Showing posts with label Baker Park Reserve. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baker Park Reserve. Show all posts
1.7.19
Long Run Saturday: Baker Park Reserve
Plan: Run 7 miles easy.
Actual Mileage: 6.9 miles.
Route: The 10K loop at Baker Park Reserve. I park in the campgrounds or down by the other lake.
Weather: Y'all, it's soooo hot. It was over 70* when I was done. 70* is literally 70* warmer than most of what I ran in this winter so it might as well be the face of the sun! I am now a black fly and mosquito blood donor as well. Jerks.
Execution: I didn't look at my heart rate for this run. I just kind of ran. I also did not lap out my warm up or cool down. So, in total, I ran a 13:50/mile pace with an average HR of 149. For a super hilly route on a hot day, I'll take it.
Nutrition: Well, I didn't eat anything before I headed out. I'd packed myself a breakfast so I could sit at the lake and chill out for a while after running. And then I left breakfast on my counter. Sigh.
From today, I learned: Prepare for black flies. They are the devil! Really from a running perspective, this was a solid workout. I had a lot of unrelated stuff going on in my head so it didn't feel like the best workout in the world.
Bonus: I got a donut for breakfast since I forgot my actual breakfast at home.
Actual Mileage: 6.9 miles.
11.9.18
Bonus Long Run
Plan: This run is not about pace. This run is about listening to my body. This run is about understanding what my body does on hills. And have fun!
Route: Baker Park Reserve - I'll ask Strava in a minute how long it is since I've been here, but for sure over a year. I've missed this place so hard.
Weather: Started in the 50s and some wind. It was a bit chilly at the start. Super sunny and gorgeous day.
Wardrobe: Shorts, tank, road/trail shoes. I wore my bearcat colors today.
Execution: I had a blast. I ran hard, but not so hard I was miserable. I am purposefully not looking at my splits yet, because today was not about pace.
Nutrition: Half a salted avocado before the run, then hard boiled eggs wrapped in prosciutto afterwards and two cans of La Croix.
From today, I learned:
I need to have Saturday races in my head in addition to the 10-miler, which has been my biggest focus.
I can run well when I listen to my body.
My mantra for the hills was 'fly' or 'pick up my knees and fly away' and my mantra for all the other times was 'flow'
I can run well on some hills, and looking at the ground about 6 feet in front of me was really helfpul
I need to have a Saturday nutrition plan, because I ran hard and now I do not want anything to eat. That will not go well on race weekend.
Bonus: I absolutely froze to death on the way home. It was in the 60s and I had the heat and my seat heater on. That's another thing to remember for race day.
Execution: I had a blast. I ran hard, but not so hard I was miserable. I am purposefully not looking at my splits yet, because today was not about pace.
Nutrition: Half a salted avocado before the run, then hard boiled eggs wrapped in prosciutto afterwards and two cans of La Croix.
I need to have Saturday races in my head in addition to the 10-miler, which has been my biggest focus.
I can run well when I listen to my body.
My mantra for the hills was 'fly' or 'pick up my knees and fly away' and my mantra for all the other times was 'flow'
I can run well on some hills, and looking at the ground about 6 feet in front of me was really helfpul
I need to have a Saturday nutrition plan, because I ran hard and now I do not want anything to eat. That will not go well on race weekend.
25.7.16
Hills Monday - Baker Park Reserve
Plan: Wake up early. (That was really the harder part of the plan.) Run around the loop. Finish down by the lake to stretch out and take pretty pictures.
Route: I've done this route once before. Starts in the Baker camp grounds, and runs around the main 6.2 mile loop of the park.
Weather: It was slightly cooler than the past few days. I started around 68* and ended around 75*. So much better than starting at 75*. It was sunny and slightly humid but nowhere near as bad as it has been. I got up early enough that a significant part of the course was in the shade.
Execution: This run started out a bit rough because I was hungry. Once I got my rhythm things went really well and I felt great. I kept my heart rate pretty low for the first part of the run, thanks to significant downhill portions. Later in the run, I did let my heart rate creep up, especially on the hills. I didn't walk the hills at all this time, though I did slow down a bit on some of the bigger ones.
