I mentioned in a previous post about my upcoming races I would have in Wisconsin. One was the race in the title that I am going to do a quick post about. The other was Devil’s Lake Dances With Dirt Half Marathon trail race. That was sadly cancelled 😦

We received an email about a week and a half prior that the race directors were told by Devil’s Lake State Park officials they could not run the race due to the trail conditions. There had been major flooding and active flood warnings in the area. We were given options to roll over our entry to next year, move it to another event in Michigan, or run it virtually.

I chose the virtual option, though I put off running it until being back in Lethbridge. I did a combination of road and trails and logged my half marathon distance. It was then at that point I hung up the medal they mailed. Yes…of course I’m sad it was cancelled. But I am fortunate this wasn’t some big bucket list race distance for me (like another 100km or a 50 miler). In the end, race directors have to make tough decisions and it is what it is.

Later on, near the end of my trip to Wisconsin, I had another trail race. This was a short 5km held at Minooka Park in Waukesha, Wisconsin, at the Tap Yard Beer Garden. There is a Beer Garden 5km race series in the area that went to four different Milwaukee/Waukesha county parks this summer with beer gardens! Minooka Park was their only “trail race” of the series, so I am glad I still got to be on the trails.

My aunt and uncle joined myself, my mom and Andy at the race (as they live in the area) and with it being an evening event at 6pm, it was a bit cooler than the heat of the day (and the heat wave had finally broken from the week prior!). Andy was able to participate in the short kids race they did prior to the 5km and he had fun (even though it was advertised as a mile race, it was more like a 200m out and back sprint on a trail).

I won’t spend too much time detailing the 5km, but it was really a great course! And challenging! The trails are different than what I am used to in Lethbridge…..wider, more root systems….many spots felt dark with my sunglasses on (and the way the shade was hitting) so I actually had to raise my glasses a few times so I could see my footing.

There was not any crazy steep inclines, but any elevation in a sprint race like a 5km can tax you. Couple that with the humidity, I really had no clue how I was going to fair. Oh, and add in that I had been gluttonous with food and beverage for a week and a half….haha! I held my own and finished in a 25:37, which was good enough for 1st in my age group!

Overall, I was very happy to end my Wisconsin trip with this event. Sad to have had the first cancelled, but happy to end on a high note!