Our group started out strong this year but we lost a few members due to injury and illness.
I started out the weekend with the expo, grambassador meet and greet, the spaghetti dinner, and then completed the William Irving 5K. It was so fun to visit with all the other grambassadors. The spaghetti dinner is always delicious and such a quick and easy meal to get your carbed up and ready. Afterwords my friend Ashley and I did the 5K. It was the only race of grandmas weekend that I had not yet done so I wanted to do it to get the full experience. The course is absolutely stunning and we had a blast enjoying the crowd, beautiful weather, and view.
I was so nervous for this years Gray Bjorklund half. The weather didn’t look great and I had not had great last two long training runs. In typical fashion the day was memorable and awesome. Our crew caught the bus at miller hill mall and headed to the start. The start was dry and the miles came and went easily. As always the course was stunning and the crowd and volunteers were amazing. I met and chatted with other runners on the course and got tons of high fives and laughs for the signs the crowd had. It started raining around the last 2 miles but there we still smiles all around and I finished strong. I definitely enjoyed putting dry clothes and my poncho on at the finish. We hung out at the finish and watched the other runners finish. Some of our crew headed over to Bayfront for some tunes and beverages to celebrate. We didn’t get a ton of photos at this finish due to the rain so lots of family and friends are missing from the photos.
After the race I took a hot shower and enjoyed lunch at grandmas of course! We spent the rest of the day reading and chatting by a cozy fire. Sunday was a beautiful day and we finished the weekend in Duluth with a boat ride.
The highlight of the weekend for me was completing the great grandma challenge. It was so fun to do both races and enjoy the different courses and views of Duluth. I can’t wait until next year! Only 341 days until Grandmas 2025, I hope to see you all at the start line! Until then feel free to follow my running journey on instagram @michellesgottherunz
-Michelle 🙂
Michelle Ziebarth
Follow Her on: Instagram, Facebook
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: Every year crossing the finish line to the huge crowd is so awesome. My brother ran his first half this year and watching him cross the finish line was so awesome. Also if you are running the full TAKE THE TRAIN.
Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: I can do hard things! When I told someone I was training for my first marathon they said “Did you know running a marathon is like really hard”. I repeat that to myself while I am running for motivation and to make myself laugh.
Favorite pre-race meal: Breakfast: bagel and egg, fruit, and yogurt. The Night before: All the spaghetti
Favorite post-race beverage: Water and then Something from Bent Paddle Brewing
Running superstition: Everything must be laid out the night before. I also always have at least one pickle for a snack the night before a race.