Set out today to do two things: 1) get those final miles in for my September #mnvirtualchallenge (a growler of beer was at stake!) and 2) run the virtual #goldysrun 10 mile. Set out thinking I’d aim for an 8:30 pace (1:25:00 for 10 miles)—not too casual yet not really pushing myself—because I haven’t run much lately. But at mile 3 my watch yelled me for running too fast (7:15), a sign I was feeling good, so I opted for a little less casual pace. While not a PR, this was my fastest 10 mile run of the year. #feelingproud #findyourhoppypace #runforbeer #challengeyourself #cardiacarrestsurvivor #cancersurvivor https://www.instagram.com/p/CFxot9YHaL4/?igshid=unzns4m5atgj

After struggling a bit with running last month, starting this one off right ... #findyourhoppypace #mnvirtualchallenge #recoveryrun #challengeyourself (at Saint Paul, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEmsLuvnPzS/?igshid=xvs9mrlp2tfg

Okay, my marathon was canceled, and I doubt any will be held this year, but I know of a few trail runs, with limited entries and wave starts, that are still hopeful of taking place. That means I need to add some extra hill training into the mix. St Claire Hill + High Bridge + Ramsey Hill = a 7 mile loop. Check out that elevation gain! #mnvirtualchallenge #findyourhoppypace #challengeyourself #hillrunning https://www.instagram.com/p/CDZfPlJnUsN/?igshid=uz7jf7l2kqoo

Past months, I didn’t meet my #mnvirtualchallenge until the very last day of the month. This month, even with battling heat and humidity and a tweaky knee, I hit my 150-mile goal, with an Everest-like elevation gain, a few days early. Does that mean I’ll take the rest of the month off? Nah! @mnbreweryrun #runforbeermn #findyourhoppypace #challengeyourself #goalmet #cancersurvivor #cardiacarrestsurvivor https://www.instagram.com/p/CDMSzn6n8jt/?igshid=184izmicgqff5

Part 1 of my #independenceday weekend: an easy long run early this morning. And when I say “easy” I mean the core of my outing was run at about a minute slower pace than normal due to the heat. 😅 But I’m feeling good having been able to get in those 15+ miles. #mnvirtualchallenge #findyourhoppypace #challengeyourself https://www.instagram.com/p/CCOeFYeH19Z/?igshid=1puskuumvdnr4

Hit my goal of 150 miles with the @mnbreweryrun series June virtual distance challenge. That is the most I have ever logged in a month, and on top of that, my 29,000+ feet of elevation gain means I virtually climbed Mt Everest while doing it. #runforbeermn #mnvirtualchallenge #findyourhoppypace #cancersurvior #cardiacarrestsurvivor https://www.instagram.com/p/CCFFAg4HsSV/?igshid=z9p8g8gmqfpt

Nifty and personalized #airplanearms reward from the @mnbreweryrun series for reaching my goal of 110 miles in May! Now to see if I get hit 150 miles in June for another cool reward. Almost halfway there! #mnvirtualchallenge #findyourhoppypace https://www.instagram.com/p/CBbs0C5HhdA/?igshid=uhvs15oo0k5a

Today I was tired. It was hot out. We had a box of donuts. I was feeling banged up from falling the other day. I chores to do. Etc, etc, etc . . . All my excuses combined didn’t out weigh the sense of fulfillment I felt upon getting out there and putting in my miles. Kept it a nice, pressure free run today, focusing on keeping my HR down in zone 2 and not worrying about how fast or how slow I was running. #mnvirtualchallenge #findyourhoppypace #longrunsaturday https://www.instagram.com/p/CBGxhpiHPAY/?igshid=riknha5mi7yq