Summer is winding down for another year. In honor of the tail-end of Minnesota’s dog days, here’s some pictorials from the last few months. If this doesn’t make you want to rewind to June, then I don’t know what will! (Thank goodness for football and wonderful fall weather!)
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During my bike workouts for my summer triathlon, I’ve enjoyed a very cool side of the city behind the handlebars. My favorite all-time rides wound around the northeast trails along the Mississippi River.
If you want a scenic off-road ride, then try this route: In Uptown, jump onto the Greenway from a number of street entrances. (The Nicollet entrance is a little sketchy and hard to find but the quickest route if you are close to Lyndale Avenue). Also known as the Midtown Greenway, this straight, smooth trail takes you on a 5.5 mile ride through a swath of diverse neighborhoods that vary socio-economically, racially, ethnically, culturally and demographically. The Greenway is also an open-door to a variety of public street art that articulates the local character and flavor of this city.
I could go forever on the coolness of cruising the Greenway, including a must-stop at the Freewheel Midtown Bike Center. (Showers for commuters and even free watermelon!) Check out some pictures from one of my training rides along the West River Parkway. It was a hot hazy afternoon in July, so some of the pics appeared blurry, but I think the haziness adds a cool effect to the overall composition of the shot.
Minneapolis
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On the bike leg of the race
Just a few weeks ago I completed my first-ever triathlon at one of the country’s largest triathlon events, the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon. After my Europe trip fell through, I needed a personal goal to keep me focused through the summer. So I signed up for the epic tri event of the year. Here I was–just a little ol’ tri-newbie–but I’m always down for adventure so I thought, why not.
Training was rough at first. I’m no stranger to biking or running, but the water scared me silly. I was so frightened of swimming as a kid that I sat by the side of the pool for 8 weeks as the rest of the kids splashed around at swim school. And even now, 23 years later, I felt that familiar knot twist my stomach when I toed the pool water for the first time. But in I bravely went. And I swam. And I swam. And I swam. I struggled like crazy at first. I hated the sharp scent of chlorine that invaded my nostrils and cold slap of water against the tiles. I splashed helplessly and grabbed the side more times than I can count. At times I literally felt like throwing in the towel.
But on my third lake swim in mid-June, I had a total epiphany. “Lori,” I told myself, “You just need to breathe.” It was so simple, yet so true. So I did–I started to breathe. And with that simple switch, I was able to let go of any doubt or worry. I brushed aside fear (and seaweed), breathed deep and pushed forward, effortlessly and evenly. I conquered my swim demons.
Fast-forward a few weeks, and it is the morning of the race. July 10 dawned sunny and warm. By 6:30 a.m., I had already gotten body marked, (there’s something thrilling about getting body marked for the first time) and set up my bike, running shoes and dunk bucket at the transition station. I was way too wired to be tired despite being awake at 3:30 a.m. At 82 degrees, the lovely Lake Nokomis was a shade close to uncomfortable at the start of my wave at 8:45 a.m.
I followed the line of swimmers down the sandy gauntlet to the edge of the lake. Every three seconds another athlete pushed off in a spitfire of water and waves. When it was my turn, I poked at my ear plugs one final time, took a deep breath, and jumped in. Swimming was crowded, but it wasn’t the shark frenzy that I had feared. I rounded each turn, encouraged by the swimmers I managed to pass.
Finishing up the swim
My strokes were defined by every breath. I could feel swimmers churning the water behind me, many passing me in the mad sprint to the finish. One guy kicked me in the shoulder, I yanked his foot. There’s no crying in baseball.
Out of the water I emerged like some dripping wet sea monster. Friends and family cheered me on the 100 yard stretch up the beach into T1. I quickly stripped off my swim cap and goggles, wiped my feet, chugged Gatoraide, and off I zoomed on my second leg.
The bike course was gorgeous. We zipped along Minnehaha Parkway (one of the best running routes in Minneapolis) and up and down the West and East River Parkway by the Mississippi River. My 15-year-old bike was slow so it was usually a race of cat-and-mouse. I’d win on uphills and lose on downhills.
The 15-mile bike ride went by in a flash. I took in the sights around me with an eye on the potholes to avoid taking a digger. Less than an hour later I was back where I started. Here I quickly switched into running mode with legs feeling a bit rubberish.
