Volunteers are the Backbone of the Mini

If you’ve ever participated in the Mini or any race for that matter you know that volunteers are 

key.  Without volunteers there would be no race.  How wonderful it is to see hundreds of 

people giving their time to help others achieve their goals. As runners and athletes it’s our 

choice and determination to drag ourselves out of bed before dawn so we can get a run in 

before the heat of the day.  But it’s even more amazing to see those supporting us gathering 

before dawn to prep the course.

To make the Mini a reality it takes more than 600 volunteers!  From the smiling faces 

distributing shirts and race bibs at the expo to volunteers greeting you with medals, water 

and post race food at the finish line and everyone in between.  Each volunteer contributes to 

making the event a huge success. 

There are 10 aid stations on the course of the Mini.  That alone equals more than 250 volunteers handing out water and Gatorade to you.  We have so many wonderful groups and organizations return to help year after year.  Memorial Girls Cross-Country team can be seen around mile 10. When asked why the girls return each year to help, Coach Paul Chellevold responded, “Our group appreciates the event that the mini-marathon puts on.  The race organizational team always makes our job easy!  The girls understand and appreciate what each athlete is going through in completing 13.1 miles and love to provide a smiling face and loud cheers to lift each runners spirit at a point in the race they need it the most!  We understand the importance of being outstanding volunteers and contributing members of the community.”

Alissa Oleck has been volunteering with the Mini since it’s Inaugural year.  Alissa recognizes it’s a lot of work for one person to coordinate an event of this size “but when you have lots of hands helping, it's not hard at all.  I love Madison so I enjoy helping to promote our wonderful city and the great opportunities, like the Mini, that we have here.”

Jennifer Stevens also returns to volunteer every year.  Jennifer, a runner herself; is with our charity partner Healthy Women, Healthy Babies and has been a big recruiter of volunteers. “I am always amazed at the different types of people that participate in running events and often think, as I watch them cross the finish line what motivates them to get through 13 miles on a hot Saturday morning.  I can easily get choked up thinking about what they’ve gone through to accomplish that feat.”

We would love to personally thank and mention each volunteer by name, but the list is endless.  From the volunteers collecting your gear check bags prior to the race to the ER doctors and nurses assisting in the medical tent.  Everyone plays an important role. 

To see the community come together on race day is a beautiful sight!  So remember to look around.  Take it all in.  And thank the volunteers as you pass by.  Without them, you wouldn’t be here and neither would we.

Finish line preparations

Volunteers even wait out the storm and the rain

Red Arrow Families Water Station

History of the Mini-Marathon: Our Initial Community Partners

After the City of Madison and the Union were on board to back the Mini-Marathon, we still needed additional support for the event The Mini also wanted to find a great charity partner and to find the top running store to tie into the local running community. 

One of the first calls and stops made was with Fleet Feet of Madison.  Matt and Jessica Anderson graciously took our call and made time to meet with our staff.  After what was some initial skepticism, they soon realized the Mini had a goal and wanted to create a top notch running event in the Madison Area.   The Mini wanted the half marathon not only to be recognized on a local level, but a national level.  This goal was quickly achieved. This past spring the Mini was recognized as the #14 best Half Marathon by Runner’s World magazine, out of more than 1500 half marathons in the country. 

Partnering with Fleet Feet turned out to be a great relationship for the Mini as things were getting off the ground.  Fleet Feet helped bring legitimacy to the Mini-Marathon, but it also helped yield one of our greatest assets.  When Fleet Feet sent out an announcement about the new race in town, they also asked their customers who may be interested in helping produce the new event.  While a handful of people responded to the inquiry and helped in some form or fashion the first year, one person has become a vital part of the Mini Team.  Kat Hawkins has remained a fundamental part of the Mini, whether it’s getting the over 700 volunteers each year, being the voice of the Mini on social media or the face of the Mini at the many local events, Kat would not have been a key part of our team had it not been for a great relationship with Fleet Feet. 

