My Profile

@timcigelske

Milwaukee, WI Raving since 2019 50 States hopeful/finisher The Beer Runner Active 2 years, 9 months ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):
  • Rave race:

    Milwaukee Marathon

  • Race that's calling my name:

    Glacier Park Half

  • I run because:

    I like to run and I like beer

My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (2)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Marathon Milwaukee, WI Oct 6, 2019 2:52:09
Half Marathon Lake Buena Vista, FL Jan 13, 2019 1:21:50

Future Races (6)

Race Distance Location Date Paid
50 Mile Relay Bend, OR TBD
2.5 Miler Newport, KY TBD
8K Milton, DE TBD
Half Marathon Kiowa, MT TBD
Marathon Frenchtown, MT TBD
10 Miler Lake Buena Vista, FL TBD

Past Races (7)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Marathon Milwaukee, WI Apr 11, 2020
Marathon Milwaukee, WI Oct 6, 2019 2:52:09
Half Marathon Lake Buena Vista, FL Jan 13, 2019 1:21:50
Half Marathon Merrimac, WI Jul 12, 2014 1:47:00
8K Milton, DE Sep 29, 2013
Half Marathon Roanoke, VA 2012 1:28:00
Half Marathon Eagle, WI 2012 1:28:51

My Raves

I've run 14 marathons, and Lakefront was my first, most recent and most frequent. I think I've run it 8 times or so and it's where I have my PR. … MORE

I’ve run 14 marathons, and Lakefront was my first, most recent and most frequent. I think I’ve run it 8 times or so and it’s where I have my PR. I’ve run it as a pacer, with a team and solo.

This year brought a few minor changes with the finish line extended to Summerfest, just past where it previously finished at Veteran’s park. This was a huge improvement for the better since in previous years the finish line has been muddy and wet, making it difficult for runners and spectators alike. The finish at the Summerfest grounds made for a scenic finishing chute along Lake Michigan, as well as allowed for ample entertainment on the stage. The new set-up made it feel a lot more like a legit finish line party and the logistics were greatly improved. Kudos to the race organizers for making this change to the long-standing route.

As for the route, some people might call it boring, others may call it peaceful. It’s a mix of rural and suburban and you finally get into the city along the last few miles, where the route takes you along Lake Michigan. My favorite stretch is along quiet farmer fields just before you enter Concordia University around mile 7. That’s also where you see one of the biggest cheering sections, which usually appear every few miles or so. To me, it’s a good mixture of solitude and cheering along the route.

It’s also a fast course. There are barely any inclines, with just a few minor ups and downs along the way. You end with a big downhill to the lake around mile 24.

As someone who has run huge races like Chicago and scenic but logistically challenging races like Big Sur, I really like the happy medium of Lakefront Marathon. It’s easy to get to the start, it has an intimate community feel but it’s also big enough to run with others and have fan support along the course. I may be biased as a hometown participant, but it’s one of my all-time favorite races.

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5
My Report
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First, the negatives. The race was both the most expensive half marathon (by far) and the earliest half marathon (by far) I've ever run, at $190 and 5:30 am, respectively. … MORE

First, the negatives. The race was both the most expensive half marathon (by far) and the earliest half marathon (by far) I’ve ever run, at $190 and 5:30 am, respectively. I had to get up crazy early to board one of the busses to the start line. Getting back to the resort took a very long time as we hit Disney traffic back to our hotel. Finally, even though you’re running through Disney, don’t expect to run through theme parks the whole time. Most of the race is on dark streets and highways.

OK, that all said… this is a Disney race and a Disney experience through and through. It’s extremely well organized and entertaining, from Donald Duck and fireworks sending you off to characters taking photos with you all along the course. The main highlight for me was running through Magic Kingdom with the castle all lit up. I audibly gasped and said WOW out loud while running. It’s a stunning exclusive experience that you don’t get with the crowded streets during the day.

The course itself was mostly flat but not without challenges. There are hills at the start and again near the end. But I did end up PR’ing on the course (yes, I probably should have stopped for photos for the full experience!)

I’m not usually a medal guy, but the Disney designs are really cool and I even got a plaque mailed to me for finishing 5th in my age group.

Would I do it again? Yes. But next time, I want to try the marathon to experience four parks. I just signed up for the RunDisney full.

DIFFICULTY
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My Report
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My Media

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The guy running next to me yelled out when he crossed the finish line: That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done! There’s a good chance he wasn’t exaggerating. I … MORE

The guy running next to me yelled out when he crossed the finish line:

That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done!

There’s a good chance he wasn’t exaggerating.

I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when the race invited me to participate (thanks for the entry!) in Dances with Dirt and experience the trail race for myself. She had me at Bells Brewery post-race party.

Dances with Dirt belongs to a race series that started 25 years ago in Hell, Mich. Since then, it has expanded to Indiana, Florida and my home state, Wisconsin. Quaff ON! Brewing sponsors the Green Swamp and Gnaw Bone races. Last year, Bell’s sponsored the post-race party in Hell, and this year traveled along to the other side of Lake Michigan.

“We love coming to Wisconsin, the people are great, so TOUGH!” Mandy Hetfield from the event staff told me. “It’s a very hilly course including a trip up the bluffs, but yet, no one ever complains about it. It’s just another day in the life of running for them up there!”

