Milwaukee Marathon | thelaterunner

The Journey to the 2020 Milwaukee Marathon

Posted on January 23, 2020 by pktirish

Disclaimer: I received an entry to the Milwaukee Marathon to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

So, let’s start at where I’ve been and then move onto where I’m headed in my running life. Below you’ll see a pic of me just before entering double sports hernia surgery (with a faux fear face) and then a pic of me when it was all finished and I had awoken from the anesthesia. This all came about from over training throughout most of 2019 for various races, the final one taking place in November. Three days after that race, I was under the knife and being repaired.

The recovery stage was and has been difficult. I am not a patient man and the main restriction of no running was brutal. All I was allowed to do for the first two weeks was walk on a treadmill with zero incline. After the two weeks, I was allowed to lift weight restrictions (which were to stay under 25 lbs. total, so I didn’t lift at all) and do what was comfortable except when it came to legs. The remaining restrictions included no squats, no lunges, no core work at all and no planking. So I did a lot of upper body work and kept up with the walking on the treadmill and added slow bike riding at the gym.

Then after a month and half, I was allowed to run finally. No speed work but at least it was something other than walking. My goodness, was it ever a breath of fresh air to be able to run again. I started simple, on the treadmill and then slowly stretched it to the outdoors where the terrain obviously is less predictable. It was just nice to move the legs again and begin to think about training for specific goals as long as there were no setbacks with this new lifted restriction.

Now here we are, two plus months from surgery. All restrictions have been lifted for both running and lifting. Yoga is back in my practice as is leg presses, etc. for leg day at the gym. Happiness is not enough of a word to express my feelings towards being back in the groove. It hasn’t been forever, but, I also know that this is just the beginning of a new runner version of me. I need to change my running gait to prevent this from occurring again. I need to build back up my endurance and stamina. The challenge has been presented and I am not ready to tackle it.

So, how does that relate to the Milwaukee Marathon being held on April 11 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin? I wasn’t sure where I’d be at this point in time but I said if I was ready, I would at least make a go at a half marathon knowing I wouldn’t be ready for a full. So Milwaukee it is! Training has been going well so far as I’ve started to extend my distances in runs from 6 miles to 8 miles to 11 as a high so far. Nothing too strenuous and I haven’t pushed myself too far at this point. I can say I’m excited to be training for this half. I ran the same race last year but did the full marathon and set a personal PR by over twelve minutes! I’m really hoping to improve my half PR this time! I’m excited to race the streets of Milwaukee again at an event that was really topnotch last year. The improvements that the new group running the race implemented were huge in making it a success. Everything from packet pickup to the race to the post race party were ideal. A really great time so I’m looking for round two of fun. And you should join me if you’re looking for a half marathon or a full where you too could PR your time. If I can do it, so can you! Visit the site, pick a distance (they also offer a 5K) and sign up! Use code “RUN15” to save 15% off your entry fee! And you have time because the next price increase isn’t until March 7, 2020. Need another reason to sign up. If you do the half or full distances, here is what you will get:

A tech t-shirt, an awesome medal, a quarter zip fleece and a beer following the race. Not to mention a great post race party atmosphere that takes place right at the Fiserv Forum, the Milwaukee Bucks new arena. I hope to see you there!

Happy running!

Race Recap: Milwaukee Marathon

Posted on April 11, 2019April 11, 2019 by pktirish

Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Milwaukee Marathon race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

The 2019 incarnation of the Milwaukee Marathon (under new management and sponsorship) was an a great success in my opinion! After taking 2018 off from the race schedule and retooling a ton, they chose to have the race in April instead of the previous years’ choice of October: smart move since early April is less busy race-wise than October. I ran the full marathon this time (2017 I ran the 10K and 2016 the half) and I really enjoyed myself; more than I expected to with this race. So, let’s get to the meat of this review!

