This spring-like weather has been making me think about running, and putting some races on the calendar to shoot for.
So for all of you that read my blog (that’s you mom!) and were desperately waiting to find out what I was planning for this year, here it is. Schedule subject to changes due to weather, injuries or whims of course.
May 19: Plum Hill 5K in Kaukauna. I like this race simply because it is close to home and for a good cause. The last time I did it I biked to the race, and arrived about 20 minutes before it started, which was plenty of time to register and stretch. Low-key and not too crowded, it is simply a small-town, simple little race. It was started by some local people in honor of a woman whose dream it was to open a café, which she finally did in 2004 (Plum Hill Café), only to die of cancer in 2008. The race raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in her name.
June 9: Bellin 10K Run in Green Bay. This is a big, popular, crowded race. By the time you side-step all the kids who abruptly come to a halt in front of you and the masses around every water station, I am pretty sure the average person does more like a 12K. But it is a good early summer distance, a nice course, a well-run race, and the energy of all those people is amazing. This will be my third time.
August 18: The Warrior Dash Wisconsin. My husband and I did it last year and had a total blast, and so we would like to try to repeat the shenanigans of last year! It’s fun to get muddy, and this race, which is roughly a 5K, is just so much fun. Last year it was near Lake Geneva; this year it is in Johnson Creek, a little town about halfway between Madison and Milwaukee.
September 8: The Tough Mudder Wisconsin. I am the most nervous and probably the most excited about this one. It’s similar to the Warrior Dash but over three times as long and with more hard-core looking obstacles, including one that actually shocks you with electricity! I am already registered as part of a team with a few people I met through boot camp class at the YMCA. I think it will be awesome but I am not used to competing with a team and I am determined not to be the weak link!
September 23: Fox Cities Half-Marathon. I am not totally sure yet if I will do this, but I figure that in order to get ready for the Tough Mudder I am going to train as if I am going to do a half-marathon, and add in extra weight and cross-training. So assuming the Tough Mudder doesn’t kill me, I might as well do the actual half-marathon then, since it’s local and I enjoyed it when I did it two years ago. I would really like to try to beat my previous time too.
October 20: The Fall 50 in Door County. As the name suggests, this is a 50-mile race down the peninsula. Participants can do the whole 50 alone, or have a relay team consisting of up to five members. I have heard about this race a few times in the last few years and always thought it sounded fun, so this year I am already rounding up some ladies for a team. Again with this being a collaborative effort I think it could be super fun. Oh, and you get UNLIMITED beer, wine and pizza at the finish!
