men start at 6:15am and the ladies will start at 6:25 ... I will be starting at 6:45 with the general masses.
The 1/2 Marathon Championship race has a strong field highlighted by Kara Goucher and Abdi Abdirahman.
http://grandmasmarathon.com/site/uploads/12%20Half%20Champ%20Athlete%20List.pdf
I also like Minnesotian Andrew Carlson, John Moen and Brett Gotcher. I think at least 3 of these 4 will make top 5.
I do not know as much about the ladies, but I am always rooting for Dot McMahan - Originally from the area I now live in.
My race is a big question mark 13 days post FANS 24. If I had run a really good FANS 24, I would be so beat up I would not be able to break 1:30 for the 1/2 Marathon. But since I botched FANS big time, I might be able to run strongly. I have not done any consistent speed work since May 2010, so a PR is not even in play (1:21:24 April 10). I am thinking that breaking 1:25 would be nice and 1:24 nicer, but I fully realize that my legs are not recovered from FANS, so I will get what I get.
The real fun of Grandmas is to hang out with friends - This year I am very happy my wife will join in the fun and we can have a whole day to act young and foolish in the party atmosphere that engulfs Duluth for the weekend.
Good running to all!
Enjoy the fun and get the most out of what the race offers you. Then go Run on the SHT and really offer some soul fixing!
ReplyDeleteI wish that was a possibility ~ Father's day and all. Jill and I will be on the road before 8am Sunday.
ReplyDelete