You read that correctly; I’m no longer counting down weeks until the Patagonia marathon. Now it’s the FARGO marathon. Note quite the same…a bit disappointing, but not entirely surprising. Our September Patagonia trip and marathon won’t be happening this year. The country of Chile renewed their travel ban for another 90 days, so it’s not an option at this time.
With Patagonia off the calendar, Dustin and I decided to register for the Fargo Marathon. It was originally scheduled for May 2020, but then was postponed until August 29, 2020. They claim that they will be the first domestic marathon post-pandemic. They haven’t announced how they’re going to make it work, but I’ve heard rumors that you will be required to wear a mask, at least in the starting corrals. I’m sure there will be other changes as well.
Personally, I’m not expecting a strong performance either, since an August marathon sounds pretty miserable! I don’t run well in the heat and humidity, so this will just be a way to check North Dakota off the 50 state quest (and do a race in this unique year of 2020!) I am curious to see how running a marathon in a pandemic will actually work. It will be an interesting one, that’s for sure! Fargo is a relatively short drive from Minneapolis, and we booked a refundable hotel room, so if we decide we’re not comfortable running it come August, we will have the option to just skip without losing much more than the registration fee.
So now I’m 9 weeks out from potentially running marathon 36, state 24.
Here’s how training went this past week:
Monday: We were still camping on Madeline Island; I ran 5 miles with Ruth on the boardwalk before we packed up to drive back to Minneapolis.
Tuesday: I was pretty tired from camping, so I just couldn’t get up before work. Instead I ran after work with Dustin, 7 miles, 8:45 min/mile. I had some short sprints in there to loosen up my legs for the last 1-mile race of the McKirdy Mile series coming up that weekend.
Wednesday: I struggle sometimes to go from an evening run to a morning one, so Wednesday’s 7 miler was a slog. 7 miles/9:35 min/mile pace.
Discover Strength virtual 1:1 session after work.
Thursday: 4 miles with Ruth the vizsla pup before work, 8:50 min/mile. She is turning into a great little runner! We got her a new Ruffwear harness that fits well and seems to help keep her from pulling.
After work, we had a socially distanced little play date in the backyard (the dogs didn’t social distance; only the people!) 5 dogs in our little yard!
Friday: Another 4 miler with Ruth, 8:35 min/mile, Discover Strength virtual 1:1 over lunch
Saturday: The 4th and final McKirdy Mile of the series. I ran 3 miles to meet Christie, then another mile to the “start line”, then the mile race, then 3 miles home, then picked up Ruth for another 1.25 miles for 9.25 miles on the morning.
Christie had to be back to her house by 8:30 am for some furniture delivery, so we started relatively early. I was done with 9.25 miles before Dustin even headed out for his long run (he didn’t keep up with the rest of the McKirdy Mile series after the 1st one.)
So, my results from the series:
Race 1: 6:47
Race 2: 6:40
Race 3: 6:36
Race 4: 6:40
Even though my last one wasn’t the fastest, it was still a fun series to do and a good challenge during this period of no actual races.
My sister Erin got faster with each one of her miles in the series. Way to go Erin!
Saturday night, my sister and her husband and kids came over for dinner in the backyard. It was a hot night to sit outside, but safer all-around outdoors, right?
Sunday: With the mile race on Saturday, I did my long run on Sunday. 13.1 miles with my friends Christie and Julie; Julie was doing the virtual half for Grandma’s Marathon, though she wasn’t really racing it. We just ran easy. Lots of water breaks!
It was a sweaty one, even though we started at 7 am. I was drenched. Yuck!
Summary: 49 miles of running, 2 strength training days.
Lower mileage overall for the week, (I’m generally around 55-60 miles a week) due to camping and whatnot, but my body didn’t mind the lighter mileage!
My coach put ALL easy runs on the schedule for next week, which sounds great leading into the 4th of July! I have the same coach as Christie and she challenged both of us to run our highest mileage month in July, so it will be a lot of miles, but all easy runs. I’m excited to give it a go!
And that’s a wrap for this week!
It’s great to have the ability to stay connected virtually and support each other; this link-up hosted by Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner ‘s is a great way to do so! Check it out below:
I’m sorry about Patagonia. I’m sure you expected it, but it still hurts.
Ruth has gotten so big!
They did a trail race here this weekend (I didn’t, obviously). They changed the location, I’m assuming because the trail it’s usually run on is very narrow. They did a staggered start with no more than 25 people. They had a local place do boxed food. Life is so strange . . .
Yes, 2020 has been full of disappointments for everyone! Maybe next year we’ll get to go.
Interesting about the local trail race. Glad to hear they figured out a safe way to do it!
My fall half was just canceled too. Sorry about your race. My fingers will be crossed for you that Fargo happens. Is it a smaller race? Look how big Ruth has gotten!