Expo Quality: Packet pickup was really easy (I arrived around 1:30pm so the crowd was light) and was held the day before the race. It was held at the Fiserv Forum’s (Milwaukee Bucks home, they were also a big sponsor) lobby area. You had to pick up on this day unless you chose to do day-of but that had an extra cost to it. The line was quick and the volunteers seemed to know that there must have been an issue with Wi-Fi and the Q-code since I couldn’t get my e-mail to pop up but they were more than ready to just look up my name and get me on my way. The rest of the expo was kind of blah and I hope that future years have it become bigger and have more vendors. I know this year was kind of a make-good year for the event so hopefully this will change. There were booths for a local running store, Performance Running Outfitters, Supernola (a granola company), and a couple of other local races had booths set up. That was it. And the table for you to pick up your t-shirt (I will cover this in the Swag category). Outside of the Fiserv, there was the opportunity to see where the Gear Check would be located and multiple areas where they had set up tons of Port-o-Potties (always important to know on race day).

Parking Access: I found it simple, but more expensive than I liked. You could have signed up ahead of time for the parking lot near the start of the race. I did not do this but I also knew there would be plenty of parking all around the area and had no problem finding a spot.

Course Scenery: The start of the race going through downtown was nice as was the early miles along the lakefront and back into downtown (only drag here was the day was dreary with no sun so a heavy fog was sitting all over the lake, not an exciting view, but there was one hell of an energetic spectator on a bridge cheering/roaring at all runners as they passed both times). After returning into downtown, for the full, you raced through Marquette University’s campus and into the suburbs and neighborhoods of Milwaukee. There were some very quiet moments in this, the largest, stretch of the race but there were also plenty of pleasant surprises. The Washington Park area was full of boisterous people and there were other spots along the course where the neighbors busted out speakers or their cars for blaring music. Good positive energy at the right time. And then the end of the race had you finish back where you started at the Fiserv Forum where a ton of screaming fans and event staff were waiting for you.

(photo courtesy of Milwaukee Marathon)

One of the fun parts of this race was competing with other runners. Now, of course, during a marathon you are really only competing with yourself but you also set other runners as markers for how you are doing or as goals to reach. I was nicknamed “Orange” by a couple who were running together and were keeping me in their sites as they went along. I did manage to beat the husband but his wife blew past me around mile 24 1/2 to finish ahead of me. At the end we congratulated each other and she said all she needed to do was make sure “Orange” was within view to be sure she was running the race she wanted.

(photo courtesy of Milwaukee Marathon)

Aid Stations: All had water at one end of them and Nuun hydration at the other end, easy to decipher which was which as volunteers were consistently shouting what they had. At some stops there were Honey Stinger gels to consume if need be. I thought the variety of volunteers at the stations was incredible! From Marquette students to kids that looked like they might have been in 3rd or 4th grade and all in between, everyone did a fabulous job!

Elevation Difficulty: There was one major hill in the early part of the race that was a winding path up to an area called the Water Tower along the lakefront. Of course, after going up that, you got to come back down on another hill. That wasn’t so bad at that point. There was a subtle but long hill that took you out of the city (if running the full) that went up Wisconsin Avenue. Positive part of this hill was this is where you were returning for the end of the race, so that was nice. But the killers (for me) were these little up and downs that were consistent for a bunch of the race between miles 17-21. Nothing major but you were going up a little bit, then down a little bit, then back up, etc. My legs were not enjoying that very much. And then as you rounded the last turn of the race to the finish line, you had one more minor incline as you go across a city bridge. That’s near mile 26 and I wasn’t a fan of that, haha.

T-Shirt/Swag: OK, bear with me on this. So, everyone gets a “Finisher” shirt at pickup (should be handed to you at the end of the race but whatever) and anyone who was running the half or full also received a 1/4 zip fleece. It’s ok, nothing to write home about and not something I would run in. You receive a medal which isn’t too bad, showing a silhouette of the city on part of it and the ribbon around it says what distance you ran. Also, at the finish, there was more water, Nuun, a banana, some Supernola granola, Honey Stinger waffles and you received a free beer too (Miller Lite or Coors Light). Now, something else you received and I must include it is with your medal, you could go into the nearby Good City Brewing spot and order what you wanted and get 20% off your bill. I thought that was pretty cool.

