We're off and Running!

We are not even one week into 2018 and my race calendar already is seeing quite a bit of action.

By the way, did anyone else start the new year off in their running shoes? I had one bit of Running Streak business to finish up, as well as the annual New Year's Day group run with a few local friends. In  keeping with the recent arctic blast, our temps on NYD were the coldest yet...how does -20 grab you?

FYI--those are ice crystals, not earrings

With the final streak run finished, my off-season immediately started as soon as our run ended. Mind you, I will not be sitting idle, but I will not be doing any heavy-duty running for a few weeks either. The running streak (which "ran" from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day) is always my final hurrah for the year. January is usually reserved for light running and a return to more consistent strength-training. I usually don't have much on the calendar anyways, so there's not much reason for hardcore running.

None the less, my 2018 calendar already has stuff happening almost every month through September! What the WHAT???

For example:

Later this month, I'll be returning to a nearby town for the Chamburrr Scurry 5K (Marshalltown, IA). I first ran this race in 2014, and it was cold. Colder than cold, actually. Extremely windy, and the "feels like" temps that day were in the single digits. I returned in 2015 and 2017 and had better race day conditions. Fingers crossed Momma N will play nice on the 27th.

Can you say, "Brrr?"

In February, another favorite race happens on the 10th...the Red Flannel Run 5 Mile (Des Moines, IA). I have run this race almost every year since 2011, and it's usually a cold morning on race day. Last year, though, Momma N threw us a curve ball, and surprised us with temps in the low 50's. What's an Iowa girl to do when the temps are that warm in February? Well, I wore red flannel shorts, of course.

It's not every day one can wear red flannel shorts in February in Iowa

In March, is yet another favorite race, the Leprechaun Chase 10K (Des Moines, IA). This will be my fifth wearing 'o the green and toeing the start line (recaps from 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017). What's unique about this race (and why it sells out every year) is the "chase" concept...the Lasses (the gals) get a 5-minute head start over the Lads (the guys). The runner who crosses the finish line first wins a free beer for all of her (or his) comrades. Hence, the Lads chase the Lasses, all for the sake of beer (and bragging rights).

The hubby has run this with me a few times

April will find me back in Des Moines for the 50th anniversary of the Drake Relays Road Races Half Marathon, on the 22nd. The Drake Relays themselves are like a mini version of the Olympics, and draw a lot of top runners from across the US, including high school hot shots, college standouts, and elites. The Road Races are for those us not quite in the same competitive league as the others mentioned. I have run the 10K (2013) and the half marathon ( 2014, 2015, and 2017). There's always a few good hills, and we finish on the famous blue oval in Drake Stadium.

planting a kiss on Spike, the Drake mascot

In May, I will again be doing the Market to Market Relay with some co-workers (last year's recap HERE). This is a relay event, similar to Ragnar, but on a smaller scale. It's a 76-mile course through central Iowa for teams of 6-8 runners.

our 2017 relay team

In June, there is the race I lament on over and over every year, Dam to Dam (Des Moines, IA) It was my first-ever distance event, back in 2008, when it was still a 20K. A few years back, the officials made it into a half marathon. This year, on June 2nd, it will be the final year for Dam to Dam, and it was decided to revert it back to its original 20K distance. To say I'm extremely sad to see this event go is an understatement (though there is another company taking over the reins, but it will probably have a name change). That said, I'm excited to run the 20K distance again! This will be my 11th consecutive Dam race, and I wouldn't miss it for anything.

my favorite Dam race 

In July, I will be headed to Chicago for the Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon (and probably also the 5K). I have a few logistics and details to finalize, but I'm looking forward to returning to the Windy City. I ran the R'nR Remix back in 2014, and was registered to run the 13.1 last summer until that untimely surgery forced me to take a DNS.

The hardware from 2014

Finally, I recently registered for the Kickoff to Kinnick 5K, scheduled for September 29th. I ran this race for the first time back in September(RECAP).  It was a monumental finish line for me....not just because it took place near the University of Iowa campus (my Alma Mater), but it was my first race back after my lengthy recovery.

Victory!

So, yeah. Those races are just the beginning. There are many more that are on my radar but not yet bought and paid for...yet. I'm toying with the idea of doing another marathon, but have not yet decided on the where or when. Most likely, it will be a fall event. Stay tuned. There are a lot of details yet to be determined.

How's your 2018 race schedule look? It's no secret I'm excited to do some racing, though I'm probably not gonna be doing many of these with PR's on my agenda. I'm just so thankful for the gift of running, the finish times are no longer a priority.

Do you have any races on your 2018 roster yet? Any new events, or a few favorites?

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 **I'm linking this with Debbie and Rachel and Lora for the Running Coaches' Corner.

**I'm also linking up with Nicole and Annmarie for the Wild Wednesday Workout