3 Tips to Run Through the Holiday Season

“Tis the season for parties, family obligations, sugar cookies and jam packed schedules.  You might find this time difficult to sneak in your daily run, but carve out a little time each day for yourself and you’ll stay sane while keeping fit both physically and mentally!

Stay Fit

An abbreviated training schedule is perfectly acceptable over the Holidays!  It can keep you in shape and hold you at your current level of fitness.  Make your running fun! Just don’t forget to amp up the intensity and duration every once in a while.

Stay Sane

Remember, we runners relieve our stress through, well, running!  Take that out of the equation and you’ve got yourself a very cranky unproductive individual!  It’s not selfish to take time and run over the holidays.  In fact, it is the most selfless thing you can do!  You know you’re more productive, energetic and overall a nicer person when you’re able to get your workout in.  You’ll appreciate and enjoy the Holiday season that much more so strap on your shoes and head out the door!

Stay Motivated

Race season may seem like an eternity from now, but get something on your calendar and set a goal!  Sign up for a local 5 or 10k then set your sights on a larger goal.  The Mini is still 8 months away, but why not put it on the calendar.  Make it a long-term goal and challenge your friends to join you on August 18, 2012.

Swaddle a Baby Today!

Community Blanket and Diaper Drive

Did you know the average baby can go through 7,500 diapers 

in a single year? For some families, 

the cost can be overwhelming.

That's one reason the UW Health Departments of Obstetrics 

and Gynecology and Midwifery will be 

collecting donations for

the 

Community Blanket and Diaper Drive 

from Aug. 1-31.

New diapers and new and gently used blankets 

can be dropped off 

at the following locations:

UW Hospital and Clinics

American Family Children's Hospital
UW Health 20 S. Park Clinic
UW Health West Towne Clinic
UW Health West Clinic
UW Health Fitchburg Clinic
UW Health East Clinic | UW Health East Towne Clinic

Meriter Hospital | Meriter Business Center

Zimbrick Honda and Zimbrick Honda Service Center

All proceeds from the drive will be donated to the Baby Depot at Dane County Head Start.

The Importance of Blankets

Swaddling an infant in an appropriate blanket can help provide a sense of comfort, and they will often sleep longer and wake less often. It's important to note that loose blankets and bedding should never be left in an infant's crib, however, there are specially designed swaddling blankets available in stores and at the Kohl's Safety Center in American Family Children's Hospital.

When it comes to selecting blankets, there are many different fabrics to chose from. Plain cotton is probably the most durable and can withstand many washings. Blankets with a satin-like edging may be better for play because babies often like the touch and feel of the smooth fabric. Velour or similar fabrics are often very soft and warm, but may not hold up under frequent washings.

Donate at the Madison Mini-Marathon

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is also the charity partner for the Madison Mini-Marathon, 5K and the Mini Kids Run. This year's race is Saturday, Aug. 20.

The Department will be collecting donations for the Community Blanket and Diaper Drive on Aug. 19 at the Expo and Packet Pick Up at Union South, 1308 W. Dayton St., and Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St. - the site of the Mini-Marathon, 5K and the Mini Kids Run.

The Refuel with Chocolate Milk Tour is at the Mini!

The Refuel with Chocolate Milk Tour, part of the national “got milk?” campaign, joins us for the Mini Marathon to help athletes recover after the race! They’ll be handing out lowfat chocolate milk from Prairie Farms at the finish line for thirsty athletes. Attendees will also be able to pose like their favorite celebrity for a Milk Mustache photo; receive a one-on-one consultation from an athletic trainer; get a free 5-minute massage; and take home some “got milk?” giveaways.

Lowfat chocolate milk is the perfect drink to recover with after strenuous exercise. The nutrient profile of lowfat chocolate milk is what makes it effective as a post-exercise recovery beverage. It’s a natural source of high-quality protein that help build and repair muscles, has the right mix of protein and carbs to refuel an exhausted body, plus fluids and electrolytes – like calcium, potassium and magnesium – to rehydrate and help replenish what’s lost in sweat.

Find the Refuel with Chocolate Milk Tour Recovery Zone at the Mini Marathon from 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Athletes and spectators are invited to engage in free activities and explore the science behind refueling with lowfat chocolate milk first hand.

How Different a Race Can Be

If you've ever been in a race, you know that there is something it simply must have- volunteers!  Without them, well it's pretty much you running down the street with a bunch of other people.  Could you imagine no one there to help you line up and get started in the right direction?  Or what about relying on carrying your own water throughout a race.  Then there's the intersections you have to cross and you're unsure about the traffic or even if you're still on course.  When you finally do get to the finish line it looks pretty barren.  There's no one there to congratulate you or hang that well deserved medal around your neck.  No one to hand you a bottle of water or food to replenish your body.  You've just reached this amazing achievement, but somehow feel disappointed.