Race Management: They did a phenomenal job, for the most part. They had a tough crowd to not only impress but convince to come back from the 2017 debacle. So, this race was more a test run than the real deal, I think. I had heard of a lot of people staying away to first see how this “new” race was going to go. Well, they nailed it and hopefully will be back even bigger and better next year. From the gear check (which was quick and well-run with plenty of volunteers) to the pre-race energy to the post race party which had music and Bango (Bucks mascot) riding around taking pics on his Segway, they had stuff figured out.

The area for pre race/post race was a little cramped but next year there will easily be more space available once the old arena is taken down. I also would have liked to see a PR bell to ring somewhere (if there was one, I didn’t see it or hear it) because many people, including myself, had great races and PR’d their distance. I would have loved this considering I smashed my race out of the park, but there hopefully will be a next time! But overall, they did a great job with pre-race communication and how race day would shake out. They provided a list of 8 or 9 other parking lots to go to aside from the main one they were promoting. This race had a low bar, for sure, to get to due to 2017, but they catapulted themselves well above that bar to a point that this can become a preeminent race for Milwaukee and Wisconsin if they keep up this support and dedication for it. I highly recommend participating in it next year, at any distance. You won’t be disappointed.

Happy running all!! (Check me out on Instagram @pktirish to read the brief story about the picture above!)

Milwaukee Marathon Training: Weeks 13 + 14

Posted on April 1, 2019 by pktirish

Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Milwaukee Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

This blog will be a little shorter than the others that have been meant to update any and all on my marathon training cycle. This covers the last two big weeks prior to the taper period for this race. I have to say I was pleased with most of the runs in this two-week period, especially my twenty-mile run. That was one of my best long runs in quite some time where everything seemed to be clicking for me and I was able to keep up at a pace that pleased me.

WEEK 13 – March 11 – March 17

MONDAY – Bike 21 min, Treadmill 37 min for 4.46 miles

TUESDAY – Yoga 42 min, Treadmill 32 min for 3.89 miles

WEDNESDAY – Abs 30 min, Bike 26 min

THURSDAY – Long run 147 min for 16.24 miles

FRIDAY – Back workout 45 min, Bike 33 min

SATURDAY – Lucky Leprehaun 7K 33 min for 4.46 miles (PR’d my time for 3rd straight year)

SUNDAY – Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 29.05

WEEK 14 – March 18 – March 24

MONDAY – Chest workout 30 min, Treadmill 20 min for 2.72 miles

TUESDAY – Yoga 42 min, Bike 22 min, Run outside 71 min for 8.40 miles

WEDNESDAY – Abs 45 min, Bike 25 min, Treadmill 20 min for 2.62 miles

THURSDAY – Arm workout 45 min, Bike 35 min

FRIDAY – Run outside 184 min for 20.52 miles

SATURDAY – Rest Day

SUNDAY – Outside run 30 min for 3.56 miles

TOTAL MILES: 37.82

So here I am, already one week into the taper as I type out this blog and getting prepped for race week. I’ll be sure to keep my legs active but I don’t want to wear them out. I know it may seem a little slow or lesser than normal or what should be the proper method of tapering down, but, I know me and plan to train the way that will work best for me.

Now, as for any of you who may live in the Milwaukee area, there is still time to sign up for this race. Of course, perhaps not the marathon distance but there is a half marathon distance and 5K. Register by this Wednesday, April 3, and you will be good to go! Remember to use code “RUN15” to save 15% on your entry!

Hope to see you at the Milwaukee Marathon, if not running, then cheering everyone on and then partying away after the race!

Happy running!!

Milwaukee Marathon Training: Weeks 9-12

Posted on March 25, 2019 by pktirish

This was the stretch of training where I was supposed to make big gains in strength, pace and mileage. And I don’t feel like that really happened in this time frame. The training for this marathon has been difficult and I can’t place why. I’m not suffering from any injury (at least nothing in the lower body) but my long runs have been pathetic and weak. There was a stretch of three weeks where my long runs had slowdowns in them from tired legs to ill-timed bathroom breaks. Very frustrating to say the least. I’ll let you think about my training and feel free to comment and tell me I’m paranoid. Or tell me I have reason to panic. Whichever, haha.

