Pi Day of the Century!

Pi Day of the century was upon us!  For all the math geeks out there, rejoice! 3/14/15 is here!

In honor of the fun day, the kids of Leonardo da Vinci school for Gifted Learners here in Green Bay put in hours upon hours of work and planning to create and execute the 1st annual Green Bay area Pi Day fun run!  They planned everything form the theme, raffle prizes, race route and everything in between!

To keep with the Pi theme, the race was officially set to start at the exact Pi moment! 3/14/15 at 9:26am - and yes we started on time!

Lisa decided to meet John and I for this fun morning too!  Granted none of us would actually be hitting the course together it is always fun to have good friends around!

The weather was perfect! Then again, any time that I can wear capri's and a long sleeve t-shirt in March and be outside, I'm not going to complain!  Granted, there was a chilly wind that kept pestering us, but I was not going to let that bother me!  As always, I seem to start out fast and then I end up slowing down so that I can get to the end.  When I hit the 1 mile marker I was pleasantly surprised that I was a 9:17 pace and still felt strong.  I was determined to make the most of the day and keep this pace as long as I could.

Start/Finish line was even built by the kids that planned the event (yes with help from some parents and teachers).  It was really awesome to see all of the thought that they put into this fun community event.  For a 1st time race in the area, they had over 750 people sign up!

Highlight of the course?  That's debatable!  Part of me wants to say the fact that there was virtually no snow in the park when we ran though.  However I also have to say that running past Joanne's Baseball stadium and knowing that summer baseball starts in just over 2 months makes me happy!  Summer evenings at the ballpark with some awesome friends, is always something good to look forward to!  So yes, spring is in the air and I am so ready for warmer weather to be back to stay for a few months!  Once I passed the ballpark, I felt like I had renewed energy!  When I hit the 2 mile marker, I was still pushing a 9:30 pace.  Time to kick in anything else that was left in the tank!

Running into other Fellow Flowers along the way is always fun!  I originally met Kerri when we were running the 1st leg of the Fall 50 last October and have been running into each other at events ever since!  The encouragement from other Flowers wherever we happen to meet is always amazing!

In the end, John, Lisa and myself were all pleased with our "unofficial" times for this fun run.  Any 5k that I can hit under 30 minutes, it's a good day in my book.   Over all it was a super morning, spent with family and friends!  I can't wait to see what these kids to next year for the 2nd annual fun run!!

Hello Miller Park! Brewers Mini Marathon time again - Sept 20th

Playing catch up here on a few posts from the last few weeks so bear with me!  2 half marathons, a marathon relay plus long hours at work have made the last few weeks a little hectic... hopefully over the next few days I can actually get caught up on some posts!

anyhow....

After running through Lambeau Field and Fox Cities Stadium in the spring and City Stadium a few weeks ago, why not finish out the summer with a run through Miller Park!  

This was the second year in a row that I made the trip down to Milwaukee for this race.  Last year was an awesome race for me with this race, hitting my half marathon PR here as well as the first time I finished one in under 2 1/2 hours! (2:29:10) so I had high hopes for 2014!  The course itself is good, the crowds along the course are always fun and the energy that hits you when you run that loop through the stadium is awesome!

  Once again,  Matt made the trip down to run the 10k here again.  Last year we were able to start together and run the first mile or so together before the Half and 10k split, but this year they did a staggered start and the 10 actually started 15 minutes before the half.  Before the crack of dawn we were off!  We left everyone else at the hotel to catch a little more sleep before they headed down to wait for us to finish.

  We were at the stadium bright and early (ok it really was not so "bright" out at 6am) and found prime parking right near the start line!   For any of you that have been to Miller Park, you know how far the lots "across the bridge" are from the front of the stadium so I knew I was going to like this parking spot even more after the race!  We were (blessed?) with a few light rain showers while we were waiting to start which was nice to keep things cool, but I was just afraid that this would bring more humidity later - unless we got more rain too!

This ended up being one of the toughest runs I have finished this year.  It started out really good - I was able to keep the 2:15 pace group within my sights for the first few miles, enjoying the cool morning and sights of Milwaukee.  It was after mile 4 or 5 that I was really reminded about how many hills were out on this course.  It would seem that I blocked all of the rolling hills that I ran last year from my mind!  It was also about this time that it started to get humid and the 2:30 pace team was just in front of me... but I was going to keep them in my sights!

