Review: Madison Half Marathon

Disclaimer: I’m promoting the Madison Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to find and write race reviews.

Back in April when I had the opportunity to register for the Madison Half Marathon, I was excited for the race prompting a birthday weekend away.  I was able to secure a reasonably priced flight from Detroit (DTW) to Madison (MSN) and brought my spouse along for the fun.

While out exploring on Saturday morning, I came upon a farmer's market along the Capitol Square that had a host of vendors offering vegetables, meat, cheese, muffins, cookies and more.  It was a really nice market, especially considering the temperature.  I learned that after this weekend, the farmer's market will move indoors to the convention center.  Old Fashioned offered an amazing lunch for me and brunch for the spouse. 

The race expo was small but had everything that a runner could need.  Fleet Feet Madison had a large set up for runners to purchase anything that they might have forgotten.  I forgot to grab my sunglasses so I snagged a pair of Goodr Flamingos on a Booze Cruise (aka pink) shades.  I have never tried Goodr sunglasses, but had read BibRave reviews and thought for $25 I might as well try them.  I located my name on the Welcome banner, took a picture and headed out for a pasta dinner.



Race morning came early and it was cold!  Honestly, I will probably think 25* is warm in a month, but I did not get much of a temperature transition, this year, so it seemed really cold.

I met up with fellow BibRavePros and we headed off to experience the Madison hills.  You would think that I would have read some race reviews to prepare for this new race, but I did not and learned about the hills the night before.  The race started at the State Capitol and took runners through the city, passed businesses, along Lake Mendota and through a beautiful neighborhood before returning to the city and back to the Capitol for the finish line.  Experiencing the hills was something else!  In fact, my Garmin showed that the total elevation was 274 feet!

The aid stations were well staffed, but not flagged, so runners could not tell they were coming up, until they were there.  PS the best way to drink Lemon-Lime Gatorade is with a thin layer of ice on top.

After the race, I took a quick shower and ventured to Dotty Dumpling's Dowry for the most amazing fried cheese curds and chicken sandwich, washed down by a very refreshing Pear Cider.

The day after the race, participants received an email with a link to free pictures that were taken along the course and at the finish.

For those that qualify for Boston, by running the Madison Marathon:  You are my hero!  To run a marathon is a huge accomplishment, but to run it with the last 13 miles being the half marathon that I ran:  Amazing!

What is my next race?  I honestly do not know.  I am planning on the Publix Savannah Women's Half Marathon in April, since I had such a great time, last year, but I must do more races before then! 

Stay tuned. 

Review: OOfos

Disclaimer: I received an OOfos to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews.

I returned home from the Bellin Women's Half Marathon to find the Women's Ooriginal Sport Sandal - Cloud White waiting for me in my mail.

These sandals are not like any other sandal.  They are unbelievably comfortable and the footbed provides serious impact absorption and great arch support.  

When my new sandals first arrived, I wore them around the house to get used to them.  I could not believe how sturdy they felt.  I started wearing them at work, when I did not have to be in my high heels.  Then out and about and some friends at my local Pure Barre class also tried them and commented about how sturdy they were.  They too were surprised on the level of support these sandals offered.  

I wore the sandals during my behind the scenes tour of the Detroit International Half Marathon, in the rain, which probably wasn't the best idea, since I did develop a little blister on the top of my right foot.  

I wore the sandals nearly all day, yesterday, after the Madison Half Marathon and again, today, and they have offered nice support and shock absorption, while letting my toes be free, during recovery.  

I seriously need to purchase toe socks, so that I may continue wearing these amazing sandals in the winter.

Detroit Free Press International Half Marathon

Disclaimer: I’m promoting the Detroit International Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to find and write race reviews!

Detroit International Half Marathon:  Wake up early, run to Canada via the Ambassador Bridge and then back to the United States through the tunnel all in 13.1 miles.  

On Sunday, October 21st, I had the opportunity to run the Detroit International Half Marathon.  I had such a wonderful time, last year, that I knew that I had to run this race again this year.  So when registration was available, I registered immediately.  Little did I know, then, that I would become a BibRave Pro and have a discount code to offer others to save on the registration.  Regardless, the registration was worth every penny.

Because of my parking concerns, I spent the Saturday night before the race at the Motor City Casino.  The hotel is nice and approximate 1.5 miles away from the start.  The hotel has plenty of food options and easy self-parking.  A shuttle is offered to the start line and back to the hotel, after the race.   

As a BibRave Pro, I was given a behind the scenes tour with Barbara Bennage, Executive Race Director.  It was a crazy busy time for Barbara, but she was able to share information about the thousands of dollars that are spent on port-a-potties, security and to vendors to put the race on.  Also, the thousand of hours of work that is put into covering parking meters, setting up banners, packing finisher bags with snacks and planning the race.

The race was everything I expected it to be.

At approximately mile marker two, runners approach the Ambassador Bridge to cross into Canada.  After five miles, runners enter the tunnel to return to the United States.  After a run through Mexican Town and Corktown, runners cross the beautiful finish at Fort Street and Cass Avenue.

After completion, runners are given their medal a bottle of water and, my favorite, chocolate milk.  After moving further away from the finish, participants receive a bag full of fuel (including a banana, cookies and a cup of fruit).

Getting back to my hotel was a little more difficult, this year, as I was unable to locate the shuttle, which was supposed to pick up every fifteen minutes.  I ended up walking a little over a mile back to the Motor City Casino.  Took a quick shower, checked out and was on my way home, while relaxing my Oofos.

My next half marathon will be the Madison Half on November 11, 2018.  If you are interested in joining, use MMRAVE18 to save on registration.  I am looking forward to cool air and sunny skies in beautiful Wisconsin.