Walking Miles in Milwaukee

Who knew late September in Milwaukee would turn out to be a scorcher?!
When I signed up for the Komen Race for the Cure 5K in Milwaukee, to get a race complete in Wisconsin, I was more worried that I'd need to dig out some colder weather gear. Nope. Milwaukee set a record high of 95 one day while I was there. I was melting!
Still, I had a great time in "The Good Land."
I got there late Thursday afternoon with my friend Susan. We were all set for our annual  girls' weekend once we found the liquor store. ;)

Hello, Wisconsin!

Girls weekend is started

Who drinks wine in a beer state? Well, I do!

Susan got it right

Our first full day in Milwaukee we found a great little coffee shop nearby, where I got a cup of Milwaukee love.

I heart coffee

We wandered around near the hotel looking for some postcards to purchase and a visitor's center for more info on what was close by. Turns out, the manned visitor's center was just inside the Wisconsin Center, the convention center across from our hotel. Milwaukee really does have some great public art. This is called The Vortex, but we deemed it a unicorn horn, an upside down tornado, and a Christmas tree.

The Vortex

Inside the Wisconsin Center, there was even a bit of public art: The Security Guard. It's a wax replica of the artist's father!

The Security Guard

With lots of information in hand, we found a hop-on, hop-off tour bus, which was great. Our first stop was the Milwaukee Art Museum, which has really stunning architecture.

The Milwaukee Art Museum

More public art outside the museum

Next stop on the tour bus was the Milwaukee Public Market, which is a lot like Redding Station in Philadelphia. There are restaurants, specialty retail shops, etc. We found a wine shop in there that had a much better selection than the little liquor store near the hotel. The "mascot" of the public market is a rooster, which become public art on the second level of the space.

The public market's rooster

We had a pretty forgettable dinner at an Irish pub, but then found our way to the Milwaukee River Walk. Despite the 95 degree record-breaking heat of that Friday, the river area had a lovely breeze. There is so much public art along the river walk. My camera didn't do any of it justice in the low light, but there is Rosie the duck.

Milwaukee River Walk

Rosie the duck

Saturday, Susan and I headed back to the Public Market for breakfast. Cafe Benelux in the Third Ward was terrific. I had the breakfast of champions, obviously: rose with the quinoa skillet. The skillet had quinoa, butternut squash, portobello mushrooms, scallions and a fried egg, and some sort of sauce on top that I can't remember, but it was all so good. I would have licked the skillet if I had not been out in public.

My kind of breakfast

 We just happened to be in Milwaukee the weekend of Doors Open Milwaukee, when historic buildings and spaces that aren't normally open to the public are. Susan and I got a behind-the-scenes tour of the Milwaukee Public Radio station in the Historic Third Ward. Then we walked back to the hotel along the river walk again and came across the Bronz Fonz in the daylight. We saw him last night but my photos in the low light were awful. Here, you can see how creepy he looks! ha ha.

Susan and I with "the Bronz Fonz"

 I'm sure not many younger folks remember the TV sitcom "Lavern and Shirley." I loved it. What young girl didn't have a crush on Henry Winkler as "The Fonz" in the show? The show was set in Milwaukee, hence the Bronz Fonz.
And what would a trip to Wisconsin be if I didn't try the cheese curds? So, that was ordered up for an appetizer at lunch.

When in Wisconsin, have the cheese curds

 I got a little something for all three of us girls for the weekend. Found these funny pins at a store in the public market.

Yes, we are!

 Patti finally arrived and we found a great seafood restaurant right along the river walk for dinner. Pier 106 was fabulous.

Susan, me and Patti

 Sunday morning was just as warm as the rest of the weekend, but we got to the Komen walk thanks to our hotel's shuttle bus and got ready for the 5K.

Patti, me and  Susan before the race

At the start

The Kohl's Climb

It was so blasted hot for that 5K and nothing like a long hill at about mile 2. But we made it! I forgot to take a photo of our wilted selves at the finish.

Drone shot from the race

A rose from the finish

As a breast cancer survivor, I got a rose at the finish line. I managed to get it through the TSA security checkpoint and all the way home in one piece!

I had a great time in Milwaukee and the weekend made for great memories. 

More Than Pink

With Interstate 85 under repairs back in May, the Komen Race for the Cure in Atlanta, which is always held over Mother's Day weekend, got postponed this year until June 24.
It was with slightly weary legs that I ran the 5K this year.
I worried that with the postponement, it would be much hotter than usual for the race, but we got a little drizzle that morning. Kept temperatures down, even if it was a bit more humid.
Nevertheless it was a great event.

At the start

It's been 11 years now since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The start of the race always tears me up, though, thinking of my friends who were not so lucky to survive so long. The need to find a cure or better treatments is still very critical.

