There is lots of news to report this month. Our economy is in crisis, banks are failing, the atmosphere is warming up and there is war and violence everywhere. What a crazy messed-up world we live in! At times like this there is an even greater need for a good run, walk or bike ride. Exercise may not cure the world's problems, but it will definately make you feel better.
First and foremost, the Badgerland Striders will be hosting the South Shore Half-Marathon on Saturday, April 11th. (www.badgerlandstriders.org) This race kicks off the running season and is a great race. The 13.1-mile course starts at South Shore Park in Bay View and runs along the Oak Leaf Trail through Bay View, St. Francis, Cudahy and South Milwaukee. After reaching the half-way point in South Milwaukee the course reverses direction and runners follow the same course north back to the starting point in South Shore Park.
I have been running at the South Shore YMCA to get ready for this event. I have also been running at the Petit National Ice Center in West Allis and the Greenfield YMCA. The Petit National Ice Center is a wonderful place to run. (www.thepettit.com) The running track is a 450-meter track which surrounds the ice rink. It is cold, so bring a sweatshirt! There are both runners and walkers who use the track. This is a beautiful facility. It amazes me that there are so many people who have never been there or don't even know it exists. If you haven't seen it, it is worth the ride out to West Allis to see it and maybe even take your family ice skating during the "open skating" times.
Two weeks after the half-marathon I will be running in the CrazyLegs Classic 8k race in Madison. All proceeds from this race support UW Athletics. This is a really cool course which runs through the UW-Madison campus, through Madison and ends in Camp Randall Stadium. I ran in this race last year with my son and one of his roommates. It was an incredible experience. In terms of number of participants it was definately the largest race I have ever completed. It was also unseasonably cold with temperatures only in the 30's. I hope it is a little warmer this year. I don't run my best in cold weather. (www.crazylegsclassic.com)
Last but not least, I will once again be riding in the annual United Performing Arts Fund Miller Lite Ride for the Arts on June 7th. (www.millerliteride.com) I have rode in this event for the past five years and it is always a good time. The weather always seems to be sunny and warm for this event. I guess we have to wait until June to have really nice weather!
