It’s been over a week now and I’ve had time to reflect on what happened. Being able to run (and walk) with my parents, sister and grandmother was one of my coolest running experiences to date.

After flying, driving and running to get to Fargo for the 5K I figured the worst was past me and could finally look forward to actually running a race. The weather was great for a Friday evening and the atmosphere was electric. The organizers of the Fargo Marathon rescheduled the 5K so more people could attend the race. Attend they did!!! Looking at the starting corral, I’d say the organizers were a little overwhelmed with over 5,000 runners cramming into the street. Organized, it was not.

We settled in towards the back of the masses. If it weren’t for my father aimlessly wondering off (he’s 64 and it happens a lot), we may have been able to leave some of the walkers behind us. It didn’t take long for everybody to get going but the amount of people you had to navigate around was crazy. I wanted my dad to be able to settle into his pace but half the time was spent trying to open holes and create a way through. The crazy part was that all the way to the finish, it was the same. The crowds never let up!!!

For my sister and I, running with our parents was special. Our dad, once a fellow running maniac, worked with a trainer to overcome his many ailments to run this race. Our mother as well had trained but physically didn’t have as many obstacles to overcome. We finally settled into 12 minute miles and crossed in just over 36 minutes. I had told them from the beginning that we could walk if they needed to if anything came up and was actually amazed that they ran the whole thing!!!

Once we finished and hugs were dispersed, my mother and I went back out on the course to find my 84 year old grandmother. Upon hearing that the family was participating in the 5K, she immediately signed up. In my eyes, she’s always been a physical specimen. Despite her age, she’s always been active in golf and tennis. When she used to winter in Arizona, she had to join leagues with women 10-20 years younger than herself for some “competition.” We found her about a 3/4 mile from the finish walking with her friends. The entire time walking with her, the phrase that kept coming up was “Ya know…I can walk faster.” Crossing the finish line the second time (which screwed up my timing chip) we were met by the rest of our friends and family and my niece and nephew joined up with us on the course.

I know it’s not much of a “Race Review” but this wasn’t about the race run on this day. This race was the effort put in by us all for that one day we could all run together as one. I’m hoping to make this a yearly journey but if we don’t get to run again ever…I know we’ve had our moment in the sun!!!

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What started out as a desperate situation in the Denver International Airport turned into one of the coolest running experiences I’ve ever had. This is the story of how three strangers joined forces to get to Fargo, North Dakota at any and all costs.

Our flights left early Friday morning from three separate airports. While all were short in length, the anticipation of flying to a marathon destination made minutes turn into hours. Upon landing, the connecting flight to Fargo had to be found. Finding the departure board was the first thing on all our minds and being runners, the distance would between gates could easily be reached, no matter the time constraints. Scanning the sea of on time flights, fate would have it that the flight to Fargo was not just delayed…but canceled.

On any other day, this would be considered an inconvenience but today, it was as disaster. With the 5K scheduled for later that evening, every attempt was going to be made to toe the line when the gun sounded. Nothing was going to keep these three strangers from making their destination…no matter what.

Separately, we all made it to the now canceled gate and eventually the United (yes I’m calling you out) Customer Service counter. As fate would have it, we all ended up at the smaller counter and not the mile long line we would encounter on the way to our eventual destination. The funny thing about being a runner is we can sniff each other out. Whether its the physique, the apparel or even the reading material, we know who we are. While standing in line, we found each other and instantly started formalizing a rudimentary plan. OK, to be honest, we didn’t have a plan – we winged it. While the agent proceeded to tell us we were booked on the first flight out Saturday morning, the wheels set into motion.

Us: “Can you get us to Grand Forks, ND.”
Them: “No available seats.”
Us: “How about Bismarck, ND.”
Them: “Not until later tonight and there might not be seats available.”
Us: “Minneapolis then Fargo!!!”
Them: “There are no seats available to Fargo from any city today.”

By this time, we started joining forces and racked our brains to come up with a city we could fly into and then drive to Fargo in time for the evening’s race.

