In this life, they say that there are those who do and those who watch others do. (Or something like that. As Volkswagon would say, there are passengers and there are drivers.) Anyway, I like to think of myself as a driver, or one who does. This morning, though, at the Nissan Xterra event, I was simply a spectator, and while it bummed me out at first, I have to say, sometimes just sitting back and taking it all in is pretty cool, too.
I pushed it pretty hard in the gym yesterday and ended up pulling my hamstring. I woke up bright and early this morning for the 5K and did a little test-run outside my apartment. I soon realized that running wouldn't be in the cards for me today. I kept my running clothes on, though - for just in case - and I headed into the city and down to the lakefront. (I listened to Beatle Brunch with Joe Johnson all the way there - I love that show.) It was early and I was sleepy - but the city sure was awake. Joggers, bikers, rollerbladers, coffee-drinkers at Alterra. Seeing all the early birds perked me up a bit. I parked down by the marina and, armed with my camera, headed toward Veteran's Park.
I strolled around the grounds, watching people warm up and listening to the music blasting from the speakers, doing all I could to stop myself from dancing like a fool. The music was the kind meant to get your heart pumpin and it was great. A little swing, a little disco, a little "Gettin Jiggy With It" and "Let's Get Ready to Rumble." Whenever races start and the music blasts, I always hate running away from it because then it's just me and my huffing and puffing. I think I should start a race that blasts music the entire route.
The 10K began at 9:00 and the 5K began five mintues later. I heard Rocky, the announcer, describing the course and it sounded fun - and challenging. He said this was a Scramble, a trail run, so it sure wouldn't be flat. Runners would run on rocky terrain and go up and down stairs and go through Lake Park and near the shore before getting back to the park and into the finisher's chute.
A cannon blast started each race and I jumped about a foot each time. Once the runners of both races were off, I headed over to the Kids Base Camp to see the kids' race. Ronald McDonald was there and the kids were so adorable with their race numbers attached to their little shirts! They warmed up with Ronald and then the race began - and was over about 2 minutes later. All the kids got finisher's medals and they were all so excited. It was darn cute, let me tell you. I wanted to pat the parents on the back. It's good to get kids active at such a young age!
The big race is tomorrow, starting at 11:00 a.m. Come down and see teams of athletes compete in a 1.5K swim, a 30K mountain bike, and a 10K trail run. They're competing for big bucks, and this competition is one of four that leads up to the Nissan Xterra USA Championship in Lake Tahoe. (Oct. 2) Should be exciting! And hot!
Anyway, the leading runners were just finishing as I headed back to my car. When I first got there, all I wanted to do was go home and crawl back into bed. But morning air does something to a person, and I was feeling pretty good. It was fun being a spectator today. I liked hanging around and taking pictures - it made me feel like a journalist. (although I'm sure I didn't look too journalistic in my would-be running clothes with my Kodak EasyShare camera...)
Before heading home, I drove up to Downer Avenue to check out where the big bike race would be starting this evening, but there wasn't much going on yet. I drove into Shorewood and past my new apartment just for the heck of it. I can't wait to move in. (one more week!) It's the upper level of a duplex on a quiet street right off of Oakland Ave. (a main drag on the East Side of Milwaukee) and it's within walking distance of everything - coffee shop, grocery stores, bookstore, movie rental place. I had never really driven around in Shorewood before - holy nice houses. It'll be such a great area to run/walk/ride my bike in.
So now I'm having some coffee and starting to pack and it's off to work this afternoon. It's supposed to be 100 degrees tomorrow - the hottest day of the year so far. (I just heard on the radio that Phoenix has had 39 straight days of 100+ degree heat. Ugh!) But hey, summer is almost two-thirds of the way over already. We'll be wishing for this kind of weather to come back in a few months...
Hi Erin,
I spent time at the lakefront today and worked at the Downer race last night. It's great having such high profile events here in Milwaukee!
