6 minute read
President’s Letter
DAVE MAREK
Hello runners,
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Welcome again to another issue of RunMinnesota magazine! And as I write this we are also welcoming our first shot at 60 degrees for the year. I think I speak for many of you as I look forward to more daylight with ice and snow free running routes.
Speaking of runners, I spent a bit of time this winter reading about, and talking with, runners and why they run. It is partly for inspiration, partly because I’m naturally curious and partly to see how I view things compared to others and how we might meet some of the needs of our members. I enjoy the wide variety of reasons given as to why we do what we do. They include a way to stay fit, scratching that competitive itch, a desire to spend time being more mindful, stress relief, escape the real world, a way to connect and spend time with friends and the list goes on. It confirmed to me that while we all love this sport and have some common thread that running and racing bring, we all have our personal reasons for enjoying this sport. I wish you continued enjoyment, health and success with your running no matter why you choose to do it.
That enjoyment is also part of the reason we at MDRA spend time working to constantly improve and be a great resource for the running community here in Minnesota. We have lots of great ideas and plans for 2017 and beyond and I am excited to be part of a great group of people bringing them to you. We are determined to continually look for ways to support our great sport beyond our training classes and races. We have a few things cooking so stay tuned.
Along those lines, you may have already seen or heard of a few big announcements recently from MDRA. If you haven’t, well here you go…
The MDRA is very proud to partner with Grandma’s Marathon this year and have our spring marathon and half marathon training class be the official training group for the Twin Cities metro area for the Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. The first run is scheduled for March 4 and if you would like more information please check out our website at https://www.runmdra.org/programs/marathon-training-program.
Our marathon classes are very popular, a great value and always have a fun group of runners of all ages and paces if you are looking for a training group for those races. I look forward to seeing you in Duluth.
As I mentioned previously in this space, we are extending our Saturday runs year around. Our popular “Polar Bears” group has been a fixture for us from November through March every winter. Thank you to Nathan Campeau, who has lead the group the past couple of winters, for putting together a survey and tallying the votes to name this new group. And that name will be…. the Polar Bears! As some have said, polar bears live in the summer as well so it seems fitting as our group will live on through the summer months with the same name.
Look for news soon on a trail running class that we will be offering later this year. This is a nice addition to our list of programs and will be structured similar to our marathon training classes. More details to come on this very soon but Runners pass by the Landmark Center during the securian winter run in St. paul this winter.
Photo courtesy of Wayne Kryduba
we are excited to provide this to those of you interested in getting off the pavement.
Lastly, our inaugural season of indoor running at US Bank Stadium will be wrapping up soon and to say it was a success would be an understatement. We are already looking forward to next winter and making plans to continue this popular program.
But let’s not talk about next winter quite yet as we are just beginning to transition out of this one. With that, now is the time for spring races to begin in earnest all over the state. As usual I encourage all of you to check out the MDRA slate of spring races that include the Lake Johanna 4 mile, MDRA 7 mile, Ron Daws 25K, Fred Kurz 10 mile and the MDRA Mudball Classic all in March and April. More information on these races can be found on our website at https://www.runmdra. org/mdra-races. Remember that Lake Johanna, the MDRA 7 mile and Mudball are free to MDRA members.
Please check in often at our website, runmdra.org, and follow us on Facebook or Twitter to keep up to date on the comings and goings and news and notes from the MDRA.
As always, thank you very much for your continued support. We’ll see you out on the roads, paths, or trails soon!
Happy Running,
Dave Marek President, MDRA Board of Directors
CONTRIBUTORS
RICK RECKER
Rick Recker is a charter member of the MDRA, a current board member, past president and founder of Dome running. He has certified over 1,000 road race courses (recently listed as No. 4 on a world list), has logged more than 100,000 training miles and has enjoyed more than 2,600 competitive races. You can find him most mornings running his favorite route along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.
NATE LECKBAND
Nate Leckband is a running coach, teacher, husband and father to a one-year-old. He’s been running races from the mile to the 50k since 2009. You can read his blog at: tcruncoach.blogspot.com.
JOEL QUIE
Joel is a running newbie. He has been a Lutheran pastor for thirty years in PA, IN and MN. He very recently discovered the joy of long distance running. It is a spiritual as well as physical outlet. Last year he logged nearly 1,000 miles and it is keeping him young and grateful.
NATHAN CAMPEAU
Nathan began running in 1997 as a way to explore his new surroundings in Washington, DC. He fell in love with running and ran the first of his 30+ marathons/ultras in 2000. In 2003 Nathan discovered the beauty of the Minneapolis trail system while running the Twin Cities Marathon. A few months later he moved to Minnesota and immediately joined MDRA. During his 12+ years with MDRA Nathan has coached several MDRA marathon training programs and currently serves on the Board. Nathan also leads the Polar Bear runs, where he met his wife, Kari, in 2015.
RENEE KORCZAK
Renee Korczak is a consultant dietitian with Premier Nutrition, LLC. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition from the University of Connecticut, a Master’s in medical nutrition from Boston University School of Medicine and a PhD in human nutrition from the University of Minnesota.
Editor: Sarah Ahlers McInerney
Senior Editor: Gloria Jansen
Art Director: Chad Richardson
Photographer: Wayne Kryduba
Results: Jack Moran
MDRA Officers: Dave Marek, President Randy Fulton, Vice President Jenny Harrington, Secretary Nathan Klema, Treasurer
MDRA Board Members: Sheila Becker, Lisa Richardson, Nathan Campeau, Rick Recker, Rochelle Christensen, Sarah Stangl, Cindy Campbell, Kathy Larsen, Mike Cofrin and Dennis Barker
Contact RunMinnesota! RunMinnesota P.O. Box 6419 Minneapolis, MN 55406-0419 runminnesota@gmail.com
RunMinnesota magazine is published six times a year and is produced by the Minnesota Distance Running Association. RunMinnesota is available through a member subscription or at select retail locations. To get RunMinnesota mailed to you, join online at runmdra.org.