Us: “Sioux Falls, SD.”
Them: “Oh, well yes, we have plenty of seats to Sioux Falls.”

Before the agent could even finish saying “yes” we had already slammed our tickets on the counter and had her book us seats immediately. Once we had the third member of “Team Fate” on the flight, we began to figure out how in the world we were going to traverse the 250 miles to Fargo. As luck would have it (there was a lot of luck flowing that Friday), one member of our running trio had enough points to reserve a car in Sioux Falls and it would be waiting for us when we arrived.

So here we were. Three runners who never knew the others existed being brought together by a higher power to share a running story that will not soon be forgotten.

Eric Selvig from Las Vegas – a running brain flying to his hometown to run with his family and looking to refuel his spiritual tank.

Dan Harbeke from South Jordan, Utah – a PR Director for Union Pacific going back home to run in his third Fargo Marathon.

Jeff Schiller from Nampa, Idaho – a CPA with his legs set on running marathons in 50 states (Fargo would be his 27th) who had the best line of the trip. “If you can’t get me there today, send me home.”

Not seated together on the flight to Sioux Falls, we still really had no idea who each other were but that was about to change. The 3 1/2 hour drive to Fargo could have been 30 minutes and I don’t think any of us would have known the difference. For as bad as the day looked when we all arrived in Denver, the drive was one for the running books.

We shared a common bond – running – and each had a story to tell (or ten). For every story and factoid there was another just as interesting around the bend. There were no awkward silences. We talked over each other and bit our tongues waiting for our turn to chime in. It was the most intense conversation I think I’ve ever been involved in. Jeff and Dan knew the same people. Dan and I shared home town experiences. We quizzed Jeff about Boston, New York and his goal of 50 states. Running strides, shoes and motivations. Diets, clothes and weather conditions. What we shared wasn’t personal (in fact I had to do some searching write this story), but it was a passion for running that can be found on the streets, trails and races all around the world. It’s the bond of the runner that turns complete strangers into comrades. Our paths may not cross again but I consider them both friends.

God works in mysterious ways. I can’t speak for the others but my soul needed a lift and it was provided to me tenfold. I never could have planned this to happen but thank God it did.

Our paths did cross once more after the weekend was over. I saw Jeff on the late local news being interviewed after the race and happened to be on the same flight with Dan on Sunday, flying back to Denver…where this wonderful journey all began.

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For the past several months I’ve been down. Through injuries, work and everyday stresses…I’m spent emotionally. I haven’t had the same enthusiasm and passion for running as I normally do and the proof is right here on the blog. The longer in between posts, the worse it is. When things are normal, I have more drafts ready to go out then I have time to write.

This weekend, I’m hoping the tide will turn. I’ll be heading up north to Fargo, North Dakota to participate in the Fargo Marathon Weekend. I’m going back home to run on the streets I once called home and I hope it’s just what the doctor ordered…a hit of passion. There are family and friends running in every distance (5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon) and the social aspect of running should be at an all time high. Friends I haven’t seen in 15 years. Family I haven’t seen in 5.

This weekend will also mark the first time I will get to run with my father since I’ve started running. Growing up, he was a maniac before there was an official club. He’s enlisted the help of a trainer to help him work thru his injuries to run a 5K. It won’t get any better than that until the roles are reversed and my kids come back to run with me. I’ll also be running with my sister, her husband, a great friend and my 86 year old grandmother (OK, she’ll be walking but I be right there by her side). That covers Friday.

Saturday will be the half marathon where I hope to overcome all my injuries from the year to let my hair down and let it all hang out. Add into the mix 20 or so family members and you’ve got emotions to the nth degree. If this weekend doesn’t lift my spirits, I either dead or lost.

Here’s to a weekend full of emotion and a recharged battery!!!