Searching for a charity partner wasn’t quite as easy as identifying a great running store partner.  There were so many amazing charities  in the Madison area.  It was difficult for the Mini to determine which fit our mission the best.  After lots of discussion, the University of Wisconsin OBGYN’s “Healthy Women, Healthy Babies” program was tabbed as the charity partner.  Jennifer Stevens and her team have been great cohorts over the five years of the Mini.  Not only does the Mini offer financial support to the program, but it’s a key component to the “Blanket and Diaper Drive” every August.  The OBGYN Department is a true partner in the Mini.  Over the 5 years, they’ve brought hundreds of volunteers, new sponsors and new partners, such as the Dane County YMCA to the Mini. 

The first 5 years of the Mini have been exceptional, due in part to the great community allies.  The Mini owes a great deal to our contributing partners such as the UW OBGYN Department and Fleet Feet of Madison.  In our next “History of the Mini” blog, read about the real backbone of the Mini, VOLUNTEERS!   

How The Mini Route and Date Came To Be

The Early Stages

The beginning stages of the Mini had some interesting twists, turns and hiccups.  Prior to landing the race site at the Memorial Union, the Mini Team had the job of selling the event to the different entities in Madison who oversaw events, garnering support and achieving approval for the Inaugural event. 

When first exploring dates, it quickly became apparent there would be some limitations.  Late summer or early fall was targeted for the time of the year.  As everyone in Wisconsin knows, Badger football rules the roost, so we had to coordinate around the Badgers schedule.  We wanted a consistent date, one that wouldn’t fluctuate year to year based on their schedule, so we landed in August.  Well, anyone who lives in Madison or has gone to UW knows August also brings student move-in.  Being naïve and not fully understanding the impact of move-in, the inaugural event was dropped right on move-in weekend.  Those that participated the first year can probably remember the craziness getting to and from the Memorial Union for Packet Pick-Up.  After that first year, the date is now coordinated with UW and student move-in.  Lessons learned!!!

The priority with the Mini was to come up with a unique route that showed off the City of Madison, ran by the landmarks of Madison and provided something different from the other events in the city.  The initial meetings with the city and UW regarding the route were interesting.  We heard several things:

-        *The route shouldn’t cross Gorham

-        *The route shouldn’t cross Johnson

-        *You can’t run on the Capitol Square because of the Farmer’s Market

-        *You can’t run through the Arboretum from East to West

-        *You aren’t going to get the cooperation from UW

-        *You can’t close off the UW Vet Hospital

To the Mini team, challenge accepted.  After several meetings, lots of discussion, maps, timelines, explanation, and more meetings, we were thrilled to make all of these things happen.  We can’t thank the people enough who were willing to discuss these items and help us make them happen.  Without their support and willingness to listen, the Mini would not have such a great route!

There was one more challenge the Mini faced in year one.  After many of the discussions listed above, the inaugural Mini was set for Sunday, August 30, 2009.  Marketing materials were printed, T-shirts were printed for the marketing team, signage was created, registration was open and full-out marketing was happening.  After 2-3 weeks of being “out there” and accepting registrations, a striking statement was made during a meeting with Madison Police, “You know you have to change your date, don’t you?”  During the moment of disbelief, the initial thought was they were joking.  Unfortunately, this was not a joke.  2009 was also the first year of “Ride the Drive” and it was placed on August 30^th as well.  It was quickly discovered the two events could not coexist on the same date and since Ride the Drive was a city event, it took precedence.  After meeting with the city, the Mini was moved to Saturday, August 29th.  New marketing materials were created and off we went…again!  In the end, Saturday was the ideal date for the Mini and one we initially wanted.  Funny how things work out and now five years later, Saturday has been a hit. 

The ups and downs of the beginning stages were challenging, but all great things don’t come without a struggle. The Mini can’t thank all the individuals from the City of Madison, University of Wisconsin, and Dane County Farmer’s Market enough for their willingness to listen and work with us to make the Mini a reality.  It goes to show the great community spirit of Madison.

