I returned for the second year of the race, my second year in this race also. Being the second year it attracted more runners, which was nice. The 1/4 zip was nice and again bakery at the finish line. I feel like I should just see, "See my review from last year." Indeed. It was similar but run just a bit smoother. Your down by Lake Michigan, it's Thanksgiving morning. What more could you ask for. Nothing!

After my first year of running races (40+ years of running) I decided I'd keep running outside, almost abandoning my treadmill and to keep be motivated to "embrace the Wisconsin winter, sign up for a race each month. I tend not to like 5K's. I found I like longer distances but those seem to disappear in the winter. This was on paved trail around Frame Part in Waukesha. Frosty did not happen this year as the temps were in the low 40's that morning. That left a lot of water on some low spots and going around them left you in some pretty sloppy mud. What more could you ask for. I'm not sure I like running loops. Going over the same terrain just reminds me of how far I've gone and how far I need yet to go. Both things I try hard never to think about and just run the mile I am in. That was tough since no matter where you were you could always see the finish. Never-the-less I found it a good time. A good time!

After a year of running my first 1/2 marathons and liking those distances I wanted to get one more in. This is just what is says, Last Call. The run is on paved trail, out and back. There is a slight incline going up for 1/2 the run and of course you get to have that going down on the way back. It is hardly noticeable and as a result of this, know what to expect running a 1/2 and being in better shape I ran over 9 minutes faster than my other 1/2's. Scenery is what it is on a mostly straight flat paved trail, but better than roads. As I found out Silver Circle always does a decent job of putting on an event and this was no exception. But for a plethora of bananas the 5K and early finishers again ravaged the after run goodies. It snowed lightly during this run so that just added to the fun, although bridges were a bit on the slippery side. I liked this run and will do it again next year if it fits, and why wouldn't it, it is in December.

This was my first trail 1/2 marathon. I'd run a 8K trail last year. I ran this for two reasons. First I wanted to do another 1/2 after doing my fist two this summer and I wanted to do a tail 1/2 since the first one was a road and the second a combo (urban tail). I had no idea what to expect having never been to this park. As I have come to know this Silver Circle event was well run. The 1/2 was two loops of the 10K, sort of. It had rained so the trail was moist but other than more dirt on my shoes than normal it wasn't too bad. There were plenty of hills and the biggest was right at the end. I gave this race almost all I had (I like to run rather than race) knowing I could go faster than I'd been running, plus by now I was in better condition. I really enjoyed this run. The course through the park was nice as were the runners I met. The only thing that could've been better (I found this later runs also) is that by the time I finished the 1/2 those who were in the 10K and those speedsters had ravaged the goodies leaving slim pick'ns. This was part of the Trail Assail Series of trail runs. I, after doing this, am partially hooked on these and plan on doing several more next year.

I was up at my cottage and thought, "Why not look for a race while I am here?" Found this one. This run was part of Dairyfest in Lena. I had no idea what this would be like. The day was rainy and very windy. Before the run we could be inside the school's cafeteria. Leaving that to go out was a little harsh. This was a horizontal, wind driven rain. I ran parts with my head down so the bill of my hat could keep the rain from hitting my eyes. This was so well run that I wondered why it was not easier to find when looking for a run and then trying to find where I could register. The run was through the town and every turn had volunteers to point you in the right direction. After the race you could go over to Dairyfest but not before the parade. It stopped raining (but not the wind) for the parade, which I stayed for. If I am around next year. This gets my vote.