Dr Micheal Gordon joins us to share some of his unbelievable running stories from how Boston was his first marathon to having a rifle pointed at him in China when he was on a run. As an orthopedic surgeon in sports medicine, Dr Gordon is involved with the care of athletes of all levels. At one point Mike covered 100 sporting events a year. I’m not even sure I watch 100 sporting events in a year. It’s incredible to hear how dedicated Dr Gordon is his to his craft whether he’s working the side line for a Milwaukee Bucks or Marquette Golden Eagles game or helping runners as the physician advisor for the Badgerland Striders Running Club.

Ultra runner, Arun Sarkar, talks us through his journey to becoming an ultra runner. Arun has accomplished big things since he started running in 2012. Yeah that’s right: he has only been running for 7 years, but has run over 100 halves, marathons and ultras combined. It’s not often you know someone with the stories and willpower to just keep running, but Arun defies most of our expectations of what the human body can do. We learn how Arun got started running on Jan, 16 2012. He talks about a specific run that pushed his body and mind to go beyond his limits to show him he can accomplish whatever he puts his mind to. But sometimes life doesn’t happen the way we expect it. In Arun’s case, an injury in 2018 set him back to racing at the World Championships, but when a new opportunity came at him in 2019 he is trying to find a way to get to that start line.

Tenia Fisher of FEAR MKE and Social X is in the studio for episode 3. When it comes to running, it's been something Tenia has been excelling at since she was a kid.  We kick off the first half of the show learning about Tenia's running journey, from being a state champ at Rufus King, to being named athlete of the year three years in a row at UW-Milwaukee. But every athlete has highs and lows. Tenia talks about going from training for Olympic qualifiers to her to fall-out with running and then ultimately how FEAR MKE brought running back into her life. As the Director of Health and Wellness at Social X and a Lead Captain of FEAR, Tenia is giving back to the sport and city that shaped her life by breaking down barriers in Milwaukee for runners of color. 

In episode number two, we sit down with Jess Hoepner, the owner of Performance Running Outfitters, or better known as PRO. PRO is a Milwaukee based running store, but they are much more than that, they have grown their roots deep in Milwaukee and give back to the local running scene in so many ways. 

We chat with Jess about her journey into running from her time as a student athlete to coaching and running marathons. We learn how Jess started PRO and a lucky break that helped propel her from selling crocs to name brand shoes. Since opening PRO in 2006, Jess and her husband Trae have expanded PRO to four locations in the greater Milwaukee area. Stick around for the Cream City Pacers rapid fire questions to hear Jess' favorite prerace pump up song.

Welcome to episode 1.

Most big running events have “designated runners” helping pace the race. This show focuses on the Pacers of Milwaukee. You You know, the people helping shape our city everyday. We will hear their stories, learn how they are impacting Milwaukee and the local running scene. 

For this very first episode we sit down with Patrick Bieser, the fearless leader of the Original Milwaukee Running Group, or OMG for short. The reason I started running was because I got involved with OMG when my wife dragged me to the group back in 2014. Otherwise,  I wouldn’t be here on this show today, so it’s only fitting that we kick off episode one with Patrick. Patrick and I discuss all things OMG, from how Patrick got started with the group and what the group has come to be. Currently the group offers 14 different runs a week and hosts Milwaukee’s largest Beer Mile. We talk about all the different events OMG puts on throughout the year and you will quickly learn that they enjoy having fun outside of running too. If you are currently a member, then there was a good chance you already know, but if you are new, then Patrick hopes this inspires you to come out for a run. 

Lastly, Patrick delivers his answers for the very first Cream City Pacers Rapid Fire Questions to end the show. Teaser his favorite post run food is chocolate milk.

Welcome to Cream City Pacers. This podcast is coming to you from the heart of Milwaukee, as the city’s exclusive running themed show. The theme is simple: we all run this city every day, but do we know the people who run it? I am your host Alex Moehn and I’m super excited to bring this podcast to you to connect the people and our city together. On this show, we will get to know the “Pacers” who are helping shape Milwaukee. We will hear their stories and talk about their personal journeys. We will learn about their failures and triumphs, and what they are doing to impact Milwaukee and the local running scene. I hope these interviews both inspire you and make you laugh-- hopefully we will all make a few new running friends along the way.

A little about myself: I am a fellow Milwaukeean and an avid runner, and I will be your host along this journey into our city. I have happily called Milwaukee my home for over the past decade. While I grew up in Wisconsin playing all your typical high school sports, running was not one of them. I actually didn’t start running until 2014 when I completed my first half marathon. In the past few years, I have run many halves, a few marathons and the majority of the local races,  including a few beer miles. I would have never thought I'd label myself as a runner, but here I am five years later and I wouldn't have it any other way. I’ve met some incredible people, explored Milwaukee, and have seen what running really means to this city. My passion for running and love of this city has inspired me to bring you this show.

In our first episodes we will hear from local runners who are making a huge impact on this city. We will hear about how the Milwaukee Running Group is bringing runners together everyday, how FEAR MKE is growing the running community for people of color, and how one lucky break for Performance Running Outfitters helped springboard their store to sell more than just Crocs--yes, crocs like the ones your uncle wears with white socks. 

Lastly, if you are not a runner, don’t tune out just yet. I hope these stories and interviews you will inspire you to take action with your own goals and aspirations, or just keep you around long enough to learn more about the people and this great city.

So next time you are out on your run, wave to the next person who passes by. It might just make their day. And, who knows??? maybe they are listening to this podcast too.