Steve~Next year's Brewers Mini Marathon is scheduled for 9/28/2013.  The course was rather flat, with elevation increases at each of the bridges and coming out of Miller Valley at 9.5 miles.  http://www.race-brewers.com/course-elevation  Compared to the hills at the Door County HM that I ran in May, this wasn't too bad.  I think you would like the race, the only hitch is packet pick-up was Friday only.  The Milwaukee Visitor's Bureau would love you to stay overnight, dine and enjoy what the city has to offer.  I spoke to some folks from Rockford who drove in on Friday and after pick-up enjoyed the Art Museum, Lakefront Brewery tours and a great dinner at Lake Park Bistro.  It would be great to run together!

Kathy~It can be so easy to let training become the focus at the expense of relationships, isn't it?  It sounds like you have everything in balance, and it sure helps to have family/friends that understand how important running is to us.

Dan~Hope you are enjoying running in the beautiful autumn weather we been given this week.  It sure is the reward for slogging through those 90 degree dust-bowl July days!

Went out for a lovely 3.5 miles on a sunny, crisp morning.  The red maples were gorgeous!!!  I feel recovered from last weekend, and have either been walking or biking to work out all the kinks.  Contemplating running the ZOOMA Women's HM in Lake Geneva on 10/21.........we'll see how Sunday's 8 - 10 mile run goes.

Run strong, friends!

Message was edited by: Debra Stamm Read today that the Brewers Mini Marathon raised $111,000 to benefit the MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer).

Hello! I've been gone for a while. Had a VERY busy August and September :-) Our Son was married in Arlington, Tx on Aug. 12. I Did the flowers for his wedding, Since I'm a florist it was  hard to refuse their request. Although I was hoping just to attend and enjoy.

Aug. 18th~Rode the 38 mile Vernon Burnin' Bike Ride. 1st female to finish

Aug. 25th~Did the Hotter n Hell Bike Ride. Finished 2nd over all female in the 50 mile

Aug. 26th~Wee-Chi-Tah Half Marathon Trail Run. Finihed 2nd in age group. Not a great run for me. I fell on the down hill and took the hide off my forearm Then had to stop and puke....ugh....

Aug. 27th~ Left for a trip to Canada with our Airstream. Had a wonderful time in Alberta at Banff and Jasper.

Sept 15th~ Arrived home with only a week till the Redman Half Iron Man.

I didn't get any swim time in on vacation and little cycling. I was convienced my husband and family were trying to sabotage my training schedule...lol Finally gave up and took the new wet suit to the college pool to get aquinted with the feel.

Aug 20th~Hubby cooperating willingly, left for OKC in the afternoon so I could swim the course in the time allowed before the race. 7-9 am Fri.

Aug 21st~Went out on Lake Hefner for a swim. Winds were high, water white capping... Not good.....Got very little sleep this night due to a party in the RV Park, my nerves, and fear of death in the lake....

Aug 22nd~ Up at 4 am with only about 3 hours sleep. I wanted to just go home. Got to the Course by 4:45am and set up transiton. Met a group of very nice girls my age and that helped calm me a bit. I was really feeling that I had bit off more than I could handle. Chris took a picture of me before the start, which I call the look of TERROR! I had been swimming in the college pool and sometimes in the lake while he fly fished from his Kayak. Nothing prepared me for seeing the 1 1/4 course layed out in the lake. I couldn't even see the 5 foot diameter bouy at the first turn on the triangular course! It was a USA Triathlon Championship, so the qualifiers in the Full and Half were in the first 2 waves. We mature ladies were the last age group with the beginners in the wave behind us. All I did was just start swimming. Stopped at the 3 kayaks to get my bearings. Some people were getting way off course. When I made the first turn I had the hang of sighting in the open water and made the swim in 1:6. My goal was 1:30. I did breast stroke for a few yards to watch the Full Iron Men swim by. What an amazing sight, gave me chill bumps as they glided past like killer whales....

The bike ride went very well. 3:37, my goal 4 hours.I only had 4 packs of Gu, a banana, water and gatoraide during the cycling. My blood sugar stayed up and no problems with nausia as I had feared.

At the half way point of the run I started to over heat and see the little bubbles. The temp was over 94 and I was only taking ice chips and iced sponges at this point. (If I ever see green gatoraide again I'll puke) I could feel that my quads just above the knees wanted to cramp, so I decided to take it easy. I ran and speed walked alternately. I had come to far to DNF. My goal time was 8 hours and I finished in 8:05:34 :-)

I found that everyone I met had a trainer. I had Utube.....I think there are somethings I would do differently, now that I know, but all in all.....so excited that I FINISHED!!!!!! ( and I wasn't last ;-)

Got my Finsher's jersey and medal and the 70.3 sticker for my car that I wanted more than anything!

Hi all Mighty Masters -

I checked back a few pages and see that it's been a while since I posted. So here's how I'm doing on my Team In Training challenge. A couple of weeks ago I did the long walk - it was supposed to be 12 miles, but turned out to be 12.5 miles, with six brutal hills at about the 10 mile distance. I finished in 2hrs, 30 min, which I thought was good.

The next day I did a 10K and finished in 1 hour, 31 minutes. This was a great pace for me, especially since it was my first 10K event. The picture of Marie passing that man was great - I make it a point to try to smile even if I feel pretty shot. This picture below was taken on the 10K home stetch, I look pretty determined - I thought I gave the photographer a nice wide smile, but that last mile was somewhat uphill and against the wind. I actually was able to break iunto a run the last 50 yards over the finish line.