 

Post race party at the 14th mile - Memorial Union Terrace

How It All Began

Beginnings of the Mini-Marathon

UW Memorial Union

The Mini-Marathon had many goals when it was first introduced to the different entities in the City of Madison.  The Mini wanted to be different than the other long-distance running events in town and set a new standard.  It wanted to hit all the Madison landmarks, wanted to run a little different route than the other events, provide participants with a unique experience and most of all, provide a unique location for the start and finish areas.  When it came to the Post-Race Party Area, one location came up a couple of times, but was followed by “it would never happen”.  The UW Memorial Union Terrace was a Madison hot spot that could provide that unique venue, but was not viewed as a place that would be easy to achieve. To the Mini, the mission was clear, “we must make this happen!“

The Mini team started to think through any connections with individuals at the Union to help get a foot in the door.  Remember, this was a brand new event in the making in Madison at the time.  The link came through a Mini crew - member, Lisa Swiontek.  Lisa had a good friend that also happened to be a friend of the Union’s Director, Mark Guthier.  So, with a connection, although somewhat loose connection, the Mini reached out to Mark and scheduled a meeting.  Eventually that meeting led to Nancy Kujak-Ford, who at the time oversaw their large events.  After presenting the concept to Nancy, she had some thoughts, “My initial reaction was one of excitement for the event and the Wisconsin Union organization.  I thought it was a great way to introduce the union to more people.” 

This would be a new venture for the Union, but thanks to Nancy’s guidance, the race was headed in the right direction.  She became a champion of her cause for varying reasons “While new events can be a logistically complicated, I knew that the Wisconsin Union was in a place to take on the challenge.  My current (and former) job allows me to work with many facets of the organization.  With this base knowledge and relationships, I knew who needed to be involved and in what capacity.  Trying new events or working  on new projects allow organizations to grow and create new experiences.  We are only as good as the last event we helped to host or plan.  I was excited for this opportunity to expand our experience with events and to have people think outside the box of what we/they are capable of producing.” 

Nancy helped champion the Mini throughout the University.  When asked what the reactions were about the Mini, Nancy said “When I first presented this to the campus, most of the University staff was supportive of this event.  We have had large run/walks on campus grounds (IronMan, Crazylegs) and have resources/knowledge on how to handle logistics.  Both Chad and Jeff were extremely organized and prepared for questions which made it helpful to navigate such a large University and its’ policies/procedures.”  “The only major challenge (for the first year) was to navigate the communications of the race party/gathering part at the end of the event.  UW-Madison is conscious of any event that involves alcohol to campus patrons, especially students.  We had to develop a safe plan of alcohol service and security in order for this event to be approved.  Since its inception, alcohol has not been an issue with the success of this event.”

The Mini is entering its 5^th year, which is hard for all involved to believe.  From Nancy’s perspective, the Mini has changed “One way that I have seen the Mini grow is how the staff involves the city, community, and state.  Each year, they have come up with ways to enhance their event with new children filled races, new mascots, and new activities to increase the enjoyment of their participants.  Their expo has also grown in size and has given exposure to other parts of campus.”

The Mini would like to thank all the people and entities that have embraced the event along the way and especially championed it during its infancy.  Without people like Nancy with her drive and willingness to tackle a new venture, it would not have been possible. 

Please check back for more blog updates on the beginnings of the Mini-Marathon as we celebrate our 5^th Anniversary.  A special thank you to Nancy Kujak-Ford for taking time for the interview. 

Athletes Rejoice in Lowfat Chocolate Milk!!

Good News for Chocolate Milk Fans: 

Sassy Cow Creamery Introduces Lowfat Chocolate Milk

Sun kissed summer days brings kids and adults outdoors for fun-filled family vacations, sports or simply playing games in the backyard. To keep the family fueled this summer and every day with a natural nutritious choice, Sassy Cow Creamery introduces Lowfat Chocolate Milk.

Starting June 22, Sassy Cow Creamery Lowfat Chocolate Milk will be available in pint, quart and half gallon sizes at select local grocery, natural foods stores and the Farmstead Creamery, located just 7 miles north of Sun Prairie.

Sassy Cow Creamery makes it easy for adults and kids to get essential nutrition with local, flavorful and nutritious lowfat chocolate milk. With fewer calories, less sugar and fat than traditional chocolate milk this local product comes direct to consumers straight from the Baerwolf family farm.

With today's emphasis on healthy lifestyles and wholesome, essential nutrition for kids and adults we are pleased to offer consumers a local choice of lowfat chocolate milk, says James Baerwolf along with his brother Robert Baerwolf. Combining our farm fresh milk with pure cocoa and a dash of cane sugar creates Sassy Cow Creamery Lowfat Chocolate Milk.

