Milwaukee, Wisconsin United States Badgerland Striders 42F / 6C Overcast

Total Time = 1h 23m 47s Overall Rank = 229/337 M Age Group = M 40-44 Age Group Rank = 35/46

I came into this year's race fairly well-triained, but about 10 pounds heavier than last year, as I have been all season. What's more, I went trail running out at Lapham Peak last weekend and twisted my ankle on the leaf-covered trail, so I took the entire week leading up to this race off. Quite frankly, I didn't know what to expect come race day.

As almost always at this course, the weather was cool (low 40's) and overcast, with a cold breeze coming off the Lake. It's actually fairly ideal conditions until you reach the part of the course that juts out into the Lake, when that wind really pushes against you.

Fortunately, early into the course, I spotted Ross from the Donkey's. However, it looked like he was holding way too fast a pace for me to maintain. Turns out he was just trying to catch somebody he knew and eventually I caught him. As we were both holding around a 9:00 pace, we wound up running the great majority of the course together which helped the miles pass quickly.

Before long, we were hitting the home stretch and knowing It would be really close for me to break my PR I set here last year, I kicked it in with everything I had. It turned out to be just good enough as I finished :10 faster than last year to set a new PR. Considering I was just coming off my IM last year and I'm 10 pounds heavier this year, I'll take it.

After the race, I hit the Ale House and found lots of Donks gathered there-- as always, it was great to see my fellow members of the herd including Pam, AmyJo, Travis and Sandi, Raytown Pete, Scott and Colleen and many more. This race is always great for catching up!