Green Bay Beer Run 5k - Race Report

It has been over 3 months since my last race.  I realize that really isn't a long time, but since I haven't been running any long races (marathon or longer), I enjoy running races more frequently that every three months, especially in the summer.  After getting back from our family trip to the U.P., I started to search for possible races to do before Fall comes around.  I stumbled upon the Green Bay Beer Run 5k and honestly, before I even read into the details, I was sold and knew exactly what race I would be doing.  Basically, an event group out of Milwaukee organized a Beer Run in Green Bay.  This was the second year of the race.  The race was hosted by Badger State Brewing Company (one of my favorite local breweries), and included free beer after the race, a hoodie, and a pint glass.  It was a no brainer for me!

Training for This Race

This year has really been a "so-so" year for me, training-wise.  I trained pretty hard and consistently leading up to the Bellin Run 10k in June, but since then, I have just been doing what ever the hell I feel like.  Some days, its just an easy 3-4 miles, while other days I feel like going longer, even up to 14-16.  But other than that, I really haven't been doing anything specific for shorter races like this.  So, with my training being really inconsistent, I was a little curious to see how much slower my time would be.  I definitely was not going in expecting a PR.

Prerace

The race didn't start until 10:00am, so I was able to sleep in, which is always nice.  My mom, who was running in place of my dad, drove us up to the race.  Once there, I got in a really nice warm up, where I got to run around Lambeau Field.  The weather was just about perfect, with temperatures in the upper 70's.  After my warm up, I got to the starting line and began scoping out my potential competition.  I was shooting for a top 3 finish, more just to get the "Badger State Brewing Prize Package" than anything.

Nutrition Plan

An hour before the race, I took my usual Anti-Fatigue Caps, Endurance Aminos, and then took my Fully Charged about 10 minutes before the start of the race.

Miles 0-3.1

After the gun went off, I took an early lead, which I honestly didn't care too much about.  I generally like sitting in about 3-5th.  It seems to keep me focused and motivated.  Similar to a greyhound chasing the stuffed bunny.  But, none-the-less, there I was, leading the race.  After the first mile, it came down to me and two other guys.  We had a pretty easy pace going...relatively speaking.  It was a pace, I thought I would have no trouble maintaining.  Shortly after passing mile marker 1, we dropped the third guy.  So it was down to me and one other guy.  He chatted a bit and he made a comment about me pushing a good pace.  I joked and said something polite about pushing each other, when inside, I thought, HA! If he's struggling at this pace, there's no reason I can win this race.  Shortly after the second mile, that ended up being the case and he slowly faded behind me.  I didn't see him until after the race.  For the final 3/4 of a mile, I just tried to stay focused and push my pace while not imploding.  I ended up coming across the finish line in 18:13, which was luckily good enough for 1st overall.

Post Race

 

Immediately after the race, I accepted my prize for winning the Green Bay Beer Run.  I got a Badger State Brewing Company beer pitcher along with a $20 gift certificate from the brewery.  I was pretty excited about the prize, because, as I stated, I love Badger State Brewing!  After the 2nd place guy crossed the line, him and I chatted for a good 30 minutes or so, while I waited for my mom to cross the finish line.   Turns out he was the owner to Copper State Brewing in Green Bay.  I have not been there yet, since it is a relatively new brewery to the area, but after chatting with him, I will be sure to make it a point to swing on in.  He was a super nice guy and had the love of beer in common.  After my mom came across the finish line we grabbed our free beer and then headed home as I had to work later that night.

What's on Tap

At this point, I'm really not sure what's on tap.  As of writing this, we have already been on out big trip to South Dakota and now we are well into October.  My family is most likely going to run the Freaky 5k in Appleton the weekend of Halloween.  We usually race this event every year and this year will be no different.  The same goes with the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day in Appleton.  I don't anticipate anything changing with my training.  I'm guessing I'll keep running close to everyday and get in as many miles as time allows and as I want to do when I lace up my shoes.

Maya Turns 8

 

 

This year Maya turns 8!  The best part of it all is now Maya no longer needs to sit in a booster seat in the car.  She can now sit anywhere in a vehicle.  Its the little things like that, that once you're a parent become big accomplishments.  Maya continues to grow and be a caring, loving, and hardworking girl.  She loves reading, riding her bike, and playing with her best friends.  I seriously look forward to doing these interviews with each of the girls every year.  And now next year, Harper gets to start doing them!  You can click the links below for the past 3 interviews with Maya.