Over the next few hours, I ended up running with some great people, other Half Fanatics, teams from myTEAM TRIUMPH and more.   I was not going to let the humidity and warming temperatures get me down.  I ran through 100% humidity a few weeks ago, I could do this!   I kept to my fueling plan throughout, EnergyBits at the start and again at mile 7, then some Sharkies and ProBar gels along the way (found out my stomach does not like these during long runs, but before short workouts are ok!).

I'm not sure what point I was at in the course when I realized that the 2:30 pace team was now no longer in my sights.  This was not going to be another PR day, but I was not going to let that stop me.  I was going to make it!  Just after the 10 mile marker is the Hill from Hell on this course - a nice incline switchback to get you heading back towards the stadium.  Then once you climb that hill, you get a nice downhill stretch, only to have to make another long climb.  These 2 hills took almost everything I had left.

 I will be honest, I struggled with those last few miles!  They were warm and tough.  But I was determined to finish strong.  Coming into the stadium is always a good boost.  The stands are open so that spectators can come in an cheer on runners as they make their trek around the warning track. This ended up being my fasted few minutes of the last 1/3 of the race!    Once I was in the stadium, I knew the finish line was just around the corner!

I finished!  It seems like I have had several of these type races.  Mother nature has been very fickle this summer and she has been fighting me all the way! I am not going to let her get me down tho!  This may have been a tough race both physically and mentally, but I am glad that I did it!    Official time today, 2:49:37.  I knew that my time might not have been the fastest on this one, considering this was the 3rd half in 5 weeks with a 5k thrown in the middle for good measure!  It's been a fun adventure and I am enjoying the ride! I may not be fast but I'm still moving forward and doing things that 5 years ago I could not even imagine doing!

Will I do this race again?  That is currently up for debate.  While I love runnign through Milwaukee, the spectator support along the course is awesome and running through Miller Park is always exciting, I have discovered a few other races that are usually this same weekend that I want to check out... so who knows where I will be this time next year!

Next stop?  Fox Cities Marathon relay tomorrow and then Chicago next weekend!

Recharged, Rejuvenated and now back to Reality

View from Piestewa Peak summit, Phoenix AZ

All good things must come to an end... and now it's back to reality.

Spring Break/Vacation 2014 was here and now is a wonderful memory!  After spending a week in sunny, WARM Phoenix, with great friends, I have spent the better part of the last week trying to get back into my "normal" routine!  I am really not liking the fact that it has snowed not once, but twice since we got home last Thursday!  

It was an amazing week filled with adventure and fun.  There is no way that I can give everything that we did proper detail here so here's a "quick" summary:

1.  Running:  We wanted to get in a bunch of outside miles while were had the chance, but unfortunately that didn't happen. Saturday morning, however, we hit the streets of Glendale for the Kiss Me I'm Irish Run.  I can officially say that I completed my first ever 17k race!  Yes, 17k - in honor of St Patrick's day!  It was so nice to be able to throw on my running skirt and a tank top to go for a run instead of putting on multitudes of layers just to stay warm!  Plus there was free beer at the end!!  Official course time = 1:52:24  Yay!  Granted, my knee ended up paying for it over the next few days, but it was worth it!

Start line of the Kiss Me I'm Irish Run 17K

2. NHL Hockey! Nothing brings back the college days like watching some good hockey!  While we were in the area, the Phoenix Coyotes just happened to be playing at home vs the Calgary Flames so we had to fit a game into our schedule!  What a day!  Running in the morning, relaxing by the pool all afternoon and a hockey game at night!  That makes a good day in my book!

3.  Brewers Baseball!!  We were able to get to 2 games to watch the Crew in action!  Unfortunately we missed meeting Hank by a few days as he had already made the trip to his new home in Milwaukee.  Nothing can make you forget about the long, cold, snowy, cold, harsh (and did I say cold) winter that we have experienced in Wisconsin this year, than some Brewers Baseball in Maryvale AZ! 

4. Hiking!!  We made two morning adventures out to Piesetwa Peak and both hikes were worth the climb!  Once you get past the half way point distance-wise on the hike to the summit, you are actually only about 1/3 of the way elevation-wise to the summit!  Over the second half of the climb, those switchbacks get tighter and steeper!  You have to really work for it, but your efforts are definitely rewarded once you reach the summit!