The run was, by far, the hardest leg of the race. Yet oddly, my most triumphant. I passed close to 100 runners along the way, invigorated by the cheering crowds. I was dripping hot but focused. I kept my eyes forward and kicked in the last stretch to the finish. What an amazing feeling! I grabbed my medal and an ice-cold towel to drape over my neck. I just couldn’t wipe the sh*t eatin’ grin off my face as family and friends quickly found me. I learned later that I placed 13th in my age group!
Completing a triathlon was a milestone of a lifetime, and I can’t wait until the next one. I’m officially hooked!
Kicking it to the finish
Post-race glow at the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon
I used Runners World for my 12-week training guide. They have one of the most comprehensive guides to dealing with injuries, etc. I also used Triathanewbie.com, another fantastic guide with news, tips, and an expert board for all those questions you have but feel dumb to ask. Trust me, I asked them all!
I just finished a run around Lake Harriet and am officially hit with a mad case of spring fever. Today was a cool 48 degrees with a springy whiff in the air. The lake was jam-packed. Runners and bikers dodged puddles and dogs in this rare Midwest weather anomaly we call afternoon daylight!
I will admit I’m a fair-weather fan (and kind of a weather wimp). I’ve lived in Minnesota since 2003 but just can’t bring myself to embrace the cold weather climate. I give major props to winter bike commuters (yes, people actually do this!) and anyone who braves the sub zero temps for fun. Therefore it’s fair to say today definitely got me psyched for spring.
If you visiting the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” this spring or summer, here’s a list of activities to consider:
1) Dinner/drinks on Minneapolis/St Paul’s rooftop restaurants.
Downtown Minneapolis has no shortage of rooftop seating, made even better by the light summer breeze that drifts across the tables. You can find plenty of bars/eats in either Uptown or downtown if you want to stay close to the action. A few of Uptown’s rooftop bars (strictly off the top of my head) are: moto-i (never too busy and amazing happy hour deals), the Drink (best to avoid unless you dig baby boy size tees on grown men), Stella’s (get there early–before 4 p.m.) and Tiger Sushi (their spacious outdoor patio overlooks the Midtown Greenway biking trail and Vera’s Garden). Cafeteria will be the latest eatery to also open up a spacious rooftop patio with a 200 seating capacity. In my opinion, the best so far. I can’t wait to check it out.
Hopefully I can venture into downtown more and even ignore the horrendous parking in lieu of the perfect Mojito on a rooftop bar. (Solera and Seven are my top picks with an A+ in awesome downtown views).
2) Rent a kayak and explore the Chain of Lakes.
Kayaking rocks here. Lots of people have their own but you can also rent by the hour at Lake Calhoun. A one hour rental doesn’t give you much time on the water–don’t forget to factor the time it takes to get back or you’ll get docked for the extra time–but still very fun if you don’t own. Brownie Lake is the smallest and lesser known of the Chain of Lakes. This secret little lake is perfect if you want to steer clear of crowded concrete heaven. You can only get to it through the ‘super-secret’ bottleneck tunnel via Cedar Lake (once home to a nude beach!) off Lake of the Isles. It’s not easy to find but worth it once you’re there. Goodbye city…hellooo nature.
3) Mountain bike on city trails.
A few years ago my mom gave me her mountain bike in exchange for my hybrid bike. I was totally gun-ho about hitting the off-road trails and needed a bike to fit those needs. My weekend warrior biking plan hasn’t exactly panned out (I’m gonna be better this year, I promise!) so now I’m riding a behemoth for my 12 mile work commute. So this year I’m all about traversing the trails since I have the gear to do so. Minneapolis is the place to be if you are a bike buff. Check out these mountain bikings trails in Minneapolis and a nifty guide to spring bike tune-up deals through April. Plus you can now view mountain bike trails on Google Earth.
4) Shop locally.
Farmers markets are one of the oldest forms of street marketing practiced in the world. Here are a few of TC’s local markets: Mill City Farmers Market (near the Guthrie Theatre) Lyndale Farmers Market, Nicollet Mall, Uptown Market, Kingfield Market, and Northeast Farmers Market. They all make for great weekend stops with awesomely fresh and cheap produce. Local bands like to play here too. The Minneapolis Uptown Market debuted in September 2009 so I’m excited to see what they have up their sleeves for 2010. (And it’s one of the few farmers markets that actually allow dogs!)