Maya Turns 4 (Not an actual interview)

Maya Turns 5

Maya Turns 6

Maya Turns 7

 

1. FAVORITE COLOR?  Purple
2. FAVORITE TOY?  Legos, especially my rock star with a stage 
3. FAVORITE CHARACTER?  Belle from Beauty and The Beast
4. FAVORITE SUPERHERO?  Catwoman
5. FAVORITE FRUIT?  Cantaloupe 
6. FAVORITE VEGETABLE?  Carrots
7. FAVORITE BREAKFAST? Bagels with cream cheese
8. FAVORITE CEREAL?  Lucky Charms
9. FAVORITE LUNCH?  Pizza
10. FAVORITE DINNER?  Brats or Hotdogs  
11. FAVORITE DRINK?  Coke
12. FAVORITE SNACK?  Apple
13. FAVORITE DESSERT?  Chocolate Cake
14. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?  El Jaripeo
15. FAVORITE TV SHOW?  Jessie
16. FAVORITE MOVIE?  Captain Underpants 
17. FAVORITE ACTOR/ACTRESS?  Emma Watson
18. FAVORITE SONG? Look What You Made Me Do - Taylor Swift
19.  FAVORITE SINGER/BAND?  Taylor Swift
20.  FAVORITE BOOK?  'Captain Underpants and The Attack of The Talking Toilets'
21. FAVORITE BOOK SERIES?  The "If You Give a Mouse a...." books
22. FAVORITE OUTFIT?  My new outfit from Graecyn, leggings and a t-shirt
23. FAVORITE GAME?  Googly Eyes
24. FAVORITE SPORT?  Soccer
25. FAVORITE ANIMAL?  Dolphin
26. FAVORITE PLACE TO GO?  South Dakota
27. FAVORITE THINGS TO DO? Playing with my toys or playing with my friends
28. FAVORITE SUBJECT?  Science
29. FAVORITE STUFFED ANIMAL?  Dakota (stuffed Buffalo from Custer State Park) 
30. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK? Friday
31. FAVORITE MONTH?  October
32. FAVORITE SEASON? Fall
33. FAVORITE HOLIDAY? Halloween
34. FAVORITE THING MOMMY DOES?  She lets me have sleepovers with my friends and she helps clean up every day. 
35. FAVORITE THING DADDY DOES?  Do the birthday interviews with me and help me get better at sports
36. FAVORITE VACATION?  Going to South Dakota, the only thing I didn't like about it was the drive. 
37. FAVORITE MEMORY?  Going to South Dakota
38. WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND?  Graecyn
39. WHO DO YOU LIKE TO PLAY WITH?  Graecyn, Kortni, Sophie, Riley
40. WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?  When mom and dad do stuff with me
41. WHAT SCARES YOU?  When the power goes out in the house
42. WHAT MAKES YOU SAD?  When my friends don't want to play with me
43. WHAT DO YOU WISH FOR?  A horse
44. WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO GO?  Family trips   
45. WHAT WOULD YOU BUY IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY?  A horse 
46. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GOOD AT?  Soccer
47. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?  Teacher
48. DISLIKES?  Math tests
49. WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOU DO THIS YEAR?  Learn how to write in cursive 
50. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?  Nice, helpful, and loving

Delaney Turns 6

 

And here we are again, another year has gone by in the life of Delaney.  She is now 6 years old.  😲  Seriously, where is time going.  Not only does that mean that my little Laney Cakes is 6 years old and going into 1st grade this fall, but it also means I am just that much older...  Regardless of how fast time as a parent goes by, I look forward to these questionnaires every year.  They are so fun... and for a point of reference, here are Delaney's past Birthday Questionnaires.

Delaney Turns 4
Delaney Turns 5

 

