Run Like the Wind

The last day of our weekend in Green Bay was a busy one. The Cellcom half and full marathon started at 7am. All of our alarms went off at 5am so we had time to get geared up (well, basically get our race bib numbers on and race chips on our shoes), drink a couple cups of coffee, eat pb toast with honey (a race morning ritual) and get on the road en route to Lambeau Field.


First thing's first. This was an extremely well-run event. From the expo to the course to the post-race logistics, it was organized and easy for runners to navigate. This was the 12th year of the Cellcom marathon, so they knew their stuff. We went to the expo/packet pick up on Saturday afternoon inside the stadium, and it was filled with a lot of great vendors, info, products, etc. And though I'm not a Packers fan at all, it was fun to be able to tool around inside Lambeau.

Randi and Erin sarcastically enjoying our stop at the Packer store in Lambeau

Looking outside Sunday morning, I was pumped to see sunshine versus the rain all day Saturday. But I wasn't so pumped to see the American flag down the street blowing straight out. This was going to be a windy race, no doubt. Driving to the stadium, my vehicle was even being pulled around a little by the wind. Not good. But not much you can do about it, so us girls jammed out to some good rap music (and yes, I'm qualifying the Jesse McCartney/Ludacris song as rap for now) and made our way there.

Bibs doing what she does to prepare for the race...and making the rest of us suffer

Crappy posture, Anne

We didn't do a whole lot of pre-race warming up. It was 45 degrees with straight wind, and we all decided to take advantage of the time in the warm car instead.



Did I mention the Cellcom race has 7,000 runners? I debated running with my camera about ten different times, and finally decided not to. I knew I should probably focus more on the running rather than snapping pics. But once we got going, I had some regrets. A sea of thousands of runners not only at the start (which took us about 2 minutes from the start of the shotgun to actually crossing the start line...and there were still a ton of people behind us) but also the entire time as you look ahead and behind throughout the race was a pretty awesome sight.

I didn't really have a strict goal for this half marathon, other than to finish and just do what I could. I didn't train very well...with a 4-month-old and crappy weather that didn't allow for her to come with in my running stroller, I wasn't able to get as many runs in as I would like. However, I was just looking forward to finishing and the feeling of being in a race again. And it was great. Thousands of runners of all types coming together to push themselves. And I was one of them.

This race was special for a few reasons:
I ran with an amazing group of girls who all rocked the course, especially considering the insane winds. No joke, when I hit one of the straight aways that was head on into the wind, a guy looked over at me almost laughing, both of our heads down to block the wind and a few choice words were coming out of his mouth. It was intense. It was also special because it was Randi's first half marathon, and she kicked major butt. The girl felt great the whole race, sprinted the end like it was her j-o-b and still had some fuel left in the tank. Also, the course took us running through the players tunnel onto Lambeau Field in the last mile. Again, I'm no Packers fan, but running out onto the field with people cheering and doing a lap in a wind-free environment was pretty freaking cool. This was also probably Bibs last half marathon race. She ran my first one with me on the Big Woods course and considering the girl is battling a leg injury, she pushed through and finished. I couldn't imagine running even a mile with that much pain. Now she's strictly focusing on tri's. And finally because I ran it side-by-side with my great friend and old college roommate, Christi. She pushed me to keep a solid pace throughout. I wouldn't have surprised myself with the time I got if it wasn't for her. And I can't forget a big shout out to our number one cheerleader, Rachel! There's nother better than hearing "way to go, Ski!" as I'm trying to kick it in to the finish line. She took some great pics post-race outside on Bibs camera, so I'll have to get more from her. Mine are only in the warm vehicle and at Bibs' place, go figure.

Christi and me

Once we all finished and refueled with water, we quickly went to the car because we were cooling off so fast. Took a hot shower, quickly stretched, grabbed a sub and hit the road for the 6-hour trek back home. I've got some seriously sore legs still today and a missing toenail (it never fails after a race!), but it was more than worth it for the race and time spent with this group of girls.

13.1 miles complete, check. Seriously sweating and windburn, check. Happy to be in a warm car, check. Anne looking like a tool with her foil wrap still on, check.

Another half marathon in the books!