Well, friends, as you know, I just visited the great state of Wisconsin. Everyone was so nice out there. And it was so green and beautiful. I loved the atmosphere of Milwaukee and hope to go back again someday. I'm told that the northern part of the state is definitely one of the most scenic areas in North America, what with its Apostle Islands, state parks, and amazing waterfalls. Someone I talked to said that Wisconsin is basically the best of Minnesota and Illinois combined -- friendly, rural, and relaxed. One town actually has a festival every year that celebrates butter. Wisconsinites love everything dairy!
Milwaukee (where I stayed) has a bad reputation. But it's actually a very safe city and tourists shouldn't be afraid in the least to visit it. Like any big city, it has its pockets of crime, but if you visit Downtown, the Eastside, or the Third Ward you'll be fine. Cheese, sausage, and beer are pretty much the three major foods everyone eats -- and I had none of them during my visit. Oh the shame of it!
Anything else interesting about Wisconsin? Glad you asked...
- It has 15,000 lakes, including the one we ran along on Sunday.
- The first kindergarten classes in the U.S. were held in Watertown in 1856. They were organized (naturally) by Germans.
- The state symbol is the badger. No, not the animal. The name refers to the 1870s lead miners who dug tunnels to sleep in and keep warm.
- I read somewhere that it's illegal for a restaurant to serve margarine as a substitute for butter unless the customer especially requests it. This sounds to me like an urban legend, but I did have one server tell me that there are places in Wisconsin that refuse to serve margarine.
- Sheboygan has surf and surfers. In fact, it's known as the "Malibu of the Midwest."
- My own state of Virginia originally claimed Wisconsin before it became an independent state.
- If you love mountaineering, better keep your hiking boots at home. The highest natural point in the state is a hill with a height of only 1,851 feet.
- Wisconsin produces 90 percent of the entire ginseng grown in the U.S. Can't say I'm impressed as I have no idea what ginseng is.
- Wisconsin is America's number 1 producer of cheese.
As a German speaker, I found it interesting that by the mid-19th century many German immigrants had settled in Wisconsin. By 1853, fully one third of Wisconsin's population spoke German. The city of Freistadt ("Free City"), for example, was founded by 300 German Lutherans who were fleeing Prussian religious persecution. For the curious, the top 5 languages spoken today in Wisconsin other than English are:
- Spanish (5 percent)
- Hmong (.7 percent)
- German (.5 percent)
- Chinese (.3 percent)
- Pennsylvania Dutch (.2 percent)
Anyhow, as you know, I ran a half marathon in Milwaukee on Sunday. One of the selling points of the race for me was that it was big. I read that 6,000 people ran on Sunday. I love the feeling of nervous excitement before a race that large. The anticipation of what may happen in the coming miles in the race is a reason I've developed such an addiction to starting lines.
I has strict orders from the doctor (a certain Dr. Black!) not to treat it like a peak race due to my recent back issues. So I wasn't exactly in racing mode. My plan for the race was to go out easy (check) and pick up the pace if I felt good (check). I knew this was mainly a training run for my December ultra marathon and I didn't want to destroy my legs. So I cruised along enjoying the amazing Milwaukee scenery. I kept my heart rate just where I wanted it (for the most part). I am proud of myself. Really I am. And please, don't for a minute think that a half marathon is "easy" even at a slow pace. It's still 13.1 miles of running.
Overall I really enjoyed this course. It's not especially hilly except for a massive bridge you have to go over (twice!) at the end. The race organizers had done a superb job with their aid stations, multiple porta potties, and post-race party. Milwaukee actually turned out to be a rather pleasant surprise weatherwise. For that reason I probably pushed myself a bit too hard at the finish.
Let's Go Boomers, LET'S GO!!!
This was my 45th half marathon and I was nervous as all get out in the days leading up to it. Mainly because the weather was supposed to be super hot. But, as I said, the day ended up being almost ideal weather for racing, including a pleasant breeze. It was still warm outside but not the energy-sapping heat that makes you wish your life would end. Actually, the weather and temperatures were perfect. I felt so blessed to have been able to run in Milwaukee. It was an amazing, challenging, inspiring, and rewarding experience. The pride and happiness you feel after accomplishing something like that is hard to describe. Moments like that make you happy to be alive.
As the cherry on the top, yesterday I had the great joy of addressing the student body at the Baptist College of Ministry just northwest of Milwaukee.
I was so impressed by the students I met and by their passion for the Lord Jesus and his Great Commission. I cannot thank them enough for the honor and privilege of being with them!
How was your weekend?