Now visualize hundreds of smiling faces offering words of encouragement and support.  And when your nerves set in, imagine how reassuring it would feel to see these individuals directing you to the start line.  Imagine water being handed to you nearly every mile as you run towards your goal.  Around every corner are more smiling faces showing you the way and cheering you as you pass.  Picture yourself  crossing the finish line where there's a sea of yellow assisting when fatigue and joy have overcome you.  You've just reached this amazing achievement and feel pure happiness.

Without volunteers race day just wouldn't be the same.  Our experiences and perceptions would be so different.  They allow us the opportunity to do things that wouldn't otherwise be possible.  Volunteers truly are amazing!  As runners, we have to be a little nuts to get up in the middle of the night to prepare for getting to the start line.  But volunteers who are right there with us in the wee hours of the morning to support our crazy ambitions are just plain amazing!

To produce the Mini it takes nearly 600 volunteers over the course of the weekend.  600 absolutely wonderful individuals!  Make sure you take the time to say 'thank you' as you run by on race weekend.  For without them, it would be just another run.


*To register to volunteer please contact Kat@MadisonMinniMarathon.com or register on-line at https://www.signmeup.com/site/reg/register.aspx?fid=S72VTJ7
Volunteers needed Thursday 18th, Friday the 19th and Saturday the 20th

Water, Water and More Water!

The Mini promises to do our part and keep you well hydrated during the race.  

10 aid stations on course supported by amazing volunteers and 

5 misting stations 

to spray you down and keep you cool.  

Guess that makes us the coolest race in town!  

Aid Station Locations
Start Line
Mile 1.75
Mile 3.25
Mile 4.75
Mile 6.2
Mile 7.5
Mile 8.75
Mile 9.9
Mile 10.75
Mile 11.25
Mile 12.2

Finish Line

Misting Station Locations
Mile 8.4
Mile 9.5
Mile 10.2
Mile 10.75
Mile 12.2

So you want to know the elevation, huh?  Piece of cake!

... Today was my first day of training for the Madison Mini Marathon.

Shared by Mini runner Kira Lech.


The alarm went off this morning and I looked over. 4:30 am. Snoozing wasn’t an option. As I tried to cover my head with the sheet, the morning sun filtered though, causing just enough irritation to make me concede. It was time to get up. Today was my first day of training for the Madison Mini Marathon.

It was only three days prior when I’d had the self realization that I had gotten LAZY. As a once 3-day-a-week runner, I’d now deteriorated into someone that would occasionally go for a walk…or maybe just think about it from the comfort of my couch. While I’ve never been what I consider to be an “athlete,” I had in fact completed two marathons and two half marathons the previous year. Although they were all at a very slow pace, I had dedicated myself to the training it takes to turn an average couch potato into a runner. So what happened? Laziness.

How to tackle the incessant lackadaisical behavior? Register for the Madison Mini Marathon of course. But oh the obstacles. Couch to half marathon?…No problem. Upcoming vacations to deal with?…Big deal. Only 8 weeks to train…Bring it on!

With the whininess of a 5-year old child, I got out of bed and dressed myself for the battle that was before me…my first training run. The sun was up, the temperatures were cool, and my clothes and gear were all laid out from the night before as to prevent the it’s-too-much-work-to-find-all-my-stuff excuse. Dressed to go, I was out the door.

I walked to one of my nearby running paths, brain chatter filling my head: “Is this going to be hard?”, “Just how out of shape have I become?”, and the worst one of all… “If this run goes really badly, how do I recover emotionally?”

With one foot in front of the other, I began to jog, and then it hit me… I didn’t even realize how much I miss this! Between the smell of the morning air, the sound of my feet hitting the ground, and the sight of the cute little animals scampering back and forth occasionally across the path in front of me, I felt like I was home.

Thank you Madison Mini Marathon for bringing my love of running back to life. I’m looking forward to concluding my summer training in your beautiful city on August 20th, and enjoying the beautiful scenery with thousands of people that share my passion. I can’t imaging a better place to celebrate what I hope will be a very successful day.
 -Kira Lech
Round Lake, IL

You wanted it, You got it!!

Announcing Team Registration!

Groups of 10 or more are eligible for team registration and a $5 discount on the Half-Marathon.  Also up for grabs are prizes in three categories including:  Fastest Team Time, Best Team Name and Largest Team.  Team entries must be submitted in paper application form and submitted all together.  

Get your friends, family and co-workers together and take on the challenge!