Also, I saw you referenced (along with a pic!) in the USA Today's website. Congratulations!
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005-07-21-travel-bloggers_x.htm
Posted by: Derek | July 24, 2005 at 08:12 PM
It is very nice to talk about our milwaukee but when you only do it for $$$$$ what is the point. Usatoday quotes "ut while Leffelman's playinthecity.blogs.com doesn't mention it, the 23-year-old waitress and aspiring journalist is getting a little help from Milwaukee's tourism office: a year's worth of high-speed Internet access, $1,700 in computer and camera equipment and free access to many of the outdoor diversions she'll be describing in her twice-weekly musings"
Posted by: Kim Wilson | July 24, 2005 at 08:25 PM
another fake sentiment about a BS town and people that were paid to promote a dump ionto something nice...
http://www.gridskipper.com/travel/blogs/travel-blogola-113801.php
Posted by: Pay me to promote my city | July 24, 2005 at 08:30 PM
I can't believe the DRAMATIC sentiments in these comments! It's fine, though - they always give me a good laugh.
Kim - "when you only do it for the money what is the point?"
I don't get one dime of actual money, people. My computer and camera are nice and all, but surely not enough of a motivator to put so much effort into something! And they sure don't pay the rent, either!
And to the other guy, promote a "dump"? Really? Milwaukee is a dump? You're insane.
Posted by: Erin | July 24, 2005 at 10:39 PM
Wow, sorry I brought up the USA Today article, Erin. I enjoy reading your blog and I don't care what you got out of it.
Apparently Kim has trouble reading because it says you only received equipment, not money, to do the blog.
As far as the other person goes, maybe he should worry about his/her own blog, a very mediocre travel blog jsut like the hundreds that already exist. Way to go!
Posted by: Derek | July 25, 2005 at 08:17 AM
The trail run was awesome! As someone used to running on mostly flat surfaces, going off road was a real challenge. It was new and different and I can't wait for the event to come back next year. As for the Milwaukee "dump" comment, I would hazzard to guess that that "narrow minded" person has never been to Milwaukee. I moved here 17 years ago from another awesome Midwest city - Minneapolis. The quality of life here is right on par with the Twin Cities. If this was such a "dump," we wouldn't be attracting such high profile events here as the Nissan Xterra triathlon, the US Bank (PGA) Open - both held this weekend. Oh did I mention we also had a Danica Patrick here for a racing event!!
Posted by: Doug | July 25, 2005 at 08:19 AM
Wow, everyone needs to chill out. I find it intersting that people feel so strongly that Erin is promoting Milwaukee on someone else's dime. Jealous maybe that she actually is getting some financial assistance to keep her blog afloat, unlike some of you other bloggers? Maybe this is the future of blogs...get used to it. So she gets reimbursed for the things she does...big deal! she still has to put in the hours without getting paid. Unlike Erin, I think most everyone gets reimbursed for the job they do. Its called a pay check and i doubt anyone would work without getting one. Congrats on the USA Today article, Erin!
Posted by: klg | July 25, 2005 at 10:57 AM
I agree with klg. Who cares if she is getting paid, which it doesnt even sound like she is. A computer and camera dont pay the bills. Regardless, I love that there is finally a place I can go to see what is going on in the city. And not only find out about it, read about someones experiences doing it. Erin, your blog has certainly encouraged me to get out and do some activites I didnt even know were available in Milwaukee. I love it!
Posted by: Nicole | July 25, 2005 at 11:43 AM
Want to start your private office arms race?
I just got my own USB rocket launcher :-) Awsome thing.
Plug into your computer and you got a remote controlled office missile launcher with 360 degrees horizontal and 45 degree vertival rotation with a range of more than 6 meters - which gives you a coverage of 113 square meters round your workplace.
You can get the gadget here: http://tinyurl.com/2qul3c
Check out the video they have on the page.
Cheers
Jacob Roder
Posted by: jacobroder | September 25, 2007 at 06:35 PM