A taste kids and grown-ups will crave, Sassy Cow Creamery Lowfat Chocolate Milk starts with a key ingredient high-quality milk from the cows at the Baerwolf family farm and within hours of milking is made into lowfat chocolate milk at the Farmstead Creamery, making truly a fresh, local product. 

Nutrition and public health experts agree that milk is an important part of a healthy diet. In every glass of Sassy Cow Creamery Lowfat Chocolate Milk, there are eight essential nutrients, including protein, calcium and vitamins A and D, fuel your mind and body. Together, these essential nutrients help build strong bones, lean healthy muscle and keep a family full and satisfied.

Athletes too enjoy the nutritional and performance benefits of chocolate milk to rebuild muscle tissue after a strenuous workout. A body needs high-quality proteins to recover.  Chocolate milk provides the ideal ratio of carbohydrates to protein needed to replenish energy.

Sassy Cow Creamery is owned and operated by third-generation dairy producersóbrothers James and Robert Baerwolf and their families. Visitors at the farmstead can follow the milk from cow to creamery as they watch traditional and organic milk bottling and premium ice cream making through a viewing window.

One can sample the all new low-fat chocolate milk at Sassy Cow Creamery summer events hosted on the farm, including: June Dairy Month Celebration on June 23, Summer Farm Celebration on July 21 and Ice Cream Social on August 25 where a new ice cream flavor will be unveiled.    

Who doesn't love Chocolate Milk?

The Mini is proud to partner with the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and Sassy Cow Creamery again this year!  You can look forward to a refreshing chocolate milk as part of your post race recovery!

The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB), a nonprofit organization funded by the state’s dairy farmers, promotes the consumption of Wisconsin Cheese and other dairy products nationally as well as locally in Wisconsin. The dairy industry contributes more than $26.5 billion a year to Wisconsin’s economy, helping to support local businesses and communities throughout the state.  Through sponsorships, partnerships and educational programs, WMMB strives to influence consumers, foodservice professionals and retailers in Wisconsin to source dairy products locally.

Slowing down in the heat

Did you know it takes approximately two weeks of consistent running in the heat and humidity to acclimate to warmer conditions?  With the sudden onset of summer like temperatures it’s no wonder this past weekend was a difficult one for runners and race organizers!

Today’s FB quote was selfishly meant for me.  I had a horrible training run on Saturday and was really feeling down about it.  It stuck with me for a couple hours before I realized I should practice what I preach.  It’s true everyone has bad days.  Especially with the change of season, and our first real taste of Summer temperatures.  Slowing down and running smart is not a bad thing.  It’s you as a runner taking responsibility for yourself and listening to your body.  Be kind to yourself!  There will be other races and there will be other days to train.  Don’t beat yourself up!  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! 

For those of you running the Madison Marathon Memorial weekend prepare mentally and physically this week.  Take in extra fluids, really use your rest days like you should (resting) and enjoy next weekend.  Every race doesn’t have to be a PR.  I know we’re all runners and think like runners pushing with everything we have.  But don’t forget to be kind to the body that works so hard for you when you put your training miles in.  Take care of it now, and it will reward you for many more races to come!

Here are some other tips for running in the heat:

1) Remember that thirst is not an indicator of dehydration. Once you are thirsty, you are already low on fluids.

2) During your run, drink about 4 to 8 ounces of water and/or sports drink every 15 to 20 minutes.

3) Weigh yourself before and after your run. Drink 16 ounces of fluid for every pound of weight lost. *Important note here... do not use this as a method of weight loss!

4) Apply a sunscreen of at least SPF #15. Make sure that it is a non-drip formula that won't drip into your eyes.

5) Wear sunglasses that filter UVA and UVB rays and/or wear a cap with a visor.

6) Wear light-colored micro-fiber clothing.

7) If you run in the morning, you'll avoid the heat, but may encounter a higher humidity. The air quality is also better in the morning, since ozone levels increase soon after dawn, peak at midday, and then again in the early evening. Times to avoid running are noon till 3pm.