Nutrition: I did not eat breakfast before this run. I woke up around 6:30 and was running by 7:15. I didn't carry anything with me. I wished I'd had a cup of yogurt.
Bonus: I finished down by the lake (better cell signal down there) and did 8 minute Abs and stretched out a bit. Turns out I was in some freaky vulture flight line so I caught some cool pictures too.
Route: I've done this route once before. Starts in the Baker camp grounds, and runs around the main 6.2 mile loop of the park.
Weather: It was slightly cooler than the past few days. I started around 68* and ended around 75*. So much better than starting at 75*. It was sunny and slightly humid but nowhere near as bad as it has been. I got up early enough that a significant part of the course was in the shade.
Execution: This run started out a bit rough because I was hungry. Once I got my rhythm things went really well and I felt great. I kept my heart rate pretty low for the first part of the run, thanks to significant downhill portions. Later in the run, I did let my heart rate creep up, especially on the hills. I didn't walk the hills at all this time, though I did slow down a bit on some of the bigger ones.
Nutrition: I did not eat breakfast before this run. I woke up around 6:30 and was running by 7:15. I didn't carry anything with me. I wished I'd had a cup of yogurt.
Bonus: I finished down by the lake (better cell signal down there) and did 8 minute Abs and stretched out a bit. Turns out I was in some freaky vulture flight line so I caught some cool pictures too.
6.6.16
Trail Monday - Sort of
I'm trying to get back to Trail Mondays, but I'm also trying to avoid peak tick season. So today I was all, "I'll go to Baker, but I'll stay on the paved trail" Because that way I will get the nature and the hills, but far fewer ticks.
Trail: I parked in the camp grounds today, and took the long Baker trail from there. The loop itself is 6.2 miles, plus a bit added on to get from the parking lot to the loop itself. (The other place where I could park is just a lot, no facilities.)
Hills: True story. I picked this route because I want to start running hills now in practice for 2017 Lola's. Not sure if this will hold 'till next year. For now, I want revenge.
Ease of Running: It's a paved trail, so yeah. I did look over at the horse trail from time to time and was all "man, that looks like it would be no fun to run on".
Nature: There were swans on Lake Katrina, but way too far for a picture. I startled a Blue Heron which startled me right back as I ran by it. That was pretty cool.
Heart rate: I was surprised that my heart rate stayed as low as it did. It was hot and sunny at the beginning of the run, and the hills are for real.
Will I come back: For sure. Baker has a special place in my heart. I much prefer the paved trails at Baker to the grass/horse trails. I found this particular route challenging without being totally frustrating.
Bonus: The campground where I parked has showers with hot water.
Nature: There were swans on Lake Katrina, but way too far for a picture. I startled a Blue Heron which startled me right back as I ran by it. That was pretty cool.
Heart rate: I was surprised that my heart rate stayed as low as it did. It was hot and sunny at the beginning of the run, and the hills are for real.
Will I come back: For sure. Baker has a special place in my heart. I much prefer the paved trails at Baker to the grass/horse trails. I found this particular route challenging without being totally frustrating.
Bonus: The campground where I parked has showers with hot water.
31.3.16
Before and After - Baker Park Reserve
This is odd because the "after" shot of the summer is actually taken last year and the "before" shot of early spring was taken just now. A good reminder that green is coming and beautiful things are on their way.
29.3.16
Long run on paved trails - Baker Park Reserve
Long run Tuesday - this is a new thing for me. Actually reading some older posts made me believe I could do a long run after work and survive the experience. I remember this run as one of my most favorite experiences ever. I tried for the repeat today.
Plan: Two loops? Maybe just 11 miles? Maybe 10? 10 miles sounds good, so out five and back five. And then, at the end of that, I'd like to go to TRX Kettlebell class and survive the experience.
Route: I was figuring on an out and back on the paved trail. I know the trail goes in a loop, but I was thinking the loop itself was too big for two circuits. Out and back is what happened. I got to 4.75 miles and was at the top of a hill. I was all "no way am running a quarter mile down just to run back up".
