Have you felt Foxy today?

 Have you Ran today?

Tell us about your run, we always love to hear from you!

Today it was -2.8 when I woke, I made coffee and the aroma consumed me as I thought about what I was going to wear on my long run.  I poured my first cup of morning joe and slowly sipped on it as I laid out my running gear. 

I opted for my medium cold weather gear, and I was out the door to meet my running friends. I arrived at our meeting point and waited for people to arrive.  The sun was peeking over the morning horizon, and it was time to go.  We took off on our run and I mentioned there was less than 100 days before Boston and I needed to ramp up my training as I was going to run it this year.   It has been 15 years since I ran Boston and I have forgotten what training for a spring marathon was like. 

 I have always run year-round regardless of the weather, but the importance of quality training is now at the top of my list.  As we ran, we talked about how we have trained in the past, the good the bad and the ugly. The miles flew by as we talked about training and the importance of a few rest days in the training plan.  As we hit 4.5 miles, we saw an eagle by the Chippewa River sitting on a branch looking at us as we ran.  The winter sun was shining on this huge bird, and we wished we had a camera to catch this wonderful sight.

As the miles built, we ran buy the high bridge.  This is a bridge in Eau Claire Wisconsin that we ran across for years, but it is currently under repairs.  We stopped for a minute to examine and marvel at the work that was being undertaken.  They built a temporary road across our wonderful Chippewa River to make the repairs to this bridge which we wished we could have run across.  However, after a minute we were back on the run putting one foot in front of the other.  The miles were clicking off again and we were again chattering like chatter boxes about our upcoming races or possible races.  As we finished this great 11 mile run, the sun was bright and the cold was not cold for the sun made the day wonderful!

As we parted ways, I felt the runners high on the way home and I basked in the winter sun feeling wonderful as I drove.  When I got home and pulled my vehicle in my garage.  I entered my home and I looked out my back yard window.  I saw two foxes frolicking in my yard by my garden.  They were so beautiful, there fur was so full and thick, and their play was addictive to watch, and I could not stop.  They dug in the snow and played all day and then they curled up in little balls on top of the snow and they slept away.

I knew after watching their play, my running could not wane. So, Sunday’s run will be full of play as I run 10 miles frolicking like the foxes in play.   I hope you too have a great day running and frolicking like foxes in play!

  Say la vie

 Have you Ran today?

Let us know if you have ran!

Today's topic  The Original Eau Claire Marathon

 

In 1981 guy named Rick Kettner walked into the office os Ken Van Es who was then the Superintendent of Recreation For the City of Eau Claire Parks and Recreation Department. Rick was not a runner. He in fact owned a sign Company here in Eau Claire that did BillBoard advertising. Rick indicated that he wanted to sponsor a marathon. His vision was to grow it into a marathon that would compete with Grandmas” marathon in Duluth. Between Rick and Ken they put together a committee consisting of Lloyd Fleig, Roger Hubbard, Jerry Foote, Maggie Foote (no relation)Lynn Sondreal, Joan Angell, Mark Vollendorf and Dr. Gene Enders. This group comprised representatives a cross section of the community including Veteran Runners, public safety, public relations and local businesses.

 

The first race was held in May of 1982. The course Started in Downtown Eau Claire. Wound out to the roads in the Town of Seymour and came back across highway 53 on Birch Street to finish at North High School.The race had 95 Finishers and was won by Andy Schultz from Arcadia in a time of 2:43;07. Rick Recker from Minneapolis was second and Dave Fitzgerald was the Top Eau Claire finisher in Third place. His time was 2:48:16. The first Women’s finisher was Pamela Jones from River fFalls in 3:36:42

 

The second marathon was held May 8th 1983.Again it started in Downtown Eau Claire but this new course went out North Shore Drive all the way to Hwy K and then wound around to finish at Lake Altoona Beach. Barney Klecker a record holder in the 50 mile race showed up at the starting line 15 minutes late. Without much warm up he started the race. Bill Danielson from Eau Claire was leading the race but by mile 17 Klecker caught him and passed him. Klecker won the race in 2:24:18 Danielson was second in 2:36:00. John Kann from Rice Lake was third in 2:37:16. The first female finisher was Sherry Stuber from Eau Claire. She finished in 3:31:11. There were 93 finishers that year. It should be noted that the Marathon was broadcast on the radio locally that year with Lloyd Fleig doing the color commentary. It should also be noted that 1983 was the year when Don the Marathon Man came to Eau Claire.m He was running a marathon a week and chose the Indianhead Marathon as one.

 

The Marathon was held again in 1984 and 1985. Peaking with approximately 125 entries. After the Fourth event it was decided that it was not growing as the Steering Committee had hoped so the Marathon was stopped at four

 Say la vie