Survivor's medal

The Komen race also always makes me reflect on where I am today. It makes me realize I'm so much more than my cancer diagnosis. In fact, I am much more than pink.

Komen at 10 Years

I ran Komen Race for the Cure Saturday as a 10-year survivor.
What was nice about this race is it really never even occurred to me. I never thought 10 years ago that I would not really thing about cancer. It's a wonderful feeling.
It was a great race morning. Low humidity and temps weren't so bad. Nice for Atlanta in early May!

This is what 10 years looks like

I ran the race, which is pretty hilly. Although I thought I hadn't do pretty well, I did better than last year.
I also ran into my friend Carolyn, also a survivor, who is running a marathon in all 50 states.

Carolyn and me

Two running buddy survivors. Thankfully, I think of Carolyn as a running buddy now, not really as a survivor. It's a nice place to be. Runner rather than survivor.
I also ran into my friend Jill, who was my physical therapist shortly after all of my cancer surgeries. She's also a survivor. Or rather a cancer thriver. I like that term better.

Jill and me

We received survivor medals again this year, and they were sun catchers. My third sun catcher finisher's medal!

Sun catcher finisher's medaal

I'm honored to run Komen for a 10th year as a survivor. Let's hope we all make it to 20, 30, 40, 50 and beyond!

Komen 2015

Komen Race for the Cure.
I have such mixed feelings about Komen, but even more mixed feelings about Komen Race for the Cure.
I suppose it is because, in part, I am nine years out from my breast cancer diagnosis, and with cancer more and more in the rear view mirror, it's not front of mind and not a big part of my life anymore -- thank heavens!
So I had resolved not to run Atlanta's Komen race this year. But the race is held right across from my office building. And last week the signs went up letting drivers know there would be traffic delays on May 9. And suddenly I wanted to be part of that race.
So the day before the race I signed up. I am glad I ran the race.
The weather was good, if humid. The start of summer racing in Atlanta.

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Komen selfie at the start

 I couldn't park in my office parking lot this year, but I did bring my key card, so after having breakfast in the survivor's area and getting my survivor goodies, I walked over to my office and left everything at my desk. I didn't want to run with all that!

Karen and me

 Running into Karen at the finish is really why I am glad I did the race this year. I had been meeting fewer and fewer survivors my age or younger at these races, so it was such a delight to run into Karen, whom I've known for several years. And I don't see her often anymore so it was good to see her and know she's doing well too.

finisher

 Here's another reason I was glad to do this race. The finisher's medal. It's not that need another finisher's medal, but Atlanta Komen was one of the few Komen races that gave a finisher's medal for survivors. For years I'd collected them. Then last year, there was no medal. I was disappointed. It was a nice touch. When I went to sign up the day before the race, the young lady who got me registered was the woman who DESIGNED the medal. She gave me a sneak peak. I think she did a fabulous job.

Komen Atlanta finisher's medal

So there is another medal hanging on my display rack, and I'm glad to have it. Nine years is a place I wasn't so sure I'd be. I'm glad to be here. And I think I'm already committed to next year -- year 10!

Old race, new course

For the first time in several years, I ran the Komen Race for the Cure in Atlanta.
I had run the race for several years, but then a couple other races, like the Komen Race for the Cure in Chicago, conflicted with the Atlanta race.
This year, the race was in a new location at Lenox Square in Buckhead and had a new course, probably a little more challenging than the previous course at Atlantic Station in Midtown.
The one good thing for me about the new course was it was right across the street from my office building, and I parked there, rather than park far away.
It worked out for the building's security guard, too, because she forgot her key card to get in and I was there to let her into the building! :)
I only saw two friends at the race this year, which was a bit disappointing; although another friend said she saw me, and tried to catch my attention, but didn't.

Meeting up with friends 

Lovely Lisa

 Not a bad race today, and really kind of a tune up for what is next -- The Rock N Roll Portland Half Marathon!

Running the Lucky 13th

I've completed a race in my 13th state, and all I can say is Vegas, Baby, Vegas!
I did the Komen Race for the Cure in Las Vegas with my friend Susan, and Nevada is officially crossed off the list.
We stayed at The Golden Nugget hotel in the old downtown area of Las Vegas, not on the strip.
The hotel itself isn't that great, but it has a cool pool area, including a shark tank and a water slide that lets you slide through the middle of the tank. We certainly did that!

You can just see the tube from the water slide through the shark tank

The race was on a Saturday morning, so on Friday morning we toured the Hoover Dam. That was really interesting.

On the dam tour

Our tour guide was funny. He kept referring to the "dam tour" and he was our "dam guide." All silly and fun.
I didn't realize the Hoover Dam separates Nevada from Arizona, so we walked over to say we've been in both states on this trip.