8) Eat salty foods and drinks such as pretzels and tomato juice.

9) Check the Heat Index Chart for apparent temperature. This is the number that calculates the air temperature with the relative humidity to determine what the temperature feels like and if there is a risk of a heat-related illness.

So Many Reasons to Run

It’s May, and for most of us that means an official start to race season.  While many of us choose to train and run all year, there’s something about the month of May that fuels the fire within.  You can open up the race calendar and literally find a distance that suits your needs just about any weekend.

It’s the time of year when your non-running friends ask you again how long a marathon is or your family, (god bless them) knows your weekend training runs get longer and your pantry overflows with Gatorade, GU, or whatever new nutrition products you’re trying out.

Running isn’t always awesome.  It’s kind of a love/hate relationship.  There are some days when you just can’t get your butt out the door.  There are some days when that little voice in your head is screaming: “why are you doing this?”  But when you push past that annoying little voice and start remembering all the reasons why you love to run - you grow stronger.  That voice gets silenced and a more driven, focused you emerges.  Running gives us confidence, a sense of accomplishment and a feeling that nothing else can replace.

You don’t have to be fast.  You don’t have to be lean.  You just have to have the desire and determination to put one foot in front of the other.  On race day it doesn’t matter if you cross the finish line first, last or somewhere in between.  What matters is that you set a goal and you don’t give up.  The course is the same for everyone.  Your journey to get there is your own.

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!  

NBC 15 and Leigh Mills Are Ready For The Challenge. Are You?

Want a sneak peak at the medals?

The Mini is hard at work with just 66 days to go until race day!  The 2011 medal is currently being designed and let me tell you, it is awesome!  Same great medal you've come to expect from the Mini, but each year is unique and definitely one of a kind. Sorry, it's still top secret. But you'll be happy to know something special will be waiting for you August 20th when you cross the finish line!

P.S.  Did you know 5K runners get their own medals this year!

Running is easy... Sorta... Maybe... Not Really

Running is easy... Sorta... Maybe... Not Really

A wise man once said, "Step one to running a marathon: You run. There is no step two."  

In the simplest terms, Barney Stinson was right.  You run.  When you are finished, you stop running.  However, if running were truly that easy, everyone would do it.  Instead, running is challenging.  It requires dedication, smarts, and a little bit of toughness.  Running doesn't always feel good, yet we still get up with the sun and chase the horizon.  We log mile after mile, knowing it is getting us ready for that next race.  We climb those stairs and hit those hills, slowly but surely shaving minutes off our time.  While a basketball player practices hundreds of free throws, runners strip away seconds.

The physical training is only half of the preparation.  Runners must prepare mentally too.  They need to visualize themselves on the course.  They should see themselves finishing the race.  They can mentally break the race down into three parts:  The first part, plan to run with your head, the second part run with your personality, and the third part run with your heart.  It's all about being ready for that big day.

Juma Ikangaa, New York City Marathon winner said, "The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare."  So, while Barney was technically right about running, there is a lot more to it.  When that summer day in August finally arrives, you have got to be ready.

*Shared by Mini Marathon runner John Tillotson

**To share your stories or ideas email Kat@MadisonMiniMarathon.com

Summer at the Terrace

How lucky are we to head out for a run on our own early in the morning on a weekend only to find ourselves among friends.  Our run may start out solo.  Birds chirping, waves lapping the shoreline of Lake Mendota and the rhythm of our feet.  Soon a fellow runner passes, then another and another...

It's a pretty cool secret club we're all part of.  We don't have to say anything other than "hi" and smile.  Instinctively we know that in a few miles or a few hours later, we'll see those same pairs of running shoes- feet up on a chair enjoying summer at the Terrace!

93 days and counting

Is the Mini really only 93 days away?  From a runners standpoint that seems like a fair amount of time to start training.  Seems like plenty of time to get in those long runs and tempo runs and everything in between.  From a race production standpoint... well those 93 days are going to fly by!  We never really take a break from working on the Mini.  There are just seasons of busy, busier and really, really busy!  I'd say we're fast approaching season three.  This year we're going to let you in on some fun (and not so fun) behind the scenes stuff so you know what it's like to "run the Mini" on the other end.  Happy Training!