1. FAVORITE COLOR?  Purple
2. FAVORITE TOY?  Torch (Dragon that blows steam (FurReal Pet) 
3. FAVORITE CHARACTER?  Belle from Beauty and The Beast
4. FAVORITE SUPERHERO?  Wonder Woman
5. FAVORITE FRUIT?  Grapes, Watermelon, and Cantaloupe
6. FAVORITE VEGETABLE?  Carrots and Broccoli 
7. FAVORITE BREAKFAST?  Chocolate Chip Pancakes
8. FAVORITE CEREAL?  Lucky Charms
9. FAVORITE LUNCH?  French Toast Sticks 
10. FAVORITE DINNER?  Spaghetti or Ravioli
11. FAVORITE DRINK?  Grape Soda
12. FAVORITE SNACK?  Apple
13. FAVORITE DESSERT?  Chocolate Cake
14. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?  Jimmy Johns
15. FAVORITE TV SHOW?  Bunk'd
16. FAVORITE MOVIE?  High School Musical 2
17. FAVORITE ACTOR/ACTRESS?  Jessie
18. FAVORITE SONG?  Believer - Imagine Dragons
19.  FAVORITE SINGER/BAND?  Taylor Swift
20.  FAVORITE BOOK?  The Cat in the Hat Comes Back
21. FAVORITE BOOK SERIES?  Dr. Suess and Llama Llama Books
22. FAVORITE OUTFIT?  A dress
23. FAVORITE GAME?  Tenzi.
24. FAVORITE SPORT?  Tee Ball
25. FAVORITE ANIMAL?  Tiger
26. FAVORITE PLACE TO GO?  Hotels
27. FAVORITE THINGS TO DO?  Play games and watch TV...and listen to music
28. FAVORITE SUBJECT?  Play Centers
29. FAVORITE STUFFED ANIMAL?  Ellie
30. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK?  Sunday and Friday
31. FAVORITE MONTH?  June
32. FAVORITE SEASON?  Winter
33. FAVORITE HOLIDAY?  Christmas
34. FAVORITE THING MOMMY DOES?  Snuggles with me
35. FAVORITE THING DADDY DOES?  Helps me learn to bike with no training wheels
36. FAVORITE VACATION?  Trip to the Great Wolf Lodge
37. FAVORITE MEMORY? When my family helped me skate on ice in Chicago
38. WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND?  Willow and Ailyn
39. WHO DO YOU LIKE TO PLAY WITH?  Willow and Ailyn
40. WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?  When I'm with my family
41. WHAT SCARES YOU?  The dark
42. WHAT MAKES YOU SAD?  When somebody's being mean to me
43. WHAT DO YOU WISH FOR?  A horse
44. WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO GO?  Sleepovers and Florida
45. WHAT WOULD YOU BUY IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY?  A room all to myself
46. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GOOD AT?  Trying
47. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?  Teacher
48. DISLIKES? Haunted Hay Rides
49. WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOU DO THIS YEAR?  Go swimming
50. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?  Pretty and cute

Father's Day 5k - Race Report

Coming off his first ever race, Jake really wanted to do a 5k and he was looking at doing the Father's Day 5k, which was the following weekend after the Bellin 10k.  I wasn't doing anything, other than working, so I figured what the hell, why not.  So we both registered a few days later and just like that we were doing another race.  The Father's Day 5k was put on by the local YMCA and used to be a 5k and a 10k run in July, but this year, they made a few changes and now offer just a 5k and run it a month earlier.

Training for This Race

I did no specific training for this race as I honestly didn't even have time to do any actually training.  I just did some very relaxed paced runs during the days leading up to the 5k, just to shake out the soreness and keep me fresh.

Prerace

I did a small trade at work to get out a half an hour early, just to make sure I was able to get to the race on time.  So after work, I headed over to Jake's house, picked him up and we were off to the race.  The race started and finished at Appleton North High School, so I was able to take advantage of their track and warmed up on the track.

Nutrition Plan

An hour before the race, I took my usual Anti-Fatigue Caps, Endurance Aminos, and then took my Fully Charged about 10 minutes before the start of the race.

Miles 0-3.1

As soon as the race started I knew I had a chance to win the race outright.  But I was a little surprised with the pace during the first 400 meters or so.  The start of races always takes off like a bat out of hell, but for whatever reason, this race seemed to start like a 100 meter gold medal race.  And in the front of the pack were two younger guys.  After the first 100 meters or so, I got right into my grove and just waited for everyone else to just blow up from starting too hard.  But oddly enough the two guys who pushed the initial pace were holding on.  I began to think maybe I would only be able to come away with a 2nd or 3rd place finish.  But, I told myself just control what I can and just run my own race and let's see what happens.  After the first half mile, I passed one of the two leaders and the overall leader was still a bit ahead of me.  Part of me wondered if this kid was for real, or just pushing himself to the limits until he implodes.  Sure enough, just after the first mile, the leader's pace probably cut in half and I passed right by him.  I was now in the lead.  My goal now, was to keep pushing as hard as I could and see if I can not only hold on for the win, but come away with a new 5k PR.  After the 2nd mile, I was feeling really good.  Like way better than I anticipated feeling.  I decided to push just a little bit harder for the final mile.  The final tenth of a mile finished on the track, so once I was on the track and just put the pedal to the metal.  I finished 1st overall with a new 5k PR of 17:28, 14 seconds faster than my fastest ever 5k.