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During all 5 years of my running career, I’ve been a stickler about my mileage. If I missed a day, I found a way to tack the miles on to another run or ran on an off day to make them up. During my training for the Fargo Marathon Weekend (I’m running the 5K and 1/2 Marathon), I’ve made some changes.

Coming of a series of injuries, I started this training cycle on the cautious side – afraid that another injury would pop up and I would end up with periods of recovery. So I haven’t been as anal about my mileage and started focusing on my pace. I never have been and never will be a fast runner. I can’t overcome my genetics and body type and I’m OK with that. What I wanted to see is if a 9:30 – 10:00/mile runner transform towards a 8:00 – 9:00/mile runner. The obvious answer is yes. The not so obvious answer is how.

There are thousands of opinions on the how so I thought I’d tell you how I did it.

First was changing my running stride – more for my own durability than anything else. I had experimented with a shorter stride a while back and increasing my stride rate (the amount of times your foot hits the ground in a set amount of time). A shorter stride forces you to land more on the balls of your feet and underneath your body providing you more support and keeping the stresses on your joints to a minimum. The quicker stride rate naturally increases your speed. One your speed increases we move to step two.

Practice running at goal pace for longer periods. Once I was able to bring my pace down to 8:30 and below, it’s just a matter of running that pace for longer periods. I started out at an easy pace and would target one mile at goal pace. The next time out I’d shoot for two. Soon, you’ll find that your easy pace will increase and your goal pace will naturally get lower. It’s all about pushing yourself a little more than you usually do if you want to improve. While I run alone, I don’t have others to help me push myself like I would if I was in a group. This means you really have to dedicate yourself to stick to your goals.

While I’m not setting PR goals for my next race (I have too much stress in my life to add any others), I am expecting better results. While my goal was to pace out at 8:30/miles, my natural easy running pace is now 8:30/mile and my goal paces are sub 8:00/mile. Proof positive that if you push yourself a little, you can produce results – even a big oaf like me!!!

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Well, we’re less than 4 weeks out from the Fargo Marathon and our Fargo Fitness Challenge on Facebook has been a great success. While we hit 70 fans and at least 32 confirmed runners, I have a feeling that it’s impact is going to be much larger than that.

Let’s just take a look at my immediate family for an example. The Selvig clan has slowly grown into a running family. My father was a runner before the boom and as a result, is a little broken down. His running has been limited (by physicians, not him) but has sought the help of a trainer and will running the 5K. While it took a little work on my dad, my mom was “gung ho” from the beginning. She’s always been in shape and a dare anybody to stick with her exercise schedule. My sister and brother-in-law will be running the 5K and 1/2 marathon with me and I talked my cousin and his wife to join the family reunion run. Now, to top it off…my 85 year old grandmother wants to walk the 5K. 85!!!

Side note: there will be over 20 people staying at my parents place that weekend!!!

For those of you that lost count, thats 8 fair-skinned Norwegians that will be hitting the streets of Fargo, ND – all in the name of fitness and health. It didn’t take a whole lot of encouragement. It was more infectious than anything. People get excited if your truly excited and motivated to do something.

Sometimes we keep to ourselves because we don’t want to drown a conversation with our running stories. I challenge you to dangle the bait the next time your in a group of nonrunners and see who takes the bait. You never know whose life you could change by introducing them to running.

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I must apologize for the inactivity of this site. This year has been a tough running year so far and I’ve come to one conclusion. If I’m not running, I got nothin’. Yes, there’s tons of crap floating around in this brain but when it comes time to right, I’m empty.

The good news? With rest, I think I’m back. I start my training schedule for the Fargo 1/2 Marathon this week and with it, I expect my running brain to start functioning again. Until then…

RUN MF RUN!!!

No, this isn’t about politics. In fact, I’m about the least political person you’ll ever meet. This is unfortunately about my rash of injuries so far this year and just goes to show, anything can happen at any time. Blessed with an injury free 2009, it’s coming back to me tenfold.