Week 9 – February 11 – February 17

MONDAY – Chest workout 31 minutes, treadmill 23 minutes 2.68 miles

TUESDAY – Shoveling snow 62 min, Yoga 30 min, treadmill 33 minutes 3.95 miles

WEDNESDAY – Shoveling snow 18 min, Bis/Tris 50 min, Bike 27 min, Elliptical 22 min

THURSDAY – Back workout 45 min, treadmill 41 min 5 miles

FRIDAY – Elliptical 6 min, Abs 40 min, treadmill 20 min 2.40 miles

SATURDAY – Long run 163 minutes 16.08 miles

SUNDAY – Shoveling snow 30 minutes/REST DAY

TOTAL MILES: 30.11

WEEK 10 – February 18 – February 24

MONDAY – Chest workout 40 min, Treadmill 30 min 3.64 miles

TUESDAY – Yoga 41 min, Treadmill 34 min 4.35 miles

WEDNESDAY – Bike 21 min, Shoulders 45 min, Elliptical 11 min

THURSDAY – Arm workout 45 min, Treadmill 36 min 4.38 miles

FRIDAY – Long run 160 min 16.25 miles

SATURDAY – Rest Day

SUNDAY – Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 28.62 MILES

WEEK 11 – February 25 – March 3

MONDAY – Leg workout 42 min, Treadmill 31 min 3.60 miles

TUESDAY – Yoga 46 min, Abs workout 43 min, Bike 19 min, Treadmill 25 min 3.15 miles

WEDNESDAY – Bike 30 min, Elliptical 35 min, shoveling snow 18 min

THURSDAY – Bike 26 min, Treadmill 42 min 4.87 miles

FRIDAY – Long run 127 min 13.63 miles

SATURDAY – Shoveling snow 20 min

SUNDAY – Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 25.25 MILES

WEEK 12 – March 4 – March 10

MONDAY – Bike 22 min, Treadmill 38 min 4.76 miles

TUESDAY – Yoga 43 min, Leg workout 45 min, Treadmill 30 min 3.81 miles

WEDNESDAY – Abs workout 41 min, Elliptical 33 min

THURSDAY – Bike 23 min, Treadmill 32 min 4.06 miles

FRIDAY – Long run 141 min 15.04 miles

SATURDAY – Bike 22 min, Great Milwaukee Pi Run 5K 3.11 miles

SUNDAY – Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 30.78 MILES

This was an interesting stretch for a couple of reasons. I missed upping my miles the way I wanted to in two out of the four weeks, therefore, week 12 ended up being lower than it probably should be in the total category. And the second item to notice is that I had to stop all upper body workouts at the gym due to left shoulder/elbow pain which has been a problem leading up to me making the decision to simply put down the weights and rest. Time will tell if this is the right solution or not.

I hope you’v enjoyed checking in with my training for the Milwaukee Marathon. You can still join me, if not the marathon, in the half marathon or 5K! Use code “RUN15” to save 15% off your entry! It isn’t too late!

If you have any thoughts, comments or suggestions, please send them my way!

Happy Running!

Milwaukee Marathon Training: Weeks 5-8

Posted on February 15, 2019February 15, 2019 by pktirish

Here is another update to the training I have been completing throughout the weeks leading up to what will be my fourth marathon. It’s been up and down with my miles and the unexpected trip that I had to take, which was completed at the start of this week. So, here goes with the details of my training! Oh, and remember to use code “RUN15” to save 15% on your race entry, any distance!!