Next Sunday (Oct 7) is my big day - San Jose Rock & Roll Half Marathon. My plan for the rest of this week is to rest tomorrow and do some easy 5K walks in my neighborhood a couple of times dring the week to keep flexible, but not try to add any more training. My original goal was to finish before they open the streets to auto traffic after 4 hours. Now I think a reasonable goal will be to finish in close to 3 hours.I am happy that the TNT had two training groups - runners and walkers. I have concentrated on improving my walking technique as well as gaining stamina for the long haul. As this is not a judged racewalk, it will be OK to run, but I'm not planning to do any running until after half way, and then only a few 15 second jogs to rest the walking muscles.

Our weather had cooled down nicely - until this weekend. They say this high 80s heat spell will break by Wednesday - I hope so. Regardless, I won't be wearing all black. But I'll stck to the capri tights as they support my hips and knees.

Ray - will you be participating in this one? I'll be looking for you. I will be interviewed before the race, as the oldest member of the Team In Training.

Everyone - stay healthy, run strong, keep smiling - even if you feel awful, you never know when someone will snap your picture.

Phyllis

Joni~Congratulations on your outstanding finish in the Redman Half Iron Man!

Phyllis~Love your beautiful smile and the sheer determination on you face in the photo.  Best wishes to you as you run your first Half Marathon.  You are truly an inspiration to us all!

Tony~Enjoy you first Full Marathon!  It has been a pleasure to read about your training during this journey.  Sorry to hear about the foot injury,  hopefully the cortisone and rest this week will help.  Enjoy each mile knowing you are well prepared for you race.  Safe travels to Chicago, and run strong!

Dan~24.2 miles -- Awesome!  Sounds like you are attune to listening to what your body is telling you and doing a great job adjusting to it. 

Yesterday was an absolutely perfect autumn day to enjoy the changing colors of trees and shrubs along the bike path on my 10 mile run.  Had a nice strong run with a few hills thrown in.  I feel totally recovered from last week's race,  Looking forward to the "frozen custard" run with my son's grade school cross-country team this afternoon.  I have helped coach the team again this year, and they are an amazing group of young runners.  So proud of each of them!

Run strong, friends

Debra, IDK, but running a whole HM in Lake Geneva sounds kinda wet and cold. j/k. What's your reservation about doing it? You certainly have the distance and speed!!! You have a lot going on with your parenting. Looked at the Brewer's MM also for next year. thinking about doing it, also.

Dan, oh, what a wonderful son! You not only will be running together but you can compare training as you prepare. 24.2 and 5:20!! Great time and perseverance!! You'd kill that marathon and have a new PR!!

Phyllis, Are You Kidding??? A Ten mile walk in 2:30?? That is fantastic!!! Your pic is great! You look so strong and determined that I saved it and am going to show it around. I love the hat, too. You look more than ready for that HM. HAVE A GREAT RACE!!!!

Joni, Jeesh your post give me goosebumps! Amazing Tri!!! You said your blood sugar stayed up for the cycling after the swimming and you are talking about 4.5 hrs. total by that time on one banana, 4 GU and Gatorade? Did you actually test your blood sugar or just assume bc you were still moving that all was fine? And then you made it through the run without eating and drinking only ice chips? If you had it to do again, do you think nutrition here would have helped with the cramping? I'm still trying to figure out fueling.

Tony, so sorry to hear of your toe problem! I have really enjoyed following your training for this race! You've been the most rigorous and disciplined with your training routine of anyone and I've marveled at how you managed to avoid injury. You're training will be my touchstone when I start preparing for a marathon. So now, enjoy the race because it's fun and it's time and you have earned this! RUN, TONY, RUN!! Have a great race!!

Run strong and fierce out there!!

Mary Kay! Congratulations on your Trail run! You did awesome and you so did deserve that medal!

Tony! Have a safe trip to Chicago! I cannot wait to read your RR on your first Full Marathon!!! Also.. it seems you will be 60 just a month or so before I will! LOL

Dan! Congrats on your 24 miler! That is quite an accomplishment.

pkar! Wonderful 10 miles! For some reason I cannot see the picture, but sure wish I could. You are so ready for your HM.

Debra, yes, it is very easy to let family and everything else slide when you are training, especially for a Marathon as it is very time consuming. My family is very supportive, but I know my grandaughters will only be little for a short time!

I have been struggling with motivation issues in my running all summer. I am still running 5-6 times a week and I am still loving running, but I just have not wanted to nor had the motivation to train for a Marathon or HM or to even run in a 5K for that matter. I think that 3 HM's and training for and completing a Full Marathon in one year kind of burned me out on racing. Running a full is not the problem...it is the months and months of training in order to run that Marathon that wears you down! LOL

So, I have come to the decision that I am not going to run any events for the rest of this year. I will be training for a HM in the middle of January though and possibly another Marathon in 2013, but I am not going to try to do any more this year. I will be 60 in December and I look forward to competing in the 60-64 and 60-70 AG's! I have felt better and enjoyed my runs much more since I made this decision...with the winter coming, it will be easier to get all of my runs in.

Good luck to everyone who is racing this weekend!! Go Mighty Masters!!!

Ohh....good luck SuzeCat!!! I did not realize that you are running Chicago also! The Mighty Master will be well represented and I also know of about 4 others on a different board that I am on that are running Chicago Full also!

I will have a great day of stalking runners in Chicago!!