It all started during the Walt Disney World Marathon. While trying to be the “pillar of strength” for my sister in her first marathon, it turned into an intense internal battle with bursitis in my hip. It struck without warning and I hadn’t experienced it since three years earlier when it took a month of rest to fully recover.

Another visitor came calling just two weeks later. My phantom ankle injury came out of nowhere. I couldn’t tell you when or how it happened, but one morning I could barely walk. After applying the R.I.C.E. (Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevate.) rule to this unwelcome visitor for a week, it left as quickly as it appeared.

Now comes the latest in this short but crazy year. My achilles is now as tight as a knot and sore as can be. This one I felt coming and have taken measures to control the pain as much as possible. Thank goodness for Ben Gay Pain Relieving Patches and KT Tape, I’ve been able to work through it.

These are all taking place on the left side of my body. Even though I’ve waiting until one ailment is healing/healed, one injury is compounding the next.

With only a week and a half remaining until the Red Rock Marathon and Half Marathon, I can’t afford another week off. I’ve already canceled my back-to-back halfs and will then concentrate on getting ready for the Fargo Marathon in May.

I’ll sprinkle a prayer for all of you that are injury free in the hope that you stay that way.

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I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am about the Fargo Fitness Challenge. What started out as an offer to come run the Fargo Marathon May 21/22 has blossomed into a movement to get people active and running.

Yes, Fargo is in North Dakota. No, buffalo still don’t roam free. Yes there is electricity. No, the movie Fargo was not actually filmed in Fargo (go figure). Yes, it’s flat. I mean REALLY flat!!!

It all started in November when my good friend Heidi asked if I’d like to come run in one of the Fargo Marathon events with her. She was a runner back in high school and was quite an elite level at one time until being derailed by back surgery (which has prevented her from running) and taking time to start a family. After 10 years, she was ready to give running (and her back) another shot. With my sister already committed to running, I had to finally stop waffling and sign my name to the dotted line.

So now I was running Fargo (my home town) but spiritually, I really needed more. I’ve really been in a slump lately and I needed to stoke the fires. Heidi and I spoke one Saturday and came up with an idea. What if we tried to inspire others to run/walk with us. Not just runners…but friends, family, neighbors, kids and acquaintances who might need a nudge (or push) to get active and back on the healthy track. There’s nothing better than having others there by your side encouraging, helping and challenging you every step of the way.

So that’s where we are friends. In the first week, we already have over 35 people on our Facebook page and another 11 people confirmed participating in one of the weekend events (5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon or Full Marathon). My running spirits couldn’t be higher and those that I’ve spoken to are equally inspired. With around 100 days remaining until the event, I’d like to officially challenge you to join us in Fargo, May 21 and May 22. Click the link below to go to our Facebook page and join the movement. Can’t make it to Fargo? Pass this along and help be a part of something I think is going to be pretty great.

The Fargo Fitness Challenge Facebook Page

RMFR

Well my 1 month, self-imposed layoff didn’t go to well. After three weeks off, I couldn’t take it anymore and started running again this morning. The last time the bursitis in my hip flared up, I took a month off and all was good. I didn’t feel my hip after my first week so I think I’ll be OK. I’m also going to start this first training period going back to a shorter, mid-foot stride to take some of the pressure off of my hip, knees and arches. Towards the end of last year, my stride was really long and may have contributed to my injuries at the Walt Disney World Marathon.

I am really excited about something a couple friends and I are going to be doing for the Fargo Marathon. After running my first marathon, I’ve continually been looking for something more from running than just technical tees and medals. The details haven’t been totally worked out yet but I will let you know this week what’s going on. I’m hoping many of you will be able to participate.

RMFR

With a couple of weeks left of my self-induced month long rest, I’ve had time to finalize my race wish list for 2010. Of course, this is subject to change and still needs to by signed off on by my better half. I’m trying to run at least one more race per year and this year has five events on the schedule. Please let me know if you plan on running any of these races. I loved to meet you in person (just like Team Flash in Florida).