WEEK 5 – January 14 – January 20

MONDAY: Flew home from CT

TUESDAY: 42 minutes of yoga, 46 minute shoulder workout, 35 minutes on the treadmill for 4.4 miles

WEDNESDAY: 35 min abs workout, 20 min treadmill for 2.66 miles

THURSDAY: 43 min back workout, 23 min elliptical

FRIDAY: 111 min outdoor run for 12.46 miles

SATURDAY: Shoveled Snow

SUNDAY: Samson Stomp 5K for 3.26 miles

TOTAL MILES: 22.78 miles

WEEK 6 – January 21 – January 27

MONDAY: 40 min chest workout, bike for 20 minutes

TUESDAY: 43 min yoga, 31 min treadmill for 3.79 miles

WEDNESDAY: Shoveled snow

THURSDAY: 40 min arm workout, 12 min treadmill for 1.47 miles

FRIDAY: 126 min very cold outdoor run for 12.83 miles

SATURDAY: 5 min elliptical, 35 min shoulder workout, 20 min treadmill for 2.49 miles

SUNDAY: Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 20.58 miles

WEEK 7 – January 28 – February 3

MONDAY: Shoveled snow for 80 minutes

TUESDAY: 45 min of yoga, 51 min back workout, 26 min bike, 32 min treadmill for 4.02 miles

WEDNESDAY: -30 degree temps had me stay home

THURSDAY: 50 min chest workout, 20 min bike, 34 min treadmill for 4.29 miles

FRIDAY: 30 min arm workout, 18 min elliptical, 10 min abs workout

SATURDAY: 142 min outdoor run for 14 miles

SUNDAY: Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 22.31 miles

WEEK 8 – February 4 – February 10

MONDAY: 50 min leg workout, 15 min treadmill for 1.75 miles

TUESDAY: 47 min of yoga, 33 min treadmill for 3.94 miles

WEDNESDAY: 55 min back workout, 32 min bike, 20 min elliptical, shoveled snow

THURSDAY: 30 min shoulder workout, 30 min treadmill for 3.80 miles

FRIDAY: 22 min bike, 24 min treadmill for 2.81 miles

SATURDAY: 151 minute outdoor run for 15.05 miles

SUNDAY: Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 27.35 miles

And there you have it. I’m not where I would like to be and the last two weeks’ long runs were not very good. Poor would be the best word to describe them. I had a tired leg feeling on both of them and that is not a good thing. Training is smack in the middle and here I am wanting a break. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem to be injury related so that is the one positive. But April 6 is still coming no matter what and I need to be ready for the Milwaukee Marathon.

Any questions about my training, feel free to ask!! Happy running!

Milwaukee Marathon Training: Weeks 1-4

Posted on January 22, 2019 by pktirish

Here I am, plugging away at training for the April 6, Milwaukee Marathon and building up those miles. There have been some bumps in the road so far (no pun intended), but nothing too crazy. Just scheduling issues that have caused some runs to be shorter than intended. I also have been having trouble skimming back my lifting at the gym and giving that time to running, although it would be treadmill running and let’s be honest, that sucks. So here is what I’ve been up to the last four weeks. Dates will be included. Also, if interested (and you should be), join me in the full marathon or the half marathon or even the 5K and use code “RUN15” to save 15% off of your entry!

WEEK 1: DECEMBER 17 – DECEMBER 23

MONDAY: Biceps and triceps workout for 42 minutes; 23 minute treadmill run for 2.54 miles

TUESDAY: Yoga Class; 30 minute treadmill run for 3.53 miles

WEDNESDAY: Shoulder/traps workout for 43 minutes; 22 minutes on the elliptical

THURSDAY: 56 minute back workout; no cardio

FRIDAY: Long Run Day: 1 hour 50 minutes for 12.49 miles, outdoors

SATURDAY: 30 minute chest workout; no cardio

SUNDAY: Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 18.57

WEEK 2: DECEMBER 24 – DECEMBER 30

MONDAY: 31 minute treadmill run for 3.54 miles

TUESDAY: Christmas Day equals Rest Day

WEDNESDAY: 48 minute treadmill run for 6 miles

THURSDAY: Biceps/Triceps workout plus 30 minutes on the bike (forgot orthotics)

