Cheryl Ready To Run MadTown!

Putting the Crazy in Mad Town.

Greetings from Madison....  again!   Only this time we are from the Country Inn and Suites "Fiskars Scissors" hotel.   (The same one where Cheryl ran the New Year's Day Dash.)   We are in familiar territory without the locals knowing our names...  yet.

She seems Very Excited!

So what Brings us to Madison yet again?    Another Ethical festival that celebrates a different food or flag?  Nope!    It's the Run Mad Town  Half Marathon.   Cheryl is very excited.

Grabbing the Bib and Shirt.

Now what would possess us to return to the same area and run another race so soon after that 20 miler?   Insanity?  Possibly.    But Cheryl wanted to catch up on her long runs and, at the same time, fill in some of those missing medals from last year.

The Conditions for tomorrow:  "Awesome!"

   Since she had to cancel several runs because of injury last year,  this year she wants to sign up for races "on the go."   If that makes any sense.   ( No reason to sign up months in advance only to have to cancel because of injury. )  This allows her to kill two birds with one stone...  so to say.

We don't expect much.   After last week's performance,  there is nothing to prove.   She can run 20 miles at an 8 minute mile pace.   No reason to kill yourself on a short 13.1 miler.   Besides,  there is forecasted  to be a very high temp tomorrow.  (Around 89-97 degrees!)

When Survival is not assured.

What America was BUILT on. 

Given the high humidity and the direct sunlight and high temps,  there will be no records broken tomorrow.  Instead, it will be about pacing, pain tolerance, grit and survival.   Or what we called every field problem in the Army:  "Practice being Miserable."

Showing off the Shirt.

Practice for bad, Hope for the best.

Grandma's Marathon is in the middle of June.   And although it is in the Northern  parts of Minnesota,  it still can be unpredictable conditions.  So best to train for the worst scenario.

Her name should be here.  

In the mean time,  I know the course.   It is a loop and I will have a couple of opportunities to take her picture.   We like the town and there is a free Brat and Beer at the end.   Look forward to that Beer!   And since it is only 13.1 miles, I will not have to provide that life saving Diet Coke at the mid-point.  She will most likely be finished with the race before ever needing it.

What could be more American?

A weekend for Grillin'!

Hope everyone is having a fun and happy Memorial Day Weekend.   Grilling,  Visiting dead people, and enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends.   What more could anyone ask for? It's the American way that we soldiers all fought for.    Thanks for stopping in.