Nothing like race day in 37° to wake you up really quick.
Cold (to me), crisp air, rolling hills, and that bite in your lungs that reminds you—you’re alive and in it. The Milwaukee Half Marathon delivered all of it. Bumps, valleys, and just enough challenge to keep you honest.
Let’s talk prep for a second—because this mattered today.
Headband for the ears, gloves (that I should have kept on), half socks, Lululemon leggings, Athleta long sleeve with a Nike tank underneath, and a Lululemon sports bra—layered to keep my core warm. Yes I did have my NEW Nike Alphaflys? Absolute game changer. Felt incredible.
Nutrition? Kept it simple and real.
The night before: mac & cheese, disaster bars, and gummy candy (no Peeps… still holding strong on that challenge 😅).
Morning of the race: rice cakes, coffee, a few gummies about an hour before.
Took Imodium to keep things under control, sipped Powerade, and headed to the start.
Then a plot twist—I get bumped into the elite corral.
Was NOT expecting that. My friend Ann was in a different corral, so right there I knew… this was my race to run alone. I made a decision: go for sub-2 hour, I’ll admit it… mile 2 (bathroom), mile 7 (frozen hands), and mile 10 (bathroom round two) humbled me.
Each one in a different way.
Mile 7 especially—I took my gloves off too early and paid for it. Pinky fingers completely frozen. That’s on me. Lesson learned.
Mile 10? No negotiating. Had to stop. Waited in line, handled it, and got right back after it.
But here’s the thing—I never lost my rhythm. Miles 10 to 13.1? Locked in. Strong. Controlled.
Finished in 1:57 and change. Let’s be real—that time with bathroom stops and unexpected solo racing? I’ll take that all day.
After the race, connected with people, walked through the vendors, soaked it all in. Eventually met back up with Ann, and we rode the bus together—already talking about the next one.
That’s what this is about. Not perfect conditions for me, not a perfect race for me with all the bathroom stops but it's about showing up, adjusting, and still executing.
Milwaukee half was so fun and I’ll be back next year.
October? Milwaukee Marathon is already locked in as a training run for the 50 miler.
Off to the next race(s). Let’s go.
#IronSunshine ☀️ #NoThyroidAthlete #EnduranceAthlete #ThyroidWarrior #StrongOver50 #LetsGo #Faith