Weather: Big part of the reason I'm doing a long run on Tuesday. It was 60*, partly sunny and windy. I see rain and other junk in the weather for pretty much every other day this week and the temperature is going to drop a lot too.
Execution: I did a really good job of keeping my heart rate in check for like the first seven miles. I was proud of that because there were a lot of hills. Then I got hot and tired and wanted to be done and went a little nuts. Whatever. I had a good time. Ultimately I decided to forgo TRX Kettlebell class in favor of not puking on anyone. But it was a great run and I was happy for all the time out on the trails.
Nutrition: The weak link tonight was my stomach. I carried a bottle of water and some chews with me. The next race I'm running has water every 2.5 miles so that's how I tried to drink and eat. But my stomach was not having it. Like, not even the water when it was 60* and sunny. My stomach was in a full on knot by the end. Not good times.
Plan: Two loops? Maybe just 11 miles? Maybe 10? 10 miles sounds good, so out five and back five. And then, at the end of that, I'd like to go to TRX Kettlebell class and survive the experience.
Route: I was figuring on an out and back on the paved trail. I know the trail goes in a loop, but I was thinking the loop itself was too big for two circuits. Out and back is what happened. I got to 4.75 miles and was at the top of a hill. I was all "no way am running a quarter mile down just to run back up".
Weather: Big part of the reason I'm doing a long run on Tuesday. It was 60*, partly sunny and windy. I see rain and other junk in the weather for pretty much every other day this week and the temperature is going to drop a lot too.
Execution: I did a really good job of keeping my heart rate in check for like the first seven miles. I was proud of that because there were a lot of hills. Then I got hot and tired and wanted to be done and went a little nuts. Whatever. I had a good time. Ultimately I decided to forgo TRX Kettlebell class in favor of not puking on anyone. But it was a great run and I was happy for all the time out on the trails.
Nutrition: The weak link tonight was my stomach. I carried a bottle of water and some chews with me. The next race I'm running has water every 2.5 miles so that's how I tried to drink and eat. But my stomach was not having it. Like, not even the water when it was 60* and sunny. My stomach was in a full on knot by the end. Not good times.
11.9.15
Bonus Trail Friday: Baker Park Reserve Part II
I found myself badly wanting to break in my new trail shoes. I'd tested them on the rather tame Lake Minnetonka LRT Trail but I badly wanted to know how they'd be on grass and rougher trails. I knew I'd be around Baker Park Reserve at the end of the day, and it seemed like I could make a 6 mile run work in my schedule this week, so I jumped on the chance. I'd been here once before and was looking forward to the rematch.
Trail: I ran the horse trail around Lake Katrina, though I don't think I saw that lake once. The horse trails are largely grass. Long long grass.
Hills: These hills do not stop. That hill at mile 4 is hard, but I 'ran' up most of up. That hill at Mile 5 is awful and I walked. Bombing down the other side was an absolute blast though. I found myself thinking that the rolling hills on the Baker paved trail would actually be good training for the Flying Pig.
Ease of Running: Awful. And then wonderful for moments, before it goes back to awful. The first time I was here, I knew nothing about trail running and just thought "running in grass is hard". Then I ran at Elm Creek and thought "this grass is way shorter than Baker, and that makes things much easier". Today I just thought, "this grass is too long, this is no fun". The grass is crazy long and the footing is jacked in some places. I know the course is groomed for horses and it's probably a great trail for that. But running it is slow and hard. The parts of the course that run through the woods are a pleasure and I lived for them.
Animals: This was not a big animal day. I saw butterflies and dragonflies and not much else.
Will I come back: I find myself torn. I like Baker, and the location is sometimes convenient for post-work runs. But it's not so fun running on the horse trails. I think if I do come back, I will check out the paved trails and see if I'm any happier there.
Trail: I ran the horse trail around Lake Katrina, though I don't think I saw that lake once. The horse trails are largely grass. Long long grass.
Hills: These hills do not stop. That hill at mile 4 is hard, but I 'ran' up most of up. That hill at Mile 5 is awful and I walked. Bombing down the other side was an absolute blast though. I found myself thinking that the rolling hills on the Baker paved trail would actually be good training for the Flying Pig.
