Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon Review

Balancing my schedule has always been challenging, especially this year. Despite my fervent desire to train and run, life threw relentless curveballs my way. Amidst the chaos, I found solace in my coaching duties, leading my team to an undefeated streak in our league and securing our league championship. We excelled at tournaments, clinching the championship in one and securing the runner-up in another. Our achievements even earned us an invitation to the State meet, although luck didn't favor us there. Despite the challenges, coaching my son and the team brought immense fulfillment. Our season stretched from mid-October to mid-March, demanding relentless dedication.

Post-basketball season, life remained chaotic, and I found myself battling inner demons. It wasn't until the middle of summer that I could finally shift my focus back to running.

 Once I managed to concentrate, my training period proved to be quite productive. I successfully shed 35 pounds and regained my leg strength. However, a significant challenge arose due to the limited time I had before the race. My longest run had been just a 10K. Nevertheless, I tackled that 10K with unmatched determination, breaking my personal record. During this period, my endurance and speed saw remarkable improvement. Despite these advancements, a lingering fear persisted: could I endure the entire 26.2 miles? Yet, my nutrition and gear were meticulously organized, and I felt prepared for the challenge ahead. 

 I arrived in Milwaukee on Saturday and headed directly to the Expo. Navigating through the city was a bit challenging due to the ongoing construction projects. Once inside the Expo, collecting my bib was straightforward despite the limited booths. I managed to replenish my nutrition supply with GU products. Although I didn't purchase any official merchandise, there were plenty of attractive options available at the event.

 I struggled to get a good night's sleep and experienced discomfort in my hip and leg. I had intended to see my chiropractor before leaving, but my busy schedule didn't allow for it. Additionally, I kept getting interrupted during my attempts to sleep due to phone calls and family members. 

 I woke up early and was dropped off near the starting line. Due to the construction, I had to walk for about a block or two to reach the Baird Center. The availability of real bathrooms was a pleasant surprise for all the runners. Although the weather was nice at that time of day, the possibility of having an indoor warm-up area was a welcomed bonus. While I was stretching and preparing, I had a conversation with a gentleman who was running his first marathon. I don't know how he fared, but I hope he enjoyed the experience. I deliberately positioned myself towards the back of the crowd since I planned to run at a slow pace. 

 Even though it wasn't a massive race, there was a significant crowd since both the half and full marathons started together. I started at a deliberately slow pace, although it still felt a bit quicker than intended. The pacers I was following also seemed to begin briskly. The initial miles took us through the downtown area, and the scenery was truly captivating. 

 During these miles I felt very strong.  I kept slowing down as I wanted to keep running faster.  I was staying strong on my nutrition plan and sipping on water every 5 minutes to make sure I stay hydrated.  These miles found us heading north along city houses that were amazing.  I love seeing the old huge inner-city houses.  We then went toward the Lake and headed south towards Hoan bridge. 

 The highlight of this race was undoubtedly crossing the Hoan Bridge, not once but twice. This bridge, reserved for cars, was a steep ascent where we were greeted by a lively Polka player at its peak. From this vantage point, the entire cityscape unfolded before us, stretching perhaps all the way to Michigan on a clearer day. The view extended far into the suburbs of Milwaukee, offering a breathtaking panorama. Despite the heat, I was still feeling fantastic during this period. The only thing I needed was a restroom break, but I decided to keep going as each aid station had facilities, albeit with waiting lines due to the crowd. As I descended the bridge, we continued along the freeway for a considerable stretch. It was during this time that a follower of Spare Tire Running recognized me, which was a pretty cool moment. Meanwhile, the half marathon participants turned back at the bridge, but we full marathon runners continued our journey. The temperature was rising, and the heat was becoming noticeable. 

 Reaching the halfway mark, I was still pushing forward, but the strain was becoming apparent. Additionally, the urgent need for a restroom without a long queue added to my challenges. Although my nutrition plan was still on track, doubts started creeping in around mile 15. Interestingly, this was the exact point in my last marathon in 2018 when I began to struggle. Just a few miles earlier, I had believed I could run the entire distance, even though my longest training run had only been 6 miles. To keep moving, I decided to switch to a strategy of walking half a mile and then running the next half mile, hoping this would rejuvenate my legs. 

 During these miles, our route took us south of Milwaukee until we made a turn and joined one of the picturesque Lakefront trails. While there were pockets of shade, the rolling hills, although not terribly steep, were becoming challenging. As we ran alongside the beachfront, the Hoan Bridge loomed in the distance, a mere 7 miles away but appearing deceptively distant. I stuck to my run/walk plan, aware that I still had to cross the bridge again, all the while battling the looming time limit.

The aid stations along the way provided a much-needed boost. Volunteers handed out ice, water, and Gatorade, with one station unfortunately running out of Gatorade and seeming rushed to close early. Despite this hiccup, every other aid station was fantastic. The volunteers, many of them high school students, were incredibly kind, and the spectators cheering on every runner added to the motivational atmosphere. 

 As I stepped onto the bridge for the return journey, a surge of determination filled me. I was determined to conquer it, even if it felt like the bridge might be my final challenge. I knew I had made the cutoff time, and the only task remaining was to ascend and descend. I maintained my run/walk strategy, and when I reached the peak of the bridge, I knew it was time to give it my all and bring this race to its triumphant conclusion. 

 As I descended the bridge for the final 1.2 miles, every step sent a fiery sensation through my legs. Despite the pain, my determination kept me running. Rounding the bend, I approached the finish line. Even though I felt like I was sprinting, in reality, I was moving slower than ever before. But I did it. I completed my 3rd marathon. The moment I crossed the finish line, I received my hard-earned medal, indulged in some nourishing food, and savored a well-deserved beer. My legs were throbbing with pain. Standing, walking, sitting, lying down - every position seemed to amplify the ache. After some rest and heartfelt conversations with family, I limped my way back to the car, heading to the hotel. The parking might not have been nearby, but the slow walk served as a necessary cool-down. 

 Despite the scorching heat and my less-than-ideal training, I had an amazing experience. It might be a few years before I return, but I'm already looking forward to running this marathon again someday. As I sit here writing this, two days after the race, my body is sore but still in motion. One thing I would have appreciated during the race was a lubrication station between Mile 16-20. While I had taken precautions and didn't experience chafing, given the humid conditions, an extra layer of protection would have been welcome.