Last weekend I ran the 2022 Eau Claire Half Marathon to check off Wisconsin! I monitored the weather a lot leading up to race day. Cloudy, rain and temperatures in the 40s. Not great race conditions and even though we’ve only been in Charleston for a month, I feel like I’ve already gotten used to warm, humid weather.

Pre-Race

My mom and I drove to Eau Claire on Saturday afternoon. It’s only about a 2-hour drive from the Twin Cities. They call it “The Biggest Small Town Race in the US” and I can see why. The packet pickup was outside and they had tons of run ec swag to purchase. They had several timing mats along the course, tons of crowd support and a big party at the end. (I was freezing and miserable so we didn’t partake.)

We checked into our hotel and ate dinner at Shanghai Bistro. We both had a (very bland) bowl of pad thai and of course I had to have a glass of New Glarus Spotted Cow. All delivered by a robot.

Course

I didn’t study the course very much before the race, but I did notice a few blips in the elevation. It was nothing compared to the hills in the Pig. (Coincidentally, the Pig and the Eau Claire Marathon were all on the same day this year.)

We put on a trash bag and stayed under the covered area as long as possible. The full and the full relay started an hour before, so this is just a snapshot of the half marathoners.

We’re dressed slightly different than we were a few weeks ago in Wickenburg. 😛

Back to the course! I really enjoyed it- lovely river views, lots of turns and only slight incline/declines. Just enough to keep it interesting. Parts of the course were on the street, some along a bike path. I never had an issue with it being too narrow. But I did witness some fast marathoners (see green and blue tank top below) struggle to pass half marathoners along the bike path. I also loved that there were spectators everywhere! Although it was hard to run past all the people at The Brewing Project drinking bloody marys.

The Race

The bad part: I’m not thrilled with my time. I felt like a wimp and walked a bunch after mile 10. No excuse, but I woke up with a sore throat. My capris, the same ones I wore at Marshall Marathon, slipped a bit and gave me some terrible chaffing.

The good part: I finished another half marathon with my mom and can now check Wisconsin off my list! Bonus- I didn’t have any stomach issues and walked away with no blisters. The rain was pretty constant, but never a downpour. Only the last 0.2 when you turned from Lake Street to Graham, did the rain/wind pick up to an annoying level. Shoutout to the people in the neighborhood around mile 11 with the sign that read “Official Half Way Point”.

Full or Half Marathon in Every State

Wisconsin makes state number 15. Only 35 to go. I have two more planned for 2022 – Georgia and Florida. Then, in January 2023 I’ll do the Charleston 1/2 that was cancelled this year. I feel like it’s not too early to start planning out more 2023 races! Should I do a back-to-back in the Northwest or Northeast?

I’m not part of the official 50 States Half Marathon Club, but have a few of my own “rules” – see MI. Also, check out my profile on Race Raves.