MDRA 15k Race

I’ve never run the MDRA 15k before. It’s a long way from our home, and if I recall right, until lately it hasn’t been a certified race. I like races that are the right distance. MDRA means Minnesota Distance Running Association, which is the largest running organization in Minnesota. I support MDRA, so perhaps it’s time to pay the fee and do this run, which is one of several races sponsored by MDRA throughout the running season. Besides, I needed a semi-long run of some sort today.

The course is entirely on public streets, but most of them are closed to traffic and we encountered very few cars. It’s a bit hilly, but somehow the runners in this race broke or set nine (9) new Minnesota age records anyway. Nice! What that tells you is that some of the very best runners in the state showed up, and that applies to all age groups. In fact, one of the new records was for a 67-year-old male. Weather was OK - 72 degrees with a light wind, and the sun didn’t show until the last 5k. There is also a 5k race, in which Sweet Pea ran and did well.

Splits: 8:38, 8:46, 9:20, 9:21, 9:44, 9:40, 12:34 (potty stop), 20:06 (2 mi), 2:30. Total 1:30:38, pace 9:45. I slowed a bit toward the end - walking some of the time - my face was getting flushed and I didn’t want to overheat. I finished 5th of 7 in age group 60-69 (I'm 68). I did run about as fast as I could today, given the conditions, so it looks like my 15k pace is about 9:45 these days. No pains! That’s 27.4 miles in the last 4 days. I’ll take tomorrow off, and probably not do another longish run until Thursday - no sense pressing my luck.


Yes, there is oatmeal under there somewhere.