Molly, Matt and I, on the way back down the mountain

Piestewa Peak Summit!

5.  The Food!  I was determined to find a way to enjoy the foods of the area without completely falling off the wagon.  Yes, there were many times when we went out to eat that I did just order a salad, but these salads were amazing!  Who can complain about a huge bistro steak salad like this with tons of spice and flavor and a honey balsamic vinaigrette?  Don't get my wrong, I did splurge and enjoy many things that I normally try to stay away from, but I just made sure that I didn't do all my splurging in one day!

Southwest Bistro Steak Salad from Oregano's in Tucson

 6. Relaxing!  This was the one thing that we made sure happened!  We knew there was a bunch of stuff that we wanted to do, but we also wanted to make sure that we had plenty of time to relax and enjoy the time away from home, work and life in general!

 7.  Fun in the sun! When in Arizona, why not rent a convertible?  Especially when you find the deal that we found!  For less than the cost of a compact car, we enjoyed the Phoenix sun in a 2014 Mustang Convertible!  John said that we will never own one for several reasons... WI weather really does not make one practical (so my solution... we move somewhere warmer!) and with how tall he is, he said he always felt squished (hence why I put the top down whenever we were driving somewhere!).  Regardless, it was a fun car to drive when we had the perfect weather for it!

My 2014 Mustang Convertible for the week

All in all, it was a fabulous week spent hanging out with friends, reconnecting with others that we have not seen in years, relaxing and just enjoying each others company. Getting away from the every day stresses of life is always a good thing to do from time to time.  It was nice to get away, but all vacations must come to an end and reality must be faced!

Before we knew it, it was back to the cold and snow.  Back to the gym.  Back to running in near freezing temperatures.  Back to work.  Routine is good to get back to.  Maybe one day we will be able to say that reality is in some sunny warm location, but until then, we just will have to settle for enjoying it in short spurts on vacation!  Time to start planning the next trip!

enjoying out last full day in Arizona!

Milwaukee, Friends, Brewers Baseball and running - summer fun in Wisconsin!

It's finally here - the long awaited for Milwaukee weekend!  Then again, it seems like lately, every weekend can be described as something that I have been waiting for all summer.  Each weekend brings new adventure, fun and challenges!!  

This weekend is no different!  Wendy and I headed to Milwaukee right after work on Friday to meet up with Matt and Molly to take in the Brewers game...  Another thing to add to my list of firsts for this summer - my first MLB game and first time even inside Miller Park!  Maybe I should have started a list of all the new things that I got to do or try this year, like a good friend of mine did.  I always look forward to hearing Dan's additions to his list each time I see him!  

First time inside Miller Mark!

What a a perfect way to start the weekend!  It was a great night for baseball - the roof was open, the sun was shining and I was with some amazing friends!! Plus the Brewers won!  It ended up being a late night and we had to get up early to be at the stadium for the run, but the short night of sleep was worth every minute!  Thank you Matt for suggesting the game!

Bright and early Saturday morning we were headed bad Miller Park for the annual Sausage Run 5K.  When we all left the hotel, was looking like the perfect morning for a run around and through the stadium!  Temps were in the mid 60's with a slight breeze.

Molly, Matt, Myself and Wendy - before the run

Unfortunately, the temps started to climb before the race started... it was going to be a warm one.  When we finally heading towards the starting line, the temperature was up to 73 and the breeze seemed to be fading.  We were determined to make the best of it and enjoy the day!  Wendy and I headed to our start corral to run, while Matt and Molly headed to their corral to walk the course together.  The way the temps were climbing, I would not want to be one of the Brewers Racing Sausages today, out running on this course in the bright sun and heat!

The first mile was spent weaving in and out of other runners so we probably ran more than just a mile by the time we got to the first mile marker and water station!  Just before mile one, we would pass the first 2 of the racing sausages - Hot Dog was plugging away with a small group of kids running along side, then a short distance later we would find ourselves passing Chirizo!  I give these guys so much credit for being out there!  I can't imagine how warm it can get in those costumes!

According to my phone, mile 1 was under 10 minutes - a good start!  This would end up being our fastest mile of the day.  The temps were climbing and the majority of the course was around the parking lot, so there was not a lot of shade to be found.  The little bit of shade in the second mile was a welcome change, but it was not enough to really make much of a difference!  The 3rd mile of course took us right through Miller Park, coming in and running the warning track along the 1st base line, around home plate then out past 3rd base.  I thought about stopping to take some pictures, but I decided to hope that one of my other friends that were doing the run took some!  I just wanted to keep going and see what I could do with this run in the heat!

As we were coming long the back side of the parking lot, getting closer to the 3 mile mark, Wendy turned around and asked me how I was doing...  "Dying" was all I could get out.  She asked if I needed to stop and walk and I said no, I was going to finish this strong!  I knew we were nearing the end and I was going to push it to the end!

Wendy and I - after race, waiting for water!

Final official time - 0:31:31!  Not quite the 30 minutes that I have been striving for, but with the head today, I am not going to complain one bit!

After a Brewers game and running through Miller Park, what could make this weekend better?  Camping with Matt and Molly!  Relaxing around the campfire with a few beers, friends and laughs!  I was only planning on staying 1 night, but Molly decided that they were kidnapping me and not letting me leave until Monday to go to work... Ok, I guess it's not really kidnapping if I agree to stay!  2 nights of quiet, relaxation with great friends was the perfect way to end an awesome weekend!

Next up... Packers Training Camp 5k next weekend!  

Summer Fun at the Stadium

Happy Birthday Matt!  Happy Anniversary Matt and Molly!

Last Tuesday was my running partner Matt's 35th Birthday and the week before was Matt and Molly's 10th Anniversary.  To Celebrate, they invited a bunch of us to join them for an afternoon of baseball with the Timber Rattlers in Appleton.

Happy Birthday Matt

The day started off cool, windy and overcast for tailgating, but no one really seemed to mind!  There was good food, friends and lots of cold beverages!  It was fun just watching the kids run all over the place - oh to have that much energy again!  Also, even though the weather was on the cool side, that didn't stop the kids from breaking out and filling up the squirt guns that Molly put in all the kids goody bags!  A little water never killed anyone, even if it was cold outside!

Since the weather was still more of the same by the time the game started, I didn't think to grab the sunscreen or anything from the car - I wasn't going to need it.

I am glad to say I was completely wrong on that note... No sooner than we walked into the stadium and get to our seats, the sky clear, the sun came out and it got warm!  Don't worry, I am not going to complain!  It was awesome to see the run out for the day!!

This was the 3rd time I was at this stadium, but the first time I was ever actually here for a baseball game!  The other 2 visits were for the Scheels Run for Home 5K back in 2011 and then just a few months ago.

When Molly made the reservations for our group at the stadium, she also was able to sign Matt up for the Go Cart Races... so he had to pick 2 friends to race with him.   A few of the kids wanted to race but we then found out that you had to be at least 18 to race.  So Matt asked me to join him and Andy for a race. This was going to be fun!  We were going to be racing around the field in go carts- too fun!

Once we got checked in for the race we were guided around to the back side of the field.  The gal from the stadium that was walking us back told us that they just got a new pink car and I maid the comment that I guess I would end up with the pink car, since I didn't think either of the guys would want to drive the pretty pink car.  Unfortunately, she told me that I was probably too short to drive that car - the pedals are set further forward than on the other two cars.  They usually put the tallest person in that car, just for that reason.  Guess Matt was getting the pink car!  :)

Out to a quick lead

Once the 5th inning ended, it was race time!  When we were lining up, we were plotting how we were going to keep Matt and his new, fast car.  We were also informed that Lamers Dairy (one of the sponsors) was in the stands today - and I was driving the Lamers car!  Gee thanks -  no extra pressure there!  Winner would get a bottle of chocolate milk!

As soon as we heard go, I was off!  The competitive side of me was out - I was determined to beat these guys!  Who says women can't drive?!?!?  I took off and never looked back.. ok I did a few times just to see how far back the guys were.  LOL  That was so much fun!

In the end, it was a great afternoon all around!  Special thanks got out to Matt and Molly for inviting us all out for an awesome afternoon at the ballpark!  Good food, good friends and a win by the T-Rats!

Matt still fighting for position at the end

Great race birthday boy!