My 2022 Grandma's did not go quite as planned, originally we had gotten a hotel in Two Harbors and we were looking forward to experiencing Grandma's from that perspective. The plan was to run my 20th in person Grandma's to go along with my 1 virtual Grandma's, so was this going to be my 20th or 21st, no matter to me as each one I have loved including doing the virtual one in 2020.
So how did this one change to a virtual, long story short, my wife had a right hip replacement in early April and because they discovered a torn glute muscle that they reattached it slowed her recovery. So I decided to not go to Duluth as Karyn's hip was too big of an unknown and Grandma's allowed me to switch to a virtual marathon, maybe next year I will get my 20th in-person Grandma's.
So back to the Cannon Valley trail on the only day that looked doable based on the weather as we wwere in the middle of some hot days which was the same day as Grandma's, June 18th. Although I got an early start the temp was 60 when I started and 77 when I finished, blue cloud free sky, light wind. I did 20-40, run-walk splits as I expected my knee and the temp would get to me, which they did but I knew I had time so just kept working through it. I did slow over the last 6 miles as the heat without much shade was definitely taking a toll.
I would be remiss to not say that I actually do enjoy running a marathon alone especially on this bike trail, it allows me to just focus and process my surroundings without the distraction of people. I know many would find it boring but I enjoy the difference and these pictures help explain why.
The next two show a few views of the river then an open field and the last one is the bald eagle but again you will need to zoom in.