FRIDAY: 16 minute abs workout; 20 minutes on treadmill for 2.33 miles

SATURDAY: Time constricted long run: 91 minutes for 10.13 miles

SUNDAY: Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 22.02

WEEK 3: DECEMBER 31 – JANUARY 6

MONDAY: 52 minute leg workout; 10 minutes on the gym bike

TUESDAY: 33 minutes on the treadmill for 4 miles

WEDNESDAY: 35 minute chest workout; 13 minute treadmill run for 1.71 miles

THURSDAY: 40 minute back workout; 16 minutes bike

FRIDAY: 35 minute shoulder/trap workout: 20 minute treadmill run for 2.33 miles

SATURDAY: Long Run Day: 138 minute outdoor run for 14.60 miles

SUNDAY: Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 22.66

WEEK 4: JANUARY 7 – JANUARY 13

MONDAY: 47 minute biceps/triceps workout and 17 minutes on the treadmill for 2.05 miles

TUESDAY: Yoga plus 33 minutes on treadmill for 3.92 miles

WEDNESDAY: 35 minute back workout; 20 minutes on the elliptical

THURSDAY: 45 minute chest workout; had to fly out of town that afternoon

FRIDAY: 90 minute outdoor run for 10.13 miles

SATURDAY: Rest Day

SUNDAY: 84 minute run for 9.62 miles

TOTAL MILES: 25.72

So this represents my first four weeks of training for the Milwaukee Marathon that is scheduled for April 6. I know I need to increase the mileage and decrease the time spent lifting weights. Always hard for me mentally to commit to that routine but if I want positive results in the marathon, I need to step it up with my training. And remember: code “RUN15” gets you 15% off your race entry!

What do you do for your first few weeks of marathon training? And how much strength training do you do, if at all?

Please feel free to comment; I would love to hear your thoughts/opinions!

Happy Running!

I Signed Up for the Milwaukee Marathon!

Posted on January 1, 2019January 1, 2019 by pktirish

OK, I’m not gonna throw any bunk your way and tell you lies or make you think I’m ignorant. I truly am excited for the Milwaukee Marathon in April, 2019. And the biggest reason I’m excited? It will be my fourth marathon but it will also be my first in the state I now call home. I feel like it should have been the first but, alas, it was not. But here I am now with the opportunity to run this race as a BibRavePro (and I did choose the distance; I could have picked the half or the 5K if I wanted), and I want others to join me and see all that Milwaukee and its surrounding suburbs have to offer to the visiting public. I will also freely admit that I picked this race because it is near where I live and, honestly, it will be nice to sleep in my own bed the night before a marathon. No surprises, just wake up and head on down to the start line. That’s going to feel real good come race morning. Then there is the fact that I can train in some of the same neighborhood’s where the course takes place. I like knowing what to expect or at least have a general idea of what type of elevation I can expect to encounter out there.

I plan to keep you updated (and myself accountable) with a training log this time around. I won’t be crazy in depth but will include everything I am doing as the race gets closer and closer. But I won’t be punctual…since training has already started so I owe you two blogs to cover the last two weeks. I will only be getting in 16 weeks of training due to my erred judgment in how much time there was until April 6. Oh well. I am putting more effort and concentration into it this time.

Another reason you should think about joining me for the Milwaukee Marathon on April 6? Well, how about that swag that comes with this race. If you do the half marathon or the full (with me) you will receive a sweet quarter zip fleece and a tech tee! If you do just the 5K, you will receive only the tech tee.

What about a medal you ask? They have never disappointed in the past and I don’t see that happening this year. It really is a nice one!

And of course, there will be…..

The post race party might be what I am looking forward to the most and not because of the free beer you receive at the finish. No, this year the party will be held at the Milwaukee Bucks’ new arena’s, the Fiserv Forum, outdoor gathering place!

So, lots of exciting aspects to the Milwaukee Marathon in Milwaukee on April 6, 2019! And, most importantly, when you sign up for your preferred distance be sure to use code “RUN15” to save 15% on your entry!!! Don’t miss out and be sure to follow my blog not only for my training updates but to see what else the Milwaukee Marathon can offer you!

Happy Running!!