The race starts at the Devil’s Head ski resort in Merrimac, Wisconsin, and runs up to the bluffs of Devil’s Lake in Baraboo — one of my favorite hiking spots — with routes from 10K all the way to 50 mile. Originally I was going to try for the 50K and I signed up for that distance.

Then I read some of the brutal race reports, which included running up and down double black diamond ski hills. My training has been decent this summer, but I wasn’t ready for that level of challenge. I hope I didn’t diminish the reputation of Wisconsin runners in Mandy’s mind. I emailed her in a panic at the last minute this week asking to switch to the half marathon.

Thank God I did, because I’m not sure I could have made it another step past the finish. According to Runkeeper, this was the most elevation I’ve gained in a single run, with more than 1,700 feet. The bluffs are no joke.

Some 200 people camp out at the start and finish, but I woke up at 4:30 in the morning to make the 2-hour drive from Milwaukee. I joined about 1,400 people total in all the races.

The terrain included technical and rocky single-track trail, which slowed me down to nearly a 10-minute mile at one section. Most of the effort took place on backcountry paths, but near the middle of the route you’re rewarded with a spectacular overlook view of Devil’s Lake.

It’s also worth noting that this was one of the friendliest and chattiest racing fields I’ve been a part of. Everyone was in a good mood, even the guy I tripped over and fell on in the second mile. There’s something about spending a long time in the woods that develops an esprit de corps.

I spent a long time running with a pack of high school cross country teammates, and the old people like myself that tried to keep up. That made some of my middle miles the fastest, when I normally would have lost focus and slowed down in a race.

I finished in 1:47, more than 20 minutes slower than my half marathon PR, but good for second place in my age group. There are few races of any distance where I’ve expended more effort.
We were well compensated for the effort. Bells set up its beer garden trailer next to the finish line, where Oberon, Lager of the Lakes, Amber Ale and Two Hearted Pale Ale flowed. The party continued later on with more Bells at local pub The Barn.

The race medal also doubled as a beer bottle opener. This will be the first race medal I plan on keeping.

Afterward, I grabbed a Two Hearted and hamburger from The Barn and did my best to recover before my 2-hour drive back to Milwaukee.

DIFFICULTY
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My Report
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My Media

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I had never experience a race like the Dogfish Dash, and it reminded me very much of the New Belgium Tour de Fat. Both events give back to local environmental … MORE

I had never experience a race like the Dogfish Dash, and it reminded me very much of the New Belgium Tour de Fat. Both events give back to local environmental causes, aggressively compost and recycle to make for a near-zero-waste event, feature inspired and over-the-top participant costumes and have great live music. And of course, both events have no shortage of phenomenal beer.

Sam, the Dogfish founder and CEO, even gave us a pre-race pep talk. “The sun is shining down on us today,” he said.

The road race course was scenic and mostly flat with some deceptively tough hills thrown in. I kept a pretty steady pace and finished with just enough of a kick to finish 1st in my age group. My goal was to run in the mid-18s, and my official time was 18:32 for the 5K (this review category only allowed me to select 8K). I scored a bottle opener for a medal, which is perfect for the Burton Baton and 60 Minute IPA I brought home.

During my all-too-brief time in Delaware, I was also able to fit in a brewery tour and saw the original Dogfish digs in Rehoboth Beach. Mission accomplished.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
My Report
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3
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5
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I heard that it took “an act of Congress” to host a race across the scenic byways of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was well worth it. I knew there … MORE

I heard that it took “an act of Congress” to host a race across the scenic byways of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was well worth it.

I knew there was 1,600 feet of elevation gain in the half marathon — and double that for the full — but it was hard for me to conceive of that while training on the flatlands of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

It was as hard as it sounds. After the first mile, a steady ascent continued that didn’t let up for three miles. Brutal.

But the payoff was not only gorgeous views, but a manic descent over the next two miles. I don’t think I’ve ever let gravity carry me that far. Gravity was also largely responsible for a 5:40 mile downhill mile split.

After the quad-busting downhills, the course more or less leveled off for the rest of the way, including sections along the scenic greenway trails. I ran solo through most of these sections, but the enthusiastic army of volunteers kept me going with their cheers.

I’ve never felt so fired up at the end of the race. I sprinted the last half mile home and finished in 1:28, which was good for third place overall. I credit the pre-race Roanoke craft beer carbo loading.

Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better race day. The weather was ideal, the field was not to big and not too small, I met friendly runners like David from #RunChat, they gave me a massage and a sausage biscuit at the finish, and afterward I could partake in the local craft beer scene.

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
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My Report
SCENERY
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SWAG
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My Media

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Race highlights included great fall weather, a scenic trail run in the woods and meeting ultra running legend Dean Karnazes at the North Face Endurance Series half marathon. I found … MORE

Race highlights included great fall weather, a scenic trail run in the woods and meeting ultra running legend Dean Karnazes at the North Face Endurance Series half marathon. I found him very low key and down to earth for a guy who runs 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days.

I chatted with him (and got this picture with him and my Delafield Brewhaus Amber) after I finished the trail half marathon in Eagle, Wisconsin. I crossed the line in 1:28:51, which is about 50 seconds off my personal record.

Dean told me I could take 5-10 percent off my time if I wanted to compare it to my road race PR, given the hills and the loose dirt on the trail. So that affirmation plus my 6th place finish made me happy with the performance.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
My Report
SCENERY
5
SWAG
4
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