Surly Trail Loppet

Last Saturday I completed my second half marathon!  I ran my first half marathon a little over 2 years ago (a few months before I got pregnant with Madeline).  I really enjoyed training for that half.  In my opinion a half is the perfect distance; you have to train for it, but it isn't so long that it kills you.  I decided in the spring that it was time to run another, so I chose the Surly Trail Loppet.  It is located in Minneapolis, but it is in Theodore Wirth Park, so 80% of the race is on trails (running, cross country ski, and mountain biking).  It was hilly, but a lot of fun.  I'm so glad that I chose to run this one.  The people organizing the race said to expect to run this half marathon 25 minutes slower than road half marathon.  I finished in 2 hours and 20 minutes, which is a little over 15 minutes slower than the one I ran 2 years ago.

Madeline and me after the race.  She was my little training buddy, but didn't get to run with me:).  And yes, I am fully aware I look like a man in this picture.