Walt Disney World Marathon
Orlando, Florida
January 10
Mission Complete

6 Tunnels Half Marathon or Red Rock Canyon Half Marathon or both?
Henderson, NV/Las Vegas, NV
March 13/March 6

I need to do a little more digging on these races. I ran the Red Rock half last year and it’s great. The course is run on the scenic drive that weaves through Red Rock Canyon and the views alone are worth the $70 entry fee (until 2/21). The inclines are steep and yes your legs will be put to the the test but the organization was great and the medals were a really nice surprise.

The 6 Tunnels half looks really cool and I’ve heard good things about it. It is all the way across the valley (Red Rock is literally 5 minutes from my house) but the course route follow an old railway line that was used in the building of Hoover Dam. It goes thru tunnels cut thru the mountains and there are views of Lake Mead and Hoover Dam along the way. It happens to be a day before my wedding anniversary so I need to tread lightly on this one.

Fargo Marathon
Fargo, ND
May 22

Yes, I’ve finally committed and will be going home to run in the city I grew up in. After being lobbied by several friends for several years, my boyz and I will be going back to my roots. This will be another chance to run with my sister and I’m really excited to be running with one of my very good friends from high school who is going to run for the first time since a cervical spine fusion in 2000. They’re shooting for 20,000 runners this year so if you’re looking for a great race around this time, this one’s for you!!! Runner’s World ranked Fargo the 8th in the Top 10 marathons in the U.S. They’re also breaking off the 5K this year a day earlier and are offering participants the Go Far Challenge where you can race both the 5K and either the 10K, half or full marathon and earn a special medal (much like Disney’s Goofy’s Challange). Go Far in 2010!!!

Running With The Devil Half Marathon
Boulder City, NV
June 26

I almost ran this one last year but I think I was a little beat up. This is one of those “what are you thinking” races. The event ranges in distances from 5K to 50 miles but the kicker is the starting times. Each distance is planned to start so you’ll be racing during the hottest part of the day. This is June by the way and it’s the desert – you put two and two together and you’ll understand the race name. The marathon starts at 10 a.m. and the half starts at noon. The one good thing about this race is you don’t have to worry about getting up at 3 a.m. to make it to the corrals. Heck, you might even have a chance for a nap before the gun sounds.

Disneyland Half Marathon
Anaheim, CA
September 5 (Labor Day Weekend)

This will be my fourth year running this race and I can’t imagine not having this race on my schedule. This is the fifth year the race is being held (can’t believe I didn’t know about the first one) and they will be offering a special 5th year medal. This race will also complete my Coast to Coast Challenge – running Disney World and Disneyland in the same calendar year. The Angels won’t be in town again this year so that should mean the route will take us thru Anaheim Stadium again. It’s a crazy adrenaline rush and I’ve been know to walk that section just to spend a little more time in there.

Ragnar Relay
Valley of Fire to Las Vegas, NV
October 22-23

This is going to depend on two things and two things only. First, how is my body feeling and second, can I find a team this year. I was so excited that Ragnar came to Vegas last year. Since my fist expo when I picked up one of their brochures, I wanted to run this race. So last year, I thought I had a team all lined up and ready to go when it all just seemed to fade away. This year, I’m going to be looking high and low for a team. Whether I know you or not it won’t matter – just give me a holler and I’m there.

Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Marathon
Las Vegas, NV
December 5

I plan to bookend my marathons this year. Last year’s inaugural Rock-n-Roll “rocked” and I expect more of the same next year. With over 23,000 participants last year, I’m fully expecting this race to boom in the next couple of years into one of the nations bigger marathons. The organization was top notch, running up and down the strip is crazy and the course is well thought out. Even though I struggled last year I still thought the whole experience was one of my favorite of the year.

So that’s it (for now). After looking over this list after I typed it, I realized that I could be doing 7-8 race this year. That’s double what I’ve ever run before so we’ll see how it goes. I can guarantee that Fargo, Disneyland and Las Vegas are in stone – the others will fall into place.

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