Last time I told you how I got my groove back, but not how I got my love back. At the last minute, some dear friends talked me into coming to Madison with them Memorial Day weekend. So I signed up for the Twilight 10K since everything I read kept saying the half marathon had a 3:05 time limit. I was just going to be the cheering section the next day. But I was feeling pretty good so at packet pickup I decided to ask about this supposed limit. They assured me that it had been lifted for this spring race, but would be back in the fall race. I had no problems whatsoever switching over to the half, and in the end, it was a great decision.
After a harrowing night in one of Madison's shadiest motels, we got there with plenty of time to spare. My friends told me to take it easy at first, since there was a large hill near the beginning. It was simply lovely though, going past the frat houses, and seeing 32 new dorms under construction. The bike patrol told those of us at the back, anything you need, just let us know. That was very nice. The "hill" was Observatory Hill, sort of like the dreaded hill back at UW-Eau Claire, only twice. It wasn't easy, but as one of my friends said, it was gradual. The views of the lakes were stunning. Then back down to earth and past Camp Randall, and down Monroe Street, a very colorful area of shops. While it wasn't quite like Green Bay with spectators everywhere, plenty of normal (at least for Madison) citizens were cheering me on. Did not care for the short section however where the leaders were coming at us. Soon, we turned left into this little neighborhood, with a boulevard full of people drinking beer and having a good old time. I asked them to have one for me.
We spent about the next 5 miles in the UW-Arborteum, where I thought I'd be arrested for tossing a banana peel. This was actually the least fascinating part of the course for me, though it was beautiful. Passed a lady who had shorter legs than me! Someone on the road had a totem pole in their yard. I wasn't sure just how we were getting back to the Capitol, but figured these boys must know what they're doing! Next was Lake Wingra, and Vilas Zoo, though we didn't go close to the animals. I was running pretty good, until I saw something concerning at mile 10.. Now I am from hill country, I live on one, so they don't bother me. But I saw this steep monster and thought, surely the course doesn't go that way after we get over this stone bridge.
It did. To make matters worse, I was listening to "This Ole House" at the time, a song about death! I quickly changed to "Billie Jean" I think and encouraged the other ladies up it. A gentleman was high-fiving everyone at the top. After than, things got much simpler, back down Monroe Street and then onto the Southwest Commuter Bike Path towards the Capitol. The volunteers were fabulous: they let me use their chair to tie my shoe, and a lady and her daughter acted as greeters and ran with people for a short time. Then some everyday Joes yelled that I looked great from their balcony. After that it was rather uneventful, except for flipping off Noodles and Company. Nothing personal, I yelled (this was where I had my "last meal" in 1999 before nearly kicking the bucket.) Then I ran past the Capitol Brewhaus, where I whet my whistle the night before, and thanked them for the energy. Dave was waiting at the finish line, and Fay kindly brought my jacket. Aside from the beer tent running out of Fat Tire, it was almost a perfect day. It was just the kind of race I love. Green Bay is wonderful with the crowd involvement, and the run through Lambeau, but aside from that, it is mostly running in neighborhoods two blocks from my house. This one had so many different sights and people, and while it seems counterproductive, I actually race better when I'm not bored!
Alas, Madison wouldn't be so kind to me a few weeks later on my vacation, when I attempted to do the Weenie 5K. Drove all the way down there, paid too much for day-of registration, only to have the race delayed. That I could handle, but then it was called off and nobody told me! That day I got a great beer and a t-shirt for my money. Oh well, win some, lose some. I did however, have what I would choose for my "last meal": real barbequed chicken. Yum! I did however get some mileage in when things cleared up a bit. So I still thank you, Mad City!
