It is the eve of the first race of the 2013 season and time to officially publish the 2013 Race Calendar. There are still a couple of open dates and some built-in flexibility to allow for adjustments if needed.

The year will completely revolve around the race in Madison on Sunday, September 08, 2013. The first half of the year will focus on running with a bit of multi-sport thrown in for flavor. The calendar in the later part of the season leading up to ‘The Race’ is intentionally open with a plan to do some high-intensity self supported efforts in late July and throughout the month of August. I hope to rope a few of my like-minded multi-sport enthusiasts in to join me in these self-supported Swim-Bike-Run ‘race-like’ events (you know who you are). The primary recipe for 2013 will be layered, baked, and seasoned with one goal in mind; a strong performance in Madison. As I throw caution to the wind and break the golden rule and put all my eggs in one proverbial basket; I will tend the garden with care, eliminating the weeds, in hopes of a bountiful harvest.

Sweet Heart Run
10 Mile Run
Front Runner Events and Promotions http://www.frontrunnerusa.com/
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Mahtomedi, MN

This is the first of five Front Runner events I will do this year. Honestly, the Black Friday deals on these events (50% off) are without a doubt the best value for multi-sport and running events in the Twin cities. Randy and his crew put on professional events, they do not always have the glitz and glamor of some of the others, but are well attended with athletes of all levels of ability. The events are well organized, challenging, and a lot of fun. With today’s tough economic conditions I appreciate and am grateful for the value these events provide.

The 10-Mile run is on a variety of surfaces, road, paved trail, unpaved trail, and dirt roads. With our recent snows there will be many snow covered and icy areas but the weather forecast for tomorrow morning looks to be pleasant with temps around 25 F for the start of the race, under mostly cloudy skies.

Camp Wannarunamileormore
Half Marathon (13.1 Miles)
Tri Fitness http://trifitnesswbl.com/
Saturday, April 6, 2013
White Bear Township (Bald Eagle Lake)

Proceeds from Camp Wannarunamileormore help pay for special needs kids to attend
Young Life Summer Camps.

The half marathon course is challenging and scenic. The
venue is beautiful and the field is intimate and competitive. There is good
support and is for a great cause. It also gives me an early season look at where
my training is and is a good warm-up for the 50K trail run in a couple
weeks. And as a bouns, I get to run by Christopher and Elisabth’s new home at mile 3 and 10.

New Auburn, WI

Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride http://ironmanbikeride.org/
100 Mile Bike ride
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Stillwater, MN

The ride now in its 47th year is moving to the scenic St. Croix River Valley. The ride will take place in Washington county and will be supported by the communities of Scandia, Stillwater, Afton, Lake Elmo, Marine on St. Croix, and Oak Park Height.

http://vimeo.com/vistapop/mnironman

The ride, notorious for the extreme weather that typically occurs, should provide plenty of challenge following the 50K Trail run from the day before.

Oakdale Spring Classic Duathlon
3 mile run – 14 mile bike – 2.5 mile run
Front Runner Events and Promotions http://www.frontrunnerusa.com/
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Lake Elmo Park Reserve
Lake Elmo, MN

This early season event is a great kick-off to the multi-sport year. It’s a pretty and challenging course and is well attended. The race brings out some of the areas best multi-sport athletes and provides excellent competition for all ability levels.

Buffalo Triathlon http://www.tribuff.com
Olympic Distance Triathlon
1500M Swim, 40K Bike, 10K Run
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Buffalo, MN

Grandma’s Marathon http://grandmasmarathon.com/site/
Marathon (26.2 Mile Road Race)
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Dulth, MN

This will be my seventh Grandma’s Marathon. This race is my first love, so to speak, my first ever marathon, and will always old a very special place in my heart. I love the atmosphere and the course. I have run very well here in the past and hope this year will produce a new PR.

As always I look forward to spending time with my friend Gordy, my running mentor.

Afton Trail Run 50K http://www.aftontrailrun.com/
50K Trail Run
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Afton State Park
Afton, MN

Last year this race kicked my butt and wounded my pride. A very challenging course with such a variety of terrain, from single track, to wide open dirt roads, to well maintained wide all purpose trails. The location could not be better (7 miles from my house) and the park provides some of the best views of the St. Croix around.

Ironman Wisconsin Madison
Full Triathlon
2.4 Mile Swim, 112 Mile Bike, 26.2 Mile Run
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Madison, WI

‘The Race’ the one we have worked and prepared for all year. Let’s hope we can get to the starting line well prepared and in the best possible health.

Officially (as far as USAT is concerned) I will be in the 50 – 54 year old age group for this race. So I plan to celebrate my first half-century of being alive with an ‘all-in’ leave nothing on the field approach. It will be my fourth attempt at this course which has so far beat me into submission in my last three attempts here.

I’m looking forward to finding out just how far I can push this 50 year old pile of bones. 🙂

Run for the Apples
5 Mile Trail Run
Front Runner Events and Promotions http://www.frontrunnerusa.com/
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Pine Tree Apple Orchard
Dellwood, MN

One of two fun runs to close out the 2013 race season. A great venue and a run I look forward to each year.

The Great Pumpkin Chase
10K Trail Run
Front Runner Events and Promotions http://www.frontrunnerusa.com/
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Lake Elmo Park Resrve
Lake Elmo, MN

The final planned race of 2013. A fun run on a challenging course.