Runs with d6's: 2014-12

It was a brisk morning start, but I couldn't wait for the promise of freshly made doughnuts at the local South Minneapolis Bakeries! Three courses were available for the day: 5 miles, 10 miles, and 17+ miles! Of course, I jumped into the 17 miler group!

Shortly after arriving, I saw a number of familiar and friendly faces! Scott Deyo and Amanda H were there, along with Jordon (of course), and Ed and Alecia Sandor. John Taylor was looking strong and ready for his Tescobia 75 coming up in June. Everyone looked hungry and COLD! I understand it was a lot warmer than last year, but the 17F starting temperature was a challenge. Everyone hopped from foot to foot to keep warm, and River Moon Coffee supplied us with the morning jo! With four hours of parking fees paid (a bit optimistic, it turns out), and a cow bell clipped to my backpack, we were off!

The first doughnut shop we visited was "The Baker's Wife" where I had an AMAZING cherry cheesecake danish, which I split with Jordan due to its enormous size! Scott and I split off and headed to our second shop, "Bogart's Doughnut Co." I had the butter-cream filled raised doughnut, which had some very nice favor - though I threw much of it away due to its size. The sun started to warm me up in my all-black get-up (take note, winter runners... black + sun = comfort).

By now, the cow bell was getting a bit annoying, so I silenced the clapper with a rubberband. While monkeying around with things, I dropped my phone and cracked the screen (1st time ever!). Again, Scott and I broke off and headed off to run the East side of Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles to find ourselves at "Isle Bun and Coffee" in Uptown.

This place happened to be my old stomping grounds from 2000 to 2001. I would routinely stop by this coffee shop for a puppy dog tail (basically a smaller, skinny cinnamon roll) and a coffee while waiting for the bus to work. Being there brought back all of the memories of my Uptown life, and the puppy dog tail was amazing!

Ed Sandor is an animal, by the way. Not only did he come out to run with us, but he dragged a tire the entire way after doing an 8 mile warm-up before we arrived at Lake Nokomis! He would show up consistently as Scott and I were departing for the next shop; he was never far behind! Jordon ran in that group, so it was fun to be able to talk to him multiple times throughout the run.

The next shop we visited with Glam Doll Donuts (they don't all spell the word the same way...). I was most impressed with this shop with the variety and creativity of their doughnut selection. It was hard to chose! I settled upon a cake doughnut with peanut topping and candied maple bacon. Scott and I drank espresso shots and relaxed while Ed and Alecia, Jordon, and a few other runners gathered around and relaxed. I wish EVERY race was like this! :)

After Glam Doll, we hopped on the parkway all the way to the Mississippi River parkway, headed South until Minnehaha Parkway, and headed over to Mel-O-Glaze Doughnuts. I skipped the immediate stop so I could pick up my car (and avoid a ticket). Scott did likewise, and we met back over at the doughnut shop to look at their selection. At noon, it was pretty picked over, but I bought three Angry Bird cookies for the kids, a cherry fritter (yum), and a lemon poppyseed coffee-cake like pastry. I forgot the name, but Scott could tell me.

Carrie and Alecia S came into the shop looking cold and tired, happy to have most of the running done. It was now 12:20, time to head home with my booty!

Thank you, Jordon, for organizing such a fun event! Thank you, Scott, for sticking with me and keeping me going, especially during that long stretch between Glam Doll and Mel-O-Glaze! And thank you, Meghan (my wife), for suffering through my "running addiction".