Race Recap: Wisconsin Half Marathon

This weekend I was excited for a little racecation with running buds Rachel, Matt and Kathy. You have to make sure you pack the essentials first. I made sure to pack on Thursday night and Friday morning I was throwing in last minute items as I thought of them.

The course is a double out & back course so it's fun to be able to see your friends twice. You also run along Lake Michigan for a good portion of the race and the sun was just sparkling off the water. First you make your way through a residential area and then through downtown, as you run along the park you start watching for the lead runners to come through. I love when you are able to see the faster runners and cheer for them! My plan was to start off easy and see how long I would last.

My first mile was 10:06 and the next several were under 10 as I was feeling good and the pace just seemed to work, Kathy and I were running together which was great for the company and distraction. The first miles seemed to go by quickly too. The first turnaround is along the shores and you can see the finish on your way back. The building you can see ahead in the distance is the finish, it seems so far away yet. Around mile 10 you come out of the park and back through downtown, this was where my wheels fell off and I told Kathy to go on ahead. I needed to just get into my head and work this out myself and I did not want to hold her back. After going through downtown it was hard to keep going south when the finish was only two blocks away. You then run the first part of the course again and turn around at mile 12 for the finish and see friends again if you are within 15 minutes or less of each other. Afterwards we waited around to cheer for Amy to come in from the marathon, she killed it!

Kathy, Matt, Rachel & I

 There were three Newport firefighters that I spotted along the course and they ran in their gear. We ran into them after the finish and I wanted to congratulate them and say thank you. It's not every day you can be sandwiched by three firefighters!

My first bathroom stop after the race was at the Rustic Road Brewing Company and I loved their sign. I really needed that after struggling through the last 4 miles of the race.

This year they changed it up with the shirts as the women got purple and the men were grey instead of the same shirt for everyone. The medal was big this year and of course included a bottle opener.

CHEESE THE DAY!!

Race photos came in, and let's just put it this way.

The Good

The Bad

The Ugly

You Are My Sunshine

This weekend was finally a gorgeous weekend here in WI, the sun finally came out and stayed around for more than 15 minutes. The clouds parted on Saturday morning just as I was getting ready to start the WI half marathon. Recap to come soon, just waiting on the race pics.

After the race we headed down to Rustic Road Brewing Company, well actually we only turned the corner from where we parked and there it was! I smelled the bloody's as soon as I got in the building and it looked like I couldn't pass it up. It was a forest in there!

And then it was on to Captain Mike's for a late lunch, we discovered the place the prior afternoon when we stopped in for a beer and once we saw the menu we knew we had to come back. Their mac & cheese looked fantastic along with the burger options. All I have to say is if you are in the Kenosha area, you will just have to check it out.

We were all tired and passed out early after the long day and up early on Sunday. It was great because we got to drive back with sparse traffic on the highways, I was home and unpacked before 10. I checked the weather and realized the sun was going to stick around and be in the mid 50's. I immediately knew I wanted to hop on my bike to get my legs an easy recovery workout. That meant getting my trainer tire off my bike and putting the regular one back on. All by myself, well here goes nothing!

I managed to get the wheel off, and then the tire came off a little hard. I checked the tube to make sure there were no leaks and put the tire back on.


Then it was time to try to inflate the tire with the CO2 cartridge for my first time. It scared me at first but I was happy to see I did it right and my tire was ready to go!



Then to put it back on the bike and get the chain back on, I didn't exactly do it right the first time so I got extra dirty. I was so proud once I finally got it back on and the gears were changing.

And finally off for an easy ride enjoying the sunshine and first ride of the year outside. Hasta La Vista Trainer!

Digging Deep

I have struggled with finding my motivation the last few months and I am starting to notice how it's affecting my life outside of athletics. My stress is bubbling over into all aspects and I am annoyed with it enough to finally kick it in the rear! I am getting over being sick the last two weeks battling stomach issues so I have not been able to eat as much as I should. I am feeling progress today and was actually able to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner!!

Saturday I had the privilege to drive Kim and Rachel during the Run Away to the Bay 55 mile relay, they were warriors. It renewed in me what I was missing before. I was exhausted at the end of the day and I slept like a rock, I almost forgot what that felt like since I haven't been sleeping well either.

I woke up early again Sunday to do my 20 mile long run and was disappointed to not feel good again. I forced down some breakfast and met up with Sarah who was also feeling under the weather. I wanted to at least get out there and try to see what would happen. A mile in I felt really light headed so we decided to head back, we wanted to at least do 3 miles so we headed around the park and back towards her house and ending up with 4 miles. I am disappointed I have missed two long runs but I just have to listen to my body. I would attempt some more cardio later in hopes of keeping up my endurance as I feel that slipping away.

The second TRI 101 swim clinic was from 3-5pm so I would have a chance to get a little pool time in. I again helped with the intermediate group swimmers and was excited to see some of the same people from the 1st clinic. They had improved so much by the end of this clinic I was beaming with happiness for them. I feel like swimming is the area where I can really help people as I feel confident in my abilities and knowledge of the sport. Swimming always makes me happy even when I feel like poo and it helped turn me around today. Thanks Teresa for the pic!

Going to go hit up the bike to get in a mini triathlon for the day!