What's been going on "backstage."

How's it going, America? Just kidding. That's the best sarcastic greeting that I could muster. Hello, and thank you for reading today.


So, as you can imagine, things have been pretty busy (do I sound like a broken record yet?) and a lot has been going on "backstage." Like, this:

Radio performances / live broadcasts at work, in the middle of the workday. 

Ringside photo opps at Mondo Lucha.

Soy lattes from Alterra. The very best.

Blonde Manhattans from Rumpus Room.

Widespread Panic.

My coworker's Smiths Tribute Band, The Salford Lads Club, at a Pablove benefit concert. The same night that last photo was taken, a very important question was asked... and answered:

Yes! (Not for me, for a gluten-sensitive friend).

And, more solemn moments...

My Dad's 60th Birthday. A visit from family. New friends. Old friends. Love.

Looking forward to this month, the Holidays, and more food, music and balanced living. Thanks for hanging out with me while I enjoy the ride!

You do the talking: Um, what's new? What have the past few weeks of your life been like? Any new artists you're listening to?

Milwaukee's Storm the Bastille Run: A 5k PR!

Doesn't this post title read all funky and robotic? A 5k PR! A 5k PR! It's like running has it's own coded, secret language. 


It means what it says, though - tonight I hit a personal record for a 5k distance!


The race: Storm the Bastille 5K Run / Walk, at Milwaukee's Bastille Days, which is the largest North American French-themed outdoor festival. Who knew?


The course: Beautiful Downtown Milwaukee, at night


The company: Stefanie and Nicole (my fellow half marathon divas), and a few other friends! 

We have special energy drinks, aka whiskey. Don't judge.

Essentially a party on sneakers, the Storm the Bastille course winds through Downtown and the 3rd Ward streets. While the pre-race music was a little odd (Broadway tunes and Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive"), nothing French or running-themed about it, runners packed the starting chute with friends and teammates, some of them in costumes. 

A whole team of Napoleons!

I couldn't resist a photo opp.

Next year I'm totally going to run as Marie Antoinette. I have experience...

Hahaha.

Tell me it wouldn't be hilarious to see a racing Marie? I still have the wig from this costume...

We couldn't resist a few more goofy photos before the race started. 

Once the race started, it was a fast start en masse. I began with my group, but promptly lost them (oops), and stuck to the left side of the course. There were SO many other runners, it was incredible!

Though I've been Downtown many times at night, running the course presented a new experience and the buildings and architecture looked beautiful.

It was a very fast course and before I knew it, my Garmin beeped and said I had completed 3.1 miles! But the finish line was still a block away... hmm.

My finals: 3.16 miles in 32 minutes, 57 seconds. A new personal record!

Happy Runners!

It was a great, fast race, and a ton of fun. I wish it had been chip timed as this was my fastest race yet, but that's quite all right. One complaint: the finish area was so jammed with people that everyone had to stop about 50 feet ahead of the finish line. 

You do the talking: Have you ever raced at night before? It was like seeing my city through new eyes!

We made it!

9 hours and 15 minutes, 13.5 miles, and 7,400 feet of elevation gain later, we made it!

Once we reached the summit, I had a slight issue with altitude sickness...

But it was nothing a little oxygen couldn't fix.

I am pooped so will keep this short. A recap to come tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement!