Racing for the Cure

When I started running seriously back in February, I had a mission in mind. Two years in a row I walked the 5K Race for the Cure in honor and memory of Craig's, Joyce Neaman. Five years ago, she passed away. Twice she fought breast cancer. She was tough in her fight, sweet in her disposition always. I walked in honor of her.

Now... it is in her honor that I will run. Race for the Cure is Sunday September 28th at Milwaukee's lakefront. It will be a beautiful day, as it always is. I invite everyone to come down and experience Race for the Cure.

This is a fundraising run, and 75% of the money raised stays right here in Milwaukee and goes to breast cancer research. Please consider making a donation. No amount is too small.

The Finish Line

(this post was actually written and posted on August 24... don't know why the date got screwy)

I made it across the finish line yesterday, but just barely. It wasn't too hot during the race, I'm guessing the temps were upper 70s to low 80s, but it was about 1000% humidity. I mean it was really oppressive. I made the first mile no problem, well, except for getting stuck behind a mob of walkers, when our lane was clearly marked "Runners Line Up Here." Just past the one mile mark, I realized I had to go to the bathroom. There were dozens of port-a-potties (gag) but they were all locked. I finally found one (which was totally gross) that was unlocked, thank goodness. I ran another mile, but then had to walk. The last mile I did intervals, but I ran across the finish line in 38:03. I beat my old time by about a minute and a half.

I definitely had the cutest cheering section! (At least he's smiling! I think this is the worst picture of me ever.) Alex really wanted to run with me. He actually cried when I took my place with the runners/walkers. But as I passed the Art Museum in the home stretch, he and Craig were there cheering for me!

After the race, we walked around on the lakefront for a bit. Got some snacks at the after-race party. We got free admission to Mexican Fiesta for taking part in the race and we had fun walking around. Alex got a souvenir and some food.

As you can see, a good time was had by all.

I'm a sucker for contests and there are some good ones going on amongst my bloggy friends right now. Tiffany from the R Family Diaries is having a 100th post giveaway.

Or go to Simple Finds and leave a comment to win a really cool watch.

Fun Running Information and Websites

These are some sites that I perused to help me get ready for my run.
http://running.about.com/od/getstartedwithrunning/ht/getstarted.htm
http://running.about.com/od/racetraining/a/first5K.htm

Breaking the Tape .com http://www.breakingthetape.com/
Map My Runhttp://www.mapmyrun.com/

Friday Foto Finish! I DID IT!!!

I ran the whole thing! Actually WE ran the whole thing! And our time wasn't too shabby, for first time 5K runners. We finished in 39:30... so we averaged 13 minute miles. I'm telling you it was a tough course through downtown Milwaukee. The first part of the course was flat, going near the bluff that overlooks the lakefront, then looped around the downtown area, then headed down through Milwaukee's Third Ward area, then back uphill toward Cathedral Square, where Bastille Days is held. Amy and Lacey and I were a great team, encouraging each other and cracking each other up along the way. I seriously would not have made it up the hill and across the finish line with the two of them! It was AWESEOME! Are we the hottest sweaty chicks in Milwaukee or what? From right to left: Lacey, Amy and Sydney

We enjoyed adult beverages after the race. And we proudly sported our race numbers all the way back to the car. We earned them!

For those of you not familiar with why Milwaukee has a Bastille Days celebration, I'll fill you in. Milwaukee's claim to fame is being the city of festivals. Starting in late May and running through the summer and into the fall, there's a festival every weekend. I'm not talking church festivals, though there are plenty of those. Mostly it's ethnic festivals held on the lake front (Polish Fest, German Fest, African World Festival, Mexican Fiesta, Festa Italiana, Irish Fest), there are some festivals held at State Fair Park (Greek Fest, Cajun Fest) then there's Summerfest the big music festival. Bastille Days is unique because it's in a downtown neighborhood. Very cool. The festivals are part of Milwaukee's charm. Good food, good drink, and lots of live music. If you've never been to Milwaukee, I highly recommend it. It's a great city to visit for people of all ages, kids or no kids. The festivals are so much fun for everyone! Look! The Eiffel Tower! If you didn't know better, you'd swear we were in Paris, not Milwaukee!

So thanks for all the words of encouragement. I still can't believe I did it. I'm typing this at midnight and I'm still on an endorphine high. Lacey and Amy are planning to run the German Fest 5K, but I'll be heading home to Illinois the next day and will need to stay home to pack. I'm already looking to run another 5K in August. I'm sure I'll find one. But I have to work tomorrow morning, so it's off to bed now!! WOO HOO!

Race Day

No post today! Gotta get in the zone! If any of you live in Milwaukee, come to Bastille Days! It's tons of fun! And there's no cover charge!

T-Minus 22.5 hours and counting...

Tomorrow is my first 5K. I've been "training" since January and the big day is almost here.
I have been running 3-4 days a week to get ready. Not as much as I'd like to, but as much as I can spare right now. More than once I have managed to run 3 miles in a row, so I know I can do it. And I'm sure the peer pressure of running with two friends and the thousands of others who will be running Storm the Bastille. It's a really unique race, starting at 9 PM and winding through Milwaukee's hip and trendy Cathedral Square and Third Ward neighborhoods, as well as parts of Downtown. I'll be running with Lacey and Amy, two friends and former co-workers from the TV station. We're just hoping no one has to carry us back to the car at the end.
I didn't run at all over the weekend, ran two miles on Monday, took yesterday off, and did a really easy 30 minutes on the elliptical (not much exertion on my part) just to stay loose. I need to get to bed soon, so I can get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow is another Brewers game for work (for those of you wondering what I do, I'm in public relations for a major non-profit here in Milwaukee. I don't want to name my employer... if you really want to know which one, I'll send you an email, I promise.) which will be fun, and then tomorrow night is the race.

(For those of you with little one I have a Backyardigan's song running through my head "Racing Day it's Racing Day, Racing Day it's Racing Day! It's not sausage casing day, today's the day we race.")

I'll try to take some pictures tomorrow night. Wish me luck!