Six Months Later...

Wow, April... really?  The good news is that I'm still running (Ben is too, but he's abandoned this whole blog thing for a while).  I'm a deadlines and milestones kinda guy, and this summer went real deep into the whole virtual run thing.  Like... maybe a little too deep.  On the upside, many of these benefited local charities, so that's a good thing.  So, a list of what I think  were all the things I did this summer:

• Minnesota Brewery Running Series May Challenge: I set a goal of 60 miles for this one, with a stretch goal of 72 miles.  There were various prizes, and if i hit the stretch goal the folks at Minnesota Brewery Running Series would deliver beer to my house.  I hit the goal, they brought beer to my house and gave me a yard sign.  It was pretty damn rad.
• Virtual Pace Series "This Is The Way" 10 Mile Challenge: a 1, 2, 3, and 4 mile run ending on May 4th.  I got a rad Mandalorian medal for this one and ran the first mile with my daughter which was AWESOME.
• Minnesota Brewery Running Series June Challenge: I set a goal of 70 miles for this one, with the stretch goal of longest distance ever ran; if I remember the prizes for this one were a personalized tote bag and water bottle for those goals.  I ran 9 miles for my longest run ever.
• Yes.Fit "Viking Conquest": 65.3 miles from Sweden to Norway.  My first virtual run in which you followed a trail; it was pretty neat, even if the start and finish locations were kind of arbitrary.
• Ragnar Sunset Virtual Twin Cities: They offered this as a free event, so I convinced my Ragnar team to do 8 miles over i think 36 hours.  This was primarily to get the coveted Ragnar 2020 window sticker.
• The Conqueror Event Series "Hadrian's Wall": 90 miles across the UK.  This was a much better website and app, with a cool medal.
• Defeat of Jesse James Days "Outlaw Run": The virtual version of the 5K I usually do in Northfield every year; because I am a dork I ran the route for the other 5K I normally do every year, Dan Patch Days in Savage.  I got a sheriff's badge medal for this one, and set a 5K PR, finally getting under 30 minutes.
• The Conqueror Event Series "Route 66": This is ongoing; I'm running with my work colleagues from Chicago to Los Angeles along history Route 66.  We're maybe 50% through at this point.  So.  Much.  Missouri.
• Minnesota Brewery Running Series October Challenge: I set a goal of 60 miles and OPE it decided to snow early this year so I've got a whole bunch of miles to do in the cold to hit my goal, but it's manageable.

In addition, while trying to figure out how to spend days off when restaurants, breweries, and stores are best to be avoided for the amounts of time it is enjoyable to spend in them on days off, I realized that I could spend some time hiking or going to parks.  So I looked up some state parks, and picked one to spend the day at.  And while researching the hiking trails, I learned about the Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club, and Passport Club, and then was like... well, I should probably just go visit them all.  So, I decided to try and visit all of the State Parks in Minnesota before I turn 50 (which is about 7 years from now), and hike their signature trail.  I've got two done with so far, and I had forgotten just how much I enjoy the simple act of being in nature.

So what's next?  Well, more hikes in state parks.  I'm purchasing a treadmill.  More outdoor runs in the snow.  As for 2021, hopefully it's less of a shitshow.  I've got two Ragnar events planned (and am looking REAL hard at Wisconsin Trail); the Disney Star Wars Virtual Half, Brewery Running Series runs, various 5K's, and possibly a look at the 25km Afton Trail Run.  Maybe.