Animals: This was not a big animal day. I saw butterflies and dragonflies and not much else.
Will I come back: I find myself torn. I like Baker, and the location is sometimes convenient for post-work runs. But it's not so fun running on the horse trails. I think if I do come back, I will check out the paved trails and see if I'm any happier there.
1.6.15
Trail Monday: Baker Park Reserve
I find myself accidentally registered for the William O'Brien 10 Mile Trail Run this September. I originally registered for June 2014 which was flooded out and then I deferred my September 2014 entry because it was the week before Loony Challenge and I just couldn't make that work.
In support of surviving this race and not injuring myself, I decided that Mondays when I'm off work, I should head out to the trails and run on them instead of on the paved paths much closer to home. Three Rivers has some great parks. I've scouted out Crow Hassan Park though never really run there. French Park is one of my favorites, as the Medicine Lake Trail runs through it. Though I've never gone off road in that park either. Elm Creek is another absolute gem, but when I looked at the map I found myself unequal to deciphering a route I could take. I wound up at Baker Park Preserve because I knew where to park and following the grass trail looked fairly simple as the grass trail parallels the paved trail basically the entire way.
Thoughts on the run:
Nature: This run was straight up gorgeous. There were lakes, deer, turtles, all kinds of birds. Some places, all I could see around me was the park and it was wonderful. Though Minneapolis has some world class parks, it doesn't have anything of this size really. It was wonderful to spend time here.
Hills: There are some for real big hills, but lots and lots of little speed bumps as well. I decided to follow what I'll call the Larisa Dannis plan. I focused on running the downs. I ran up whenever I felt like it but didn't focus on that so much.
Grass: It's kind of hard to run in long grass. I'm not talking about prairie grass. The path I was on is primarily groomed for horses in the summer, so the grass does get mowed from time to time, but it was about a foot tall in some places. The footing was a bit uneven and the going was slow. I found myself very glad I started practicing the trails now.
Woods: Running in the woods was an absolute pleasure because the footing was utterly stable and solid. Later in the run, I found myself walking more on the grass, but any time I got packed dirt under my feet I really enjoyed it and moved pretty well.
Clothes: I ran in my trail shoes and ProCompression Socks. I found some of the grass dewy as well as a couple legit mud spots. My feet were soaked but blister free when I got back to my car. I packed a pair of flip flops but almost wished for a complete change of clothes. Glad I didn't take a dive in any of the mud!
In support of surviving this race and not injuring myself, I decided that Mondays when I'm off work, I should head out to the trails and run on them instead of on the paved paths much closer to home. Three Rivers has some great parks. I've scouted out Crow Hassan Park though never really run there. French Park is one of my favorites, as the Medicine Lake Trail runs through it. Though I've never gone off road in that park either. Elm Creek is another absolute gem, but when I looked at the map I found myself unequal to deciphering a route I could take. I wound up at Baker Park Preserve because I knew where to park and following the grass trail looked fairly simple as the grass trail parallels the paved trail basically the entire way.
Thoughts on the run:
Nature: This run was straight up gorgeous. There were lakes, deer, turtles, all kinds of birds. Some places, all I could see around me was the park and it was wonderful. Though Minneapolis has some world class parks, it doesn't have anything of this size really. It was wonderful to spend time here.
Grass: It's kind of hard to run in long grass. I'm not talking about prairie grass. The path I was on is primarily groomed for horses in the summer, so the grass does get mowed from time to time, but it was about a foot tall in some places. The footing was a bit uneven and the going was slow. I found myself very glad I started practicing the trails now.
Woods: Running in the woods was an absolute pleasure because the footing was utterly stable and solid. Later in the run, I found myself walking more on the grass, but any time I got packed dirt under my feet I really enjoyed it and moved pretty well.
Clothes: I ran in my trail shoes and ProCompression Socks. I found some of the grass dewy as well as a couple legit mud spots. My feet were soaked but blister free when I got back to my car. I packed a pair of flip flops but almost wished for a complete change of clothes. Glad I didn't take a dive in any of the mud!
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