The day dawned with clear skies and pleasant temperatures for the 2,000 marathoners and roughly 6,000 halvsies. On a blocked off Lombardi Street in front of Lambeau Field, we left the starting gate just after 8 a.m.
Before our wave crossed the starting line, other runners led off the day.
First out were the wheelchair athletes for the 26.2 miles.
The speed and athleticism is impressive. Most impressing, however, is the inspiring response to adversity and seeking out a challenge most of us only like to see other people do.Another group of runners made a real statement in perseverance, kindness, and achievement.
Team Triumph fielded several runners in both the full and half marathons. Volunteers alternate through the race in the position of pusher or escort for the runner. The volunteers say quite clearly race day is not about them, it's about the individual wearing the bib.
Team Joey, Team Ashley, or any of the many others on the course heard the cheers from the crowds lining the streets and felt each yard passing beneath them. As fellow runner in the Milwaukee Brewer's Half-Marathon and now here in the Cellcom Communications race - I was also impressed by the team of runners.
What a great opportunity to be challenged and be inspired by the team captain - I'm not sure I could go the distance. Maybe you can? Learn more for yourself at their website.
The race didn't go as I envisioned it over the many weeks of training. My goal was finishing under 2 hours, but to have had a shot I needed to sustain my average for the first five miles (9:05).
It wasn't my day for personal record.
However, this run and the reason it was so attractive, came in the last mile of it.
After wending our way through many neighborhoods north and west of Lambeau Field, we completed a lap around the grass which glues so many to our TV sets each game day in the NFL season.We ran in past the loading dock, down a corridor, and left into the tunnel the Green Bay Packers use for each home game.
When the stadium underwent a major remodel from 2000 to 2003, the home locker room was moved and the tunnel entrance with it.
Given the Packer's history, team leaders preserved a large piece of it when they cut out a 2 foot tunnel width section and placed it in the new player entrance.
That chunk of cement has felt the feet of Lombardi, Starr, Nitschke, Hornung, Favre, White, Rodgers, and Matthews. Now I can add mine to the list.It was a special experience. We left the tunnel and ran toward the north end zone behind the visitor sidelines. I looked across the field of green grass.
I turned my attention to the bleachers and sky boxes, trying to imagine what it looks like to the players and coaching staff. While I didn't have the energy to pinch myself, it felt like a bucket-list moment since I'm most unlikely to become a Packer player or coach anytime soon.
The run was worth every week of practice just for the two minutes spent running around the stadium.
A couple left turns and what amounted to a sprint to the finish and I was done. Hot, tired, and splashed with a combination of Gatorade, Water, and water sprinklers along the way - I slowly regained my bearings while walking through the finishing gates. Water, Gatorade, and chocolate milk were offered. They were gone in the first five minutes
Then came the Festival Octoberfest Brat and a beer. Yes, it was Sunday morning. Yes, they tasted great. No, I didn't care if the beer was less filling.Physically I survived just fine. Other than muscle soreness, everything was working later in the day. No problems with my feet either, and I think the new way to tie shoes gets the credit.
Sadly, they don't come with rockets and I clocked in at 2:10:25; slower than my goal but the day was fantastic anyway!
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