RunningAHEAD - Topic: Transportation question

posted: 8/30/2008 at 1:38 AM

For anyone familiar w/ Milwaukee at marathon time -

Zoomers & I were talking today about taking the ferry from Michigan vs driving. I suggested we take the ferry without a vehicle & rely on public transportation. Are there a fair number of taxis? Will our husbands/families be able to get a taxi fairly easily to show up at various points on the course? If we drive, will it be easier for them to use our vehicles to get around on the course or would public transportation be easier?

We'd appreciate any advice from Lakefront veterans! Smile

Thanks,

Eryn

.: 5% Less of Me • Ladies Locker Room :.

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other - body thoroughly used up and totally worn out, screaming: WOO HOO! What a ride!"

Runs With Snowplows

posted: 8/30/2008 at 1:57 AM

Also, look how close the ferry is to the race finish, which is really close to the Comfort Inn where we are staying...looks like all of 3 miles:
map

Kirsten

• Ladies Locker Room •

.: 2008 Goals :.
• Run 1500 miles
• October 5 - ~~1st marathon~~ - Milwaukee Lakefront - in my home state of WI
• PRs: 5k ~ ~~15k~~ ~ ~~25k~~
• ~~1st trail race~~

missy1102

posted: 9/1/2008 at 4:59 AM

eryn and kirsten,

i honestly can't say i'm all that familiar with the public transportation in this area. i drive everywhere and have never taken public transit. there are def cabs and buses.. and i'm SURE you would be able to take a cab from the ferry to the hotel. i would have to guess it would be logistically difficult (but not impossible!) to get a cab to show up to different points on the course. if given a choice, i would think that it would be easier for the families/hubbies to take a car instead of a cab.

theres a good chance i might be able to pick you gals up and take you to your hotel or even the expo. are you coming in fri or sat?

hope this helps!!!

jonnieyb

posted: 9/3/2008 at 12:26 AM

I haven't done Lakefront before but I may have some insight to share. I am certain that you could get to your hotel by cab.

I don't know what your spectators are hoping to do. If they are planning to be at one spot in the middle of the course and then meet you at the end, I am sure they could get by with cabs. Busses are the other option and they will be of little help on the race course as they have little intersection with the course.

Last time I had spectators at a marathon they tried to meet up with me at 4 different places. That would likely be impossible by cab. Know that most cabs will be coming from Milwaukee and so if your supporters want to be anywhere outside of the city it will take quite a while to get a cab out to them. Take a look at the race course online. Whitefish Bay is Mile 20 and it would likely take a cab 20 minutes to get to Whitefish Bay. Personally, I would rent a car or bring one if I were watching my wife at this race.

I hope that helps.

Runs With Snowplows

posted: 9/3/2008 at 1:05 AM

Quote from jonnieyb on 9/3/2008 at 12:26 AM:

Personally, I would rent a car or bring one if I were watching my wife at this race.

I hope that helps.

Eryn, that is something I had mentioned to Derek -- renting a car just to drive around Milwaukee. It's probably cheaper to rent a minivan for the lot of us, rather than bring even 1 vehicle 1 way on the ferry.

posted: 9/3/2008 at 4:08 AM

Quote from zoom-zoom on 9/3/2008 at 1:05 AM:

Yeah, that is a thought. We really need to get our crap together & make a decision on what we are doing. Ok, I need to get my crap together anyways! I feel like I don't have time to breathe right now, let alone get my crap together!

Thanks, Jon & Missy for your thoughts/advice. Missy, thanks for the offer of a lift also! I think we were both planning on coming on Saturday, right Kirsten?? I'd like to be there relatively early on Sat, though I'm sure that will depend on mode of transportation.

Runs With Snowplows

posted: 9/3/2008 at 11:17 AM

Quote from backroadrunner on 9/3/2008 at 4:08 AM:

I think we were both planning on coming on Saturday, right Kirsten?? I'd like to be there relatively early on Sat, though I'm sure that will depend on mode of transportation.

Yep. That was another reason I was interested in the ferry option...we could probably get there a lot earlier.

veswystun

posted: 9/3/2008 at 3:31 PM

ERYN!!!! I found you! It's Valerie from the Aliferis this past weekend in Alpena!

Runs With Snowplows

posted: 9/5/2008 at 1:56 AM

Dang...nix the minivan idea. It would still be about $140 for the entire weekend from Enterprise. Sheesh.

missy1102

posted: 9/11/2008 at 3:35 AM

ladies, what did you end up deciding to do?

Runs With Snowplows

posted: 9/11/2008 at 1:49 PM

We're gonna be driving...none of the options involving the ferry end up being very cost-effective, even though it would be SO nice to not have to drive all the way down around through Indiana and Chi-town.

posted: 9/13/2008 at 2:43 AM

Quote from veswystun on 9/3/2008 at 3:31 PM:

ERYN!!!! I found you! It's Valerie from the Aliferis this past weekend in Alpena!

Hey Valerie!! Sorry it took so long, I don't get much time on here. How are you? Everyone, say hello to Val. I met her at my 15K race Labor Day weekend. Though she isn't running Milwaukee, she's training for her first Marathon too! I told her she must come join Running Ahead & meet all the wonderful runners that hang out here. Good thinking on tracking me down in this forum. Join us in the Ladies Lockerroom as well. Kirsten, I can vouch for her!

Runs With Snowplows

posted: 9/13/2008 at 4:10 AM

Quote from backroadrunner on 9/13/2008 at 2:43 AM:

Join us in the Ladies Lockerroom as well. Kirsten, I can vouch for her!

If you have her e-mail feel free to pass the password her way.

BTW, how are you doing after the death march?

posted: 9/13/2008 at 7:49 PM

No, I don't have her email. I'll find her & let her know eventually. Actually, I don't know the password, so I'll give her your email.

I'm feeling pretty good. The normal pubic symphisis thing, or whatever the hell it is. My back hurts, but it's tolerable with mass quantities of muscle relaxers & anti-inflammatories! Big grin

Life is good. Perhaps I shouldn't be operating sharp instruments today? Confused

Oh well, 7 appetizers for 40 people need to be ready in <2 hours. Back to work & sharp instruments.

Hope your run was good today, blondie!