A foot in each state!

Since we didn't have a car, we walked all over the Las Vegas area near our hotel, and even figured out the public bus system to get to the strip and see some of the lavish casinos and hotels.

Along the strip

Strip at night

Saturday morning all we had to do was walk out of the hotel and we were right at the race area. That was really nice.

Me and Susan

Just before the race start

Getting started

Susan along the walk

The Stratosphere in the background

Fiery art at the Container Park near Fremont Street

 The race course wasn't all that interesting, except near the end, as we passed the Container Park, which Susan and I had visited twice before, including once for some good barbecue for Friday's lunch. What we didn't know until Saturday's race, was the praying mantis sculpture art shot fire out of its antennae. Very cool!

Finishing the race right

 When we finished the race we were both hot, so we decided to cool off with a beverage. The photos are deceptive, we actually split this daiquiri -- and it took us a while to actually drink the whole thing. It melted, but we kept putting more ice in it and finally finished it.

How every race should end

Me and the King

It was great to spend time with my friend Susan, but I will say Las Vegas is not the town for me. I'm not a gambler, and Las Vegas really is a one-trick town. If you don't gamble, there really isn't much for one to do.
Still, I'm glad I've completed my 13th state in Nevada -- Lucky 13.

My kind of town

I'm just back from my first trip to Chicago, where I met up with two college friends and completed a 5K race in Illinois.
That brings my bucket list of running a race in each state to 11 completed.
More importantly, why had I never been to Chicago before? What a great city!
I flew in Friday to Midway and my friend Pat picked me up at the airport. She lives in Hyde Park, not far from President Barrack Obama's house. She showed me where it is on Sunday, although you can't drive down the road to see his home close up. All we could see was the wrought iron fence and a little bit of the house.
But back to Friday. After me and my college friend Susan were checked into our hotel, Pat and my Aunt Rose picked us up again and we had dinner in Chicago's Chinatown.

Me in front of Chinatown

Susan and me in Chinatown

 We didn't know which restaurant to pick, so we just kind of walked up and down the street before stepping into the May Flower. I think we may have been the only English-speaking patrons in the place. And the food was great. I love a find like that!
The only issue with the restaurant was that I asked for a glass of wine with dinner. Wine was clearly an option on the menu, but apparently the bartender/cashier was not in Friday night and the waitress said I couldn't have wine that night!
So Rose, Pat, Susan and I then began the hunt for a bottle of wine that Susan and I could take back to the hotel room.
We found a little grocer and got the ultimate bottle of wine for a girls weekend -- Bitch wine.

Bitch wine

Susan with Bitch wine

 

Saturday morning Susan and I met up with Patti, whom I lived with for four years at the University of Missouri. Susan lived across the hall in Gillette Hall for the two years Patti and I lived there.
The three of us and Patti's husband walked up to the Chicago River and took the Wendella Boat Tour on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.

Susan, Patti and JD about to shove off

View of the skyline from Lake Michigan

Notice how overcast it was!

The John Hancock Building

The Sears tower

View down the Chicago River

 It was really great, except for the weather!
I mean it has been so cold here in Atlanta this spring, but it was super cold in Chicago this weekend. Highs of 55, if that! I had to bring a coat.
Our next stop was Giordano's for some famous deep dish pizza. Ours was Patti's favorite from college -- Canadian bacon and black olives. 

My first Chicago deep dish pizza slice.

 From there we just wandered back to our hotel, stopping first at Millennium Park.

Susan at Millennium Park

Me and Susan at Millennium Park, being silly

Silliness

I carried that umbrella all day so it wouldn't rain. The sun finally came out!

The skyline as seen in the bean 

That's us in the bean

Skyline in the bean

 We headed back to the hotel and after some snacks and another glass of Bitch wine, we took a walk in the evening and saw Buckingham Fountain lit up.

Buckingham Fountain 

 

The sun sets 

 

The fountain show

Going pink

 It's hard to see, but the Sears tower's spires are lit pink for the Komen walk the next day.
Susan, Patti and I were up early Sunday for the walk.

About to start the Komen Chicago 5K 

 

At the start 

 

Along the walk

At the fountain again

Lovely downtown views

 This walk was really nice in that we really saw a lot of downtown. At the end of the walk, I got to meet Yuri, whom I had never met in person, but knew through an online cancer survivor's network. I was so excited to finally meet her. We had gone through treatment during the same time, which was about seven years ago.

Me and Yuri

Me, Yuri, Patti and Susan

Aunt Rose and me

 

 It was nice that Aunt Rose and Pat came to the finish to lend their support as well.
The weekend went by too quickly, and I already know I want to go back to see and do more in Chicago.
It's my kind of town.