Post Race

After I finished, I stuck around to cheer on Jake as he finished.  Jake finished in just under 23 minutes, which was over a minute faster than his goal time was.  We then shared a post race beer as we waited for the awards ceremony.  My award was a nice runner statue.  Jake just missed placing in his age group by a few seconds, but still took 4th in his age group.  We stuck around just long enough to learn that neither of us won the $700 grill raffle and then headed home so I could get some sleep before going back to work.

What's on Tap

I still have no clue what is truly on tap for me.  I might do the Madison Marathon in early November....or I might not.  I may do a half marathon in August....or I might not.  I might do a few more 5k's throughout the remainder of summer as part of the Titletown Wellness Race Series for a chance to win some tickets to a Packer Game in December.  But, I do know one thing, I'll keep running to try and "run the year" for my second year in a row.

Bellin 10k - Race Report

I knew immediately after last year's Bellin 10k, that I would be back again this year.  The event is a huge run (nearly 14,000 participants), it is extremely organized and runs super smooth, and literally some of the world's fastest/best runners run it.  Last year Meb ran it and he again was scheduled to be there.  Last year, after Meb finished, he turned around and ran back down the course to give high fives to the finishing runners.  It was one of my greatest memories as a runner.

Training for This Race

This year, I really wanted to PR in the 10k and ultimately finish in under 37 minutes.  If I were to do this, I would have to take a full minute off my current PR of (37:59) and run 1:15 off of last year's Bellin time.  In order to attempt to achieve that lofty goal, I needed to change my approach to training.  In past years, I have always been in the middle of another training plan for some longer event and then always participated in shorter (5k and 10k) races as lower priority races for training.  This year, I was focusing on the 10k and would be training specifically for this distance.  My training, which I just found online, included a lot of track workouts and very specific paced runs.  Below is what I did leading up to the Bellin 10k.

Prerace

The cool thing about this race is that not only was I doing it, but my wife was doing it and so were our friends, Jake and Tessa.  This was Jake's first ever race, which is awesome.  So, they picked us up shortly after 6:00 so we could park in the Pine Street Parking Ramp and take the shuttle over to the starting area.  This is exactly what I did last year and it just seemed to work really well and in my opinion, you would be foolish to drive your car to the starting area and try to find a spot to park.  We got to the starting area right around 7 which left me plenty of time to get a good warm up in and make my way to the first corral to get ready to start.

Nutrition Plan

My plan was simple and my usual plan.  I took two Anti-Fatigue Caps and two Endurance Aminos an hour before the start of the race.  I also drank a 16oz bottle of water with a Endurolytes Fizz tablet in it to top off my electrolytes for the race since it was supposed to be another warm race.  I was pissed that I completely forgot to bring my Fully Charged....

Miles 0-6.2

When I was lining up in my corral, I tried to make my way as close to the front as possible, but I just couldn't squeeze through the crowds to get as close as I would have liked.  That was my one mistake all day.  Once the gun went off, it took me probably about 400-1200 meters to finally get into some open air.  The entire first area I was stuck trying to dodge slower runners that shouldn't have been so far towards the front.  I felt like the frog in Frogger.  I was jumping from side to side and at times on the curb just to get past people.  I don't know what the ultimate impact was on my time, but It sure did get frustrating.  But once I got into some open space, it was smooth sailing for the rest of the way.  At around mile 2 I started getting side stitches.  Not sure why I got them, but I decided to keep pushing my pace with hopes that they would just slowly disappear.  They never really did and around the half way point, I realized that I probably wouldn't be finishing in under 37 minutes.  I continued to push and try my best to pass more people than the number of runners who pass me.  Around mile 4, there were 4 Green Bay Packer players on the side giving high fives and offering their encouragement.  It's kind of a neat dynamic.  Normally, I'm sitting in front of my TV or at Lambeau cheering on them and now here we are with the roles reversed.  After passing them, I knew I had only about a little over a mile or so to go.  Shortly after mile 6, I again got to give Meb a high five as he was running the course in reverse after finishing his race to cheer on the normal guys like me.  I finished this years Bellin in 37:33, in 43rd place overall, and 9th in my age group.  Last year, I finished in 38:15, 50th overall, and 13th in my age group.  So made some definite improvements and that's all I can ask for!

Post Race

After the race, we caught the next bus back to the parking ramp and stopped for some coffee on the way home.  Both of families had baby sitters watching our girls, so we decided to take advantage of that and we went back to our house and sat in the back yard and had a couple of beers to celebrate a great race by all 4 of us!

What's on Tap

I really don't have a clue what's on tap at this point.  I do not have any specific events on my calendar, nor do I have an upcoming big "A" race on my schedule to look forward to.  I think my plans at this point are to just enjoy summer, keep my running mileage up and take races as they come.