Ugh sorry about your half. Fargo has historically had about 1,200 runners in the full. I don’t know about this year though.
So sorry about Patagonia! Ruth looks very proud in her new harness. And well done on that hi-five photo – I managed to fail doing that on a zoom call yesterday!
Haha, thanks Liz!
I was so sad when I saw that the Patagonia Marathon was cancelled, but I’m glad that you were able to switch plans and start training for the Fargo Marathon. I’m so curious about the procedures they will put in place to make the marathon happen. They could very well set the new standards for in-person races!
Me too- they haven’t shared much yet as to what they plan to do. That will definitely affect our decision as to whether we run it or not!
Nice week Jess! Yay for Fargo and fingers crossed.
Thank you Becket!
I have had Fargo on my bucket list, but I hadn’t planned on it this year (and it’s a good thing LOL). I’ll be curious to hear what you think of it. Total bummer on Patagonia. My Saturday run was a damp, yucky mess…I think my shorts may have actually been dripping when I finished.
Yeah, this might not be the BEST year for Fargo, hah! Its apparently really exposed too, so I have visions of it being a bit of hot death march!
I’m so glad you found a backup plan marathon! Fargo seems like a pretty good place to test out the pandemic–I think the numbers are pretty low there.
Ruth looks so obedient sitting there! Love the doggy playdate. i also love that rainbow crop top!
Thanks Wendy! The crop is perfect for Pride month!
I do think the numbers are low in Fargo, so maybe it will be okay. We’re still not 100% sure it will happen, but I don’t think anything is 100% these days.
Oh wow. Sorry about Patagonia but I guess I’m not surprised either. I’ve watched Marathon Tours pivot all over the place with race cancellations this year. What a pain.
Ruth is such a cutie! Great to hear she’s running well!
Well done to you and your sis on the final mile race!
I know, I feel bad for tour companies like theirs. It’s going to be a tough year.
Oh I’m sorry about Patagonia 🙁 I hope Fargo works out.
Ruth is so big now! Glad the harness worked well.
Thanks Michelle.
I can see that Fargo isn’t an even trade for Patagonia. It will be interesting to see if Fargo can pull it off though. There is no style of leash/collar/harness that keeps Scooby from pulling. 🙁
It will definitely be interesting to see how Fargo pulls this off!
I’m so sorry about Patagonia. It’s so hard. We just got word that our huge local marathon will be virtual, and that’s all the way in February of 2021. It’s a breast cancer event, so I get it, but it’s still crazy to think that things will still be in upheaval all the way into next year.
I love the puppy play date! Luna would have a blast with those big dogs. <3
Wow…February 2021. That’s nuts.
I”m so sorry to hear that your Patagonia Marathon has been canceled. There have been so many disappointments for my running friends this year. 🙁
Ruth has really become quite the running partner, hasn’t she! That’s wonderful for you and her. Does Matilda get jealous or is she happy to relax at home?
Have a great week!
Matilda is happy to get walks instead. Sometimes I’ll jog a mile at the end of a run with her, but I don’t want to force her, whereas Ruth is FULL of energy!
Fargo sounds so amazing — it’s funny how we see different areas appealing given what’s relatively accessible. Sounds like a great plan to go with your gut if it feels right
Love the pic of Ruth modeling!
Thanks Cari- yes, we’ll definitely be watching Fargo’s case numbers leading up to the race!
That’s too bad about your race , but I’m glad you have a backup plan! Hopefully it will happen! I’ve heard about some small races that have taken place with precautions in place, so hopefully race directors are learning what works and how to logistically plan for races right now.
Yes, it will be interesting to see what adjustments they make!
So so sorry about Patagonia 🙁 what a bummer. It’s good you have a replacement but yeah I get that Fargo is not the same. I guess it’s also about experience for you so whether it’s a challenging marathon or a great one, at the end of the day you’ve added another one to the list, right?
Ruth is the best model 🙂
Exactly! I’m looking forward to running a race in 2020, even though it’s not the one I thought I’d be running!
Great job this week! You seriously continue to compress me with your mileage each week.
What a bummer about the Patagonia race.
I had signed up for the Fargo Half Marathon in May too. The new date doesn’t work out for me as it is around the time we go back to school. I am excited for you! It will be interesting to see how it all works out post-pandemic.
Yes, August 29th is not a great time for a race for a variety of reasons. I am still not sure I will do it, but it’s nice to have an option out there.
Sorry to hear about the Patagonia race! This year keeps throwing things at us and forcing us to make so many changes. Best of luck with Fargo Training and hopefully they are able to put in place all the necessary protocols, I’m curious to see how that will work too. We still haven’t had any race announcements here so I’ve written off racing for 2020, but if I hear of something I’ll be the first to register!